Tag: selling a home in Lake Oswego

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News & Notes

The latest real estate numbers for Portland and the Lake Oswego/West Linn areas (RMLS lumps them together) are in.  It shouldn’t come as a surprise that numbers are up for 2014. December saw some customary slowing from November, but overall, the year’s totals look pretty darned good.

According to the RMLS Market Action Report for the Portland Metro Area, December, 2014:

  • At 2,239, December Closed Sales rose 15.6% over the month prior, and were up a full 25.6% from December of 2013’s 1,782.
  • December Pending Sales (accepted offers), at 1,667, were down quite a bit…20.3%  from the month prior (which is somewhat understandable during the holidays).  That said, the Pending sales are up a full 12.3% over December 2013‘s 1,484.
  • There were 1,540 New Listings in December which was 19.9% down from November, but up 15.5% from December of 2013’s 1,333.
  • The Average Sale Price in December of $331,600 was down $4,400 from the month prior. The year 2014 finished with an Average Sale Price of $333,000, which is up 7.2% over 2013‘s finishing number which was $310,600.

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The combined areas of Lake Oswego and West Linn  for the month of December 2014 reported:

    • 348 Active Listings
    • 79 New Listings
    • 81 Pending Sales  (up 6.6% over December 2013)
    • 117 Closed Sales
    • An Average Sale Price for December of $512,500.
    • Average Sale Price for Year to Date (so…2014) of $527,500. (up 9.5% over 12 month rolling average in 2013)
    • Average Time on the Market: 105 Days
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Market Activity ~ Jan 12-18, 2015

Here is your Latest Market Data: Last week in Lake Oswego we saw 18 New properties enter the market, 13 move to Pending status, and 9 “Closed”/Sold!

Following is the breakdown for you according to RMLS:

NEW on Mkt (Jan 12-18, 2015)

Address List Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type
2707 SOUTHSHORE BLVD $1,485,000 3 3.1 3122 DETACHD
1059 BAYBERRY RD $1,399,950 4 3.1 3456 DETACHD
1422 ASH ST $337,500 4 3 2583 DETACHD
48 SPINOSA $462,500 3 2.1 2848 DETACHD
2762 VALE CT $630,000 4 3 2709 DETACHD
3877 TEMPEST DR $690,000 4 2.1 3237 DETACHD
507 ASH ST $980,000 2 3.1 3000 DETACHD
16200 PACIFIC HWY #21 $269,000 2 2 1190 CONDO
16200 Pacific Hwy #24 $269,000 2 2 1190 CONDO
19415 SYCAMORE AVE $549,900 4 2 1584 DETACHD
5695 WASHINGTON CT $349,900 3 2 1769 DETACHD
4261 COBB WAY $595,000 3 3 2362 DETACHD
1 SW CRESTFIELD CT LWR $95,000 1 1 689 CONDO
18418 OLD RIVER LNDG $1,895,000 4 3.2 5204 DETACHD
1034 CEDAR ST $799,500 4 3.1 2895 DETACHD
48 EAGLE CREST DR #1A $250,000 3 2.2 1550 CONDO
321 5TH ST $799,000 4 3.1 2800 DETACHD
12448 ORCHARD HILL RD $650,000 4 3 3336 DETACHD

PENDING SALES (Jan 12-18, 2015)

Address List Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type CDOM
4636 AUBURN LN $485,000 3 3.1 2732 ATTACHD 118
4080 COLTSFOOT LN $525,000 4 2.1 2884 DETACHD 0
526 S STATE ST $167,500 2 1 914 CONDO 92
4630 WILDWOOD ST $464,900 3 2 2067 DETACHD 83
15885 WHITE OAKS DR $625,000 4 2.1 2802 DETACHD 36
2 PIMLICO TER $500,000 4 2.1 2301 DETACHD 83
568 9TH ST $925,000 3 3.1 2825 DETACHD 43
47 ORIOLE LN $385,000 3 2.1 1958 DETACHD 123
12830 ALTO PARK RD $939,000 4 3.1 3478 DETACHD 330
1460 GREENTREE CIR $399,900 3 2 1791 DETACHD 3
1008 SPRUCE ST $535,000 3 2.1 1765 DETACHD 6
123 CONDOLEA DR $375,000 3 3 2143 CONDO 153
324 4TH ST $450,000 2 2.1 1731 ATTACHD 4

