buying real estate Archives - Page 134 of 135

February 11, 2009

Observations on Current Inventory

lake-photo A few days ago I spent some time analyzing inventory. I thought I’d share with you some of my observations.

On the day that I did this, February 6, 2009, there were 418 single family, detached, homes for sale in Lake Oswego. Here is the breakdown by price:

$100,000-$199,999 = 3
$200,000-$299,999 = 13
$300,000-$399,999 = 41
$400,000-$499,999 = 48
$500,000-$599,999 = 44
$600,000-$699,999 = 38
$700,000-$799,999 = 28
$800,000-$899,999 = 30
$900,000-$999,999 = 37
$1,000,000+ = 136

If you have been reading the market activity reports on Mondays here at the propertyblotter, you have probably noticed that for the last several months there have been very few properties sold in the million dollar and over price range. In fact, it has been since early December that a sale has closed at that price point. 136 houses priced over a million dollars just seems like a lot of high-end inventory. In all of 2008, 45 houses sold that were priced at a million dollars or greater. At that rate, it will take a little over 3 years for the current inventory to be sold. What does that mean? It means that if you are in the market for a high-end, luxury home, you have lots of houses to choose from and motivated sellers will be making sacrifices to get their properties sold. I think that the sellers who truly have to sell quickly will be dropping prices and making concessions to secure a good sale.

Having said that, you will also have noticed that in this Monday’s market activity report two high-end homes went sale pending: one for $995,000 and one for $1,995,000.

It is very typical that the market is slow during the holidays. Seeing the two pendings this week can be seen as the market gearing up as we approach spring, which is a very active time for sales.

In doing this, I really enjoyed seeing the break down of the numbers in the more affordable price ranges as well. There are quite a few really nice homes that would not require jumbo loan financing. A jumbo loan is $417,000 or greater and typically has a higher interest rate than a conventional loan.

I also have from time to time compared the inventory of homes priced at $350,000 or less in Lake Oswego to the inventory available in Sellwood, a neighborhood in SE Portland. I have done this because I believe that Lake Oswego is often over-looked for affordable housing because of its reputation for million dollar housing. The first time I made the comparison, last April, there were 20 houses for sale in LO and 18 in Sellwood. The next time I did it, last August, there were 28 in LO and 32 in Sellwood. At the time of this current analysis I have found 36 in LO and 27 in Sellwood. So both areas have more houses for sale priced at $350,000 or less than they did 10 months ago, and Lake Oswego continues to be strong in this price range.

The least expensive house for sale in Lake Oswego, that is not a tear-down fixer, is priced at $189,900. It was built in 1955 and has 1320 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath. It’s on a very large lot in Lake Grove.

The most expensive house for sale in Lake Oswego is Jantzen Island. A private island in the lake of 5.5 acres with a 10,000 square foot main house and a 3500 square foot guest house. It’s priced at $19,500,000.

I am curious to see how our inventory changes as we go into the spring. With the current economy it is bound to be slower than normal. If anything, the current economy is increasing the number of homes in the more modest price ranges. And for buyers who want and are able to purchase a high-end home, there is great selection and some great deals to be found.

February 7, 2009

Open Houses for Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009

Ok… no weather predictions from me this time! …Although I hear it’s supposed to be dry & partly cloudy/sunny till the late afternoon on Sunday… Ok, I couldn’t help myself.

There are 25 properties on the Open House list for Sunday. Nearly all of them are detached single family residences. SW 62nd Ave. is a Portland address with Lake Oswego Schools designation.

