Market Activity April 24-30, 2023

Last week in Lake Oswego we had 12 new listings, one of which sold quickly and appears here as a pending sale, 12 properties moved into pending status, and 14 sold/closed listings. This is very balanced with similar numbers in all 3 categories. This shows that it is neither a or a seller’s market. However, it feels to me like the market has shrunk as compared to last year. For May, these number feel small, at least to me.

See below for RMLS data.

New on the Market April 24-30, 2023

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq. Feet
55 Galen StCondo$325,00022989
159 Oswego SummitCondo$395,000221506
18314 Fernbrook CtDetached$550,00031.51036
114 Greenridge CtAttached$624,000321824
1368 Boca Ratan DrCondo$625,000221763
20 Partridge LnDetached$850,000533448
4798 Auburn LnAttached$879,95033.52700
60 TouchstoneDetached$885,000432657
17143 Rebecca LnDetached$890,00032.51943
592 Weidman CtDetached$1,150,00032.53035
14611 Uplands DrDetached$1,595,000343118

Pending Sales April 24-30, 2023

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq. FeetDOM
16200 Pacific Hwy #5Condo$499,900221207173
16880 Tracy AveDetached$510,00031108097
4179 Douglas WayDetached$565,0003214474
4748 Amherst CtAttached$675,00032.5301546
5434 Rosalia WayDetached$985,00042.526775
23 Masaryk StDetached$1,050,00032.529026
2468 Marylhaven PlDetached$1,295,00043.5360634
5598 Luce LnDetached$1,370,0004334324
5290 Childs RdDetached$1,499,00044.5367147
1930 Indian TrailDetached$1,560,0003332605
566 4th StAttached$1,599,00054.5+.535127
17367 Lake Haven DrDetached$2,249,9005342252

Sold/Closed April 24-30, 2023

AddressTypeList PriceClosed PriceSq FeetCDOM
47 Eagle Crest Dr #31Condo$242,500$260,00010094
237 Cervantes #19Condo$315,000$292,200121654
4413 Thundervista LnCondo$418,800$416,00017414
5465 Childs RdDetached$789,000$784,92515447
1865 Mapleleaf RdDetached$799,900$800,000168612
7 Hotspur StDetached$825,000$810,000219519
567 2nd StCondo$1,095,000$1,095,00014122
1380 Bonniebrae DrDetached$1,250,000$1,258,00029405
4799 Lamont WayDetached$1,325,000$1,325,00031424
16461 Chapin WayDetached$1,475,000$1,475,00040124
16650 Fir LnDetached$2,100,000$2,100,00038592
15880 Oswego Shore CtDetached$2,225,000$2,125,000397726
13132 Thoma RdDetached$3,650,000$2,935,0005434336
14655 Uplands DrDetached$3,300,000$3,390,0004775211

Criteria:Homes in the 97034 and 97035 zip code, listed, pending or sold between the dates listed above as reported by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS). DETACHD refers to Single Family Detached Residence, MFG refers to manufactured housing, and ATTACHD refers to single-family residences with some portion of the structure attached to another property, but not constituting CONDO ownership. DOM stands for days on market, or the number of days from when the listing became active and when it received an acceptable offer, with CDOM standing for “cumulative days on market” accounting for “refreshed” listings.

The Importance of Open Houses

In my 36 years in real estate, I’ve seen quite a few changes, as you can imagine. But one of the biggest ones is the importance of open houses.

In my early career the common perception was that open houses were a waste of time. I knew of agents who flat out told their seller clients that they would not be doing them. I’ve never had the belief. While it was true then, and is true today, many of the people who come through open houses are not actually buyers. But I have always done them. First it shows my seller clients that I am using every tool in my tool box to get their house sold. But second, I have sold numerous houses from people who have come through my opens.

What is different today is that open houses have become way more critical. Today’s buyer is able to be very independent. Nearly everything that they need to know about a houses is available on line. They like to be in the driver’s seat and tour houses independently of their agent. Then when they find a house that they’re interested in, they get their Realtor involved.

