Picnic with a viewAs an avid walker and hiker, I was completely surprised about 2 weeks ago to learn about a wonderful trail not too far from my house. It’s called the Iron Mountain Trail.
The trail head starts at the top of Iron Mountain along Glen Eagles Rd. I don’t know the exact distance, but I would guess it at close to a mile long. It has an easy grade across the side of Iron Mountain and ends at Lake Oswego Country Club.
The trail is groomed with packed gravel and wide enough for a couple of friends to walk side by side. It is such a gentle slope because it was originally a rail road bed for the Oregon Iron Company.
Back in 1865 Iron was discovered in what is now Iron Mountain. There are still mine shafts in the mountain, although the entrance to the mine has been cemented over to prevent kids and animals from mishap.
About halfway along the trail there is a junction that you can also take that goes the opposite direction along Iron Mountain but down to the The Hunt Club. The views that direction are lovely as well. You get a birds eye view of the horses and the arenas.
One of the great things that makes Lake Oswego a great place to live is the ability to take nice walks and hikes. This trail is now one of the options that I will make regular use of.
Lakefront LivingAl Fresco DiningVilla TeresaOne of the great side benefits of being a Realtor is having the opportunity to get inside of truly extraordinary homes. There is one house in particular that I have wanted to get into for years. When I returned to Lake Oswego 13 years ago, this house was just being built. The construction took years. Unlike most homes that are built in 4 to 6 months, this house literally took years. Now I know why.
Villa Teresa was open to Realtors during the weekly broker’s tour last Tuesday. My thanks to Joelle Lewis, the listing Realtor with RE/MAX Equity Group, for hosting the open house. And also for allowing me to share her gorgeous listing with you here on the propertyblotter.
Pictures do not begin to convey the grandeur of this house. I don’t mean grandeur as in large or huge. I mean grandeur in that you feel like you are visiting a home that is rare and exquisite. Every surface of everyroom is a work of art. From floors inlaid in artistic parterns with 7 or 8 different types of wood, to one-of-a-kind chandlers made in Italy of Murano glass. This house took so long to build because it was built by artisians using absolutely the finest materials.
The house is listed for $4,600,000. It has 5800 square feet with 4 bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths, a den, a wine cellar, and a card room. This is in addition to the livingroom, familyroom, kitchen and normal living spaces. The house is fully wired for high tech with consoles placed discretely throughout. There is a little booth off of the kitchen with a desk for going on-line and taking calls.
I have had the great good fortune of traveling in Europe and I can tell you that I have never been in a home that truly makes you feel transformed to Italy. There is even an al fresco dining terrace with spray misters for hot summer days.
Topping off this house is its waterfrontage on the coveted Northshore of Oswego Lake for maximum sun exposure.
No, actually, there is one more little item that tops off this house. It has a guest house next door that is also for sale. The guest house is faced completely in stone. It has 7500 square feet that includes an in-door swimming pool. This house was built but not finished as the home owner was relocated to another state before its completion. It is on the market for $3,400,000.
So who buys these sorts of homes? Obviously people with money. Business owners, executives, celebrities, and people who are able to afford the finest lifestyle available. The pool of buyers for homes such as these is pretty limited, so it can take awhile for a house of this nature to sell.
Here are some quick statistics:
There are currently 12 homes for sale in Lake Oswego priced at over $3,000,000.
In the last 3 years, during this terrible economy, just 3 houses priced over $3,000,000 have sold. Interestly, each one of these 3 sales had no real market exposure. 2 sold in zero days and 1 sold in just 8 days. In other words, the buyer and seller were brought together either through friendship or mutual acquaintance.
There is one house currently pending that is on the Willamette River that is pending for $4,395,000. It has 3.89 acres, 7527 square feet, 6 bedrooms, and 7 1/2 baths.
