The buzz in real estate right now is the $8000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers. While there is talk of the credit being extended, at this point that is an unknown. This puts pressure on anyone thinking that they may want to take advantage of it. In order to benefit, you must close on your purchase by November 30th. Because putting a loan in place now takes about 45 days, and because there is a long holiday weekend for Thanksgiving, a buyer who is going to receive this credit needs to make an offer on a home in the next week or so.
This has got me reflecting on what sort of a home I would be interested in if I were in a position to take advantage of this opportunity. After going through the current inventory in Lake Oswego, here are 4 properties that I believe are great homes that would be ideal for a first-time buyer.
113 Kingsgate Rd Priced at $275,000, this house has 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and a 2-car attached garage. It’s located on the South slope of Mountain Park, so it is really convenient to the Kruse Way corridor, I-5, and Hwy 217. Oak Creek Elementary School is just down the street, and PCC Sylvania Campus is close by. While the lot is smaller (about 4000 square feet) it is extremely private. So you can have the easy care of a small yard, but the benefit of privacy. That’s a tough combination to find. Probably the most striking feature of the house (besides the master on the main, the hardwood floors, the wet bar, and the gas fireplace) is the 2-story vaulted ceiling. Architecturally, this house is wonderful and unique. This is not a cookie-cutter house. When you walk in the door, you will say “Wow”.
4447 Golden Lane Priced at $229,000, this is an end-unit condo with 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and a 2-car, attached garage. It has expansive South facing windows so that the interior is light and bright even on those short, winter days. The kitchen has new granite counters and there are new laminate floors. Like the property above, this home is on the South slope of Mountain Park. Living in this location, you benefit from the Mountain Park recreational facilities. There are 15 miles of walking trails, tennis courts, a swimming pool and a weight room. Living in a condominium means that you don’t have to take care of a yard or worry about maintenance of the exterior. It’s ideal for someone with a busy job or who likes to travel a lot.
15139 Tree Rd Priced at $298,900, this house has 3 bedrooms , 2 full baths, and a 2-car garage. It’s in a great location at the end of a dead-end street. There are hardwood floors throughout. It has a formal living room, but what I like is the openness of the greatroom for the kitchen, dining room, and family room. There is a masonry fireplace made with used bricks that is warm and inviting. I like to point out to anyone buying a one level home that the demand for these homes will only increase. As the population ages, the need for homes that appeal to older people is going to get bigger. So I do believe that one-level homes make great investments.
18690 Don Lee Way Priced at $299,000, this house has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a 2-car garage. It’s on a lot that is nearly a quarter of an acre and just spectacular. It’s in great condition with a new roof, new siding and windows, and a new furnace. There are hardwood floors in dining room and the living room, and there are tile floors in the kitchen and in the entry. The kitchen and both bathrooms have been updated. The fireplace has a very classy looking slate surround and built-ins on both sides.
I think what is striking about all of these houses is what good condition they are all in. Under $300,000 in Lake Oswego is the lower end of the pricing spectrum. You would normally think that this would also mean that you have to compromise by buying a house that perhaps needs some updating or some work to improve it. That is not the case here. You can buy not only an affordable home, but a home in great condition. Add to that the fact that you can then get an $8000 tax credit from the Federal government and you are talking a perfect storm of opportunity.
I hope you have enjoyed learning about these properties. If you would like more information, or if you’d like to make an appointment to view any of these properties, please contact Linda or myself and we would be happy to be of help to you.
Last week brought 17 new listings onto the market, 17 pending sales, and 9 closed sales. Of note, at least to me, is that 2 of the closed sales were condos in the 555 building on Second Street. That development is high-end condos that are all on one-level and accessed by elevators. They are ideal for someone downsizing out of their big house for retirement. It’s a great location that is walking distance to downtown, the farmer’s market, the library, and the Adult Community Center. I think the condo market has taken a worse beating in this downturn than the single family residential market. So it’s good to see a couple of these high-end condos selling.
