Oregon Wind Energy

Oregon came in No 5 in a ranking of the top states for wind energy, according to the American Wind Energy Association.  

Oregon ranked Number 2 in new wind power added in the third quarter.  The state added 251 megawatts of capacity.

Most of the new wind turbines are located along the Columbia River and Eastern Oregon.  There are a few private turbines in Central Oregon.  Central Oregon is not typically a very windy area.  On rare occassions, we have had some record winds just like most of the Pacific Northwest.

The following is a list of where the local wind energy for Pacific Power comes from:

Need to rush your home purchase to be able to qualify for the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit? Here's how:

The $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit runs out Nov. 30, but it can take 45-60 days to close on a home. Here are 4 ways to expedite your home purchase so you can take advantage of this federal freebie.

In the current housing market, it takes about 45 to 60 days to close on a home from the time you have an accepted offer. So buyers should have their offer accepted no later than mid-October if theyre trying to make the Nov. 30 deadline.

Here are four strategies that can expedite a closing:

1)  Make sure you're liquid.

When its time to make a down payment, homebuyers should make sure they have enough cash available. Their funds should not be tied up in a stock portfolio, 401(k) plan or other investment that could delay the money by days.  Using gift money for a down payment is another potential snag for homebuyers. Say your parents gifted you the $60,000 youd need for a down payment on a new house. The bank underwriting your mortgage needs a paper trail to track the moneys origin, says David Hanna, president of the Chicago Association of Realtors. Money that suddenly shows up in your account can raise a red flag. Buyers should expect a thorough financial examination, a process that wont necessarily derail [a] transaction, Hanna says. But it will slow it down.

2) Forget about short sales!!
 
A short sale occurs when a homeowner is no longer able to make his mortgage payments and owes more on his home loan than what it can fetch in the current market.

Theyre attractive from a price point, but they can take months to close. When making an offer on a short sale, not only does the seller have to accept the offer, but the bank must accept and approve it, too and that can take awhile. Theres no guarantee on when the bank is going to approve it it may approve it in 30 days, maybe in 300 days, Senter says.

3)  Dont go on a shopping spree before you close!

Refrain from making big purchases on a credit card before closing on the home and completing the transaction. 

Big buys can trigger concern because a buyers debt-to-income ratio is usually the most important factor lenders use to determine how much they can borrow. This ratio compares the amount you earn to the amount you owe (including credit-card debt, student loans and car loans). Once you enter into the loan application process, that ratio is set. If youre in the middle of securing financing, buying a $5,000 living room set might throw that balance off. Any increase in credit-card debt can come under scrutiny from a lender, who may be looking at buyers credit reports until the day of the closing. It can also prompt an inquiry on your credit report, which then might have a negative impact albeit a slight one on your credit score.

4)  Be aware of closing costs. 

Each state has its own closing requirements, and first-time buyers should know in advance what and how much theyre required to cover.

Source: 
Lisa Scherzer of SmartMoney    
Read the full article here:  http://bit.ly/NTenE