ricco67 Posted October 12, 2004 Share Posted October 12, 2004 http://portland.bizjournals.com/portland/s.../11/daily9.htmlLATEST NEWS2:05 PM PDT MondayHome buyers get 'Smart Commute' incentivesTransportation and housing agencies have joined with mortgage lenders to provide financial incentives for Portland residents to purchase homes near public transportation.The Portland Regional Smart Commute Initiative allows qualified buyers to convert the savings from using public transportation into additional borrowing power for a home mortgage. For loan qualification purposes, participating lenders will be able to add a portion of the potential transportation savings to borrowers' qualifying income -- an addition of $200 per month for one-wage-earner households and $250 per month for two-wage-earners households.U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D.-Ore., Monday joined local transit providers, housing partners, Countrywide Home Loans and Fannie Mae at the Rose Quarter Transit Center to launch the initiative."Smart Commute is the perfect example of how innovative public-private partnerships can help to create livable communities," said Blumenauer. "By providing incentives for people to purchase homes served by transit, this program will increase families' personal wealth and decrease their transportation costs while it increases home ownership rates, revitalizes our neighborhoods and lessens the burdens on our roads."Other partners in the Portland Smart Commute Initiative include TriMet, the Portland Development Commission, Flexcar, Metro, the city of Portland's Transportation Office, the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors. Homeowners who obtain a mortgage under the Smart Commute Initiative will receive free passes for one month on TriMet buses and light-rail trains. In addition, Flexcar offers Smart Commute participants who join Flexcar $100 of free initial usage credit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talbot Posted October 12, 2004 Share Posted October 12, 2004 Man Portlands doing great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted October 12, 2004 Share Posted October 12, 2004 They sure are. I think it's about time to move there: Marijuana proposals before voters in 3 Western statesMontana and Oregon have medical marijuana issues on their Nov. 2 ballots, and Alaskan voters will decide whether to decriminalize the drug altogether.http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/.../9887981.htm?1c Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20sGirl Posted October 12, 2004 Share Posted October 12, 2004 They sure are. I think it's about time to move there: Hey, I'll see you there. I'm moving there in '06. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted October 12, 2004 Share Posted October 12, 2004 I really enjoyed Portland. It was cool to see people riding jet skis in downtown. Wish I could have made it to the Nike store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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