Category: General

All About Lake Oswego, Oregon real estate topics

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News & Notes

Community Shred Day – Lake Oswego and EFI Secure Shredding holds another shred day geared toward helping citizens get rid of sensitive documents. This one will be held at the West End Building in the rear parking lot. Three boxes to a person will be allowed. Hours are 10AM – 1PM on April 30th.

Walk for Water – A 1-mile loop returning to Foothills Park seeks to bring awareness to the issue of a dire need for clean drinking water in developing countries… and strollers are welcome! You are invited to simulate the trek of villagers in Zambia who walk for their water twice every day. The walk will be held April 30th and begins at 9AM in Foothills Park.

Lake Run – Speaking of exercise… The much-anticipated annual “Lake Run” is coming up fast- May 7th starting at Millenium Plaza Park! Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome. There will be a 12k run, a 5k walk/run where strollers will be included, and a 1/2 mile kids-dash (11 and under). For registration Click Here. For more information including maps, approximate times runners will pass through various neighborhoods, and traffic changes click Here for 12k, and Here for 5k.

Tidbits from PMAR (Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors) –

– Americans appear to be more confident about home-ownership and the stability of home prices than they were at the beginning of 2010. This is per Fannie Mae’s latest national housing survey. Nearly 80% of all respondents including homeowners and renters surveyed anticipated prices holding steady or increasing in the next 12 months- Up from 73 percent in January 2010.
Click Here for more detail.
– Portland is ranked among the top ten cities nationally where it is best to buy rather than rent according to Forbes.com. Click Here for more detail.

Remodeling Costs Recouped – Realtor Magazine and Remodeling Magazine came up with a list of the most cost-effective remodeling projects. You can click Here for info on the Portland metropolitan area and download the 12-page report.

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Market Activity April 18-24, 2011

Last week Lake Oswego had 16 new listings come onto the market, 18 houses go into pending status, and 12 closed sales. Of note: 3 of the pending sales were at $1,000,000+ and one was at $999,000.

NEWLY LISTED (April 18-24, 2011)

Address Type Price Sq FT BR Baths
15240 Boones Way Condo $164,900 1180 2 2
480 S State St Condo $235,000 1659 2 2
6016 Bonita Rd Detached $239,000 1978 4 2
5311 Tualata Ct Detached $249,000 1387 3 1.5
1637 Laurel St Detached $389,000 1792 6 1
4160 Chapman Way Detached $389,900 1800 3 2
2681 Greentree Rd Detached $395,000 2291 4 3
1580 Woodland Terr. Detached $549,900 2127 4 2.5
19240 Megly Ct Detached $579,900 3633 5 3.5
17658 Brookhurst Dr Detached $589,000 4198 3 3
5542 Dunmire Dr Detached $599,900 3204 4 2.5
5515 Dunmire Dr Detached $629,900 3287 4 3
1541 Maple St Detached $729,000 3215 4 4
16818 Sylvan Ct Detached $849,000 3209 4 2.5
13048 Knaus Rd Detached $875,000 3715 4 3.5
18143 Siena Dr Detached $898,950 3350 4 3.5

PENDING SALES (April 18-24)

Address Type Price Sq Ft BR Baths CDOM
200 Burnham Rd #203 Condo $129,000 1160 2 1 1302
4425 Thunder Vista Ln Condo $149,900 1518 2 2.5 110
4281 Cobb Way Detached $249,900 1626 3 2 7
7 Bloch Terr. Attached $285,000 2062 3 2.5 191
1 Hidalgo St Detached $349,900 2489 2 2.5 253
1766 Fern Pl Detached $365,000 1937 3 2 18
510 5th St Attached $375,000 1524 2 2.5 53
19 Grouse Terr. Detached $419,900 3383 3 2.5 283
6132 Summer Woods Detached $489,900 2778 4 2.5 10
1643 Village Park Ln Detached $639,900 4505 4 3.5 440
1088 Westward Ho Rd Detached $648,000 1837 2 2 226
1930 Indian Trail Detached $669,000 3260 3 3 332
5160 Woodcrest Ln Detached $691,488 3575 4 3.5 0
17614 Blue Heron Detached $797,500 3150 4 3 42
425 Northshore Rd Detached $999,000 3270 4 3 450
14066 Goodall Rd Detached $1,050,000 4220 4 3.5 66
2778 Glenmorrie Dr Detached `$1,150,000 6263 5 4.5+.5+.5 471
1956 Cheryl Ct Detached $1,295,000 5173 4 4.5+.5 16