The first weekend of marketing is a true event. The routine is to put a house on the market on Thursday or Friday, market the open house date and time for Saturday and Sunday, and then hold it open and let the hordes inside. It works!

I hope that you find this information useful. As always, thank you for reading the blotter.

Dianne

Market Activity April 10-16, 2023

Last week in Lake Oswego there were 9 new listings, 4 of which sold quickly and appear in this report as pending, 18 pending sales, and 13 sold properties. Check out the market time on the pending sales. 11 of the 18 went pending in one week or less. Conditions for selling a house are really favorable right now.

See below for RMLS data.

New on the Market April 10-16, 2023

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq Feet
35 Crestfield CtCondo$299,00021921
624 Livingood LnDetached$975,000432612
17656 Woodhurst PlDetached$1,395,00042.54597
1584 Oak StAttached$1,450,000331860
3600 Upper DrDetached$1,999,950533771

Pending Sales April 10-16, 2023

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq FeetDOM
48 Eagle Crest Dr #5FCondo$300,00022137060
4413 Thunder Vista LnCondo$418,80022.517414
212 Greenridge DrAttached$549,0003212921
5720 Kenny StDetached$630,0003214164
1966 Wembley PlDetached$649,9003321034
3290 Childs RdDetached$739,9003117089
5465 Childs RdDetached$789,0003215447
18701 Bryant RdDetached$789,00032199533
13594 Blazer TrlDetached$797,50032199673
51 TouchstoneDetached$875,00042.531056
191 3rd St #6Condo$950,0002215237
17502 Erin CtDetached$999,0004331427
4799 Lamont WayDetached$1,325,0004331424
2803 Southshore BlvdDetached$1,495,00043374712
515 Laurel StDetached$1,588,00043.53382199
2950 Upper DrDetached$1,899,00032.533962
17147 Old River DrDetached$2,995,00044.5+.569006
2643 Southshore BlvdDetached$3,595,00033.5+.5487293

Sold/Closed April 10-16, 2023

AddressTypeList PriceSold PriceSq FeetCDOM
46 Crestfield CtCondo$295,000$310,0009233
5133 Timbergrove StDetached$649,900$635,000144025
1501 Fernwood DrDetached$799,900$804,00019346
4199 Fruitwood CtDetached$949,000$1,015,00022303
18490 Ray Ridge DrDetached$1,100,000$1,188,00034264
5308 Southwood DrDetached$1,195,000$1,200,00030032
430 9th StDetached$1,199,000$1,203,50027562
2481 Marylshire LnDetached$1,495,900$1,370,000409166
1261 Wells StDetached$1,600,000$1,650,0004316105
13310 Atwater LnDetached$2,350,000$2,245,000569722
4983 Park Bluff PlDetached$2,349,500$2,250,0004088239
13151 Thoma RdDetached$4,500,000$3,520,0005461208
1455 Chandler RdDetached$5,475,000$5,100,0005588155

Criteria:Homes in the 97034 and 97035 zip code, listed, pending or sold between the dates listed above as reported by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS). DETACHD refers to Single Family Detached Residence, MFG refers to manufactured housing, and ATTACHD refers to single-family residences with some portion of the structure attached to another property, but not constituting CONDO ownership. DOM stands for days on market, or the number of days from when the listing became active and when it received an acceptable offer, with CDOM standing for “cumulative days on market” accounting for “refreshed” listings.

Lake Oswego Reads 2023

This is the 17th year of the Lake Oswego Reads program. The idea behind the program is to encourage the community to all read the same book at the same time. It draws the community together and creates connections on a very special level.

I am a reader. I always have a book going and a book lined up to start just as soon as I finish my current selection. I have really enjoyed the books chosen for LO reads. While the program is spearheaded by the library, community input is encouraged and the books that get selected have all been outstanding.

