General Archives - Page 40 of 43

June 10, 2009June 10, 2009

Green Water (ing)

perennial Though you wouldn’t know it today to look out my window (cloudy & some drizzle), it is summer, sunbeams have been out in force, and temps have been shooting up along with the plants in our yards and gardens. Some of this has to do with the heat, and some has to do with the fact that we are watering things while there is heat. At this time of year, and especially during a recession, we all need a refresher course on watering, and Lake Oswego is only too happy to oblige!

7dees2 Water conservation experts from the Regional Water Providers Consortium (RWPC) are visiting Lake Oswego for a session with local residents where they plan to hand out free water gauges and lots of good tips for water-efficient landscaping and maintenance. This event will be held this Saturday, June 13th, at Dennis’ 7 Dees Garden Center, 1090 McVey Ave., from 10 AM to 2 PM.

The Consortium has an amazing website that reminds me how much there grass4 is to learn. I remember thinking, when I was much younger and of course knew much more than I do today (or thought I did), that being a native of Southern California (Hey… No ribbing… I’ve been here since 1978!) , I had a very hard time believing that there was truly any need to conserve water in Oregon… I mean come on! With all the rainfall, the huge river running through town, the snowy mountain peaks dribbling water through Portland all year long… How was I supposed to believe that we actually needed to pay much attention at all to water consumption? Well, in recent years we have all learned how integral our activities are to maintaining the living environment we so cherish and want to hand to our children. There really are limits to what nature can provide us in our current numbers & given the constraints of our infrastructure. Then, there is that money thing… Practical tips for saving money while saving water? I’m all ears!
Among the vast array of uselful material to be found at the RWPC site are the following good pieces of information:

Use Mulch! It is important to know what kind to use however: –Organic Mulches (aged manure, bark chips, wood chips) and compost material will significantly decrease the amount of water you will need for plant health. Specifically, the addition of as little as 5% organic material can quadruple your soil’s ability to store water, decreasing the watering needed. – Inorganic mulches like stones, concrete and gravel can be great for creating landscape patterns etc., but also “re-radiate” the sun’s heat and cause an increase in the amount of water needed to care for surrounding plants.
Create Watering Zones – These would be areas of your property wherein similar types of plants reside hopefully having similar watering requirements. (Lawn areas, rose garden, annual garden, perennial garden etc) This way you avoid the “one system fits all” mentality and the over-watering that results for some garden areas.
Adjust Watering Schedules Frequently – As the temperatures shift during the summer, you will want to adjust your watering schedules accordingly.
Managed Stress in the Landscape – There are all sorts of seemingly complicated formulas to help you determine how much to water a lawn at any given temperature. The RWPC site simplifies this information and helps you understand the “Stressing” concept, which basically means watering as little as possible forcing lawns to use their natural coping mechanisms and give you a green lawn all summer without the heavy over-watering that is so prevalent.
Water Plants Thoroughly but Infrequently – This causes roots to go deeper and therefore be more drought resistant/require less watering.
Water When Temps are Cooler – Preferably before 10:00AM or after 6:00PM.
Use Drip Irrigation Where Possible – Large water droplets close to the ground are much more efficient than sprinkler systems which lose a lot of water to evaporation.
Don’t Water in the Rain – Use rain sensors and gauges to eliminate unnecessary automatic watering when it is raining.

May 16, 2009

Lake Oswego Open Houses – Sunday May 17th, 2009

There are 41 great properties to see on Sunday in Lake Oswego. No matter what price level or type of home you are looking for, you will be sure to find some fun options on the list below! Enjoy a beautiful Sunday!

