Tag: buying a home in Lake Oswego

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

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

Communication styles

How do mathematicians communicate?
Sine language.

How do chiropractors communicate?
Spine language.

How do astrologers communicate?
Star Sign language.

How do naval cadets communicate?
Ensign language.

How do shoe repairmen communicate?
Shine language.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hope you’re smiling!

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Market Activity for July 13-19, 2009

Last week continued to set a nice summer pace with 29 new listings, 16 pending sales, and 7 closed sales.

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

NEWLY LISTED (July 13—July 19, 2009)

ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
 PROP TYPE
LIST DATE
Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type List Date
47 EAGLE CREST DR $119,900 2 1 932 CONDO 7/16/2009
44 EAGLE CREST DR $139,900 2 1 908 CONDO 7/13/2009
15230 BOONES WAY $164,900 2 2 1,185 CONDO 7/17/2009
141 OSWEGO SMT $169,900 2 2 1,140 CONDO 7/17/2009
4330 COUNTRY WOODS CT $239,900 3 1 1,200 DETACHD 7/13/2009
26 WHEATHERSTONE $265,000 3 2.1 1,692 CONDO 7/15/2009
805 SW COUNTRY CLUB RD $279,900 3 2 1,981 DETACHD 7/13/2009
23 MOUNTAIN CIR $279,900 2 2 1,300 DETACHD 7/18/2009
25 ORIOLE LN 320000 3 2 1,460 DETACHD 7/18/2009
150 KINGSGATE RD 324900 3 2 1,502 DETACHD 7/17/2009
116 TOUCHSTONE TER 350000 3 2.1 1,856 ATTACHD 7/15/2009
10 Oriole LN 369000 2 2 1,654 ATTACHD 7/14/2009
44 ORIOLE LN 379800 3 2.1 2,224 DETACHD 7/15/2009
9 DA VINCI ST 399900 3 2 1,768 DETACHD 7/16/2009
16953 KARA LN 409900 4 2.1 2,614 DETACHD 7/18/2009
20 HOTSPUR ST 425000 4 2.1 2,456 DETACHD 7/17/2009
5807 RIDGETOP CT 479900 4 2.1 2,650 DETACHD 7/19/2009
1921 GLENMORRIE LN 499000 3 3 2,395 DETACHD 7/13/2009
1508 PINE ST 599000 3 2.1 2,300 DETACHD 7/15/2009
20 DA VINCI ST 599900 5 3 3,089 DETACHD 7/15/2009
2130 HILLSIDE CT 675000 5 2.2 3,954 DETACHD 7/13/2009
5831 SUNCREEK DR 685000 4 2.1 2,733 PUD 7/14/2009
108 3RD ST 829000 1 1 975 DETACHD 7/15/2009
106 3RD ST 875000 2 2 1,495 DETACHD 7/16/2009
1151 CHERRY CIR 895000 4 3.1 4,009 DETACHD 7/16/2009
1687 VILLAGE PARK LN 975000 4 3 3,362 DETACHD 7/18/2009
17537 CARDINAL DR 995000 5 4 5,282 DETACHD 7/14/2009
18000 EASTRIDGE LN 2350000 4 5.1 5,554 DETACHD 7/15/2009
14242 BRIDGE CT 2395000 5 3.2 6,139 DETACHD 7/16/2009

PENDING SALES (July 13-July 19, 2009)

ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
 PROP TYPE
DOM

SOLD (July 13-July 19, 2009)

