Author: Dianne Gregoire

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Market Activity for May 17-23, 2010

The housing market in Lake Oswego included 19 new listings, 15 pending sales, and 14 closed sales. You will probably notice some categories moved/missing/changed. Linda and I use a macro in excell to develop these charts. RMLS has made technical changes that are affecting our macro, which we need to re-work. Thanks for your patience while we get the kinks ironed out. I think the basic data is here.

Here is your weekly update (see below the tables for additional notes):

NEWLY LISTED (May 17—23, 2010)

Address List Price # BR SF Up+Mn Prop Type
322 CERVANTES CIR $85,000 2 832 CONDO
512 S STATE ST $129,900 1 829 CONDO
668 MCVEY AVE $149,000 2 976 CONDO
16515 INVERURIE RD $299,000 3 1,772 DETACHD
16808 INVERURIE RD $299,900 3 1,182 DETACHD
14372 CAMDEN LN $448,500 3 2,348 DETACHD
1462 GREENTREE CIR $449,900 4 2,507 DETACHD
8 MORNINGVIEW CIR $529,900 3 2,217 DETACHD
230 4TH ST 619900 3 2,165 DETACHD
13265 FOX RUN 680000 3 2,614 DETACHD
17632 WOODHURST PL 699900 5 – DETACHD
17970 ROYCE WAY 799000 4 2,713 DETACHD
19000 BRYANT RD 965000 5 5,874 DETACHD
1425 CHANDLER RD 978000 4 2,204 DETACHD
1235 CHANDLER RD 985000 5 2,044 DETACHD
17301 BERGIS FARM DR 1060000 4 – DETACHD
2569 GLEN EAGLES PL 1349000 5 4,591 DETACHD
13900 GOODALL RD 1600000 5 4,282 DETACHD
1973 CHERYL CT 1695000 5 4,396 DETACHD

PENDING SALES (May 17-23, 2010)

Address List Price # BR Sq Ft SF Up+Mn Prop Type CDOM
100 KERR PKWY $77,500 2 823 823 CONDO 66
100 KERR PKWY $92,500 2 823 823 CONDO 27
3433 SW MCNARY PKWY $123,900 2 1008 1,008 CONDO 98
32 CERVANTES CIR $129,500 2 1092 912 CONDO 160
136 TOUCHSTONE TER $279,000 3 1996 1,198 DETACHD 243
729 3RD ST $295,000 4 1671 1,671 DETACHD 10
4313 ALBERT CIR $367,900 3 1790 1,790 DETACHD 14
1255 BAYBERRY RD $375,000 3 1901 1,901 DETACHD 253
1400 LEE ST 421500 4 2804 1,514 DETACHD 146
24 PARTRIDGE LN 449000 4 3224 3,224 DETACHD 40
675 10TH ST 490000 4 2280 1,272 DETACHD 374
14158 KIMBERLY CIR 530000 5 3548 3,648 DETACHD 18
1158 BAYBERRY RD 649000 4 2386 2,386 DETACHD 10
1703 VILLAGE PARK LN 749000 3 3450 3,450 DETACHD 156
1414 COUNTRY COMMONS 945000 4 5679 3,082 DETACHD 68

SOLD (May 17-23, 2010)

Address Closed Price Original Price #BR Sq Ft Prop Type CDOM
65 OSWEGO SMT $118,000 $129,900 2 1,140 CONDO 8
5051 FOOTHILLS DR $169,900 $210,000 2 991 CONDO 248
750 1ST ST $178,000 $195,000 2 1,350 CONDO 73
5056 FOOTHILLS DR $257,000 $299,900 2 1,252 CONDO 194
19032 KRISTI WAY $262,000 $259,900 2 1,390 DETACHD 7
4420 GOLDEN LN $295,000 $279,900 3 2,165 CONDO 391
119 3RD ST $350,000 $429,900 3 1,204 CONDO 187
5299 LAKEVIEW BLVD $365,000 $399,900 4 2,165 DETACHD 594
2440 OVERLOOK DR $480,000 $525,000 4 3,874 DETACHD 36
815 COUNTRY COMMONS LN $494,500 $595,000 4 2,376 DETACHD 83
3115 ROSEMARY LN $513,000 $599,900 3 3,324 DETACHD 244
17388 CEDAR RD $575,000 $875,000 2 2,134 DETACHD 402
18125 WESTMINSTER DR $658,000 699888 5 3,969 DETACHD 344
356 9TH ST $1,070,000 $1,275,000 4 3,647 DETACHD 98

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.

