The book for Lake Oswego Reads 2024 has been announced. It will be Honor by Thrity Umrigar.
Umrigar is the best selling author of numerous books including The Space Between Us and The Museum of Failures. The story follows two couples as they navigate the dangerous and heartbreaking challenges of love across cultural divides.
This is the 18th year for Lake Oswego Reads. I’ve read the chosen book many times and have come to trust the selections. The basic idea is that the community all read the same book and then enjoy city-wide events for the month of April. These events include art displays, history discussions, food tastings, and more. It all culminates when the author comes into town to give a talk on the book and the writing process.
Friends of Lake Oswego Library has obtained 1000 copies of the book that will be given away on March 2nd. The library has also obtained both hard copies and audio copies for borrowing.
I do plan to obtain a copy and enjoy the book. I hope you will as well. For more information, click here.
Last week in Lake Oswego there were 13 new listings. One sold very fast and appears in this report as a pending sale. 12 properties received offers that were accepted and are now in pending status. 9 purchases closed and are now sold.
What caught my attention is the Days on the Market. It looks like either a property sells really fast, or it takes way too long. It’s all about correct pricing. People shopping for homes are smart. They compare the houses that they see and recognize a well-priced home. This does not mean underpriced. It does mean NOT overpriced. Correctly priced houses sell with in a few weeks, and they sell at or very close to the asking price. It’s not rocket science.
See below for RMLS data.
New on the Market
Address
Type
Price
Bedrooms
Baths
Sq Feet
668 McVey Ave #14
Condo
$389,500
1
1
636
51 Condolea Ct
Condo
$599,000
3
2.5
2198
5512 Childs Rd
Detached
$750,000
4
2
1928
17558 Bryant Rd
Detached
$845,000
4
2.5
2172
14480 Camden Ln
Detached
$940,000
3
2.5
2069
14257 Edenberry Dr
Detached
$1,295,000
4
2.5
3347
818 Ash St
Detached
$1,395,000
3
2
1500
922 E Ave
Detached
$1,495,000
3
2
1793
2107 Goodall Ct
Detached
$1,495,000
4
3
3029
13571 Westlake Dr
Detached
$1,625,000
5
4.5
4079
12830 Alto Park Rd
Detached
$1,899,900
4
3.5
3509
17341 Westview Dr
Detached
$2,548,000
4
3.5
3647
Pending Sales Feb 5-11, 2024
Address
Type
Price
Bedrooms
Baths
Sq Feet
DOM
1951 Greentree Rd
Detached
$599,900
3
3
2449
4
18667 Benfield Ave
Detached
$709,900
4
2
1414
2
31 Churchill Downs
Detached
$775,000
6
4.5
3794
146
875 Palisades Terrace Dr
Detached
$865,000
4
3
2181
5
740 Pebble Beach Ct
Detached
$949,000
3
2
1745
132
18810 Stafford Rd
Detached
$999,000
2
1
884
3
4039 Canal Woods Ct
Detached
$1,450,000
4
3.5
4178
29
47 Hillshire Dr
Detached
$1,495,000
4
2.5
3324
147
1800 Sarah Hill Ln
Detached
$1,650,000
4
2.5
3085
232
18187 Siena Dr
Detached
$1,850,000
4
3.5
3908
4
17312 Bergis Farm Dr
Detached
$1,999,000
4
4.5+.5
4804
104
17660 Wayside Ln
Detached
$2,600,000
5
5.5
5975
29
Sold/Closed Feb 5-11, 2024
Address
Type
List Price
Closed Price
Sq Feet
CDOM
4000 Carman Dr #91
Condo
$295,000
$298,000
767
3
3804 Botticelli St
Condo
$330,000
$330,000
1132
1
4 Touchstone Dr #35
Condo
$345,000
$340,000
1303
13
18017 Tualata Ave
Detached
$595,500
$595,500
1124
18
16724 Roosevelt Ave
Detached
$599,000
$599,000
1270
3
51 Oriole Ln
Detached
$589,000
$601,500
1216
99
4745 Dogwood Dr
Detached
Auction
$946,050
3920
43
17104 Canal Circle
Detached
$1,950,000
$1,855,000
3473
325
4394 Lords Ln
Detached
$1,975,000
$1,950,000
3905
1
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.