Here is the latest market activity for Lake Oswego (see below the tables for additional notes):
NEWLY LISTED (Sept. 21—27, 2009)
ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
LIST DATE
Address
List Price
# BR
# BTHS
Total SF
Prop Type
List Date
47 EAGLE CREST DR
$119,900
2
1
932
CONDO
9/25/2009
3930 LAKE GROVE AVE
$144,900
2
1
952
CONDO
9/26/2009
15 OSWEGO SMT
$169,900
2
2
1,212
CONDO
9/24/2009
18462 DON LEE WAY
$239,500
4
2
1,904
DETACHD
9/22/2009
5056 FOOTHILLS DR
$299,900
2
2
1,252
CONDO
9/21/2009
1709 ASPEN CT
$317,000
3
2
1,561
DETACHD
9/23/2009
18620 INDIAN CREEK DR
$424,000
3
2
2,046
DETACHD
9/23/2009
1790 YARMOUTH CIR
$424,995
2
2
1,473
DETACHD
9/21/2009
4 ICARUS LOOP
$449,000
4
2.1
2,743
DETACHD
9/27/2009
17336 HUNTER CT
$549,900
3
2.1
3,004
DETACHD
9/24/2009
1060 UPPER DEVON LN
$674,900
3
2.1
2,460
DETACHD
9/23/2009
5124 ROSEWOOD ST
$685,950
5
3.1
3,510
DETACHD
9/23/2009
18096 PILKINGTON RD
$749,000
4
2.1
3,200
DETACHD
9/23/2009
467 9th ST
$775,000
3
2.1
2,700
DETACHD
9/25/2009
453 9th ST
$775,000
3
2.1
2,700
DETACHD
9/25/2009
2445 GLENMORRIE DR
$1,495,000
4
5
4,663
DETACHD
9/22/2009
1870 TWIN POINTS RD
$2,200,000
4
3
4,448
DETACHD
9/22/2009
PENDING SALES (Sept 21 -27, 2009)
ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
DOM
Address
Close Price
List Price
# BR
# BTHS
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
340 CERVANTES CIR
$110,000
2
1.1
912
CONDO
122
32 OSWEGO SMT
$124,900
1
1
752
CONDO
497
86 KINGSGATE RD
$138,000
2
2
924
CONDO
172
45 EAGLE CREST DR
$139,900
1
1
768
CONDO
125
73 OSWEGO SMT
$164,900
2
2
1,212
CONDO
409
458 STATE ST
$199,900
2
1
800
CONDO
122
195 OSWEGO SMT
$219,900
2
2
1,506
CONDO
343
16651 LAKE FOREST BLVD
$239,900
3
1
1,230
DETACHD
237
16650 Fir LN
$325,000
3
2
1,384
DETACHD
20
2961 DELLWOOD DR
$350,000
3
3
2,476
DETACHD
192
17622 BROOKHURST DR
$350,000
4
2.1
2,909
DETACHD
429
627 1ST ST
$399,000
2
2
2,090
DETACHD
241
1531 WOODLAND TER
$414,000
3
2.1
1,895
DETACHD
139
13531 FIELDING RD
$650,000
4
3.1
4,629
DETACHD
463
5329 Langford LN
$719,000
3
2.1
2,962
DETACHD
302
1708 VILLAGE PARK LN
$899,000
4
2.1
3,211
DETACHD
13
17211 KELOK RD
$1,399,000
3
3.1
5,384
DETACHD
112
SOLD (Sept 21-27, 2009)
ADDRESS
ORIG. PRICE
SALE PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
DOM
Address
O/Price
Close Price
# BR
# BTHS
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
17928 ROYAL CT
$299,900
$267,250
3
2
1,272
DETACHD
111
4 WHEATHERSTONE
$334,950
$330,000
3
2.1
1,692
CONDO
86
126 CONDOLEA DR
$549,000
$391,500
3
3
2,664
CONDO
680
559 2ND ST
$665,115
$580,000
2
2
1,529
CONDO
923
20 DA VINCI ST
$599,900
$585,000
5
3
3,089
DETACHD
25
575 2ND ST
$832,200
$592,300
2
2.1
1,752
CONDO
887
100 GARIBALDI ST
$1,349,900
$925,000
5
3.2
4,669
DETACHD
334
1149 LAKESHORE RD
$1,295,000
$1,115,000
4
2.1
2,660
DETACHD
143
128 NORTHSHORE CIR
$1,799,000
1290000
3
3.1
3,550
DETACHD
764
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.
