Lake Oswego Real Estate Blog
I salute the brave Realtor who is hosting the only open house promoted for Lake Oswego on the RMLS this weekend:
41 Hillshire Dr, a detached home with 2670 square feet. Built in 1983, it has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. it will be open this Sunday, December 21st, from 1:30 to 3:30.
Have a lovely weekend. Stay safe and enjoy the snow.
While having lunch with friends recently one woman was telling us about the difficulty she had with some of her co-workers. I guess there was a good deal of gossiping and even some back stabbing that went on behind people’s backs. My initial reaction to her story was dismay over her situation and then personal gratitude that I don’t work in such circumstances. And then it occurred to me why I don’t have that sort of work environment. It’s the code of ethics! As a Realtor, I must adhere to a code of ethics that requires fair dealings with other Realtors. I simply am not allowed to say bad things about them. It then occurred to me that the general public probably doesn’t know about the Realtor Code of Ethics. At this time of year, when our thoughts are turned to family, friends, and religious celebrations, it seems appropriate to tell you about the Code of Ethics.
In order to be a Realtor in the State of Oregon you must agree to adhere to the Code of Ethics. Both the Oregon Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors require abiding by the Code of Ethics. It is possible to be a real estate agent without being a Realtor, but it is not possible to be a Realtor without meeting the requirements of the Code of Ethics. A Realtor is required to take training on the Code of Ethics every 4 years to make certain that he or she remembers and is familiar with this code. What is it? In a nutshell, it pretty much boils down to the golden rule. Be fair and honest in all of your dealings with clients and with other Realtors, just as you want them to be fair and honest in their dealings with you.
The Code of Ethics is actually a rather beautiful document. The Preamble begins “Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization.” It is well written, well thought out, and something that can be applied to life as a whole. Besides the Preamble, there are 3 sections: Duties to Clients and Customers, Duties to the Public, and Duties to Realtors. Each section contains guidelines for fair and honest business practices, honesty in advertising, as well as professionalism and protection when dealing with the public. This code serves as a promise to the public that when dealing with a real estate agent that is a Realtor you can expect honest and ethical treatment in all of your dealings. How cool is that? Don’t you wish every profession had a Code of Ethics? I do.
Not all real estate agents are Realtors. So when choosing a professional to help you to buy or to sell a home, be certain to find out if they are a Realtor. If they have the Realtor designation, you can gain assurance that your transaction will be handled by someone who adheres to the Realtor Code of Ethics.
If you’d like to read the Code of Ethics, here is a link to the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors where a copy is available: click here.
For the brave souls out there who are happy to venture forth in this weekend’s winter weather, there are several open houses for your holiday enjoyment.
On Saturday the 13th there is one open house:
3844 Botticelli, a townhouse with 1129 square feet, 2 bedrooms and 1 1/2 baths, priced at $237,500. It will be open from 1-3pm.
On Sunday the 14th, there are 6 open houses:
1265 Rockinghorse Lane, a home with 2402 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, priced at $444,000. It will be open from 2-4pm.
3030 Westview Ct, a home with 3415 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths, priced at $959,000. It will be open from 12:30-2pm.
943 Atwater Rd, a home with 3874 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths, priced at $1,225,000. It will be open from 12-2pm.
17512 Greenblulff Lot 1, a home with 3777 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 4 baths, priced at $1,425,000. It will be open from 1-4pm.
16359 Chapin Way, a home with 4158 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths, priced at $1,439,000. It will be open from 1-4pm.
17554 Greenbluff Lot 2, a home with 5042 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths and 2 half baths, priced at $1,850,000. It will be open from 1-4pm.
With rain and the chance of snow in this weekend’s forecast, we will hold positive thoughts of clear streets and safe driving for anyone who ventures out. For the rest of us, it’s time for hot chocolate in front of a blazing fire. Enjoy.
