Most major banks only offer 80% LTV with fluctuating rate and varies by the market your home is at.

.- Most major investment vehicles are all time high (Stock, Bond, House), yet low interest and low inventory can still hold the housing price high.

Most major metro areas have a Realtors Association.They typically have a newsletter and or a "market pulse" type document on-line.Do a google search, find that Association of Realtors and check their web site.

If one of the European banks pulls a lehman because of the neg interest rates, oil loans defaulting etc.  

., EU and many parts of Asia Pacific are spending gains from rising incomes, low interest rates and low oil prices, which should support GDP growth.Rents | In 2016, global prime rents across the three major property types—office, industrial and retail—are expected to grow 2.2% on an annual basis, according to estimates from CBRE’s Global Rent Index.Capital Markets | Global commercial real estate investment markets are expected to remain active in 2016, but the pace of growth is anticipated to slow after six years of recovery and price appreciation.Office | Most U.S. and European office markets are expected to tighten further in 2016 as demand for space is expected to outpace limited new development.

I get around the country to most major metro areas were I work and invest and nothing frankly compares to the hospitality and SAFETY of Portland for this size of city..

But I was always at every party, most major campouts and so forth.No one is going to be able to tell you what the right balance is, it's something that accomplishes your goals and makes the people around you jealous.

But the "H" badge certainly can't be compared to these European beauties...Now, however, after endless late nights of bigger pocket reading, research and rationalization ("deal analysis", I wanted a little alliteration (sp?))

reminds me of an European kitchen.  

Most major metros have huge housing shortages, so my hypothesis would be that both areas will be roughly equivalent, with RTP maybe having a slight edge.