When real estate shows signs of a rebound, investing in real property becomes more popular. There is a right way and a wrong way to go about investing. Here are a few mistakes investors often make: Planning as you go. - The best way to solve the problem is to have lots of activity and make offers on multiple properties. You must also have multiple exit strategies. Some investors buy a property with the intention of selling it or renting it out. What if it doesn't sell? What if the rental market stalls?If Plan A is to rehab the house and then sell it, Plan B could be to offer it as a lease-purchase. Plan C might be to rent it out and Plan D could involve selling to another investor at a below-market price. Thinking, "get rich quick." - It's a good long-term investment, but so is putting ... 05/01/2007

Buyers finally have the upper hand.     Welcome to real estate's new reality, where prices are down, foreclosures are up, experts are jittery, and a lot of for sale signs are getting weather-beaten. That may be bad news for homeowners, sellers and investors. Buyers on the other hand, have a rare point of advantage.As a buyer, you now have plenty of choice, as well as the upper hand in negotiations. You also still have the benefit of low interest rates. If you're tempted to upgrade yet worry that your home isn't worth what it was six months ago, keep in mind that the home you want to buy is worth less too. Moreover, if prices have fallen at the same rate on all homes in your market, the discount, measured in dollars, will be bigger for a more expensive house. Say you're in a $200,000 hom... 04/19/2007

Play Video MONICA'S WEATHER: Rain and clouds on the way KMTR NBC 16 Eugene - (KMTR) Apr. 13, 2007. 10:57 AM EST This weekend will be half wet and half dry. Our "friends" at KMTR are nice enough to share their video with us. Here is Monica's forecast showing a weekend to have two plans for rain is in store. Out here we call that stuff liquid sunshine!  04/13/2007

Non-profit groups and legislators are increasing efforts to help people facing foreclosure. Critics state the programs will do little to stop the trend of foreclosures sweeping the nation right now. On Wednesday, the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA), a nonprofit devoted to helping people who have been the victim of predatory lending, announced a $1 billion program that will refinance strapped borrowers out of adjustable mortgages with soaring rates into low fixed-rate 30-year loans.Here in our local Eugene market, things are quite stable compared to the national market. We have seen some leveling, but this has just lead to a return to a balanced market, favoring the buyers. What do you think about the Federal Government or even these non-profit groups stepping in t... 04/13/2007

Play Video MONICA'S FORECAST: Nice and sunny KMTR NBC 16 Eugene - (KMTR) Apr. 05, 2007. 10:18 AM EST A nice weekend ahead too. 04/05/2007

I just love facts and statistics. I know a lot of you who are reading this right now may be rolling your eyes. But to me looking at those numbers tells a different story. It tells us the factors behind every day life in Eugene. It tells us about the plight of our fellow Oregonians, who they are and how they live.Sure there are a lot of things that can not be shown in stats, but you would be amazed how much can be.I was stumbling around the US Census Bureau's website and found these interesting stats:QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau Eugene, OregonQuickFacts · Demographic · Economic · Housing · SocialPeople QuickFactsEugeneOregon Population, 2000 137,8933,421,399 Population, percent change, 1990 to 2000 21.1%20.4% Persons under 5 years old, percent, 2000 5.3%6.5% Persons under 18 year... 03/15/2007