Category: General

All About Lake Oswego, Oregon real estate topics

Posted on

Notes & Scribbles

Tax Credit ~ The First-Time Home-Buyers’ $8,000.  Tax Credit is, of course, the talk of the town (the nation, actually). It is acknowledged that it is and has been helpful in spurring the real estate market (activity in related price ranges is steady if not occasionally feverish… especially lately!)   There is much talk about extending the deadline from the current November 30th date to an as-yet-undetermined date in 2010.  While it is generally agreed that the housing market is turning the corner, and a large part of this growth is related to the tax credit, there is also concern being expressed about dispersing more government money in light of recent history.  So… nothing is decided as of now. There are talks about plans to:

  • Extend it to all home-buyers,
  • Not extend it at all,
  • Increase it to $15,000.,
  • Extend it and keep the terms the same,
  • Offer it only to service members who have been out of the country,
  • Etc.

The important thing to remember if you are a first-time home-buyer, or care about one, is that right now there is an opportunity to get an $8,000. tax credit. That means real money coming to you when you file for 2009.  We do NOT know how the debate will play out regarding extending or not extending it… AND right now there is still time to take advantage of it, but you must act now.

Oil Tanks (Reminder & Update) ~ The standards for levels of contaminants are under review. In particular, ethyl benzene and naphthalene have been changed to a “carcinogenic” classification, and therefore cleanup requirements are also changing. There is now concern over the possibility of  fumes potentially penetrating a home from underground & causing harm. Remember, if you have an oil tank underground on your property that has not been decommissioned, or if you are a Buyer considering a property with one: Underground oil tanks have a life of approximately 40 years.  After that, they leak… and what they leak is toxic.  Homeowners can be held liable for damage to soil from leaking tanks, and therefore, proper soil testing and decommissioning through a DEQ-certified environmental service is the wise choice.  If you are a Seller in this situation, I would highly recommend just doing this now and getting it out of the way.  It makes your home more attractive to potential Buyers, removes an objection, and protects you and the environment at the same time.

Loans ~ There are truly all kinds of loans out there right now for all kinds of Buyers.  FHA loans are a  current favorite, and the FHA 203 (b) is a little easier to qualify for than most conventional loans these days. There are also “Flex”  loans for teachers (administrators & school nurses can also apply!), police, and firefighters. Other than the FHA loan I mentioned, you usually want a credit score of 640 or higher, and for all of them you’ll need 3 to 3.5% down. Talk to your favorite mortgage broker for more information, or give me a call and I can refer you to some great resources.

Homes on Slopes ~ Some precautions, in light of current information gained from recent slides in Portland, Lake Oswego and surrounding areas are worth noting:

  • At no point should drain water be discharged onto slopes in an uncontrolled manner. Investigate energy dissipation devices to prevent erosion at discharge points.
  • Make sure that any fill used on the slope is “engineer-fill”.  Not all fill is able to handle the specialized drainage requirements of sloped properties.
  • Make sure gutters remain clear in order to prevent over-saturation in areas not able to handle runoff.
  • Keep drainage ditches or berms clear during the rainy season so that they do not direct water into areas where erosion & damage may occur.
  • Keep drain inlets, outlets and weep holes at foundation, retaining walls, driveways etc clean at all times.  Remove debris to prevent clogging.
  • Notice any wet spots on the property.  This may indicate either natural seepage, or leaking water or sewer line problems. Seek professional advice immediately.
  • Regularly check irrigation systems. Drip systems are preferred on hillsides.
  • Make sure roof drainage is not connected to a subsurface disposal system unless it has been approved by a geotechnical engineer.
  • Keep water from accumulating next to foundations, retaining walls or basements.
  • Guard against over-saturation on the hillside, as once this has occurred, damage can result very quickly and without warning.
  • Seek the advice of a good Engineering firm. One source is:  GeoPacific Engineering, Inc.

