Luxury-home prices in central London rose in April as demand, particularly from overseas buyers, exceeded the number of properties for sale.

Values of houses and apartments costing about 3.7 million pounds ($6 million) increased by an average of 11.4 percent from a year earlier, a London-based broker said in a report today. Prices gained 1.1 percent last month.

Overseas investors have turned to London residential real estate to preserve wealth as they face political, economic and financial upheaval in their home markets. Sales of properties valued at more than 2 million pounds were subdued in April 2011, when a higher tax rate came into effect and caused a rush of buyers trying to avoid the levies during the preceding months.

“Activity was relatively weak last April,” said Liam Bailey, Knight Frank’s head of residential research. The number of property sales agreed to in February through April was 50 percent higher than in the same three-month period a year ago, he said.

Knight Frank compiles its luxury-homes index from its own appraisal values of a sample of properties in the 13 most expensive central London neighborhoods, such as Belgravia, Kensington and Knightsbridge.

Great marketing to sell your luxury Portland home.

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Oregon’s varied terrain and geography makes it surprisingly well-suited for producing both cool climate and warn climate varieties of wine.

The wine culture in Oregon has a refreshingly unpretentious flavor to it.  Small handcrafted wineries reign in Oregon, many of which are focused on organic and sustainable production practices.

Now famous for producing award winning Pinot Noirs, Oregon vineyards have come a long way from their humble beginnings in the early 1960s (more history on Oregon Vineyard Land) .  In the last 50 years 300 wineries have been founded in the state and 15 wine growing regions have been approved with 72 different grape varieties being grown.  If you haven’t already, we encourage you to head out to your local tasting room to experience the quality of these local wines for yourself, the great thing about Oregon is there is always one near by.

View more Oregon Wine Properties for sale.

A Realtor’s search of current listings can yield everything from new construction boasting a green certification to an older home with added insulation, double-paned windows, a tankless hot water heater or other energy-efficient features.

Not too long ago, this type of search was far more difficult. In fact, back in 2007, when the Portland-based Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS) first added a green-certification field on its listing forms, it started something new.

2801 NW 155th St Vancouver, WA 98685 – MLS# 12148490

Over time, RMLS added an additional field for energy-efficiency features. Now, it’s increasingly common to find some nod to energy savings or an environmentally friendly upgrade in new and pre-existing homes for sale in the metro area. The publicly accessible site, www.rmls.com, does not include the green-feature search, but Realtors have access to the industry site and can easily search for the desired green features on a client’s behalf.

17563 SW Cobb Lane Beaverton, OR 97007 – MLS# 12295452

“Everyone has a different wish list when it comes to what they’re looking for in a home,” said Kirby Gibson, a broker with Salient Properties. “But a green certification can be a major selling point, especially once people have a better understanding of what that means.”

15205 SW Warbler Way #102 Beaverton, OR 97007 – MLS# 12623613

To earn an Earth Advantage certification, a new home must be inspected by experts at least twice. Homes earn points for energy and water efficiency; indoor air quality; material conservation (such as the use of locally manufactured products); and practices used during the land development and construction process to reduce waste and prevent potential erosion. Depending on the number of points earned, a project may qualify for a Silver, Gold or Platinum level of certification.

For the home on North Princeton, Gibson can list almost two dozen green features that set the structure apart. The most unique is a ductless, mini-split heat pump that allows for zonal heating and cooling. Sleek, high-tech air-handling units are mounted high on a wall in the main-floor great room, upstairs master bedroom and upstairs hallway. They come with remote controls that make it easy to turn the system on and off, so that no energy goes to waste inside the different areas of the house.

Although green-certified homes still represent a relatively small percentage of all new home construction, the practice is expected to grow locally as well as nationwide as homebuilders continue to look for a competitive edge in the marketplace. As of early April, Portland had 307 active listings for green-certified homes, according to RMLS. Within the last 12 months, 714 green-certified homes were sold in the metro area.

