LO Adult Community Center

We are fortunate, here in Lake Oswego, to have a terrific Adult Community Center. Catering to the needs of the 55 and older community. There is a huge variety of services and actifities that are offered.

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, a hot meal is served between 11:30 and 12:30. The suggested donation is $4 for those 60 and older, $5 for all otheres.

Meals on Wheels is also operated on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with hot meals delivered to peoples homes. The suggested donation is $4.

The center also offers variety of consulting to aid families make arrangements for aging relatives. They offer the cosulting at their facility, but they will also come to your home. When my mother went into hospice, it was the Adult Community Center that I called to get advice on hiring in-home care.

They also offer legal adice, by appointment. The consultation is for 30 minutes and it is free.

Then there is all of the fun stuff to do: Muh Jongg, Pinochle, Scrabble, and Bridge. Exercise and wellness classes are regularly offered. And they have a wonderful program called Conversation on Aging to help you make decisions about how you want your elder years to look and how to get them most out of them.

The past several months the facility has been in the process of remodeling. It is now complete and a celebratory open house is being held this Thursday, the 10th, from 5:30 to 7:00pm. Complimentory wine and hors d’ouvres will be served.

For more information about the Lake Oswego Adult Community Center click here.

Thank you for reading the blotter!

Dianne

Market Activity Feb 21-27, 2022

Last week in Lake Oswego there were 5 new listings, 22 properties that accepted offers and moved into pending status, and 14 closed/sold homes.

See below for RMLS data.

New listings Feb 21-27, 2022

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq Ft
16250 Pacific Hwy #44Condo$387,000221305
122 Touchstone TerrDetached$829,90043.52348
353 3rd StAttached$909,00033.52044
1001 Cedar StDetached$909,00043.52572
21 D Ave #1Condo$2,530,800232572

Pending sales Feb 21-27, 2022

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq FtCDOM
4647 Lakeview Blvd D1Condo$229,999117531
47 Eagle Crest Dr #13Condo$259,000219325
19 Crestfield CtCondo$310,000219213
209 CervantesCondo$325,00021.512169
5225 Jean Rd #309Condo$360,00022110020
3990 Carman DrCondo$415,90022.5109821
34 Condolea DrCondo$475,00022142017
9 Bloch TerrAttached$599,90032.519467
959 Lee StDetached$670,00032234042
67 Condolea TerrCondo$675,0003324092
14141 Goodall RdDetached$784,90032.519392
16946 Lower Meadows DrDetached$839,90032.517693
4144 Sunset DrDetached$950,0003226324
1150 Greentree RdDetached$965,00042.527035
14232 Meadow Grass StDetached$1,100,0004328944
150 Iron Mountain BlvdDetached$1,100,00042.528683
2650 Overlook DrDetached$1,250,00042.5303012
18002 Pilkington RdDetached$1,599,0004336293
411 Ridgeway RdDetached$1,725,00032.532913
13348 Leslie CtDetached$1,750,00042.538631
16881 Canyon DrDetached$2,799,0005438881
5185 Carman DrDetached$3,650,00032.5+.56500360

Sold/Closed Feb 21-27, 2022

AddressTypeList PriceSold PriceSq FeetDOM
45 Eagle Crest Dr #202Condo$215,000$197,00067843
4632 Lower Dr B2Condo$320,000$320,000117029
19 Britton CtAttached$535,000$525,00013945
4503 Black Forest CtDetached$795,000$840,00021662
277 Evergreen RdCondo$895,000$902,0001,9502
13522 Provincial Hill WayDetached$899,000$965,00032441
14361 Sherbrook PlDetached$899,000$975,00021002
17154 Loweberg TerrDetached$1,295,000$1,285,00034124
13888 Shireva DrDetached$1,200,000$1,310,00038274
180 Iron Mountain BlvdDetached$1,595,000$1,350,0003378124
589 7th StDetached$1,549,000$1,590,00033873
14711 Upland DrDetached$1,695,000$1,850,0033273
13286 Goodall RdDetached$2,495,000$2,471,0000
13648 Goodall RdDetached$2,499,900$2,475,000528856

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.

Radon and Granite Countertops

At Oregon First we have a gmail group called Haves and Wants. A recent discussion happened about the topic of radon and granite countertops.

Radon comes from granite. When you purchase a home, you should alway do a radon test to see if the radon levels in the house are higher than the EPA limit of 4.0 picocuries. (The World Health Organization recommends a level of not more than 2.7 picocuries.) Generally speaking the granite is in the form of boulders underneath the house, in the ground. You just don’t know whether the house is built over granite boulders or not, so you always test the radon levels.

So if radon comes from granite, what about granite countertops?