SOLD  (Jan 12-18, 2015)

Address Open Price Closed Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type CDOM
1228 OAK ST $399,950 $402,000 3 2 1603 DETACHD 4
18951 INDIAN SPRINGS CIR $449,900 $465,000 5 3 2865 DETACHD 3
18650 TUALATA AVE $700,000 $735,000 4 4 3196 DETACHD 261
86 KINGSGATE RD #G203 $144,900 $132,000 2 2 849 CONDO 77
179 FURNACE ST $1,698,000 $1,590,000 3 3.1 4784 CONDO 47
16250 PACIFIC HWY #76 $345,000 $180,000 3 2 1767 CONDO 122
754 5TH ST $770,000 $755,000 3 3 2179 DETACHD 91
86 KINGSGATE RD #H102 $136,900 $127,500 2 2 849 CONDO 29
706 5TH ST $300,000 $417,500 4 2 1824 DETACHD 16

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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Market Activity Jan 5-11, 2015

Now that the New Year has gotten off to a pretty good start and we are eagerly looking forward to spring market, lets have a look see at some of our new inventory! As well as many of our pending sales. Looks like condos are doing well! Word on the street (beautiful Lake Oswego streets that is!) that this spring term is shaping up to looking pretty full of activity!

Following is the breakdown for you according to RMLS:

NEW on Mkt (Jan 05-11, 2015)

Address Type Price Bedrooms Bathrooms Sqft
16351 PACIFIC HWY DETACHED 339,900 3 3 1754
578 2ND ST #6 CONDO 425,000 2 2.5 1394
4909 LOWER DR DETACHED 425,000 4 2.5 1992
1033 SPRUCE ST DETACHED 495,000 2 2.5 1562
808 ELLIS AVE DETACHED 514,900 3 2.5 2108
751 BRIERCLIFF LN DETACHED 528,950 4 3 2534
1008 SPRUCE ST DETACHED 535,000 3 2.5 1765
18495 TAMAWAY DR DETACHED 548,000 4 2.5 2680
1119 OAK ST DETACHED 549,900 4 2.5 2123
1011 SPRUCE ST DETACHED 565,000 3 2.5 1930
8 DEL PRADO ST DETACHED 599,900 5 3 3548
19242 INDIAN SPRINGS RD DETACHED 749,900 4 2.5 3365
13643 MELROSE PL DETACHED 839,900 4 4 4146

PENDING SALES (Jan 05-11, 2015)

Address Type Price Bedroom Bathrooms Sqft DOM
47 EAGLE CREST DR #40 CONDO 89,500 1 1 696 51
6 CERVANTES CIR CONDO 139,500 2 1.5 912 77
4077 JEFFERSON PKWAY CONDO 234,500 2 2.5 1462 24
1803 BOCA RATAN DR ATTACHED 297,000 3 2.5 1739 44
18275 TERRY CT DETACHED 309,000 3 1.5 1270 228
6138 SW KENNY ST DETACHED 314,000 3 1.5 1190 5
6101 HARRINGTON AVE DETACHED 364,000 3 2.5 1400 62
852 5TH ST DETACHED 379,000 2 1 738 34
3554 TEMPEST DR DETACHED 449,007 3 2.5 2279 4
17190 ROBB PL DETACHED 450,000 4 3 1896 54
1560 LABURNUM WAY DETACHED 499,900 3 2 1773 1
3254 DUNCAN DR DETACHED 499,999 4 3.5 3997 499
12 SCARBOROUGH DR DETACHED 499,999 4 2.5 2943 187
14353 HOLLY SPRINGS RD CONDO 525,000 4 3 2238 129
909 LAKE FRONT RD DETACHED 565,000 4 3 2916 481
3700 MARQUIS CT DETACHED 919,900 4 2.5 4251 69

