Portland Real Estate Blog by the Turner Team Inc. » Miscellaneous Portland

Portland Weather is Local

Charles Turner — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:58:03 +0000

We did a few tours last week for a company that is relocating 61 employees to the Portland area. The common concern (they are coming from California) is the weather. The typical Portland weather forecast comes from the airport. Portlanders know that it is usually colder on the east side (PDX is reporting 3 degrees cooler than here). The punchline: the Portland weather is as local as Portland real estate. To that end, we’ve set up our own weather station in the Alphabet District in Northwest Portland and it is reporting to Weather Underground as station KORPORTL133.
The updated image below will move into the archives in the next few days but the current weather in Portland will be displayed on the left sidebar.

When I was in second grade, we moved five miles in search of better weather: moving that much further north in Marin got us out of the fog bank, but where my parents live now, they get more annual rainfall than we get here.

Why We Live in Portland

Charles Turner — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:55:47 +0000

When it’s dark at 4:30 in the afternoon and raining, this video will be a great reminder as to why we choose to live in Portland. Trying to decide what to do this weekend? Your answer may be right here. From the Pacific Ocean to Mt. Hood and most things in between.

Portland Metro Schools

Charles Turner — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:22:48 +0000

In an economy where almost everyone is cutting back, local public school districts are no exception. The Oregonian reported on Friday that Portland Public Schools has cut $9M from its $469M budget. Most of the districts reported cuts of about 2%. The effects of the cuts vary from school to school. Portland is not cutting school days.

The Portland Public Schools website has a link that you can enter a property address to find which Portland schools your child will attend.

Portland Monthly published the 2007 Progress Report in December 2007 and the Oregon Department of Education’s Reports Cards (currently 2007-2008) are here.

Freezing Real Estate

Charles Turner — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:44:01 +0000

KGW along with other weather forecasters are warning us that a “deep freeze” is heading our way. Today’s seven day forecast has a low of 16 on Monday and 17 on Tuesday! The online graphic and TV broadcast do not match. I’ve talked previously about making sure that listings are ready for showings in winter months but whether your house is for sale, you own your house or you rent a house freezing pipes is serious business. Not being an insurance expert I wonder whether it is an act of God? Would a renter’s personal property be covered (under the landlord’s policy or renter’s insurance)? Would the renter or landlord be responsible for the pipe bursting in the first place (legal not insurance question). Probably a better idea to avoid the question by being proactive. We had a pipe burst in a rental a few years back but the basement was empty. Less than a dollar in parts and 15 minutes later, we were good to go.

For some with newer plumbing protecting hose bibs is as simple as shutting off the water with a turn of a lever. When I stopped by a hardware store in Sellwood today they were out of hose bib covers. I can’t find anything about how effective they are. I’ve used house insulation and duct tape previously. Pipes didn’t freeze so I’d assume better than nothing. State Farm has a page dedicated to preventing frozen pipes. Ideas include wrapping pipes, leaving a trickle of water running and a warning not to thaw frozen pipes with a torch or open flame. The Red Cross has a similar page. The lesson from both appears to be that it is not a case of set it and forget it. There are before the freeze and during the freeze suggestions. Both recommend leaving the heat on at 55 degrees or higher.

Wine Spectator Ranks Oregon Wine

Charles Turner — Sat, 04 Jun 2005 20:50:32 +0000

Not quite real estate (though vineyard capable real estate is highly desirable) but the June 30th issue of Wine Spectator has a feature story on Oregon wines. Mostly about our beloved Pinot Noir but other varieties are rated as well. The online version is subscription based so picking up a copy might be your best bet.Portland Real Estate Blog