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

45 Oswego Summit $139,900 1 Bd, 1 Ba Open 1-3

13561 SW 62nd Ave $294,900 3 Bd, 1 1/2 Ba Open 10-11:30

4458 Thunder Vista Ln $319,000 3 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 12-3

820 McVey Ave $335,000 3 Bd, 1 1/2 Ba Open 1- 3

14371 Holly Springs Rd $414,900 4 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 2-4

1651 Larch St $429,000 4 Bd, 3 Ba Open 1-3

15 Masaryk St $429,900 4 Bd, 3 Ba Open 12-3

14431 Orchard Springs Rd$439,900 3 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 2-4

3 Cellini Ct $465,000 4 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 12-3

14498 Camden Ln $469,900 4 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 12-3

5807 Ridgetop Ct $539,900 5 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 1-4

624 Livingood Ln $574,900 3 Bd, 3 Ba Open 1-3

3254 Duncan Dr $599,900 4 Bd, 3 1/2 Ba Open 2-4

17706 Marylbrook Dr $685,000 3 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 1-4

15713 Tara Pl $729,000 4 Bd 2 1/2 Ba Open 12-2

15195 Lily Bay Ct $875,000 4 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 1-4

18051 Kelok Rd $899,000 5 Bd, 3 1/2 Ba Open 1-4

3030 Westview Ct $984,500 3 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 12:30-1:45

1619 Bay View Ln $959,000 5 Bd, 3 1/2 Ba Open 1-3

3600 Southshore Blvd $999,000 3 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 2:30-4:30

943 SW Atwater Rd $1,150,000 4 Bd, 2 1/2 Ba Open 1-4

16359 Chapin Way $1,398,000 4 Bd, 3 1/2 Ba Open 1-4

15905 Oswego Shore Ct $1,590,000 4 Bd, 3 1/2 Ba Open 1-3

1799 SW Atherton Dr $1,595,000 5 Bd, 5 1/2 Ba Open 2-4

2500 Glen Eagles Rd $2,695,000 5 Bd, 4 1/2 Ba Open 1:15-4

February 4, 2009February 4, 2009

No Loans?

You hear it every day: “There are just no loans out there. No one is lending.” Well, I’m here to tell you that this is just not true. While it is true that all lenders have become more restrictive, and the news media asks “Where did all that money go?”, there are still indeed lenders staying focused on moving forward through the morass, and doing good business with qualified home buyers.

I think we all agree that the changes in qualifying standards are good for the community at large, and good for individual buyers. Sometimes it is also helpful to have a program that takes a holistic approach to the individual applicant. There has been a lot of light shed on the downsides of 100% financing, but a buyer in good credit standing with a qualifying debt to income ratio along with other complying factors, first-timer or not, can really benefit from a good 100% program.

I work with a variety of lenders I trust in order to be able to recommend good lending sources to my clients. I say this to make sure you understand I am not recommending any one lender, and encourage any buyer to check out all their options (there are more than you think!). That said, I was struck by the program at KeyBank, as were my cohorts, and thought it worthy of some blog space. I am particularly encouraged when a lender in today’s economic climate makes a point of supporting the local community, and that is what we appear to have here. I’ll give you some details below, and would be happy to point you to a contact person at KeyBank if you’d like more info. As always, if you are working with a Realtor, please do consult them for advice and recommendations on lenders they trust.

OK, here are the main points pertaining to the KeyBank 100% program:

Financing is 100% w/no mortgage insurance
30-year fixed w/no prepayment penalty
620+ credit score
On the job for 2+ years
Primary residence only
Seller contribution allowed to a maximum of 3%
Must have at least $500. in the bank
Must also have one month’s PITI available (this, however, can come as a gift)
Fees are: $395./appraisal, $300./processing, $300./underwriting
Max 42% debt-to-income ratio
If self-employed, must give 2 years’ tax returns
Must have 2 years’ satisfactory rent or mortgage payment history
Rates vary all the time, but today I’m told you’re looking at approx 5.5%
(for more info, email me and I’ll put you in touch w/a rep for KeyBank)

Now, there is another component, and that is geographical area. There are certain areas that have been identified as fitting into the program’s guidelines. To find out if a property you are interested in fits the guidelines, enter an address here: http://www.ffiec.gov/Geocode/default.aspx

Granted, in order to meet the guidelines in Lake Oswego, you are probably looking at homes in lower price ranges and/or condos in order to qualify. If a property of interest does not fit into the geographic guidelines, you can still take advantage of this program, but would most likely need to have an income of less than $52,000. according to the KeyBank rep. with whom I spoke. This is a great program for first time buyers or those wishing to purchase a condo or starter home in Lake Oswego!

