Category: General

All About Lake Oswego, Oregon real estate topics

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What’s Goin’ On?

Here are a few of the upcoming “happenings” in the next week or so in Lake Oswego:

  • Kids grades 3 – 8 can participate in “Thursday One-Mile Cross Country Runs”!  CLICK HERE  for more details.

  • Even though we can feel the weather change coming up ahead, we have until October 12th to continue to enjoy the amazing Lake Oswego Farmers Market.  This european-style marketplace is available to all on Saturdays from 8:30 AM – 1:30PM at Millinium Plaza Park.

  • This Saturday, September 14th, consider bringing the kids down to the Lake Oswego Public Library at 11:00AM for a puppet show. Penny’s Puppet Productions will be presenting “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” : )  Lake Oswego is such a great place for kids!

  • Want to play with your landscaping and set it up to take more care of itself?  Learn about using native plants that save water, use fewer fertilizers & pesticides and don’t need much upkeep!  Attend the Landscaping for Conservation workshop this Sunday the 15th.  CLICK HERE for more details.

  • The Lake Oswego Public Library presents the “Third Tuesday Author”,  Lauren Kessler on the 17th at 7PM to discuss her latest work “Counterclockwise: My Year of Hypnosis, Hormones, Dark Chocolate and Other Adventures in the World of Anti-Aging.”

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Open Houses! Sept 1, 2013

Happy Labor Day Weekend!  There are 7 homes being held Open Sunday according to RMLS:

Address L/Price Beds # Baths Total SF Time
17833 CENTRAL AVE $339,000 3 2 1533 12-1:30PM
1602 GREENTREE RD $412,500 3 2 1708 1-4PM
14 Del Prado ST $599,999 5 3.1 4094 1-3PM
11 MASARYK ST $619,900 5 4 4823 1-3Pm
18042 JENIFERS WAY $657,950 4 3 2946 1-3PM
18064 JENIFERS WAY $667,950 5 3 2965 1-3PM
735 7TH ST $969,000 3 3.1 2945 1-4PM
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You! Celebrate Labor Day!

WkWell, it’s Friday on the forward cusp of Labor Day Weekend!  I’m cheating a bit by excerpting from Wikipedia (below) regarding the history of Labor Day, if you’re interested.

Dianne and I have been running like crazy  all summer long, and I am now, like so many people, getting ready for a big bash out on the deck tonight!  My advice is for you to enjoy this weekend and REALLY take some time off.  Unlike other holidays, where people with extra time off work tend to congregate somewhat guiltily around the barbeque on what is a more somber, reflective day (Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Presidents Day, etc…)  Labor Day is for YOU!  It is actually time off for the purpose of enjoying time off!

Now… I am not saying if you find the home of your dreams, that Dianne or I will not be there for you (we are neve too busy for our Property Blotter readers : ) BUT, please enjoy yourself this weekend.  That is an order (you have official permission)!

Here is what Wikipedia says about Labor Day:

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September, that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers. It was first nationally recognized in 1894 to placate unionists following the Pullman Strike.  With the decline in union membership, the holiday is generally viewed as a time for barbeques and the end of summer vacations.[1]

Labor Day has come to be celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. In high society, Labor Day is (or was) considered the last day of the year when it is fashionable to wear white[8] or seersucker.[9][10]

In 1882, Matthew Maguire, a machinist, first proposed the holiday while serving as secretary of the CLU (Central Labor Union) of New York.[2] Others argue that it was first proposed by Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor in May 1882,[3] after witnessing the annual labour festival held in Toronto, Canada.[4] Oregon was the first state to make it a holiday on February 21, 1887. By the time it became a federal holiday in 1894, thirty states officially celebrated Labor Day.[3]

Following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, the United States Congress unanimously voted to approve rush legislation that made Labor Day a national holiday; President Grover Clevelandsigned it into law a mere six days after the end of the strike.[1] The September date originally chosen by the CLU of New York and observed by many of the nation’s trade unions for the past several years was selected rather than the more widespread International Workers’ Day because Cleveland was concerned that observance of the latter would be associated with the nascent Communist, Syndicalist and Anarchist movements that, though distinct from one another, had rallied to commemorate the Haymarket Affair in International Workers’ Day.[5] All U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the territories have made it a statutory holiday.

In U.S. sports, Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. NCAA teams usually play their first games the weekend of Labor Day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day. The Southern 500 NASCAR auto race was held that day from 1950 to 1983 in Darlington, South Carolina. AtIndianapolis Raceway Park, the National Hot Rod Association hold their finals to the U.S. Nationals drag race.

