Author: Dianne Gregoire

Posted on

Lake Oswego Open Houses for Sunday, April 25, 2010

This Sunday there are 23 properties advertised in the RMLS as being held open. Get out there and find yourself a house!

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type Open
16200 PACIFIC HWY $219,000 2 2 1,208 CONDO 1 to 3
16870 FERNWOOD DR $349,000 3 1.1 1,412 DETACHD 1 to 3
104 KINGSGATE RD $359,000 3 2.1 2,000 DETACHD 1 to 4
4971 SUNTREE LN $394,900 3 2.1 1,911 DETACHD 1 to 4
5644 WINDFIELD LOOP $410,000 3 3 1,800 DETACHD 1 to 3
17942 SAINT CLAIR DR $449,900 4 2.1 2,391 DETACHD 1 to 3
12409 SHELBY CT $449,900 3 2 2,238 DETACHD 1 to 3
2697 LOOKOUT CT $450,000 3 2 2,419 DETACHD 1 to 3
13340 AUBURN CT 465000 3 2.1 2,451 ATTACHD 2 to 4
5475 WILLOW CT 474900 3 2.1 2,438 ATTACHD 1 to 3
1503 PINE ST 489000 5 3 2,792 DETACHD 3 to 5
5711 SOUTHWOOD DR 559000 4 3 2,655 DETACHD 1 to 4
580 WEIDMAN CT 625000 5 3.1 3,952 DETACHD 2 to 4
12211 ORCHARD HILL RD 715000 4 3 4,587 DETACHD 1 to 3
3210 FIR RIDGE RD 745000 4 3.2 2,832 DETACHD 1 to 4
1015 SOUTHSHORE BLVD 773000 4 3 3,542 DETACHD 1:30 to 3:30
18955 BRYANT RD 845000 4 2.1 3,660 DETACHD 12 to 3
4288 LAKEVIEW BLVD 950000 3 2 2,141 DETACHD 1 to 4
18222 SIENA DR 1088000 6 4.1 3,800 DETACHD 1 to 3
18209 SIENA DR 1178950 5 3.1 3,839 DETACHD 2 to 4
18020 SKYLAND CIR 1198000 5 3.1 3,328 DETACHD 1 to 3
1808 RIDGE POINTE DR 1269000 5 4.1 4,155 DETACHD 2 to 4
18246 BELLA TERRA DR 1294000 4 3.1 4,196 DETACHD 2 to 4
Posted on

Double-bottom-line Thinking

I have had an idea swirling around in my head for a few weeks now. It comes from my personal experience with clients as they interact with the current economy and the housing market. This idea really jelled in my thinking when I read Ted Leonsis’ article in the April 12th issue of Newsweek.

My observation with clients, both buyers and sellers, is that there is a tremendous amount of attention and focus put onto the dollars involved in buying and selling. This is nothing new. Real estate is, for most people, the largest financial investment they will make in their entire lifetime. So what is different is that the weight being put onto the investment is in many cases causing people to forget that real estate is also about a home. Yes, I am addressing this to houses that people live in and not to rentals or portfolio properties. What I am seeing is that people are so driven to get the right deal, that they are passing up properties that are far superior in amenities.

Ted Leonsis is a former vice chairman of AOL and the author of a book, The Business of Happiness. His theory is that a company who wants financial success needs to not only think in terms of making money, but also in terms of doing what is often difficult but what is ultimately the right thing to do. This in turn keeps the company on a path of happiness that will ultimately also bring greater financial success. In other words, there is a link between pursuing happiness and also finding financial success. His case in point is the recent move by Google to route Web users from China to an unrestricted search page based out of Hong Kong. While this move may, in the short term, stifle the financial growth of Google in the biggest Internet market in the world, Leonsis believes that in the long term it will have greater financial success by placing its core values to do the right thing for humanity ahead of it’s short-term interest in its bottom line.

“Google aims to make money, of course, but it also has a motto (“Don’t be evil”) and a higher calling: to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible. By refusing to participate in Chinese censorship, the company imperiled billions of dollars in future profit. More important, it protected its status as a happy company at peace with its values—and happy companies are more, not less, likely to continue being successful.”

Ted Leonsis goes on to call this way of looking at business double-bottom-line thinking. In other words, success should be measured by the financial growth of the investment, but also by the positive out come for the happiness of human beings.

It is probably my liberal arts education coming out here, but I find this to be really important. As a Realtor, when I represent buyers my job it to get them the best possible deal. When I represent sellers, by job is to get them the highest possible sales price. I never loose focus on that. But it is hard when I have a buyer who is saying to me “show me foreclosures and short sales because I’ve heard that they are the best deal”. Or when a seller passes up a lower offer that is all cash for a higher offer with a buyer who is only putting down 5%. Focusing strictly on money may cause you to pass up the house that was lovingly cared for and is priced $10,000 higher than the beaten up foreclosure down the street. And in this lending environment, cash buyers are a real blessing.

I guess I think that there is value that needs to be also given to things like timing (short sales take months to close, if they happen at all), good will (they buyer will take the house with the big pile of yard debris in the yard because it doesn’t bother them to have to clean it up), and livability (the big kitchen is ideally designed with loads of cabinets and counter space). For some reason this economy and this real estate market has got both buyers and sellers fixated on money, money, money. And that has them acting blindly to happiness. I thinking buying the right house, where you will live and grow, is just as important as buying the right deal.

