Last week Lake Oswego had 16 new listings come onto the market, 18 houses go into pending status, and 12 closed sales. Of note: 3 of the pending sales were at $1,000,000+ and one was at $999,000.
NEWLY LISTED (April 18-24, 2011)
| Address | Type | Price | Sq FT | BR | Baths |
| 15240 Boones Way | Condo | $164,900 | 1180 | 2 | 2 |
| 480 S State St | Condo | $235,000 | 1659 | 2 | 2 |
| 6016 Bonita Rd | Detached | $239,000 | 1978 | 4 | 2 |
| 5311 Tualata Ct | Detached | $249,000 | 1387 | 3 | 1.5 |
| 1637 Laurel St | Detached | $389,000 | 1792 | 6 | 1 |
| 4160 Chapman Way | Detached | $389,900 | 1800 | 3 | 2 |
| 2681 Greentree Rd | Detached | $395,000 | 2291 | 4 | 3 |
| 1580 Woodland Terr. | Detached | $549,900 | 2127 | 4 | 2.5 |
| 19240 Megly Ct | Detached | $579,900 | 3633 | 5 | 3.5 |
| 17658 Brookhurst Dr | Detached | $589,000 | 4198 | 3 | 3 |
| 5542 Dunmire Dr | Detached | $599,900 | 3204 | 4 | 2.5 |
| 5515 Dunmire Dr | Detached | $629,900 | 3287 | 4 | 3 |
| 1541 Maple St | Detached | $729,000 | 3215 | 4 | 4 |
| 16818 Sylvan Ct | Detached | $849,000 | 3209 | 4 | 2.5 |
| 13048 Knaus Rd | Detached | $875,000 | 3715 | 4 | 3.5 |
| 18143 Siena Dr | Detached | $898,950 | 3350 | 4 | 3.5 |
PENDING SALES (April 18-24)
| Address | Type | Price | Sq Ft | BR | Baths | CDOM |
| 200 Burnham Rd #203 | Condo | $129,000 | 1160 | 2 | 1 | 1302 |
| 4425 Thunder Vista Ln | Condo | $149,900 | 1518 | 2 | 2.5 | 110 |
| 4281 Cobb Way | Detached | $249,900 | 1626 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| 7 Bloch Terr. | Attached | $285,000 | 2062 | 3 | 2.5 | 191 |
| 1 Hidalgo St | Detached | $349,900 | 2489 | 2 | 2.5 | 253 |
| 1766 Fern Pl | Detached | $365,000 | 1937 | 3 | 2 | 18 |
| 510 5th St | Attached | $375,000 | 1524 | 2 | 2.5 | 53 |
| 19 Grouse Terr. | Detached | $419,900 | 3383 | 3 | 2.5 | 283 |
| 6132 Summer Woods | Detached | $489,900 | 2778 | 4 | 2.5 | 10 |
| 1643 Village Park Ln | Detached | $639,900 | 4505 | 4 | 3.5 | 440 |
| 1088 Westward Ho Rd | Detached | $648,000 | 1837 | 2 | 2 | 226 |
| 1930 Indian Trail | Detached | $669,000 | 3260 | 3 | 3 | 332 |
| 5160 Woodcrest Ln | Detached | $691,488 | 3575 | 4 | 3.5 | 0 |
| 17614 Blue Heron | Detached | $797,500 | 3150 | 4 | 3 | 42 |
| 425 Northshore Rd | Detached | $999,000 | 3270 | 4 | 3 | 450 |
| 14066 Goodall Rd | Detached | $1,050,000 | 4220 | 4 | 3.5 | 66 |
| 2778 Glenmorrie Dr | Detached | `$1,150,000 | 6263 | 5 | 4.5+.5+.5 | 471 |
| 1956 Cheryl Ct | Detached | $1,295,000 | 5173 | 4 | 4.5+.5 | 16 |
SOLD (April 18-24, 2011)
| Address | Orig. Price | Sold Price | Type | Sq Ft | CDOM |
| 668 McVey Ave #82 | $109,250 | $120,000 | Condo | 992 | 46 |
| 4 Touchstone #136 | $174,950 | $159,500 | Condo | 1351 | 822 |
| 5530 Bonita Rd | $295,000 | $200,000 | Detached | 1200 | 64 |
| 103 3rd St | $349,900 | $242,500 | Condo | 1006 | 317 |
| 3165 Douglas Circle | $325,000 | $265,000 | Detached | 1764 | 3 |
| 4342 Woodside Circle | $285,000 | $285,000 | Attached | 1643 | 2 |
| 18929 Indian Springs | $435,000 | $405,000 | Detached | 3380 | 51 |