SOLD (April 18-24, 2011)

Address Orig. Price Sold Price Type Sq Ft CDOM
668 McVey Ave #82 $109,250 $120,000 Condo 992 46
4 Touchstone #136 $174,950 $159,500 Condo 1351 822
5530 Bonita Rd $295,000 $200,000 Detached 1200 64
103 3rd St $349,900 $242,500 Condo 1006 317
3165 Douglas Circle $325,000 $265,000 Detached 1764 3
4342 Woodside Circle $285,000 $285,000 Attached 1643 2
18929 Indian Springs $435,000 $405,000 Detached 3380 51
1692 Fircrest Ct $450,000 $450,000 Detached 2569 0
5434 Rosalia Way $559,000 $477,000 Detached 2600 245
17754 Treetop Ln $550,000 $535,000 Detached 3668 7
2757 Lakeview Blvd $725,000 $675,000 Detached 3321 540
444 Ridgeway Rd $850,000 $810,000 Detached 2099 541

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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News & Notes

 

Streetcar – The Lake Oswego to Portland Transit Project’s steering committee is recommending proceeding with this project.  The City Council is considering their recommendation at their hearing on April 19th in council chambers.  Citizens are encouraged to provide written input prior to the meeting.  The meeting will be televised at TVCTV at 6 p.m. on Channel 23.

Art in Lake Oswego –  Lake Oswego is soliciting participants for its First Art Market to be held at Millenium Park Plaza on June 16, 23 & 30 from 4-8PM. Applications can be filled out here.

Services & Amenities – Lake Oswego has so much to offer…  culture, arts, historical resources, quality schools, vibrant business districts and activities galore.  To find out more about the new Services & Activities Guide click here.

Luscher Farm Updates – Attend a meeting April 21st designed to inform about three site plan alternatives for the Luscher Farm Master Plan.  The event is an open format.  Stop in and look over alternatives for this valued park, farm and natural area…. and give your input!  Click here to learn more.

 

 

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Spring is Poetry

Spring makes poets of all of us!  I thought you might enjoy some of the poetry I was able to find from the lofty among us… as well as the rest!   ~ Happy Spring ~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s a classic from Rumi:

 

 

 

 

 

The Music We Are

Did you hear that winter’s over? The basil
and the carnations cannot control their

laughter. The nightingale, back from his
wandering, has been made singing master

over the birds. The trees reach out their
congratulations. The soul goes dancing

through the king’s doorway. Anemones blush
because they have seen the rose naked.

Spring, the only fair judge, walks in the
courtroom, and several December thieves steal

away, Last year’s miracles will soon be
forgotten. New creatures whirl in from non-

existence, galaxies scattered around their
feet. Have you met them? Do you hear the

bud of Jesus crooning in the cradle? A single
narcissus flower has been appointed Inspector

of Kingdoms. A feast is set. Listen: the
wind is pouring wine! Love used to hide

inside images: no more! The orchard hangs
out its lanterns. The dead come stumbling by

in shrouds. Nothing can stay bound or be
imprisoned. You say, “End this poem here,

and wait for what’s next.” I will. Poems
are rough notations for the music we are.

 

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Market Activity Report: 3/21-3/27

New listings were way down last week with just 12: probably due to Spring Break. Pending sales were strong at 16, and closed sales were also solid at 14. It’s nice to see more pendings and solds than new listings. Must be the sweet smell of spring.