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type List Date CDOM
4 TOUCHSTONE DR $133,500 3 2.1 1,351 CONDO 1/26/2009 170
4 TOUCHSTONE $179,900 3 2.1 1,351 CONDO 6/24/2009 23
4041 JEFFERSON PKWY $210,000 1 1.1 1,041 CONDO 7/1/2009 14
16250 PACIFIC HWY $228,850 2 2 1,311 CONDO 9/24/2007 664
2071 BONNIEBRAE DR $295,000 3 2 1,611 CONDO 7/1/2009 392
1140 HALLINAN CT $339,895 3 2 1,875 DETACHD 6/21/2009 127
15265 BOONES WAY $349,900 2 2.1 1,560 ATTACHD 6/1/2009 46
6310 CARMAN DR $349,900 3 2.2 1,270 DETACHD 6/9/2009 36
12537 27TH PL 369000 4 2.1 2,375 DETACHD 7/2/2009 12
5214 LOWER DR 419900 4 2.1 2,904 DETACHD 3/19/2009 116
13500 TWIN CREEK LN 564900 4 2.1 3,049 DETACHD 5/2/2009 77
22 INDEPENDENCE AVE 699000 7 4.1 4,066 DETACHD 6/21/2009 26
17259 LOWENBERG TER 799000 4 2.1 2,955 DETACHD 6/9/2009 297
2 GROUSE TER 799000 – 850000 4 3 4,446 DETACHD 3/17/2009 119
3973 CHILDS RD 950000 4 3.1 3,861 DETACHD 5/29/2009 49
1933 SUMMIT DR 1675000 5 4.1 4,925 DETACHD 6/18/2009 26
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
44 EAGLE CREST DR $149,500 $130,000 1 1 798 CONDO 122
668 MCVEY AVE $399,850 $365,000 3 1.1 985 CONDO 19
4181 COBB WAY $429,000 $405,000 4 3 2,248 DETACHD 28
815 10TH ST $589,900 $406,500 3 2 2,190 DETACHD 298
2860 DELLWOOD DR $505,000 $500,000 4 2.1 2,966 DETACHD 34
17751 MARYLCREEK DR $719,000 $692,000 4 3 3,505 DETACHD 112
15535 VILLAGE DR $1,195,000 $760,000 5 3 3,421 DETACHD 411

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.

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Lake Oswego Open Houses for July 19th

goldendiningroom2While today I am posting our regular list of the Lake Oswego Open Houses as advertised in the RMLS, I want to take a moment to discuss open houses in general.  Open houses are probably one area in which Realtors really differ on their opinions.  I have known agents who absolutely refuse to do them.  One man in particular had a sign he took to listing appointments that had the words “Open House” with a big red circle and a diagonal line across the words.  He was making it very clear that there was no way he would ever do an open house.   I happen to have the exact opposite opinion.  I happen to think that they work.  Sure, you get the neighbors and the “Lookie Lou’s”, but you also get lots of great exposure to a property that needs to be sold.  I think the key is to advertise the open house so that a good percentage of the people who show up are real buyers who know the price and size of the property before they get there.  I hold homes open pretty much every Sunday.  I believe that on average I sell at least one listing a year off of my open houses.  In fact, I sold a house in Lake Oswego about 3 weeks ago as a result of my open house.  So I think that open houses do have value.

With that in mind, here are the homes that you will find open this Sunday in Lake Oswego.  Please make special note of 4447 Golden Lane, my listing, which I will be holding open from 2 to 5pm.

89 Galen St, $102,500.  1 BR, 1 BTH, 550 square feet, open noon-4

1597 Bonniebrae Dr, $230,000.  2 BR, 1 BTH, 998 square feet, open 1-3

4447 Golden Ln, $239,000.  2 BR, 2.5 BTHS, 1980 square feet, open 2-5

4 Weatherstone, $334,950. 3 BR, 2.5 BTHS, 1692 square feet, open 1-3

13448 61st, $335,000. 3 BR, 3 BTHS, 1911 square feet, open 1-4

17088 Rebecca Ln, $479,000. 4 BR, 3 BTHS, 2554 square feet, open 1:30-3:30

624 Livingood Ln, $534,000. 4 BR, 3 BTHS, 2596 square feet, open 1:30-3:30

11 Morningview Cir, $547,000. 3 BR, 2.5 BTHS, 2921 square feet, open 1-3

535 B Ave, $649,000. 2 BR, 2.5 BTHS, 1691 square feet, open 2-4

580 Weidman Ct, $659,000. 5 BR, 3.5 BTHS, 3952 square feet, open 2-4

220 Greenwood Rd, $749,900. 3 BR, 4 BTHS, 2639 square feet, open 1-3

3270 Lakeview Blvd. $1,275,000. 3 BR, 3 BTHS, 3295 square feet, open 3-5

624 Atwater Rd, $1,338,000. 5 BR, 3.5 BTHS, 4465 square feet, open 12:30-2:30

17642 Upper Cherry Ln, $1,375,000. 3 BR, 3.5 BTHS, 3936 square feet, open 3-5

2811 Arrowhead Ct, $1,399,000. 4 BR, 3.5 BTHS, 3740 square feet, open noon-2

18024 Skyland Cir, $1,699,000. 4 BR, 3 full+2 half BTHS, 4131 sq. feet. open 2-5

I’ll hope to see you on Sunday!