SOLD (Jan 05-11, 2015)

Address Type List Price Close Price Sqft DOM
4619 LAKEVIEW BLVD D-3 CONDO 92,000 91,500 753 28
86 KINGSGATE RD C203 CONDO 139,500 139,500 924 4
4000 CARMAN DR #5 CONDO 145,000 145,500 1361 4
4089 JEFFERSON PKWY CONDO 199,950 207,500 1361 8
5344 TUALATA CT DETACHED 349,355 344,927 1263 45
571 2ND ST CONDO 589,500 589,500 1561 18
17410 UPPER CHERRY LN DETACHED 898,000 725,000 4586 141
3100 WESTVIEW CT DETACHED 929,000 880,000 3750 17

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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10 Very LO Things to do in 2015

New Year, new beginnings, time to make some plans for 2015. Here are my suggestions for some distinctly LO events to fit into your plans for the coming year:

1. Try an established or new restaurant. There are soooooo many to choose from. Gubanc’s for lunch (homemade soup), Riccardo’s for a summer evening on the patio, LaVang for unbeatable Pho, St Honore or Babica Hen for breakfast, Happy Hour at Five Spice, the list goes on and on. I recently tried Aji Tram, the fresh Asian fusion place on the corner of Bryant and Lakeview. It was fantastic! A bit loud with sports on big-screen TVs, but it was fun! Food was great and our little gathering really enjoyed ourselves.

2. Festival of the Arts in June. This is a a must do. Both the juried fine art show and the craft fair are a pleasure. I enjoy the art and like to hunt for a special find whether it is a gift for a friend or something special for myself.

Guardian of the Lake 2014 People's Choice Winner
Guardian of the Lake
2014 People’s Choice Winner
3. A walking tour of Gallery Without Walls. The exhibition changes every year. It is always exciting when the new exhibits are unveiled.

4. A walk or bike ride around the lake. OK, do this more than once. Do it lots! Views of the lake and magnificent homes make the time fly and the workout is awesome!

5. Attend a 4th of July parade and then fireworks over the lake.

6. Attend the Lake Oswego Heritage Council Home Tour. This is a major fund raiser for the Heritage Council and also an opportunity to get into private homes that are AMAZING.

7. Volunteer to pull ivy at one of the City Parks or Nature areas.

8. Volunteer to help in one of the schools.

Summer 2013 0799. Attend one of the City’s outdoor summer concerts.

10. Attend the annual lighting of the City Christmas Tree on the day after Thanksgiving!

There is so much more to do that just simply isn’t on this list. The point is that there is lots to do. I know I have had years where I do more or less than other years, but I also think that when I look back on years that I have really enjoyed, they have been years when I have gotten out and really involved in what is going on in Lake Oswego.

We here at the blotter want to wish you a very happy 2015! May you experience good health, prosperity, and many happy LO memories!

And for those of you who would like to challenge your knowledge of LO, here is a quiz courtesy of Pamplin Media: http://www.pamplinmedia.com/lor/48-news/245367-112146-so-you-think-you-know-lake-oswego

Happy New Year,
Dianne

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Market Activity Dec 22-28, 2014

You’d think the real estate market would have been slow and quiet last week due to the holidays, but nope, it was rather busy. Just 4 houses came onto the market, but 16 went pending (yep, people out looking at houses and not rushing home to carve the turkey), and 10 houses became closed sales.

I don’t recall a Christmas with this many pending sales. I too had an active buyer last week. With inventory a bit down right now, there are just not a lot of houses to choose from. We encountered 3 different houses they were interested in last week and all 3 had multiple offers. We were able to put a deal together on the one that was their top choice, but it really surprised me that the week of Christmas was that competitive. It makes me feel that perhaps our spring market will start early.