Here are those that will be held open according to RMLS:

100 Kerr Pkwy #35 $97,900 1 Bd, 1 Ba Open 1:30-3:30

45 Eagle Crest Dr #315 $134,900 2 Bd, 1 1/2 Ba Open 1-3

4465 Golden Ln $275,000 2 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 1-4

5094 Galen St $299,999 3 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 1-3

18543 Longfellow Ave $317,500 3 Bd, 1 1/2 Ba Open 2-4

800 Woodway Ct $339,000 4 Bd, 3 Ba Open 2-4

1685 Mapleleaf Rd $365,000 3 Bd, 2 Ba Open 1-4

17311 Ashley Ct $385,000 4 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 12-2

3009 Wembley Park Rd $395,000 3 Bd, 1 1/2 Ba Open 1-3

3 Cellini Ct $449,000 4 Bd 2 1/2 Ba Open 2-4

41 Hillshire Dr $498,500 4 Bd, 3 Ba Open 1:30-3:30

17088 Rebecca Ln $499,000 4 Bd, 3 Ba Open 1:30-3:30

3745 Tempest Dr $499,900 4 Bd, 3 Ba Open 1-3

161 C Ave $524,900 2 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 1-4

17445 Lake Haven Dr $539,900 4 Bd, 3 Ba Open 1-4

624 Livingood Ln $549,000 4 Bd, 3 Ba Open 1-4

4114 Glacier Lily St $579,000 4 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 12-2

16920 Greentree Ave $579,000 4 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 1-3

400 Lake Bay Ct $579,900 3 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 1-3

952 A Ave $599,000 3 Bd, 2 Ba Open 1-3

364 Northshore Rd $674,900 4 Bd, 2 Ba Open 1-3

580 Weidman Ct $695,000 5 Bd, 3 1/2 Ba Open 1-3

13768 Knaus Rd $699,000 3 Bd, 2 Ba Open 1:30-3

4076 Orchard Dr $719,000 4 Bd, 3 1/2 Ba Open 2-4

2688 Rivendell Rd $835,000 4 Bd, 3 Ba Open 1-3

511 6th St $928,950 5 Bd, 3 1/2 Ba Open 2:30-4:30

17211 Blue Heron Rd $939,900 3 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 3-5

1785 Palisades Terrace Dr $960,000 5 Bd, 4 1/2 Ba Open 1-3

17878 Hillside Dr $970,000 5 Bd, 3 Ba Open 1-4

301 Iron Mountain Blvd $999,000 4 Bd, 3 1/2 Ba Open 1-3

943 SW Atwater Rd $999,500 4 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 1-3

577 Middlecrest Rd $1,045,000 4 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 1-3

17512 Greenbluff Dr $1,074,900 4 Bd, 4 Ba Open 1-4

18106 Pilkington Rd $1,095,000 4 Bd, 4 1/2 Ba Open 12-2

17464 Ridgeview Ln $1,298,950 4 Bd, 3 1/2 Ba Open 2-4

622 Oak Meadow Dr $1,325,000 4 Bd 3 1/2 Ba Open 2-4

664 Oak Meadow Dr $1,355,000 4 Bd, 3 1/2 Ba Open 2-4

657 Oak Meadow Dr $1,395,000 4 Bd, 3 1/2 Ba Open 2-4

17364 Ridgeview Ct $1,425,000 4 Bd, 3 1/2 Ba Open 2-4

17433 Ridgeview Ln $1,495,000 4 Bd, 4 1/2 Ba Open 2-4

17554 Greenbluff Dr $1,499,900 4 Bd, 4 & 2 1/2 Ba Open 1-4

April 30, 2009

Condos, Town Homes, HOA’s, Oh My!

townhome When looking for a new home and desiring easy care and potential community amenities such as pool, larger grounds, meeting space etc (without the responsibility of upkeep), most people will consider either a condo or a town home. Most also aren’t necessarily familiar with several relative factors important to the selection process, so I thought I’d highlight just a few for you here.

First of all, there is a difference between a condo and a town home ~

Let’s start with condos: A condo (condominium) is a kind of home ownership wherein the purchaser owns the air space inside the unit and joint interest in the common areas, typically the grounds, parking lot, any structures and amenities such as swimming pool, meeting rooms etc. Condo owners belong to an HOA (homeowners association) and pay dues for common expenses such as insurance and maintenance of common areas.