I hope this info was helpful. Please do feel free to contact me with any questions. There are still lots of programs out there with several lenders suited to those who meet credit and debt to income standards that vary with each institution.

Very Best,

Linda

February 2, 2009

Market Activity for January 26 thru February 1, 2009

Last week’s market activity appears to be falling in line with the painfully slow, but still happening, increase in real estate activity that normally occurs in late January and early February. There were 16 new listings, 5 pending sales, and 3 closed sales.

NEWLY LISTED (January 26, 2009 – February 1, 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
44 EAGLE CREST DR			$114,950	1	1	798	CONDO	1/29/2009
4 TOUCHSTONE DR			$141,750	3	2.1	1,351	CONDO	1/26/2009
205 CERVANTES			$164,900	2	2.1	1,216	CONDO	1/27/2009
16651 LAKE FOREST BLVD			$287,900	2	1	1,230	DETACHD	1/27/2009
1684 BOCA RATAN DR			$314,900	3	2	1,611	ATTACHD	1/30/2009
16 PARTRIDGE LN			$418,900	3	2.1	2,304	DETACHD	1/30/2009
668 MCVEY AVE			$460,000	3	1.1	992	CONDO	1/28/2009
340 8TH ST			$575,000	3	2	1,992	DETACHD	1/26/2009
5535 BAY CREEK DR			580000	4	2.1	2,328	DETACHD	1/29/2009
4941 HASTINGS DR			589000	4	2.1	2,530	DETACHD	1/29/2009
17154 LOWENBERG TER			849900	5	3.1	3,350	DETACHD	1/29/2009
17281 LOWENBERG TER			849900	4	3.1	3,035	DETACHD	1/29/2009
17110 LOWENBERG TER			850000	4	2.1	2,678	DETACHD	1/26/2009
645 COUNTRY CLUB RD			899000	4	2.1	3,262	DETACHD	1/26/2009
17364 RIDGEVIEW CT			1425000	4	3.1	4,436	DETACHD	1/30/2009
112 NORTHSHORE CIR			2850000	4	4.2	3,558	DETACHD	1/26/2009

PENDING SALES (January 26, 2009 – February 1, 2009)

ADDRESS	LIST PRICE	TOT. BEDS	TOT. BATHS	TOT. SQ FT	PROP TYPE	DOM
Address			List Price	#BR	#BTHS	Total SF	Prop Type	CDOM
3433 MCNARY PARKWAY			$184,500	2	2.1	1,208	CONDO	105
2071 BONNIEBRAE DR			$314,995	3	2	1,611	ATTACHD	226
353 ASH ST			$409,900	3	3.1	2,765	DETACHD	434
12974 KNAUS RD			$450,000	3	3.1	3,792	DETACHD	131
5441 DENTON DR			$599,000	3	2.1	3,331	DETACHD	242

SOLD (January 26, 2009 – February 1, 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
1120 HALLINAN CIR	$365,000	$332,000		3	2	1,600	DETACHD	153
5254 TIMBERGROVE ST	$399,500	$365,000		4	2	1,854	DETACHD	87
17845 HILLSIDE WAY	$628,500	$560,000		5	3	2,820	DETACHD	263

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.

If links to ACTIVE properties do not bring up property information, the listing may no longer be active, but rather expired, cancelled, pending, or sold.

January 30, 2009

Open Houses for the weekend of 1/31-2/1

This being Superbowl Sunday, the list of open houses is fairly short. However, if you are not a football fan, getting out and touring some homes may be just the diversion you are looking for.

On Saturday, January 31st, there are two houses promoted to be open on the RMLS:
17960 Ridge Lake Dr, $669,000, 4 BR, 2.5 BTHS, open 12-2
15713 Tara Place, $729,000, 4 BR, 2.5 BTHS, open 1-3

On Sunday, February 1st, there are four houses promoted to be open on the RMLS:
86 Kingsgate Rd, $169,900, 2 BR, 2 BTHS, open 1-2:30
1650 Fircrest Dr, $399,000, 4 BR, 3 BTHS, open 1-3
745 4th St, $579,000, 3 BR, 2 BTHS, open 12-2
13222 Deerfield Ct, $649,000, 4 BR, 2.5 BTHS, open 1-3

Have a great weekend!