Once again, thank you for your patience with our posting of the weekly activity report. We are still tweaking the set up for this posting. We know that there are quite a few people who look forward to seeing this and value your on-going patronage of the propertyblotter.
| Address | List Price | # Bedrooms | Total Baths | Total SF | Prop Type | List Date |
| 668 MCVEY AVE | $144,000 | 1 | 1 | 627 | CONDO | 12/4/2008 |
| 3433 MCNARY PKWY | $249,900 | 2 | 2.1 | 1,136 | CONDO | 12/4/2008 |
| 14431 SHERBROOK PL | $349,950 | 4 | 3 | 2,605 | DETACHD | 12/2/2008 |
| 221 HIDALGO ST | $399,000 | 3 | 2.1 | 2,628 | DETACHD | 12/3/2008 |
| 29 BECKET ST | $399,950 | 3 | 2.1 | 2,288 | DETACHD | 12/4/2008 |
| 562 2ND ST | $419,000 | 2 | 2.1 | 1,406 | CONDO | 12/7/2008 |
| 16913 Canal CIR | $449,000 | 3 | 1.1 | 2,525 | DETACHD | 12/1/2008 |
| 1830 CLOVERLEAF RD | $470,000 | 3 | 2 | 1,795 | DETACHD | 12/5/2008 |
| 101 3RD ST | $474,900 | 3 | 2 | 1,447 | CONDO | 12/6/2008 |
| 11 BECKET ST | $550,000 | 4 | 2.1 | 4,030 | DETACHD | 12/4/2008 |
| 7 CONDOLEA DR | $599,900 | 3 | 3 | 2,388 | CONDO | 12/1/2008 |
| 13254 Twin Creek CT | $689,000 | 4 | 2.1 | 3,470 | DETACHD | 12/1/2008 |
| 524 WEIDMAN CT | $739,000 | 4 | 2.1 | 3,450 | DETACHD | 12/5/2008 |
| 426 7TH ST | $778,950 | 4 | 2.1 | 2,902 | DETACHD | 12/5/2008 |
| 705 10TH ST | $1,686,000 | 4 | 3.1 | 4,818 | DETACHD | 12/3/2008 |
| 13795 CAMEO CT | $2,395,000 | 4 | 5.2 | 7,190 | DETACHD | 12/1/2008 |
| 13777 CAMEO CT | $2,595,000 | 4 | 5.1 | 8,080 | DETACHD | 12/1/2008 |
PENDING SALES (November 30 —December 7, 2008)
| ADDRESS | LIST PRICE | # BEDS | # BATHS | TOT. SQ FT | PROP TYPE | DOM |
| 16250 PACIFIC HWY | $228,850 | 2 | 2 | 1,324 | CONDO | 433 |
| 4211 WOODSIDE CIR | $325,000 | 3 | 2 | 1,688 | CONDO | 439 |
| 1685 CLOVERLEAF RD | $349,900 | 3 | 2.1 | 1,722 | DETACHD | 50 |
| 7050 CHILDS RD | $398,000 | 2 | 2 | 1,693 | DETACHD | 552 |
| 5051 TUALATA LN | $409,900 | 4 | 2 | 1,591 | DETACHD | 114 |
| 16750 PHANTOM BLUFF CT | $485,000 | 3 | 3 | 2,267 | DETACHD | 288 |
| 13217 FOX RUN | $550,000 | 4 | 3 | 2,706 | DETACHD | 160 |
| 1141 TROON RD | $648,850 | 4 | 3 | 2,522 | DETACHD | 155 |
| 13581 GOODALL RD | $650,000 | 3 | 2 | 1,220 | DETACHD | 455 |
| 3723 ELEANOR CT | $724,950 | 4 | 2.1 | 2,736 | DETACHD | 145 |
SOLD (November 30—December 7, 2008)
| Address | O/Price | Close Price | # BR | # Baths | Total SF | CDOM |
| 68 WHEATHERSTONE CT | $399,000 | $312,500 | 4 | 3.1 | 2,465 | 299 |
| 1130 LAUREL ST | $524,000 | $420,000 | 4 | 2 | 2,800 | 86 |
| 4076 COLTSFOOT LN | $680,000 | $555,000 | 4 | 3.1 | 3,882 | 126 |
| 5384 Washington CT | $769,900 | $670,000 | 4 | 3.1 | 3,246 | 415 |
| 4378 ALBERT CIR | $1,225,000 | $805,000 | 3 | 3 | 3,735 | 263 |
| 104 3RD ST | $1,050,000 | $975,000 | 2 | 2 | 1,151 | 15 |
| 301 IRON MOUNTAIN BLVD | $1,329,000 | $1,150,000 | 4 | 3.2 | 3,004 | 136 |
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.