One of the really terrific resources available in Lake Oswego is the Adult Community Center. Located at 505 G Avenue, it’s another great reason to live in LO.
There is just a huge variety of activities and services that the center provides. This post will highlight a portion of what is offered. For more information and details click here.
Let’s start with Congregate Lunch and Lunch to Go. Monday, Wednesday and Friday a hot and nourishing lunch is served at 11:30. There is a suggested donation of $4. You can eat at the center and enjoy the company of others, or you can take it to go. On those same days meals are also delivered thru Meals on Wheels.
Within the center you can participate in an assortment of programs.
There are several discussion groups. Current topics are Sports, Media and Culture of the 1960’s, Modern Day Ethics and Society (that would be really interesting!), and Preparing for the Next Chapter Life after 60.
They offer caregiver support for people caring for aging people who have mild to moderate memory loss. This allows the caregiver to drop off the person that they care for and have a couple of hours of respite.
They also offer classes. Here are some current topics:
Grieving the loss of a pet
Preparing your home for aging
Ways to empower yourself in health care
Fraud prevention
The second Friday of each month they offer The Senior Law Project. This is a program where seniors can get a free 30-minute consultation with an attorney
Then there are the trips.
They offer the ability to go grocery shopping twice a month. They offer Let’s Do Lunch. This is super easy and does not require a lot of mobility. Basically a group of folks go to local restaurants and have lunch together. Requiring a bit more mobility are day trips. These are usually to local museums and points of interest. This requires some light walking. Then there are overnight trips. What fun to share an adventure a little farther away! This does require walking and greater mobility.
Did I mention that there is actually a trip coming up that is a tour of local venues to taste pastries? That sounds delightful.
There’s a Movie Matinee program, a Bowling Buddies Club, and trips to Spirit Mountain Casino.
In my own life, my Mom had post-polio syndrome. Resulting from having had polio as a young woman, it was a progressive disorder that affected her mobility. She mostly used a walker in her later years, but occasionally we’d make plans where I knew that much more walking would be required. The day before our planned outing I’d stop by the LO Adult Community Center and check out a wheelchair. My recollection was that I could keep if for a day or two and there was no charge. It was a great help!
This is just a tidbit of all that is available at the center. What a great resource!
Last week in Lake Oswego there were 6 new listings. One sold very fast and appears in this report as a pending sale. There were 13 properties that accepted offers and went into pending status. There were 6 properties that finalized the purchase and are now sold/closed.
See below for RMLS data.
New on the Market Jan 22-28, 2024
Address
Type
Price
Bedrooms
Baths
Sq Feet
750 1st St C-16
Condo
$395,000
2
2
1350
121 Touchstone Ter
Attached
$560,000
3
2.5
1964
3485 Devonshire Dr
Attached
$624,950
3
2
1556
3814 Rivers Edge Dr
Detached
$1,000,000
4
2.5
3213
668 McVey Ave #50
Condo
$1,295,000
1
1
636
Pending Jan 22-28, 2024
Address
Type
Price
Bedrooms
Baths
Sq Feet
DOM
45 Eagle Crest Dr #122
Condo
$315,000
3
2
1348
8
14362 Sherbrook Pl
Attached
$475,000
2
1.5
1279
106
16184 Lake Forest Blvd
Detached
$510,000
3
1
1342
8
100 Leonard St 2-4
Condo
$550,000
2
2
1736
236
7 Peacock Pl
Detached
$579,000
3
2.5
1388
104
5733 Kimball Ct
Detached
$659,000
4
2
1346
159
12 Independence Ave
Detached
$839,500
4
4
2994
53
4690 Auburn Ln
Attached
$885,000
3
3.5
2750
76
4255 Chad Dr
Detached
$1,250,000
4
3.5
3853
15
4039 Canal Woods Ct
Detached
$1,450,000
4
3.5
4178
14
950 Terrace Dr
Detached
$1,950,000
4
3.5
4619
21
4394 Lords Ln
Detached
$1,975,000
4
3.5
3905
1
17132 Lowenberg Ter
Detached
$2,050,000
4
4.5+.5
3322
61
Closed/Sold Jan 22-28, 2024
Address
Type
List Price
Sold Price
Sq Feet
CDOM
16237 Lake Forest Blvd
Detached
$525,000
$525,000
1132
8
1621 Ash St
Detached
$699,900
$705,000
1887
3
369 5th St
Detached
$825,000
$750,000
1552
52
17903 Ridge Lake Dr
Detached
$854,999
$836,000
2540
72
4360 Westbay Rd
Detached
$1,274,000
$1,190,000
2636
66
670 1st St
Condo
$1,515,000
$1,392,400
2767
133
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.