And, of course, Jantzen Island is still for sale. I have never gotten into that house. Like Villa Teresa, it is a Realtor goal of mine to see the interior. Built in 1930, the house and guest house combined have 13,500 square feet. This property is special because it sits on a private island that is actually 5 lots of one acre each. When you consider the house, guest house, and potential land value, it may actually be worth the asking price of $15,000,000. It is uncomparable to anything else around.
Perhaps wealth is not as fashionable as it has been at other times in history. But a truly magnificent home will always be a dream, and for a few, a reality.
Now here is a sobering thought. The property taxes for the Jantzen Island are $99,000 a year.
I hope you have enjoyed this little peek into the world of high-end homes. I know that I have. And I especially am happy that I finally got to see inside of Villa Teresa. Thanks Joelle.
There were 8 New properties entering the market, 8 in Pending status, and 7 marked as Sold during the last week according to RMLS.
See below for further details:
PENDING SALES (Jan 9-15, 2012)
Address
List Price
# Beds
# Baths
Total SF
Prop Type
3930 LAKE GROVE AVE C1
$99,900
2
1
952
ATTACHD
12844 SW BOONES FERRY RD
$175,000
2
2.1
1152
ATTACHD
5347 RED LEAF ST
$249,900
3
2
1456
DETACHD
875 PALISADES TERRACE DR
$349,000
4
3
2165
DETACHD
919 CUMBERLAND RD
$425,000
4
3
2828
DETACHD
4434 LAKEVIEW BLVD
$575,000
3
3
2620
DETACHD
17787 KELOK RD
$895,000
4
2
3085
DETACHD
16805 SCOTT CT
$949,000
4
3.1
4321
DETACHD
PENDING (Jan 9-15, 2012)
Address
List Price
# Beds
# Baths
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
16211 INVERURIE RD
$196,100
4
2.1
1819
DETACHD
84
4760 LOWER DR
$229,900
3
3
2324
DETACHD
148
705 ELLIS AVE
$269,900
3
2.1
1872
DETACHD
7
207 HIDALGO ST
$339,000
4
2.1
2604
DETACHD
94
525 2ND ST
$385,000
2
2
1120
CONDO
247
4725 CAMBRIDGE CT
$425,000
2
2.1
3056
ATTACHD
137
5148 Woodcrest LN Lot 4
$639,900
5
4
3110
DETACHD
3926 EDENS EDGE DR
$899,900
5
3.2
4585
DETACHD
2
SOLD (Jan 9-15, 2012)
Address
O/Price
Close Price
# Beds
# Baths
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
200 BURNHAM RD
$93,500
$82,000
1
1
959
CONDO
64
16774 GRAEF CIR
$189,900
$170,000
2
1.1
1168
DETACHD
3
655 7TH ST
$375,000
$320,000
3
1.1
1558
DETACHD
109
227 4TH ST
$347,500
$342,700
4
2
2352
DETACHD
8
52 CONDOLEA CT
$485,000
$478,000
2
2.1
2958
CONDO
60
19345 Riverwood LN 5 West
$605,900
$638,324
4
3.1
3367
DETACHD
0
1592 VIEW LAKE CT
$1,195,000
$699,000
3
3
2889
DETACHD
647
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
The first full week of 2012 brought 14 new listings, 7 pending sales, and 5 closed sales.