I am frequently asked if the winter, and specifically the holidays, are a good time to be selling or buying a home. My answer is yes. There are several advantages to selling or buying at this time of year.
First, a home that is warm and decorated for the holidays is extremely inviting. There is such a contrast from being outside and coming in. It really makes the home embrace the buyer. However, this means that you need to make that extra effort to create this experience. Keep the house heated properly. Homes where the heat is turned down, or even left off if the house is vacant, can actually be colder inside than out. When this happens both the buyer and the Realtor will be in a hurry to leave and get warmed up back in the car. Also, turn on every light in the house and open every curtain or blind. Buyers want a house that has lots of light. Because so many of our days are gray, it is important that you create the best light possible. I have recently shown several homes to clients that were great values and in great condition, but ruled out because they gave the impression of being too dark.
Be on top of the holiday decorations. They can enhance the look of the house, but don’t over do it and allow the house to look cluttered or small because it is filled with too much stuff. Also, take them down in a timely fashion.
There are several advantages to the quality of buyers who are out looking at this time of year. While there are fewer of them, those who are looking are serious. People are busy at the holidays so a person who is taking the time to look at houses is a person who really needs to move. In addition, many corporations have fiscal years that match the calendar year. This means that they are trying to move their transferring executives before December 31st. This is a great time of year to be marketing executive quality homes. (I’d would characterize those as being homes priced at $400,000 or greater).
What about buying at this time of year? I think there are four pretty strong advantages. 1) Interest rates are historically at their lowest in the winter. As the market picks up in the spring, interest rates trend up. 2) There aren’t many buyers looking so sellers will really jump through hoops for you. You may be the only game in town and they will work very hard to sell you their home. 3) If a house looks good in the winter, it is going to be spectacular in the summer. You can really get an idea of the actual house in terms of the light it has and the condition of the property. And 4) this is the time of year when a home inspector can most easily find water issues. If the basement leaks, you’ll more likely learn about it in the winter.
It is completely understandable if you feel like you want to get the holidays behind you before selling or buying a home. But if you do need to move, you have quite a few strong reasons why this time of year can work to your advantage.
Market activity typically slows down during the holidays and last weeks stats certainly reflect this. Having said this, it is good to see that the market does have some activity. 7 new listings, 4 pendings and 4 closed sales happened last week. While the market is slower, it is still very much happening.