Townhomes are what we call “attached” homes, considered not free-standing and usually containing two or more stories. A purchaser owns the structure and the land on which it sits, and like a condo, generally joint interest in the common areas . Often with town homes you will have a small backyard or patio area which is in excess of what many condos provide, so gardeners or pet owners often find this more attractive. As in condo ownership, the town home owner typically pays monthly dues for upkeep of common areas and other amenities. It is wise to check into the insurance setup of on HOA to find out if it is supplied and therefore included in the monthly dues, or whether the town home purchaser needs to secure their own hazard insurance on the property.

Generally speaking, condos and town homes are attractive for more reasons than just low maintenance and the amenities they afford. They usually are priced well below what one would pay for a similar detached single family residence… or “house”. One thing to give attention to however, is finding out how much the HOA dues are, and what they cover. Does the HOA offer parking? water & sewer? trash collection? cable TV? Take these things into consideration and ask yourself how positively you are offset financially (or not) by being free of these normal expenses of home ownership.

Another thing to take into consideration is the solvency and efficiency of the HOA. I have listed condos and town homes and experienced neighbors in surrounding HOA’s visiting on Open House days, exploring the option of getting out of their own nearby complexes! This is reportedly due to the perception of either oppressive or mis-managed HOA’s. I’ve heard stories of frequently raised dues, extreme restrictions, and just plain inattentiveness… while the HOA next door treats its members with appreciation and service. Bottom line- check out the HOA:

Call & obtain copies of at least the two most recent board meeting minutes,
Obtain financial statements,
Take a look at the Bylaws and Regulations,
Find out how much the HOA has in reserves so you have an idea of whether they are in need of maintenance funds,
Talk to a few neighbors and get a feel for their level of satisfaction ,
Find out whether you might or might not be able to rent your unit out in the future if you so choose,
Ask how many units are in the complex, and how many are allowed to be rental units,
Does the HOA allow gardening in the back patio area?
Are there any restrictions that will impact your lifestyle?
Determine if there are any lawsuits anticipated or pending,
Ask whether there are any big improvement projects planned which will require capital infusion (i.e. significant dues increases).

Condos and town homes are wonderful options for home ownership, and can be a great place to start as first time buyers, as well as a fantastic way to downsize once the kids are gone. Talk to your Realtor about what makes sense for you, and be sure to get all the facts!

April 1, 2009

Celebrating Trees in Lake Oswego

It was a year or so ago, I think, that I wrote a piece on Lake Oswego and its love affair with trees. I included all manner of information on laws in Lake Oswego limiting tree removal etc. This love of trees is a large part of what makes Lake Oswego so beautiful, and so, like the rain, we take the good with the bad and appreciate the end results of being showered with tree legislation.

Did you know that Oregon is the only state to reserve the entire first week of April as Arbor Week?

Here are some events this week and next giving all of us tree-hugging Lake Oswegans (and others who would like to join in) opportunities to celebrate… what else… trees!

Stewardship Event

Saturday, April 4th – 10:00AM – 1:00PM

Location: George Rogers Park

This is an opportunity to learn more about Lake Oswego’s natural restoration efforts as well as participate in them! You’ll learn proper techniques, and tools & snacks are provided. Plant over 500 native plants while removing invasive species, making way for future plantings and for natives to re-establish themselves.

Heritage Tree Ceremony

Monday, April 6th – 3:00PM

Location: Lang Farm, 195 South Rosemont Road

Celebrate the city’s newest Heritage Trees. There will be a ceremony featuring a giant sequoia and a ponderosa pine that have been standing tall over the rolling & changing landscape for many decades. If these trees could only talk!