Posted on

Industry Trends, Good or Bad?

hanging basketAs with our entire society, the real estate community is rapidly changing due to the expanding availability of computer technology and the Internet.  I have found myself musing on this subject because of a telephone call I got yesterday.  A gentleman wanted information about a house that I have listed for sale.  As I always do when I speak to someone about real estate, I asked him if he was already working with a Realtor.  Not that it will make any difference in my answering of his questions, I just want to make sure that he has adequate help and I also don’t want to step onto the toes of any other Realtors.  His response to me was that he had 3 different agents helping him, but that he didn’t think any of them were really working for him. This was because all 3 had set up e-mail programs that sent him listing information, but that none of them made the effort to speak to him in person.  Hmmmm……

I can see, as a professional, how easy it would be to fall into this pattern.  The Internet is absolutely amazing.  Our local RMLS was the first multiple listing service in the United States to go fully functional as a website.  It is constantly upgrading with more and more services.  One feature it has is a client profile program.  This allows Realtors to set up a client profile that automatically searches listings to hunt for homes that fit any particular clients criteria.  It then sends an e-mail to that agent whenever a match is found.  At this point, it will even send that match via e-mail to the client as well, if that function is added by the Realtor when the profile is set up.  It is a simple process to set up and convenient to both the Realtor and the client.  And this is where I think things get gray.  Where is the human contact?

I am as guilty as the rest.  I love technology.  I am on facebook, I tweet, as you can see, I blog.  But I have also been in this business since back in the days when every two weeks we got a printed book the size of your typical phone book.  It had all of the local listings, about 16 to a page, each with a little box with facts and one black and white photo.  We would thumb through the book to find houses that our buyers might like.  Then we’d load our buyers in our cars and drive all over town to see houses.  Looking back, I think it must have been a huge pain in the you know what for buyers.  All that time to see houses that someone else thought you might like.  It worked because it was the only method available.  Today, my clients can look at 16 color photos of each house, with a map link to preview location, and perhaps even a virtual tour, before they ever get into my car to go see the interior.  Today my clients tell me what they want to see and not the other way around.  It saves time, gas, and frustration.  It is soooooo much better.

I think the weakness in our current system is that we may loose touch with the human element.  Ultimately a client needs someone who understands their concerns and who listens to their needs.  You are trying to buy a house, but your are also needing someone who manages your concerns as you negotiate the sale, deal with the home inspection, and, especially today, help you arrange financing.  You need to build a relationship with your Realtor as you look for a home so that you know that your Realtor really is working on your behalf.  The human element is perhaps more important today than ever.

There is a balance that needs to be found.  Just as a Realtor who doesn’t have technological savvy will fall behind in the industry, I think a Realtor who relies too heavily on the techno factor and looses touch with the human needs of their clients will also fall behind.  And, call me old fashioned, there is still nothing quite as nice in business as a hand-written thank you that comes in the mail.

Linda and I are both commited to working within that balance.  We pride ourselves on being “up” on technology, and we both are commited to listening to your needs and helping to make your real estate dealings a successful experience for you as an individual.   I think that we can both honestly say that we start out in our dealings working with clients, but those clients end up becoming friends.  It is my favorite part of my job.

Dianne

Posted on

Oregon’s Working Ferries

One of the great things about having a blog is that you get to share things that are of personal interest.  So this post is about one of my fond summertime memories, as well as a suggestion for yourself or your out-of-town guests who come to Lake Oswego.

canbyferry1I have a very great fondness for the Oregon ferry system because of my grandfather.  As a child I spent vacations at his home in Salem.  He would load myself and my 3 big brothers into his car and take us out to ride the Wheatland Ferry on the Willamette river between Salem and Newberg.  Along the way we would see field after field of hops, corn, tomatoes, peaches and all manner of fresh produce.  We’d always be sure to make a stop at a road-side stand to load up on peaches.  Then we’d have them for breakfast with fresh cream and oatmeal the next morning.