The perfect sale does both: the house will be bought or sold at the right deal and it will also be more than a house, it will be a home. That is double-bottom-line thinking and that is a good way to approach both a property purchase and a property sale.

Posted on

Market Activity Report for Lake Oswego, April 5-11, 2010

It is an absolutely glorious day today, and it is only supposed to get better as the week goes on. I love it! I also want to thank the propertyblotter readers who came by my open house on Sunday. Great to meet you!

Last week Lake Oswego had 24 new listings come onto the market, 19 houses that went pending, and 7 houses that were closed sales. Here is the full data for last week (see below for additional notes):

NEWLY LISTED (April 5-11, 2010)

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type List Date
47 GREENRIDGE CT $100,000 2 1.1 1,176 CONDO 4/5/2010
100 KERR PKWY $134,900 2 1.1 822 CONDO 4/8/2010
4 TOUCHSTONE $184,000 3 2.1 1,350 ATTACHD 4/8/2010
5287 W SUNSET DR $249,900 2 1 822 DETACHD 4/6/2010
1818 COUNTRY CLUB RD $325,000 3 2 1,596 DETACHD 4/9/2010
10 PREAKNESS CT $375,000 4 2.1 2,270 CONDO 4/6/2010
4971 SUNTREE LN $394,900 3 2.1 1,911 DETACHD 4/7/2010
14423 ORCHARD SPRINGS RD $405,000 3 2.1 1,730 DETACHD 4/9/2010
17712 CARDINAL CT 420000 4 3 2,146 DETACHD 4/7/2010
24 PARTRIDGE LN 449000 4 2.1 3,224 DETACHD 4/8/2010
4844 LOWER DR 499000 4 4 2,285 ATTACHD 4/5/2010
4705 LAKEVIEW BLVD 529900 4 2.1 2,700 DETACHD 4/5/2010
745 BERWICK CT 549000 3 2 1,988 DETACHD 4/7/2010
4852 LOWER DR 569000 3 4 2,359 ATTACHD 4/5/2010
110 3RD ST 599000 1 1 915 DETACHD 4/5/2010
1704 GLENMORRIE TER 599000 5 3 3,885 DETACHD 4/9/2010
3899 DANIEL WAY 630000 4 2.1 3,005 DETACHD 4/9/2010
4349 LAKEVIEW BLVD 650000 3 3 3,678 DETACHD 4/7/2010
12211 ORCHARD HILL RD 715000 4 3 4,587 DETACHD 4/5/2010
426 7TH ST 725000 4 2.1 2,902 DETACHD 4/5/2010
4679 DOGWOOD DR 925000 5 3.2 4,456 DETACHD 4/9/2010
190 FURNACE ST 1000000 5 4.1 4,590 DETACHD 4/7/2010
2811 ARROWHEAD CT 1250000 4 3.1 3,740 DETACHD 4/9/2010
16743 GRAEF CIR 1599000 4 2.1 3,772 DETACHD 4/7/2010

PENDING SALES (April 5-11, 2010)

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type CDOM
4000 CARMAN DR $125,000 2 2 935 CONDO 346
65 OSWEGO SMT $129,900 2 2 1,140 CONDO 8
18420 DON LEE WAY $210,000 3 1 924 DETACHD 25
19032 KRISTI WAY $259,900 2 2 1,390 DETACHD 7
4420 GOLDEN LN $279,900 3 3.1 2,165 CONDO 391
4774 OAKRIDGE RD $329,000 3 1 2,104 DETACHD 220
3056 WEMBLEY PARK RD $339,000 3 2 2,600 DETACHD 36
4548 BLACK FOREST CT $414,000 4 2.1 2,157 DETACHD 649
4962 BILFORD LN 419900 3 2.1 2,168 DETACHD 106
1400 LEE ST 427500 4 3 2,804 DETACHD 106
1851 KILKENNY DR 450000 4 3 2,654 DETACHD 2
561 2ND ST 589000 2 2 1,561 CONDO 67
19203 SW Megly Ct 589900 5 3.1 3,595 DETACHD 76
18010 GIMLEY CT 685000 4 2.5 3,652 DETACHD 27
14124 HEATHROW LN 785000 4 3.1 3,812 DETACHD 5
19175 EASTSIDE RD 799000 5 4.1 5,263 DETACHD 86
3820 SOUTHSHORE BLVD 925000 5 4 4,855 DETACHD 169
842 6TH ST 1099999 4 3.1 3,840 DETACHD 62
17979 CRESTLINE DR 1149000 4 2.1 4,650 DETACHD 7

SOLD (April 5-11, 2010)

Address O/Price Close Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type CDOM
3365 UPPER DR $299,999 $290,000 2 2 1,378 DETACHD 133
15 SAINT HELENS CIR $309,800 $295,000 3 2 1,528 DETACHD 6
2030 GREENTREE RD $368,900 $365,000 3 2 1,613 DETACHD 12
523 2nd ST $399,000 $399,000 2 2 1,274 CONDO 38
5400 BAY CREEK DR $499,900 $475,000 4 2.1 2,856 DETACHD 277
17079 CHERRY CREST AVE $575,000 $540,000 3 2.1 3,002 DETACHD 30
260 PINE VALLEY RD $1,369,000 $995,000 4 3.1 3,900 DETACHD 522

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.

