real estate Archives - Page 124 of 131

August 17, 2009

Market Activity for August 10-16, 2009

Last week brought 11 new listings to Lake Oswego, 12 Pending sales, and 12 closed sales. Interesting to me was that all of the new listings are around 500k or less. That is the price range that is selling best. There is a very direct impact, in my opinion, on the sales activity that has been created by the First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit that is part the Federal Government’s stimulus package. No, I don’t think a first-time buyer will be buying a $500,000 house. But I do think the houses that are $350,000 or less will be in large part purchased by first-time buyers. And the homeowners who sell those will either buy again or choose to rent. So there may be some push up to the homes priced just up from the $350,000 range. The tax credit requires that buyers close on their purchase by the end of November. So for this week’s new listings, I would think that they are well positioned for a quick sale if they a in nice condition and priced correctly.

Having said all of that about last week’s new listings, I also make note of the sale at 890 Lakeshore: $2,275,000 and it sold in just 13 days, for full price.

(see below the tables for additional notes):

NEWLY LISTED (August 10—August 16, 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
4 TOUCHSTONE	$179,500	2	2	984	CONDO	8/13/2009
5354 LOWER DR	$309,000	3	1	1,565	DETACHD	8/10/2009
406 8th ST	$365,000	3	1.1	2,437	DETACHD	8/13/2009
16240 PARKER RD	$374,700	3	2	1,454	DETACHD	8/15/2009
18922 REDWING WAY	$379,900	4	2	2,076	DETACHD	8/12/2009
15580 PARTRIDGE DR	$398,000	4	2.1	2,245	DETACHD	8/13/2009
31 DA VINCI ST	$424,900	4	2.1	2,232	DETACHD	8/13/2009
17221 ROBB PL	$427,500	3	2	1,812	DETACHD	8/13/2009
138 KINGSGATE RD	435000	3	2.1	1,600	DETACHD	8/12/2009
17886 TUALATA AVE	468500	4	2	1,994	DETACHD	8/10/2009
939 SUNNY HILL DR	515000	4	2.1	3,254	DETACHD	8/15/2009

PENDING SALES (August 10-August 16, 2009)

ADDRESS

LIST PRICE

TOT. BEDS

TOT. BATHS

TOT. SQ FT

PROP TYPE

DOM

Address	List Price	# BR	# BTHS	Total SF	Prop Type	CDOM
14431 SHERBROOK PL	$249,900	4	3	2,605	DETACHD	254
17928 ROYAL CT	$269,900	3	2	1,272	DETACHD	111
5 PEACOCK PL	$299,950	4	2.1	1,760	DETACHD	135
4 WHEATHERSTONE	$334,950	3	2.1	1,692	CONDO	86
16695 GLENWOOD CT	$449,000	4	3	3,104	DETACHD	336
3355 UPPER DR	$470,000	4	2	3,205	DETACHD	23
2981 VALE CT	$475,000	5	2.1	3,516	DETACHD	436
14121 GABRIELLE CT	$609,000	4	2.1	3,006	DETACHD	55
5501 RACHEL LN	679900	4	2.2	3,509	DETACHD	623
5831 SUNCREEK DR	685000	4	2.1	2,733	DETACHD	27
18051 KELOK RD	799000	5	3.1	3,670	DETACHD	401
1149 LAKESHORE RD	1150000	4	2.1	2,660	DETACHD	143

SOLD (August 10-August 16, 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
82 OSWEGO SMT	$220,000	$210,000	2	2	1,212	CONDO	82
16501 LAKE FOREST BLVD	$319,900	$299,900	3	1	1,429	DETACHD	52
5214 LOWER DR	$659,000	$356,000	4	2.1	2,904	DETACHD	547
12537 27TH PL	$369,000	$369,500	4	2.1	2,375	DETACHD	12
1462 Worthington ST	$424,000	$395,000	4	3	1,800	DETACHD	108
17144 Warren CT	$585,000	$500,000	4	2.1	2,725	DETACHD	335
2161 HILLSIDE CT	$699,900	$519,900	4	3	3,347	DETACHD	357
645 COUNTRY CLUB RD	$975,000	$750,000	4	2.1	3,262	DETACHD	570
17259 LOWENBERG TER	$999,900	770000	4	2.1	2,955	DETACHD	662
943 SW ATWATER RD	$1,435,000	930000	4	2.1	3,874	DETACHD	331
3155 DOUGLAS CIR	$1,379,000	965000	5	3.2	4,517	DETACHD	385
890 LAKESHORE RD	2275000	2275000	3	3.1	3,200	DETACHD	0