We don’t get severe weather very often. Generally, winter in Lake Oswego is mostly rainy with mild temperatures in the 40s. However, it is also pretty common that for a few days each winter we will get temperatures low enough to bring us snow and ice. Last week was one of those occasions. It was severe enough that the mayor of Lake Oswego declared a state of emergency. The unique factor was the snow and ice were accompanied by high winds. This brought down trees and tree limbs. And this led to power outages throughout the Portland metro area. At my house we lost power for 5 days. So here are a few of my take aways about being prepared and what to expect.
It may be cold.
If you can, install a generator. They come in different sizes. Small ones to just power your furnace and large ones for the entire house.
You can purchase indoor-rated propane heaters. This is what we used at my house. Make sure that they are indoor rated! With two heaters going we kept our kitchen at about 55 degrees.
Wear layers. Hats and gloves may feel goofy indoors, but they help a lot.
Drip your faucets. Just a small drip at each faucet can keep your pipes from freezing. Bursting pipes don’t have to be round two of coping with a cold snap if you take precautions.
If you haven’t lost power, you still need to take care of your pipes. Particularly if they are located in exterior walls. Consider leaving cupboard doors open so that the interior of the cupboards are well heated.
Buy things ahead of the weather event. Propane was a rare commodity and the stores around Lake Oswego were completely sold out. My son, who lives in Hillsboro, where they didn’t loose power, brought us propane that he purchased in that part of town. So stock up on things you’ll need before they are sold out: propane, candles, and batteries.
Take care of your trees
Hire an arborist to examine the trees in your yard. If you are considering buying a house, think about adding an arborist to your home inspection. Then do what they recommend. My husband and I have done this in our yard. It has paid for itself many times over. We just don’t have limbs and trees coming down. It’s not a 100% guarantee, but it has been money well spent in our household.
The bottom line is that these weather events happen. Be prepared and make it as smooth as possible. The heat will come back on and the yard will get cleaned up. And don’t forget to enjoy the winter wonderland!
My first market activity report of the new year. Love it!
Last week in Lake Oswego there were 7 new listings, one of which sold quickly and appears in this report as a pending sale. There were 10 properties that accepted offers and moved to pending status, and there were 5 closed sales.
See below for RMLS data.
New Listings Jan 8-14, 2024
Address
Type
Price
Bedrooms
Baths
Sq Feet
200 Burnham Rd #209
Condo
$412,000
2
2
1305
5554 Royal Oaks Dr
Detached
$850,000
3
2
1861
5995 Shakespeare St
Detached
$929,950
3
3
2600
4039 Canal Woods Ct
Detached
$1,450,000
4
3.5
4178
2711 Greentree Rd
Detached
$1,749,000
5
3.5
3315
17660 Wayside Ln
Detached
$2,600,000
5
5.5
5975
Pending Sales Jan 8-14, 2024
Address
Type
Price
Bedrooms
Baths
Sq Feet
DOM
1221 Boca Ratan Dr
Attached
$499,000
3
2.5
1812
78
51 Oriole Ln
Detached
$589,000
3
2
1216
99
16724 Roosevelt
Detached
$599,000
3
1.5
1270
3
369 5th St
Detached
$825,000
2
1
1552
52
21 Hidalgo St
Detached
$990,000
4
3
3392
78
29 Del Prado St
Detached
$1,050,000
4
2
3037
3
3857 Carman Dr
Detached
$1,095,000
3
2.5
2531
37
5320 Childs Rd
Detached
$2,100,000
6
3
4765
29
2320 Glen Haven Rd
Detached
$2,119,900
3
4
3875
10
4200 Old Gate Rd
Detached
$2,675,000
5
4.5
4871
9
Sold/Closed Jan 8-14, 2024
Address
Type
List Price
Closed Price
Sq Feet
CDOM
2031 Bonniebrae Dr
Attached
$555,000
$460,000
1611
119
12844 Boones Ferry Rd #117
Condo
$489,000
$475,000
1191
76
5453 Willow Ct
Attached
$762,000
$740,000
2446
91
1724 Oak St
Detached
$900,000
$878,000
2189
17
2348 Overlook Dr
Detached
$1,025,000
$900,000
2567
130
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.