NEWLY LISTED (November 24 —November 30, 2008)
| ADDRESS |
LIST PRICE
|
# BEDS
|
# BATHS
|
TOT. SQ FT
|
PROP TYPE |
LIST DATE
|
| 3433 MCNARY PKWY |
$214,900
|
2
|
2
|
1,008
|
CONDO |
11/27/08
|
| 3834 BOTTICELLI ST |
$224,900
|
2
|
2
|
1,055
|
ATTACHD |
11/24/08
|
| 600 TIPPECANOE CT |
$439,800
|
3
|
2
|
1,812
|
DETACHD |
11/24/08
|
| 1189 SUNNINGDALE CT |
$724,000
|
3
|
2
|
2,056
|
DETACHD |
11/26/08
|
| 51 HILLSHIRE DR |
$849,900
|
3
|
2.2
|
4,306
|
DETACHD |
11/25/08
|
| 1667 VILLAGE PARK LN |
$899,900
|
6
|
3.1
|
4,743
|
DETACHD |
11/24/08
|
| 1055 COUNTRY CLUB RD |
$1,000,000
|
3
|
2
|
2,804
|
DETACHD |
11/24/08
|
PENDING SALES (November 24 —November 30, 2008)
| ADDRESS |
LIST PRICE
|
# BEDS
|
# BATHS
|
TOT. SQ FT
|
PROP TYPE |
DOM
|
| 668 McVey AVE |
$144,850
|
0
|
1
|
485
|
CONDO |
740
|
| 455 10TH ST |
$473,950
|
2
|
2
|
2,284
|
DETACHD |
180
|
| 17561 SHEPHERDS CT |
$675,000
|
4
|
2.1
|
3,011
|
DETACHD |
287
|
| 13010 KNAUS RD |
$1,249,500
|
4
|
3.1
|
4,312
|
DETACHD |
737
|
SOLD (November 17—November 23, 2008)
| ADDRESS | ORIG. PRICE | SALE PRICE |
# BEDS
|
# BATHS
|
TOT. SQ FT
|
PROP TYPE |
DOM
|
| 4644 LOWER DR |
$136,900
|
$129,000
|
2
|
1.1
|
1,170
|
CONDO |
30
|
| 4000 CARMAN DR |
$149,900
|
$135,000
|
2
|
2
|
869
|
CONDO |
22
|
| 2435 PARK RD |
$749,990
|
$480,000
|
4
|
3
|
2,940
|
DETACHD |
302
|
| 16 NORTHVIEW CT |
$599,900
|
$495,000
|
4
|
3.1
|
2,962
|
ATTACHD |
419
|
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.
For those of you who like to tour open houses, here is what the RMLS is listing as open this coming Sunday:
4206 Woodside Circle:
$284,900, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, open 1-3
18959 Kristi Way:
$384,900, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, open 1:30-4
3486 Ponderosa Loop:
$429,000, 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, open 12-4
1980 Alpine Dr:
$664,900, 6 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, open 1-3
21463 Rosepark Ct:
$690,000, 5 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, open 1-4
3030 Westview Ct:
$959,000, 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, open 2-3
3540 Red Cedar Way:
$989,000, 5 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, open 1-3
16359 Chapin Way:
$1,439,000, 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, open 1-4
Data represents activity from November 10th to November 20th.
DOM (days on market) represents cumulative days and may represent more than one listing period.
Of particular note, to me, was finding the closed sale at 2870 Park Rd. This was a 1973 built home that was described as a cosmetic fixer. With 2380 square feet, it’s a nice size home and in a very nice neighborhood, Palisades. What is remarkable is that it sold in just 4 days and for $17,000 more than the asking price. It shows that when a property is priced right it will sell quickly, and perhaps for more than the list price. Our market still has a pulse.
New Listings
Address Type bed/bath Sq. Feet List Price
44 Eagle Crest Condo 1b/1b 798 $134,900
91 Galen St Condo 1b/1b 680 $135,000
47 Eagle Crest #12 Condo 2b/1b 932 $149,900
16790 Lake Forrest Detached 2b/1b 780 $199,900
12846 Boones Ferry Rd Condo 2b/2.1b 1136 $249,000
5063 Foothills Dr Condo 2b/2b 1031 $259,000
3433 McNary Parkway Condo 2b/2.1b 1156 $275,000
3797 Lanewood Detached 3b/1b 2560 $309,000
