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.
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
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
Preparing for Winter Weather
In this month’s Hello LO (the monthly newsletter mailed to the residents of this fine city) there is an excellent Winter Preparedness Guide. In the interest of helping you to protect your real estate investment, I thought I’d share with you some of the important suggestions.
The City is asking you
* To be sure your address is clearly visible and not covered with snow or ice
* To keep a path clear from your street to your front door
* To have an emergency supply kit
* To use flashlights instead of candles to help prevent fires
* To be aware of carbon monoxide hazards from outdoor heating devices used indoors
Make sure your smoke alarm is in good working order
Now is the time of year to check the batteries in your alarm and be certain that they are working. Current Oregon law requires that homes that are bought or sold have smoke alarms with a hush button feature, and either a 10-year lithium battery or be hard-wired with a back-up battery. There should be a working smoke detector on every level of the house with special attention paid to areas with bedrooms.
Food Safety
In a power outage, if your freezer is full, food will stay frozen for about 2 days. If it is less than half full food will stay frozen for about 1 day. Cover the freezer with blankets or sleeping bags to help food stay frozen longer. When the power comes back on, examine all of the food for spoilage and if in doubt, throw it out.
For food in the refrigerator, be especially careful of meat, fish, milk, mayo, and eggs. Again, if in doubt, throw it out.
Gas Shutoff
If you need to have your gas shut off, contact NW Natural at 503-226-4211 and they will send a technician to assist you. If, however, an emergency arises where you need to shut the gas off immediately, follow this simple procedure:
1) Locate the shutoff valve on the riser pipe (the pipe running from the ground or through the foundation wall to your meter). To turn the valve you will need a crescent or pipe wrench. A wonderful home inspector I use suggests every home owner buy a simple wrench that fits this valve and hang it on a nail behind the riser pipe. This way in a true emergency you aren’t fumbling around in the garage looking for the right tool. When the valve head is parallel to the riser pipe, it is in the OPEN position.
2) Turn the valve head crosswise (perpendicular) to the pipe and it will be in the CLOSED position. There are also natural gas shutoff valves on the lines fueling individual gas fireplaces. Once the gas is off, LEAVE IT OFF.
3) Call NW Natural, 503-226-4211, when you are ready to have the gas restarted.
Storm Clean Up and the Tree Code
A permit is not required to remove downed trees. However, pictures are encouraged for documentation.
An Emergency Tree Permit or a Hazard Tree Permit needs to be issued for trees that present an immediate danger of collapse or present a danger to either people or property. Again, be sure to take pictures. Both permits are obtained thru the City and may require a Hazard Evaluation Form completed by a Certified Arborist, along with photos. For more information, call the Community Development Department at 503-635-0290 or click here.
OK, I know this isn’t about your real estate investment, but it is about an entirely important emotional investment.
* Consider inviting your outdoor dog or cat inside when the temperatures dip to freezing.
* More dogs are lost in the winter than any other time of year. In snow or ice dogs loose their scent and more easily become lost. Keep them on a leash or in their fenced yard, and be sure that they are wearing an ID tag and/or an ID chip.
* Cats will seek warmth and have been known to crawl under the hoods of cars. Get in the habit of banging on your car hood before starting your engine to give a cat the chance to escape.
* Thoroughly wipe your pet’s legs and stomach when you bring them inside out of the snow. They can ingest anti-freeze and other chemicals when licking their paws and grooming after they come indoors.
* Don’t leave your cat or dog alone in a car. They can freeze to death in January just as easily as they can die of heat exposure in July.
* Don’t let your dog run loose on a pond or lake where ice could break and they could drown. And this year, with the lake drawn down, keep them out of the murky mud in which they could become stuck.
It is really hard to know what to expect from Old Man Winter. Some years we get next to no snow or ice. Other years we get hammered. But in any case, we need to be prepared. I hope you have found this guide useful.
Dianne
Dianne’s Junk Drawer
Winding down the summer, gearing up for the fall, there are a few fun and quick topics I wanted to cover.
Lake Oswego’s Famous Flower Baskets
Remember that flower basket I planted last May? I wanted to share with you how it turned out. This basket is amazing. It hangs about 5′ long and is easily 2-3 feet wide. It is so heavy that I had to move it from it’s original hook, which it was bending. I got a lot of enjoyment out of planting it and watching it grow. I will plan to do it again next year. I also have to confess that I wasn’t as good about fertilizing it as I should have been. Early on, I did fertilize it once a week like I was supposed to. But as the summer progressed, well, I slipped up on that component. That didn’t keep the basket from getting huge. So even an imperfect gardener can grow one of these amazing baskets.