In the U.S., most school districts that started summer vacation 1-2 weeks into June will resume school the day after this day (see First Day of School), while schools that had summer vacation begin on the Saturday before Memorial Day in late May will have already been in session since late August. However this tradition is changing as many school districts end 1-2 weeks into June and begin mid-August.

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2013 Street of Dreams

The 2013 Street of Dreams is just outside of Lake Oswego off of Rosemont Road. It runs until August 25th from 10am to 9pm, daily. Admission is $15.

Summer 2013 135The last 5 years the Street of Dreams barely had a pulse. Builders simply did not have the resources to build spec houses (built without having obtained a buyer, so speculative) that were over-the-top expensive. In addition, the market for million dollar homes was soft. This created a down-sized Street of Dreams experience with fewer homes and less expensive homes.

Well, the real estate market is back, big time. Evidence of this is the fact that this year’s Street of Dreams has 9 houses, all around $2,000,000, and 7 of the 9 houses have already sold. Demand is obviously high for luxury, high-end homes. This is your chance to see these amazing houses, get your own ideas, and see what $2,000,000 will buy.

Tried and True
Summer 2013 122Luxury homes do have an effect on standard housing. By standard, I mean homes in price ranges that more of the population can afford. Standard homes may be smaller, but they still have some of the features that are first seen at the show-case home tours. Several trends remain strong:
*Great room floor plans that allow big, open spaces for living and entertaining
*Luxury baths and kitchens with top-of-the-line granite, tile, and stainless steel
*Backyard entertaining areas, often covered, to allow interior and exterior spaces to blend
*Heavy use of stone, slate, granite, and natural materials

New Trends
Summer 2013 120Being homes at the high-end of values, I expect there to be some interesting trends. Here are just a few:
*Wet bars are everywhere. One house had 4 wetbars, in addition to the main kitchen. The difference between a wetbar and a kitchen is that the wetbar has some components of a kitchen, but not all. So it likely has a refrigerator and a sink, but not a cooktop or range. House #1 on the tour has 4 wetbars: dining room, great room, back yard and the master bedroom.
*Kitchens and baths are back to black, white, and shades of gray. No earth toned colors in any granite in any house on the tour. Many cabinets are white or painted gray rather than natural wood that has been so popular for the last 10 years.
*Walls of windows that can be opened or folded back to really expose the interior of the house to the back yard
* Swimming pools. Two of the houses had just spectacular back yards with swimming pools.
* Secret rooms. One house has a pantry that looks like kitchen cabinets. You don’t know it’s a door until you push it open. Another house has a secret passage (disguised as built-in shelves) that leads to a staircase to a 2nd-floor retreat.
* Second refrigerators in the pantry. Such a good idea.
* Craft areas in the laundry room and even on their own. House #5 had two entries from the garage. One came through a HUGE laundry room and the other came through a room that was equipped for art and hobbies. It was just incredible. There was a huge work station in the middle, a potter’s wheel and kiln to one side, and walls of organizational cubbies and shelves for every manner of supplies.
* Hard wood floors have rough/non-shine surfaces.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Summer 2013 126* Two houses have Kitchens off of kitchens. This is in addition to having walk-in pantries. These kitchens have the ability to handle some serious cooking, baking, and entertaining. Just amazing.
* Barn wood is everywhere: on walls, on counter tops (yes, on counter tops), on doors, just everywhere. Nearly every house has what I call a sliding barn door. It is a door hung on a rail that slides along the wall. Made of heavy wood with heavy steel hardware, I am just not sure what to think of this trend. It is interesting to look at, and even functional in a few situations, but mostly I think it’s a fad. Five years from now these heavy doors will be screaming “This house was built in 2013!”
* These houses are all built by the areas leading builders. They are gorgeous and stylized. But even in this circumstance there are a couple of homes that fall flat. The colors seem off with dark cabinets, the tile choice seems average, they are nice homes, but just not in the running with the quality of the better homes on the tour.

Summer 2013 115My favorite idea? The recycling shoot that is in the pantry of one house. Open a little door and drop your recycling down a shoot that ends in the rolling recycling cart in the garage. How brilliant is that?