See below for further details according to RMLS:

NEWLY LISTED (Mar 21-27, 2011)

Address Type Price Sq FT BR Baths
45 Eagle Crest Dr #520 Condo $135,000 768 1 1
5322 Charleton Ct Detached $274,900 1633 3 2.5
7 Britten Ct Attached $280,000 2046 4 2
5978 Fernbrook Circle Detached $309,000 1612 3 2.5
1820 Kilkenny Dr Detached $379,000 3040 4 3
2360 Greentree Rd Detached $429,000 2207 3 2.5
17360 Hunter Ct Detached $478,500 3322 4 2.5
1454 Glenmorrie Dr Detached $505,000 3372 3 2.5
557 2nd St Condo $625,000 1833 2 2.5
1700 Village Park Ln Detached $769,900 4945 4 4
12439 SW 22nd Ave Detached $849,900 4118 4 3.5
340 Ridgeway Rd Detached $1,495,000 3796 4 3

PENDING SALES (Mar 21-27, 2011)

Address Type Price Sq Ft BR Baths CDOM
79 Galen St Condo $69,900 995 2 2 208
668 McVey Ave #82 Condo $109,250 992 2 1.5 46
54 Galen St Condo $119,485 995 2 2 346
5064 Foothills Dr H Condo $209,900 1252 3 2 14
10 Polonius St Detached $264,900 2028 4 3 3
1571 Woodland Terr. Detached $299,900 2400 3 2 106
44 Da Vinci St Detached $339,900 2005 4 2 14
151 Del Prado St Detached $399,000 2447 4 2.5 191
18929 Indian Springs Rd Detached $410,000 3380 4 3 51
6 Churchill Downs Detached $439,950 2922 5 3.5 320
920 Evergreen Rd Detached $475,000 1622 2 2 413
17645 Oak Meadow Ln Detached $510,000 3510 4 2.5 392
5 Cellini Ct Detached $649,900 4895 5 3.5 300
691 Carrera Ln Detached $699,000 3704 5 3.5 255
17833 Marylcreek Dr Detached $749,000 5495 5 4.5 45
18260 River Edge Ct Detached $789,000 4711 4 3.5 160

SOLD (Mar 21-27, 2011)

Address Orig. Price Sold Price Type Sq Ft CDOM
4631 Lakeview Blvd $93,000 $51,000 Condo 753 177
49 Oswego Summit $75,000 $67,500 Condo 720 127
18021 Tualata Ave Auction $176,400 Detached 1410 338
575 Hemlock St $289,000 $285,000 Detached 1175 289
5204 Rosewood St $344,900 $337,000 Detached 1683 11
30 Wilbur St $412,900 $355,000 Detached 2664 79
326 Lake Bay Ct $439,500 $390,000 Detached 1400 159
13595 Knaus Rd $489,000 $469,000 Detached 3339 226
547 2nd St #202 $559,000 $535,000 Condo 1529 388
2607 Palisades Crest Dr $760,000 $750,000 Detached 5650 244
1309 Horseshoe Curve $849,000 $800,000 Detached 3087 58
585 2nd St #404 $999,000 $835,000 Detached 2147 396
744 9th St $1,075,000 $950,000 Detached 4255 465
13795 Cameo Ct $1,400,000 $1,100,000 Detached 7190 706

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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Mortgage and Market Tidbits

  • Local Area Trends- According to the latest RMLS Market Action Report, comparing November 2010 with December 2010, a few interesting facts emerge-  Average Sales Price increased in the Portland Metro area by 2.2%, and Closed Sales increased by 14.3% which is the highest monthly level since June.
  • Rates- There is some indication that this increase was due to interest rate swings which may have persuaded uncertain buyers to take action. After remaining for weeks at historic lows, rates jumped for a short time to over 5%. They have since gone back down again to about 4.75% but the temporary increase may  have  convinced  buyers that low rates won’t be around forever.  According to MBS  Quoteline, the volatility of rates which has surfaced in the first weeks of the new year is of course due to shifting economic factors. Prior to Friday’s Employment report, nearly all the economic data was stronger than expected which impacted mortgage rates negatively.  Rates improved after the employment data though, and ended the week nearly unchanged.
  • Pat Goodell of Academy Mortgage says:

    • The Monthly Inflation reports and Retail Sales reports  were not as strong as hoped so rates have stabilized below 5%.  But all indications are that there will be stronger economic data coming out in the next few months which will impact rates negatively again.  There is no reason to expect that rates will continue to be as low as they currently are and most expectations are that by the 2nd half of the year, they will have increased to over 5% again.