This year’s selection is The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson. As explained by Melissa Kelly, the Director of the Lake Oswego Public Library, “The Seed Keeper is a novel of strength, perseverance, wisdom and hope.  I was swept away by the story of Rosalie, a Dakhóta woman navigating a personal and family history of loss and hardship, who finds solace and strength in her relationship with nature and the life-giving seeds that the women of her family have nurtured across generations.”

Along with reading the book, there is a full month of events to enhance the experience and to bring people together. This year the events include an art show, programs about Native American Culture, nature walks to explore native species of the Willamette Valley, seed planting a Luscher Farm, and more. It all culminates on April 25th with a presentation given by the author. For the full calendar, click here. It will keep you busy if you do all of it!

Happy reading everyone!

Dianne

Market Activity March 27-April 2, 2023

Last week in Lake Oswego there were 9 new listings, 20 of which sold quickly and appear in the report as pending, 12 pending sales, and 4 sold/closed properties.

The spring market, in my opinion, is getting off to a slow start. However, what is coming on the market is selling quickly. It remains a great time to buy or to sell a house. I am expecting the inventory to increase as we get further into the season.

See below for RMLS data

New on the Market March 27-April 2, 2023

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq Feet
4 Touchstone #80Condo$245,00022984
4000 Carman Dr #60Condo$324,90022866
16250 Pacific Hwy #55Condo$370,000221305
6 The GrottoDetached$649,000321381
5178 Lower DrDetached$694,500321764
3290 Childs RdDetached$739,900311708
1228 Maple StDetached$2,279,00043.53505

Pending March 27-April 2, 2023

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq FeetDOM
47 Eagle Crest Dr #31Condo$242,5002110094
4 Touchstone Dr #151Condo$299,90032.5135138
5062 Foothills Dr HCondo$429,000321252151
16200 Pacific Hwy #14Condo$500,0002212075
5650 Lakeview BlvdDetached$549,0003227152
16472 Bonaire AveDetached$650,0003214645
13125 Vermeer DrDetached$715,00042.520465
7 SpinosaDetached$749,9003322959
19211 Indian Springs RdDetached$759,00043213271
7 Hotspur StDetached$825,00043219519
2318 Hillside LnDetached$1,195,00043.5325814
4947 Park Bluff PlDetached$2,400,00044.54292372

Sold/Closed March 27-April 2, 2023

AddressTypeList PriceClosed PriceSq FeetCDOM
44 Eagle Crest Dr #23Condo$229,000$231,25079844
219 Cervantes #219Condo$325,000$267,5001100110
1120 Boca Ratan DrAttached$550,000$550,000161144
49 Da Vinci StDetached$899,900$822,000235124

Criteria:Homes in the 97034 and 97035 zip code, listed, pending or sold between the dates listed above as reported by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS). DETACHD refers to Single Family Detached Residence, MFG refers to manufactured housing, and ATTACHD refers to single-family residences with some portion of the structure attached to another property, but not constituting CONDO ownership. DOM stands for days on market, or the number of days from when the listing became active and when it received an acceptable offer, with CDOM standing for “cumulative days on market” accounting for “refreshed” listings.

Featured Neighborhood: Evergreen

There are 25 distinct neighborhoods in Lake Oswego. 23 of the 25 have active neighborhood associations, including Evergreen. These are not Homeowners Associations. They don’t have rules and regulations or charge dues. Rather, they give neighbors a place to discuss the character of their community and organize as a group when issues arise.

Located South of A Avenue, West of 10th Street, North of the lake, and East of State Street, the primary feature of this neighborhood, in my opinion, is it’s easy access to restaurants, the Farmer’s Market, and downtown LO.

Housing includes condos, townhouses, detached homes and apartments. There are currently just two houses for sale. Both are new construction of about 5,000 square feet and pretty expensive: $3,600,000 and $3,825,000. There are two houses in escrow: a 1952 “fixer” for $875,000 and a lakefront house on Cabana Lane for $2,498,000. In the last 6 months 4 houses have been sold. The least expensive was fairly large house built in 1958 that sold for $864,000 and a 2022 built house that sold for $2,095,000.