| 1692 Fircrest Ct | $450,000 | $450,000 | Detached | 2569 | 0 |
| 5434 Rosalia Way | $559,000 | $477,000 | Detached | 2600 | 245 |
| 17754 Treetop Ln | $550,000 | $535,000 | Detached | 3668 | 7 |
| 2757 Lakeview Blvd | $725,000 | $675,000 | Detached | 3321 | 540 |
| 444 Ridgeway Rd | $850,000 | $810,000 | Detached | 2099 | 541 |
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
Open Houses for April 24, 2011
It’s a beautiful day in Lake Oswego. We may get a lot of rain, but boy do we appreciate the first perfect days of spring!
Tomorrow there are 6 houses being held open. Enjoy.
| Address | Type | Price | BR | Baths | Open |
| 16090 SW Kimball Ave | Detached | $329,995 | 4 | 1.5 | 1 to 3 |
| 19443 Kikanee Ct | Detached | $474,700 | 4 | 2.5 | 12 to 4 |
| 19487 Dogwood Ct | Detached | $479,900 | 4 | 3 | 10 to 5 |
| 19285 Megly Ct | Detached | $539,900 | 5 | 3 | 10 to 5 |
| 19200 Megly Ct | Detached | $569,900 | 6 | 3 | 10 to 5 |
| 5542 Dunmire Dr | Detached | $599,900 | 4 | 2.5 | 10 to 5 |
| 17884 Kelok Rd | Detached | $668,000 | 5 | 3.5 | 2 to 4 |
| 5533 Fieldstone Ct | Detached | $668,950 | 4 | 2.5 | 1:30 to 4 |
| 5321 Amberwood Ct | Detached | $669,900 | 4 | 3 | 1 to 3 |
| 5320 Southwood Dr | Detached | $695,000 | 4 | 3 | 1 to 3 |
| 15622 Fieldstone Dr | Detached | $698,950 | 3 | 2.5 | 1:30 to 4 |
| 5115 Denton Dr | Detached | $719,000 | 3 | 2.5 | 12 to 3 |
| 18222 Siena Dr | Detached | $1,189,000 | 4 | 3.5 | 1 to 3 |
| 2572 Glen Eagles Pl | Detached | $1,895,000 | 5 | 4.5+.5 | 1 to 3 |
Basements
In the earlier days of housing in Oregon, pretty much prior to about 1940, the people building homes often had come West and were building what they were familiar with. So in the Portland area, and even here in Lake Oswego, the houses built prior to 1940 usually do have a basement. But homes built later than 1940 rarely do.
Finished vs Unfinished
In many parts of the country basement square footage is not included in the total square footage of the house unless it is finished as living area. In Portland I think this was the case about 20 years ago. Gradually, as Realtors and sellers included unfinished basement square footage in the total square footage of the house, this became acceptable. So if you are looking at a house with a basement, you’ll want to figure out if the basement is finished or not.
Unfinished basements do have value. They are great areas for storage and utilities. But they are also great as a space that can be used roughly: for exercise, play area, and hobbies. Do they have the same value as living area that is above the ground? No. I put the question directly to an appraiser early in my career. He told me he felt an unfinished basement had about half the value per square foot as finished living area above ground. A finished basement can equal the value of the living area above ground if it is done with quality and if it has ceiling height, plenty of light, and windows that are large enough and close enough to the floor for safe exit in a fire.
