How Mortgage Rates Have Fueled Housing Market Potential Amid the Pandemic

Check out this interesting blog post written by Mark Fleming, the chief economist for First American Title…

“The early signs of a housing market comeback that appeared in mid-April, rising weekly purchase loan applications, continued to surge through May and into June. In fact, weekly purchase loan applications have now exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

While the coronavirus pandemic continued to negatively impact the domestic and global economy in May, the market potential for existing-home sales rebounded from the April low point, according to our Potential Home Sales Model. In May, housing market potential increased to 4.92 million SAAR, a 6 percent improvement compared with April, but remained 7 percent lower than one year ago. The two biggest drivers of the increase in May are slightly loosening credit standards, which allow more potential home buyers to qualify for financing, and the increase in house-buying power due to historically low mortgage rates.”

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Protect Your Investment - A Guide for At-Risk Homeowners

The National Association of Realtors has released a helpful guide of resources for homeowners who may have been impacted by Covid-19-related financial emergencies. Check out this resource guide HERE …

NE Pdx Historic Home Research Blog

Check out this very interesting blog Alameda Old House History, “dedicated to collecting and sharing knowledge about the life of old houses, buildings, and neighborhoods in northeast Portland, Oregon.”

According to the author, “There are more than 230 articles here containing hundreds of photos, documents, maps, and other items related to the early history of Northeast Portland neighborhoods. Check out our list of favorites or select a category to begin exploring.”

Petition to Require Oregon Schools to Teach History of Redlining

Require Oregon Schools to Teach the History of Redlining and Segregation

Oregon was originally colonized as a whites only state and remained that way until 1926.

If you didn't know that, now you do, but just imagine how much more you aren't aware of. Oregon has a deeply rooted history of racism that is present today in all facets of the state, from education and law enforcement to the distribution of wealth among white owned businesses over black owned businesses. Everything has been affected by this founding idea of a white-only state.

Have you heard of the Vanport flood? Redlining? The history of Alberta street? If you answered no to ANY of these questions, the education system in Oregon has failed you and the black community. Read More…

Virtual Vanport Mosaic Festival.

Vanport Mosaic Festival:

Health, Hate, Housing and History

I hope you’ll join me for this (and so many more!) Virtual Vanport Mosaic Festival events.

As part of The ~virtual~ Vanport Mosaic Festival 2020 - May 8-30

Vanport Mosaic presents:

Health, Hate, Housing, and History: Lessons at the Intersection of Race and Pandemics
A live presentation by Allan Lazo/Executive Director, Fair Housing Council of Oregon
Wednesday, May 26 - 12:30pm PT/3pm ET

Streaming on https://www.facebook.com/VanportMosaic/live
and www.vanportmosaic.org/festival2020

FREE// If you can, please support our memory activism collective by a tax-deductible donation to >> vanportmosaic.org/donate

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"Who gets to be an American?" is partly rooted in attaining the American Dream, but what happens if we deny part of that dream to some members of our community? And what if denying access to the American Dream opens those communities to being further ostracized, othered, and excluded?

Can we envision a just future by remembering a history of exclusion? Strengthen your memory activism by recognizing that this moment today reflects a history of communities of color being excluded and then blamed during past health crises.

More Information…

PDX Tip Jar-Extending a Hand to Service Industry Workers

“If you'd like to support our Portland service industry workers during these uncertain--and very stressful--times, I'm compiling a list of cooks, bartenders, servers, baristas, dishwashers, & other essential folks who keep our city's food & beverage culture thriving. A small contribution can help these folks stay afloat financially while we wait to see what develops in the coming weeks.”

“The premise is simple: Tip a dollar, $5, $10, $20—or whatever you’d like—directly to a Service Industry worker! Tip someone at random or browse the full list to find your favorite spots.”

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A Little Background on Portland's Neighborhood Etymologies

Some helpful person on Reddit made this handy little map of Portland neighborhoods and the stories behind their naming. Some of them are fascinating little gems, such as the the etymology behind Goose Hollow. Apparently in 1885, there was a legal dispute over goose ownership in the commons. Who knew?

Check it out!

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21 Mid-century Renovations in Portland That Maintain Their Northwest Charm

From dwell magazine, a look at 21 stunning mid-century home renovations that not only hearken back to the glory days of Mid-century Modern design, they’re updated for modern convenience and embrace a Northwest feel.

“When renovating a historic home—even if it's from the 1950s or later—
one of the biggest challenges is figuring out how to balance its original character with the necessary functional and aesthetic updates for a 21st-century house. Below, we've gathered some of the best examples of thoughtful renovations in Portland, Oregon, where architects and designers have carefully blended key Northwest architectural elements with modern features.”

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