5235 Oakridge Detached 3b/2.1b 1576 $324,900
5354 Lower Dr Detached 3b/1b 1565 $339,000
4761 LaMont Detached 3b/2b 1816 $379,900
4051 Virginia Way Detached 3b/2.1b 1658 $389,500
7050 Childs Rd Detached 2b/2b 1693 $398,000
5051 Tualata Ln Detached 4b/2b 1591 $409,900
18978 Indian Spring Cir Detached 3b/2b 1900 $414,900
1265 Rockinghorse Ln Detached 4b/3b 2402 $444,000
6109 Summer Woods Detached 4b/2.1b 2331 $449,000
1307 Cedar St Detached 4b/3b 2054 $459,900
111 3rd St Condo 2b/2b 1206 $474,900
8 Hotspur Detached 3b/2.1b 1966 $475,000
785 5th St Detached 3b/2b 2208 $480,000
805 Country Club Rd Detached 5b/2b 2722 $489,900
1009 Cumberland Pl Detached 4b/3b 2294 $525,000
19664 River Run Detached 2b/2.1b 3051 $559,900
17784 Treetop Detached 4b/3b 3468 $599,900
4676 Winthrop Ct Detached 4b/2.1b 3112 $639,900
18212 indian Creek Dr Detached 4b/2.1b 2313 $649,000
17141 Wall St. Detached 4b/3b 3540 $699,500
615 Lake Bay Ct Detached 3b/3b 2542 $699,900
19285 Megly Ct Detached 4b/2.1b 2587 $699,900
19263 Megly Ct Detached 4b/2.1b 2743 $749,900
2545 Dellwood Detached 5b/3.1b 3843 $809,900
19266 Megly Ct Detached 4b/2.1b 3025 $789,900
19245 Megly Ct Detached 4b/2.1b 2884 $789,900
4349 Lakeview Blvd Detached 3b/3b 3678 $849,000
5435 Washington Ct Detached 4b/3.1b 3323 $849,900
772 8th St Detached 4b/2.1b 3161 $899,000
17649 Woodhurst Pl Detached 5b/4.1b 5793 $899,000
3030 Westview Ct Detached 4b/2.1b 3415 $959,000
18094 Pilkington Detached 4b/3/1b 3509 $999,000
17600 Upper Cherry Detached 4b/3.1b 3867 $1,299,000
18990 Barton Rd Detached 4b/3.2b 4592 $1,369,000
2809 Arrowhead Ct Detached 3b/3b 2624 $1,699,000
18735 Bryant Rd Detached 4b/3.1b 5597 $1,750,000
3114 Douglas Circle Detached 4b/4b 5465 $2,195,000
670 Iron Mntn Blvd Detached 4b/3.2b 5208 $2,250,000
333 Northshore Rd Detached 4b/4.1b 4998 $2,650,000
3530 Lakeview Blvd Detached 4b/3.1b 4200 $2,950,000
Pending Sales
Address Type bed/bath Sq. Ft. List Price DOM Original Price
4 Touchstone Condo 2b/2b 984 $115,000 42 $125,000
44 Eaglecrest #11 Condo 3b/2b 1085 $148,700 31 $154,900
5478 Tualata Detached 3b/2b 1200 $279,000 122 $330,000
16651 Lake Forest Detached 3b/1b $1,230 $207,000 59 $350,000
4 Othello Detached 4b/3b 2184 $434,900 9 $434,900
5453 Willow Ct Detached 3b/2.1b 2400 $449,000 146 $495,000
600 Maple St Detached 4b/2.1b 2422 $499,000 126 $529,000
2584 Park Rd Detached 4b/2b 2302 $524,900 229 $679,000
435 8th St. Detached 4b/3.1b 2505 $649,900 565 $929,000
104 3rd St Detached 2b/2b 1151 $1,050,000 15 $1,050,000
Closed Sales
Address Type bed/bath Sq. Ft. Sales Price DOM Original Price
4000 Carman #35 Condo 2b/2b 869 $135,000 22 $149,900
3680 Spring Ln 2B Condo 2b/2.1b 1152 $187,000 220 $219,000
595 6th St Detached 3b/1b 1520 $257,050 40 $314,800
22 Condolea Dr Condo 2b/2b 1454 $275,000 36 $339,900
2870 Park Rd Detached 4b/2.1b 2380 $396,000 4 $379,900
13340 Auburn Ct Attached 3b/2.1b 2451 $485,000 222 $559,900
1012 Andrews Rd Detached 3b/2b 2246 $495,000 133 $590,800
16 Northview Ct Attached 4b/3.1b 2962 $495,000 419 $599,900
3240 Upper Dr Detached 4b/2.1b 3410 $712,500 56 $749,950
114 3rd St Detached 2b/1b 1140 $730,000 19 $750,000
17760 Lake Haven Dr Detached 4b/2.1b 2051 $800,000 224 $1,169,000
Thank you for your patience while we work out a couple of software issues. We hope to have our Market Action Report back in fine form ASAP.