Arbor Art Show Opening

Thursday, April 9th – 6:30 – 8:30PM

Location: Lake Oswego Public Library

Enjoy local the work of talented local artists displaying their tree-themed art!

Great Oregon Tree Plant and “Tree City USA” Ceremony

Friday, April 10th – 4:00PM

Location: Stevens Meadows

Witness the planting of a ceremonial Oregon white oak, brought to you by the City of Lake Oswego and the Lake Grove Garden Club as part of the larger statewide effort aiming to inspire 150 tree-planting events in celebration of Oregon’s 150th birthday. There will be a presentation of Lake Oswego’s Tree City USA award from the Oregon Department of Forestry.

For more information, you may call Lori Summers, Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator, at 503 675 2543.

March 25, 2009March 25, 2009

Tryon Creek State Park

tryon-sign1 Located along Lake Oswego’s Northern boundary is Tryon Creek State Park. It consists of over 600 acres of natural areas. There are trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and a paved trail that is designed to be user friendly for people with disabilities. It is a gem in the metro area and it is at our back door.

I have been hiking in the park for years. The trails are varied enough that you can do a short excursion of under a mile or stretch it out to be several miles long. While hiking in the park last Sunday, I was impressed with the condition of the trails. Oregon lottery money has been infused into the maintenance of the park and is easily evident in the well maintained paths and bridges.

tryon-creek Bridges are necessary because the park is layed out around a canyon that contains a natural watershed. The creek at the bottom is one of the few remaining creeks in the area with an active run of steelhead trout.

The history of the park goes back to an early pioneer, Socrates Hotchkiss Tryon (gotta love that name!). He established the first land claim which was sold in the late 19th Century to the Oregon Iron company for $7000. The Oregon Iron Company logged the canyon to provide fuel for the iron foundry in Lake Oswego. Logging continued off and on until 1961.

tryon-path People locally began to appreciate the value of the natural area and the Friends of Tryon Creek was formed in 1969 to work toward preserving the area in its natural state.

In 1970 a land developer obtained an option on the property to develop it into homesites. This set off a firestorm of volunteer support. In just 3 weeks time 325 volunteers raised $27,000 as the first step in saving the park. Efforts continued throughout the year and on October 26th of that same year, Governor Tom McCall announced the formation of Tryon Creek Park. The state then purchased 600+ acres for nearly $3,000,000. The park was dedicated in 1975.

Today visitors come to the park to enjoy the trails and the nature center. There are classes for children as well as for adults. There is an annual art display called Natural Cycles: Art in the Forest. And then there is the Trillium Festival.

tryon-trillium A discussion about Tryon Creek State Park would not be complete without the subject of the native trillium. Trillium Ovatum are a wildflower that grow in the undisturbed shadows of the forest. They are a member of the lily family and bloom in March. They start out white and turn pink as they age. They are a very delicate plant. As a child I recall my grandmother telling me “don’t pick the trillium”. This is because if you pick a the flower, it takes the plant 7 years to recover and to bloom again.

The Trillium Festival is held annually when the forest is in full bloom. It includes a plant sale where you can purchase trillium to put into your own garden. This year’s festival is April 4-6.

Admission to the park is free.

This park is so close to Lake Oswego that it is easily enjoyed. There are trails directly into the park from both the First Addition and Forest Highlands neighborhoods.

March 19, 2009

It’s Spring Break! Where Teens Go in LO…

Lake Oswego is known far & wide for its family-friendly environment and involved citizenry. The schools here are excellent, there are clubs and outlets for all kinds of interests, and of course a myriad of programs for kids of all ages. I wanted to take a moment to highlight a terrific resource called the “McKenzie Lounge for Teens”.

The McKenzie Lounge is located in the West End Building at 4101 Kruse Way. The Youth Action Council, YAC, and other generous donors have made sure that it is packed with the kinds of things teens find inviting, including: a pool table, foosball table, ping pong table, TV’s, couches, comfy chairs, bean bag chairs, video games, refreshments and plenty more. It was designed specifically for teens by Janet Bocci, as well as YAC and parks and recreation staff members.