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.

August 12, 2009

Community Gardens and the Bounty of Summer

luscher5 Here in Lake Oswego we are blessed with the long, warm days of summer that come on the heals of the misty and rainy days of May and June. The combination, along with personal commitment to gardening, leads to a rich bounty that is currently at its abundant peak. I don’t know of a better place to see this, in all of its glory, than at the community garden at Luscher Farm.

Luscher Farm was purchased by the City of Lake Oswego between the years of 1991 and 1999. It actually consists of 5 properties that when combined have an area of 47.71 acres. The main farm, Luscher, is considered to be the most intact historic farm in Clackamas County. Originally used as a dairy farm and for cattle, it was built at the turn of the century. It is located just outside of the Southeast edge of the city at the corner of Stafford and Rosemont Roads. It is now a public park that provides both recreation and educational opportunities for learing about farming, gardening, environmental education, and community supported agriculture. And I am not talking about some hoity-toity experience where you drive up in your SUV and marvel at the cows and the chickens. I’m talking about you and your family having a plot of land where you can nurture your own harvest and get dirt under your finger nails.

luscher1 The community garden is just one part of Luscher Farm, but it is a high-light, for sure.

This year there are 188 garden plots being cultivated by individuals and families. The plots are assigned by offering them to last year’s gardeners first, in November, and then any remaining plots are offered to the public in December. The demand for the plots is large, so be in the game early if you want to reserve one for next year. The prices I’m going to give are what was charged in 2009. Prices for 2010 have not been determined, so there could be an increase. But I believe that even with an increase it will still be a bargain. Prices include access to a tool shed, where they have most anything you could imagine needing, organic fertilizer at the start of the season, and water. A 10×20 plot is $47 for residents of LO and $52 for non-residents. A 20×20 plot is $67 for residents of LO and $74 for non-residents. There are also raised beds for older folks and people with disabilities who might have a hard time bending over to tend their garden. The raised beds are $37 for residents and $41 for non-residents. This fee is for the entire season and while you do have to go to your garden to do the watering, it does include the water. Along with paying your fee, you are required to give 4 hours of your time to volunteer in the garden: helping to build new plots (the garden gets expanded pretty much every year), weeding and mowing.

luscher2 If you are not a returning gardener, but would like to have a garden plot next summer, I recommend that you call the City of Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Department on December 1st to find out the date and time that the plots will be distributed. In the past they were given out on a first-come-first-served basis and all plots were gone within an hour or two of being offered. This year they are considering a lottery system, but that decision has not been made. The phone number for Parks and Recreation at the City of Lake Oswego is 503-697-6500.

Besides the community garden, Luscher Farm has got some other very cool offerings.

The city works in cooperation with Oregon Tilth’s Organic Education Center to operate a demonstration garden that is all about showing people biologically sound urban agriculture. It teaches about organic gardening and how to grow sustainable food.

luscher7 Luscher Farm is also home to the Brewster Rogerson Clematis Collection. You know clematis? Those gorgeous vines with the unbelievably huge blossoms? We have lots of clematis in LO. Different varieties bloom at different times of the year with some even blooming in winter. If you like to garden and you live in LO, you probably know about and love clematis.