January 28, 2009

Lake Oswego Hunt

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 21, 2009January 21, 2009

Personal Kitchen Experiences – Share Yours!

kitchen_a Tuesday was such a momentous occasion, and many of us took time off from work to watch the inauguration and the rest of the exciting events of the day. In the afternoon I took one of the many photographs I’d shot from the television screen and emailed it with my best wishes to a huge list of family and friends. I called the photo and email “New Day in my Kitchen”.

It occurred to me that many of us spend important moments in our kitchens. Some of our best times with loved ones are spent there, and of course there is a lot of talk lately about those discussions of family budgets etc. occurring around kitchen tables throughout the nation. I took a look around my kitchen, and thought of some of the decisions I’ve made pertaining to it through the years. I also thought about comments from some of my clients lately as we look at homes they are considering.

My kitchen is very large and, as I enjoy entertaining, it is perfect for large or small gatherings and tends to be where the laughter and conversation is always liveliest. In the beginning when I purchased my home, I wanted to “gut” it as it has very 50’s white pine cabinets with that unmistakable “country kitchen” flavor. I like to think of myself as more Mediterranean than “country”, and so made some major modifications along the way to nudge the look that direction. But the cabinets actually grew on me, and now I love them and wouldn’t think of touching them. Other aspects of my kitchen did not win me over however, and so I had some decisions to make.

The counter tops had to go. I chose granite, and/but had to consider a few things as I made that decision. First of all, I decided on granite tile rather than slab. I did this because I had so many projects going on at once throughout the house and granite tile, being more economical than slab, allowed me to accomplish much more on my budget and still have that beautiful gleaming look that I love. In the process though, I had to take practicality into account and consider a few things about granite:

If choosing granite tile, be sure to select product that is cut for minimal grout lines (some are cut in such a way as to necessitate wider grouting between tiles).
Think about the whole kitchen, and how the granite contrasts or matches other elements such as flooring, cabinetry and fixtures. It should all work together.
Know that granite requires careful cleaning and upkeep- You will want to seal, and then re-seal your granite every year or so to protect the integrity of the stone.
Grout between granite tiles needs to be sealed and re-sealed as well as the granite.
If you use lots of lemons in your cooking, know that the acid from citrus can damage your granite severely. My installer informed me that if you left a half- lemon lying upside-down on your granite counters overnight, it would eat a circle into the granite. I have not tried this to prove or disprove what I was told, but suffice it to say that you are now forewarned as was I. You will also want to eliminate citrus cleaners from your collection… and/or tell your cleaning service not to use them.
Remember that, unlike laminates or even stainless steel which are both very popular and good options, things usually break when they hit granite. Now, tile of any kind will cause breakage as well, but with granite you at least generally do not have to worry about it breaking, which can be a problem with regular tile.
Remember that there are other options such as quartz, poured concrete, and man-made granite look-alikes, all with their own charm and benefits. Talk to a qualified professional about your choices as I did.

The next choice for me was flooring. I was absolutely convinced that I wanted travertine in my kitchen. A very nice consultant talked me out of it explaining that it is very slick when wet, requires even more care and upkeep than granite, and can crack when heavy things drop on it. (Me? Drop things?!) Now, I was really hard to convince but I finally gave in. (I did put it in one bathroom however… so I got my travertine “fix”, and also chose rough travertine for my back splash in the kitchen getting some of the Mediterranean feel I was after.) He tried to talk me into the practicality of laminate for flooring, but in the end approved of my selection of porcelain tile. I achieved the Mediterranean look I wanted, and got a durable floor that requires less upkeep. I do still have to be mindful of dropping bowls etc., but for a different reason- porcelain is just plain hard, so unlike the more practical laminate surface, shattering is what happens when you drop ceramics or glass on it. Remember also- grouting needs to be sealed and re-sealed, and the grout color should take into consideration the fact that it is being walked on… all the time, as well as the unavoidable effects of gravity.