Keep It Dry
The biggest issue with a basement is that it can be prone to water intrusion. Is there such a thing as a basement that will never leak? Perhaps today with codes that are better and if the proper measures are taken to ensure dryness. Probably the single most important thing to keep a basement dry is to keep gutters on the roof clean and working properly. This will take water away from the house and keep it from saturating the ground next to the foundation. The next consideration to a dry basement are drainage systems around the foundation and perhaps even the installation of a sump-pump to take water away from the house. Leaky basements can be fixed.
I really love basements. My own home has a finished basement that has been a great rec room over the years for everyone in the family. It stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter. And when my kids were teenagers, it was the neighborhood hangout. I was one of the Moms who liked having all of the kids over because I had a place they could hang out.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Dianne
Open Houses ~ April 17, 2011
There are 28 properties to be held Open Sunday in Lake Oswego according to RMLS.
A really great selection this time and…. sunny, spring weather maybe?? : )
Enjoy!
| Address | L/Price | # Beds | # Baths | Total SF | Prop Type | OPEN |
| 20 CERVANTES CIR | $136,500 | 2 | 1.1 | 912 | TOWNHSE | 1-4PM |
| 1400 BONNIEBRAE DR | $160,000 | 2 | 1 | 864 | TOWNHSE | 1-3PM |
| 19420 MARLIN AVE | $259,000 | 3 | 1 | 1166 | DETACHD | 2-4PM |
| 2061 BONNIEBRAE DR | $275,000 | 3 | 2.1 | 1687 | TOWNHSE | 1-3PM |
| 16870 FERNWOOD DR | $289,000 | 3 | 1.1 | 1412 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 19250 MAREE CT | $294,000 | 3 | 2.1 | 1519 | DETACHD | 1-4PM |
| 18715 INDIAN CREEK DR | $353,725 | 3 | 2 | 1976 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 5866 RIDGETOP CT | $375,000 | 3 | 2 | 1866 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 1820 KILKENNY DR | $379,000 | 4 | 3 | 3040 | DETACHD | 2-4PM |
| 14423 ORCHARD SPRINGS RD | $379,900 | 3 | 2.1 | 1730 | CONDO | 1-4PM |
| 16266 INVERURIE RD | $399,900 | 3 | 2 | 2503 | DETACHD | 12:30-3:30PM |
| 2360 Greentree RD | $429,000 | 3 | 2.1 | 2207 | DETACHD | 2:30-5:30PM |
| 36 NORTHVIEW CT | $429,000 | 3 | 3.1 | 2573 | TOWNHSE | 3-5PM |
| 6 WESTRIDGE DR | $465,000 | 4 | 2.1 | 3169 | DETACHD | 12-3PM |
| 17360 HUNTER CT | $478,500 | 4 | 2.1 | 3322 | DETACHD | 1:30-3:30PM |
| 3815 SOUTHSHORE BLVD | $548,000 | 4 | 2 | 2638 | DETACHD | 2-4PM |
| 3240 WESTVIEW CT | $575,000 | 4 | 3.1 | 3121 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 8 DEL PRADO ST | $585,000 | 5 | 3 | 3637 | DETACHD | 12-2:30PM |
| 5511 FIELDSTONE CT | $658,950 | 4 | 2.1 | 3037 | DETACHD | 2:30-4:30PM |
| 5533 FIELDSTONE CT | $668,950 | 4 | 2.1 | 3115 | DETACHD | 2:30-4:30PM |
| 5321 AMBERWOOD CT | $669,900 | 4 | 3 | 3315 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 5320 SOUTHWOOD DR | $695,000 | 4 | 3 | 3646 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 15622 FIELDSTONE DR | $698,950 | 3 | 2.1 | 3113 | DETACHD | 2:30-4:30PM |
| 18231 SIENA DR | $899,900 | 4 | 3.1 | 3459 | DETACHD | 12-2PM |
| 4256 LAKEVIEW BLVD | $990,000 | 4 | 3.1 | 3117 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 18209 SIENA DR | $994,000 | 5 | 3.1 | 3839 | DETACHD | 12-2PM |
| 18222 SIENA DR | $1,189,000 | 4 | 3.1 | 3998 | DETACHD | 12-2PM |
| 1870 CREST DR | $1,450,000 | 4 | 3.1 | 4598 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
News & Notes
Streetcar – The Lake Oswego to Portland Transit Project’s steering committee is recommending proceeding with this project. The City Council is considering their recommendation at their hearing on April 19th in council chambers. Citizens are encouraged to provide written input prior to the meeting. The meeting will be televised at TVCTV at 6 p.m. on Channel 23.