According to the city’s website, drop-in hours are 6-9PM Monday thru Friday for all teens ages 12-18 who want to come and hang out with friends and/or meet new ones. After school it is open to Jr. High teens from 3-6PM for the After School Program. Since its inception in the Fall of 2007, it has hosted over 3,000 visitors, not including special events like Java Jam, LakeFest and others (figures as of November 2008). The Lounge is also the magnet meeting place for all teen groups such as YAC, the JavaJam Planning Committee, The After School Activity Program (ASAP) and clubs from both high schools including Ping Pong Club and Reflections.

The best thing about the McKenzie Lounge however, is that teens actually report enjoying it! For instance, during the election, the Lounge hosted a series of “Debate ’08” nights featuring the Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates, opportunities for lively discussion, as well as food and extra credits from social studies teachers. The debate series attendance reportedly totaled 115 students, drop-in attendance is reportedly growing by 25% every three months, and teens have been quoted as saying that the McKenzie Lounge ranks right up there with Taco Bell and the video game store as cool hang-out choices.

With Spring Break upon us, upcoming activities include March Madness games and March’s Java Jam featuring two musical guests and YAC’s “Project Runway” contest.

In addition to the ongoing happenings at McKenzie Lounge, Lake Oswego offers more fun teen activities this Spring Break including: Ski and Snowboard Camp at Timberline Ski Resort, Glow-In-The-Dark-Bowling, Rock Climbing and a Portland Lumberjacks field trip. Check out the city’s website (link above) for more information!

March 9, 2009

Market Activity Update – March 2nd – 8th, 2009

Lake Oswego saw 13 new properties hit the market last week (these are properties that are brand new on the market -or- have been off the market for a minimum of 30 days). There were actually 27 properties showing “new” on RMLS in Lake Oswego and as you can see, only 13 of them were truly new listings. We had 3 go pending, and 4 that closed.

There are all told, 300 residential properties for sale in Lake Owego on RMLS right now ranging from $76,500. to $19,500,000.

Now that we are into Daylight Savings Time, and are seeing the first hints that Spring is on the way, market activity typically begins to increase. There are many reasons for this, but the beautiful flowering of trees and gardens we’ll see shortly, teasers of sunny stretches (that make us think it is Summer already!), and of course the perception of longer days are not to be underestimated… I call these “human factors”. But then, all home buying and selling is based on human factors. Speaking of which… Is there a change you have been wanting to make in your life through buying and/or selling a home? If so, we would of course be happy to serve you in making your dreams a reality. Feel free to call or email anytime… We love hearing from our local and out-of-state readers, and enjoy meeting you and getting you settled in Lake Oswego!

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

NEWLY LISTED (March 2—March 8, 2009)

Address	List Price	# Beds	# Baths	Tot. SF	Prop Type	List Date
44 EAGLE CREST DR	$124,950	1	1	798	CONDO	3/4/2009
86 KINGSGATE RD	$161,000	2	2	840	CONDO	3/2/2009
48 EAGLE CREST DR	$208,000	2	2	1,489	CONDO	3/8/2009
197 OSWEGO SMT	$264,197	2	2	1,383	CONDO	3/3/2009
605 Ash ST	$279,900	3	2	1,528	DETACHD	3/4/2009
2001 BONNIEBRAE DR	$299,000	3	2.1	1,819	ATTACHD	3/2/2009
1140 HALLINAN CT	$339,895	3	2	1,875	DETACHD	3/8/2009
5785 SW CARMAN DR	$364,800	3	1.1	1,934	DETACHD	3/4/2009
907 BULLOCK ST	$369,950	4	2	2,020	DETACHD	3/4/2009
5675 CHILDS RD	$419,000	2	2.1	1,644	DETACHD	3/5/2009
2838 GREENTREE RD	$429,950	4	2.1	1,781	DETACHD	3/3/2009
550 MIDDLECREST RD	$749,900	3	2.1	2,240	DETACHD	3/4/2009
100 3RD ST	$2,495,000	3	3.1	3,600	DETACHD	3/2/2009

