1111 E. Burnside

As you probably know, Noble Rot is a fantastic wine bar – voted Best Wine Bar, 2009 by Sunset Magazine. This is one of our favorite spots of all time, and it has evolved as a restaurant to include a full bar and a substantial menu that still emphasizes local and seasonal foodstuffs. Happily, they’ve decided to be open on Sundays from 4:00 – 9:00. With the spectacular view and deck, this is the perfect place to unwind after an Open House. Of course this is from a Realtor’s perspective. If you are selling your home, and trying to keep the kitchen immaculate, they are open every night. As a Buyer you might be bushed after travelling all over to see various properties (every Open House is mapped at our Web site). If you spent the day touring homes, stop by to sip and nosh and compare notes on the properties you toured. So civilized!

There is every reason to believe the recovery is fully entrenched. There are figures to indicate that GDP growth is stronger than expected. However, inflation is a genuine concern due to high deficit spending. This is probably the mushy bottom that we expected to see. Smart investors looking for long-term cash flow or appreciation will be rewarded and timers of the market may be at risk. This is a great time to buy. There is still seller uncertainty but it is exciting to look forward and see great possibilities ahead.

Some Data to Chew On:

· Unemployment claims 4-week average over the past 40 weeks has plunged from 659,000 to 441,000. This is substantial

· Case-Schiller’s House Price Index over the past 8 months appears to have increased at 6.2%

· Retail sales appear to have increased at a 3.5% in Q4 suggesting REAL consumer spending increased at a 2% clip

· Federal tax receipts have increased at a 12.7% rate over past 6 months indicating INCOMES are GROWING

· Corporate profits have surged over the past 3 months as federal tax receipts show massive increases of close to 600%

· US real GDP is on track for 4.5% growth in Q4

 Headwinds:

· Small business hiring remains at recession lows. It is amazing that employment has improved, given this fact

· Credit is still largely unavailable to small business

· Homebuilders show very weak activity as mortgage apps plunged to a 12-year low

 Signs of Inflation:

· Treasury Inflated Protected Securities have turned up significantly. A true sign of inflation

· Economic Cycle Research International has turned up as well. This is an important decision tool

· US core import prices have increased 20.5% in past 6 months

· CPI has swung from -1.9% to +2.8% Y/Y

· India CPI up +20.5% in past 6 months

· Israeli CPI up 4.8% in past 11 months

 The above information was compiled by our Principal Broker, Tom Burk

Wishing you and yours the very best,

Tom and Doug