When you live in Lake Oswego, you have easy access to your own working ferry:  the Canby ferry.  It’s located just about a 15 minute drive South of Lake Oswego.  Take Stafford Road South past I205, turn left at Mountain Road, and that will take you straight to the ferry.  The ferry runs year-around, except for extreme weather.  It starts early in the morning at 6:45am and runs until 9:15 in the evening.  1-way cost for a car is $2.  It will take you from the Lake Oswego/West Linn side of the Willamette to the Canby side.  To make a similar journey via the surface roads would take about 20 minutes longer.  So as a means of transportation, it is actually pretty functional.  But it is also scenic and adds a very nice ambiance to what is otherwise a fairly mundane drive on the freeway.  On the Canby side you’ll find all sorts of roadside stands for seasonal fresh produce, just like I enjoyed with my grandfather 40 or so years ago.

The ferry is one of several in the current ferry system.  The Canby ferry has been in service since 1914.  Two other ferries that are still in service are the Wheatland ferry near Salem and the Buena Vista ferry that is South of Independence.

canbyferry2This subject is leading me to a little bit of Oregon history.  As you drive around the metro area you’ll see quite a few roads that feature the word ferry in their name:  Taylor’s Ferry Rd, Graham’s Ferry Rd, Scholls Ferry Rd. And here in Lake Oswego, Boones Ferry Rd is one of the major streets in town.   These roads were conveniently named to lead travelers back in the days before we had bridges across the Willamette River to the many ferries that aided with these crossings.  Boones Ferry Road led to the Boones Ferry, which was located where what is now Boones Bridge in Wilsonville (actually the current location of the Boones Bridge across I-5).  Boones Ferry was operated by Alphonso Boone, a grandson of Daniel Boone.

Oregon isn’t necessarily well known for its ferry system the way that Seattle is.  But we have one.  I think it’s a hidden treasure and I love living in Lake Oswego where I have easy access to the summer-time pleasure of taking the ferry to buy fresh peaches on the Canby side of the river.  It’s a great personal past time, but I also enjoy sharing it with friends who are visiting the area.  There are also quite a few great things to do and enjoy as you head South down the valley.  I’ll touch onto those in a future posting.

P.S.  Fresh peaches and cream on oatmeal are THE BEST!

Posted on

Summer Real Estate Tidbits

  • DucksAccording to the latest Market Action Report for the Portland area “Closed sales in the Portland metro area for July 2009 eclipsed last July’s total by 8.6%, marking the first time same-month closed sales have increased since April 2007.  Pending sales also grew 8.3%.  New listings dropped 25.4% .  Comparing July 2009 with June 2009, closed sales increased 11.9% (1,988 v. 1,776) and pending sales were up a slight 0.3% (2,170 v. 2,164). New listings fell 8.2% (3,907 v. 4,257).”
  • RMLS now offers a “Short Sale” search field for Agents to search using this criteria.  It seems as though Agents are slow to be updating their listings to reflect this, but once all records are updated, this should be a helpful tool.
  • Amtrak may soon be cruising through Lake Oswego if feasibility and other studies yield positive results. The opportunity has come about as a direct result of avaiable funds from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which has earmarked $8 billion for high-speed rail.  It appears that going this route would be less expensive than repairing the line AMTRAK is currently using, which takes it through Oregon City.  The benefits also reportedly include projected increased ridership, increased timliness, and reduced carbon emissions. This change would replace the Oregon City stop with one in Tualatin.  ODOT has decided to apply for the funds to do a 2-year Environmental Impact Study.
  • The NW Natural 2009 Street of Dreams is underway, running from August 1 – 30.  This year is a little different than most in that it showcases four premier condo home developments in Portland’s “Pearl District”, including nine incredible penthouses ranging in price ffrom $1 to $2.5 million.  This year also focuses on LEED standard and eco-friendly building.  Check it out and buy your tickets at: http://www.streetofdreamspdx.com/home/home.php
  • Lake Oswego is in the middle of discussions with citizens regarding proposed “Sensitive Lands” changes.  To learn more about sensitive lands & view an FAQ page on this subject, visit: http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/plan/Nature/FAQ_Handout_080609.pdf Opinions run the gamut and there is currently lively debate on all sides.
Posted on

Race for The Cure

pink ribbonIf you have been reading the Propertyblotter for awhile, you know that I am a big supporter of the annual Race for the Cure.  I am now a 2-year breast cancer survivor.  It’s a club I never wanted to join, but now that I’m in it, I’m doing whatever I can to keep other women (and men too) from having to join.

teamdianne1Breast cancer will strike one in 8 women in her lifetime.  My great-grandmother died of breast cancer in 1929, at the age of 48, the same age that I was when I got my diagnosis.  Luckily for me, in the 80 years since my great-grandmother died, thousands of people have put time and money into education and finding a cure.  I see it as my duty to pay that forward so that future generations don’t have to live in the shadow of this terrible disease.