New Listings December 22-28, 2014

4765 Firwood Rd, Detached, 3 BR, 2 Baths, 1728SF, $325,000

14 Hotspur, Detached, 4 BR, 2.5 Baths, 2726SF, $599,900

17838 Marylcreek Dr, Detached, 4 BR, 3.5 Baths, 4317SF, $750,000

159 5th ST, Detached, 4 BR, 3 Baths, 2970SF, $895,000

Pending Sales December 22-28, 2014

43 Crestfield Ct, Condo, 2 BR, 1 Bath, 923SF, $101,000, 64 DOM

3930 Lake Grove Ave, Detached, 2 BR, 1 Bath, 952SF, $139,900, 36 DOM

40 Oswego Summit, Condo, 2 BR, 2 Baths, 1140SF, $151,900, 224 DOM

76 Galen Rd, Condo, 2 BR, 2 Baths, 989SF, $166,900, 46 DOM

9765 Firwood Rd, Detached, 3 BR, 2 Baths, 1728SF, $325,000, 3 DOM

5275 Oakridge Rd, Detached, 3 BR, 1 Bath, 1267SF, $349,900, 22 DOM

1075 Oak Terrace, Detached, 3 BR, 2 Baths, 1356SF, $349,900, 29 DOM

4631 Wildwood St, Detached, 3 BR, 2 Baths, 1650SF, $374,900, 120 DOM

5907 Fernbrook Circle, Detached, 5 BR, 2 Baths, 1892SF, $399,900, 175 DOM

4940 Centerwood St, Detached, 4 BR, 2.5 Baths, 2093SF, $425,000, 3 DOM

533 2nd St, Condo, 2 BR, 2 Baths, 1274SF, $465,000, 46 DOM

2751 Summit Dr, Detached, 3 BR, 2 Baths, 2418SF, $658,950, 145 DOM

27 Berwick Rd, Detached, 5 BR, 3 Baths, 2968SF, $715,000, 2 DOM

18177 Delenka Ln, Detached, 5 BR, 2.5+.5 Baths, 3802SF, $830,000, 131 DOM

1267 Cherry Ln, Detached, 4 BR, 2 Baths, 3311SF, $849,000, 259 DOM

179 Furnace St, Condo, 3 BR, 3.5 Baths, 4784SF, $1,698,000, 47 DOM

Closed Sales December 22-28, 2014

4610 Lower Dr, Condo, List $114,900, Closed $114,900, 1260SF, 46 DOM

129 Kingsgate Rd, Detached, List $300,000, Closed $300,000, 1604SF, 381 DOM

1437 Oak St, Detached, List $349,000, Closed $358,000, 1070SF, 4 DOM

1405 Cedar St, Detached, List $375,000, Closed $395,000, 2570SF, 3 DOM

1318 Laurel St, Detached, List $439,900, Closed $440,000, 1649SF, 2 DOM

1045 Bullock St, Detached, List $568,000, Closed $559,000, 2105SF, 11 DOM

5726 Charles Circle, Detached, List $718,000, Closed $692,500, 3173SF, 104 DOM

1525 Maple St, Detached, List $899,000, Closed $780,000, 2815SF, 153 DOM

3600 Southshore Blvd, Detached, List $849,900, Closed $785,000, 2117SF, 83 DOM

3140 Childs Rd, Detached, List $1,950,000, Closed $1,695,000, 298 DOM

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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Market Activity ~ Dec 15-21, 2014

Yes, real estate is happening  : )

Here is your Latest Market Data: Last week in Lake Oswego we saw 5 New properties enter the market, 9 move to Pending status, and 13 “Closed”/Sold!

Following is the breakdown for you according to RMLS:

NEW on Mkt (Dec 15-21, 2014)

Address List Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type
490 BOCA RATAN DR $519,000 3 2 2023 DETACHD
6459 FROST ST $529,000 4 2.1 2627 DETACHD
3433 MCNARY PKWY #203 $150,000 2 1.1 1008 CONDO
3009 WEMBLEY PARK RD $598,500 4 2.1 1704 DETACHD
Highlands LOOP $2,195,000 4 4.1 5579 DETACHD

PENDING SALES (Dec 15-21, 2014)

Address List Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type CDOM
3986 CARMAN DR $204,900 2 2.1 1107 CONDO 58
3100 WESTVIEW CT $929,000 4 3.1 3750 DETACHD 17
18375 RIVER EDGE LN $897,950 4 2.1 3400 DETACHD 27
17138 CEDAR RD $1,495,000 3 3.1 3017 DETACHD 89
2131 WEMBLEY PARK RD $539,000 4 2.1 3228 DETACHD 188
12810 ALTO PARK RD $964,000 5 3.1 3834 DETACHD 97
820 FAIRWAY RD $1,189,000 4 3.1 3758 DETACHD 331
555 COUNTRY CLUB RD $625,000 3 3 2133 DETACHD 159
169 OSWEGO SMT #169 $100,280 2 2 1330 CONDO 63

SOLD  (Dec 15-21, 2014)

Address Opening Price Closed Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type CDOM
17547 CHERRY CT $1,225,000 $978,850 4 3.1 3737 DETACHD 337
19354 LORNA LN $950,000 $1,049,888 5 3.1 4169 DETACHD 403
16987 ALDER CIR $395,950 $400,000 3 2 1713 DETACHD 4
16990 LOWER MEADOWS DR $369,900 $374,900 3 2.1 2000 DETACHD 2
37 CHURCHILL DOWNS $470,000 $475,000 3 2.1 2372 DETACHD 4
4724 FIRWOOD RD $329,000 $325,000 3 1.1 1240 DETACHD 5
21 SUMMIT RIDGE CT $339,000 $332,000 2 2.1 1654 ATTACHD 16
200 BURNHAM RD #211 $385,000 $317,000 3 2 1862 CONDO 85
2341 STONEHURST CT $659,000 $659,000 4 2.1 3389 DETACHD 2
1531 BOCA RATAN DR $289,000 $277,000 3 2 1755 ATTACHD 57
804 2ND ST $505,000 $400,000 4 3 2224 ATTACHD 50
17619 Potters RD $575,000 $575,000 4 2.1 2665 DETACHD 9
2612 RIVENDELL RD $799,000 $730,000 4 3 3168 DETACHD 93

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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Where did the lake go?

IMG_0472If you’ve seen the lake in the last few weeks you would have noticed that the water level is dramatically lowered from it’s normal depth. This is done every three years to allow home owners along the lake to repair sea walls and boat houses. It also allows the many members of lake easements to do the same types of repairs on the easement property.

Dropping the water level was done by allowing water out on November 11th via the spill way at the East end of the lake. On January 2nd the lake will be allowed to naturally refill with rain and the water that feeds the lake at the Tualatin River. It will take about two months to refill to its normal level. So it will be back to normal in plenty of time for warm weather recreation.

I’ve seen this done many, many times over the years. The explanation is always that it allows repair of sea walls, etc. I also am of the opinion that it improves the water quality.

In any case, it is a bit of an unusual sight with a reasonable explanation.

Dianne

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Market Activity Dec 1-7, 2014

As much as there is a myth that houses don’t sell during the holidays, last week’s market activity shows that it is, in fact, a myth. In Lake Oswego there were 12 new listings, 9 homes that became pending sales, and 16 homes that became closed sales.

Following is the breakdown for you according to RMLS:

New on the Market (Dec 1-7, 2014)

Address Type Price BR Bths SF
86 Kingsgate Rd H102 Condo $136,900 2 2 849
4000 Carman Dr #23 Condo $156,500 2 2 866
210 State St Condo $175,000 2 1 1284
4089 Jefferson Pkwy Condo $199,950 2 2.5 1361
852 5th St Detached $379,000 2 1 738
6 Gershwin Ct Detached $379,000 5 3 2416
4504 Wildwood St Detached $399,000 3 2 1655
17251 Greentree Ave Detached $414,950 4 2.5 2728
13721 Regency Ct Detached $509,500 3 2.5 2311
14372 Camden Ln Detached $519,900 3 2.5 2348
2286 Wembley Park Rd Detached $774,999 3 3 2000
3100 Westview Ct Detached $929,000 4 3.5 3750
18024 Eastridge Ln Detached $1,498,800 4 3.5 4526

Pending Sales (Dec 1-7, 2014)