Cabana Lane is one of my favorite streets in Lake Oswego. The houses are built on stilts over the water of the lake. They are very close together and have small front yards, but their back yards are, literally, the lake. Most of these houses have attached boat garages. This truly is lake living.

It’s a very walkable neighborhood with quiet streets and abundant, large trees. I personally love to take walks in the Evergreen neighborhood. I park my car at Foothills Park and then take the Curlicue Trail up into the Evergreen area. My walk includes the loop around Lakewood Bay. It’s mostly flat and just really lovely. As a bonus, I can take a break for coffee at Peets, or lunch at one of the many restaurants in the area.

To learn more about the area, here is a link to the Evergreen Neighborhood Association. https://sites.google.com/site/evergreenneighborhood/

I hope you enjoyed learning about another of LO’s great neighborhoods. As always, thanks for reading the blotter.

Dianne

Market Activity March 13-19, 2023

Last week in Lake Oswego there were 5 new listings, one of which sold quickly and appears here as a pending sale, 11 houses that went pending, and 6 sold/closed properties.

I find myself intrigued by the low number of new listings. This is the time of year when they amp up. We should see this number increase significantly in the next 30 days.

See below for RMLS data.

New on the Market March 13-19, 2023

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq Feet
13254 Twin Creek CtDetached$1,188,00042.53470
2318 Hillside LnDetached$1,195,00044.53258
2020 Wembley Park RdDetached$1,199,000321712

Pending Sales March 13-19, 2023

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq FeetDOM
4433 Thunder Vista LnCondo$450,00022.520027
16061 Waluga DrDetached$450,0001167645
11 Eagle Crest DrDetached$575,0002215224
5133 Timbergrove StDetached$649,90032144025
1865 Mapleleaf RdDetached$799,90032168612
567 2nd StCondo$1,095,0002214122
765 10th StDetached$1,099,000332526122
18490 Ray Ridge DrDetached$1,100,00033.534264
16800 Lakeridge DrDetached$1,290,00043241611
13310 Atwater LnDetached$2,350,00054569722
13132 Thoma RdDetached$2,975,00055.55434336

Sold/Closed March 13-19, 2023

AddressTypeList PriceSold PriceSq FeetCDOM
30 Crestfield Ct #30Condo$339,000$315,000998911
23 Aquinas StDetached$775,000$775,000184010
1265 Rockinghorse LnDetached$875,000$850,0002452211
24 Grouse TerDetached$1,200,000$1,100,000367316
776 Carrera LnDetached$1,499,000$1,375,0003449221
15791 Twin Fir RdDetached$1,739,000$1,620,0004035197

Criteria:Homes in the 97034 and 97035 zip code, listed, pending or sold between the dates listed above as reported by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS). DETACHD refers to Single Family Detached Residence, MFG refers to manufactured housing, and ATTACHD refers to single-family residences with some portion of the structure attached to another property, but not constituting CONDO ownership. DOM stands for days on market, or the number of days from when the listing became active and when it received an acceptable offer, with CDOM standing for “cumulative days on market” accounting for “refreshed” listings

The Booktique

Lake Oswego has a very special book store, The Booktique. Founded in 1991 by Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library, it supports library programs such as Lake Oswego reads, the summer reading program, books for babies and more. In 2016 it was chosen by The Oregonian as one of the 10 best bookstores in the Portland area.

Books come from the library itself, but most are donated. Books must be in good condition. You can donate one box or two bags of books per week. With two locations, you can shop in person or on-line. The average inventory is 15,000 books in every subject imaginable. They also offer LPs, CDs, and Blue-Ray.

The money raised is not a replacement of library support from government funds. Rather it is an enhancement to those funds to allow the library to offer more services to the community.

The two locations are 380 A Ave, Suite B and 4 Monroe Parkway Suite D. For store hours and to shop on-line, click here.