The Street of Dreams is great fun and this year’s tour does not disappoint. How often do you get inside of such spectacular real estate? Now is your chance. I highly encourage you to attend.
Dianne

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News & Notes

Here is the latest data for you on the overall Portland area, as well as specific Lake Oswego/West Linn (RMLS lumps them together) activity:

June numbers were very good, as we’d expect given the trends lately. That said, the trend upward in all numbers cooled just a bit.  Most believe this was due to some fluctuation in mortgage rates in June that had some people re-figuring their numbers.  I’ve also seen quite a few people trying to grab houses before they go to someone else, and then changing their mind about that particular home.  Bottom line, the market is hot, AND, think before you offer. Make sure you Love it : )

According to the RMLS Market Action Report for the Portland Metro Area June, 2013:

  • At 2,511, Closed Sales were a 6.4% decrease from May, and a 11.9% increase over June of 2012.
  • There were 3,751 New Listings in June. This was a drop of 2.1% from May, and an increase of 16.9% over June of 2012.
  • The Average Sale Price in May was $313,900, down $3,000. from $316,600 in May 2013.  …Average Sale Price in June 2012 was $284,100.
  • Pending Sales (accepted offers) also decreased a bit from May 2013, from 2978  to 2804  in June.

For our Property Blotter readers, the combined area of Lake Oswego and West Linn reported a mixed bag of up in some categories and slightly down in others:

    • 517 Active Listings
    • 238 New Listings
    • 152Pending Sales
    • 174 Closed Sales
    • An average Sale Price of $447,800.
    • Average Time on the Market: 74Days
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News & Notes

Here is the latest data for you on the overall Portland area, as well as specific Lake Oswego/West Linn (RMLS lumps them together) activity:

Well, hopefully you’re not getting tired of hearing about how the market is trending upward!

According to the RMLS Market Action Report for the Portland Metro Area May, 2013:

  • At 2,682, Closed Sales were a 26.2% increase over April, and a 27.8% increase over May of 2012.
  • There were 3,833 New Listings in May. The last time this number was higher was July 2010 at 4,029.
  • The Average Sale Price in May was $316,900, up from $302,600 in April 2013.
  • Pending Sales (accepted offers) increased from April 2013, but only slightly from 2,942  to 2978 in May.

For our Property Blotter readers, the combined area of Lake Oswego and West Linn also reported fantastic numbers:

    • 480 Active Listings
    • 252 New Listings
    • 188 Pending Sales
    • 154 Closed Sales
    • An average Sale Price of $474,700.
    • Average Time on the Market: 108 Days
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News & Notes

Here is the latest data for you on the overall Portland area, as well as specific Lake Oswego/West Linn (RMLS lumps them together) activity:

Someone flipped a switch around mid-late December, and it’s been nothing but “up” for the Portland real estate market ever since!  You’ve probably noticed, (unless it’s just the circles I run in : ) it’s been the topic on everyone’s lips for months… and doesn’t appear to show signs of slowing down or giving up the spotlight any time soon.

According to the RMLS Market Action Report for the Portland Metro Area April, 2013:

  • At 2,125, Closed Sales were a 9.8% increase over March, and a 16.6% increase over April of 2012.
  • There were 3,623 New Listings, which is an increase of 20.7% over March 2013.
  • The Average Sale Price in April was $302,600, up from $299,000 in March 2013.
  • Pending Sales (accepted offers) increased from March 2013 by 11.9% to 2,942.

For our Property Blotter readers, the combined area of Lake Oswego and West Linn also reported fantastic numbers:

    • 466 Active Listings
    • 252 New Listings
    • 160 Pending Sales
    • 113 Closed Sales
    • An average Sale Price of $448,600.
    • Average Time on the Market: 118 Days
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Remodeling for Resale

RMS_Uptown-Foursquare_kitchen-remodel-backsplash-after_s3x4_lgIt’s spring and we are heading into the season when home owners are taking on home projects. This is a great time of year to clean up the yard, touch up the paint, and perhaps consider doing some remodeling. I thought I’d share some of my thoughts so that not only will your remodeling bring you additional pleasure as you live in your home, but it may also help you when it comes time to sell.

Best bang for the buck
Without question the best return on the investment in remodeling is the front door. Time and again when the National Association of Realtors puts out their annual rate of return on investment, the front door holds the top position. In fact, it is the only area of the home where you can gain more than the cost of the remodel.

Consider a new door if the door you currently have is beat up or out of character to the house. If it’s a nice door that needs new life, consider paint and new hardware. Also, pay attention to the weather stripping and the threshold. Clean it, paint it, repair it.