This year, for the 3rd year, I have formed Team Dianne Crusades for a Cure.  I would like to invite you to join me on September 20th, 2009 at Waterfront Park in downtown Portland for the 19th annual Race for the Cure.  $5 of every entry fee goes to the Susan Komen Foundation.  The money is used to help women pay for mammograms, get financial aid and counseling for treatment, and to educate and to raise awareness.  Last year, even with the money raised, there were 40,000 women in Oregon and SW Washington who should have had mammograms and didn’t.  75% of the money raised is used right here in our community.  25% goes to the National research effort.

teamdianne2Even more than inviting you to walk with me, I would like to ask you to consider making a donation.  It is such a worthwhile cause.  $77 pays for one un-insured or under-insured woman to get a mammogram.

To join my team or to make a donation, please click here.  Thank you for your support and thank you for allowing me to make this appeal on the propertyblotter.  Now, let’s get back to real estate……

Posted on

Community Gardens and the Bounty of Summer

luscher5Here in Lake Oswego we are blessed with the long, warm days of summer that come on the heals of the misty and rainy days of May and June.  The combination, along with personal commitment to gardening, leads to a rich bounty that is currently at its abundant peak.  I don’t know of a better place to see this, in all of its glory, than at the community garden at Luscher Farm.

Luscher Farm was purchased by the City of Lake Oswego between the years of 1991 and 1999.  It actually consists of 5 properties that when combined have an area of 47.71 acres.  The main farm, Luscher, is considered to be the most intact historic farm in Clackamas County.  Originally used as a dairy farm and for cattle, it was built at the turn of the century.  It is located just outside of the Southeast edge of the city at the corner of Stafford and Rosemont Roads.  It is now a public park that provides both recreation and educational opportunities for learing about farming, gardening, environmental education, and community supported agriculture.  And I am not talking about some hoity-toity experience where you drive up in your SUV and marvel at the cows and the chickens.  I’m talking about you and your family having a plot of land where you can nurture your own harvest and get dirt under your finger nails.

luscher1The community garden is just one part of Luscher Farm, but it is a high-light, for sure.

This year there are 188 garden plots being cultivated by individuals and families.  The plots are assigned by offering them to last year’s gardeners first, in November, and then any remaining plots are offered to the public in December.  The demand for the plots is large, so be in the game early if you want to reserve one for next year.  The prices I’m going to give are what was charged in 2009.  Prices for 2010 have not been determined, so there could be an increase.  But I believe that even with an increase it will still be a bargain.  Prices include access to a tool shed, where they have most anything you could imagine needing, organic fertilizer at the start of the season, and water.  A 10×20 plot is $47 for residents of LO and $52 for non-residents.  A 20×20 plot is $67 for residents of LO and $74 for non-residents.  There are also raised beds for older folks and people with disabilities who might have a hard time bending over to tend their garden.  The raised beds are $37 for residents and $41 for non-residents.  This fee is for the entire season and while you do have to go to your garden to do the watering, it does include the water.  Along with paying your fee, you are required to give 4 hours of your time to volunteer in the garden:  helping to build new plots (the garden gets expanded pretty much every year), weeding and mowing.

luscher2If you are not a returning gardener, but would like to have a garden plot next summer, I recommend that you call the City of Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Department on December 1st to find out the date and time that the plots will be distributed.  In the past they were given out on a first-come-first-served basis and all plots were gone within an hour or two of being offered.  This year they are considering a lottery system, but that decision has not been made.  The phone number for Parks and Recreation at the City of Lake Oswego is 503-697-6500.

Besides the community garden, Luscher Farm has got some other very cool offerings.