Dianne

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Featured Home in Southwood Park

62nd-parkAre you wanting to enroll your children in the Lake Oswego School District, but are concerned about finding a home that is large enough, that you can also afford?  Look no further.  A home that fits this profile has come onto the market.

Southwood Park

The Southwood Park neighborhood is actually an area of unincorporated Clackamas County.  It is just North of Westlake and just West of Mountain Park.  The street boundaries are Kruse Ridge Dr to the North, Sierra Vista/Twin Creek to the East, Pamela to the South and I-5 to the West.  At the South end is Southwood Park, a City of Lake Oswego Park with 2.5 acres of woods and grassy open areas.

Because it is an unincorporated part of Clackamas County, it tends to have lower property taxes.  But because it is in the Lake Oswego School District, it is highly desirable and popular for all manner of families.  One important note:  not all houses in Southwood Park are in the LO School District.  At the North end some homes are in the Portland School District.  So be sure to confirm the school attendance for the home you are interested in.

You should also be aware that it has extremely easy access to I-5, Hwy 217 and the Kruse Way business community.  It is also close enough to Portland Community College Sylvania Campus that the school can be accessed via trails on foot or on bike.

As for real estate, when I think of Southwood Park, I think of great value for the dollar that you spend.  An excellent example of this is in today’s Featured Property:  13638 SW 62nd.

62nd-front2Featured Home

This new listing has 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths.  With2268 square feet, it also has a formal living room and 2 family rooms, all of which have either got a wood burning fireplace or a wood stove.  The roof was replaced in 1998 with a 50-year metal roof.  The windows were replaced in 2003, the deck in 2007, and the gutters in 2008.  This summer the house has been totally repainted both inside and out.  The lot is about 7000 square feet and is extremely private with mature landscaping.  It sits just a short distance from Southwood Park.

I have confirmed that this home is located within the Lake Oswego School District.  The elementary school is Oak Creek, the junior high is Lake Oswego Junior High School, and the high school is Lake Oswego High School.

Think about all of that space with lots of bedrooms and plenty of living areas.  That’s a nice big house that could easily house 4 to 6 people.  And the list price is just $319,900!  It is just a great home for the money.  Please let me know if you have any interest in further information.  I’d be happy to send you a copy of the listing or to arrange for you to see the interior.   E-mail me at jdgregoire@earthlink.net .

If you’d like to do a drive through the neighborhood, feel free to take a swing past this house.  From Kruse Way in Lake Oswego go North on Westlake Dr.  Turn West on Southwood Dr and then left again on SW 62nd.  The house is all the way down the street, on your left, near the park:  13638 SW 62nd Ave.

Happy house hunting,

Dianne

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Lake Oswego Market Activity Report ~ July 6 – 12, 2009

Activity in all price ranges holds steady with 35 New properties placed on the market, Pending sales at 12 and 9 Sold/closed.