Art in Lake Oswego – Lake Oswego is soliciting participants for its First Art Market to be held at Millenium Park Plaza on June 16, 23 & 30 from 4-8PM. Applications can be filled out here.
Services & Amenities – Lake Oswego has so much to offer… culture, arts, historical resources, quality schools, vibrant business districts and activities galore. To find out more about the new Services & Activities Guide click here.
Luscher Farm Updates – Attend a meeting April 21st designed to inform about three site plan alternatives for the Luscher Farm Master Plan. The event is an open format. Stop in and look over alternatives for this valued park, farm and natural area…. and give your input! Click here to learn more.
Market Activity for April 4-10, 2011
Last week Lake Oswego had 23 new listings come onto the market, 14 properties enter into pending status, and 10 closed sales. When Linda and I do these reports, we check the property history to make sure the listing is in fact new (hasn’t been on the market in the last 30 days). What I found interesting this week is that of the 23 new listings, easily a third were in the market last fall, pulled off for the winter, and are now being relisted to participate in the spring market.
See below for further details according to RMLS:
NEWLY LISTED (April 4-10, 2011)
| Address | Type | Price | Sq FT | BR | Baths |
| 4640 Lower Dr | Condo | $139,900 | 1170 | 2 | 1.5 |
| 750 1st St #32 | Condo | $152,000 | 985 | 1 | 1 |
| 1115 Laurel St | Detached | $299,900 | 1928 | 4 | 2 |
| 6317 Alyssa Terrace | Attached | $299,900 | 1560 | 3 | 2.5 |
| 3305 Upper Dr | Detached | $324,900 | 1484 | 3 | 2 |
| 12 Hotspur St | Detached | $325,000 | 1876 | 3 | 2 |
| 2745 Greentree Rd | Detached | $325,000 | 1219 | 2 | 2 |
| 335 Lake Bay Ct | Detached | $337,000 | 968 | 3 | 1 |
| 16266 Inverurie Rd | Detached | $339,900 | 2503 | 3 | 2 |
| 4908 Mulholland Dr | Attached | $399,900 | 2498 | 3 | 2.5 |
| 3601 Wren St | Detached | $425,000 | 2220 | 3 | 2.5 |
| 5008 Hampton Ct | Detached | $448,000 | 2446 | 3 | 2.5 |
| 8 Morningview Circle | Detached | $474,500 | 2206 | 3 | 2.5 |
| 962 Country Commons Ln | Detached | $499,000 | 1832 | 3 | 2 |
| 3815 Southshore Blvd | Detached | $548,000 | 2638 | 4 | 2 |
| 2063 Ridgewood Rd | Detached | $564,500 | 2532 | 4 | 2.5 |
| 13161 Twin Creek Ct | Detached | $574,900 | 3083 | 4 | 2.5 |