The city works in cooperation with Oregon Tilth’s Organic Education Center to operate a demonstration garden that is all about showing people biologically sound urban agriculture.  It teaches about organic gardening and how to grow sustainable food.

luscher7Luscher Farm is also home to the Brewster Rogerson Clematis Collection.  You know clematis?  Those gorgeous vines with the unbelievably huge blossoms?  We have lots of clematis in LO.  Different varieties bloom at different times of the year with some even blooming in winter.  If you like to garden and you live in LO, you probably know about and love clematis.

And then there is the Community Supported Agriculture program.   This program consists of 12 acres that are cultivated and maintained by 47th Avenue Farms .  This is a co-op farming program.   It consists of 12 acres at Luscher Farms that are cultivated with a variety of vegetables for year-around consumption.  These include beets, brocolli, carrots, cauliflower, chard, cilantro, garlic, greens, herbs, kale, leeks, lettuce, onion, parsley, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, scallions, spinach, squash, and swiss chard.  Yum!  The produce is grown for a set number of harvest share holders.  These share holders buy into the bounty, but they also buy into the risk.  A late freeze or unusual storm can damage a crop.  So you become a share holder in the good and the bad.  Looking at the good, it means fresh grown organic produce that is locally sustainable for your palate and luscher6your good health.  In the summer shareholders pick up the bounty of the crops on a weekly basis.  In the late fall through early spring it is less frequent, but it still happens.  I visited the wesite for 47th Avenue Farms and found discriptions of various share options, but no specific pricing.  I would imagine that next year’s membership is still being formulated.  There is a link to a waiting list as well as for e-mailing to get information.  The website is www.47thavefarm.com .

Writing about all of the wealth of summer is making me hungry.  I think it’s time to go and to steam some brocolli!

Posted on

Market Activity Report ~ July 20 – 26 2009

Now we’re cookin’… in more ways than one!  Last week Lake Oswego saw 25 New properties hit the market, while 15 went Pending and 15 Sold.

Here is the latest market activity for Lake Oswego (see below the tables for additional notes):

NEWLY LISTED (July 20—July 26, 2009)

ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
 PROP TYPE
LIST DATE
Address List Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type List Date
7202 SW MONTAUK CIR $99,900 2 1 968 CONDO 7/23/2009
45 EAGLE CREST DR $199,000 3 2 1,348 CONDO 7/20/2009
1889 BOCA RATAN DR $229,900 3 2 1,393 ATTACHD 7/20/2009
4610 LAMONT WAY $299,900 3 2 1,750 DETACHD 7/20/2009
595 6TH ST $349,900 3 2 893 DETACHD 7/23/2009
18407 DEER OAK CIR $365,000 4 2 1,812 DETACHD 7/23/2009
17501 HILL WAY $369,900 3 2 1,694 DETACHD 7/23/2009
1520 LABURNUM WAY $419,000 4 2 1,724 DETACHD 7/23/2009
36 NOVA CT $425,000 4 2.1 2,256 DETACHD 7/25/2009
802 SUNNY HILL DR $429,000 4 2.1 2,508 DETACHD 7/20/2009
5 FALSTAFF ST $430,650 4 2.1 2,433 DETACHD 7/23/2009
14 MONTICELLO DR $434,500 4 2 2,766 DETACHD 7/20/2009
5044 GREENSBOROUGH CT $449,000 4 2.1 2,124 DETACHD 7/25/2009
566 5TH ST $459,000 3 2 2,177 DETACHD 7/20/2009
3355 UPPER DR $470,000 4 2 3,205 DETACHD 7/22/2009
5587 CARMAN DR $519,000 4 3.1 2,617 DETACHD 7/24/2009
24 INDEPENDENCE AVE $549,950 6 3.1 3,561 DETACHD 7/23/2009
14867 TWIN FIR CT $579,000 6 3.1 3,641 DETACHD 7/25/2009
14175 TAYLORS CREST LN $649,900 3 3 3,250 DETACHD 7/23/2009
13504 STREAMSIDE DR $679,000 4 2.1 3,467 DETACHD 7/21/2009
12748 SW 22ND AVE $699,000 3 2.1 3,052 DETACHD 7/22/2009
363 Sixth ST $699,900 3 3.1 2,258 ATTACHD 7/22/2009
135 FURNACE ST $709,900 2 2.1 1,927 CONDO 7/22/2009
1876 PALISADES LAKE CT $779,900 3 2.1 3,178 DETACHD 7/20/2009
5587 CARMAN DR $850,000 4 3.1 2,617 DETACHD 7/24/2009