And then there is the Community Supported Agriculture program. This program consists of 12 acres that are cultivated and maintained by 47th Avenue Farms . This is a co-op farming program. It consists of 12 acres at Luscher Farms that are cultivated with a variety of vegetables for year-around consumption. These include beets, brocolli, carrots, cauliflower, chard, cilantro, garlic, greens, herbs, kale, leeks, lettuce, onion, parsley, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, scallions, spinach, squash, and swiss chard. Yum! The produce is grown for a set number of harvest share holders. These share holders buy into the bounty, but they also buy into the risk. A late freeze or unusual storm can damage a crop. So you become a share holder in the good and the bad. Looking at the good, it means fresh grown organic produce that is locally sustainable for your palate and luscher6 your good health. In the summer shareholders pick up the bounty of the crops on a weekly basis. In the late fall through early spring it is less frequent, but it still happens. I visited the wesite for 47th Avenue Farms and found discriptions of various share options, but no specific pricing. I would imagine that next year’s membership is still being formulated. There is a link to a waiting list as well as for e-mailing to get information. The website is www.47thavefarm.com .

Writing about all of the wealth of summer is making me hungry. I think it’s time to go and to steam some brocolli!

August 3, 2009

Market Activity for July 27th to August 2nd, 2009

Last week was really interesting as far as market activity. We had 20 new listings and 21 pending sales. I think that’s the first week that I’ve seen in months where we actually had more houses sold than houses coming onto the market. Also interesting is that key box activity was down. This means that fewer key boxes were being opened. As you are probably aware, we had a heat wave with pretty much every day over 90 and several in a row over 100. So people were not out in large numbers getting into houses, but those who did were serious buyers and making offers. We had 13 closed sales.

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

NEWLY LISTED (July 27—August 2, 2009)

ADDRESS

LIST PRICE

TOT. BEDS

TOT. BATHS

TOT. SQ FT

PROP TYPE

LIST DATE

Address	List Price	# BR	# BHTS	Total SF	Prop Type	List Date
100 KERR PKWY	$91,800	1	1	671	CONDO	7/31/2009
48 EAGLE CREST DR	$248,900	3	2	1,623	CONDO	7/28/2009
18231 TERRY AVE	$399,900	3	2	1,764	DETACHD	7/31/2009
13045 PRINCETON CT	$449,000	3	2.1	2,900	DETACHD	7/26/2009
13821 REGENCY CT	$450,000	4	2.1	2,139	DETACHD	7/31/2009
18410 DEERBRUSH AVE	$495,000	4	2.1	2,217	DETACHD	7/27/2009
4673 Lakeview ST	$499,000	3	2.1	1,900	DETACHD	7/31/2009
4018 COHO LN	$539,000	3	2	2,489	DETACHD	7/31/2009
149 DEL PRADO ST	585000	4	3.1	3,266	DETACHD	7/30/2009
18116 PIONEER CT	589900	5	3	3,500	DETACHD	8/1/2009
1970 GREENTREE RD	624900	4	3	2,428	DETACHD	7/30/2009
844 5TH ST	849900	3	3	2,590	DETACHD	7/28/2009
17606 WOODHURST PL	850000	5	3.1	4,488	DETACHD	7/27/2009
18360 DELENKA LN	898000	4	3.1	4,346	DETACHD	7/30/2009
4211 CHAD DR	949000	5	3.1	3,937	DETACHD	7/29/2009
737 COUNTRY CLUB RD	1095000	4	2.1	3,100	DETACHD	7/31/2009
1560 COUNTRY COMMONS LN	1099000	4	3.5	4,638	DETACHD	7/30/2009
17677 WESTVIEW DR	1423000	5	4.1	5,031	DETACHD	7/27/2009
16764 ALDER CIR	1679000	4	4.1	3,456	DETACHD	7/30/2009
1790 SKYLAND DR	1695000	5	4.1	6,033	DETACHD	7/29/2009

PENDING SALES (July 27-August 2, 2009)

ADDRESS

LIST PRICE

TOT. BEDS

TOT. BATHS

TOT. SQ FT

PROP TYPE

DOM

Address	Close Price	List Price	# BR	# BTHS	Total SF	Prop Type	CDOM
15210 BOONES WAY		$170,000	2	2	1,185	CONDO	50
12844 BOONES FERRY RD		$229,900	2	2.1	1,136	CONDO	135
1889 BOCA RATAN DR		$229,900	3	2	1,393	ATTACHD	7
16651 LAKE FOREST BLVD		$257,900	3	1	1,230	DETACHD	184
68 TOUCHSTONE		$299,000	5	4.1	3,148	DETACHD	104
655 HEMLOCK ST		$314,900	3	1.1	1,352	DETACHD	16
800 WOODWAY CT		$325,000	4	3	2,066	DETACHD	107
1307 CEDAR ST		$350,000	4	3	2,054	DETACHD	253
17501 HILL WAY		369900	3	2	1,694	DETACHD	6
6109 SUMMER WOODS		390000	4	2.1	2,331	DETACHD	254
2802 GREENTREE RD		449500	3	2.1	2,280	DETACHD	3
16439 LEXINGTON CT		474900	2	2	1,563	DETACHD	49
101 3RD ST		474900	3	2	1,447	CONDO	376
686 SUNNY HILL DR		569500	4	2.1	2,300	DETACHD	67
5568 KODERRA AVE		599000	4	2.1	3,072	DETACHD	196
14135 EDENBERRY DR		775000	4	2.1	3,174	DETACHD	98
755 6TH ST		1185000	4	3.1	3,973	DETACHD	639
3270 LAKEVIEW BLVD		1275000	3	3	3,295	DETACHD	147
14062 Goodall RD		1419000	4	3.1	4,220	DETACHD	404
13770 CAMEO CT		1998000	4	5.1	6,669	DETACHD	198
890 LAKESHORE RD		2275000	3	3.1	3,200	DETACHD	0

SOLD (July 27-August 2, 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
100 SW KERR PKWY	$97,900	$96,000	1	1	617	CONDO	70
86 KINGSGATE RD	$139,900	$169,900	2	2	849	CONDO	419
47 EAGLE CREST DR	$137,500	$135,200	2	1	932	CONDO	52
668 MCVEY AVE	$383,500	$200,000	3	1.1	985	CONDO	982
5063 Foothills DR	$259,000	$225,000	2	2	1,031	CONDO	213
4366 WOODSIDE CIR	$349,000	$309,000	3	2.1	1,762	ATTACHD	97
17280 WESTVIEW DR	$399,900	$340,000	3	2.1	2,324	DETACHD	31
4959 BILFORD LN	$547,500	$499,900	3	2.1	2,456	DETACHD	45
4114 GLACIER LILY ST	$559,000	515000	4	2.1	2,470	DETACHD	65
17215 LOWENBERG TER	$850,000	804000	4	2.1	2,819	DETACHD	550
14067 GOODALL RD	$1,249,000	950000	4	3.1	3,784	DETACHD	759
975 LAKE FRONT RD	$2,100,000	1500000	3	3	3,232	DETACHD	293
1915 SW CHILDS RD	$2,199,000	1500000	5	5.2	5,689	DETACHD	397

July 31, 2009

Open Houses for Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

62nd front This Sunday there are currently 25 houses scheduled in the RMLS to be held open, including my listing at 13638 SW 62nd in Southwood Park. It’s a big, family home with 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and 2 family rooms for just $319,900. Yes, it does need some cosmetic updating, but it has a newer 50 year roof, new windows, and new paint in and out. I’ll be there from noon to 3pm. I’d love to have you stop by. Look for my signs on Westlake Dr and Southwood Dr and follow them in to SW 62nd.

Here are the open houses scheduled for this Sunday:

1597 Bonniebrae Dr, $216,900. 2 BR, 1 BTH, 998 sq. feet, open 1-3

1581 Bonniebrae Dr, $265,000. 2 BR, 2 BTHS, 1393 sq. feet, open 11:30-1:30

343 5th St, $279,999. 2 BR, 1 BTH, 910 sq. feet, open 1-3

13638 SW 62nd Dr, $313,900, 4 BR, 3 BTHS, 2268 sq. feet, open noon-3

17311 Ashley Ct, $350,000. 4 BR, 2.5 BTHS, 2160 sq. feet, open 2-4

18407 Deer Oak Cir, $365,000. 4 BR, 2 BHTS, 1812 sq. feet, open 1-3

5845 McEwan Rd, $379,000. 3 BR, 1 BTH, 1824 sq. feet, open 2-4

41 Hillshire Dr, $459,000. 4 BR, 3 BHTS, 2670 sq. feet, open 1:30-3:30

18410 Deerbrush Ave, $495,000. 4 BR, 2.5 BTHS, 2217 sq. feet, open 1-3

4040 Virginia Way, $560,000. 3 BR, 2.5 BTHS, 2623 sq. feet, open 1-4

1508 Pine St, $579,000. 3 BR, 2.5 BTHS, 2300 sq. feet, open 1-3

475 10th St, $593,950. 4 BR, 2.5 BTHS, 2932 sq. feet, open 1-3

20 Da Vinci St, $599,900. 5 BR, 3 BTHS, 3089 sq. feet, open 1-4

570 7th St, $665,000. 4 BR, 2.5 BTHS, 2528 sq. feet, open 1-3

5218 Westfield Ct, $765,000. 3 BR, 2.5 BTHS, 3125 sq. feet, open 1-4

18360 Delanka Ln, $898,000. 4 BR, 3.5 BTHS, 4346 sq. feet, open noon-2

1015 Andrews Rd, $999,900. 4 BR, 3 BTHS, 3367 sq. feet, open 2-4

14480 Kruse Oaks Blvd, $1,049,000. 4 BR, 3.5 BTHS, 4661 sq. feet, open 1-3

17464 Ridgeview Ln, $1298,950. 4 BR, 3.5 BTHS, 4407 sq. feet, open 2-4

622 Oak Meadow Dr, $1,325,000. 4 BR, 3.5 BTHS, 4171 sq. feet, open 2-4

664 Oak Meadow Dr, $1,355,000. 4 BR, 3.5 BTHS, 4198 sq. feet, open 2-4

18110 Siena Dr, $1,394,000. 4 BR, 3.5 BTHS, 4311 sq. feet, open 1-4

657 Oak Meadow Dr, $1,395,000. 4 BR, 3.5 BTHS, 4371 sq. feet, open 2-4

17364 Ridgeview Ct, $1,425,000. 4 BR, 3.5 BTHS, 4436 sq. feet, open 2-4

17433 Ridgeview Ln, $1, 495,000. 4 BR, 4.5 BTHS, 4704 sq. feet, open 2-4

It’s going to be another beautiful summer weekend. Come on out and see some houses, and please don’t forget to come and see me at open house on SW 62nd.

July 29, 2009

Preparing Your House for the Home Inspection

The last 12 months have been a pretty rough time to be selling a home. Your home may have even been on the market for a period of time longer than you ever thought possible. But now you’ve gotten a good offer that you have accepted. This is a key time in any home sale. You must now get your home to pass the home inspection. I want to give you a list of 10 simple repairs you can do to prepare your home as well as a few things to do on the day of the inspection.

10 simple repairs to do before the home inspection:

1. Prune vegetation away from the house.

2. Clean the gutters.

3. Replace or clean any dirty furnace filters.

4. Install missing covers on electrical switches, outlets, and junction boxes.

5. Replace all smoke alarms installed before January 1, 2002 to comply with current standards.

6. Replace burned out light bulbs.

7. Pull soil 6″ away from the siding, basement windows, foundation vents, and decks.

8. Install 6mil. black, plastic vapor barrier in the crawlspace over exposed soil.

9. Install earthquake straps on the water heater.

10. Repair leaking faucets.

On the day of the inspection:

1. Remove any belongings that block access to the furnace, water heater, electrical panel, attic and crawl spaces so the inspector may get to these areas.

2. Verify the gas, water, and electricity are on, even in vacant homes.

3. Make sure all gas pilot lights are lit.

4. Make sure that all appliances normally operated by you can be tested as needed.

It is normal to feel a bit stressed when your home is inspected, but you can greatly increase a positive outcome on the inspection if you do a little prior planning. And a good home inspection directly affects your ability to maximize the proceeds that you will receive from the sale of your home. It is worth the time, effort, and a few dollars that it takes to get your home ready.

January 12, 2009January 23, 2009

Market Activity Report- January 5 – 11, 2009

Activity is picking up as evidenced by the number of new listings below. However, I’ll caution that roughly half of these are “freshened” listings, and though I like to pick through them and only display the truly “new”, scheduling did not allow me to do that for you today.

Your Realtor can answer any questions regarding a property’s history, and I’d be happy to advise you on that as well should you not have your own resource, and find something of interest below. Suffice it to say though, that the new year is providing inspiration to home sellers, and this is fairly common every year.

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

NEWLY LISTED (January 5 – 11,2009)

4 TOUCHSTONE DR	$ 114,000	2	2	984	CONDO	1/10/2009
65 GALEN ST	$ 129,000	1	1	689	CONDO	1/5/2009
3668 SPRING LN	$ 199,900	2	2	1,120	CONDO	1/6/2009
750 1ST ST	$ 225,000	2	2	1,350	CONDO	1/9/2009
6291 HARRINGTON AVE	$ 249,900	3	2	1,472	DETACHD	1/6/2009
6317 CARMAN DR	$ 275,000	3	1.1	1,344	DETACHD	1/5/2009
4664 FIRWOOD RD	$ 300,000	3	2	1,640	DETACHD	1/6/2009
18963 SW LONGFELLOW AVE	$ 339,900	3	1.1	1,232	DETACHD	1/5/2009
18959 KRISTI WAY	$384,400	3	2	1,778	DETACHD	1/6/2009
18971 INDIAN SPRINGS CIR	$399,950	3	2	1,525	DETACHD	1/7/2009
16018 WALUGA DR	$419,000	4	2	2,026	DETACHD	1/8/2009
142 KINGSGATE RD	$425,000	4	2.1	2,495	DETACHD	1/6/2009
1717 WOODLAND TER	$455,000	3	2.1	2,146	DETACHD	1/6/2009
17121 WALL ST	$525,000	3	2.1	2,187	DETACHD	1/9/2009
17622 BROOKHURST DR	$550,000	3	2.1	2,909	DETACHD	1/7/2009
3254 DUNCAN DR	$599,900	4	3.1	3,997	DETACHD	1/7/2009
668 MCVEY AVE	$599,998	3	1.1	992	CONDO	1/9/2009
5678 SW CHARLES CIR	$65,0000	4	4	3,455	DETACHD	1/5/2009
615 LAKE BAY CT	$669,900	3	3	2,542	DETACHD	1/5/2009
72 CONDOLEA WAY	$679,500	2	2.1	3,088	CONDO	1/9/2009
19524 RIVER RUN DR	$699,950	4	2.1	2,630	DETACHD	1/5/2009
15195 LILY BAY CT	$924,900	4	2.1	4,099	DETACHD	1/11/2009
3030 WESTVIEW CT	$959,000	4	2.1	3,415	DETACHD	1/11/2009
18682 WESTVIEW	$975,000	4	3	3,243	DETACHD	1/8/2009
662 9 th ST	$975,000	5	3.1	4,108	DETACHD	1/5/2009
2304 Oswego Glen CT	$1,395,000	4	2.1	3,896	DETACHD	1/5/2009
2793 POPLAR WAY	$1,995,000	5	5.1	6,300	DETACHD	1/9/2009

PENDING SALES (January 5 – 11, 2009)

3190 DUNCAN DR $304,900	3 2.1	2401 DETACHD 12/16/2008 24
5102 ROSEWOOD ST $341,900	3 2	1810 DETACHD 11/12/2008 54
4280 CHAPMAN WAY $469,000	3 2	1947 DETACHD 12/15/2008 105
17454 CANAL CIR $549,900	4 3	2275 DETACHD 4/19/2008 261
13581 GOODALL RD $550,000	3 2	1220 DETACHD 10/10/2008 490
5299 WESTFIELD CT $598,000	3 2.1	2865 DETACHD 8/2/2008 156
1141 TROON RD $648850	4 3	2522 DETACHD 7/2/2008 187

SOLD (January 5-11, 2009)

16250 PACIFIC HWY $269,850	$185,000	2 2.1	324 CONDO 433
5051 TUALATA LN $409,900	$400,000	4 2.1	591 DETACHD 114
16750 PHANTOM BLUFF CT$485,000	$430,000	3 3.2	267 DETACHD ,288
1971 PARK FOREST AVE $549,000	$549,000	4 2.2	180 DETACHD 13

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.

December 30, 2008December 30, 2008

Attitude is Everything

You may have noticed that both Linda and I tend to approach our careers in real estate with a pretty positive attitude. We share a world-view that allows for positive outcomes. I don’t know about Linda, but I do know that I have received criticism for maintaining this perspective while so much that is going on in the world, particularly in the current economy, is just so terrible. Because we are beginning a New Year, and I intend for 2009 to be a great year, I thought this would be a good time to share with you where I learned my positive attitude.

For those of you who know me, you also know that my mom was a Realtor before me. She was my mentor and role model not just in life, but also as a Realtor. And she is the one who taught me to have a positive attitude. She taught it by example. Her story is really quite remarkable.

My mom, Audrey Slater, was 24 years old the summer of 1954. She lived here in Lake Oswego and was the mother of a young child. She was one of 8 people who were residents of Lake Oswego who contracted polio that summer. For such a small town, it was considered to be an epidemic. 3 of those 8 people died. My mom was one of the lucky ones. She wasn’t killed by it. But she was paralyzed from the chest down. At that time there was no vaccine to prevent polio and there was no proven treatment. Fortunately she was well cared for. The nurses and doctors wrapped her in hot, wet, wool blankets and regularly moved her to help prevent muscle atrophy. When she recovered her future was uncertain. She was told she could quite possibly never walk again. She absolutely refused to accept that possibility. She spent the next several years of her life regaining her strength and learning to walk all over again. She went from her bed to a wheel chair and then to crutches and finally to walking on her own. She went on to be the mother of 3 additional children, including me. I clearly remember her overcoming many challenges that being a polio survivor brought, and foremost in my mind I remember her on-going insistence on maintaining a positive attitude.

This was the era of Norman Vincent Peale. The author of “The Power of Positive Thinking”, he spread a message of hope and good living through books, letters, and his work with people.

My mom took it to heart. She used it to overcome so much. Today, after raising a family and being a very successful Realtor here in Lake Oswego for 28 years, she is such a fine example of a life well lived and a life that has been lived to its fullest, despite tremendous challenge.

Are these times hard? Sure they are. Do they amount to the sum of our human existence? Absolutely not. This is a moment in time: a moment in history. And, frankly, there is much to be hopeful and optimistic about. It is our challenge to choose how we approach the day. Are we going to make it a good day? Or are we going to surrender to negativity and allow it to become a bad day? Will we allow news reports to keep us from moving on with our lives? Will we allow fear to keep us from noticing all the good things about this point in time relating to real estate…like record-low interest rates and prices? I would argue that a positive mindset allows for more rational decision making when coupled with an assessment of the variables.

This does not mean that I am unwilling to be realistic about facts and the current economy. It does mean that I will approach the current market and find a way to make it work to my clients’ benefit, whenever possible. It also means that even when the situation is tough, I will pledge to handle it with grace and good humor.

Finally, I have a video I want to encourage you to watch. Think of it as a little New Year’s gift. This is a video of a man who has overcome adversity so far above and beyond anything that most can imagine. To view it, click here.

I would like to wish you a positive and prosperous New Year.

December 23, 2008January 23, 2009

Market Activity Report for December 15-21, 2008

It’s Christmas, there is a foot of snow on the ground, and, yes, the market is slow. It is very typical that during the two weeks that kids are out of school and families are gathering, that the market creeps along. I believe the market will pick up when the holidays are over. In the mean time, here is your market activity report for December 15th to December 21st.

NEWLY LISTED (December 15 —December 21, 2008)

Address	List Price	# Bedrm.	# Baths	Total SF	Prop Type	List Date
4 TOUCHSTONE	$184,900	3	2.1	1,350	CONDO	12/18/2008
3190 DUNCAN DR	$304,900	3	2.1	2,401	DETACHD	12/16/2008
17100 BRYANT RD	$425,000	3	3	2,032	DETACHD	12/17/2008
4280 CHAPMAN WAY	$469,000	3	2	1,947	DETACHD	12/15/2008
815 10TH ST	$539,900	3	2	2,190	DETACHD	12/19/2008
4004 MELISSA DR	$598,950	3	2.1	2,840	DETACHD	12/17/2008
12424 SW 22ND AVE	$999,900	5	4.1	4,771	DETACHD	12/15/2008

PENDING SALES (December 15 —December 21, 2008)

Address	List Price	# Bedrm	#l Baths	Total SF	Prop Type	List Date	CDOM
4000 CARMAN DR	$144,000	1	1	767	CONDO	10/30/2008	226
5142 ROSEWOOD ST	$339,900	4	2.1	1,784	DETACHD	9/22/2008	232
1971 PARK FOREST AVE	$549,000	4	2	2,180	DETACHD	12/8/2008	13
13915 SUNDELEAF DR	$998,000	4	3.1	4,090	DETACHD	10/1/2008	797

SOLD (December 15—December 21, 2008)

Address	O/Price	# Bedrm	Total Baths	Total SF	Prop Type	Close Price	CDOM
4 TOUCHSTONE	$124,900	2	2	984	CONDO	$93,000	60
44 EAGLE CREST DR	$154,900	3	2	1,085	CONDO	$145,000	31
801 NORTHSHORE RD	$879,900	4	3	2,144	DETACHD	$925,000	6

December 19, 2008

Open Houses for December 20th and 21st

I salute the brave Realtor who is hosting the only open house promoted for Lake Oswego on the RMLS this weekend:

41 Hillshire Dr, a detached home with 2670 square feet. Built in 1983, it has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. it will be open this Sunday, December 21st, from 1:30 to 3:30.

Have a lovely weekend. Stay safe and enjoy the snow.

December 12, 2008

Open Houses for December 13th and 14th

For the brave souls out there who are happy to venture forth in this weekend’s winter weather, there are several open houses for your holiday enjoyment.

On Saturday the 13th there is one open house:

3844 Botticelli, a townhouse with 1129 square feet, 2 bedrooms and 1 1/2 baths, priced at $237,500. It will be open from 1-3pm.

On Sunday the 14th, there are 6 open houses:

1265 Rockinghorse Lane, a home with 2402 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, priced at $444,000. It will be open from 2-4pm.

3030 Westview Ct, a home with 3415 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths, priced at $959,000. It will be open from 12:30-2pm.

943 Atwater Rd, a home with 3874 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths, priced at $1,225,000. It will be open from 12-2pm.

17512 Greenblulff Lot 1, a home with 3777 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 4 baths, priced at $1,425,000. It will be open from 1-4pm.

16359 Chapin Way, a home with 4158 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths, priced at $1,439,000. It will be open from 1-4pm.

17554 Greenbluff Lot 2, a home with 5042 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths and 2 half baths, priced at $1,850,000. It will be open from 1-4pm.

With rain and the chance of snow in this weekend’s forecast, we will hold positive thoughts of clear streets and safe driving for anyone who ventures out. For the rest of us, it’s time for hot chocolate in front of a blazing fire. Enjoy.