Pre-existing homes with one or more energy-efficient features represent a different shade of green. Yet they can still offer reduced energy costs and support for a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

More Real Estate Listings.

Buying Homes with Resale Value

View is the one of the major factors that affects the resale value when buying homes. Buying homes with a pleasant view of a beach or the horizon often sell at a premium above similar homes without the view.

Though you may place a considerable dollar value on the view, future buyers may not be so like-minded. It may take you longer to find a buyer when it comes time to resell the house. Or you may end up dropping your price to more nearly match other sales prices in the neighborhood.

In short, if you are buying a house with a view, try to pay as little extra as possible. Otherwise, you might not get your money back.

Most real homes today are usually concentrated on the building itself but the lot is important too. Home with a good resale value should have lots that are as level as possible.

Assuming the property is in a typical neighborhood, the lot should be rectangular with no odd shaped lots or oddly situated lots.

Courtyard sizes are smaller in modern homes than in older homes, but there should still be a decently sized front and back yard.

Do not buy an over-landscaped property, either. You would normally pay a premium for that, which you may not be able to recover when you sell. You will get your best value if the house is moderately landscaped or under-landscaped for the area. Check this website out for more information on Portland homes.

You can always perk up the landscaping during your ownership by humanizing the grass and adding bushes and trees. Just do not waste too much.

In each residential neighborhood, houses will vary in size and rooms, but they should not be too different. If resale value is an important consideration, you should not buy the largest model in the neighborhood.

When determining market value, the homes nearest to yours are most important. If most of the nearby houses are smaller than your house, they can act as a drag on appreciation.

On the other hand, if you buy a small or medium house for the neighborhood, the larger homes can help pull up your value. This is one of those times where determining your “wants” versus your “needs” can be extremely important.

Buying what you need in a more prestigious neighborhood may provide more financial reward than getting what you want in a less desirable neighborhood and according to Inman News Portland fared better than most metro areas in this last “recession”.

Three and four bedroom houses are the most popular among homebuyers, so if you can stick in that range you will have more potential buyers when it comes time to resell.

There ought to always be at least two bathrooms in a house, preferably at least two and a half. One bathroom with a place to wash up for day-to-day visitors, one for the master bedroom, and at least one to be shared by the other bedrooms.

Walk-in closets are extremely desirable for the master bedroom. For the rest of the house, just be sure there is ample closet space. Don’t disregard space for linens and towels.

Garages add to the resale value and you should always make sure to get at least a two-car garage. Lately, three-car garages have become desirable in some areas of the country.

The laundry facilities should be located somewhere convenient on the main floor of the house, but not in a place it will create an eyesore. Think about whether you want to walk up and down stairs when carrying loads of laundry.

Family activity centers on the kitchen, so this is the most important room of the house. Larger kitchens are better, and they should be provided with modern appliances.

Obviously, the dining room and breakfast nook should be located adjacent to the kitchen. In newer houses, the family room should also be extremely close to the kitchen.

There should be easy access to the back yard, as there will be occasions for barbecues and outdoor entertaining.

In addition, it should be a short trek between the garage to the kitchen so hauling groceries in from the car does not become a horrendous chore.

Swimming pools do not provide as much added value as they once did. Safety issues about families with younger children have become more publicized than in the past, so families with small children tend to avoid homes with pools.

As a result, having a pool may actually reduce the number of potential homebuyers when you try to resell the home.

 4918 NE 9th Ave Portland, Oregon – MLS# 12502005 – Completely new construction from foundation up. Extra square footage added to basement. New garage and driveway. Oak Floors on Main, Stainless Dacor Appliances, Quartz kitchen counter-tops, tiled baths, Master suite with walk in closet, laundry hookup and two sink bath with enclosed commode. 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths total. Media room. Classic style. Extensive mill-work throughout, formal dining room with box beam ceiling and wainscoting. All new systems including FOR 95 heat, AC ready. All new water supply, new electrical panel and wiring, tankless gas hot water. High ceilings. Kitchen/Great Room with fireplace, eating bar island, and butler’s pantry. Fully fenced with large yard, patio, new lawn, landscaping custom brick work and retaining wall. Milgard windows and fiber cement siding. Over 3100 square feet on three fully finished levels.