I think it is fair to say that the rainy season has begun. A Russian immigrant, who has become a good friend of my family, once commented to me that Oregon only has two seasons: wet and dry. If you are following the blotter from out of the area, and perhaps even considering moving here, I think it is only fair to be completely honest with you about our weather.
As you have read in several recent posts, we have a glorious fall with the trees turning colors and sunshine that is bright. It is also in the fall that the transition happens from mostly sunny days to mostly rainy days. The rain will dominate the forecast until about April. Then the transition will happen back to mostly sunny days.
Our rainfall is unique in that it seems to fall in a steady mist. While we do have days that the rain falls heavily, for the most part it is a soft and steady drizzle. I have heard it compared to the rainfall in Ireland. Because it is usually a gentle rain, you might be surprised to learn that umbrellas are used infrequently. Oregonians generally just put on a good coat and go out in it. It is really quite lovely, once you get used to it and quit seeing it as an inconvenience. It is also really good for maintaining lovely skin.
The information below gives high and low temperatures, as well as average rainfall, for Lake Oswego. The information is courtesy of www.countrystudies.us. Temperatures are listed in Fahrenheit.
Lake Oswego Weather
US Geography / US Weather / Oregon Weather / Lake Oswego
January:
Average High 46, Average Low 32, Mean 38, Average Precipitation 6.0 inches
February:
Average High 51, Average Low 34, Mean 44, Average Precipitation 4.6 inches
March:
Average High 55, Average Low 36, Mean 46, Average Precipitation 4.1 inches
April:
Average High 58, Average Low 38, Mean 50, Average Precipitation 2.8 inches
May:
Average High 66, Average Low 44, Mean 55, Average Precipitation 2.3 inches
June:
Average High 74, Average Low 48, Mean 62, Average Precipitation 1.7 inches
July:
Average High 78, Average Low 52, Mean 66, Average Precipitation 0.7 inches
August:
Average High 80, Average Low 52, Mean 66, Average Precipitation 1.0 inches
September:
Average High 74, Average Low 48, Mean 62, Average Precipitation 1.8 inches
October:
Average High 64, Average Low 41, Mean 54, Average Precipitation 3.3 inches
November:
Average High 52, Average Low 37, Mean 45, Average Precipitation 6.3 inches
December:
Average High 46, Average Low 34, Mean 40, Average Precipitation 6.9 inches
So we get very little rainfall in the summer and quite a lot of rainfall in the winter. However, in my experience, there are always surprises. The summer after Mt. St. Helens erupted never happened. It was cold and gray with very little sunshine. And it also seems to me that February tends to have many sunny days. Perhaps that is because after November, December, and January, the decreasing rain is so noticeable. I will also tell you that when the sunny weather starts again in the spring, people really make the most of it. On that first nice day everyone spends the day outside: walking, gardening, going to the coast, and just generally taking advantage of the nice conditions.
I have learned to love the rain. The sound of it makes me sleep better at night and I credit it with giving us our lush landscaping. When I visit other states that don’t get this kind of rainfall, I can’t help but feel like they just don’t have the beauty that Oregon does. I’m a fifth generation Oregonian. I guess it is just in my blood.
Kudos to the Lake Oswego Library which was ranked the best library in the state of Oregon by the American Library Association, and the 7th best library in the Nation amongst towns with populations of 25,000 to 49,999 people.
Considerations to receive this distinction included staffing, reference services, collections, and the number of items checked out by the public. Lake Oswego’s per capita circulation is 33.2: more than 4 times the national average.
Visit the LO Library website by clicking here.