Posted on

Lake Oswego Open Houses for Sunday, April 11, 2010

This Sunday is the National Association of Realtors Nationwide Open House. That is reflected here in Lake Oswego by the fact that there are 58 houses being held open on Sunday. So if there ever was a day that you considered driving around to see some houses, this Sunday is that day. I am proud to also let you know that I will be holding open 211 Oswego Summit, a gorgeous, view condo at the top of Mt. Park. I noticed that in the affordability category, it is the 5th least expensive property on the open house roster. Come on by. I’d love to meet you.

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type Open
44 EAGLE CREST DR $119,900 2 1 908 CONDO 1 to 4
4 TOUCHSTONE $189,995 3 2.1 1,350 CONDO 1 to 3
287 CERVANTES $195,000 3 1.1 1,144 CONDO 2 to 4
200 BURNHAM RD $205,850 1 1 820 CONDO 3 to 5
211 OSWEGO SMT $229,900 2 2 1,506 CONDO 12 to 3
4340 BOTTICELLI ST $239,900 3 3.1 2,098 CONDO 1 to 4
12835 SW 62ND AVE $279,500 3 2 1,200 DETACHD 12 to 2
12892 BOONES FERRY RD $299,000 2 2.1 1,136 CONDO 1 to 3
4505 WILDWOOD ST 329900 3 2 1,720 DETACHD 1 to 3
5756 SW KENNY ST 339000 3 2.1 1,542 DETACHD 2 to 4
15965 INVERURIE RD 349900 3 2 1,915 DETACHD 10:30 to 12:30
5324 LOWER DR 370000 3 2.1 2,034 DETACHD 1 to 3
119 3RD ST 385000 3 2 1,204 CONDO 1 to 4
17763 MARDEE AVE 399500 5 3 2,300 DETACHD 1:30 to 3:30
16901 LAKERIDGE DR 399900 4 3 2,080 DETACHD 1 to 3
19026 INDIAN SPRINGS RD 399900 5 3 2,471 DETACHD 2 to 4
138 KINGSGATE RD 399900 3 2.1 1,600 DETACHD 1 to 3
5644 WINDFIELD LOOP 410000 3 3 1,800 DETACHD 1 to 3
405 BOCA RATAN DR 449000 3 2.1 2,040 DETACHD 1 to 4
1641 ASH ST 450000 4 3 2,825 DETACHD 1 to 3
2697 LOOKOUT CT 450000 3 2 2,419 DETACHD 12 to 2
13340 AUBURN CT 465000 3 2.1 2,451 ATTACHD 1 to 3
5475 WILLOW CT 474900 3 2.1 2,438 ATTACHD 1 to 3
1344 TROON DR 475000 3 2 2,600 DETACHD 12 to 2
1931 WOODLAND TER 495000 4 3 2,817 DETACHD 1 to 4
136 D AVE 515000 2 2.1 1,741 ATTACHD 1 to 4
5678 CHARLES CIR 540000 3 4 3,455 DETACHD 1 to 3
745 BERWICK CT 549000 3 2 1,988 DETACHD 1 to 4
19415 SW DOGWOOD CT 549900 5 3 3,517 DETACHD 10 to 5
1060 UPPER DEVON LN 559000 3 2.1 2,400 DETACHD 12 to 2
26 INDEPENDENCE AVE 574000 4 3 3,694 DETACHD 1 to 3
19288 SW Megly CT 579900 5 3 3,594 DETACHD 10 to 5
17879 HILLSIDE DR 584900 3 3 3,049 DETACHD 1 to 4
19266 SW MEGLY CT 589900 4 3 3,575 DETACHD
19101 INDIAN CREEK AVE 599900 2 2.1 3,259 DETACHD 2 to 5
7 MOUNTAIN VIEW LN 609000 5 2.1 3,324 DETACHD 1 to 4
18606 WESTVIEW DR 649900 3 2.5 2,783 DETACHD 12 to 3
18010 GIMLEY CT 685000 4 2.5 3,652 DETACHD 12 to 3
5705 SOUTHWOOD DR 687000 3 2.1 3,372 DETACHD 1 to 3
1015 SOUTHSHORE BLVD 773000 4 3 3,542 DETACHD 11 to 2
282 GREENWOOD RD 799500 3 2.1 2,538 DETACHD 2 to 6
1785 PALISADES TERRACE DR 847000 5 4.1 5,052 DETACHD 1 to 3
12439 SW 22ND AVE 899900 4 3.1 4,118 DETACHD 2 to 4
17896 KELOK RD 948500 5 5 4,323 DETACHD 2:15 to 4
18222 SIENA DR 1088000 6 4.1 3,800 DETACHD 1 to 3
17642 UPPER CHERRY LN 1099000 3 3.1 3,927 DETACHD 12 to 3
1809 HEADLEE LN 1125000 2 2.1 3,836 DETACHD 1 to 4
18209 SIENA DR 1178950 5 3.1 3,839 DETACHD 1 to 3
16805 SCOTT CT 1190000 4 3.1 4,321 DETACHD 12:15 to 2:15
17464 RIDGEVIEW LN 1199950 4 3.1 4,407 DETACHD 1 to 3
1808 RIDGE POINTE DR 1269000 5 4.1 4,155 DETACHD 1 to 3
18246 BELLA TERRA DR 1294000 4 3.1 4,196 DETACHD 1 to 3
408 Northshore RD 1299000 4 3.1 3,753 DETACHD 1 to 3
664 OAK MEADOW DR 1299950 4 3.1 4,198 DETACHD 1 to 3
657 OAK MEADOW DR 1349950 4 3.1 4,371 DETACHD 1 to 3
17364 RIDGEVIEW CT 1399950 4 3.1 4,436 DETACHD 1 to 3
18024 SKYLAND CIR 1665000 4 3.2 4,131 DETACHD 12 to 3
15825 OSWEGO SHORE CT 1985850 4 3.1 4,317 DETACHD 12 to 2
Posted on