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Open House in Lake Oswego for May 23rd

The RMLS is promoting 29 open houses for this Sunday. Enjoy!

Address List Price Year Built BR & BTH Prop Type Open
1684 BOCA RATAN DR $248,900 1969 3 & 2 ATTACHD 1 to 3
16535 ROOSEVELT AVE $249,000 1953 3 & 2 DETACHD 1 to 3
2245 GLEN HAVEN RD $348,500 1955 3 & 1.5 DETACHD 1 to 3
19242 TERRY AVE $369,500 1965 4 & 2 DETACHD 2 to 4
231 LAUREL ST $425,000 1956 3 & 3 DETACHD 1 to 3
71 TANGLEWOOD DR $449,000 1972 3 & 3 DETACHD 1 to 3
1931 WOODLAND TER $474,000 1968 4 & 3 DETACHD 1 to 4
5475 WILLOW CT $474,900 2008 3 & 2.5 ATTACHD 1 to 3
17640 TREETOP WAY 524000 1969 4 & 3 DETACHD 2 to 4
535 B AVE 539000 1990 2 & 2.5 ATTACHD 12 to 2
5678 CHARLES CIR 540000 1985 3 & 4 DETACHD 1 to 4
363 6TH ST 549900 2009 3 & 3.5 ATTACHD 1 to 4
1060 UPPER DEVON LN 559000 1974 3 & 2.5 DETACHD 1 to 3
17930 MEADOWLARK LN 575000 1974 4 & 4 DETACHD 1 to 3
4 NANSEN SUMMIT 599000 1982 4 & 2.5 DETACHD 3 to 5
18010 GIMLEY CT 649000 1979 4 & 2.5 DETACHD 12 to 3
18606 WESTVIEW DR 649900 1985 3 & 2.5 DETACHD 12 to 3
1015 SOUTHSHORE BLVD 755000 1953 4 & 3 DETACHD 12 to 2
1687 VILLAGE PARK LN 879000 1989 4 & 3 DETACHD 1 to 3
606 6TH ST 789000 – 898876 1920 4 & 3 DETACHD 2 to 4
17896 KELOK RD 929000 2010 5 & 5 DETACHD 2 to 4
18222 SIENA DR 1088000 2010 6 & 4.5 DETACHD 1 to 3
18209 SIENA DR 1178950 2009 5 & 3.5 DETACHD 1 to 3
18143 SIENA DR 1197000 2009 5 & 4.5 DETACHD 1 to 3
1808 RIDGE POINTE DR 1269000 2010 5 & 4.5 DETACHD 1 to 3
18246 BELLA TERRA DR 1294000 2009 4 & 3.5 DETACHD 1 to 3
112 NORTHSHORE CIR 1695000 1938 4 & 4.5+.5 DETACHD 1 to 3
15825 OSWEGO SHORE CT 1985850 2006 4 & 3.5 DETACHD 1 to 3
2572 GLEN EAGLES PL 2395000 2009 5 & 4.5+.5 DETACHD 1 to 3
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Take good care of your credit

I suppose it is somewhat of a no-brainer that as a consumer you need to take good care of your credit, but if you are considering buying real estate, it is more important than ever. The days that qualified you to buy a home by merely having a pulse are long gone. Credit is more important than ever.

What is a FICO Score?
The FICO score was developed by The Fair Isaac Corporation in 1958. It is a statistical analysis of the likelihood of default. It has long been considered the most fair means of analyzing credit because it is purely about statistics with no consideration given for any personal matters such as sex, race, religion, etc. Mortgage lenders reliance on FICO Scores has gained in prominence and only looks to increase.

