The RMLS is currently showing 20 homes that will be held open this Sunday in Lake Oswego. I will be at two of them. I will be holding open 13638 SW 62nd from 11-1:30 and 4447 Golden Lane from 2-4.
If 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.
Breast 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.
Even 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……
Here 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.
The 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.
If 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.
Luscher 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 your 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!
Last week Lake Oswego saw 15 New properties hit the market, while 12 went Pending and 9 Sold.
Of the 9 that sold, 7 were under $500,000. 7 of the 12 Pending sales were also priced under $500,000. While, of the 15 coming on the market fresh, 5 are priced under $500,000.
Here is the latest market activity for Lake Oswego (see below the tables for additional notes):
NEWLY LISTED (August 3—August 9, 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
4749 FIRWOOD RD
$229,900
3
1.1
1,440
DETACHD
8/4/2009
6137 CHILDS RD
$240,000
3
1
946
DETACHD
8/7/2009
5424 WASHINGTON CT
$299,900
2
1
1,296
DETACHD
8/6/2009
3290 WEMBLEY PARK RD
$309,900
5
3
2,614
DETACHD
8/5/2009
8 BUCKINGHAM TER
$465,000
4
2.1
3,186
DETACHD
8/7/2009
676 9TH ST
$525,000
2
1
1,850
DETACHD
8/6/2009
644 7TH ST
$530,000
3
2.1
1,658
DETACHD
8/7/2009
1570 WOODLAND TER
$569,500
3
2.1
2,212
DETACHD
8/3/2009
17479 BROOKHURST DR
$699,000
4
2.1
3,551
DETACHD
8/6/2009
4380 UPPER DR
$784,900
4
4.1
4,071
DETACHD
8/5/2009
16705 GLENWOOD CT
$799,000
4
3
4,243
DETACHD
8/9/2009
5459 WESTFIELD CT
$875,000
5
3.1
3,670
DETACHD
8/3/2009
1920 GLENMORRIE DR
$995,000
3
3.1
4,284
DETACHD
8/7/2009
3136 DOUGLAS CIR
$1,125,000
4
3.1
4,022
DETACHD
8/5/2009
1101 Crestline CT
$3,995,000
4
4.3
7,226
DETACHD
8/7/2009
PENDING SALES (August 3-August 9, 2009)
ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
DOM
Address
List Price
# Beds
# Baths
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
45 EAGLE CREST DR
$139,900
1
1
768
CONDO
78
23 MOUNTAIN CIR
$285,000
2
2
1,300
DETACHD
17
4090 WESTBAY RD
$299,900
2
1
917
DETACHD
34
17860 Sundown CT
$310,000
4
3.1
3,480
DETACHD
136
13024 ROGERS RD
$369,900
4
1
1,826
DETACHD
83
802 SUNNY HILL DR
$429,000
4
2.1
2,508
DETACHD
16
5807 RIDGETOP CT
$479,900
4
2.1
2,650
DETACHD
15
6 NORTHVIEW CT
$500,000
4
3.1
3,188
ATTACHD
115
745 4TH ST
$500,000
3
2
2,662
DETACHD
206
20 DA VINCI ST
$599,900
5
3
3,089
DETACHD
25
4305 UPPER DR
$749,000
4
2.1
3,474
DETACHD
78
16359 CHAPIN WAY
$1,289,000
4
3.1
4,158
DETACHD
404
SOLD (August 3-August 9, 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
82 GREENRIDGE CT
$249,900
$218,000
3
2.1
2,868
CONDO
79
2071 BONNIEBRAE DR
$295,000
$279,900
3
2
1,611
CONDO
392
15265 BOONES WAY
$349,900
$338,500
2
2.1
1,560
ATTACHD
46
108 RIDGEWAY RD
$499,000
$379,000
3
1
1,468
DETACHD
112
16919 LAKERIDGE DR
$425,000
$400,000
4
3
2,710
DETACHD
295
2802 GREENTREE RD
$449,500
$449,500
3
2.1
2,280
DETACHD
3
15195 LILY BAY CT
$524,900
$730,000
4
2.1
4,099
DETACHD
163
320 CHANDLER PL
$1,900,000
$1,800,000
5
3.1
4,675
DETACHD
38
2793 POPLAR WAY
$2,395,000
$1,825,000
5
5.1
6,300
DETACHD
1290
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.
So…. you’re moving, or getting ready to sell, or in the middle of a home inspection on either end of the transaction. One of the myriad things that may cross your path is the issue of insulation. Some homes have it, some don’t. Some have it in the walls but nowhere else, some have it in the floors and ceilings. A lot depends on the era of the home and whether and how much updating has been done. If you are selling your home and your home has insulation, say underneath, that has been damaged (squirrels, etc), you may be asked to repair or replace it. If you have an older home with blown-in insulation in the attic, you may want to know what the material consists of. If you are buying a home without insulation in the walls, you may be wanting to add some after the purchase is complete. Here are some hopefully helpful tidbits on insulation:
Insulation is one of the lowest-cost options for improving energy efficiency (saving money : ) You can reduce your heating and cooling needs by up to 30% just by investing a few hundred dollars in insulation and weatherization products.
Should you insulate your home? Well, only 20% of homes built before 1980 are said to be well insulated, so you may want to investigate whether yours fits into this category.
How does insulation work? Heat moves naturally from a warmer to a cooler space. So, in winter, it is trying to move to the outdoors through walls, ceilings, floors etc. In the summer, the hot air outside is trying to make it indoors.
Insulation comes in a variety of forms: in blankets, in batts, bagged & pour-ready, and “blown-in” material.
An important consideration when choosing a form of insulation is flammability. Keep insulation at least 3 inches from light fixture wiring and other heat-producing equipment unless it is marked “IC” allowing for direct insulation contact.
Insulation is made of either:
“Mineral Wool” (which includes rock & fibrous glass). These can be blown-in or purchased in blankets or batts with foil or paper vapor barrier. Rock Wool can also be purchased in bagged form. *This material is inherently non-flammable, but the products that have paper vapor barrier attached may be flammable.
“Plastic Foam Resin” (made of polystyrene, polyurethane, or urea formaldehyde). It can be purchased in sheets or bolts, or a contractor may spray the foam in place. *These products are generally not ‘Fire-Proof”, but check to find out whether the product you are using is “Flame Retardant”, “Flame Resistant” or neither. Also ask about the ignition temperature… depending on the area in which you live, and other factors, some products, when approaching high ignition temperatures, can emit toxic gases. Additionally, polystyrene and polyurethane cannot be used safely unless enclosed in a flame and heat-resistant material such as gypsum board.
“Cellulose Insulation” (made of finely ground cellulose such as recycled newspaper). This can be blown in place. *Flame-retardant chemicals are usually added to reduce flammability. One thing to ask about is the type of chemical that may be part of this product as the use, for instance, of too much sulfate can cause potential corrosion of pipes and other metal material.
(NOTE: Bottom line, talk to your contractor or supplier to discuss which type of insulation is right for your home in whatever location and for whatever use you are employing it. This is ONLY meant as a primer to give you a better understanding of your options.)
The US Dept of Energy (DOE) measures insulation in R-Values, which are different for different areas of the country, and dependent on weather & temperature variations etc. Here is a link that will take you to a map allowing you to find your particular area & check the recommended R-Values: http://www.naima.org/pages/resources/library/pdf/BI487.PDF
When using fiberglass insulation remember that “looser is better”. Tightly packed fiberglass reduces the R-Value.
Do not block vents with insulation.
Use high density insulation such as rigid foam boards on areas such as cathedral ceilings and exterior walls.
Contrary to popular belief, when installing fiberglass insulation under the flooring in a crawlspace, you attach the paper or foil vapor barrier toward the heated area, not YOU. Secure with rope or wire. Also, remember to insulate piping and ducting if you are opting for insulating under the floor. (NOTE: Consult your contractor or supplier as there are different ways of insulating a crawlspace depending on whether it is vented or un-vented.)
When installing this fiberglass insulation w/backing in walls under construction you will again face the backing material toward the heated space… so this time it will be facing YOU.
When insulating walls in already-built homes lacking it, you will again want to consult with a contractor as there are varying opinions about whether to blow in insulation or not. Should you decide to do this, it is generally done through holes punched in the walls from the exterior of the home, and obviously is the material is blowin-in insulation of the kind you and your contractor have agreed-upon.
It is amazing how much energy can be saved by insulating around doors and windows (Having energy-efficient doors and windows also obviously helps too). Usually you are using a foam insulation here that can be applied directly into any cracks & openings.
I hope this information has proven helpful to you in your individual situation. Obviously this is a large subject, and so maybe we’ll cover some specific issues in the future. Feel free to comment and add your own information, and/or request information directly relating to your needs.
Last week was really interesting as far as market activity. We had 20 new listings and 21 pending sales. I think that’s the first week that I’ve seen in months where we actually had more houses sold than houses coming onto the market. Also interesting is that key box activity was down. This means that fewer key boxes were being opened. As you are probably aware, we had a heat wave with pretty much every day over 90 and several in a row over 100. So people were not out in large numbers getting into houses, but those who did were serious buyers and making offers. We had 13 closed sales.
Here is the latest market activity for Lake Oswego (see below the tables for additional notes):
NEWLY LISTED (July 27—August 2, 2009)
ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
LIST DATE
Address
List Price
# BR
# BHTS
Total SF
Prop Type
List Date
100 KERR PKWY
$91,800
1
1
671
CONDO
7/31/2009
48 EAGLE CREST DR
$248,900
3
2
1,623
CONDO
7/28/2009
18231 TERRY AVE
$399,900
3
2
1,764
DETACHD
7/31/2009
13045 PRINCETON CT
$449,000
3
2.1
2,900
DETACHD
7/26/2009
13821 REGENCY CT
$450,000
4
2.1
2,139
DETACHD
7/31/2009
18410 DEERBRUSH AVE
$495,000
4
2.1
2,217
DETACHD
7/27/2009
4673 Lakeview ST
$499,000
3
2.1
1,900
DETACHD
7/31/2009
4018 COHO LN
$539,000
3
2
2,489
DETACHD
7/31/2009
149 DEL PRADO ST
585000
4
3.1
3,266
DETACHD
7/30/2009
18116 PIONEER CT
589900
5
3
3,500
DETACHD
8/1/2009
1970 GREENTREE RD
624900
4
3
2,428
DETACHD
7/30/2009
844 5TH ST
849900
3
3
2,590
DETACHD
7/28/2009
17606 WOODHURST PL
850000
5
3.1
4,488
DETACHD
7/27/2009
18360 DELENKA LN
898000
4
3.1
4,346
DETACHD
7/30/2009
4211 CHAD DR
949000
5
3.1
3,937
DETACHD
7/29/2009
737 COUNTRY CLUB RD
1095000
4
2.1
3,100
DETACHD
7/31/2009
1560 COUNTRY COMMONS LN
1099000
4
3.5
4,638
DETACHD
7/30/2009
17677 WESTVIEW DR
1423000
5
4.1
5,031
DETACHD
7/27/2009
16764 ALDER CIR
1679000
4
4.1
3,456
DETACHD
7/30/2009
1790 SKYLAND DR
1695000
5
4.1
6,033
DETACHD
7/29/2009
PENDING SALES (July 27-August 2, 2009)
ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
DOM
Address
Close Price
List Price
# BR
# BTHS
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
15210 BOONES WAY
$170,000
2
2
1,185
CONDO
50
12844 BOONES FERRY RD
$229,900
2
2.1
1,136
CONDO
135
1889 BOCA RATAN DR
$229,900
3
2
1,393
ATTACHD
7
16651 LAKE FOREST BLVD
$257,900
3
1
1,230
DETACHD
184
68 TOUCHSTONE
$299,000
5
4.1
3,148
DETACHD
104
655 HEMLOCK ST
$314,900
3
1.1
1,352
DETACHD
16
800 WOODWAY CT
$325,000
4
3
2,066
DETACHD
107
1307 CEDAR ST
$350,000
4
3
2,054
DETACHD
253
17501 HILL WAY
369900
3
2
1,694
DETACHD
6
6109 SUMMER WOODS
390000
4
2.1
2,331
DETACHD
254
2802 GREENTREE RD
449500
3
2.1
2,280
DETACHD
3
16439 LEXINGTON CT
474900
2
2
1,563
DETACHD
49
101 3RD ST
474900
3
2
1,447
CONDO
376
686 SUNNY HILL DR
569500
4
2.1
2,300
DETACHD
67
5568 KODERRA AVE
599000
4
2.1
3,072
DETACHD
196
14135 EDENBERRY DR
775000
4
2.1
3,174
DETACHD
98
755 6TH ST
1185000
4
3.1
3,973
DETACHD
639
3270 LAKEVIEW BLVD
1275000
3
3
3,295
DETACHD
147
14062 Goodall RD
1419000
4
3.1
4,220
DETACHD
404
13770 CAMEO CT
1998000
4
5.1
6,669
DETACHD
198
890 LAKESHORE RD
2275000
3
3.1
3,200
DETACHD
0
SOLD (July 27-August 2, 2009)
ADDRESS
ORIG. PRICE
SALE PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
DOM
Address
O/Price
Close Price
# BR
# BTHS
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
100 SW KERR PKWY
$97,900
$96,000
1
1
617
CONDO
70
86 KINGSGATE RD
$139,900
$169,900
2
2
849
CONDO
419
47 EAGLE CREST DR
$137,500
$135,200
2
1
932
CONDO
52
668 MCVEY AVE
$383,500
$200,000
3
1.1
985
CONDO
982
5063 Foothills DR
$259,000
$225,000
2
2
1,031
CONDO
213
4366 WOODSIDE CIR
$349,000
$309,000
3
2.1
1,762
ATTACHD
97
17280 WESTVIEW DR
$399,900
$340,000
3
2.1
2,324
DETACHD
31
4959 BILFORD LN
$547,500
$499,900
3
2.1
2,456
DETACHD
45
4114 GLACIER LILY ST
$559,000
515000
4
2.1
2,470
DETACHD
65
17215 LOWENBERG TER
$850,000
804000
4
2.1
2,819
DETACHD
550
14067 GOODALL RD
$1,249,000
950000
4
3.1
3,784
DETACHD
759
975 LAKE FRONT RD
$2,100,000
1500000
3
3
3,232
DETACHD
293
1915 SW CHILDS RD
$2,199,000
1500000
5
5.2
5,689
DETACHD
397
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.
This Sunday there are currently 25 houses scheduled in the RMLS to be held open, including my listing at 13638 SW 62nd in Southwood Park. It’s a big, family home with 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and 2 family rooms for just $319,900. Yes, it does need some cosmetic updating, but it has a newer 50 year roof, new windows, and new paint in and out. I’ll be there from noon to 3pm. I’d love to have you stop by. Look for my signs on Westlake Dr and Southwood Dr and follow them in to SW 62nd.
Here are the open houses scheduled for this Sunday:
It’s going to be another beautiful summer weekend. Come on out and see some houses, and please don’t forget to come and see me at open house on SW 62nd.
The last 12 months have been a pretty rough time to be selling a home. Your home may have even been on the market for a period of time longer than you ever thought possible. But now you’ve gotten a good offer that you have accepted. This is a key time in any home sale. You must now get your home to pass the home inspection. I want to give you a list of 10 simple repairs you can do to prepare your home as well as a few things to do on the day of the inspection.
10 simple repairs to do before the home inspection:
1. Prune vegetation away from the house.
2. Clean the gutters.
3. Replace or clean any dirty furnace filters.
4. Install missing covers on electrical switches, outlets, and junction boxes.
5. Replace all smoke alarms installed before January 1, 2002 to comply with current standards.
6. Replace burned out light bulbs.
7. Pull soil 6″ away from the siding, basement windows, foundation vents, and decks.
8. Install 6mil. black, plastic vapor barrier in the crawlspace over exposed soil.
9. Install earthquake straps on the water heater.
10. Repair leaking faucets.
On the day of the inspection:
1. Remove any belongings that block access to the furnace, water heater, electrical panel, attic and crawl spaces so the inspector may get to these areas.
2. Verify the gas, water, and electricity are on, even in vacant homes.
3. Make sure all gas pilot lights are lit.
4. Make sure that all appliances normally operated by you can be tested as needed.
It is normal to feel a bit stressed when your home is inspected, but you can greatly increase a positive outcome on the inspection if you do a little prior planning. And a good home inspection directly affects your ability to maximize the proceeds that you will receive from the sale of your home. It is worth the time, effort, and a few dollars that it takes to get your home ready.
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.
If 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.
Breast 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.
Even 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.
Here 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.
The community garden is just one part of Luscher Farm, but it is a high-light, for sure.
If 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.
Luscher Farm is also home to the 
your 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 
So…. you’re moving, or getting ready to sell, or in the middle of a home inspection on either end of the transaction. One of the myriad things that may cross your path is the issue of insulation. Some homes have it, some don’t. Some have it in the walls but nowhere else, some have it in the floors and ceilings. A lot depends on the era of the home and whether and how much updating has been done. If you are selling your home and your home has insulation, say underneath, that has been damaged (squirrels, etc), you may be asked to repair or replace it. If you have an older home with blown-in insulation in the attic, you may want to know what the material consists of. If you are buying a home without insulation in the walls, you may be wanting to add some after the purchase is complete. Here are some hopefully helpful tidbits on insulation:
This Sunday there are currently 25 houses scheduled in the RMLS to be held open, including my listing at 13638 SW 62nd in Southwood Park. It’s a big, family home with 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and 2 family rooms for just $319,900. Yes, it does need some cosmetic updating, but it has a newer 50 year roof, new windows, and new paint in and out. I’ll be there from noon to 3pm. I’d love to have you stop by. Look for my signs on Westlake Dr and Southwood Dr and follow them in to SW 62nd.
The last 12 months have been a pretty rough time to be selling a home. Your home may have even been on the market for a period of time longer than you ever thought possible. But now you’ve gotten a good offer that you have accepted. This is a key time in any home sale. You must now get your home to pass the home inspection. I want to give you a list of 10 simple repairs you can do to prepare your home as well as a few things to do on the day of the inspection.