Lake Oswego Open Houses for Sunday, April 11, 2010

This Sunday is the National Association of Realtors Nationwide Open House. That is reflected her in Lake Oswego by the fact that there are 58 houses being held open on Sunday. So if there ever was a day that you considered driving around to see some houses, this Sunday is that day. I am proud to also let you know that I will be holding open 211 Oswego Summit, a gorgeous, view condo at the top of Mt. Park. I noticed that in the affordability category, it is the 5th least expensive property on the open house roster. Come on by. I’d love to meet you.

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type Open
44 EAGLE CREST DR $119,900 2 1 908 CONDO 1 to 4
4 TOUCHSTONE $189,995 3 2.1 1,350 CONDO 1 to 3
287 CERVANTES $195,000 3 1.1 1,144 CONDO 2 to 4
200 BURNHAM RD $205,850 1 1 820 CONDO 3 to 5
211 OSWEGO SMT $229,900 2 2 1,506 CONDO 12 to 3
4340 BOTTICELLI ST $239,900 3 3.1 2,098 CONDO 1 to 4
12835 SW 62ND AVE $279,500 3 2 1,200 DETACHD 12 to 2
12892 BOONES FERRY RD $299,000 2 2.1 1,136 CONDO 1 to 3
4505 WILDWOOD ST 329900 3 2 1,720 DETACHD 1 to 3
5756 SW KENNY ST 339000 3 2.1 1,542 DETACHD 2 to 4
15965 INVERURIE RD 349900 3 2 1,915 DETACHD 10:30 to 12:30
5324 LOWER DR 370000 3 2.1 2,034 DETACHD 1 to 3
119 3RD ST 385000 3 2 1,204 CONDO 1 to 4
17763 MARDEE AVE 399500 5 3 2,300 DETACHD 1:30 to 3:30
16901 LAKERIDGE DR 399900 4 3 2,080 DETACHD 1 to 3
19026 INDIAN SPRINGS RD 399900 5 3 2,471 DETACHD 2 to 4
138 KINGSGATE RD 399900 3 2.1 1,600 DETACHD 1 to 3
5644 WINDFIELD LOOP 410000 3 3 1,800 DETACHD 1 to 3
405 BOCA RATAN DR 449000 3 2.1 2,040 DETACHD 1 to 4
1641 ASH ST 450000 4 3 2,825 DETACHD 1 to 3
2697 LOOKOUT CT 450000 3 2 2,419 DETACHD 12 to 2
13340 AUBURN CT 465000 3 2.1 2,451 ATTACHD 1 to 3
5475 WILLOW CT 474900 3 2.1 2,438 ATTACHD 1 to 3
1344 TROON DR 475000 3 2 2,600 DETACHD 12 to 2
1931 WOODLAND TER 495000 4 3 2,817 DETACHD 1 to 4
136 D AVE 515000 2 2.1 1,741 ATTACHD 1 to 4
5678 CHARLES CIR 540000 3 4 3,455 DETACHD 1 to 3
745 BERWICK CT 549000 3 2 1,988 DETACHD 1 to 4
19415 SW DOGWOOD CT 549900 5 3 3,517 DETACHD 10 to 5
1060 UPPER DEVON LN 559000 3 2.1 2,400 DETACHD 12 to 2
26 INDEPENDENCE AVE 574000 4 3 3,694 DETACHD 1 to 3
19288 SW Megly CT 579900 5 3 3,594 DETACHD 10 to 5
17879 HILLSIDE DR 584900 3 3 3,049 DETACHD 1 to 4
19266 SW MEGLY CT 589900 4 3 3,575 DETACHD
19101 INDIAN CREEK AVE 599900 2 2.1 3,259 DETACHD 2 to 5
7 MOUNTAIN VIEW LN 609000 5 2.1 3,324 DETACHD 1 to 4
18606 WESTVIEW DR 649900 3 2.5 2,783 DETACHD 12 to 3
18010 GIMLEY CT 685000 4 2.5 3,652 DETACHD 12 to 3
5705 SOUTHWOOD DR 687000 3 2.1 3,372 DETACHD 1 to 3
1015 SOUTHSHORE BLVD 773000 4 3 3,542 DETACHD 11 to 2
282 GREENWOOD RD 799500 3 2.1 2,538 DETACHD 2 to 6
1785 PALISADES TERRACE DR 847000 5 4.1 5,052 DETACHD 1 to 3
12439 SW 22ND AVE 899900 4 3.1 4,118 DETACHD 2 to 4
17896 KELOK RD 948500 5 5 4,323 DETACHD 2:15 to 4
18222 SIENA DR 1088000 6 4.1 3,800 DETACHD 1 to 3
17642 UPPER CHERRY LN 1099000 3 3.1 3,927 DETACHD 12 to 3
1809 HEADLEE LN 1125000 2 2.1 3,836 DETACHD 1 to 4
18209 SIENA DR 1178950 5 3.1 3,839 DETACHD 1 to 3
16805 SCOTT CT 1190000 4 3.1 4,321 DETACHD 12:15 to 2:15
17464 RIDGEVIEW LN 1199950 4 3.1 4,407 DETACHD 1 to 3
1808 RIDGE POINTE DR 1269000 5 4.1 4,155 DETACHD 1 to 3
18246 BELLA TERRA DR 1294000 4 3.1 4,196 DETACHD 1 to 3
408 Northshore RD 1299000 4 3.1 3,753 DETACHD 1 to 3
664 OAK MEADOW DR 1299950 4 3.1 4,198 DETACHD 1 to 3
657 OAK MEADOW DR 1349950 4 3.1 4,371 DETACHD 1 to 3
17364 RIDGEVIEW CT 1399950 4 3.1 4,436 DETACHD 1 to 3
18024 SKYLAND CIR 1665000 4 3.2 4,131 DETACHD 12 to 3
15825 OSWEGO SHORE CT 1985850 4 3.1 4,317 DETACHD 12 to 2
Posted on