PENDING SALES (July 20-July 26, 2009)

ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
 PROP TYPE
DOM
Address List Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type CDOM
86 KINGSGATE RD $139,900 2 2 849 CONDO 419
668 MCVEY AVE $249,850 3 1.1 985 CONDO 982
17570 MARDEE AVE $264,900 3 1 1,050 DETACHD 47
805 SW COUNTRY CLUB RD $279,900 3 2 1,981 DETACHD 10
5318 RED LEAF ST $309,950 3 2 1,460 DETACHD 4
705 ELLIS AVE $374,500 3 2.1 1,872 DETACHD 366
20 HOTSPUR ST $425,000 4 2.1 2,456 DETACHD 5
11 CELLINI CT $569,950 5 3 3,392 DETACHD 76
2130 HILLSIDE CT $675,000 5 2.2 3,954 DETACHD 8
17386 BLUE HERON RD $679,000 4 3.1 4,063 DETACHD 796
799 COUNTRY CLUB RD $700,000 6 2.1 4,410 DETACHD 742
645 COUNTRY CLUB RD $769,000 4 2.1 3,262 DETACHD 175
950 OAK TER $999,950 4 2.1 3,714 DETACHD 595
17178 CEDAR RD $1,095,000 5 3.1 4,209 DETACHD 92
2625 SUMMIT DR $1,289,900 4 3.1 4,212 DETACHD 72

SOLD (July 20-July 26, 2009)

ADDRESS ORIG. PRICE SALE PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
 PROP TYPE
DOM
Address O/Price Close Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type CDOM
44 EAGLE CREST DR $165,000 $162,000 3 2 1,085 CONDO 20
3876 BOTTICELLI ST $169,900 $165,000 2 2 1,275 ATTACHD 202
4705 LAKEVIEW BLVD $425,000 $200,000 3 0.1 1,208 DETACHD 143
1897 BOCA RATAN DR $249,480 $221,500 3 2.1 1,739 ATTACHD 77
6025 SW CARMAN DR $299,900 $238,900 3 1.1 1,346 DETACHD 86
4325 COUNTRY WOODS CT $334,900 $285,000 3 2 1,346 DETACHD 40
907 BULLOCK ST $369,950 $313,800 4 2 2,020 DETACHD 125
1695 MEADOWS DR $407,500 $320,000 4 3 2,185 DETACHD 396
15 MASARYK ST $349,900 $349,900 3 3 3,680 DETACHD 131
131 WILBUR ST $450,000 $350,000 2 2 1,312 DETACHD 106
14371 HOLLY SPRINGS RD $414,900 $385,500 4 2.1 1,939 DETACHD 354
762 LAKE FOREST DR $412,125 $412,000 4 3 1,970 DETACHD 9
14232 MEADOW GRASS ST $530,000 $495,000 4 3 2,965 DETACHD 298
17090 FERNWOOD DR $949,900 $730,000 4 3.1 3,998 DETACHD 302
1340 CHERRY LN $1,950,000 $1,200,000 4 4.1 5,795 DETACHD 445

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.

Posted on

Running, Running, and….. Running Jokes : )

Free Clipart Picture of a Happy StarI was going to write this spectacular post on insulation today… but I am too busy with, well… Real Estate!  Nose to the grindstone & all that… but that made me think, Hey! We all need a little time out for laughter, so please accept my modest “jokes” post today.  Happy House Adventures to you all!  (I’ll tell you all about insulation next time : )

Communication styles

How do mathematicians communicate?
Sine language.

How do chiropractors communicate?
Spine language.

How do astrologers communicate?
Star Sign language.

How do naval cadets communicate?
Ensign language.

How do shoe repairmen communicate?
Shine language.