See below for further details:
NEWLY LISTED (Jan. 2-8, 2012)
Address
Type
Price
Sq FT
BR
Baths
56 Galen St
Condo
$98,000
995
2
2
1400 Bonniebrae Dr
Attached
$150,000
864
2
1
5776 Kimball St
Detached
$179,900
1084
3
2
18609 Kristi Way
Detached
$219,000
1400
4
1
705 Ellis Ave
Detached
$269,900
1872
3
2.5
18407 Deer Oak Dr
Detached
$299,600
1812
3
2
886 9th St
Detached
$349,000
870
2
1
4523 Trillium Woods Lt17
Attached
$409,000
2004
3
2.5
3899 Daniel Way
Detached
$509,000
3115
4
2.5
5595 Luce Ln
Detached
$579,900
3613
4
3
1227 Lake Front Rd
Detached
$929,000
2616
4
3
720 Maple St
Detached
$950,000
3966
2
2.5
1000 Upper Devon Ln
Detached
$995,000
3535
3
3.5
455 Furnace St
Detached
$1,699,000
4000
4
3.5
PENDING SALES (Jan. 2-8, 2012)
Address
Type
Price
Sq Ft
BR
Baths
CDOM
5225 Jean Rd #511
Condo
$156,000
1400
2
2
22
1716 Aspen Ct
Detached
$249,000
1528
2
2
174
420 G Ave
Detached
$345,000
2363
4
2
7
1278 Hide A Way Ln
Detached
$350,000
2632
4
2.5
123
1736 Palisades Terrace
Detached
$423,000
3079
4
3.5
186
17110 Lowenberg Terr
Detached
$639,000
2732
4
2.5
1078
1592 View Lake Ct
Detached
$699,000
2889
3
3
647
SOLD (Jan. 2-8, 2012)
Address
Orig. Price
Sold Price
Type
Sq Ft
CDOM
6 Condolea Dr
$198,000
$178,000
Condo
1312
299
5733 Fernbrook Way
$235,000
$220,000
Detached
1250
76
14066 Edenberry Dr
$619,000
$520,000
Detached
3835
12
919 Lake Shore Rd
$539,000
$539,000
Detached
1817
55
17475 Canal Circle
$895,000
$900,000
Detached
2290
22
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
Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, or any of a number of faith celebrations, Linda and I want to extend our good wishes to you this season.
Faith is a very personal consideration. I have had a client moving in from out of the area ask me if there is a prevalent church in Lake Oswego, and I honestly told her that there is not. I consider LO to be extremely diverse. While we do have 19 Christian Churches (including the Mormon Temple, a Korean United Methodist and a Chinese Faith Baptist) there are also 2 Buddhist Centers, a Synagogue, and the New Thought Center for Spiritual Living. Close by in Tigard is the Baps Hindu Temple, and not much further away in SW Portland is a Mosque. And if you find no need for formal worship, that’s OK too. Really, we are a very open community.
With Christmas Day falling on Sunday this year, there will not be an Open House report. Even Realtors need a Day off once in awhile.
May your holidays be blessed with happiness, may the New Year bring you prosperity, and may you find contentment and satisfaction in each and every day of your life.
Even the week before Christmas, there is a hustle & bustle in the Lake Oswego real estate scene. There were 8 New properties entering the market, 17 in Pending status, and 15 marked as Sold during the last 7-day period according to RMLS.
See below for further details:
NEWLY LISTED (Dec 12-18, 2011)
Address
List Price
# Beds
# Baths
Total SF
Prop Type
16250 PACIFIC HWY 51
$99,900
1
1
841
CONDO
4654 LOWER DR A2
$115,000
2
1.1
1260
CONDO
5225 JEAN RD 511
$156,000
2
2
1400
CONDO
5720 SW KENNY ST
$189,900
3
2
1416
DETACHD
1503 EASTVIEW CT
$499,900
3
2.1
3362
DETACHD
1455 TIMBERLINE DR
$799,000
4
3
3554
DETACHD
4110 CANAL RD
$970,000
4
3.1
3676
DETACHD
17225 KELOK RD
$1,195,000
4
3.1
4161
DETACHD
PENDING SALES (Dec 12-18,, 2011)
Address
List Price
# Beds
# Baths
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
100 KERR PKWY
$64,500
2
2
822
CONDO
174
4765 FIRWOOD RD
$120,000
3
1
1348
DETACHD
191
