General – Page 40 – Property Blotter

July 23, 2009

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

Free Clipart Picture of a Happy Star I 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!

July 8, 2009

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

sun Out 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:

January Normal High: 45°F Normal Low: 34°F Normal Average: 40°F	February Normal High: 50°F Normal Low: 36°F Normal Average: 43°F	March Normal High: 56°F Normal Low: 39°F Normal Average: 47°F	April Normal High: 60°F Normal Low: 42°F Normal Average: 51°F
May Normal High: 67°F Normal Low: 47°F Normal Average: 57°F	June Normal High: 72°F Normal Low: 53°F Normal Average: 63°F	July Normal High: 80°F Normal Low: 57°F Normal Average: 68°F	August Normal High: 80°F Normal Low: 58°F Normal Average: 69°F
September Normal High: 75°F Normal Low: 53°F Normal Average: 64°F	October Normal High: 64°F Normal Low: 45°F Normal Average: 55°F	November Normal High: 52°F Normal Low: 40°F Normal Average: 46°F	December 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!

July 1, 2009July 1, 2009

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-sewer This 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!

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.