Sunday is going to be a great day to visit some open houses. We are enjoying a wonderful Indian Summer so the temperature will be pretty much perfect with plenty of sunshine and 28 houses being held open for your viewing pleasure.
In particular I want to point out a progressive open house tour being held in Southwood Park. 5 homes are being held open within just a couple of blocks of each other, including my listing at 13638 SW 62nd. Remember that this neighborhood is in unincorporated Clackamas County (which means low taxes), but has Lake Oswego Schools (great for kids and re-sale values). My listing was price reduced this last week from $319,900 to $299,900. That is for a house with 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, two family rooms, and a 21 x 11 utility room. It needs some cosmetic updating, but has a 50 year metal roof, new windows, and new paint inside and out. If you visit all 5 houses on the tour, your will receive a $5 Starbuck’s gift card. Watch for hellium balloons and lots of open house signs. You’ll find my signs on Lesser Dr to follow them in to the property.
Address
List Price
# BR
# BTHS
Total SF
Prop Type
Open
1547 BOCA RATAN DR
$219,900
2
1.1
1,008
ATTACHD
1 to 3
13363 SW 64TH AVE
$264,900
3
1.1
1,120
DETACHD
1 to 4
13561 SW 62ND AVE
269000 – 289000
3
1.1
1,594
DETACHD
1 to 4
13638 SW 62ND AVE
$299,900
4
3
2,268
DETACHD
1 to 4
17752 SCHALIT WAY
$329,900
3
2
1,463
DETACHD
2 to 4
13448 SW 61ST AVE
$335,000
3
3
1,911
DETACHD
1 to 4
13224 SW 63RD AVE
$338,000
4
2.1
1,694
DETACHD
1 to 4
9 DA VINCI ST
$399,900
3
2
1,768
DETACHD
12 to 2
14371 SHERBROOK PL
$495,000
3
2.1
2,550
DETACHD
2 to 4
3254 DUNCAN DR
$500,000
4
3.1
3,997
DETACHD
2 to 4
2525 DELLWOOD DR
$519,000
5
3
2,836
DETACHD
12 to 2
4018 COHO LN
$539,000
3
2
2,489
DETACHD
1 to 4
11 MORNINGVIEW CIR
$547,000
3
2.1
2,921
DETACHD
1 to 3
14867 TWIN FIR CT
$579,000
6
3.1
3,641
DETACHD
2 to 4
2545 DELLWOOD DR
$599,000
5
3.1
3,843
DETACHD
2:30 to 4:30
1040 UPPER DEVON LN
$649,000
3
2.1
2,640
DETACHD
2 to 5
2044 RIDGEWOOD RD
$799,000
4
2
2,519
DETACHD
2 to 4
1809 HEADLEE LN
$1,125,000
2
2.1
3,836
DETACHD
1 to 3
18143 SIENA DR
$1,197,000
5
4.1
4,152
DETACHD
1 to 3
18246 BELLA TERRA DR
$1,294,000
4
3.1
4,052
DETACHD
1 to 3
17464 RIDGEVIEW LN
$1,298,950
4
3.1
4,407
DETACHD
2 to 4
622 OAK MEADOW DR
$1,325,000
4
3.1
4,171
DETACHD
2 to 4
664 OAK MEADOW DR
$1,355,000
4
3.1
4,198
DETACHD
2 to 4
18110 Siena DR
$1,394,000
4
3.1
4,311
DETACHD
1 to 3
657 OAK MEADOW DR.
$1,395,000
4
3.1
4,371
DETACHD
2 to 4
17364 RIDGEVIEW CT
$1,425,000
4
3.1
4,436
DETACHD
2 to 4
2572 GLEN EAGLES PL
$2,395,000
5
4.2
6,490
DETACHD
12 to 3
13961 KNAUS RD
$2,450,000
4
4.2
6,614
DETACHD
3 to 4:30
Enjoy the day and please take advantage of the progressive open house tour in Southwood Park.
As with our entire society, the real estate community is rapidly changing due to the expanding availability of computer technology and the Internet. I have found myself musing on this subject because of a telephone call I got yesterday. A gentleman wanted information about a house that I have listed for sale. As I always do when I speak to someone about real estate, I asked him if he was already working with a Realtor. Not that it will make any difference in my answering of his questions, I just want to make sure that he has adequate help and I also don’t want to step onto the toes of any other Realtors. His response to me was that he had 3 different agents helping him, but that he didn’t think any of them were really working for him. This was because all 3 had set up e-mail programs that sent him listing information, but that none of them made the effort to speak to him in person. Hmmmm……