Looking Ahead to Sunny Weather

Oregon is famous for its rain. From November to early June, that is a big part of living in the Pacific Northwest. So I think of late March and early April in much the same way that the modern office worker thinks of Wednesday. This is the “hump” time: rather like Wednesday in the middle of the week. We are half way through our rainy season and looking ahead to the onset of warm and sunny days.

Last summer I took a trip to the Oregon Garden with the specific idea to share it with readers of the blotter. But rather than post it in July, when everywhere you looked was sunshine and gorgeous, lush foliage, I decided to save it for getting us all over the hump in the rainy season. So here you have it. We are now getting over the hump an looking ahead to sunny weather.

The Oregon Garden
The Oregon Garden has a special place in my heart for a couple of reasons. My sister-in-law’s father, Bill Gerber (former mayor of Lake Oswego), was one of the founders of the garden. And my Mom, back in her active days as a Realtor, worked with Bill Gerber to find the land to create the garden. I also have a huge fondness for the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, B.C. as my husband and I visited them on our honeymoon in 1981. The Oregon Garden was founded by the Oregon Association of Nurserymen, in partnership with the City of Silverton, in 1995. The location of the garden was chosen for its gently rolling terrain, which provides variety and is easy to walk, and the abundant availability of water. The City of Silverton uses the garden to recycle its treated wastewater. This means that there is a constant source of water to serve the garden as well as the fountains and ponds.

To get to the garden, it is an easy drive from several exits off of Interstate 5. The route is well marked with signs near Woodburn and just North of Salem. It is about a 40 minute drive Southeast of Portland. When I go, driving from Lake Oswego, I go South on Stafford Road and take the back-country roads over the Willamette River at the Canby Ferry. I like the back roads because I like to drive and I like to stop at produce stands to buy fruits and vegetables direct from the farmers. It’s a gorgeous way to spend an afternoon.

The Garden is open October to April from 10am to 4pm, and May to September from 9am to 6pm. Admission is $10 for Adults, $9 for Seniors (60 and older), $8 for Students (8-17 years old), and children (7 and younger) are free. The price of admission includes use of the Tram which runs throughout the Garden for anyone who needs assistance getting around or if you’re just ready to sit and relax.

Along with the Garden having a cafe and large meeting room, there is a luxury hotel, The Oregon Garden Resort, which has a spa, restaurant, lounge, and meeting facilities for business conferences and wedding receptions.

The Garden itself is divided into a variety of landscapes to showcase the abundant variety of plants, trees and flowers that thrive in Oregon. There is a whimsical Children’s Garden, a Rose Garden, a Conifer Garden, a Water Garden, a Green Roof, and a Home Demonstration Garden, to name just a few. I am really big on flowers. Give me flowers, flowers, everywhere and I am a happy lady. So I was caught by surprise when I found that I especially enjoyed the Conifer Garden. I was with a friend who has several dogs. She was looking for landscape ideas for trees that wouldn’t hurt if her little blind dog ran into it. So we were touching and smelling and really participating in the Conifer Garden. I was amazed.

The other thing I really recommend is visiting The Gorden House, which is located at The Oregon Garden. The Gordon House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1957. It is the only Frank Lloyd Wright house in Oregon, and the only one open to the public in the Pacific Northwest. Fans of architecture will understand that seeing a Frank Lloyd Wright house is a privilege. To get to do this on the same day that you visit a gorgeous garden is just icing on the cake.

The Garden hosts events year around. Some coming up in the near future are the Easter Egg Hunt on April 3rd (egg hunts for ages 0-3, 4-6, and 7-10; held at 11am, noon, and 1pm), Brewfest on April 23rd and 24th, a Motorcycle Show on May 22nd (I’ll be there with my husband, I can promise you), and a plant sale on June 12th.