How do real estate closers communicate?
Sign Here and Sign Here and Sign Here and Sign Here and sign… language.

The trouble with owning a home is that no matter where you sit, you’re looking at something you should be doing.

Two women were walking through the woods when a frog called out to them and said: “Help me, ladies! I am a real estate agent who, through a curse, has been transformed into a frog. If one of you will kiss me, I’ll be returned to my former state!”

One woman took out her purse, grabbed the frog, and stuffed it inside her handbag. The other woman said, “Didn’t you hear him? If you kiss him, he’ll turn into a real estate agent!”

The second woman replied, “Sure, but I’m taking him home first… I want to make sure I get my Free Market Analysis!”

A real estate agent was driving around with a new trainee when she spotted a charming little farmhouse with a hand-lettered “For Sale” sign out front.

After politely introducing herself and her associate to the occupant, the agent proceeded from room to room, opening closets and cupboards, testing faucets, and pointing out where a “new light fixture here and a little paint there” would help. Pleased with her demonstration for her new trainee’s benefit, the woman was hopeful that the owner would offer her the listing.

“Ma’am,” the man said, “I appreciate the home-improvement tips and all, but I think you read my sign wrong. It says,  ‘HORSE for sale.’’

Hope you’re smiling!

Posted on

L.O. Weather Information ~ Our Neck of the Woods….

sunOut of state and wondering what you can expect for weather in Lake Oswego after your big move?  Planning your house-hunting trip and wondering what you can expect?   I’ve added a few tidbits of information for you below to help give a better picture of life in Lake Oswego… weather-wise.

My personal experience in Lake Oswego is that July varies from cloudy days here & there to weeks of cobalt blue skies, ranging from a high of 70 degrees to the 90’s. We spend most of the month of  August in the 90’s with some 80’s thrown in here & there and the occasional 100… that’s based on the last few years, and/but the table below lists the “normal” high temps in Lake Oswego in August at 80 degrees. So, we then get into definitions of “normal” : )  Anyway, it came from AccuWeather.com . This site also shows you the pollen index and other helpful data such as yesterday’s weather breakdown:

Normal High: 45°F
Normal Low: 34°F
Normal Average: 40°F
Normal High: 50°F
Normal Low: 36°F
Normal Average: 43°F
Normal High: 56°F
Normal Low: 39°F
Normal Average: 47°F
Normal High: 60°F
Normal Low: 42°F
Normal Average: 51°F
Normal High: 67°F
Normal Low: 47°F
Normal Average: 57°F
Normal High: 72°F
Normal Low: 53°F
Normal Average: 63°F
Normal High: 80°F
Normal Low: 57°F
Normal Average: 68°F
Normal High: 80°F
Normal Low: 58°F
Normal Average: 69°F
Normal High: 75°F
Normal Low: 53°F
Normal Average: 64°F
Normal High: 64°F
Normal Low: 45°F
Normal Average: 55°F
Normal High: 52°F
Normal Low: 40°F
Normal Average: 46°F
Normal High: 45°F
Normal Low: 35°F
Normal Average: 40°F

Now, the Farmers Almanac is ‘Old Faithful’ as far as weather goes.  This link will allow you to look at any date in Portland (they don’t call out Lake Oswego, but hey, it’s close). It will also give you precipitation and pressure data.

If you’d like blow-by-blow information on Lake Oswego weather, WeatherForYou.com will accommodate with detailed forecasts & hour-by-hour breakdowns for the previous 48-hour period.  Then there is detailed morning & evening information for  every day in the forecast at City-Data.com

Most of these sites will challenge you with advertising, but I hope some of them prove helpful prior to your next trip to Lake Oswego.  Remember, if you are heading this way, you can always email Dianne or myself to find out whether you will need to bring your bathing suit or sweater.  It’s the summer home-buying season, and we’re really enjoying working with all of our Property Blotter readers. We look forward to meeting you soon as well.  Gotta run…. houses to show!

Posted on

Observations on Inventory, the S & P Price Index, and Broken Sewers, Oh My!