1005 Cheltenham St Portland, OR 97239 – MLS# 12538113 – Seeking a home that balances Portland’s energetic pace? This delightful 1950′s Hillsdale mid-century abode may be your answer. It’s perched on a lot above the street in a quiet, close-in neighborhood. Immaculate and inviting, the home has 4 bedrooms and 2 baths.

435 N Shaver St Portland, OR 97227 – Rare opportunity to own a unique, AIA award winning design in a close in Portland neighborhood. The famed Parkbox, designed by Corey Martin heading PATH architecure (now of THA fame), is now available for purchase. Enjoy custom finishes with the highest regard to detail and aesthetic paired with a site design that connects the residents within to nature in a close in urban area.

Standing on the large, covered Craftsman-style front porch of the model at Arbor Oaks in the Bethany neighborhood, with a view of the close-by protected wetlands, it’s easy to picture yourself lounging with a cup of coffee and the Sunday paper on a sunny, summer morning.

The gracious, wood-frame porch, which runs the full width of the front of the home, is an example of the expanded living spaces created in the new plans being offered by Arbor Custom Homes. With a large two-car garage set below, the builder is able to deliver more square footage on a smaller footprint.

“People still want square footage,” said Jennifer Walsh, broker and community manager at Arbor Oaks. “By putting the garage underneath, you can have your larger, open great room concepts and also that awesome front porch that’s covered. “It has that charming, Craftsman look, which is really inviting.”

Inside the Sablewood model, the main floor is a well-connected series of smart and open spaces. Wide-plank hardwoods cover the entry and dining room. A big, granite-topped island anchors the great room, brightened by a wall of windows to the rear. A convenient butler’s pantry connects the gourmet kitchen to the dining room.

Second-level bedrooms are large and serviced by a full bath with dual sinks, a laundry room and a big linen closet.

Random Bethany Neighborhood Video:

The master suite features a box-beam ceiling with crown molding and a bath with soaking tub, separate shower, water closet and a walk-in wardrobe.

Steps to a third level reveal a surprise — a flexible rumpus room with a skylight. It’s another unexpected space afforded by building up instead of out.

“We have buyers who say, ‘I want a big garage. I want a big family room,’ ” Walsh said. “Now you have that, and storage all over the place.”

The 2,937-square-foot Sablewood has three bedrooms, three baths and a convertible den and attic room. It’s priced at $439,900.

View more Homes for Sale in NW Portland.

Growing community

Located just off Northwest Springville Road in Washington County, Arbor Oaks is a large master-planned community of 230 homes that will grow to more than 500 homes when completed over the next several years. It features a community pool and boasts an adjacent elementary school — Springville K-8 — rated “outstanding” by the Oregon Department of Education.

The project is also close to Portland Community College’s Rock Creek campus, Westview High School and a 32-acre Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation complex.

Natural light illuminates architectural extras in the great room, including art niches, built-in bookshelves and detailed woodwork on the fireplace and stairway newel post.
Arbor Oaks just opened 55 new lots on the west side of the property, where the rolling, hilly topography is perfect for a few new daylight basement plans that Arbor Custom Homes now is offering.

“We had a lot of anticipation with this new phase that just opened,” Walsh said. “The confidence is starting to come out. Buyers are loving being right by the school, and they’re loving North Bethany and the fact that there’s more to come.”

The community offers a variety of home styles, from 1,707-square-foot courtyard terraces starting at $289,900 to manor-style homes ranging to nearly 4,000 square feet and priced from $624,900. Base prices for the daylight basement plans featuring four bedrooms and four baths range from $439,900 to $550,900.

Some of the smaller units include front and back landscaping, perfect for a lock-and-leave lifestyle.

“We have a variety of styles and a variety of price points, which makes for a really nice mix,” Walsh said. “We can find something to fit almost anyone. It’s nice to have options.”