Planning Vacations for Next Year
One of the wonderful benefits of living in the Pacific Northwest is that taking a quick vacation, at not a lot of expense, is really easy. I thought I would list some of the destination spots that my husband and I have been to in the last few years. All trips were 3-5 days long with amazing scenery.
San Juan Islands WA
Joseph, Hells Canyon, and the Wallawas, OR
Coeur d’Alene, ID
Ashland Shakespeare Festival and Jacksonville, OR
Skamania Lodge, WA
Leavenworth, WA
Wenthrop, WA
Bend and Sisters, OR
The Olympic Peninsuala, WA
And, of course, anywhere on the Oregon Coast
And yes, that is me in the photo. My husband and I do our trips on his Yamaha. No, it’s not what I ever imagined doing. Yes, we have fun and my husband loves the adventure. I’ve been riding on the back of his motorcycle since I was 18 years old. I trust him to keep me safe. And that feeling of the wind and the open road really is pretty amazing.
My Personal Commitment
I am once again fundraising for the Portland Race for the Cure, which is being held September 19, 2010 in downtown Portland. Every dollar raised supports awareness, assistance, and research that benefits women right here in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Over 10,000 women received mammograms last year that would not have without assistance from the Susan Komen Foundation and Race for the Cure. As a breast cancer survivor, this effort helps me to make something good come from something very bad. If you are inclined to make a donation, you can do so by clicking here. Thank you!
Thank you for letting me clean out my junk drawer. Let me know if you have any ideas of your own for a great get-a-way in the Pacific Northwest. I’d also love to hear from any of you who planted hanging baskets of your own.
Dianne
Where did the Lake go?
For the last 2 years the City of Lake Oswego has had a major infrastructure project going on: the replacement of the aging and inadequate sewer interceptor line that ran along the bottom of the lake. The line is about 9000 feet and was both too small, causing over-flow when it reached capacity in heavy rain, and prone to damage in the event of an earthquake. Replacement of the system has happened in stages with the second stage now winding down and the third stage about to begin. Completion of the third stage will complete the project.
Sometime in September the water level of the lake will be drawn down. Remember that the water level is controlled at a dam that is located at the East end. When the water is drawn down, the lake will look almost completely empty with the exception of the very deepest areas. Mostly, it will look empty. This will be the status of the lake until next March when the lake will be allowed to refill. The new water will come from rain runoff, the Tualatin River, and area streams and creeks. The goal is to have the lake re-filled in plenty of time for summer recreation.
I’ve lived in Lake Oswego long enough to recall the days when the lake level was lowered regularly. It was part of normal management of the lake to drain the water out for a few weeks every other winter. This allowed water-front property owners to do needed repairs on their sea walls and boat houses. Then, about 10 or so years ago, the decision was made to not drain the lake on any regular basis. Which means that it has now been quite a few years since it was drained and that means it is going to come as quite a shock to local residents who haven’t been paying attention.
It is my experience that following the draining of the lake not only does the lake look better (from all of the work that gets done around the lake when the water level is down), but the water quality also tends to be much improved. Swimming in the lake next summer will be great!
So don’t be surprised when the lake is drained in a month or so. The water level will be restored.
For further info, including an exact schedule and e-mail updates, you can visit the City of Lake Oswego’s website and get all of the details.
News & Notes
~News & Notes~
- Mortgage Rates fell further last week from the already-lowest level in decades. Rates for a 30-year conventional loan are now hovering at between 4.5% & 4.75%, even with an increase today of .25 basis points according to Pat Goodell of Academy Mortgage. Slower economic growth last week was good for mortgage rates and negative for the stock market. This is actually an interesting point to note- When you see the stock market take a dip, check in on mortgage rates… they will almost always be improving during such periods.
- The deadline for closing on those transactions taking advantage of the tax credits was finally extended to September 30th. So, that’s very good news for all those who were pushing up against the June 30th closing deadline & not quite making it. I love second-chances… they’re so American!
- Woodstove Reminder – Have a wood stove? Planning to buy or sell a home with one? Note that beginning August 1st, 2010, in an effort to control emissions from smoke, when selling a home you will be required to remove the wood stove if it is “uncertified” by the DEQ. Here is a link for more information: Woodstoves in Oregon
- Lake Oswego Pricing Snapshot– Today there are 74 Detached Residences for sale in Lake Oswego priced at $350,000 or under. There are 144 priced between $350,000 and $550,000. Between $550,000 and 1 million there are 206 properties. And at 1 million and over there are 105 to choose from.
News & Notes
Real Estate Notes:
Tax Credit Extension Update: Well, most expected HR 4213 to pass the Senate, but it was rejected in a test vote on Monday 52 – 45. This bill would have extended the mandatory closing deadline for real estate closings to September, thereby cutting some slack to the many Buyers, Escrow officers and Lenders who are working their way through the morass… all with the same deadline. There is a real concern that as next Wednesday approaches, the bottleneck will strangle many of these deals due to sheer volume and limited capacity and resources to finish on time.