  • Portland Metro’s “Grade” To Improve?- The mortgage insurance companies identify cities according to their “risk” of declining values. One mortgage insurance company just upgraded 18  cities nationwide (and downgraded 3). They made no change to Portland yet but it’s a positive sign that they are seeing stronger values in 18 cities nationwide and one mortgage insurance rep did say he expects to see Portland upgraded in the near future.
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Open Houses ~ January 16, 2011

It is January…  ready, set go!  29 houses open on Sunday in Lake Oswego.  Bring your umbrella and have a ball!

My listing on Lamont Way is Open from 1-3. Dianne will be there and would LOVE to meet some of our Property Blotter readers in person! It’s a truly unique house that is private, has an artistic edge (with space for a studio), and perfect for someone looking for a house that is not “cookie cutter”.  The property on Kilkenny Drive in Palisades is a great one to see also- lots of space w/ gorgeous landscape features, updates and a great view. It is Open from 12-3.

Lots and lots of great houses on tour!

Here is what is being held Open according to RMLS:

Address L/Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Style Time
5054 FOOTHILLS DR #69E $205,000 3 2 1252 CONDO 1-3PM
3535 UPPER DR $275,000 3 2 1373 DETACHD 1-3PM
1228 MAPLE ST $325,000 3 2 1894 DETACHD 1-3PM
4840 LAMONT WAY $325,000 3 2 1793 DETACHD 12-3PM
1459 GREENTREE CIR $335,000 3 2 1683 DETACHD 1-4PM
1851 KILKENNY DR $369,000 4 3 2716 DETACHD 12-3PM
1830 CLOVERLEAF RD $389,000 5 2 1795 DETACHD 1-3PM
151 DEL PRADO ST $399,000 4 2.1 2447 DETACHD 12:30-2:30PM
17802 HILLSIDE WAY $424,900 4 2.1 2965 DETACHD 1-3PM
326 LAKE BAY CT $449,500 3 2 1400 DETACHD 1-3PM
19415 SW DOGWOOD CT $499,900 5 3 3517 DETACHD 12-4PM
19319 SW DOGWOOD CT $499,900 4 2.1 3105 DETACHD 12-4PM
5705 SOUTHWOOD DR $549,000 4 2.1 3360 DETACHD 1-3PM
19263 MEGLY CT $549,900 5 3 3213 DETACHD 12-4PM
19245 SW MEGLY CT $559,900 5 3 3490 DETACHD 12-4PM
17997 Braeden CT $644,860 3 2.1 2984 DETACHD 12-2PM
5511 FIELDSTONE CT $678,950 4 2.1 3037 DETACHD 1-3PM
5533 FIELDSTONE CT $688,950 4 2.1 3115 DETACHD 1-3PM
15459 VILLAGE DR $695,000 4 3.1 3059 DETACHD 1-3:30PM
17884 KELOK RD $695,000 5 3.1 4124 DETACHD 2-4PM
17896 KELOK RD $695,000 6 5.1 4323 DETACHD 2-4PM
1930 INDIAN TRL $699,000 3 3 3260 DETACHD 12:30-3PM
15622 FIELDSTONE DR $718,950 3 2.1 3113 DETACHD 1-3PM
13223 DEERFIELD CT $725,000 5 3.2 4008 DETACHD 1-4PM
17301 CANAL CIR $749,000 3 2.1 1812 DETACHD 3-5PM
4158 CASEY CT $759,900 4 2.1 3385 DETACHD 1-4PM
533 Weidman CT $924,900 4 3.1 4108 DETACHD 2-4PM
3118 DOUGLAS CIR $1,100,000 3 2.1 3562 DETACHD 1-3PM
18222 SIENA DR $1,189,000 4 3.1 3998 DETACHD 1-3PM
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Mortgage Assistance

There has been talk on the news lately that many people who might qualify for the government program to potentially help pay a year’s worth of mortgage payments do not seem to be taking advantage it.  Speculation has been that either 1) People believe it sounds too good to be true, or 2) People don’t know about it.