All of the homes at Arbor Oaks are built with energy efficiency in mind, and Arbor Custom Homes’ “Arbor Green” program is designed to promote the overall long-term physical, environmental and financial health of its buyers.

“We’re really implementing healthier living and more durable, efficient products,” Walsh said.

Originally published on Oregon Live.

Here’s a list of M Realty’s latest and upcoming real estate listings.

701 South Pacific – Newberg, Oregon – MLS# 12548822
Great one level home with a new roof, new windows and doors, new electrical panel, updated plumbing fixtures, updated kitchen and bathroom, new flooring throughout the whole house, one car garage, covered patio, fenced in yard with gate, RV parking, new water and sewer lines to be completed before close.

6975 North Villard – Portland, Oregon – MLS# 12270992
This fun, inviting Arbor Lodge Bungalow was built in 1926. It has a Chic, cohesive floor plan that is accented by natural light and it sits on a private corner lot. The yard is spacious and ready for your South facing urban garden, fire pit and patio furniture.

19625 NW Quail Hollow – Portland, Oregon – MLS# 12118071
This peaceful townhouse retreat is nestled in the trees, and has terrific living spaces inside & out. Enjoy warm beverages on the south facing front porch, barbecue on the back deck facing the yard, or relish a quiet moment on the upper level deck off of the master suite.

1510 SE 34th Ave – Portland, Oregon – MLS# 12068503
This condo in the heart of the Hawthorne neighborhood sits in the middle of all the action. Enjoy being close to some of the areas hottest restaurants and shops in the area.

3905 NE Grand Ave – Portland, Oregon – MLS# 12337824
1995 Four Square in the Sabin neighborhood, features 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths. The main level master suite has a walk in closet and backyard access. The kitchen is spacious with a large eating area. All new paint, trim, flooring in kitchen and baths. New carpet upstairs,  new roof in 2009. 

More info about M Realty can be found on our Squidoo Page.

Property management is the operation, control of (usually on behalf of an owner), and oversight of commercial, industrial or residential real estate as used in its most broad terms. Management indicates a need to be cared for, monitored and accountability given for its usable life and condition. This is much akin to the role of management in any business. Visit http://pdxpropertymanagement.com for more information on Portland property management services.

One important role of a “Property Management” is that of liaison between the Owner of record and the actual tenant/leasee tenant, providing a buffer for those owners who are desiring to distance themselves from their tenant constituency. Duties of property management generally will include a minimum of these basic primary tasks;
A. The full and proper screening or testing of an applicant’s credit, criminal history, rental history and ability to pay.
B. Lease contracting or accepting rent using legal documents approved for the area in which the property is located.
C. Mitigation and remediation regarding any maintenance issues, generally within a budget, with prior or conveyed consent via a Limited Power of Attorney legally agreed to by the property owner.
There are many facets to this profession, including managing the accounts and finances of the real estate properties, and participating in or initiating litigation with tenants, contractors and insurance agencies. Litigation is at times considered a separate function, set aside for trained attorneys. Although a person will be responsible for this in his/her job description, there may be an attorney working under a property manager. Special attention is given to landlord/tenant law and most commonly evictions, non-payment, harassment, reduction of pre-arranged services, and public nuisance are legal subjects that gain the most amount of attention from property managers. Therefore, it is a necessity that a property manager be current with applicable municipal, county, state and Federal Fair Housing laws and practices.
Property management, like facility management, is increasingly facilitated by computer aided facility management (CAFM).

Buying a home? These eight tips can help make your house-hunting experience positive and rewarding.

1. Location counts. You’ve probably heard the old real estate joke about “location, location, location,” but the point still bears repeating. Location is crucial. How far are you really willing to commute to your place of employment? How good are the local schools, shopping centers, public transportation, seniors services and other public amenities? Will your new home be next to a vacant lot or a commercial property? Even a picture-perfect dream home can be a mistake if it’s in an undesirable location, and a poor-location home can be a particularly bad choice if you anticipate reselling the home within a few years.