As of today, June 24th, the Senate will “continue considering” the bill, and a number of amendments. This bill also includes other considerations including extending unemployment benefits, and will reportedly add 80 billion to the deficit. This is the reason being given for it’s defeat in the test vote on Monday in it’s then-current form.
Community News:
Community-Wide Garage Sale! Get ready to say goodbye to those items you no longer need in your home. To someone else they will be a “find”! Register your sale and your location will be mapped with your sale items listed. Free to Lake Oswego citizens, and Free publicity to boot! The event is July 10th from 8AM till 3PM. You have until June 28th to register. Click Here
The Sensitive Lands debate has been quite high profile for some time now, with citizens very concerned on all sides of the issue… concerned with how properties will be affected; concerned about how the natural landscape will be affected; concerned about how local government is handling an issue so important to citizens and the environment alike. The Second Look Task Force is completing their review of the environmental and regulatory purposes, and providing recommendations for changes that increase flexibility & clarity, and maintain the community’;s committment to the natural environment. If you’d like to know how you can provide input, Click Here. (All meetings except for July 10th will be televised live beginning at 6:30 PM on TVCTV Channel 23 or 28.)
Herbicides on Lake Front: From July 21 – 25 aquatic herbicides will be applied to shorelines along the main lake and Blue Heron Canal. For more information call Casey Deck at 503 636 1422.
Take A Free Tour! Have you been wanting to learn more about all of those sculptures & works of art you see around town? You can enjoy a walk with a Docent who will show you many of them in Lake Oswego’s “Gallery Without Walls”. Learn what the artist was thinking and how the piece was crafted. Tours are scheduled for June 25, 26, and 27 from 11AM till noon and 3PM till 4PM. No reservations are required. Proceed to the front of St. Honore Bakery at 315 1st St. next to Millenium Park Plaza. For more information call 503 675 3738.
Analyzing Market Trends
I think the most common question I am asked is “How’s business?”, which I think really means “What’s the market doing?” In my circle of friends, homeownership is the norm. And in today’s economy, everyone is hoping that their home is holding it’s value. For my clients, they are wanting me to give them insight into the buying/selling climate. So staying on top of trends is pretty critical. Today I am going to break down the Lake Oswego market and give you some specifics.
First, some good news: Lake Oswego, according to the latest market action report from the RMLS, has done the second best job of holding value in the metro area comparing May of ’09 to May of ’10. Values are down in Lake Oswego, year over year, 7.8%. The only part of the metro area that did better was North Portland with a loss of 6.3%. The worst faring area was Yamhill County, which is down 13%. Wow, did I really just call that good news? We are down 7.8%! Perhaps the better way to see it is that this is less bad news than it could have been.
The average sales price in area 147, which is Lake Oswego and West Linn combined, is $443,500. The total days on the market is averaging 153 days.
I think it is important to do this analysis by price range. Watching our weekly market action reports, it is pretty obvious that the houses priced in the less expensive range, such as $600,000 or less, are selling much more actively than the houses in the higher prices. Here is a breakdown by price:
| Price | Currently for Sale | Sold in Last 6 Months | # Per Month | Length of Inventory | ||||
| $1,000,000 + | 105 | 15 | 3 | 42 months | ||||
| $900,000-$1,000,000 | 19 | 4 | 1 | 28 months | ||||
| $800,000-$900,000 | 50 | 6 | 1 | 50 months | ||||
| $700,000-$800,000 | 42 | 12 | 2 | 21 months | ||||
| $600,000-$700,000 | 53 | 21 | 4 | 15 months | ||||
| $500,000-$600,000 | 74 | 35 | 6 | 12 months | ||||
| $400,000-$500,000 | 79 | 43 | 7 | 11 months | ||||
| $300,000-$400,000 | 60 | 60 | 10 | 6 months | ||||
| $200,000-$300,000 | 29 | 36 | 6 | 4 months | ||||
| $100,000-$200,000 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 9 months | ||||
At a glance, the idea is that the lower the length of inventory, the stronger that part of the market is. And that makes it easy to see that the lower the price on the house, the stronger the market. There are also two surprising quirks. Notice that the market inventory is actually worse in the $800,000-$900,000 price range than it is in the houses priced at $1,000,0000+. Why? I am thinking that part of the market is competing with the houses that are at $1,000,000 plus and that when buyers get up that high in price, it is still easy to justify pushing the purchase up just a bit more to get what they really want. In other words, there still is not enough of a value difference at $800,000 vs $1,000,000. However, that idea is just my speculation. I also think at $800,000 you are seeing a lot of older homes. They do have a hard time competing against the newer homes, which there are lots of, that have the soaring ceilings and palatial kitchens and baths. Second, the houses priced under $200,000 just aren’t selling fast either. I am quite certain that this is because at that price the house is pretty much a tear down and in such rough shape that the value is in the land. That means the buyer is going to be a builder and the builders are still sitting on so much inventory that they aren’t buying up the land.