The following is basic information about the program for you to pass on to someone you love who may qualify (thanks to Naida Paris of The Valley Mortgage Group):

* Have you had a 25% drop in income from 2008 or 2009 and need help with your mortgage payment?

* Please go to www.oregonhomeownerhelp.org .  If you are chosen for the program your mortgage payments may be made for 12 months or up to $20,000.

* You do not need to be behind in payments.

* There is no credit report pulled to qualify you.

* There is no debt ratios requirement.

This program is statewide, funded by stimulus funds.  You can apply until January 14, 2011.  Each County is given an allotment of funds based on their economic need.  After you apply online, you will then bring income and asset documentation to your local housing authority to verify the loss of income.

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Happy Holidays to You!!!

As Christmas weekend approaches, Dianne and I wanted to take a moment and wish you a very peaceful and joyous holiday with your friends and family.  It is such a pleasure for us to write this blog and to serve your needs through the year, and we appreciate each of you so much.

We will be taking a little holiday ourselves, and will be back with our weekly Activity Report on Monday, January 3rd, 2011.  Till then…. stay safe, warm and happy.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!!!

Dianne and Linda

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Gratitude

Greetings to all of our loyal Property Blotter readers this Thanksgiving Day!!!
In between taking care of my clients and getting the turkey into the oven & the side dishes prepared, I wanted to take a moment to let you into my life a little, and say how grateful I am for so many things.

First of all, I am grateful for those I love; family and friends who continually show up in my life in a way that amazes and humbles me.  I am grateful to my clients (usually friends or friends of friends who have been referred to me : ) for their confidence and faith in me as I help them through a very big transition in their lives.  Here are two of my listings that are in Lake Oswego… two homes you should check out belonging to two awesome people! Click Links: Devon Lane and Lamont Way.   And yes, I am grateful to you, our readers, who grace us with your time, support, encouragement, and sometimes your business!

I am so grateful for my home, my health, my community, my warm fireplace, the view out my windows, the food in my refrigerator.  I am thankful to those who “play” with me…  my music program at PCSL…  the Friends Gospel Chorus who sing so clear and bright with hearts so open, and the band who supports everyone so skillfully every week.  I am grateful for my networking buddies who show up every month for fun & SpeedNetworking, For my Wheels and Ears cohorts and their work, for my car with the little paper crowns sitting in the back window that my son made for me when in grade school (you might spot me around town now!  … the Queen of a little boy’s heart… who is now much older : ).  I am grateful for all those little things that make life do-able nowadays… my cellphone, my trusty computer, my fancy indoor/outdoor temperature sensor, my bread-maker (should come in handy today!), my hot/cold water dispenser (tea is so fast!), and of course my lockbox key!  On that note, I’d like to say how grateful I am to our Real Estate Firm and our Principal Broker, who is such a rock to all of us who make up this company, to all of our clients, and to anyone who knows her.  Additionally, I am so grateful for Dianne Gregoire, with whom I produce this real estate blog, who is not only one of my best buddies, but an amazing and powerful “thriver” in her business, health and personal life… I am so grateful to know her and to call her my friend.

OK….  too sappy?  It’s just once a year (though it could be much more often…  : )  Try it yourself….  start listing all those things for which you are grateful ~ especially the little things~  then get out there and enjoy this day!   I think a nap in front of the fireplace is in order later…  Have a very, very very…

Happy Thanksgiving!

Linda