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

NEWLY LISTED (July 6—July 12, 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
15938 QUARRY RD $139,900 2 1 991 CONDO 7/6/2009
86 KINGSGATE RD $139,900 2 2 849 CONDO 7/7/2009
4000 CARMAN DR $162,500 2 2 836 CONDO 7/8/2009
48 EAGLE CREST DR $175,000 2 2 1,443 CONDO 7/7/2009
4000 CARMAN DR $181,900 2 2 1,100 CONDO 7/10/2009
562 S STATE ST $184,000 1 1 778 CONDO 7/6/2009
82 OSWEGO SMT $220,000 2 2 1,212 CONDO 7/8/2009
655 HEMLOCK ST $314,900 3 1.1 1,352 DETACHD 7/12/2009
16200 PACIFIC HWY $329,698 2 2 1,200 CONDO 7/6/2009
105 KINGSGATE RD $348,000 2 2 1,500 DETACHD 7/7/2009
17650 ARBOR LN $369,500 3 3 2,043 DETACHD 7/12/2009
1728 ASPEN CT $375,000 3 2.1 1,852 DETACHD 7/8/2009
534 D AVE $379,900 3 2 1,400 DETACHD 7/8/2009
5845 MCEWAN RD $385,000 3 1 1,824 DETACHD 7/9/2009
1032 LAUREL ST $424,000 4 2 2,384 DETACHD 7/7/2009
4700 LOWER DR $439,900 3 2.1 1,587 DETACHD 7/9/2009
5644 WINDFIELD LOOP $450,000 3 3 1,800 DETACHD 7/6/2009
3225 TEMPEST DR $469,000 3 2.1 2,231 DETACHD 7/6/2009
386 LIVINGOOD LN $469,900 4 3 2,480 DETACHD 7/8/2009
18893 INDIAN SPRINGS CIR $519,900 5 3 2,841 DETACHD 7/6/2009
13 WINDSOR CT $523,900 3 2 2,212 DETACHD 7/9/2009
4787 WILDWOOD ST $544,500 5 3 3,081 DETACHD 7/11/2009
4949 MULHOLLAND DR $550,000 2 2.1 2,403 ATTACHD 7/6/2009
95 D AVE $608,500 3 2 1,809 DETACHD 7/9/2009
725 10TH ST $619,900 4 2 2,000 DETACHD 7/10/2009
13460 SNOWBERRY CT $649,999 3 2.1 3,327 DETACHD 7/8/2009
712 LAKE FOREST DR $695,000 3 2 1,640 DETACHD 7/7/2009
799 COUNTRY CLUB RD $700,000 6 2.1 4,410 DETACHD 7/8/2009
17332 Lake Haven DR $749,000 4 2 2,484 DETACHD 7/12/2009
462 9TH ST $769,950 3 2 2,016 DETACHD 7/10/2009
13825 MELROSE PL $825,000 5 4.1 4,757 DETACHD 7/12/2009
12439 SW 22ND AVE $998,800 4 3.1 4,118 DETACHD 7/6/2009
639 CARRERA LN $1,195,000 5 3.1 4,305 DETACHD 7/11/2009
4063 CANAL WOODS CT $1,199,900 4 3.1 4,563 DETACHD 7/11/2009
3109 DOUGLAS CIR $1,250,000 3 2.1 3,386 DETACHD 7/7/2009

PENDING SALES (July 6-July 12, 2009)

ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
 PROP TYPE
DOM
Address List Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type CDOM
4 TOUCHSTONE DR $153,900 3 2.1 1,350 CONDO 121
212 RIDGEWAY RD $204,900 1 1 778 CONDO 24
12822 BOONES FERRY RD $234,900 2 2.1 1,136 CONDO 25
668 MCVEY AVE $399,850 3 1.1 985 CONDO 19
14412 MEADOW GRASS ST $500,000 4 2.1 3,563 DETACHD 412
2161 HILLSIDE CT $519,900 4 3 3,347 DETACHD 46
14121 GABRIELLE CT $624,900 4 2.1 3,006 DETACHD 23
691 G AVE $639,000 4 2.1 2,791 DETACHD 10
17212 CHAPIN WAY $850,000 3 2.1 2,541 DETACHD 113
17251 CEDAR RD $899,900 3 3.1 3,175 DETACHD 637
943 SW ATWATER RD $975,000 4 2.1 3,874 DETACHD 331
2200 PRESTWICK RD $1,095,000 4 2.1 3,356 DETACHD 450

SOLD (July 6-July 12, 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
45 EAGLE CREST DR $119,900 $115,000 1 1 600 CONDO 94
4 TOUCHSTONE $134,900 $132,000 3 2.1 1,350 CONDO 0
45 EAGLE CREST DR $134,900 $133,650 2 1.1 1,056 CONDO 6
18929 TERRY AVE $374,950 $355,000 4 2 2,065 DETACHD 44
147 6TH ST $425,000 $419,900 3 1 1,584 DETACHD 11
2 PIMLICO TER $479,900 $470,000 4 2.1 2,301 DETACHD 21
17141 WALL ST $619,000 $582,000 4 3 3,540 DETACHD 354
1699 VILLAGE PARK LN $675,000 $610,000 3 2.2 2,936 DETACHD 44
4076 Orchard DR $719,000 $700,000 4 3.1 3,991 DETACHD 34

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.