I also have to say that the market is very balanced between buyers and sellers in the homes valued $300,000-$400,000 and even up into $400,000-$500,000. This part of the market is moving well with homes coming onto the market and selling respectably within reasonable periods of time. If you are buying in this part of the market, and the house is in nice condition, be aware of values. If it’s priced right, it’s going to sell and your buying power is not as strong as it would be in the higher price ranges.
And for those of you in the upper pricing, you are still in a very strong buyer’s market. Sellers are still competing with way too many other houses. You should be able to negotiate hard on price and terms.
Affordable Houses: LO vs Sellwood
I periodically like to compare affordable houses in Lake Oswego to the same houses in Sellwood, a neighborhood I used to live in not too far away in SE Portland. I like to do this because I remain convinced that Lake Oswego is often overlooked by buyers who are seeking affordable housing. This is because of LO’s reputation as a wealthy community. Time and again I have been able to prove that there are more homes to choose from in LO than in Sellwood that are affordable. Today is no different. Affordable, by my definition, are homes price below $350,000.
As of today, there are currently 61 homes for sale in Lake Oswego priced below $350,000. The least expensive is a 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bath house with 1000 square feet and a single car garage that was built in 1957. It is actually in pretty nice condition,although close to I-5, and it is priced at $189,000. In Sellwood there are 19 houses priced under $350,000. The least expensive is a 2 bedroom, 1 bath house with a single car garage that was built in 1920. It has 838 square feet + 810 square feet in an unfinished basement. It’s priced at $234,500.
I think the most burning question today is what is going to happen to the market now that the tax credit is over. I do think that there was a huge boost in the market by people trying to get into escrow by the end of April. I also know that May was slow for me, as far as new business. However, June has got my phone ringing and I am very busy. So my personal observation is that our normal spring/summer upswing is happening. Time will tell.
Yours, Dianne
Our Own University: Marylhurst
Technically, Marylhurst University is located in Marylhurst, Oregon: until a few minutes ago I had never heard of such a town! Actually, Marylhurst University is sandwiched exactly between Lake Oswego and West Linn on the banks of the Willamette River. Founded in 1893 by the Sisters of Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the West. Originally a school for girls, it became co-ed in 1974 and was officially incorporated as an entity separate from the Sisters of Holy Names in 1959. As a school, it has continued to grow and to gain respect. In 2003 it was ranked by US News and World Report as a “Best Value”
Today the University offers a traditional classroom curriculum as well as on-line education. Bachelor of Arts and Science degrees are offered in Art, Interior Design, Business, Communications, English and Writing, Religious Studies, Music, Real Estate, and Science. Master’s Degrees are offered in Education, Business, Sustainable Business, and Interdisciplinary Studies. So right here, in the backyard of our town, you can pursue higher education and on-going education. I see this as a real asset to our community. It makes education easier to obtain when it is nearby, and for our town, it adds many benefits.
Mary’s Woods
Along with the University, there is a retirement community known as Mary’s Woods. Offering all levels of assistance from independent living to extensive care, this retirement community is well regarded. And being attached to the University, it offers many opportunities for retired folks who want to take classes and to remain active.
The Christie School
The Christie School was founded in 1953 and is Oregon’s oldest and largest residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed children. The program serves the needs of about 80 kids at any given time. It helps children 8-18 years of age who are coping with any number of needs from depression issues to over-coming abuse. It’s roots go back to the original school, St. Mary’s Home for Girls, which was founded to house and to educate orphaned and abandoned girls.
And then there was the battle with the KKK
One of the more interesting bits of trivia surrounding Maryhurst was the landmark court case known as “Pierce v. Society of Sisters” from 1925. Back in the 1920’s the KKK was pretty strong in Oregon and had a good deal of influence in Oregon politics, including with the Governor of the State, Walter Pierce. The KKK, in concert with the Oregon Scottish Rite Masons, wanted to make public education mandatory, thereby ending access to private education. The Sisters boycotted businesses that supported the KKK and challenged the KKK in court. The 1925 case, decided unanimously by the United States Supreme Court, ruled in favor of the Sisters. The court case ruled that while states may compel attendance at some school, the parents have the constitutional right to choose between public and private schools. The ruling was a legal precedent for our country that has effected court rulings across the United States ever since.
Marylhurst is just one more reason I like living in Lake Oswego. It is a wonderful resource, on so many levels.
Yours,
Dianne