This subject came to my attention about 15 years ago. So I dialed up my favorite radon mitigation company and asked if I should be concerned. I was told that, generally speaking, the radon given off by granite countertops was not at a level high enough to be concerned.

Here is the offical EPA information. Click here.

White kitchen design features large bar style kitchen island with granite countertop illuminated by modern pendant lights. Northwest, USA

The bottom line is that you should be concerned about the possibility of radon in a house. Always get it measured. Even if you aren’t buying a house. If you live in a home where you have never measured it, get it measured. You can buy a do-it-yourself test at your local home improvement store, and there are numerous companies who perform this service. The cost to test is $60-$150. Cheap for the peace of mind. If radon is found, the cost to mitigate it is $1500-$3000, generally speaking. Again, cheap for the piece of mind.

I also think that when planning a remodel, don’t assume that just because it is available for purchase it has no issues. Do your research. There are alternatives to granite that are also gorgeous.

I hope that you find this useful. Thank you for reading the blotter.

Dianne

Market Activity Feb 7-13, 2022

I once had a client who had statistically figured out the the prime weekend of the entire year to put your house on the market is the weekend following the super bowl. With 19 pending sales in Lake Oswego last week, that certainly feels like good advice. We also had 6 new listings and 10 properties that were closed sales.

See below for further RMLS data.

New on the Market Feb 7-13, 2022

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq Ft
4 Touchstone Dr #150Condo$225,90022984
4631 Lakeview BlvdCondo$250,00011753
45 Eagle Crest Dr #513Condo$253,50021.51056
48 Eagle Crest Dr 4ACondo$475,000221489
668 McVey Ave #10Condo$540,00031992
16758 Graef CircleDetached$669,000311295
5353 Lakeview BlvdAttached$1,119,00043.52900
2650 Overlook DrDetached$1,250,00042.53030
21 D Ave GPHCondo$3,269,20032.53399
807 Ellis aveDetached$3,600,00044.54964

Pending Sales Feb 7-13, 2022

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq FtCDOM
89 Galen StCondo$199,000115523
45 Eagle Crest Dr #312Condo$229,0001178016
200 Burnham Rd #206Condo$349,00021119962
3974 Carman DrAttached$380,00022.511070
34 Condolea DrCondo$475,0002214203
750 1st St E27Condo$479,900221350162
5062 Foothills Dr GCondo$485,00022125298
2806 SW Orchard Hill PlDetached$649,00032.523245
18561 Kristi WayDetached$649,95032.5145068
48 Hillshire DrDetached$795,5004330345
93 Tanglewood DrDetached$799,90032.5+.5311121
6 Grouse TerDetached$850,0003336534
2777 Evergreen RdCondo$895,00033.519502
2719 Greentree RdDetached$985,00053.538865
14711 Uplands DrDetached$1,695,00044.533273
21 D Ave #13Condo$1,993,20022.523048
21 D Ave #4Condo$2,067,00022.5243186
2305 Glen Haven RdDetached$2,275,00054363282
1845 Highlands LoopDetached$2,995,00043.5+.553063

Closed/Sold Feb 7-13, 2022

AddressTypeList PriceSold PriceSq FeetDOM
4 Touchstone #94Condo$248,000$238,00013517
30 Crestfield CtCondo$290,000$300,0009891
16200 Pacific Hwy #9Condo$524,900$500,00011900
1118 StDetached$650,000$650,000132012
8 Da Vinci StDetached$779,000$845,5002,9064
16538 Maple CircleDetached$1,550,000$1,750,00028544

Criteria:Homes in the 97034 and 97035 zip code, listed, pending or sold between the dates listed above as reported by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS). DETACHD refers to Single Family Detached Residence, MFG refers to manufactured housing, and ATTACHD refers to single-family residences with some portion of the structure attached to another property, but not constituting CONDO ownership. DOM stands for days on market, or the number of days from when the listing became active and when it received an acceptable offer, with CDOM standing for “cumulative days on market” accounting for “refreshed” listings.

The Importance of a Great Backyard

Backyards are truly something to be enjoyed. They expand the living area of a house and are the location for making memories in solitude, as well as with friends and family. When I show houses and we walk outside to find a really great backyard, it is the cherry that tops the cake of a great house. Here are 8 ideas for creating that great backyard.