I can see, as a professional, how easy it would be to fall into this pattern. The Internet is absolutely amazing. Our local RMLS was the first multiple listing service in the United States to go fully functional as a website. It is constantly upgrading with more and more services. One feature it has is a client profile program. This allows Realtors to set up a client profile that automatically searches listings to hunt for homes that fit any particular clients criteria. It then sends an e-mail to that agent whenever a match is found. At this point, it will even send that match via e-mail to the client as well, if that function is added by the Realtor when the profile is set up. It is a simple process to set up and convenient to both the Realtor and the client. And this is where I think things get gray. Where is the human contact?
I am as guilty as the rest. I love technology. I am on facebook, I tweet, as you can see, I blog. But I have also been in this business since back in the days when every two weeks we got a printed book the size of your typical phone book. It had all of the local listings, about 16 to a page, each with a little box with facts and one black and white photo. We would thumb through the book to find houses that our buyers might like. Then we’d load our buyers in our cars and drive all over town to see houses. Looking back, I think it must have been a huge pain in the you know what for buyers. All that time to see houses that someone else thought you might like. It worked because it was the only method available. Today, my clients can look at 16 color photos of each house, with a map link to preview location, and perhaps even a virtual tour, before they ever get into my car to go see the interior. Today my clients tell me what they want to see and not the other way around. It saves time, gas, and frustration. It is soooooo much better.
I think the weakness in our current system is that we may loose touch with the human element. Ultimately a client needs someone who understands their concerns and who listens to their needs. You are trying to buy a house, but your are also needing someone who manages your concerns as you negotiate the sale, deal with the home inspection, and, especially today, help you arrange financing. You need to build a relationship with your Realtor as you look for a home so that you know that your Realtor really is working on your behalf. The human element is perhaps more important today than ever.
There is a balance that needs to be found. Just as a Realtor who doesn’t have technological savvy will fall behind in the industry, I think a Realtor who relies too heavily on the techno factor and looses touch with the human needs of their clients will also fall behind. And, call me old fashioned, there is still nothing quite as nice in business as a hand-written thank you that comes in the mail.
Linda and I are both commited to working within that balance. We pride ourselves on being “up” on technology, and we both are commited to listening to your needs and helping to make your real estate dealings a successful experience for you as an individual. I think that we can both honestly say that we start out in our dealings working with clients, but those clients end up becoming friends. It is my favorite part of my job.
Last week brought us 21 new listings, 8 pending sales, and 10 closed sales. Please let Linda or I know if you would like any further information about any of these houses. It is both easy and no trouble to send you information. We are here to be of help.