PENDING SALES (March 2—March 8, 2009)

Address	List Price	# Beds	# Baths	Tot. SF	Prop Type	CDOM
5063 FOOTHILLS DR	$230,000	2	2	991	CONDO	8
3190 DUNCAN DR	$289,900	3	2.1	2,401	DETACHD	80
1265 ROCKINGHORSE LN	$444,000	4	3	2,402	DETACHD	237

SOLD (March 2—March 8, 2009)

Address	O/Price	Close Price	# Beds	# Baths	Tot. SF	Prop Type	CDOM
136 OSWEGO SMT	$142,000	$140,000	1	1	764	CONDO	10
3433 MCNARY PARKWAY	$189,900	$167,000	2	2.1	1,208	CONDO	105
95 KINGSGATE RD	$325,000	$314,500	3	2.1	1,669	DETACHD	51
353 ASH ST	$409,900	$409,000	3	3.1	2,765	DETACHD	96

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. CDOM stands for cumulative days on market, which includes any re-listing and measures from the initial listing date.

March 4, 2009March 4, 2009

Real Estate “No No’s”

A while back Dianne wrote a post on the Realtors Code of Ethics. I loved that post because I don’t think most people are aware of all the standards to which Realtors are held. It really is great to be in a profession where we are mandated to treat each other and the general public with respect. That mandate then becomes a part of our culture. I notice it in the conversations I have with other Realtors. There definitely is a flavor of deliberate respect that is not always the experience for most of us in the day-to-day “non-real estate” wider world of affairs.

I read something in the recent REALTOR magazine published by the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors (PMAR), and written by Jo Becker of the Fair Housing Council of Oregon on subject matter along the same lines that made me think you’d find it interesting. This is regarding words Realtors may and may not use in promoting properties, and the overall guidelines of the Fair Housing Act.

HUD is the federal regulatory body with the power to enforce the Fair Housing Act. Generally speaking, the Fair Housing Act is in place to ensure that discrimination and something called “steering”, among other things, do not inhibit peoples’ right to live wherever the heck they want and are qualified to. It is also set up to ensure that the public receives information about housing that is fair and as free as possible of inaccurate and/or unduly influencing or discriminatory language. “Steering” is essentially trying to influence buyers to live in, or not live in, certain areas based on something other than the buyers’ own parameters for what they want in a new home & neighborhood. Basically, a Realtor is to supply a buyer with options for potential homes based on the information a buyer supplies to the Realtor regarding their wants & needs. A Realtor will often refer a buyer in the overall Portland area to this website: www.PortlandMaps.com where the buyer can enter the address of any property and view all kinds of facts on a property including statistical, demographic and crime information. Buyers are ultimately choosing a home that fits their particular needs, and Realtors are there to assist with service, information and real estate expertise.

The Fair Housing Council of Oregon’s website states plainly:

The Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO) is a civil rights organization with a mission of eliminating housing discrimination through enforcement and education across Oregon and southwest Washington.

We promote equal access to housing by providing education, outreach, technical assistance, and enforcement opportunities specifically related to federal, state, and local fair housing laws. These laws protect against illegal housing discrimination based on “protected class status.”

The federally protected classes are:
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status and disability

There are additional state and local protected classes.