So don’t give up. Don’t throw in the towel, although you may need to wring it out. The nice weather is just around the corner. And also remember that it is the long and rainy spring that makes Oregon so lush when the sun comes out in June. See you at the Garden!
Dianne

Posted on

Market Activity for March 22-28, 2010

Lake Oswego had 18 properties come onto the market last week, along with 13 houses that went pending and 8 houses that were closed sales. Here is your market report:

NEWLY LISTED (March 22—March 28, 2010)

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type List Date
100 KERR PKWY $99,990 1 1 617 CONDO 3/22/2010
4000 CARMAN DR $147,000 2 2 866 CONDO 3/23/2010
100 KERR PKWY $169,900 2 2 823 CONDO 3/22/2010
16149 PEARCY ST $229,900 3 2 1,250 DETACHD 3/26/2010
653 A AVE $245,000 2 2 1,290 DETACHD 3/24/2010
17870 DEERBRUSH AVE $349,900 3 2.1 1,912 DETACHD 3/26/2010
534 2ND ST $359,000 2 2.1 1,394 CONDO 3/28/2010
75 CONDOLEA WAY $389,000 3 3 2,131 CONDO 3/23/2010
31 NOVA CT 434000 4 2.1 2,107 DETACHD 3/28/2010
13340 AUBURN CT 465000 3 2.1 2,451 ATTACHD 3/22/2010
17701 LEAFY LN 589000 4 3 3,600 DETACHD 3/23/2010
203 EVERGREEN RD 619000 3 3.1 1,973 ATTACHD 3/22/2010
4113 WESTBAY RD 631000 2 3 2,477 DETACHD 3/25/2010
18606 WESTVIEW DR 649900 3 2.5 2,783 DETACHD 3/22/2010
491 COUNTRY CLUB RD 679900 3 2 2,486 DETACHD 3/23/2010
2099 SUMMIT DR 699000 3 2.1 2,250 DETACHD 3/23/2010
901 LAKE SHORE RD 899000 4 3 3,216 DETACHD 3/24/2010
667 LAKE BAY CT 1399000 4 4 3,361 DETACHD 3/25/2010

PENDING SALES (March 22 – March 28, 2010)

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type CDOM
15200 BOONES WAY $169,000 2 1.1 1,248 CONDO 142
16200 PACIFIC HWY $239,000 2 2 1,200 CONDO 173
1601 GREENTREE RD $249,900 3 2.1 2,444 DETACHD 149
7 PEACOCK PL $279,950 3 2.1 1,400 DETACHD 143
5 ORIOLE LN $348,000 3 2.1 2,024 DETACHD 14
15 CHURCHILL DOWNS $368,000 4 2 2,014 DETACHD 115
4002 TEMPEST DR $430,000 4 3.1 4,319 DETACHD 33
2440 OVERLOOK DR $500,000 4 3 3,874 DETACHD 36
14279 CAMDEN LN 510000 4 2.1 2,373 DETACHD 71
14584 PFEIFER WAY 559000 3 2 2,600 DETACHD 47
5783 VICTORIA CT 595000 3 2 2,344 DETACHD 14
13315 HIDDEN BAY CT 688000 5 2.1 3,671 DETACHD 151
5245 LANGFORD LN 719000 3 2.1 2,957 DETACHD 104

SOLD (March 22- March 28, 2010)

Address O/Price Close Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type CDOM
3009 WEMBLEY PARK RD $329,000 $320,000 4 1.1 1,754 DETACHD 302
2705 ORCHARD HILL PL $374,900 $331,500 3 2.5 2,250 DETACHD 19
5026 HARTFORD PL $429,000 $425,000 4 2.1 2,887 DETACHD 570
4651 HASTINGS PL $454,900 $440,000 4 2.1 2,215 DETACHD 35
5310 WASHINGTON CT $624,900 $582,000 4 3.1 3,328 DETACHD 878
5590 KODERRA AVE $689,000 $625,000 4 2.1 3,072 DETACHD 264
4380 UPPER DR $784,900 $710,000 5 4.1 4,071 DETACHD 181
16764 ALDER CIR $1,679,000 $1,350,000 4 4.1 3,456 DETACHD 200

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.

Posted on

Open Houses for Sunday, March 28, 2010

Getting a head start on the weekend, here are the 21 open houses currently being promoted in the RMLS for this Sunday:

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type Open
1597 BONNIEBRAE DR $199,900 2 1 998 ATTACHD 1 to 3
181 Oswego Summit $200,000 2 2 1,383 CONDO 12 to 2
200 BURNHAM RD $205,850 1 1 820 CONDO 12 to 2
4251 WOODSIDE CIR $305,950 3 2 2,032 ATTACHD 12 to 2
3056 WEMBLEY PARK RD $339,000 3 2 2,600 DETACHD 1 to 4
19242 TERRY AVE $395,000 4 2 1,872 DETACHD 2 to 4
13340 AUBURN CT $465,000 3 2.1 2,451 ATTACHD 2 to 4
2031 LILLI LN $550,000 3 3.1 3,262 DETACHD 1 to 3
17 SCARBOROUGH DR 579900 4 2.1 3,290 DETACHD 1 to 4
19288 SW Megly CT 579900 5 3 3,594 DETACHD 1 to 5
7 MOUNTAIN VIEW LN 609000 5 2.1 3,324 DETACHD 1 to 4
15915 WALUGA DR 629000 3 2.1 2,939 DETACHD 1 to 4
17491 BLUE HERON DR 639950 4 2 2,396 DETACHD 1 to 3
13970 TAYLORS CREST LN 643490 4 2.1 3,371 DETACHD 11 to 2
5218 WESTFIELD CT 649900 4 2.1 3,125 DETACHD 1 to 4
18606 WESTVIEW DR 649900 3 2.5 2,783 DETACHD 12 to 3
18010 GIMLEY CT 685000 4 2.5 3,652 DETACHD 12 to 3
5245 LANGFORD LN 719000 3 2.1 2,957 DETACHD 2:30 to 4:30
17896 SW KELOK RD 974500 5 5 4,323 DETACHD 1 to 3:30
18024 SKYLAND CIR 1665000 4 3.2 4,131 DETACHD 1 to 3
2572 GLEN EAGLES PL 2395000 5 4.2 6,490 DETACHD 1 to 3