Here is the latest market activity for Lake Oswego (see below the tables for additional notes):
NEWLY LISTED (September 7—September 13, 2009)
ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
LIST DATE
Address
List Price
# BR
# BTHS
Total SF
Prop Type
List Date
100 KERR PKWY
$99,990
1
1
775
CONDO
9/11/2009
4 TOUCHSTONE
$119,900
2
2
984
CONDO
9/9/2009
1547 BOCA RATAN DR
$219,900
2
1.1
1,008
ATTACHD
9/9/2009
16250 PACIFIC HWY
$229,900
3
2
1,626
CONDO
9/8/2009
15 BLOCH TER
$294,900
3
2.1
1,973
ATTACHD
9/10/2009
6015 FERNBROOK CIR
$324,900
3
1.1
1,250
DETACHD
9/10/2009
1723 CONIFER DR
$324,950
3
2
1,602
DETACHD
9/10/2009
15930 WALUGA DR
$329,000
3
1.1
1,040
DETACHD
9/10/2009
17752 SCHALIT WAY
329900
3
2
1,463
DETACHD
9/9/2009
15 ORIOLE LN
345000
2
2
1,470
DETACHD
9/13/2009
1255 BAYBERRY RD
390000
3
2
1,901
DETACHD
9/8/2009
18 ABELARD ST
462000
4
3
2,101
DETACHD
9/11/2009
7 CELLINI CT
659000
5
3.1
3,560
DETACHD
9/10/2009
371 6TH ST
699900
3
3.1
2,258
ATTACHD
9/13/2009
2630 RIVENDELL RD
769900
4
3.1
4,611
DETACHD
9/9/2009
2235 GLEN HAVEN RD
779000
5
2
2,778
DETACHD
9/12/2009
1708 VILLAGE PARK LN
899000
4
2.1
3,211
DETACHD
9/11/2009
2757 LAKEVIEW BLVD
960000
4
3
3,321
DETACHD
9/9/2009
507 ASH ST
988000
2
3
2,700
DETACHD
9/8/2009
19575 35TH CT
1495000 – 1575000
4
3
6,081
DETACHD
9/10/2009
961 TERRACE DR
3495000
4
4.2
5,795
DETACHD
9/7/2009
PENDING SALES (September 7 -September 13, 2009)
ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
DOM
Address
List Price
# BR
# BTHS
Total SF
Prop Type
List Date
CDOM
3688 SPRING LN
$164,500
2
2
1,120
CONDO
6/19/2009
81
166 OSWEGO SMT
$210,000
2
2
1,506
CONDO
3/13/2009
180
839 F AVE
$325,000
3
1
1,516
DETACHD
4/17/2009
147
891 G AVE
$419,000
5
2.1
2,420
DETACHD
6/11/2009
88
5044 GREENSBOROUGH CT
$449,000
3
2.1
2,124
DETACHD
7/25/2009
49
1670 VILLAGE PARK LN
$779,000
4
2.1
3,466
DETACHD
7/17/2009
53
2304 OSWEGO GLEN CT
$850,000
4
2.1
3,896
DETACHD
8/15/2009
247
17960 SARAH HILL LN
$1,079,000
5
3.1
4,800
DETACHD
4/1/2009
163
SOLD (September 7-September 13, 2009)
ADDRESS
ORIG. PRICE
SALE PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
DOM
Address
O/Price
Close Price
# BR
# BTHS
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
1057 C AVE
$295,000
$250,000
2
1
1,048
DETACHD
81
800 WOODWAY CT
$339,000
$322,000
4
3
2,066
DETACHD
107
13024 ROGERS RD
$389,900
$327,000
4
1
1,826
DETACHD
83
6 NORTHVIEW CT
$525,000
$450,000
4
3.1
3,188
ATTACHD
115
13500 TWIN CREEK LN
$572,500
$517,500
4
2.1
3,049
DETACHD
77
5831 SUNCREEK DR
$685,000
$620,000
4
2.1
2,733
DETACHD
27
4305 UPPER DR
$749,000
$700,000
4
2.1
3,474
DETACHD
78
14135 EDENBERRY DR
$799,900
$744,000
4
2.1
3,174
DETACHD
98
3270 LAKEVIEW BLVD
1399000
1125000
3
3
3,295
DETACHD
147
13770 CAMEO CT
2298000
1700000
4
5.1
6,669
DETACHD
198
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 open house, a long standing tradition for marketing and selling a home, or a total waste of time? It’s actually a pretty controversial subject among Realtors. Some believe in them and others refuse to do them. I fall into the first category. I hold open a house pretty much every Sunday and some Sundays I will do a couple of open houses. I make a commitment to people who list their homes with me that I will promise one advertised open per month, at a minimum. I will do more if my time allows. This commitment keeps me pretty busy. It means that I do LOTS of open houses. And that is probably why I think that they work.