There is so much to talk about with kitchens, and I am not even going to get into sinks, appliances, range venting etc. in this post (another time : ) but I do want to look at the basics. The other day I was showing a property with a remodeled kitchen that had beautiful slab counters, tile flooring, and a great layout. My client pulled out a drawer and mentioned that her daughter noticed that the fixtures had been replaced but not the cabinets… just like she had seen time & time again on a popular TV design/remodeling show. She liked them anyway, but it is something to think about. Here in Lake Oswego, many homes were built in the 50’s, 60’s & 70’s, and if a remodel does not include new cabinetry, make sure you love the function aspect of the cabinets as-is. There is a reason people choose not to replace cabinetry. It’s expensive. Now, I made this same decision in my kitchen, and/but DO love my cabinets. There are times when I wish I could pull out smoothly rolling drawers and shelves, and spin in-cabinet lazy susans for easy access. I made a choice because I love the look of mine… they are rustic, and the iron handles are a feature I took into consideration when choosing the color of my granite etc. That said, if I ever choose to sell my home, a buyer will need to love them as well. If you are not so crazy about your cabinets and considering a remodel, know that the choices you make should appeal to the widest pool of buyers… that is if you know you will want to sell in a few years.

Lastly, as far as basics go, if you are shopping for a home, notice whether the layout of the kitchen fits your lifestyle. Do you use breakfast bars? Do you enjoy privacy while cooking or prefer “great-room” openness? Do you entertain? Do you enjoy cooking with your spouse or kids? If so, is there room for two or more people to move about in the kitchen? Just pay attention to how the kitchen matches your needs.

I would love to hear comments, personal kitchen remodeling experiences, or additional information you’d like to share. Please feel free to post a comment. Personal experience is valuable, and we’d all like to learn from yours!

January 8, 2009January 8, 2009

Insurance & Adventures in Home Ownership

slide_1b We’ve given you plenty of coverage of the exciting and unusual weather experienced lately here in Lake Oswego. I hesitate to scare the bajeezeez out of anyone contemplating living here, and/but believe that even though this is unusual weather, the story I’m about to share is extremely valuable for just that reason, and highlights the importance of giving great consideration to the type of insurance you decide to carry when purchasing a home.

Last Friday at about 1:00AM, 23-year old Sammy Abazzaz and a group of his friends were relaxing and having a late-night snack in the second-floor kitchen of Sammy’s Lake Oswego home when a mudslide hit its rear filling the level below with moving earth, throwing granite counters at them and opening a crevasse at their feet sending some plummeting beneath it. Sammy’s parents were in British Columbia celebrating the new year and rushed home upon hearing of the catastrophe. All the occupants are reported to have escaped and are deemed relatively “OK” with the exception of one broken arm and lots of nightmares I’m sure. According to the Oregonian, Sammy relates: “It came through almost like an avalanche, through the windows and the house”. Heavy rains and a plugged drainage point on the hill above the home reportedly caused the slide.

slide_6 Scott Burns, a professor of geology at Portland State University advises: “The important thing is to get people in Portland and the rest of this area to ask the question, ‘What can I do to prevent landslides on my property?’ ” “There was just a lot of storm water going down the streets and going in every direction,” said Bill Burns, an engineering geologist with the state Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. “There was just so much water, it was just over-taking the system.”

slide_3 The family reportedly had homeowners insurance, but not the additional protection of landslide coverage which is typically excluded from most policies. I would pose that in addition to being the most diligent and informed homeowner you can possibly be, you also need to acknowledge that sometimes “stuff happens”, and therefore it is prudent to assess any “potential” hazards (even if you believe them unlikely) and protect yourself with appropriate insurance. This means you may end up being the one inquiring as to the availability of such add-ons, and so need to come armed to any discussion with data to guide your inquiries and decisions. To that end, let me provide you with some basic information, which I suggest you view as a primer, and not as the replacement for consultation with your insurance agent who, unlike me, is the “insurance expert”:

