Yesterday I walked the kiddos (2 year old twins and 2 month old newborn girl) up to my in-laws house to give mama her first kid-less break since Carla was born on June 23rd.  I was talking to my father-in-law, Jay Gordon – executive vice president at Willamette Valley Multiple Listing, about housing and business in our community.  We were in conversation about the growing business of my uncle Dino’s place downtown (Venti’s Cafe and Basement Bar) and he suggested I watch the below clip from KATU that was aired early evening yesterday.  After getting through bedtime and kitchen chores I sat down on the couch and watched the clip below.

Initially I was a bit frustrated with this clip.  The mind is a powerful tool and if a seed is planted about business being slow in downtown Salem and you don’t work and/or live in downtown Salem then the perception may become a reality in one’s mind.  Downtown is busy and vibrant and is continuing to grow.  My office is close to downtown and I plan all my out of office business meetings in the core of downtown. I’d like to make clear that this video does not portray all business in downtown Salem.

The term “Buy Local” quickly came to mind.  As we begin to hear more news about the inevitable state budget woes and potential furlough and/or layoffs the theory of less money spent in our community will come to fruition.

Buy Local

Buying local has never been so much fun in the Salem area.  Specifically the core of downtown Salem has a very good thing going on right now.  Obviously I am partial to the food, drink and entertainment of Venti’s Cafe and Basement Bar, but there are many other great locally owned restaurants we can support in downtown Salem that are all focused on bringing quality food, service and entertainment to our community through their venue. Not to mention the involvement and focus from each owner to return the favor and buy local and pour love back into our community.

Some great places downtown that I adore, both from as a foodie and as an involved member in our community, include:

La Capitale: Chef/Owner David Rosales (@kidcapitale on Twitter) is an amazing contributor to our community.  Culinary expertise runs through his blood as his dad, Pedro Rosales, has owned/run La Margarita (also downtown), one of Salem’s best Mexican restaurants, for years.  David has done a great job of connecting with our community and obviously makes it a priority to integrate fresh, local ingredients into many of his menu and special items.

Wild Pear: Chefs/Owners/Sisters Jessica and Cecilia Ritter (@wildpear) truly care about our community.  I actually worked the catering side of things with Wild Pear right when I came on board with Landmark  in the summer of 2006 to help generate income for health insurance, etc while taking on a 100% commission career.  It was a great experience to work with Jessica and view how much she truly loves her community and every single one of her customers.

Downtown Waffles: Creator/Owner James Cloyd (@downtownwaffles)is the newest addition to my food entourage with his waffle cart on the corner of Liberty and Chemeketa downtown.  I’ve known James for years and I love his new venture.  James offers fresh waffles touting a variety of toppings including many great additions from the local farmer’s markets.

Venti’s Cafe and Basement Bar: Chef/Owner Dino Venti (@ventiscafe / @leslieventi / @conradventi) has never been more passionate about our community and the core of downtown Salem.  Dino is constantly looking for ways to improve the economics and livelihood of downtown Salem, not to mention his overwhelming passion for bringing good food, drink and atmosphere to his eclectic restaurant and bar.

Salem Saturday Market and the Wednesday Farmer’s Market: The Friends of Salem Saturday Market put a considerable amount of effort into planning and organizing the mid-valley’s most community centered market.  Both the Saturday Market and the Wednesday Farmer’s Market are hosted downtown and provide a connection between the residence and local farmers, artists and craftsmen.  Kari and I enjoy weekly outings with the kids to the market to hunt down produce needs and meet-up with friends.

There are many more community focused businesses, restaurants and organizations in the core of downtown Salem, but these stand at the top of my list as places I love and frequently visit.  The story aired by KATU packs a powerful punch in with the reality of our State’s budget crisis, but we can hedge the storm.  Each one of us can make an impact to avoid a “double dip recession” with a focus on our community and spending our money locally.

Bishop building - 145 Liberty St Salem, OR 97301 - Future site of Bishop's Grocery and Deli

There has been a new revealing in recent weeks of a much needed grocery development in downtown Salem.  Owner and developer of the Bishop Building located at 145 Liberty St in downtown Salem, Scott McKinney, is planning a summer opening of Bishop’s Grocery and Deli.

As many of the downtown residential developments are at or begin to near completion, this grocery/deli project will fill a gap for those looking to reside in the core of Salem.  Scott McKinney and business partner Roy Carmen are also responsible for several redevelopment of historic buildings in downtown Salem which have created mixed use (residential/commercial) properties for sale or lease.  Other notable residential projects that will benefit from the grocery store will be The Rivers Condos, 295 Church St, and The Meridian.