I would estimate that I sell one house per year that is directly a result of my open house efforts. In June I had an offer written by another Realtor after her clients found my listing at an open house. That open house was how I sold my listing. Last Sunday I had an open house and I am now in very strong verbal discussions with another Realtor, again because his buyer came through my open.
Please note that I said that I do “Advertised” opens. Sure, I like meeting the neighbors, but I want people coming through who already know the price, how many bedrooms there are, and are actually buyers who are wanting a new home. I think advertising is one reason that my opens are successful. While I used to do a newspaper ad with each open, I have shifted my marketing to the Internet. I advertise my open houses on Craigslist, on the RMLS, and when the house is in Lake Oswego, on the propertyblotter.
Let’ s put it this way. If I didn’t believe in open houses, I’d never do them, right? And then it is a no brainer that I could honestly say that they don’t work. How can something work that is never tried?
I also feel that in this economy, Realtors have to go back to basics. In a hot market, where homes are selling quickly, homes will sell with just some simple Internet exposure in the RMLS. In a slow market that is not enough. There are so many houses for sale, and so few buyers, that just being a part of the inventory is not enough. A Realtor has to use every possible tool to get exposure for a proprety. I owe it to my clients to work on their behalf and use all of the tools in my arsenal. And, as I have stated above, I know from experience that open houses work.
It sure feels to me like summer is winding down with cooler evenings and the leaves starting to turn color. However, that is not the case in the local housing market. OK, I know it is still not as hot as it was before July of 2007, but compared to recent market activity, last week was HOT. 14 new listings, 12 pending sales, and 17 closed sales, what a relief it is to see houses selling at a greater number than they are coming on the market.
I see two particular items to make note of. Out of 17 closed sales, 6 sold in 16 days or less. That is fast. It shows that when staged properly and priced right houses are selling in this market. Buyers are smart. They really look at what’s for sale and recognize value when they see it. Also worth noting is the sale at 13237 Knaus Rd. Originally listed almost 2 years ago for $2,400,000, this house had 4909 square feet, Mt. Hood view, about an acre of land with a tennis court and a 4 car garage. It became a short sale and closed for $750,750. Wow! That sale has earned a gold star from me for being the smokin’ hot deal of the summer. Whoever bought it did very well.