| 3240 Westview Ct | Detached | $575,000 | 3092 | 4 | 3.5 |
| 8 Del Prado St | Detached | $585,000 | 3637 | 5 | 3 |
| 5115 Denton Dr | Detached | $719,000 | 3069 | 3 | 2.5 |
| 629 Iron Mountain Blvd. | Detached | $745,000 | 1988 | 3 | 2 |
| 4169 Casey Ct | Detached | $749,000 | 3770 | 4 | 3.5 |
| 1956 Cheryl Ct | Detached | $1,295,000 | 5173 | 4 | 4.5+.5 |
PENDING SALES (April 4-10, 2011)
| Address | Type | Price | Sq Ft | BR | Baths | CDOM |
| 16250 Pacific Hwy #81 | Condo | $84,000 | 841 | 1 | 1 | 111 |
| 53 Oriole Ln | Detached | $250,000 | 2072 | 3 | 2.5 | 179 |
| 18462 Don Lee Way | Detached | $299,500 | 1904 | 4 | 2 | 17 |
| 3165 Douglas Circle | Detached | $325,000 | 1764 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 14251 Camden Ln | Detached | $349,000 | 2179 | 3 | 2.5 | 276 |
| 1851 Kilkenny Dr | Detached | $349,900 | 2654 | 4 | 3 | 182 |
| 12562 Orchard Hill Rd | Detached | $354,900 | 2574 | 4 | 2.5 | 133 |
| 775 Boca Ratan Dr | Detached | $414,900 | 2727 | 4 | 3.5 | 162 |
| 785 5th St | Detached | $445,000 | 2112 | 3 | 2 | 55 |
| 3718 Rivers Edge Dr | Detached | $529,900 | 2536 | 3 | 2.5 | 40 |
| 3435 Lake Grove Ave | Detached | $549,000 | 2751 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| 13090 Knaus Rd | Detached | $749,900 | 3504 | 4 | 3.5 | 52 |
| 1600 Country Commons | Detached | $1,195,000 | 5389 | 4 | 3.5 | 266 |
| 882 North Shore Rd | Detached | $1,850,000 | 3842 | 4 | 4.5 | 6 |
SOLD (April 4-10, 2011)
| Address | Orig. Price | Sold Price | Type | Sq Ft | CDOM |
| 79 Galen St | $69,900 | $70,000 | Condo | 995 | 208 |
| 48 Eagle Crest Dr 4E | $208,000 | $125,000 | Condo | 1489 | 723 |
| 19211 Marlin Ct | $258,500 | $258,500 | Detached | 2091 | 9 |
| 18 Summit Ridge Ct | $299,000 | $260,000 | Attached | 1548 | 321 |
| 14418 Orchard Springs | $358,900 | $345,000 | Detached | 1710 | 13 |
| 29 Walking Woods Dr | $410,000 | $404,000 | Detached | 2311 | 8 |
| 2705 Orchard Hill Ln | $499,350 | $405,000 | Detached | 2841 | 408 |
| 13991 Chelsea Dr | $544,500 | $529,999 | Detached | 3354 | 294 |
| 553 2nd St #208 | $774,960 | $620,000 | Condo | 1816 | 786 |
| 4700 SW Dogwood Dr | $1,499,900 | $1,225,000 | Detached | 5401 | 322 |
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
Open Houses for April 10, 2011
There are 29 scheduled open houses for Lake Oswego tomorrow. Enjoy!