The continuous growth and development of the downtown area is encouraging.  The community in our beautiful and historic downtown area is thriving with successful restaurants, boutiques, and businesses.  The development of Bishop’s Grocery and Deli will only strengthen the synergy of the residential living in downtown Salem.  I know I’m excited to check it out!

View Larger Map

Have you wanted to buy a home and finance-in some improvements?  Well now is your chance!  For years the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has offered the FHA 203k FHA rehabilitation program.  As the mortgage industry expanded in the early 2000′s FHA simply became less desirable as other lenders offered programs that were more affordable.  However, we now stand in a market heavily saturated with FHA loan applications.

The FHA 203k streamline rehabilitation program allows a borrower who is purchasing or refinance to include cosmetic improvements in the loan.  I’ve heard hundreds of clients say, “this house is perfect, it only needs some cosmetic TLC”.  The problem is the money may not ever be available for them to actually complete the improvements.  The FHA 203k rehabilitation loan can be the answer for many of these buyers looking to put a little money towards improvements during a purchase.

Improvements of the property cannot alter the structure of the home (i.e. moving a doorway or tearing down a wall), but can include many updates that include: appliances, flooring, paint, windows, etc.

The key to this program is being completely educated on the process.  Not only do you need to understand how the financing program works, but you also need what improvements will actually raise the value of your home.  Working with a knowledgeable Realtor will help you in determining the potential for work to be done.

I will soon have a detailed description of this program on my blog.  Please contact me today if you might be the slightest bit interested in learning more – 503.798.9183 – email Conrad.

15 March 2009

Dear Bethel Family and Friends: (E-Mail Version)

I never had the capacity to fully appreciate all of Maya Angelou’s poetry. One statement attributed to her, however, is awesome. She said, “A woman’s heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.”

One way or another, that was the standard, stated or implied, my generation of church-related young men were taught. Of course, if the young lady also happened to be attractive, so much the better. After all, young men are young men…guaranteed.

Ms. Angelou’s statement is profound. Men tend to reflect the attitude and manner of the one they love. We thrive on their approval. Even so, we men can be sorry critters, make terrible mistakes, calling for maximum understanding from our women. God bless’em!

…

Love…Larry Buhler

My wife’s grandfather is an educated, Godly man.  He sends a weekly letter (I get the email version) to his friends, family, and congregation.  He gave me the thumbs up to share his thoughts within my blog.  I’m excited to share some of his words with my readers.

8 February 2009

Dear Bethel Family and Friends: (E-Mail Version)

Common sense, defined as sound judgment, appears to be in short supply. In its purest form, common sense isn’t usually all that difficult. Just identify the problem and then apply the simplest solution. Children do this automatically. Farmers do this or go broke.

If the water’s too hot, cool it down. When an object is too heavy, get help. When it is raining, take an umbrella. If the soup needs flavor, add salt. When the sun is too hot, wear a hat. When your money runs out, stop spending and earn more. Common sense.

If ever America needed common sense it is now. It isn’t that politicians do not know what to do, they just won’t do it. Personal ambitions and greed appears to drive those we have put in high places. We can only hope common sense will rise from the ashes.

…

Just this week I was reminded once again how many unchurched are turned off by showy, glitzy, and jazzy TV evangelists. Sad, but true. This is not the Christianity described in the adult SS lesson this morning. Ephesians 4 shows that humility, patience, and gentleness should typify one’s demeanor as he seeks to live in a manner that witnesses to a lost world. Not easy, but God’s way.

Ephesians 4:1ff: “I implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you are called, with all humility and gentleness, and patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve unity in the bond of love.”

May this be a good week for each one. Love…Larry Buhler

Today the Federal Open Market Committee adjourned their meeting without a change in interest rates.  The primary focus of Chairman Ben Bernanke was on the need to resuscitate our private credit markets.  The Feds announced that they are prepared to buy long term treasuries if the credit trend continues to be tight in the market.

With so much attention to mortgage rates with recent refinance inquiries and now with increasing purchase activity, banks are exercising the law of supply and demand.  Currently the Fannie Mae 30 year fixed coupon rate is trading in such a fashion that mortgage rates should be near 4.5%.  However, due to the slow banking inquiries over the past 24 months many banks and lenders have downsized their operations to stay afloat.  With a surge in new applications the pipelines are full and the banks are holding rates slightly higher so they can manage the current loans in process.  The capacity of the lenders should be eased in the coming week or weeks as these loans begin to clear the temporary warehouse lines.

Stay tuned and be prepared if you have not already began the refinance process.  It is best to know you current situation and get your loan application started so when the desired rate is available you can grab it before it’s gone!

Call me at 503.798.9183 or email me by clicking on my name –> Conrad Venti.