I use the library quite a lot. I hope you have found this information useful. And, as always, thank you for reading The Blotter.

Dianne

Market Activity Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023

Last week in Lake Oswego we had 6 new listings, 10 properties move to pending status, and 12 closed sales.

See below for RMLS data.

New on the Market Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq Feet
204 CervantesCondo$360,000311138
200 Burnham Rd #303Condo$369,000211185
18400 Indian Creek DrDetached$825,000431736
2025 Wembley Park RdDetached$1,249,90032.52901
17649 Woodhurst PlDetached$1,550,00054.55669
1611 Leslie LnDetached$4,450,00055.5+.56979

Pending Sales Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq FeetDOM
44 Eagle Crest Dr #23Condo$229,9001179844
219 CervantesCondo$320,000221100110
5133 Timbergrove StDetached$649,90032144011
1206 Cedar StDetached$725,00031.5142615
49 Da Vinci StDetached$840,00032235124
1805 Headlee LnDetached$850,0002223887
16932 Greentree AveDetached$899,0004334407
19863 Sycamore AveDetached$1,050,0004329617
2485 Greentree RdDetached$2,199,900443853186
17435 Wren CtDetached$3,695,00044.5413452

Sold/Closed Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023

AddressTypeList PriceClosed PriceSq FeetCDOM
47 Eagle Crest Dr #18Condo$249,999$249,99993212
200 Burnham Rd #304Condo$365,000$358,00013056
12826 Boones Ferry RdCondo$464,900$450,0001182192
20 WheatherstoneCondo$479,000$485,0001692154
16 Hotspur StDetached$799,000$772,00023355
17808 Cardinal PlDetached$899,000$975,00020085
757 C AveDetached$1,499, 000$1,243,000294876
13052 Knaus RdDetached$1,400,000$1,375,000302623
18975 Olson AveDetached$1,850,000$1,668,0003569144
852 E AveDetached$1,850,000$1,979,0002839109
4938 Park Bluff PlDetached$2,495,000$2,470,0504046167
3917 Southshore BlvdDetached$5,200,000$4,925,00050830

Criteria:Homes in the 97034 and 97035 zip code, listed, pending or sold between the dates listed above as reported by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS). DETACHD refers to Single Family Detached Residence, MFG refers to manufactured housing, and ATTACHD refers to single-family residences with some portion of the structure attached to another property, but not constituting CONDO ownership. DOM stands for days on market, or the number of days from when the listing became active and when it received an acceptable offer, with CDOM standing for “cumulative days on market” accounting for “refreshed” listings.

500 Feet

If you pay attention to the news at all, you likely are aware that there has been a major winter storm crossing the United States for the last couple of days. So, yes, LO got snow. At my house I think I got 3-4 inches. A beautiful dusting but not so much that it lead to power outages or tree fall. Really beautiful.

Some parts of the metro area got much more. In Portland they got 11 inches. My good friend in Hillsboro got 10 inches.

When I am showing houses and people ask me about snow, I always tell them the importance of 500 feet. We don’t get a lot of snow. We get a dusting that doesn’t stick a few times each winter, but snow lasting on the ground does not happen every year. And when it does, it melts after a few days. The difference is when you live higher than 500 feet in elevation. Above 500 feet you will get a lot more snow. the stuff that dusts the valley floor and doesn’t stick will stick above 500 feet. Something to bear in mind when house hunting.

You should also know that even 3-4 inches will shut down the entire metro area. Other parts of the country live with much heavier snowfall with no consequences. Here in the Portland area we have many hills and sloped, even steep, roads. Those are treacherous when it snows. And the snowfall is infrequent enough that people are ill equipped with vehicles and tires that can’t maneuver in the snow.

I drive a Subaru. I will show houses even in heavy snow. It’s very empowering!

Most folks in the Portland area look forward to snow day. It’s a little holiday in our hectic lives. We know that we can have a cup of tea and enjoy the winter wonderland.

Dianne