| Address | Type | Price | BR | Baths | Open |
| 6927 Montauk Circle | Attached | $129,000 | 2 | 1 | 1 to 3 |
| 4316 Botticelli | Attached | $209,000 | 2 | 2.5 | 2 to 4 |
| 17401 Hill Way | Detached | $249,900 | 3 | 2 | 11:30 to 1:30 |
| 8 Condolea Dr | Attached | $259,900 | 2 | 2 | 1 to 3 |
| 19420 Marlin Ave | Detached | $264,795 | 3 | 1 | 1 to 3 |
| 3305 Upper Dr | Detached | $324,900 | 3 | 2 | 11 to 1 |
| 1766 Fern Pl | Detached | $365,000 | 3 | 2 | 1 to 3 |
| 1830 Cloverleaf Rd | Detached | $367,000 | 5 | 2 | 12:30 to 2 |
| 1820 Kilkenny Dr | Detached | $379,000 | 4 | 3 | 12 to 4 |
| 1416 Cherry Crest Dr | Detached | $419,900 | 4 | 3 | 1 to 3 |
| 2360 Greentree Rd | Detached | $429,000 | 3 | 2.5 | 2 to 5 |
| 19443 Kokanee Ct | Detached | $474,700 | 4 | 2.5 | 12 to 4 |
| 12 Scarborough Dr | Detached | $479,900 | 4 | 2.5 | 1:30 to 4 |
| 7 Del Prado St | Detached | $479,900 | 4 | 3 | 10 to 4 |
| 1119 Oak St | Detached | $499,500 | 4 | 2.5 | 2 to 4 |
| 19319 SW Dogwood Ct | Detached | $499,900 | 4 | 2.5 | 10 to 5 |
| 19200 Megly Ct | Detached | $569,900 | 6 | 3 | 10 to 5 |
| 9 Abelard St | Detached | $599,000 | 5 | 3.5 | 1 to 3 |
| 1217 Tyndall Ct | Detached | $599,000 | 4 | 4 | 2 to 4 |
| 173 Furnace St | Attached | $619,900 | 2 | 2.5 | 1 to 3 |
| 17896 Kelok Rd | Detached | $668,000 | 5 | 5.5 | 2 to 4 |
| 17884 Kelok Rd | Detached | $668,000 | 5 | 3.5 | 2 to 4 |
| 5533 Fieldstone Ct | Detached | $668,950 | 4 | 2.5 | 1:30 to 4 |
| 5321 Amberwood Ct | Detached | $669,900 | 4 | 3 | 1 to 3 |
| 5320 Southwood Dr | Detached | $695,000 | 4 | 3 | 1 to 3 |
| 15622 Fieldstone Dr | Detached | $698,950 | 3 | 2.5 | 1:30 to 4 |
| 5115 Denton Dr | Detached | $719,000 | 3 | 2.5 | 12 to 3 |
| 18222 Siena Dr | Detached | $1,189,000 | 4 | 3.5 | 1 to 3 |
| 2572 Glen Eagles Pl | Detached | $1,895,000 | 5 | 4.5+.5 | 1 to 3 |
Price Per Square Foot
Price per square foot is a handy tool when trying to calculate value for a house. It is commonly used by Realtors, home buyers and sellers, and Appraisers. It can also be a bit misleading. So I thought it was time to take a good hard look at it.
Two weeks ago I got an e-mail from a reader wanting to know if Lake Oswego had an average price per square foot that houses were selling for. Trying to be helpful, I went back into the previous week’s sold properties (3/7-3/13) and found that they had sold for an average of $133 per square foot. However, this lumped all of the solds together (condos and detached houses), and was only a 1 week snap shot. Wanting to delve deeper, I re-did this exercise and broke it up into condos, detached houses, and waterfront. Again, these are averages.
This snap shot reflects sales in the last 30 days:
Condos
18 condos have sold in the last 30 days. The least expensive per square foot was $68. The most expensive was $389. The average sold price per square foot was $158.
Single Family Homes
33 single family homes have sold in the last 30 days. The least expensive per square foot was $92. The most expensive was $279. The average was $174 per square foot.
The average/average (in other words both condos and detached houses) was $167 per square foot.
Now, some clarification. These are some widely swinging values. What separates the low values from the high values are variables such as age, condition, and location. A house that is brand new is generally worth more than a house that is 50 years old. A house in a high-demand location like First Addition is going to be worth more than a house on a busy street in Lake Grove. These averages do not take into consideration these variables.
When you value a house using price per square foot, you really need to be comparing that property to others that are as similar to it as possible. But averages are interesting. It kind of creates a lens through which to look. If the average for houses in LO is $174 per square foot, and you are looking at a house that is priced either greater or less, why is there the difference? Is it worth more because it’s a fantastic house? Are you getting a chance to get a screaming great deal?
Waterfront
I purposely left out waterfront properties from these averages because I think that they have their own unique valuation. We happen to have both a lake and a river in Lake Oswego, so waterfront is an important part of our market. To look at waterfront averages, I went back 6 months in order to have enough properties in the study to make it useful. I found a low per square foot of $73 (OK, that is just amazing!) and a high of $571. The average sold price per square foot was $287.