A FICO Score can be anywhere from 300-850. It is made up of the following considerations:
35% is payment history: do you pay your bills on time?
30% is ratio of available credit used: do you max out your credit cards?
15% is length of credit history.
10% is types of credit (having a variety of credit is good)
10% is recent credit inquiries

So it is more than simply paying your bills on time. If you want an 850 credit score, you certainly need to pay your bills on time, but you also need a variety of credit, not too much of it, that has low balances, that you have managed for years, and that you have not recently applied for. I have heard it said that the magic number of credit cards is 4, most with little or no balances. You do need to be using the credit. If you have 4 credit cards that you never use, it is not going to help you.

By law you are entitled to a free annual credit report. You can obtain one from each of the 3 credit bureaus by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com Because there are 3 credit bureaus, each with their own means of analysis, you will want to obtain copies of all 3 reports. If you see something strange on the report, you will also find links to managing your credit and fixing your credit.

Why FICO matters when you buy a house.
First, having a high credit score will allow you to obtain a lower interest rate on your mortgage. On a 30-year fixed mortgage of $300,000, a person with a FICO score of 760-850 will be able to obtain an interest rate of about 4.567% and that will make the payment $1532 per month. With a credit score of 620-639, that same 30-year mortgage would have an interest rate of 6.156% and a monthly payment of $1829 per month. That is a difference of $300! Yes, you will be rewarded for being financially strong.

Second, your credit is going to be checked more then once when you buy a house. According to a recent article by Kenneth Harney of the Washington Post, on June 1st,Fannie Mae will be requiring a second credit report be pulled just prior to close of escrow. This is to find out if anything has changed with the buyer’s credit since the loan was approved. If it has changed, then, poof, you could be kicked right out of closing and not be able to buy the house you want. This means that once you find a home and get your offer accepted, do not do anything to change your credit. Even making an inquiry for new credit could create disaster. Suppose you go to a furniture store and apply for a line of credit because you are dreaming of furnishing your new home? You don’t even have to make a purchase. Just having the extra credit available could affect your credit. While in escrow, make all payments on time, but make no credit applications, no purchases on credit, and no changes, no matter how small, to your credit situation. This is much more strict than I have ever seen. It is real. I had a closing postponed for 3 weeks while the buyer made a $500 payment on his credit card and we waited for the payment to be reflected in his FICO score with the 3 credit bureaus. I am also aware of 1 late payment on a credit card while in escrow that completely kicked the loan out of underwriting and the transaction sale failed.

Please let me know if you have any questions on this issue or if you need any help. I work with a couple of excellent lenders who are happy to take the time to help you build and repair your credit so that you can qualify for the house of your dreams.

Dianne

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Market Activity Report for May 10-16, 2010

The housing market in Lake Oswego included 19 new listings, 11 pending sales, and 13 closed sales. You will probably notice some categories moved/missing/changed. Linda and I use a macro in excell to develop these charts. RMLS has made technical changes that are affecting our macro, which we need to re-work. Thanks for your patience while we get the kinks ironed out. I think the basic data is here.

Here is your weekly update (see below the tables for additional notes):

NEWLY LISTED (May 10—16, 2010)

Address List Price Year Built Sq. Ft. Prop Type
3433 MCNARY PKWY $125,000 1994 1,136 CONDO
4 TOUCHSTONE $179,000 1970 675 CONDO
18430 PILKINGTON RD $259,000 1973 1,029 DETACHD
244 Greenridge DR $319,000 1974 1,907 ATTACHD
5031 TUALATA LN $329,000 1969 1,492 DETACHD
5973 KENNYCROFT WAY $329,500 1962 1,202 DETACHD
5827 BONITA RD $399,900 2002 1,771 DETACHD
16931 Bryant RD $424,500 1930 1,767 ATTACHD
71 TANGLEWOOD DR 449000 1972 2,616 DETACHD
13364 AUBURN CT 450000 2005 2,371 ATTACHD
464 LIVINGOOD LN 459995 1985 1,454 DETACHD
19451 SW DOGWOOD CT 559900 2010 3,594 DETACHD
8 DEL PRADO ST 599950 1972 1,877 DETACHD
4121 CHILDS RD 789900 2006 3,352 DETACHD
11 HILLSHIRE DR 825000 1990 3,415 DETACHD
3030 WESTVIEW CT 859000 1969 2,635 DETACHD
490 COUNTRY CLUB RD 900000 1938 2,240 DETACHD
2607 PALISADES CREST DR 1000000 1981 – DETACHD
2133 HAZEL RD 1325000 2006 3,965 DETACHD