I had to share this graphic. Look at the Portland Metro area. There are only 3 parts of the community that did not loose value in the last year: Tigard/Wilsonville and Lake Oswego/West Linn. And appreciation in LO/WL has been a healthy 5.9%. You should feel very good about choosing Lake Oswego as a place to live or to aspire to live. Not only is it a terrific community, but it’s a great investment.
I think last week, the week between Christmas and New Year’s, is probably the slowest week of the year for real estate activity. Yet, real estate still happens. In Lake Oswego there were 2 new listings, one of which sold quickly, and appears in this report as a pending sale. There were 3 pending sales, and, impressively, there were 10 closed sales.
The reason that real estate still happens, even on the slowest week of the year, is because life still happens. People get married, get new jobs, have babies, life goes on. There is literally no time of the year that isn’t a good time to buy a house or to sell a house.
See below for RMLS data.
New Listings Dec 25-31, 2023
Address
Type
Price
Bedrooms
Baths
Sq Feet
4 Touchstone #143
Condo
$270,000
3
2.5
1350
Pending Sales Dec 25-31, 2023
Address
Type
Price
Bedrooms
Baths
Sq Feet
DOM
1621 Ash St
Detached
$699,900
3
2
1887
3
2348 Overlook Dr
Detached
$963,000
5
3
2567
83
4360 Westbay Rd
Detached
$1,245,000
4
3
2636
30
Sold/Closed Dec 25-31, 2023
Address
Type
List Price
Closed Price
Sq Feet
CDOM
86 Kingsgate Rd #22
Condo
$335,000
$299,500
924
125
4621 Lakeview Blvd C3
Condo
$329,900
$331,500
1178
12
141 Touchstone Ct
Attached
$589,000
$575,000
2066
90
16240 Parker Rd
Detached
$679,000
$650,000
1454
269
5270 Red Leaf Rd
Detached
$700,000
$670,000
1330
47
6050 Childs Rd
Detached
$900,000
$850,000
2129
17
18368 Tamaway Dr
Detached
$1,150,000
$1,130,000
3741
40
3324 Sabina Ct
Detached
$1,250,000
$1,212,500
2550
7
4974 Cascara Ln
Detached
$1,285,000
$1,285,000
3476
2
5309 Denton Dr
Detached
$1,620,000
$1,465,000
3626
26
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.
Linda and I want to wish you and yours a very Happy New Year filled with success, health, happiness, and everything you are striving for in the months ahead.
While we are all looking forward to celebration of the holidays, it’s not too early to start figuring out how to recycle your Christmas tree, if you have one to recycle.
Republic Services allows trees to be recycled in the normal curbside collection via your yard debris. Please remember that the tree must fit completely within the bin, and that may mean that you need to cut it up. They also offer tree pick up, for a fee, if you do not have yard debris collection as part of your normal service. You can call them at 503-636-3011, to make arrangements.
Local Scout Troop 221 will be recycling Christmas trees and wreaths between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 6 and Sunday, January 7. The drive-up recycling service will be located at the Mountain Park Church overflow parking lot (SW Jefferson Ave. & SW McNary Pkwy). The suggested donation is $12 per tree, $10 for wreath, and $15 for pick up in area codes 97219, 97034, 97035. Flocked trees are not accepted. This troop chips and mulches on site to help beautify the neighborhood. To schedule pick up, visit http://www.bsatroop221.us
Local Lake Oswego Girl Scout Troop 40343 will be recycling trees and wreaths from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the upper parking lot of George Rogers on the following dates: December 29, 30, 31 and January 1, 6, 7. Suggested starting donation is $20. If you have any questions, please email troop40343@gmail.com(link sends e-mail)
Lake Osweg Scout Troop 555 will be recycling Christmas trees and wreaths between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 6, and Sunday, January 7. The drive up recycling service will be in the Yakima parking lot at 4101 Kruse Way in Lake Oswego. The suggested donation is $10 per tree and $8 per wreath. For questions, please email Keith Morris, Scoutmaster, at kpmorris@centurylink.net
They also make for a very nice fire in outdoor fireplaces, which is what my husband and I will be doing.