Have a great weekend!

Posted on

Financial Returns on Remodeling

ImageChef.comI think this time of year is rather conducive to taking on remodeling projects. Spring cleaning is part of it, but timing is also important. If you aren’t headed out of town for spring break, you may be considering taking on some projects around the house. And if you are thinking that you are going to sell your home this year, you are certainly looking around and wondering what you need to do to get your house ready.

The National Association of Realtors publishes an annual report on cost vs. value. This year it was published in the January issue of Realtor Magazine. The report breaks down the results by regions of the country: after all labor and materials costs do vary depending upon location. Oregon is in the Pacific region of this report. I also want to point out that every project is going to have a range of value. A kitchen can be remodeled for a couple of hundred dollars with a can of paint and a weekend of your time. Or it can be remodeled for $100,000 with slab granite, sub-zero stainless refrigerator, and commercial quality appliances. This report is based upon “averages”. In the case of kitchens and baths, it also shows “upscale”.

Here is a look at the estimated current cost vs. the resale return on the money spent:

Job Cost Resale Value Cost Recouped
Additions
Attic Bedroom $60,135 $52,749 87.70%
Back-up Power Generator $16,351 $9,462 57.90%
Bathroom $47,052 $32,057 68.10%
Composite Deck $16,956 $13,922 82.10%
Wood Deck $12,838 $11,744 91.50%
Family Room $100,023 $73,551 73.50%
Garage $69,912 $51,882 74.20%
Master Suite $124,579 $90,616 72.70%
Sunroom $83,463 $45,245 54.20%
Two-Story $184,839 $143,073 77.40%
Upscale
Bathroom $88,000 $58,557 66.50%
Composite Deck $41,428 $29,687 71.70%
Garage $102,955 $68,334 66.40%
Master Suite $257,770 $164,278 63.70%
Remodeling
Basement $74,974 $68,648 91.60%
Bathroom $18,864 $14,517 77%
Home Office $31,479 $17,801 56.50%
Major Kitchen $63,803 $53,923 84.50%
Minor Kitchen $23,210 $21,991 94.80%
Upscale
Bathroom $59,456 $39,648 66.70%
Major Kitchen $120,379 $89,764 74.60%
Replacements
Entry Door $1,353 $1,732 128%
Roofing $24,712 $18,839 76.20%
Vinyl Siding $13,114 $10,674 81.40%
Vinyl Windows $12,760 $11,328 88.80%
Wood Windows $13,804 $12,175 88.20%

These figures are calculated by NAR and I do find myself wondering about some of them. For instance, the return on a roof is shown to be 76.2%, but I know from experience that a house that needs a new roof is very difficult to sell. So it will take longer and it will receive low offers because of the roof. So I personally think that replacing a roof is critical prior to selling in a way that goes beyond the simple return on the cost of the new roof. However, for the sake of comparison, using these figures it is easy to see that the return on a wood deck is 91% whereas the return on a composite deck is 82%. So if the deck is being replaced purely for the purpose of selling the home, it makes more sense to replace the deck with wood.

My final thought on all of this is that you will see that there is only one item that returns `100% of its cost: replacing the front door, which actually returns 128% of the cost. Everything else, even the items with the higher returns, do not return 100%. To me, this means that if you are going to do remodeling, additions, and improvements to your home, do them so that you can enjoy them. Do them now. Don’t put them off. The value of your remodeling is something that you will enjoy every single day that you live in your home. And that is a value that goes beyond anything you can calculate in dollars.

Let us know if you have any questions. Linda and I are always here to help.

Posted on

Market Activity for March 8th to 14th, 2010

Last week brought 26 new listings, 24 pending sales, and 16 closed sales. I think it’s beginning to feel a lot like spring!