As 2008 comes to a close its easy to look back and say that we’ve undergone a significant amount of economic change.  Change is constant and will never come to a halt, but 2008 has brought forth more changes in our economy than we’ve seen in a couple of decades.  The changes we’ve seen in the last decade have lead to the change we’ve seen this year.  I could talk for days about the lackadaisical lending patterns that lead to our current economic state, but we’ve all heard enough of that in recent months.  The emphasis now needs to be about education on how to move forward.

The education needed in today’s society has to start as a foundation for our youth.  I believe strongly that financial education should be established prior students graduating from high school.  The current lack of financial education has led to our dismal state of consumers with literally no sense of financial responsibility.

As I’ve said in recent posts it’s important to be educated about credit, budgeting, and financing.  In regards to mortgages, it is especially important to be educated about the needs to obtain credit and the responsibility of managing the privilege of home ownership.

Please stay tuned in the next few weeks for some great tips and tools for financial education as we enter the new year!

Have a safe and fun New Year!

Today the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) adjourned their two day meeting with a reduction in the Fed Fund rate.  The prime interest rate, which is the primary factor that determines home equity loans, consumer credit cards, etc will likely follow tomorrow coming down to 3.25%.

Thus far in 2008 we’ve seen the prime rate drop several times, unfortunately each resulting in slightly higher mortgage rates.  The trend for rates to increase is usually temporary, but it’s important to note the reduction in the prime interest rate does not mean a reduction in the 30 year fixed mortgage rate. However, in today’s economic environment, it is very difficult to determine what the “normal” reaction is to anything.  This afternoon mortgage rates held steady at morning levels and the bond market finished in positive territory which may indicate lower rates on Wednesday.

The announcement by the FOMC did include the key statement that it will use “all available tools” to generate a resumption in growth.  This positive statement is likely the factor driving the bond market to finish in positive territory.

With so many variables in the rate envrionment today, it is most important to be prepared.  As I wrote last week, now is the time to make a move if you’re thinking you need to refinance or if you’re shopping for a loan.  Don’t forget, opportunities are never lost…someone will take the ones you miss!

Many of you heard that mortgage rates were good last week.  Many of you also heard that rates may go even lower.  The fact is that last week rates were great and today the trend has followed through on this chilly Monday morning.  Rates actually held a trend around or below 5.5% for the better part of 7 working days.  In the recent market a steady trend of anything is unexpected.  The announcement of the Treasury willing to buy additional mortgage backed securities was the cause of our low trends.  The short term future of rates is still something that cannot nor should be forecasted.  The market doesn’t allow us to follow traditional trends and driving indicators of where rates will go.  With that said, it is better to take advantage of an opportunity of already low rates when you can rather than waiting for something that may never happen.

Great prices, yes, I say great prices.  As I’ve said numerous times, we’re fortunate to live in the Willamette Valley where we haven’t seen too drastic of a drop in home values.  However, there is enough inventory currently on the market to offer an amazing opportunity for anyone thinking about buying a home (regardless of whether you are a first time home buyer or a seasoned veteran).

The key to success in this market is understanding that now is the time to take advantage of each of these opportunities at hand.  If you wait for the rates to drop even lower or the prices to fall even more, you’re likely to miss the boat.

If you need help finding the starting point call or email conrad(at)conradventi.com today.

As this short day at the office nears an end I thought I would share my Thanksgivings.   I look forward to tomorrow, spending time with family and eating good food.  This year will be mine and K’s first Thanksgiving with our twins.  Coming up to 10 months M and N continuously make us laugh with their distinct personalities.  It will be a joy to spend the day giving thanks for our growing family!

As I reflect on my life and think about what I am thankful for, I could probably write a list for days.

I am so thankful for my wonderful wife who is able to pour every drop of love and time into our babies.  I think she’s got the supermom award coming at year-end.  She’s been such a huge support in my business and my passion for running.  We are also fortunate to have most of our family members living in close proximity.

I am also thankful for our friends.  As many of them are young families it is fun to watch our children go together.  The support we share with each other is unmeasurable.

I am thankful for my business and my clients who make my business possible.  Every single day I am thankful for the opportunity to help my friends, family, and new clients take one more step towards building a strong financial foundation.

I am thankful for where I live – Salem is such a beautiful place (especially as I look out my windows this afternoon at the 12 different colors of trees and the crisp blue sky) and wonderful community.

I am thankful for the Lord.  He has blessed me in so many ways and has a hand in control of each of these parts of my life.  I am also thankful for the community at Salem Evangelical.

As you embark on your Thanksgiving festivities this long weekend take a moment to recognize what you have to be thankful for.