  1. Connect the indoors to the outdoors with big windows and easy access doors. From inside, you’ll enjoy looking out and having the opportunity to enjoy the yard every day of the year.
  2. Create an outdoor workspace. Trees and landscaping make a wonderful backdrop to Zoom meetings. In addition, working outside on a nice day is a bit of a gift that you can give to yourself. To do this, you’ll need strong wifi, an exterior electrical outlet, and a sturdy table.
  3. Let’s talk al fresco. I reguarly do large dinners for my family in my yard. When we gather there usually about 15 people. I put tables end to end to create one large dining table. I then use linens and my good china. It feels so luxurious! A covered area in which to dine, along with an outdoor heater, makes this possible any month of the year.
  4. Add some entertainment potential. Again, a good table for board games, and perhaps a mounted television to watch football and movies.
  5. Establish a wildlife habitat. I no longer feed the birds (there was a certain squirrel incident), but I do put out water. I have 5 birdbaths. If they go empty, the birds will literally sit on the rim and squack at me. Landscaping is also a great idea for attracting birds.
  6. Make your yard pet friendly by fencing it. Today the fencing choices are plentiful, including fences that barely obstruct your viewing of the entire yard.
  7. Just like the rest of the house, clutter is a big no no. Store the clutter elsewhere. Particularly when selling the house, it needs to be tidy.
  8. Privacy is super important. If you have a house that looks into your yard, plant a tree or a hedge. In my case, my husband built a privacy screen that goes about 20 feet. Just enough to block my neighbors windows.

I hope that you have found this helpful. Thanks again for reading the blotter!

Dianne

Market Activity Jan 24-30, 2022

The market is still in what I would call “winter mode” with just 2 new listings. 15 pending sales, and 11 sold/closed transactions. The new listings number is a bit in accurate. This is because in reality houses and condos are selling so fast that they go into pending status prior to the market activity report being written. 12 of the 15 pending sales sold in less than a week. This means that the new listings are more accurately 14 or so. I pull the data usually on Tuesday or Wednesday.

I’ve also heard it said that the spring market really kicks off the weekend following the super bowl. Watch for the new listings to kick into gear in the next few weeks.

See below for further RMLS data.

New Listings Jan 24-30, 2022

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq Ft
16 Oriole LnDetached$599,950221520
15012 Twin Fir RdDetached$2,599,00053.53897

Pending Sales Jan 24-30, 2022

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq FtCDOM
45 Eagle Crest Dr #202Condo$215,0001167843
44 Eagle Crest Dr #39Condo$269,9002110850
16250 Pacific Hwy #45Condo$349,00022131145
525 Jean Rd 4501Condo$399,9003215003
5788 Kimball CtDetached$530,00041.511484
871 Country Club RdDetached$569,00031.514495
5309 West Sunset DrDetached$611,0004214495
5207 Coventry CtDetached$759,6983218583
351 3rd StAttached$924,90033.520423
837 Oak StDetached$999,95032.527965
580 Weidman CtDetached$1,100,00053.539525
12975 Elk Rock RdDetached$1,379,00053.545694
589 7th StDetached$1,549,00054.533873
21 D Ave #9Condo$2,000,80022.524110
13649 Goodall RdDetached$2,499,90044.5+.5528856

Sold/Closed Jan 24-30, 2022

AddressTypeList PriceSold PriceSq FeetDOM
572 State St 8CCondo$324,900$317,50091447
16250 Pacific Hwy #75Condo$355,000$350,000159329
1694 BonniebraeAttached$415,000$445,0008642
16191 Lake Forest BlvdDetached$550,000$550,00086414
1247 Cedar StDetached$550,000$600,0002,0229
6472 Dawn StDetached$695,000$624,0161032110
12363 Clara LnDetached$699,999$709,00013903
770 5th StDetached$975,000$975,000318045
1011 Spruce StDetached$1,049,000$1,019,00021014
6720 Childs RdDetached$2,395,000$2,200,000689864
1475 Oak TerrDetached$4,349,000$4,100,0003674114

Criteria:Homes in the 97034 and 97035 zip code, listed, pending or sold between the dates listed above as reported by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS). DETACHD refers to Single Family Detached Residence, MFG refers to manufactured housing, and ATTACHD refers to single-family residences with some portion of the structure attached to another property, but not constituting CONDO ownership. DOM stands for days on market, or the number of days from when the listing became active and when it received an acceptable offer, with CDOM standing for “cumulative days on market” accounting for “refreshed” listings

The Best Playground, Ever

The playground at Hallinan Elementary School is, in my opinion, the best playground that I have experienced with both my kids and with my grand kids. It’s HUGE with so many slides, things to climb on, and a vast array of simple to complex physical challenges for kids.

Before I moved to Lake Oswego, over 20 years ago, I lived in SE Portland. I must have discovered this playground while showing houses in the neighborhood. After I found it, I began driving to Lake Oswego with my children to enjoy it with them.

Along with the playground, there is a huge field that has a walking path around it. When my kids got older, I could bring them there and take a walk while having a visual on them as they played.

Bear in mind that it’s only available when school is not in session. The school is located at 16800 Hawthorne Dr in the Hallinan neighborhood of Lake Oswego.