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Lake Oswego Open Houses ~ Sunday, July 12, 2009

We’ve got 31 properties to see in Lake Oswego this Sunday. Interesting breakdown- roughly speaking (I rounded ‘up’ where obviously indicated), there are 3 from 300,000. to $400,000.,  3 over $400,000. to $500,000., 8 over $500,000. to $600,000.,  5 over $600,000. to $800,000., 2  over $800,000. to $900,000., and a whopping 10 at one million & up.

Who knows… you might find “the one” you’ve been looking for… Wouldn’t that be great! Give us a call if you do! (That is if you do not already have a Realtor : )

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

343 5th St. 31 $299,999  2 Bd, 1  Ba Open 1-3

1140 Hallinan Ct $339,895  3 Bd, 2  Ba Open 12:30-2:30

14431 Orchard Springs Rd. $399,900 4 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 1-4

3 Cellini Ct  $429,000 4 Bd, 2  1/2 Ba Open 1:30-3:30

41 Hillshire Dr.   $472,500 4 Bd, 3 Ba Open 1:30-3:30

16439 Lexington Ct.  $474,900 2 Bd,  2 Ba Open 12-2

624 Livingood Ln.  $534,000 4 Bd, 3 Ba Open 1-3

11 Morningview Cir  $547,000 3 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 1-3

11 Cellini Ct. $569,950 5 Bd 3 Ba Open 2-4

4040 Virginia Way $574,900 4 Bd, 2  1/2 Ba Open 2-4

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

4691 Chelsea Ln $579,000 4 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 1-3

5709 Charles Cir.  $593,500 4 Bd, 2  1/2 Ba Open 1-3

475 10th St.  $593,950 4 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 2-4

725 10th St.  $619,900 4 Bd, 2 Ba Open 1-4

22 Independence Ave. $699,000 7 Bd, 4  1/2 Ba Open 12-2

14136 Heathrow Ln.  $734,000 4 Bd, 2 1/2Ba Open 12-2

5218 Westfield Ct.  $765,000 3 Bd, 2  1/2 Ba Open 2-4

2886 Upper Dr.  $797,000 3 Bd, 2 Ba Open 1-3

3030 Westview Ct. $879,000 4 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 2:30-4

511 6th St.  $896,950 5 Bd, 3 1/2 Ba Open 12-2

1015 Andrews Rd.  $999,900 4 Bd, 3 Ba Open 1-4

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

18110 Siena Dr.  $1,394,000  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

2811 Arrowhead Ct.  $1,399,000  4 Bd, 3  1/2 Ba Open 3-5

16737 Maple Cir  $1,400,000  3 Bd, 3 Ba Open 12-2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Market Activity for June 29th to July 5th, 2009

Even with the long, holiday weekend, last week’s real estate activity in Lake Oswego was fairly strong. There were 17 new listings, 7 pending sales, and 14 closed sales.

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

NEWLY LISTED (June 29—July 5, 2009)

ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
 PROP TYPE
LIST DATE
Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type List Date
45 CRESTFIELD CT $145,000 2 1 923 CONDO 7/3/2009
45 EAGLE CREST DR $224,000 3 2 1,348 CONDO 7/4/2009
1597 BONNIEBRAE DR $230,000 2 1 998 CONDO 7/1/2009
16600 BRYANT RD $249,900 3 2 1,877 DETACHD 7/1/2009
5064 FOOTHILLS DR $255,900 3 2 1,252 CONDO 7/3/2009
4090 WESTBAY RD $299,900 2 1 917 DETACHD 7/3/2009
12537 27TH PL $369,000 4 2.1 2,375 DETACHD 7/2/2009
17650 ARBOR LN $379,900 3 3 2,043 DETACHD 7/1/2009
28 PREAKNESS CT $435,000 5 4 2,871 DETACHD 7/2/2009
5709 CHARLES CIR $593,500 4 2.1 3,380 DETACHD 7/3/2009
725 10TH ST $619,900 4 2 2,000 DETACHD 7/3/2009
691 G AVE $639,000 3 2.1 2,775 DETACHD 7/1/2009
117 FURNACE ST $695,000 2 2.1 1,885 CONDO 7/3/2009
5218 WESTFIELD CT $765,000 3 2.1 3,083 DETACHD 7/3/2009
163 IRON MOUNTAIN BLVD $799,000 3 1.1 1,968 DETACHD 6/29/2009
1225 LAKE GARDEN CT $1,150,000 4 3.2 3,558 DETACHD 7/1/2009
1972 CHERYL CT $2,900,000 5 4.1 7,400 DETACHD 7/2/2009