Most homeowners policies will not include: floods, mold/fungus, earthquakes, mudslides/landslides, sinkholes, war or nuclear accidents.
If you do have, or are considering flood insurance, check to see if you are covered for a landslide should the slide be carried by a body of water. Some flood policies cover mudslides ONLY under these circumstances.
Cost of coverage is based on where you live & other factors. (visit: http://www.Floodsmart.gov). A typical quote for someone NOT in a flood plane according to my own insurance office only will cover up to $250,000 in structural damage, and $100,000 for content damage. ** For $200,000/structure and $80,000/contents in a recent “preferred location” quote in SW Portland, the price tag I’m told was $326/yr.
Generally speaking, “property damage” is not intended to include a detached garage, outbuildings, tool sheds etc. These may be covered, but usually at around 10% of the amount of coverage applicable to your home.
The most common policies in the United States cover losses due to fire, lightning, fallen trees, tornadoes, wind storms, hail explosions, smoke, vandalism and theft. The amount of coverage that you have is an item for discussion between you and your insurance agent.
Water seepage from the ground up into your home is usually considered a maintenance issue and not covered in standard or flood policies. Waterproofing and appropriate drainage work is recommended if this is an issue.
Although the term “Acts of God” is bandied about by most of us, it is not a term that’s actually included in homeowners insurance policies.

We all live on planet earth, so accordingly, we are susceptible to all kinds of unexpected occurrences. Importantly, let me repeat-

Get/Stay informed.
Gather information about your property and any “potential” hazards.
Take appropriate mitigating actions to remove any threat(s) if possible.
Consult your insurance agent for the best advice on protecting yourself, your home and your family.
Should you not already have a trusted insurance agent/advisor, request some references from your Realtor.

Home ownership is an adventure. Suit up, and enjoy it!

December 27, 2008December 27, 2008

Open Houses for Sunday, December 28th

Well, we still have lots of snow on the ground, but roads are generally passable thanks to some rain & melt-off. So… It’s Open House time! You know those visiting relatives you’ve always wanted close by??? Pile them in the car on Sunday & take a tour. Here is what’s on tap according to RMLS:

18530 Pilkington Road $319,000 3 Bd, 2 Ba, Open 1-4

624 Livingood Lane $574,900 4 Bd, 3Ba, Open 1-3

16359 Chapin Way $1,439,000 4 Bd, 3 1/2 Ba, Open 12:30-3:30

December 25, 2008

Local Flavor + Holiday Wishes For You!

Wow! A newscaster said yesterday that we are experiencing the biggest snow event since 1964! For those of you who tune in to the Blotter from out of state, I am attaching a few photos so that you can see what we are talking about. Dianne has posted some for your amusement as well. We usually focus on real estate pretty much exclusively in our Blog, but with this kind of excitement, we can’t resist giving you a little local flavor.

Real estate is happening in Lake Oswego however, as you can see from Monday’s Activity Report. I experienced an inspection last week in a foot of snow… before it REALLY got going : ) But that is another story. For now… here’s what life in Lake Oswego has been like-

Main roads are kept pretty passable with mostly packed snow, and are sanded regularly (Oregon does not use salt), but side streets, especially hilly ones, are let’s say… invigorating! Kids who have been out of school an extra week this Winter Break are sledding everywhere. Lots of folks have bagged their aspirations of mobility as evidenced by the feet of snow burying their cars on the sides of many roads. Others who are able and so inclined have headed for Mt. Hood where skiing is incredible, and road crews are always ahead of the curve. Trees laden with snow and ice have released some of their burden in the form of limbs in yards and on roadsides. But hey… it’s pretty!

Christmas has taken on a completely different tone this year. Instead of filling the malls, people gather in kitchens around batches of cookies. Fireplaces are the center of many homes where friends, family and a variety of hot beverages and toddies complete the picture. The uptick in Internet shopping in the area has kept UPS busy all over! This year is definitely one we will never forget.

Dianne and I would like to take a moment to wish you the very best of the Holiday Season. Whether your beliefs are Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist,+++ or you simply harbor a fondness for Santa, this is a season of hope and love which we all can share. We also want to say thank you to our clients who’ve trusted us with their real estate needs this past year. We are grateful for your business, your loyalty, and your faith in us. We look forward to the New Year ahead, and want to wish you and yours every happiness. Thank you for reading the PropertyBlotter!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays.