Tag: Linda Trotta Realtor

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Lake Oswego Open Houses for Sunday, April 11, 2010

This Sunday is the National Association of Realtors Nationwide Open House. That is reflected here in Lake Oswego by the fact that there are 58 houses being held open on Sunday. So if there ever was a day that you considered driving around to see some houses, this Sunday is that day. I am proud to also let you know that I will be holding open 211 Oswego Summit, a gorgeous, view condo at the top of Mt. Park. I noticed that in the affordability category, it is the 5th least expensive property on the open house roster. Come on by. I’d love to meet you.

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type Open
44 EAGLE CREST DR $119,900 2 1 908 CONDO 1 to 4
4 TOUCHSTONE $189,995 3 2.1 1,350 CONDO 1 to 3
287 CERVANTES $195,000 3 1.1 1,144 CONDO 2 to 4
200 BURNHAM RD $205,850 1 1 820 CONDO 3 to 5
211 OSWEGO SMT $229,900 2 2 1,506 CONDO 12 to 3
4340 BOTTICELLI ST $239,900 3 3.1 2,098 CONDO 1 to 4
12835 SW 62ND AVE $279,500 3 2 1,200 DETACHD 12 to 2
12892 BOONES FERRY RD $299,000 2 2.1 1,136 CONDO 1 to 3
4505 WILDWOOD ST 329900 3 2 1,720 DETACHD 1 to 3
5756 SW KENNY ST 339000 3 2.1 1,542 DETACHD 2 to 4
15965 INVERURIE RD 349900 3 2 1,915 DETACHD 10:30 to 12:30
5324 LOWER DR 370000 3 2.1 2,034 DETACHD 1 to 3
119 3RD ST 385000 3 2 1,204 CONDO 1 to 4
17763 MARDEE AVE 399500 5 3 2,300 DETACHD 1:30 to 3:30
16901 LAKERIDGE DR 399900 4 3 2,080 DETACHD 1 to 3
19026 INDIAN SPRINGS RD 399900 5 3 2,471 DETACHD 2 to 4
138 KINGSGATE RD 399900 3 2.1 1,600 DETACHD 1 to 3
5644 WINDFIELD LOOP 410000 3 3 1,800 DETACHD 1 to 3
405 BOCA RATAN DR 449000 3 2.1 2,040 DETACHD 1 to 4
1641 ASH ST 450000 4 3 2,825 DETACHD 1 to 3
2697 LOOKOUT CT 450000 3 2 2,419 DETACHD 12 to 2
13340 AUBURN CT 465000 3 2.1 2,451 ATTACHD 1 to 3
5475 WILLOW CT 474900 3 2.1 2,438 ATTACHD 1 to 3
1344 TROON DR 475000 3 2 2,600 DETACHD 12 to 2
1931 WOODLAND TER 495000 4 3 2,817 DETACHD 1 to 4
136 D AVE 515000 2 2.1 1,741 ATTACHD 1 to 4
5678 CHARLES CIR 540000 3 4 3,455 DETACHD 1 to 3
745 BERWICK CT 549000 3 2 1,988 DETACHD 1 to 4
19415 SW DOGWOOD CT 549900 5 3 3,517 DETACHD 10 to 5
1060 UPPER DEVON LN 559000 3 2.1 2,400 DETACHD 12 to 2
26 INDEPENDENCE AVE 574000 4 3 3,694 DETACHD 1 to 3
19288 SW Megly CT 579900 5 3 3,594 DETACHD 10 to 5
17879 HILLSIDE DR 584900 3 3 3,049 DETACHD 1 to 4
19266 SW MEGLY CT 589900 4 3 3,575 DETACHD
19101 INDIAN CREEK AVE 599900 2 2.1 3,259 DETACHD 2 to 5
7 MOUNTAIN VIEW LN 609000 5 2.1 3,324 DETACHD 1 to 4
18606 WESTVIEW DR 649900 3 2.5 2,783 DETACHD 12 to 3
18010 GIMLEY CT 685000 4 2.5 3,652 DETACHD 12 to 3
5705 SOUTHWOOD DR 687000 3 2.1 3,372 DETACHD 1 to 3
1015 SOUTHSHORE BLVD 773000 4 3 3,542 DETACHD 11 to 2
282 GREENWOOD RD 799500 3 2.1 2,538 DETACHD 2 to 6
1785 PALISADES TERRACE DR 847000 5 4.1 5,052 DETACHD 1 to 3
12439 SW 22ND AVE 899900 4 3.1 4,118 DETACHD 2 to 4
17896 KELOK RD 948500 5 5 4,323 DETACHD 2:15 to 4
18222 SIENA DR 1088000 6 4.1 3,800 DETACHD 1 to 3
17642 UPPER CHERRY LN 1099000 3 3.1 3,927 DETACHD 12 to 3
1809 HEADLEE LN 1125000 2 2.1 3,836 DETACHD 1 to 4
18209 SIENA DR 1178950 5 3.1 3,839 DETACHD 1 to 3
16805 SCOTT CT 1190000 4 3.1 4,321 DETACHD 12:15 to 2:15
17464 RIDGEVIEW LN 1199950 4 3.1 4,407 DETACHD 1 to 3
1808 RIDGE POINTE DR 1269000 5 4.1 4,155 DETACHD 1 to 3
18246 BELLA TERRA DR 1294000 4 3.1 4,196 DETACHD 1 to 3
408 Northshore RD 1299000 4 3.1 3,753 DETACHD 1 to 3
664 OAK MEADOW DR 1299950 4 3.1 4,198 DETACHD 1 to 3
657 OAK MEADOW DR 1349950 4 3.1 4,371 DETACHD 1 to 3
17364 RIDGEVIEW CT 1399950 4 3.1 4,436 DETACHD 1 to 3
18024 SKYLAND CIR 1665000 4 3.2 4,131 DETACHD 12 to 3
15825 OSWEGO SHORE CT 1985850 4 3.1 4,317 DETACHD 12 to 2
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Lake Oswego Open Houses ~ Easter 2010

Sunday, April 4th will be a time for all kinds of celebration, good food, activities with loved ones & friends, and…….. Open Houses in Lake Oswego!  There are 7 properties to see according to RMLS.  Enjoy!

Address L/Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type Open
19288 SW Megly CT $579,900 5 3 3594 DETACHD 1-5PM
7 MOUNTAIN VIEW LN $609,000 5 2.1 3324 DETACHD 1-4PM
1015 SOUTHSHORE BLVD $773,000 4 3 3542 DETACHD 12:30-2:30PM
17464 RIDGEVIEW LN $1,199,950 4 3.1 4407 DETACHD 1-3PM
664 OAK MEADOW DR $1,299,950 4 3.1 4198 DETACHD 1-3PM
657 OAK MEADOW DR $1,349,950 4 3.1 4371 DETACHD 1-3PM
17364 RIDGEVIEW CT $1,399,950 4 3.1 4436 DETACHD 1-3Pm
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Looking Ahead to Sunny Weather

Oregon is famous for its rain. From November to early June, that is a big part of living in the Pacific Northwest. So I think of late March and early April in much the same way that the modern office worker thinks of Wednesday. This is the “hump” time: rather like Wednesday in the middle of the week. We are half way through our rainy season and looking ahead to the onset of warm and sunny days.

Last summer I took a trip to the Oregon Garden with the specific idea to share it with readers of the blotter. But rather than post it in July, when everywhere you looked was sunshine and gorgeous, lush foliage, I decided to save it for getting us all over the hump in the rainy season. So here you have it. We are now getting over the hump an looking ahead to sunny weather.

The Oregon Garden
The Oregon Garden has a special place in my heart for a couple of reasons. My sister-in-law’s father, Bill Gerber (former mayor of Lake Oswego), was one of the founders of the garden. And my Mom, back in her active days as a Realtor, worked with Bill Gerber to find the land to create the garden. I also have a huge fondness for the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, B.C. as my husband and I visited them on our honeymoon in 1981. The Oregon Garden was founded by the Oregon Association of Nurserymen, in partnership with the City of Silverton, in 1995. The location of the garden was chosen for its gently rolling terrain, which provides variety and is easy to walk, and the abundant availability of water. The City of Silverton uses the garden to recycle its treated wastewater. This means that there is a constant source of water to serve the garden as well as the fountains and ponds.

To get to the garden, it is an easy drive from several exits off of Interstate 5. The route is well marked with signs near Woodburn and just North of Salem. It is about a 40 minute drive Southeast of Portland. When I go, driving from Lake Oswego, I go South on Stafford Road and take the back-country roads over the Willamette River at the Canby Ferry. I like the back roads because I like to drive and I like to stop at produce stands to buy fruits and vegetables direct from the farmers. It’s a gorgeous way to spend an afternoon.

The Garden is open October to April from 10am to 4pm, and May to September from 9am to 6pm. Admission is $10 for Adults, $9 for Seniors (60 and older), $8 for Students (8-17 years old), and children (7 and younger) are free. The price of admission includes use of the Tram which runs throughout the Garden for anyone who needs assistance getting around or if you’re just ready to sit and relax.

Along with the Garden having a cafe and large meeting room, there is a luxury hotel, The Oregon Garden Resort, which has a spa, restaurant, lounge, and meeting facilities for business conferences and wedding receptions.

The Garden itself is divided into a variety of landscapes to showcase the abundant variety of plants, trees and flowers that thrive in Oregon. There is a whimsical Children’s Garden, a Rose Garden, a Conifer Garden, a Water Garden, a Green Roof, and a Home Demonstration Garden, to name just a few. I am really big on flowers. Give me flowers, flowers, everywhere and I am a happy lady. So I was caught by surprise when I found that I especially enjoyed the Conifer Garden. I was with a friend who has several dogs. She was looking for landscape ideas for trees that wouldn’t hurt if her little blind dog ran into it. So we were touching and smelling and really participating in the Conifer Garden. I was amazed.

The other thing I really recommend is visiting The Gorden House, which is located at The Oregon Garden. The Gordon House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1957. It is the only Frank Lloyd Wright house in Oregon, and the only one open to the public in the Pacific Northwest. Fans of architecture will understand that seeing a Frank Lloyd Wright house is a privilege. To get to do this on the same day that you visit a gorgeous garden is just icing on the cake.

The Garden hosts events year around. Some coming up in the near future are the Easter Egg Hunt on April 3rd (egg hunts for ages 0-3, 4-6, and 7-10; held at 11am, noon, and 1pm), Brewfest on April 23rd and 24th, a Motorcycle Show on May 22nd (I’ll be there with my husband, I can promise you), and a plant sale on June 12th.

So don’t give up. Don’t throw in the towel, although you may need to wring it out. The nice weather is just around the corner. And also remember that it is the long and rainy spring that makes Oregon so lush when the sun comes out in June. See you at the Garden!
Dianne

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Market Activity for March 22-28, 2010

Lake Oswego had 18 properties come onto the market last week, along with 13 houses that went pending and 8 houses that were closed sales. Here is your market report:

NEWLY LISTED (March 22—March 28, 2010)

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type List Date
100 KERR PKWY $99,990 1 1 617 CONDO 3/22/2010
4000 CARMAN DR $147,000 2 2 866 CONDO 3/23/2010
100 KERR PKWY $169,900 2 2 823 CONDO 3/22/2010
16149 PEARCY ST $229,900 3 2 1,250 DETACHD 3/26/2010
653 A AVE $245,000 2 2 1,290 DETACHD 3/24/2010
17870 DEERBRUSH AVE $349,900 3 2.1 1,912 DETACHD 3/26/2010
534 2ND ST $359,000 2 2.1 1,394 CONDO 3/28/2010
75 CONDOLEA WAY $389,000 3 3 2,131 CONDO 3/23/2010
31 NOVA CT 434000 4 2.1 2,107 DETACHD 3/28/2010
13340 AUBURN CT 465000 3 2.1 2,451 ATTACHD 3/22/2010
17701 LEAFY LN 589000 4 3 3,600 DETACHD 3/23/2010
203 EVERGREEN RD 619000 3 3.1 1,973 ATTACHD 3/22/2010
4113 WESTBAY RD 631000 2 3 2,477 DETACHD 3/25/2010
18606 WESTVIEW DR 649900 3 2.5 2,783 DETACHD 3/22/2010
491 COUNTRY CLUB RD 679900 3 2 2,486 DETACHD 3/23/2010
2099 SUMMIT DR 699000 3 2.1 2,250 DETACHD 3/23/2010
901 LAKE SHORE RD 899000 4 3 3,216 DETACHD 3/24/2010
667 LAKE BAY CT 1399000 4 4 3,361 DETACHD 3/25/2010

PENDING SALES (March 22 – March 28, 2010)

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type CDOM
15200 BOONES WAY $169,000 2 1.1 1,248 CONDO 142
16200 PACIFIC HWY $239,000 2 2 1,200 CONDO 173
1601 GREENTREE RD $249,900 3 2.1 2,444 DETACHD 149
7 PEACOCK PL $279,950 3 2.1 1,400 DETACHD 143
5 ORIOLE LN $348,000 3 2.1 2,024 DETACHD 14
15 CHURCHILL DOWNS $368,000 4 2 2,014 DETACHD 115
4002 TEMPEST DR $430,000 4 3.1 4,319 DETACHD 33
2440 OVERLOOK DR $500,000 4 3 3,874 DETACHD 36
14279 CAMDEN LN 510000 4 2.1 2,373 DETACHD 71
14584 PFEIFER WAY 559000 3 2 2,600 DETACHD 47
5783 VICTORIA CT 595000 3 2 2,344 DETACHD 14
13315 HIDDEN BAY CT 688000 5 2.1 3,671 DETACHD 151
5245 LANGFORD LN 719000 3 2.1 2,957 DETACHD 104

SOLD (March 22- March 28, 2010)

Address O/Price Close Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type CDOM
3009 WEMBLEY PARK RD $329,000 $320,000 4 1.1 1,754 DETACHD 302
2705 ORCHARD HILL PL $374,900 $331,500 3 2.5 2,250 DETACHD 19
5026 HARTFORD PL $429,000 $425,000 4 2.1 2,887 DETACHD 570
4651 HASTINGS PL $454,900 $440,000 4 2.1 2,215 DETACHD 35
5310 WASHINGTON CT $624,900 $582,000 4 3.1 3,328 DETACHD 878
5590 KODERRA AVE $689,000 $625,000 4 2.1 3,072 DETACHD 264
4380 UPPER DR $784,900 $710,000 5 4.1 4,071 DETACHD 181
16764 ALDER CIR $1,679,000 $1,350,000 4 4.1 3,456 DETACHD 200

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 Sunday, March 28, 2010

Getting a head start on the weekend, here are the 21 open houses currently being promoted in the RMLS for this Sunday:

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type Open
1597 BONNIEBRAE DR $199,900 2 1 998 ATTACHD 1 to 3
181 Oswego Summit $200,000 2 2 1,383 CONDO 12 to 2
200 BURNHAM RD $205,850 1 1 820 CONDO 12 to 2
4251 WOODSIDE CIR $305,950 3 2 2,032 ATTACHD 12 to 2
3056 WEMBLEY PARK RD $339,000 3 2 2,600 DETACHD 1 to 4
19242 TERRY AVE $395,000 4 2 1,872 DETACHD 2 to 4
13340 AUBURN CT $465,000 3 2.1 2,451 ATTACHD 2 to 4
2031 LILLI LN $550,000 3 3.1 3,262 DETACHD 1 to 3
17 SCARBOROUGH DR 579900 4 2.1 3,290 DETACHD 1 to 4
19288 SW Megly CT 579900 5 3 3,594 DETACHD 1 to 5
7 MOUNTAIN VIEW LN 609000 5 2.1 3,324 DETACHD 1 to 4
15915 WALUGA DR 629000 3 2.1 2,939 DETACHD 1 to 4
17491 BLUE HERON DR 639950 4 2 2,396 DETACHD 1 to 3
13970 TAYLORS CREST LN 643490 4 2.1 3,371 DETACHD 11 to 2
5218 WESTFIELD CT 649900 4 2.1 3,125 DETACHD 1 to 4
18606 WESTVIEW DR 649900 3 2.5 2,783 DETACHD 12 to 3
18010 GIMLEY CT 685000 4 2.5 3,652 DETACHD 12 to 3
5245 LANGFORD LN 719000 3 2.1 2,957 DETACHD 2:30 to 4:30
17896 SW KELOK RD 974500 5 5 4,323 DETACHD 1 to 3:30
18024 SKYLAND CIR 1665000 4 3.2 4,131 DETACHD 1 to 3
2572 GLEN EAGLES PL 2395000 5 4.2 6,490 DETACHD 1 to 3

Have a great weekend!

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Financial Returns on Remodeling

ImageChef.comI think this time of year is rather conducive to taking on remodeling projects. Spring cleaning is part of it, but timing is also important. If you aren’t headed out of town for spring break, you may be considering taking on some projects around the house. And if you are thinking that you are going to sell your home this year, you are certainly looking around and wondering what you need to do to get your house ready.

The National Association of Realtors publishes an annual report on cost vs. value. This year it was published in the January issue of Realtor Magazine. The report breaks down the results by regions of the country: after all labor and materials costs do vary depending upon location. Oregon is in the Pacific region of this report. I also want to point out that every project is going to have a range of value. A kitchen can be remodeled for a couple of hundred dollars with a can of paint and a weekend of your time. Or it can be remodeled for $100,000 with slab granite, sub-zero stainless refrigerator, and commercial quality appliances. This report is based upon “averages”. In the case of kitchens and baths, it also shows “upscale”.

Here is a look at the estimated current cost vs. the resale return on the money spent:

Job Cost Resale Value Cost Recouped
Additions
Attic Bedroom $60,135 $52,749 87.70%
Back-up Power Generator $16,351 $9,462 57.90%
Bathroom $47,052 $32,057 68.10%
Composite Deck $16,956 $13,922 82.10%
Wood Deck $12,838 $11,744 91.50%
Family Room $100,023 $73,551 73.50%
Garage $69,912 $51,882 74.20%
Master Suite $124,579 $90,616 72.70%
Sunroom $83,463 $45,245 54.20%
Two-Story $184,839 $143,073 77.40%
Upscale
Bathroom $88,000 $58,557 66.50%
Composite Deck $41,428 $29,687 71.70%
Garage $102,955 $68,334 66.40%
Master Suite $257,770 $164,278 63.70%
Remodeling
Basement $74,974 $68,648 91.60%
Bathroom $18,864 $14,517 77%
Home Office $31,479 $17,801 56.50%
Major Kitchen $63,803 $53,923 84.50%
Minor Kitchen $23,210 $21,991 94.80%
Upscale
Bathroom $59,456 $39,648 66.70%
Major Kitchen $120,379 $89,764 74.60%
Replacements
Entry Door $1,353 $1,732 128%
Roofing $24,712 $18,839 76.20%
Vinyl Siding $13,114 $10,674 81.40%
Vinyl Windows $12,760 $11,328 88.80%
Wood Windows $13,804 $12,175 88.20%

These figures are calculated by NAR and I do find myself wondering about some of them. For instance, the return on a roof is shown to be 76.2%, but I know from experience that a house that needs a new roof is very difficult to sell. So it will take longer and it will receive low offers because of the roof. So I personally think that replacing a roof is critical prior to selling in a way that goes beyond the simple return on the cost of the new roof. However, for the sake of comparison, using these figures it is easy to see that the return on a wood deck is 91% whereas the return on a composite deck is 82%. So if the deck is being replaced purely for the purpose of selling the home, it makes more sense to replace the deck with wood.

My final thought on all of this is that you will see that there is only one item that returns `100% of its cost: replacing the front door, which actually returns 128% of the cost. Everything else, even the items with the higher returns, do not return 100%. To me, this means that if you are going to do remodeling, additions, and improvements to your home, do them so that you can enjoy them. Do them now. Don’t put them off. The value of your remodeling is something that you will enjoy every single day that you live in your home. And that is a value that goes beyond anything you can calculate in dollars.

Let us know if you have any questions. Linda and I are always here to help.

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Lake Oswego Open Houses ~ March 21, 2010

There is quite a lot to see in Lake Oswego this Sunday! 39 total with 11 over a million & most in the mid to upper price ranges.  There is still time to get in on the tax credits (“1st-Time Buyer” & “Moving-Up Credit”), but the clock is ticking.  Enjoy!

Here is what is Open in Lake Oswego today according to RMLS:

Address L/Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type Open
44 EAGLE CREST DR $119,900 2 1 908 CONDO 1-4PM
12868 BOONES FERRY RD $298,000 2 2.1 1136 CONDO 1-3PM
3269 PHYLLIS CT $349,900 3 1.2 1711 DETACHD 11-1PM
92 GREENRIDGE CT $349,995 3 2.1 1980 ATTACHD 1-3PM
2245 GLEN HAVEN RD $359,000 3 1.1 1276 DETACHD 12-3PM
18922 REDWING WAY $369,900 3 2 2076 DETACHD 2-4PM
119 3RD ST $385,000 3 2 1204 CONDO 1-4PM
405 BOCA RATAN DR $449,000 3 2.1 2040 DETACHD 1-4PM
2104 WEMBLEY PARK RD $469,000 4 3 2052 DETACHD 1-3PM
662 CLARA CT $469,900 3 3 2740 DETACHD 2-4PM
1060 UPPER DEVON LN $559,000 3 2.1 2400 DETACHD 12-2PM
5678 CHARLES CIR $565,000 3 4 3455 DETACHD 1-3PM
17 SCARBOROUGH DR $579,900 4 2.1 3290 DETACHD 2-4PM
19288 SW Megly CT $579,900 5 3 3594 DETACHD 1-5PM
5783 VICTORIA CT $595,000 3 2 2344 DETACHD 1-3PM
7 MOUNTAIN VIEW LN $609,000 5 2.1 3324 DETACHD 1-4PM
13970 TAYLORS CREST LN $643,490 4 2.1 3371 DETACHD 11-2PM
5218 WESTFIELD CT $649,900 4 2.1 3125 DETACHD 1-4PM
1703 VILLAGE PARK LN $789,000 3 2.1 3450 DETACHD 1-3PM
17110 LOWENBERG TER $799,000 4 2.1 2678 DETACHD 1-4PM
18360 DELENKA LN $829,000 4 3.1 4346 DETACHD 2:30-4:30PM
17281 LOWENBERG TER $874,900 4 3.1 3386 DETACHD 1-4PM
17154 LOWENBERG TER $879,900 5 3.1 3497 DETACHD 1-4PM
14480 KRUSE OAKS BLVD $895,000 4 3.1 4661 DETACHD 10-2PM
12439 SW 22ND AVE $899,900 4 3.1 4118 DETACHD 2-4PM
18014 GIMLEY CT $899,950 5 3.1 4887 DETACHD 1-3PM
16827 SCOTT CT $969,000 4 3.1 3952 DETACHD 1-3PM
548 RIDGEWAY RD $999,500 4 3 2830 DETACHD 1-3PM
18222 SIENA DR $1,088,000 6 4.1 3800 DETACHD 1-3PM
1414 COUNTRY COMMONS $1,095,000 4 3.1 5679 DETACHD 1-3PM
18209 SIENA DR $1,178,950 5 3.1 3839 DETACHD 1-3PM
624 ATWATER RD $1,199,000 5 3.1 4858 DETACHD 1-3PM
17464 RIDGEVIEW LN $1,199,950 4 3.1 4407 DETACHD 1-3PM
1808 RIDGE POINTE DR $1,269,000 5 4.1 4155 DETACHD 1-3PM
18246 BELLA TERRA DR $1,294,000 4 3.1 4196 DETACHD 1-3PM
664 OAK MEADOW DR $1,299,950 4 3.1 4198 DETACHD 1-3PM
657 OAK MEADOW DR $1,349,950 4 3.1 4371 DETACHD 1-3PM
17364 RIDGEVIEW CT $1,399,950 4 3.1 4436 DETACHD 1-3PM
2572 GLEN EAGLES PL $2,395,000 5 4.2 6490 DETACHD 1-3PM
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Lake Oswego Open Houses for March 14, 2010

The RMLS is promoting a boat load of open houses for this Sunday in LO. It’s going to be a lovely day with spring weather and lots of sunshine. So I hope you are able to get out and see some of these houses. Of the 39 homes being held open, 8 are condos, 1 is a townhouse, 4 are detached houses priced under $400,000, and 9 are priced at over one million dollars. Whew!

I want to invite you to come to my open house. I will be holding open 211 Oswego Summit from noon to 3pm. This is a gorgeous, one-level condo with sweeping mountain and city views. Priced at $229,900, with 2 big bedrooms and 2 full baths, it is a very affordable way to live in Lake Oswego. There are NO STAIRS and there is a single-car garage with an opener for easy entry on rainy days. I am just very proud of this property and I think you will see why. Plus, I’d love to meet you!

Here is the full list of this Sunday’s opens:

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type Open
4 TOUCHSTONE $129,000 2 2 984 CONDO 12 to 3
211 OSWEGO SMT $229,900 2 2 1,506 CONDO 12 to 3
4340 BOTTICELLI ST $239,900 3 3.1 2,098 CONDO 1 to 3
5055 Foothills DR $265,000 3 2 1,252 CONDO 1 to 3
5056 FOOTHILLS DR $269,000 2 2 1,252 CONDO 1 to 3
1723 CONIFER DR $312,950 3 2 1,602 DETACHD 12 to 3
2320 GLEN HAVEN RD $319,900 3 1.1 1,346 DETACHD 1 to 4
4310 SILVER CT $339,000 2 3.1 1,996 CONDO 12:30 to 3:30
3056 WEMBLEY PARK RD 339000 3 2 2,600 DETACHD 1 to 4
3269 PHYLLIS CT 349900 3 1.2 1,711 DETACHD 1 to 4
15 CHURCHILL DOWNS 375000 4 2 2,014 DETACHD 1 to 4
12402 27TH PL 375000 3 2 1,992 DETACHD 1 to 4
17763 MARDEE AVE 399500 5 3 2,300 DETACHD 1:30 to 3:30
119 3RD ST 399900 3 2 1,204 CONDO 2 to 4
15655 TWIN FIR RD 437000 3 2 2,095 DETACHD 1 to 3
5475 WILLOW CT 479900 3 2.1 2,438 ATTACHD 1 to 3
2705 SW ORCHARD HILL LN 499350 3 2.1 2,841 DETACHD 1 to 4
17802 HILLSIDE WAY 514998 4 2.1 2,965 DETACHD 1 to 3
14584 PFEIFER WAY 559000 3 2 2,600 DETACHD 3 to 5
33 MORNINGVIEW CIR 574900 3 2.1 2,737 DETACHD 2 to 4
19288 SW Megly CT 579900 5 3 3,594 DETACHD 1 to 5
815 COUNTRY COMMONS LN 595000 4 3 2,376 DETACHD 2 to 3:30
5218 WESTFIELD CT 699500 4 2.1 3,125 DETACHD 1 to 4
17645 OAK MEADOW LN 699900 4 2.1 3,510 DETACHD 12 to3
1015 SW SOUTHSHORE BLVD 789000 4 3 3,522 DETACHD 2:30 to 4
282 GREENWOOD RD 799500 3 2.1 2,538 DETACHD 1 to 4
1633 MAPLE ST 848500 3 3 3,405 DETACHD 1 to 3
17896 SW KELOK RD 974500 5 5 4,323 DETACHD 12:45 to 2:15
8 DOVER WAY 999000 6 4.2 6,244 DETACHD 1 to 3
18222 SIENA DR 1088000 6 4.1 3,800 DETACHD 1 to 3
18209 SIENA DR 1178950 5 3.1 3,839 DETACHD 1 to 3
17464 RIDGEVIEW LN 1199950 4 3.1 4,407 DETACHD 1 to 3
1808 RIDGE POINTE DR 1269000 5 4.1 4,155 DETACHD 1 to 3
18246 BELLA TERRA DR 1294000 4 3.1 4,196 DETACHD 1 to 3
664 OAK MEADOW DR 1299950 4 3.1 4,198 DETACHD 1 to 3
657 OAK MEADOW DR 1349950 4 3.1 4,371 DETACHD 1 to 3
17364 RIDGEVIEW CT 1399950 4 3.1 4,436 DETACHD 1 to 3
2572 GLEN EAGLES PL 2395000 5 4.2 6,490 DETACHD 1 to 3
4962 BILFORD LN 429900 3 2.1 DETACHD 1 to 3

Have a great weekend, Dianne

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Buying a house on the Lake

Oswego Lake has always had a certain appeal. It is in the middle of the town and is certainly a focus of the community. Years ago the waterfront homes were little vacation cottages that people came from Portland to enjoy on the weekends and on summer break. As rail lines and freeways made the drive quick and easy, the little cottages have gradually been replaced with modern homes and some pretty incredible mansions. Even if you will never aspire to living on the Lake, the real estate on the waterfront is certainly intriguing. And if you do want to live on the Lake, you need to know a little bit about the various values that the waterfront solicits.

There are 4 distinct categories of values for the waterfront. I am going to explore each one and give you a list of the current inventory.

Condominiums
Up until 10 years ago, there just weren’t many condos on the lake. There is a really charming 1940’s 4-plex on Northshore, but that was about it. Then in about 2000 the Lakewood Bay Condomiums and Lofts were built. And in 2008 a couple of apartment complexes were converted to condominiums at the Eastern end of the Lake. Of the various developments, there are two condo complexes that have docks and lawn areas right on the water’s edge. Some units have boat slips. And for anyone with disabilities or trying to avoid stairs, the Lakewood Bay Condos have elevator access. Here is the current inventory of condominiums for sale:

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type List Date
244 RIDGEWAY RD $214,500 2 1 753 CONDO 11/14/2009
668 MCVEY AVE $216,000 2 1 852 CONDO 1/28/2010
668 MCVEY AVE 209000 – 229000 3 1.1 985 CONDO 3/9/2010
668 MCVEY AVE $239,998 3 1.1 992 CONDO 11/24/2009
668 MCVEY AVE $395,000 3 1.1 985 CONDO 7/24/2009
119 3RD ST $399,900 3 2 1,204 CONDO 10/11/2009

Houses on the Canals

The canals are less expensive then the other areas of the lake.  Of course this will have a range of value with newer homes generally selling for more than older homes.  I think that location on the canals also affects the value.  Kelok Canal is a flowing body of water where the Lake is filled from the Tualatin River.  So the quality of the water is going to be better and more enjoyable to use than the more shallow and more stagnant water on the other canals.  Also, there is one canal that is so wide that it is often considered a bay, Blue Heron Bay/Canal.  There is a direct relationship between water quality and property values, in my opinion.  Here is what is currently for sale on the canals:

Address List Price # BR # BRHS Total SF Prop Type List Date
3300 SOUTHSHORE BLVD $549,850 2 2.2 1,162 DETACHD 1/1/2010
17471 CARDINAL DR $575,900 4 2.1 3,056 DETACHD 2/11/2010
17455 BLUE HERON RD $750,000 3 2 2,572 DETACHD 12/8/2009
17344 CEDAR RD $1,099,000 4 2.1 2,831 DETACHD 3/1/2010
3220 SOUTHSHORE BLVD $1,099,000 3 3 3,629 DETACHD 2/5/2010
17460 WREN CT $1,295,000 3 3.1 3,300 DETACHD 11/6/2009
17282 LAKE HAVEN DR $1,299,000 4 2.1 3,662 DETACHD 2/2/2010
17281 KELOK RD $1,395,000 4 3 2,682 DETACHD 1/21/2010

West Bay and Lakewood Bay
At each end of the lake is a bay. The bays are rather wide with enough room for boating and water skiing. Not as big as the lake, they still have better water quality than most of the canals. Lakewood Bay has the advantage of being next to Millinium Plaza Park for easy access to the Farmer’s Market. It also shares the water with restaurants with dock-side dining. Here is the current inventory of homes for sale on both of the bays:

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type List Date
106 3RD ST $699,900 2 2 1,495 DETACHD 7/16/2009
548 RIDGEWAY RD $999,500 4 3 2,830 DETACHD 10/19/2009
811 NORTHSHORE RD $1,299,900 4 4 4,945 DETACHD 4/8/2008
102 3RD ST $1,490,000 4 4 3,400 DETACHD 2/8/2010
307 NORTHSHORE RD $1,500,000 3 2 2,673 DETACHD 12/19/2009
425 NORTHSHORE RD $1,529,000 3 3 3,270 DETACHD 1/24/2010
1103 LAKESHORE RD $1,599,000 3 3 3,200 DETACHD 7/26/2008
4398 Lakeview BLVD $1,775,000 4 2.2 3,309 DETACHD 12/30/2008
100 3RD ST $1,799,000 3 3.1 3,600 DETACHD 2/6/2010

Main Lake
The prime real estate on the Lake is the main lake. This body of water is a natural lake. At it’s deepest it is about 150′. It is a couple of miles long and about half a mile wide, so it is large enough for boating, sailing, and water skiing. In my experience the values on the lake are affected by the amount of sun that the home is exposed to. On the North shore the houses get full sun all afternoon. On the South shore there are areas that get very little sun light and remain shaded nearly all day long. For this reason, I do think that the North shore has higher values than the South shore. However, the North shore is the home of a rail line that is still in use. So the sunshine is shared with 3 or 4 trains on a daily basis. There is talk of taking out the train track some day and putting in a trail for biking. That’s still in the dream stage and don’t hold me to it. If you buy on the North shore, be aware of the train. Here is the current inventory for houses on the main lake:

Address List Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type List Date
16511 Maple CIR $925,000 3 3 3,341 DETACHD 3/1/2010
16990 ALDER CIR $995,000 3 2.1 1,926 DETACHD 8/4/2008
3203 Southshore BLVD $1,099,900 4 3.1 3,773 DETACHD 2/23/2009
444 RIDGEWAY RD $1,150,000 3 2 2,099 DETACHD 9/9/2009
16771 MAPLE CIR $1,450,000 3 3 2,074 DETACHD 1/3/2009
983 LAKE FRONT RD $1,595,000 3 2.1 2,199 DETACHD 2/18/2010
1835 PALISADES TERRACE DR $1,748,900 4 3 3,380 DETACHD 1/8/2010
112 NORTHSHORE CIR $1,760,000 4 4.2 3,632 DETACHD 3/9/2010
2557 SOUTHSHORE BLVD $1,775,000 3 3.2 3,604 DETACHD 1/11/2010
333 NORTHSHORE RD $2,500,000 4 4.1 5,152 DETACHD 12/1/2009
961 TERRACE DR $3,495,000 4 4.2 5,795 DETACHD 9/7/2009
1719 LAKE FRONT RD $3,888,850 4 5.1 5,251 DETACHD 5/3/2009
16697 MAPLE CIR $4,695,000 4 3.1 3,146 DETACHD 1/30/2010
3012 LAKEVIEW BLVD $5,750,000 4 4.1 5,957 DETACHD 6/7/2008
1901 PALISADES TERRACE DR $5,950,000 5 4.1 7,284 DETACHD 4/27/2009
3232 LAKEVIEW BLVD $6,300,000 3 5.1 7,500 DETACHD 6/23/2008
3214 LAKEVIEW BLVD $7,500,000 4 5.1 5,800 DETACHD 6/23/2008
1850 NORTHSHORE RD $19,500,000 5 6.2 13,500 DETACHD 9/8/2008

And for those of you who really like to crunch the numbers, I thought I’d give you a list of the water front sales that have occurred in the last 12 months:

Address O/Price Close Price # BR # BTHS Total SF Prop Type CDOM
668 MCVEY AVE 164900 160000 2 1 852 CONDO 9
3688 SPRING LN 179900 164500 2 2 1,120 CONDO 81
668 MCVEY AVE 229900 199900 2 1 852 CONDO 765
668 MCVEY AVE 249850 200000 3 1.1 985 CONDO 982
668 MCVEY AVE 239900 220000 3 1.1 1,184 CONDO 61
668 MCVEY AVE 369900 300000 3 1.1 989 CONDO 521
668 MCVEY AVE 399850 365000 3 1.1 985 CONDO 19
111 3RD ST 419000 390000 2 2 1,206 CONDO 276
101 3RD ST 474900 430000 3 2 1,447 CONDO 376
17675 CARDINAL DR 599000 500000 3 3 3,458 DETACHD 294
830 CABANA LN 668250 572941 4 3.1 3,029 DETACHD 79
17332 Lake Haven DR 749000 710000 4 2 2,484 DETACHD 125
706 MCVEY AVE 949000 780000 3 2 2,000 DETACHD 391
18051 KELOK RD 899000 799000 5 3.1 3,670 DETACHD 401
716 MCVEY AVE 749998 800000 3 2 2,348 DETACHD 805
1755 SOUTHSHORE BLVD 949000 850000 5 3.1 4,757 DETACHD 104
17960 SARAH HILL LN 1179000 910000 5 3.1 4,800 DETACHD 163
1555 BAY VIEW LN 995000 945000 4 4.1 4,775 DETACHD 277
17178 CEDAR RD 1195000 1049000 5 3.1 4,209 DETACHD 92
1149 LAKESHORE RD 1295000 1115000 4 2.1 2,660 DETACHD 143
3270 LAKEVIEW BLVD 1399000 1125000 3 3 3,295 DETACHD 147
17211 KELOK RD 1399000 1230000 3 3.1 5,384 DETACHD 112
128 NORTHSHORE CIR 1479000 1290000 3 3.1 3,550 DETACHD 764
753 LAKESHORE RD 1385000 1335000 3 3.1 2,562 DETACHD 51
2605 SOUTHSHORE BLVD 1395000 1340000 3 4.1 4,750 DETACHD 234
17225 KELOK RD 1350000 1350000 4 3.1 4,161 DETACHD 0
975 LAKE FRONT RD 1899000 1500000 3 3 3,232 DETACHD 157
16840 ALDER CIR 1595000 1555000 4 2.1 3,563 DETACHD 77
4313 WESTBAY RD 2775000 2100000 4 3.1 4,000 DETACHD 193
890 LAKESHORE RD 2275000 2275000 3 3.1 3,200 DETACHD 0
16819 ALLEN RD 5500000 4850000 3 3.1 4,591 DETACHD 8
1980 TWIN POINTS RD 4987500 4987500 4 5 6,600 DETACHD 0

This is a pretty quick summary. But I think it gives you a small insight into what values are like for homes on Oswego Lake. The lake is just a very beautiful and unique place to own a home. In my experience people who aspire to living on the lake will start out in a more affordable home on a canal and then through the course of their professional lives move up to a home on the main lake. I have also known people who bought distressed properties on the canals and made enough money on a good remodel to sell at a profit and move onto the main lake. In any case, what a great place to come home to at the end of a long day at work. Living on the lake is like always being on vacation.

Please let Linda or I know if you have any questions about buying home on Oswego Lake.
Dianne

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Lake Oswego Open Houses ~ Sunday March 7, 2010

There are 20 properties scheduled to be Open in Lake Oswego Sunday, according to RMLS.  Enjoy!

L/Price Address # Beds # Baths Total SF Style Open
$129,000 4 TOUCHSTONE 2 2 979 TWNHSE 12-4PM
$298,000 12868 BOONES FERRY RD 2 2.1 1136 TWNHSE 1-3PM
$309,000 12892 BOONES FERRY RD 2 2.1 1136 TWNHSE 1-3PM
$329,500 5373 LAKEVIEW BLVD 3 1 2176 DETACHD 2-4PM
$385,900 18414 SANDPIPER ST 3 2.1 1712 DETACHD 11-3PM
$399,900 446 LIVINGOOD LN 4 2 2440 DETACHD 1-4PM
$469,000 57 CONDOLEA TER 2 2.1 2172 TWNHSE 1-3PM
$469,900 662 CLARA CT 3 3 2740 DETACHD 1-3PM
$559,000 14584 PFEIFER WAY 3 2 2600 DETACHD 2-4PM
$699,500 5218 WESTFIELD CT 4 2.1 3125 DETACHD 1-4PM
$789,000 1015 SW SOUTHSHORE BLVD 4 3 3522 DETACHD 12-1:45PM
$845,000 18955 BRYANT RD 4 2.1 3660 DETACHD 12-3PM
$974,500 17896 SW KELOK RD SW 5 5 4323 DETACHD 2:15-4PM
$1,125,000 1809 HEADLEE LN 2 2.1 3836 DETACHD 2-4PM
$1,199,950 17464 RIDGEVIEW LN 4 3.1 4407 DETACHD 1-3PM
$1,299,950 664 OAK MEADOW DR 4 3.1 4198 DETACHD 1-3PM
$1,349,950 657 OAK MEADOW DR 4 3.1 4371 DETACHD 1-3PM
$1,399,950 17364 RIDGEVIEW CT 4 3.1 4436 DETACHD 1-3PM
$1,985,850 15825 OSWEGO SHORE CT 4 3.1 4317 DETACHD 1-3PM
$2,395,000 2572 GLEN EAGLES PL 5 4.2 6490 DETACHD 1-3PM