PENDING SALES (June 29-July 5, 2009)

ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
TOT. BEDS
TOT. BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
 PROP TYPE
DOM
Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type CDOM
750 1ST ST $189,900 2 2 1,350 CONDO 173
1897 BOCA RATAN DR $214,100 3 2.1 1,739 ATTACHD 77
6025 SW CARMAN DR $229,900 3 1.1 1,346 DETACHD 86
16501 LAKE FOREST BLVD $299,900 3 1 1,429 DETACHD 52
4959 BILFORD LN $519,000 3 2.1 2,456 DETACHD 45
14232 MEADOW GRASS ST $530,000 4 3 2,965 DETACHD 298
3155 DOUGLAS CIR $999,000 5 3.2 4,517 DETACHD 385

SOLD (June 29-July 5, 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
4000 CARMAN DR $189,900 $130,000 2 2 925 CONDO 699
83 OSWEGO SMT $191,500 $179,000 2 2 1,140 CONDO 280
668 MCVEY AVE $229,900 $199,900 2 1 852 CONDO 765
200 Burnham RD $320,000 $205,850 2 2 1,313 CONDO 682
152 RIDGEWAY RD $449,500 $225,000 2 1.1 1,794 CONDO 766
1602 BONNIEBRAE DR $240,000 $230,000 2 1 864 ATTACHD 256
103 KINGSGATE RD $319,000 $282,000 3 2.1 1,352 DETACHD 56
18791 INDIAN CREEK WAY $439,900 $413,500 3 2 1,965 DETACHD 63
4070 WESTBAY RD 449996 418040 3 2 1,828 DETACHD 33
17825 SARAH HILL LN 464900 471100 4 2.1 2,525 DETACHD 5
1245 BAYBERRY RD 639000 510000 3 2 1,728 DETACHD 342
12424 SW 22ND AVE $1,350,000 745000 5 4.1 4,771 DETACHD 331
5513 RACHEL LN $989,000 749500 4 2.1 3,149 DETACHD 435
18025 SKYLAND CIR $1,749,000 1200000 4 3.2 5,379 DETACHD 249

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.

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Open Houses for July 5th, 2009

Along with enjoying hot dogs, sparklers, and Old Glory this weekend, there are 6 houses being held open on the day after the 4th of July:

668 McVey Ave., $399,850.  985 sq. feet, 3 BR, 1.5 BTHS, open 1-3

11 Morningview Circle, $547,000. 2921 sq. feet, 3 BR, 2.5 BTHS, open 1-3

624 Livingood Ln., $549,000.  2596 sq. feet, 4 BR, 3 BTHS, open 1:30-3:30

26 Westridge Dr., $549,900.  2862 sq. feet, 4 BR, 3 BTHS, open 1-3

475 10th St., $593,950.  2932 sq. feet, 4 BR, 2.5 BTHS, open noon-2

511 6th St., $896,950. 4000 sq. feet, 5 BR, 3.5 BTHS, open noon-2

Have a safe and happy 4th of July.  Remember there will be a fireworks display over the lake at about 10pm.  There is great viewing from the many streets that surround the lake, from the Lakeview Swim Park, and even from surrounding hillsides.  Enjoy!

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

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

Observations On Current Inventory

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Homes priced $1,000,000+, 135

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

A Glimmer of Hope

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

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

Always get a sewer scope!

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

LO vs Sellwood

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

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