PENDING SALES (May 10-16, 2010)

Address List Price Year Built Sq. Ft. Prop Type
775 BOCA RATAN DR $180,000 1975 2,401 DETACHD
1960 MAPLELEAF RD $225,000 1965 1,210 DETACHD
729 3RD ST $295,000 1948 1,671 DETACHD
666 3RD ST $299,900 1948 953 DETACHD
18922 REDWING WAY $369,900 1969 2,076 DETACHD
16044 INVERURIE RD $399,000 1942 952 DETACHD
1025 C AVE $408,950 1950 1,263 DETACHD
1055 COUNTRY CLUB RD $449,000 1954 1,552 DETACHD
5711 SOUTHWOOD DR 519000 1990 2,655 DETACHD
106 3RD ST 649000 1957 1,495 DETACHD
17281 LOWENBERG TER 839900 2009 2,996 DETACHD

SOLD (May 10-16, 2010)

Address Original Price Sold Price SF Prop Type CDOM
8 OSWEGO SMT $135,000 $123,000 1140 CONDO 115
1137 SPRUCE ST $258,900 $254,900 1214 DETACHD 7
15256 BOONES WAY $335,000 $284,950 1600 ATTACHD 350
4774 OAKRIDGE RD $339,000 $332,500 2104 DETACHD 220
5 ORIOLE LN $340,000 $341,000 2024 DETACHD 14
4548 BLACK FOREST CT $550,000 $393,000 2157 DETACHD 644
4962 BILFORD LN $439,000 $405,000 2168 DETACHD 106
2251 PRESTWICK RD $407,250 $407,250 2236 DETACHD 3
531 2ND ST $399,000 $412,000 1393 CONDO 57
4705 LAKEVIEW BLVD $529,900 $510,000 2700 DETACHD 7
17644 WOODHURST PL $629,900 $550,000 4509 DETACHD 927
5245 LANGFORD LN $719,000 $709,000 2957 DETACHD 104
1224 TYNDALL CT $849,000 $779,000 4157 DETACHD 306

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.

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Open Houses on Mother’s Day, 5/9/2010

There are just 8 houses being promoted to be held open this Sunday, a reflection that many are celebrating the day with family. If you are able to get out, please take the time to go and see these great houses:

Address List Price Year Built SF Up+Mn Prop Type BR/BTH Open
116 TOUCHSTONE TER $310,000 1972 1,058 ATTACHD 3/2.5 1 to 3
19242 TERRY AVE $370,000 1965 936 DETACHD 4/2.0 2 to 4
9 WESTMINSTER DR $535,000 1976 3,042 DETACHD 4/ 2.5.5.5 2 to 4
339 6TH ST $575,000 2010 1,506 ATTACHD 4/ 3.5 1 to 4
92 GARIBALDI ST $699,000 1991 2,584 DETACHD 4/3.5 12 to 3
16827 SCOTT CT $910,000 1993 3,952 DETACHD 4/3.5 1 to 3
16805 SCOTT CT $1,190,000 1992 4,321 DETACHD 4/3.5 2 to 4
18820 GREENBLUFF DR $1,395,000 2000 4,656 DETACHD 4/4.5 12 to 3
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Secrets of Lake Oswego’s Famous Flower Baskets

There are several things that Lake Oswego is famous for: the Lake, beautiful homes, great schools, and the glorious flower baskets. The baskets have been hung annually on the main streets of town for many years. They are spectacular with both great size and great color. As someone who loves flowers and working in my garden, I’ve wondered how they do it. What are the secrets that make the LO baskets thrive? They start out pretty and of good size, but by summer’s end they hang about 6 feet down and are a profusion of color that is just amazing. Last Saturday I attended a class put on by the City Park’s and Recreation Department where I learned how they do it. So here it is: the secrets of Lake Oswego’s famous flower baskets.