So here is your market activity for last week:
(see below the tables for additional notes):
NEWLY LISTED (August 24—August 30, 2009)
ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
LIST DATE
Address
List Price
# BR
# BTHS
Total SF
Prop Type
List Date
CDOM
4615 LAKEVIEW BLVD
$127,900
1
1
753
CONDO
8/30/2009
4000 CARMAN DR
$128,900
1
1
767
CONDO
8/25/2009
4000 CARMAN DR
$129,900
1
1
836
CONDO
8/24/2009
210 RIDGEWAY RD
$192,500
1
1
778
CONDO
8/24/2009
192 RIDGEWAY RD
$235,000
2
1
1,659
CONDO
8/24/2009
5958 KENNYCROFT WAY
$264,900
3
2.1
1,450
DETACHD
8/27/2009
18690 DON LEE WAY
$325,000
3
2
1,136
DETACHD
8/24/2009
1630 WOODLAND TER
$399,900
4
2
2,131
DETACHD
8/25/2009
17366 CARDINAL DR
444000
4
2.1
2,107
DETACHD
8/24/2009
13395 VERMEER DR
485000
4
2.1
2,461
DETACHD
8/29/2009
1550 MAPLE ST
486000
3
2.1
2,136
DETACHD
8/28/2009
2525 DELLWOOD DR
549900
5
3
2,836
DETACHD
8/25/2009
460 BOCA RATAN DR
599000
3
2
2,238
DETACHD
8/26/2009
2335 OSWEGO GLEN CT
1150000
4
4
3,682
DETACHD
8/24/2009
PENDING SALES (August 24 -August 30, 2009)
ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
DOM
Address
List Price
# BR
# BTHS
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
4 TOUCHSTONE DR
$106,000
2
2
984
CONDO
227
48 EAGLE CREST DR
$164,900
2
2
1,443
CONDO
108
18121 TUALATA AVE
$246,750
3
2
1,766
DETACHD
168
1057 C AVE
$299,000
2
1
1,048
DETACHD
81
45 TANGLEWOOD DR
$330,000
5
3.1
3,166
DETACHD
165
28 PREAKNESS CT
$350,000
5
4
2,871
DETACHD
56
13899 MAJESTIC CT
$375,000
3
2
2,357
DETACHD
86
17760 SW CARDINAL CT
$395,000
3
2.1
2,147
DETACHD
60
17221 ROBB PL
427500
3
2
1,812
DETACHD
12
1250 Andrews RD
649000
4
2.1
3,137
DETACHD
277
5459 WESTFIELD CT
875000
5
3.1
3,670
DETACHD
23
511 6TH ST
896950
5
3.1
4,000
DETACHD
146
SOLD (August 24-August 30, 2009)
ADDRESS
ORIG. PRICE
SALE PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
DOM
Address
O/Price
Close Price
# BR
# BTHS
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
15210 BOONES WAY
$175,000
$167,500
2
2
1,185
CONDO
50
4 TOUCHSTONE
$179,900
$175,000
3
2.1
1,351
CONDO
23
750 1ST ST
$264,500
$185,000
2
2
1,350
CONDO
327
12844 BOONES FERRY RD
$257,000
$215,000
2
2.1
1,136
CONDO
135
4749 FIRWOOD RD
$229,900
$222,000
3
1.1
1,440
DETACHD
13
6137 CHILDS RD
$240,000
$236,500
3
1
946
DETACHD
10
17570 MARDEE AVE
$324,950
$256,250
3
1
1,050
DETACHD
284
655 HEMLOCK ST
$314,900
$307,000
3
1.1
1,352
DETACHD
16
802 SUNNY HILL DR
429000
410000
4
2.1
2,508
DETACHD
16
20 HOTSPUR ST
425000
417000
4
2.1
2,456
DETACHD
5
5807 RIDGETOP CT
$589,900
474400
4
2.1
2,650
DETACHD
190
16439 LEXINGTON CT
$514,950
479900
2
2
1,563
DETACHD
237
686 SUNNY HILL DR
569500
569500
4
2.1
2,300
DETACHD
67
2130 HILLSIDE CT
675000
675000
5
2.2
3,954
DETACHD
8
13237 KNAUS RD
$2,400,00
750750
3
3.1
4,909
DETACHD
560
17178 CEDAR RD
1195000
1049000
5
3.1
4,209
DETACHD
92
16359 CHAPIN WAY
1429000
1259000
4
3.1
4,158
DETACHD
404
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.