Here is your data for last week (see below the tables for additional notes):

NEWLY LISTED (March 8—March 16, 2010)

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type List Date
4 TOUCHSTONE $129,000 2 2 984 CONDO 3/8/2010
4000 CARMAN DR $129,000 2 2 836 CONDO 3/9/2010
18 CRESTFIELD CT $137,500 2 1 923 CONDO 3/11/2010
181 Oswego Summit $200,000 2 2 1,383 CONDO 3/12/2010
1210 PINE ST $217,500 3 1.1 1,720 DETACHD 3/9/2010
13 ERASMUS ST $219,000 2 2.1 1,414 ATTACHD 3/8/2010
1137 SPRUCE ST $258,900 3 1.1 1,214 DETACHD 3/10/2010
12824 BOONES FERRY RD $275,000 2 2.1 1,398 CONDO 3/9/2010
5 SUMMIT RIDGE CT 298500 2 2.1 1,576 ATTACHD 3/8/2010
5 ORIOLE LN 348000 3 2.1 2,024 DETACHD 3/10/2010
18357 HEATHER ANN CT 449000 3 2 1,832 DETACHD 3/11/2010
4671 Lakeview BLVD 499900 4 2.1 2,575 DETACHD 3/12/2010
4941 HASTINGS DR 549000 4 2.1 2,530 DETACHD 3/13/2010
16925 DEPOT ST 549900 4 2.1 2,893 DETACHD 3/12/2010
2031 LILLI LN 550000 3 3.1 3,418 DETACHD 3/12/2010
19266 SW MEGLY CT 589900 4 3 3,575 DETACHD 3/12/2010
5783 VICTORIA CT 595000 3 2 2,344 DETACHD 3/10/2010
2329 STONEHURST CT 615000 4 3 3,275 DETACHD 3/8/2010
17363 BROOKHURST DR 625000 4 2.1 3,420 DETACHD 3/12/2010
5587 Carman Drive 739000 4 3.1 2,617 DETACHD 3/12/2010
1736 PALISADES TERRACE DR 739950 3 2.1 3,079 DETACHD 3/9/2010
1414 COUNTRY COMMONS 1095000 4 3.1 5,679 DETACHD 3/11/2010
112 NORTHSHORE CIR 1760000 4 4.2 3,632 DETACHD 3/9/2010
1460 SKYLAND DR 1900000 4 4.1 4,760 DETACHD 3/9/2010
1066 NORTHSHORE RD 2795000 4 5.1 4,224 DETACHD 3/12/2010
1186 CRESTLINE CT 5950000 6 6.3 14,411 DETACHD 3/10/2010

PENDING SALES (March 8 – March 14, 2010)

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type CDOM
59 GALEN ST $89,950 1 1 550 CONDO 97
8 OSWEGO SMT $129,900 2 2 1,140 CONDO 115
16250 PACIFIC HWY $150,000 3 2 1,626 CONDO 185
775 BOCA RATAN DR $180,000 3 3 2,401 DETACHD 186
550 S STATE ST $189,000 2 1 920 CONDO 59
45 EAGLE CREST DR $199,000 3 2 1,348 CONDO 234
5858 LAKEVIEW BLVD $244,000 2 1 1,117 DETACHD 248
150 KINGSGATE RD $314,900 3 2 1,502 DETACHD 239
1650 FIRCREST DR 325000 4 3 2,384 DETACHD 537
516 7TH ST 355000 3 2.1 1,502 DETACHD 12
14300 SHERBROOK PL 358500 3 2.1 1,924 DETACHD 141
624 LIVINGOOD LN 380000 4 3 2,596 DETACHD 15
523 2nd ST 399000 2 2 1,274 CONDO 38
13821 REGENCY CT 409000 4 2.1 2,139 DETACHD 223
4137 ORCHARD WAY 435000 5 2.1 3,084 DETACHD 181
13448 AUBURN CT 469000 3 2.1 2,535 ATTACHD 131
4763 AVERY LN 514900 4 2.1 2,566 DETACHD 19
1430 CHERRY CREST DR 525000 4 3 3,302 DETACHD 158
10 OTHELLO ST 549900 4 3 3,440 DETACHD 3
17079 CHERRY CREST AVE 575000 3 2.1 3,002 DETACHD 30
13460 SNOWBERRY CT 582500 3 2.1 3,327 DETACHD 243
1224 TYNDALL CT 799000 4 3.1 4,157 DETACHD 306
14435 UPLANDS DR 799995 4 3.1 4,822 DETACHD 115
749 SOUTHVIEW RD 899000 4 2.1 3,052 DETACHD 4

SOLD (March 8- March 14, 2010)

Address O/Price Close Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type CDOM
16250 PACIFIC HWY $178,900 $110,000 1 1 859 CONDO 860
668 MCVEY AVE $219,998 $147,000 2 1 852 CONDO 882
65 GREENRIDGE CT $215,000 $148,800 2 2 1,314 CONDO 80
1547 BOCA RATAN DR $208,900 $194,000 2 1.1 1,008 ATTACHD 168
105 KINGSGATE RD $279,500 $269,900 3 2 1,500 DETACHD 203
16111 LINDSAY CT $347,500 $323,000 3 2.1 1,840 DETACHD 73
17755 HILL WAY $364,900 $339,900 4 3 1,831 DETACHD 70
980 C AVE $399,500 $360,000 3 2 1,312 DETACHD 145
529 2ND ST 535600 399000 2 2 1,339 CONDO
17121 WALL ST 475000 448000 3 2.1 2,187 DETACHD 391
3745 TEMPEST DR 547500 465000 4 3 2,573 DETACHD 411
11 MORNINGVIEW CIR 547000 525000 3 2.1 2,921 DETACHD 235
557 2ND ST 797355 649000 2 2.1 1,833 CONDO
1505 COUNTRY CLUB RD 759900 660000 6 4.1 5,463 DETACHD 229
5322 ROSALIA WAY 799999 685000 4 2.1 3,500 DETACHD 87
5234 WESTFIELD CT 724900 689000 4 3 3,252 DETACHD 8

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.