When a Realtor enters listing information into RMLS, it is scanned for potential “no no’s” that are most always either unintentional or erroneous, i.e., as the article I mention elaborates- the RMLS program may highlight the word “white” for the Realtor’s attention when it is only being used as a description for a picket fence etc. A real human at RMLS who understands context always reviews these issues, according to the article. There is no “list” of unnacceptable words as many people believe. It’s all about intention, and about upholding our highest societal values… as well as the law. Some terms can seem to be either benign or on the edge but for their context, for instance, the term “Walk-In Closet” is commonly understood to describe a well-known feature in many homes. As long as the Realtor is not trying to imply a limit on access to someone who is not ambulatory this term is not a problem. “View Property” falls into the same category as long as no one is limiting access to the “view property” to sighted individuals only. The same goes for “Mother-In-Law Suite” and “Bachelor Apartment” according to the article. Where it can become trickier is with words like “near”. Often a house will be described as “Near shopping, transit” etc., which is OK. What is not OK, due to implications that certain people may or may not be welcome in that neighborhood, are things like: “Near ABC Mosque” or “Close to the XYZ Church” or “Near the LMN Jewish Community Center”. It is also not considered proper to refer to specific schools due to the potential for using this technique to promote some schools over others for the same kinds of reasons. It is generally considered all right to refer to school districts as long as this is done consistently throughout a Realtor’s listings.

The article refers to a few blatantly illegal and discriminatory statements that have evidently actually been published on a popular local online service. These are obviously examples of absolute “no no’s” and you will not see these or anything like them on RMLS:

“No minorities”,
“African Americans and Arabians tend to clash with me so that won’t work out”,
“Ladies, please rent from me”,
“Requirements: Clean, Godly Christian Male”,
“Will allow only single occupancy”,
“No children”,
“Christians only”.

These are all clear violations of the Fair Housing Act. Fair Housing Act laws apply in newspapers, flyers, yard signs, verbal statements, and online advertising among other instances & places.

For questions about Fair Housing Laws visit: www.FHCO.org

or call: 503 223 8197 or 1-800 424 3247.

February 18, 2009February 18, 2009

What’s Your Sense of Style?

englishjpg

When searching for properties on RMLS, you will first be asked to specify the type of property you are interested in finding. The main property categories include:

Attached- This refers to a townhome which is usually 2-story, part of an HOA, and includes ownership of the lot as well as the structure.
Condo- This refers to a dwelling in an HOA, wherein ownership includes the individual unit together with an undivided interest in common with all unit owners in the “common elements”, which are the land and those parts of the building or buildings intended for common use. Condo ownership is of the interior of the structure, and exterior maintenance is provided by the HOA.
Detached Single Family- This refers to a house on its own lot. Ownership is of the house, inside and out, and the lot itself. Technically, ownership extends up into the atmosphere as well!

When you choose one or more properties for more detailed information, the “style” of the detached homes will be included. Indicating a description of the style of a home for a Realtor is more of an art than a science. This is because a home will potentially contain elements of one style, and also elements of another, particularly if there has been any remodeling of the structure.

I thought it might be fun to give some detail on the characteristics of house styles, and want to thank Judie Teal who contributed data and photographs to RMLS, which RMLS is allowing me to mine and use for your informational pleasure.

There are many, many house styles from which to choose. Here are some significant ones applicable to the larger Portland area:

2-Story: Two-level home with main entrance on lower level. (Photo)

Ranch: Long, low, rambling single-story with simple construction, usually a large picture window in front and an attached garage.

Daylight Ranch: Rambling home with a lower level basement that is partially above ground.

Split-Level: Two-story home split at the entry with one set of stairs going up and another going to the lower level. The entry is not considered a “floor” or story. (Photo)

Tri-Level (NOT to be confused with Split-Level): Usually a ranch style home with a full story added on one end… so, three full floors.

Bungalow: One to one & 1/2 story w/gabled roof & porch across front.

Cottage: Gabled roof line, but lower than the bungalow style, sash windows, and a plain front door. Front porch is either very small or non-existent.