Address Type Price BR Baths SF DOM
18 Oswego Summit Condo $54,900 1 1 764 176
15938 Quarry Rd 1A Condo $149,000 2 1 991 8
6360 McEwan Detached $319,888 3 1.5 1450 53
5344 Tualata Ct Detached $339,827 3 2 1283 45
16987 Alder Circle Detached $395,950 3 2 1713 4
1868 Kilkenny Dr Detached $535,000 3 2.5 2300 83
754 5th St Detached $755,000 3 3 2179 91
18224 Bella Terra Dr Detached $1,195,000 4 3.5 4050 146
1968 Cheryl Ct Detached $1,495,000 4 4.5+.5+.5 6153 11

Sold/Closed (Dec 1-7, 2014)

Address Type List Price Closed Price Sq Ft CDOM
4 Touchstone #76 Condo $124,000 $119,000 984 43
98 Oswego Summit Condo $146,000 $136,000 1140 152
4470 Chapman Way Detached $360,000 $347,500 2125 174
528 2nd St Attached $439,500 $428,000 1,703 16
377 Livingood Ln Detached $400,000 $429,000 2409 3
5978 Fernbrook Circle Detached $449,900 $442,000 1612 12
1765 Conifer Dr Detached $475,000 $448,000 2330 127
201 Ridgeway Rd Detached $589,000 $589,000 2327 86
17601 Woodhurst Pl Detached $675,000 $650,000 3179 80
3075 Tolkien Ln Detached $649,000 $660,000 2667 9
4090 Westbay Rd Detached $749,900 $719,000 2078 59
14144 Goodall Rd Detached $849,000 $765,000 3499 298
15444 Boones Way Attached $850,000 $820,000 3464 4
841 Northshore Rd Detached $949,850 $865,000 2388 140
925 Iron Mountain Blvd Detached $1,119,000 $1,020,000 3555 119
907 Terrace Dr Detached $1,795,000 $1,900,000 6919 572

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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Giving

DonateWe’re all focusing on the holidays right now and all that goes along with that, so I thought it might be a good idea to take a look at things we might be wanting to include on our to-do lists & consider taking care of before the end of the year. Namely…Giving!  This is the Celebrating & Giving time of year, and, many want to think ahead about tax time as well.  If you’re going to give anyway…. this is definitely the time to do it!

Here are some worthy ideas for your consideration:

  • In the community of Lake Oswego, there are many organizations doing fantastic work. Click Here for information on a variety of Lake Oswego-based non-profits that could use your help.
  • Here’s a great resource  site to help yopu evaluate the most worthy recipients of your donations based on their research:  The Portland “Give Guide”
  • One of the things that sets Lake Oswego apart is its committment to the arts, and the availability and visibility of art all through the year and on its very streets. If art is important to you, consider donating to the Arts Council.
  • Speaking of giving, I know from my days in a Lake Oswego Schools Booster Club, that every community has needy families.  Some of your kids’ friends may very well have parents who’ve lost a job, or are in some sort of upheaval and wondering how they’re going to be able to pay their bills let alone create a semi normal-feeling holiday for their household .  Your favorite local school probably has names of families in need. Give a call to the school of your choice and think about donating a holiday roast or turkey, or just dropping off a few gifts.  The school counselor usually knows just what to do with this kind of generosity, and you’ll know you really made a difference for some needy family in your own neighborhood.
  • If animals are near and dear to your heart, there are lots of options for donating.  The Oregon Humane Society is an obvious choice, and/but some smaller outfits that take up the slack and don’t have quite the visibility of the OHS would be heart-warmed to receive your donation.  One that is recommended to me by someone in the know is the Family Dogs New Life Shelter. It is a no-kill shelter that does excellent work.
  • Lake Oswego’s Tryon Creek is such a treasure to the community. If nature and its continued availability in communities, and specifically Lake Oswego, is important to you, consider donating to Friends of Tryon Creek.

There are so many great choices, I thought I’d highlight just a few and give you some links to resources that offer many options. Enjoy your holidays, and the Joys that come with the season!