Then there is the issue of measuring
With all of this emphasis on value per square foot, one of the realities is that measuring a house is not an exact science. Two highly qualified professionals can measure the same house and arrive at different numbers. Do you count a staircase twice? After all it exists on more than one level. Yet, it really is only floor space that is used as a single level. Then there are tricky floorplans with cut outs and overhangs that can not be measured from the ground. To measure, you end up doing estimates based upon other measurements of either the interior or surrounding walls that can be measured. I am currently involved in a sale that is new construction. The builder, based upon architectural plans, has a measurement of 3650 square feet. The appraiser who was at the house last week found a measurement of 3823 square feet. Just using the average in LO as I calculated above, that’s an additional value of $30,000.
Ultimately my perspective is that looking at price per square foot can be helpful, but it needs to be taken with some understanding that it is not an exact science. As a buyer or a seller, you also need to factor in the obvious things like age, condition, and location, but also how much do you love the house. Is it worth to you what is being offered? Because ultimately a house is worth what a seller is willing to sell it for and what a buyer is willing to pay for it. These are human decisions and not scientific ones.
Thanks for reading. Send us your questions and allow Linda and I to address them here. We would so much rather be writing about things that are of interest to you. Again, thanks for reading.
Dianne
Open Houses ~ Sunday, April 3, 2011
Happy Springtime in Lake Oswego! There are 42 homes being held Open according to RMLS. I know that there are a selection of homes in the Hallinan area that are involved in a “Cooperative Open” because my listing at 979 Devon Lane is one of them! (This beautiful property w/Mt Hood & valley views just reduced by $25,000!). We’ll have information on the other homes involved, so come see one & then see all of us! There is also a beautiful “find” at 1851 Kilkenny Drive nearby being held Open that you may want to check out; gorgeous lot & view, tons of updates, and stellar location! (as in: “value” : )
Of those Open, there are 8 properties between $100,000 & $300,000., 14 between $300,000 & $500,000., 16 between $500,000 & $1,000,000., and 4 over a million.
Here you go… Enjoy!
| Address | L/Price | # Beds | # Baths | Total SF | Style | Open |
| 6927 MONTAUK CIR | $129,000 | 2 | 1 | 968 | CONDO | 1-3PM |
| 1400 BONNIEBRAE DR | $169,500 | 2 | 1 | 864 | TOWNHSE | 1-3PM |
| 5061 FOOTHILLS DR G | $180,000 | 2 | 2 | 991 | CONDO | 2-4PM |
| 48 EAGLE CREST DR 5F | $195,000 | 2 | 2 | 1370 | CONDO | 1-3PM |
| 16250 PACIFIC HWY 61 | $209,000 | 2 | 2 | 1305 | CONDO | 2-4PM |
| 53 ORIOLE LN | $250,000 | 3 | 2.1 | 2072 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 7 BRITTEN CT | $280,000 | 4 | 2 | 2046 | TOWNHSE | 1-3PM |
| 19250 MAREE CT | $299,000 | 3 | 2.1 | 1519 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 14251 CAMDEN LN | $349,000 | 3 | 2.1 | 2179 | DETACHD | 12-3PM |
| 1851 KILKENNY DR | $349,900 | 4 | 3 | 2654 | DETACHD | 11AM-1PM |
| 1053 HALLINAN ST | $349,900 | 3 | 2.1 | 1944 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 1621 LARCH ST | $364,900 | 3 | 2.1 | 3040 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 1830 CLOVERLEAF RD | $367,000 | 5 | 2 | 1795 | DETACHD | 12:30-2PM |