113 Kingsgate Rd Priced at $275,000, this house has 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and a 2-car attached garage. It’s located on the South slope of Mountain Park, so it is really convenient to the Kruse Way corridor, I-5, and Hwy 217. Oak Creek Elementary School is just down the street, and PCC Sylvania Campus is close by. While the lot is smaller (about 4000 square feet) it is extremely private. So you can have the easy care of a small yard, but the benefit of privacy. That’s a tough combination to find. Probably the most striking feature of the house (besides the master on the main, the hardwood floors, the wet bar, and the gas fireplace) is the 2-story vaulted ceiling. Architecturally, this house is wonderful and unique. This is not a cookie-cutter house. When you walk in the door, you will say “Wow”.
4447 Golden Lane Priced at $229,000, this is an end-unit condo with 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and a 2-car, attached garage. It has expansive South facing windows so that the interior is light and bright even on those short, winter days. The kitchen has new granite counters and there are new laminate floors. Like the property above, this home is on the South slope of Mountain Park. Living in this location, you benefit from the Mountain Park recreational facilities. There are 15 miles of walking trails, tennis courts, a swimming pool and a weight room. Living in a condominium means that you don’t have to take care of a yard or worry about maintenance of the exterior. It’s ideal for someone with a busy job or who likes to travel a lot.
15139 Tree Rd Priced at $298,900, this house has 3 bedrooms , 2 full baths, and a 2-car garage. It’s in a great location at the end of a dead-end street. There are hardwood floors throughout. It has a formal living room, but what I like is the openness of the greatroom for the kitchen, dining room, and family room. There is a masonry fireplace made with used bricks that is warm and inviting. I like to point out to anyone buying a one level home that the demand for these homes will only increase. As the population ages, the need for homes that appeal to older people is going to get bigger. So I do believe that one-level homes make great investments.
I think what is striking about all of these houses is what good condition they are all in. Under $300,000 in Lake Oswego is the lower end of the pricing spectrum. You would normally think that this would also mean that you have to compromise by buying a house that perhaps needs some updating or some work to improve it. That is not the case here. You can buy not only an affordable home, but a home in great condition. Add to that the fact that you can then get an $8000 tax credit from the Federal government and you are talking a perfect storm of opportunity.
In particular I want to point out a progressive open house tour being held in Southwood Park. 5 homes are being held open within just a couple of blocks of each other, including my listing at 13638 SW 62nd. Remember that this neighborhood is in unincorporated Clackamas County (which means low taxes), but has Lake Oswego Schools (great for kids and re-sale values). My listing was price reduced this last week from $319,900 to $299,900. That is for a house with 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, two family rooms, and a 21 x 11 utility room. It needs some cosmetic updating, but has a 50 year metal roof, new windows, and new paint inside and out. If you visit all 5 houses on the tour, your will receive a $5 Starbuck’s gift card. Watch for hellium balloons and lots of open house signs. You’ll find my signs on Lesser Dr to follow them in to the property.
As with our entire society, the real estate community is rapidly changing due to the expanding availability of computer technology and the Internet. I have found myself musing on this subject because of a telephone call I got yesterday. A gentleman wanted information about a house that I have listed for sale. As I always do when I speak to someone about real estate, I asked him if he was already working with a Realtor. Not that it will make any difference in my answering of his questions, I just want to make sure that he has adequate help and I also don’t want to step onto the toes of any other Realtors. His response to me was that he had 3 different agents helping him, but that he didn’t think any of them were really working for him. This was because all 3 had set up e-mail programs that sent him listing information, but that none of them made the effort to speak to him in person. Hmmmm……
The open house, a long standing tradition for marketing and selling a home, or a total waste of time? It’s actually a pretty controversial subject among Realtors. Some believe in them and others refuse to do them. I fall into the first category. I hold open a house pretty much every Sunday and some Sundays I will do a couple of open houses. I make a commitment to people who list their homes with me that I will promise one advertised open per month, at a minimum. I will do more if my time allows. This commitment keeps me pretty busy. It means that I do LOTS of open houses. And that is probably why I think that they work.