Start with a 12 inch hanging pot that is nearly as deep as it is wide. The city uses 16 inch pots, but those are much too large for the scale of most homes. 10 inch pots can also be used, but they require watering twice daily, whereas the 12 inch pot can get by on once daily watering. Also recommended is a pot with a straight side. This allows as much soil and water as possible for root development. These instructions are for a 12 inch pot. If you use one that is either larger or smaller, please make your own adjustments.

Fill the pot about half full of soil. The recommended soil is NW Best Soil Potting Mix. This is what is used by the City. It is the choice because it contains “Sirfactin” which allows the walls of soil to expand so water doesn’t run around the planting mix and out the bottom of the container. To this soil, mix in about 1/4 cup of Plant-Tone, a fertilizer to get the plants off to a good start.

Before adding any more soil, remember the planter is only about half full, place 7, 4-inch plant starts. If they are in plastic containers, pull them out. If they are in the kind that are made of compost you can just set them into the planter in the container and the container will decompose as the roots develop. Think about putting a plant that will grow tall in the center such as a geranium. Then place the other 6 plants around the perimeter that will hang as they spread and grow. Think about having a variety of colors and textures. The planters made for the city are designed to be hung in full sun. You can design your own flowers based upon where you intend to hang your planter. Using a 12 inch planter and 4 inch plants you will find that this really packs the pot completely full of plants. The 7th one has to be pretty much squeezed into the planter. This will leave just a few areas between the edges of the plants that need to be filled with dirt. Find those spots and gently fill dirt in around the plants. When you are done the level of the top of the dirt should be about one inch below the rim of the pot. (It’s a good idea when testing the first plant you put into the container to eye-ball the level and see if you need to fill your planter more than half full when you add the initial soil).

Water immediately and really let the water run. The planter needs to be watered DAILY, even on days that have rain. Rain will not be enough to thoroughly saturate the soil. It is not possible to over-water this planter. Yes, you really have to water it every single day. When you water, let the water gently run and then keep the water going. Count to 50, sing a short song, whatever you can do to force yourself to stand at the planter and thoroughly water the planter.  Do it every single day and on those days with really extreme heat, do it TWICE.

Once a week fertilize with Proven Winners. This is a fertilizer that is widely sold in the area. You mix it into a big gallon watering can with water and poor it into the planter. It has a balance of fertilizers that is 24-12-17. It contains 15 nutrients, not just nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, but trace elements as well.

When you hang your planter remember a couple of things. This planter is going to get very large. This means that it will be very heavy so make certain that it is on a hook that will hold the growing weight. Also hang it where it has room to grow. By the end of the season it will hang 4 to 6 feet long. It will be a total show piece in your garden.

If you have questions or need help, or want to buy any and all of the materials listed above, the place to go is The Garden Corner in Tualatin. Located at 21550 SW 108th Ave in Tualatin, this garden center has been the birthplace of the LO hanging baskets for many years. They are proud of their participation in the LO hanging basket program and are happy to be of help to you when you grow a basket of your very own.

I’ve got my basket hanging at my home. I am eager to see just how big it is going to get. Let me know if you do one too. Maybe we can share some photos in September!

Remember, gardening is great therapy for your soul.
Dianne

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Lake Oswego Real Estate: Market Activity April 19-25, 2010

Lake Oswego market activity for last week brought us 22 new listings, 21 pending sales, and 8 closed sales. Here is your weekly update (see below the tables for additional notes):

NEWLY LISTED (April 19—April 25, 2010)