3802 BOTTICELLI ST
$129,000
3
2
1224
ATTACHD
159
234 RIDGEWAY RD 16D
$154,950
2
1
914
CONDO
4
165 Oswego Smt 165
$159,900
2
2
1383
CONDO
186
16774 GRAEF CIR
$189,900
2
1.1
1168
DETACHD
3
16430 LAKE FOREST BLVD
$195,000
3
1
1342
DETACHD
108
44 GREENRIDGE CT
$209,900
3
2.1
1996
ATTACHD
27
16695 GLENWOOD CT
$349,900
4
3
3060
DETACHD
176
4403 OAKRIDGE RD Lot 21
$389,900
3
2.1
2004
ATTACHD
114
5008 HAMPTON CT
$398,500
3
2.1
2446
DETACHD
249
533 2ND ST 110
$415,000
2
2
1274
CONDO
42
18014 GIMLEY CT
$449,900
5
3.1
4355
DETACHD
198
1700 VILLAGE PARK LN
$679,900
4
4
4945
DETACHD
269
17090 CHAPIN WAY
$729,000
4
3
3480
DETACHD
189
4180 CASEY CT
$739,950
4
3.1
3730
DETACHD
7
1617 LAKE FRONT RD
$2,999,000
4
4.1
4610
DETACHD
198
SOLD (Dec 12=18, 2011)
Address
O/Price
Close Price
# Beds
Total Baths
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
322 CERVANTES CIR
$99,990
$99,900
2
1
832
CONDO
57
5052 FOOTHILLS DR E
$200,000
$185,000
2
2
1370
CONDO
18
5 BRITTEN CT
$235,000
$225,000
2
2
1394
ATTACHD
57
16026 PARKER RD
$299,900
$280,000
3
1
1620
DETACHD
265
122 KINGSGATE RD
$289,950
$289,950
3
2.1
1846
DETACHD
5
518 5TH ST
$369,000
$305,000
2
2.1
1426
DETACHD
150
4398 GLACIER LILY ST
$425,000
$318,500
4
2.1
2936
DETACHD
127
760 TIMBERLINE DR
$459,000
$400,000
5
3
3058
DETACHD
228
2825 VALE CT
$417,000
$401,000
4
2.1
2304
DETACHD
31
18132 WESTVIEW DR
$620,000
$500,000
4
3.1
3871
DETACHD
471
13254 TWIN CREEK CT
$599,500
$580,000
3
2.1
3470
DETACHD
56
5115 DENTON DR
$719,000
$665,000
4
2.1
3069
DETACHD
99
5160 Woodcrest LN Lot 3
$691,488
$702,765
4
3.1
3575
DETACHD
528 7TH ST
$999,999
$950,000
5
4.3
3678
DETACHD
90
1954 EGAN WAY
$1,050,000
$950,000
3
2.1
3748
DETACHD
323
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
Due to RMLS technical web work, we will not be able to retrieve the data for our usual report, and will resume after this weekend. We apologize for the inconvenience.
According to the just-released RMLS Market Action Report for November 2011, the combined area of Lake Oswego and West Linn reported:
651 Active Listings
106 New Listings
100 Pending Sales
98 Closed Sales
An average Sale Price of $385,700.
Average Time on the Market: 179 Days
What’s Happening in Lake Oswego? ~
* Christmas Ship Parade – Dec 17th at 6PM ~ Join us for the 57th year of enjoying a parade of bright Christmas Ships gliding from Riverplace Marina to Lake Oswego! You can enjoy the colorful flotilla from the shores of Foothills Park where a warming fire and shelter will make the evening more than merry! For more information on this annual extravaganza CLICK HERE.
* Annual Gingerbread Competition! – Dec. 13th – Dec. 25th ~ One-of-a Kind Gingerbread creations are on display at participating local businesses in celebration of “Holiday Houses of Lake Oswego” which is in its second delightful year. To learn more about this competition CLICK HERE.
*LOPedia is Now Available! – This great resource provides information on city programs and services, as well as how it delivers those services and how much they cost. It can be checked out at the Lake Osweego Library, and also is available online by CLICKING HERE.
The trail is groomed with packed gravel and wide enough for a couple of friends to walk side by side. It is such a gentle slope because it was originally a rail road bed for the Oregon Iron Company.
One of the great things that makes Lake Oswego a great place to live is the ability to take nice walks and hikes. This trail is now one of the options that I will make regular use of.