| 775 BOCA RATAN DR | $414,900 | 4 | 3.1 | 2727 | DETACHD | 11:30AM-1:30PM |
| 960 LAKE FOREST DR | $419,900 | 3 | 2 | 2838 | DETACHD | 1-4PM |
| 979 DEVON LN | $425,000 | 3 | 3.1 | 2162 | DETACHD | 1-4PM |
| 2360 Greentree RD | $429,000 | 3 | 2.1 | 2207 | DETACHD | 2-5PM |
| 17790 WESTVIEW DR | $459,900 | 4 | 3 | 3361 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 19487 SW DOGWOOD CT | $469,900 | 4 | 3 | 3105 | DETACHD | 10AM-5PM |
| 19443 KOKANEE CT | $474,700 | 4 | 2.1 | 2807 | DETACHD | 12-4PM |
| 19319 SW DOGWOOD CT | $499,900 | 4 | 2.1 | 3105 | DETACHD | 10AM-5PM |
| 14674 RAINBOW DR | $499,950 | 4 | 3 | 3108 | DETACHD | 12-3PM |
| 3718 RIVERS EDGE DR | $529,900 | 3 | 2.1 | 2536 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 19285 MEGLY CT | $539,900 | 5 | 3 | 3275 | DETACHD | 10AM-5PM |
| 3 BOLIVAR ST | $569,900 | 5 | 2.1 | 4780 | DETACHD | 1-4PM |
| 19200 MEGLY CT | $569,900 | 6 | 3 | 3490 | DETACHD | 10AM-5PM |
| 1217 TYNDALL CT | $599,000 | 4 | 4 | 5181 | DETACHD | 2-4PM |
| 5511 FIELDSTONE CT | $658,950 | 4 | 2.1 | 3037 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 15566 VILLAGE PARK CT | $659,900 | 5 | 3.1 | 4692 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 17884 KELOK RD | $668,000 | 5 | 3.1 | 4124 | DETACHD | 2:15-4PM |
| 17896 KELOK RD | $668,000 | 5 | 5.1 | 4323 | DETACHD | 2:15-4PM |
| 5533 FIELDSTONE CT | $668,950 | 4 | 2.1 | 3115 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 5321 AMBERWOOD CT | $669,900 | 4 | 3 | 3315 | DETACHD | 2-4PM |
| 15622 FIELDSTONE DR | $698,950 | 3 | 2.1 | 3113 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 5320 SOUTHWOOD DR | $728,000 | 4 | 3 | 3646 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 18020 SKYLAND CIR | $895,000 | 4 | 3.1 | 3210 | DETACHD | 1:30-3:30PM |
| 18209 SIENA DR | $994,000 | 5 | 3.1 | 3839 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 215 CHANDLER PL | $995,000 | 3 | 2.1 | 3118 | DETACHD | 1-4PM |
| 18222 SIENA DR | $1,189,000 | 4 | 3.1 | 3998 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 18024 SKYLAND CIR | $1,595,000 | 4 | 3.2 | 4131 | DETACHD | 12-3PM |
| 1300 SKYLAND DR | $1,750,000 | 4 | 4.2 | 6311 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
| 2572 GLEN EAGLES PL | $1,895,000 | 5 | 4.2 | 6490 | DETACHD | 1-3PM |
Spring is Poetry
Spring makes poets of all of us! I thought you might enjoy some of the poetry I was able to find from the lofty among us… as well as the rest! ~ Happy Spring ~
Here’s a classic from Rumi:
The Music We Are
Did you hear that winter’s over? The basil
and the carnations cannot control their
laughter. The nightingale, back from his
wandering, has been made singing master
over the birds. The trees reach out their
congratulations. The soul goes dancing
through the king’s doorway. Anemones blush
because they have seen the rose naked.
Spring, the only fair judge, walks in the
courtroom, and several December thieves steal
away, Last year’s miracles will soon be
forgotten. New creatures whirl in from non-
existence, galaxies scattered around their
feet. Have you met them? Do you hear the
bud of Jesus crooning in the cradle? A single
narcissus flower has been appointed Inspector
of Kingdoms. A feast is set. Listen: the
wind is pouring wine! Love used to hide
inside images: no more! The orchard hangs
out its lanterns. The dead come stumbling by
in shrouds. Nothing can stay bound or be
imprisoned. You say, “End this poem here,
and wait for what’s next.” I will. Poems
are rough notations for the music we are.