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type List Date
47 EAGLE CREST DR $110,000 2 2 932 CONDO 4/25/2010
115 OSWEGO SMT $170,000 2 2 1,212 CONDO 4/21/2010
218 RIDGEWAY RD $200,000 2 1 914 CONDO 4/23/2010
3892 BOTTICELLI ST $239,900 3 2 1,288 CONDO 4/22/2010
4490 LAKEVIEW BLVD $325,000 3 2 1,727 DETACHD 4/21/2010
4841 SE DAWN AVE $335,000 3 0.2 1,550 DETACHD 4/22/2010
15144 BOONES WAY $369,000 4 3.1 2,194 DETACHD 4/21/2010
5376 ROSEWOOD ST $394,900 3 2.1 2,457 ATTACHD 4/20/2010
12409 SHELBY CT 449900 3 2 2,238 DETACHD 4/20/2010
4859 SAGE HEN WAY 459000 4 3 2,417 DETACHD 4/21/2010
17640 TREETOP WAY 524995 4 3 2,692 DETACHD 4/22/2010
3718 LAKE GROVE AVE 549000 4 3 2,523 DETACHD 4/19/2010
4080 Coltsfoot 569950 4 2.1 2,884 DETACHD 4/19/2010
5774 BAY POINT DR 625000 5 2.1 3,674 DETACHD 4/23/2010
133 FURNACE ST 629000 2 2.1 1,927 CONDO 4/23/2010
17754 TREETOP LN 649000 5 3.1 3,668 DETACHD 4/20/2010
14120 REDWOOD CT 669000 4 2.1 2,755 DETACHD 4/19/2010
16461 CHAPIN WAY 799900 4 2.1 4,271 DETACHD 4/24/2010
4288 LAKEVIEW BLVD 950000 3 2 2,141 DETACHD 4/22/2010
17951 MEADOWLARK LN 1295000 4 3.2 5,065 DETACHD 4/20/2010
1972 CHERYL CT 2590000 5 4.1 6,952 DETACHD 4/22/2010
1617 LAKE FRONT RD 3950000 4 4.1 4,610 DETACHD 4/25/2010

PENDING SALES (April 19 – April 25, 2010)

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type CDOM
4000 CARMAN DR $142,000 2 2 973 CONDO 58
109 OSWEGO SMT $144,900 2 2 1,212 CONDO 36
1597 BONNIEBRAE DR $199,900 2 1 998 ATTACHD 46
200 BURNHAM RD $268,000 2 2 1,328 CONDO 942
55 NORTHSHORE RD $275,000 1 1 1,478 CONDO 735
5756 KENNY ST $325,000 3 2.1 1,542 DETACHD 56
627 1ST ST $339,500 2 2 2,090 DETACHD 145
31 DA VINCI ST $362,500 4 2.1 2,232 DETACHD 249
25 CHURCHILL DOWNS 385000 4 3 2,195 DETACHD 0
16200 PACIFIC HWY 388900 2 2 1,208 CONDO 802
3075 ROYCE WAY 395000 4 3.1 3,667 DETACHD 156
827 5TH ST 425000 3 2 2,124 DETACHD 86
1400 LEE ST 427500 4 3 2,804 DETACHD 117
17622 BROOKHURST DR 493000 3 2.1 2,909 DETACHD 42
2650 LOOKOUT CT 495000 4 3.1 3,480 DETACHD 8
5711 SOUTHWOOD DR 539000 4 3 2,655 DETACHD 6
1545 CLOVERLEAF RD 579950 4 3.1 2,723 DETACHD 59
2109 WEMBLEY PARK RD 649900 5 3 3,129 DETACHD 2
18125 WESTMINSTER DR 699888 5 3.1 3,969 DETACHD 244
4211 CHAD DR 874900 5 3.1 3,937 DETACHD 268
3114 DOUGLAS CIR 1395000 4 4 5,420 DETACHD 528

SOLD (April 19- April 25, 2010)

Address O/Price Close Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type CDOM
852 5TH ST $199,000 $205,000 2 1 738 DETACHD 131
28 WHEATHERSTONE $230,000 $219,500 3 2.1 1,692 CONDO 145
16890 CORTEZ CT $324,900 $274,900 4 3 2,016 DETACHD 104
1565 BEDFORD CT $429,000 $311,000 3 2 1,978 DETACHD 251
14300 SHERBROOK PL $334,500 $334,500 3 2.1 1,924 DETACHD 141
15921 KIMBALL AVE $389,900 $390,000 3 2 2,309 DETACHD 3
1414 GREENTREE CIR $499,000 $435,000 4 2.1 2,330 DETACHD 37
2688 RIVENDELL RD $835,000 $680,617 4 3 3,720 DETACHD 405

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.

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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
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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.

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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.