Contemporary: Simple, Uncluttered lines with a non-traditional design. (Photo)

Craftsman: Home has a low pitched gabled roof with wide eaves and exposed rafters. One or two story with a decorative brace and full front porch. Inside there is usually an array of built-in wood cabinetry, often with glass & leaded glass features. (Photo)

Colonial: Two-story home with a steeply pitched roof, small casement windows, and often columns across the front.

Dutch Colonial: This variation has a gambrel or mansard roof and often a side wing. (Photo)

English: Steeply pitched roof, prominent cross gables and tall windows sometimes half-timbered. (Photo at top of post)

Tudor: Similar to the English home, with steeply pitched roof, low doors, small-paned windows and decorative half-timbering. (Photo)

Victorian: Two stories with steep gables, ornate wood detail, Gothic style windows (pointed top), and brackets under eaves. Some also boast turrets.

A-frame: One or two story with peaked, high pitched roof line in the shape of an “A”.

Chalet: A rustic style home featuring projected roofs, large windows and raised foundation. (Photo)

Georgian: A formal square box-like structure with a hipped roof, decorative crown or pediment over the front door with columns on each side, and/or cornice mouldings. (Photo)

Saltbox: Distinctive sloping roof line from the top of the gable which can plunge from 2 and 1/2 stories in the front too a single story in the rear.

Farmhouse: Simple, uncomplicated 2-story construction with a front porch, and sometimes wrap-around porch. (Photo)

Old Portland (Four Square): Very Distinctive style popular in the early 20th century. Large & square two to two & 1/2 story with low hipped roof and deep overhang, large central dormer, full porch w/wide stairs. (Photo)

There are many more styles, but again, these represent the bulk of what you’ll find in the Portland area.

January 28, 2009

Lake Oswego Hunt

lohunt Lake Oswego is home to a very unique and beautiful facility, Lake Oswego Hunt. The Lake Oswego Hunt is an equestrian training program and a riding school for children and adults of all ages. Unlike many facilities that focus on one discipline, Lake Oswego Hunt works with Combined Training, Dressage, and Hunter/Jumper. So if you have a love for horses, and you want to have access to horses in your life, there is a way to do that here in Lake Oswego.

While I love the beauty of horses, and have ridden horses on a couple of occassions, what I love about Lake Oswego Hunt is the gorgeous arena and barn. As you drive along Iron Mountain Blvd. you can not help but notice the beautiful white barn and fences tucked into 19 acres of meadow at the base of Iron Mountain. It is just extremely picturesque.

Built in 1936, the indoor arena is the largest and oldest bow-truss structure West of the Mississippi. It is 90′ x 220′. When you look up at the roof from inside you can not help but be struck by the barrel vaulting. There are cathedrals in Europe with similar ceilings. This one just happens to be made out of wood. In 1987 this unique structure was recognized with a listing on the National Registry of Historic Places. There is currently a very active effort being made to preserve and to restore the building. A Historic Preservation Committee has been formed that is hard at work to keep this facility in good repair.

horsestalls When I stopped in to visit the Lake Oswego Hunt, besides the beautiful arena and barn, I was also struck by the warmth and friendliness of the people that I met. Everyone was gracious and welcoming. I was very taken with the attitude that this is a place that wants to be a part of our community. They made it very clear that they love to have people come in and that they are happy to give you a tour. Along with a calendar of events that includes horse shows and parties, there are occassional open houses that invite the general public to come and see what is happening at Lake Oswego Hunt. The next open house is scheduled for February 7th, from 9am to 5pm.

There are a couple of ways to be a part of Lake Oswego Hunt. You can join as a full member and have the ability to board your horse and have full access to the club room and all of the facility. You can also join on a social membership to enjoy the horse shows and be a part of the social programs that include brunches and parties. Finally, the riding school is open to the public.

I have a love for old buildings and architecture. I think that Lake Oswego Hunt is a facility that is deserving of our support. If you’ve never visited, stop by. I think you’ll be impressed by what you see. If you’d like more information, you can visit the Lake Oswego Hunt website by clicking here.