Today’s editorial post is going to be a bit of a potpouri of information.  There were just so many nice tidbits, I couldn’t seem to pick just one.

Observations On Current Inventory

Last February I ran the break down of the Inventory in Lake Oswego.  At that time there were 418 detached homes for sale.  I think my biggest concern was that of those homes 136 were priced at $1,000,000 or more.  That is a lot of high-end homes.  And that seems to be the slowest part of the market that is selling.  What’s it look like today?  Not much has changed.  While sales have picked up a bit, the number of new listings coming onto the market is keeping the inventory from diminishing.  Here is today’s breakdown:

Homes priced $100,000-$199,000, 1

Homes priced $200,000-$299,000, 19

Homes priced $300,000-$399,000, 46

Homes priced $400,000-$499,000, 54

Homes priced $500,000-$599,000, 51

Homes priced $600,000-$699,000, 38

Homes priced $700,000-$799,000, 35

Homes priced $800,000-$899,000, 30

Homes priced $900,000-$999,000, 31

Homes priced $1,000,000+, 135

That is a total inventory of detached homes of 440 with 135 priced at over $1,000,000.  Probably the most interesting observation that I see is that while we have 22 more homes for sale, the $1,000,000+ is about the same.  Perhaps people listing their homes this spring are being a bit more realistic and not shooting for the million dollar sales price?  At any rate, there are still way more homes over a million than the market activity will support.  In the last six months 10 homes over $1,000,000 have sold and 11 have gone pending.  At this rate, it will take a little over 3 years to sell all of the high-end inventory.

A Glimmer of Hope

The Standard and Poor’s Case-Shiller Home Price Index was recently released.    In the 20-city year-over-year averages the Portland area managed to fair better than most.  The average 12-month loss of home values was 18%, while Portland’s was 16%, the eighth best of the report.  The best fairing market was Denver with a loss of just 4.9%.  The worst was Phoenix with a loss of 35.3% (ouch!)

My personal observation is that things have picked up quite a bit.  My listings are getting lots of showings and also receiving offers.  It could simply be the normal up-tick that happens with spring and summer, but it could also be a bit of much-needed stability.  And even if the market is not necessarily trending up, it does seem to me that it is not getting worse.

Always get a sewer scope!

martha-sewerThis is a photo that you really never want to see, but when this sort of thing happens, it is soooooo much better to have it happen before the sale than after.  This photo was taken of a home that I have currently got in escrow.  The older home was recently remodeled, including a new sewer line from the house to the street.  That should be enough and there’s no need for a sewer scope, right?  NOT!  In the course of the home inspection the buyer did have a sewer scope and a chunk of concrete was found to be blocking  the line.  In the course of the remodel, a stray piece of concrete had somehow found its way into the line.  Who would have known without the sewer scope?  And how irritating would it have been to move into a gorgeous home that was fully remodeled just to have the sewer back up immediately?  This is a good lesson for one and all.  Always get a sewer scope!

LO vs Sellwood

It’s a bit of a habit of mine to compare affordable housing in Lake Oswego vs the popular neighborhood in SE Porltand, Sellwood.  I like to do this for two reasons.  First, I’ve lived in both areas and just have a general curiosity.  Second, I think LO is often overlooked by buyers.  There is just a general assumption that LO is full of million dollar mansions and therefore out of the price range of people seeking an affordable home.  My definition of affordable is $350,000 or less, and I am only comparing detached homes and not including condos.  When I first did this in April of 2008, there were 20 houses in LO and 18 in Sellwood price at $350,000 or less.  Today the number is 44 in LO and 25 is Sellwood.  So not only does Lake Oswego continue to offer more affordable homes than Sellwood, but the number has increased from a difference of 2 more to a difference of 19 more.  In Sellwood the least expensive home currently for sale is 608 square feet, 2 bedrooms and 1 bath, built in 1924.  In Lake Oswego the least expensive home currently for sale is 780 square feet, 2 bedrooms and 1 bath, built in 1944.  So if you are looking for affordable, sure check out SE Portland, but don’t rule out Lake Oswego.  You have options here as well.

I can not let the week go by without wishing everyone a safe and happy 4th of July!