As a real estate agent, I know the front door makes the first impression. As I take the time to open the lockbox and unlock the door, my client is looking about and deciding what they think. If they like what they see, they enter the house looking to re-enforce that good impression. If they don’t like what they see, they enter the house ready to criticize.

Kitchen and Baths are the King and the Queen
Buyers today want large, functional kitchens and baths, particularly master baths, that meet contemporary needs. Especially when you get up into higher-end homes, buyers have expectations that the kitchen will have plenty of cabinets, lots of counter tops, and perhaps a pantry. The master bath should have a walk-in shower, a bathtub, double sinks, and perhaps a separate water closet for the toilet.

When showing property in the $600,000+ range, if it does not have the sort of kitchen and baths that I am describing, the house just is not going to sell at top value. Buyers are going to look at the cost to purchase and then calculate the cost to remodel. They will base their offer on that total sum. There is an exception to this broad opinion. Houses with unique features such as waterfront, views, or lush lots are exempt from this. However, it is my opinion that for your standard house on your standard lot, there is a $100,000 difference in value when a house has been properly updated.

Keep the remodeling in character to the house
While it is tempting to gut the house and put in 2013 everything, it may just shoot you in the foot. What is in fashion today will be out of fashion tomorrow. If you intend to sell soon, this year or next, you are probably OK going with 2013 everything because it is shiney and new and popular today. But if you are doing remodeling and not intending to sell immediately, please consult a designer and get advice on sticking with classic elements that will not be be based on fads.

There is nothing worse than a 1940’s house with a 1980s update. There is a fine line between remodeling and destroying. If your house has classic elements such as built-ins, moldings, brick, flagstones and fine touches from it’s original construction, those elements will retain value over time. Perhaps those elements can be salvaged and re-used? Be creative. Get good professional advice from designers and architects.

Most bang for the buck #2
Paint and clean, there is nothing cheaper that goes so far. Declutter, sort out closets, have a garage sale or donate that clutter to a good charity. You will find enjoyment in living in your house when it is fresh and clean, and you will have taken a big step towards having it re-sale ready.

This particular post is based upon my personal experience and opinion. I hope you find it helpful. I hope you can get yourself going and enjoy the rewards of taking good care of your home.
Dianne

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News & Notes ~ Happenings & Market Data

  • Oswego-LakeDuring the period of May 15th and August 31st, Lake Oswego Police will be conducting undercover operations using decoys to determine whether establishments are serving alcohol to underage individuals.  Lake Oswego is being proactive in implementing this program to circumvent alcohol-related incidents involving minors in Lake Oswego.  According to the Dept of Health & Human Services and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Underage alcohol use is a major public health problem. Alcohol is the most commonly used drug in the United States, more than tobacco and illicit drugs, and is responsible for 4,700 deaths of underage persons annually.
  • The 37th Annual “Lake Run” will be held in Lake Oswego on Saturday, May 11th. There will be a kids dash, a 5k for walkers or runners, and a 10k challenge with an “improved new route”.  This event draws thousands every year.  Come enjoy the fun in Millenium Plaza Park with entertainment, lots of great food, and exposition booths.  For more information CLICK HERE.
  • The 2013 Community Survey results show, among other things, that:

* Overall, residents rate the city 8.6 on a 10-point scale, so satisfaction is high as “a place to live”.

* Residents let their “grade” for satisfaction with local government slip to 3.3 on a 5-point scale.  (This is down .1 since 2010, and .5 since 2005)

* 52%, a majority, agree that the city makes efficient use of tax dollars.

* As for the most popular sources of information, 63% of Lake Oswego residents get their information from the Lake Oswego Review and 58% from the Hello LO newsletter among other publications.

* For the detailed report CLICK HERE.

  • Here is a bit of data illustrating how Lake Oswego compares in context with the larger Portland market (you may want to zoom… sorry for the small-ish image…. interesting though, eh?):

Portland May 2013

***Note that Appreciation is based on a comparison of the rolling average sale price for the last 12 months (4/1/12-3/31/13) with the 12 months prior (4/1/11-3/31/12). Days on Market is the number of days from when a property is listed to when an offer is accepted on that same property. If a property is re-listed within 31 days, DOM continues to accrue; however, it does not include the time that it was off the market

 

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Secrets of Lake Oswego’s Famous Flower Baskets

Ever wonder how it’s done? How those baskets get so huge and gorgeous? I am honored to share with you a re-run of a column I wrote 3 years ago. It seems like the perfect week to post this information.

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