Get out there and enjoy the fresh air with your kids and your grand kids! And, as always, thanks for reading the blotter.

Dianne

Market Activity January 10-16, 2022

We are still in the slowness of winter with just 4 new listings, 9 pending sales, and 7 sold/closed properties in Lake Oswego last week. Having said that, it’s a hot market. Inventory is just so low and when a house comes onto the market, bidding wars are common. As we move into February, I expect the inventory to improve. It is a great time to list your house for sale!

See below for RMLS data.

New on the Market January 10-16, 2022

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq Ft
959 Lee StDetached$719,000322340
17763 Mardee AveDetached$741,900532110
566 4th StAttached$1,549,00044.5+.53376
5001 Park Bluff PlDetached$2,200,000444022

Pending Sales January 10-16, 2022

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq FtCDOM
4632 Lower Dr B2Condo$320,00021.5117029
19 Britten CtAttached$535,0002213945
4 Preakness CtAttached$550,00032198532
17617 Sydni CtCondo$799,90052.5263435
13522 Provencial Hill WayDetached$899,00032.532441
17154 Lowenberg TerrDetached$1,295,00053.5341240
180 Iron Mountain BlvdDetached$1,495,000543378124
16538 Maple CircleDetached$1,550,00043.528544
567 10th StDetached$1,800,00043.5470685

Sold/Closed January 10-16, 2022

AddressTypeList PriceSold PriceSq FeetDOM
58 Galen StCondo$224,900$215,00068725
156 Ridgeway RdCondo$450,000$420,0001758174
2320 Glen Haven RdDetached$649,000$680,00013461
326 Lake Bay CtDetached$820,000$820,00014273
1500 Morning Sky CtDetached$1,178,000$1,098,0004,402107
769 4th StDetached$1,965,000$1,965,000392229
2643 Southshore BlvdDetached$3,300,000$2,750,0004543146

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.

Market Activity Dec 20, 2021-Jan 2, 2022

The winter break is such a breath of fresh air. We all get to slow down a bit and enjoy our home hearth with our family and our friends. Thank you all for being readers of the blotter, and for allowing Linda and I to take a break for a couple of weeks. But now we are back at it. The market is healthy and strong and we are gearing up for the late winter and spring housing market.

I don’t think that there has ever been a better time to put a house on the market. Truly, list now if you are planning to sell. The inventory is very, very low. The Federal Reserve has announced that they intend to impliement several interest rate increases in the coming year and there are hordes of buyers wanting to buy before that happens. This is a GREAT time to list a house!

Looking at the numbers in real estate for Lake Oswego in the last two weeks we saw just 3 new listings, 10 houses go into pending status, and 25 sold/closed properties.

See below for more RMLS data.

New Listings Dec 20, 2021-Jan 2, 2022

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq Ft
45 Eagle Crest Dr #311Condo$285,000221046
1247 Cedar StDetached$550,000322022
302 Laurel StDetached$679,000321907

Pending Dec 20, 2021-Jan 2, 2022

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq FtCDOM
572 S State St 8CCondo$319,9002191447
4000 Carman Dr #92Condo$349,0002299912
16191 Lake Forest BlvdDetached$500,0003186414
6317 Carman DrDetached$599,00031.5134478
4966 Galen StDetached$600,0003216995
2320 Glen Haven RdDetached$649,00031.513461
52 Northview CtAttached$649,90032.5219854
6472 Dawn StDetached$650,000321032110
1118 Oak StDetached$650,00031.5132012
115 Touchstone TerrAttached$670,00043.5256079

Sold/Closed Dec 20, 2021-Jan 2, 2022

AddressTypeList PriceSold PriceSq FeetDOM
9 Oswego SummitCondo$218,000$218,0007646
44 Eagle Crest DR #36Condo$250,000$248,5009033
4000 Carman Dr G108Condo$249,000$271,5007673
59 Oswego SummitCondo$295,000$295,00011402
7155 Childs RdCondo$278,000$300,0009164
86 Kingsgate Rd E103Condo$355,000$355,00092466
17347 Ashley CtAttached$650,000$645,946211734
16989 Tualatin StDetached$690,000$650,000149150
4104 Lakeview BlvdDetached$849,000$722,000224487
13470 Peters RdAttached$799,500$827,00023244
1407 Greentree CircleDetached$835,000$876,00022013
4080 Coltsfoot LnDetached$899,900$884,900288411
365 3rd StAttached$899,000$910,00021543
17288 Blue Heron RdDetached$1,775,000$1,050,0004128405
755 Ellis AveDetached$829,000$1,100,00022485
3777 Rivers Edge DrDetached$1,095,000$1,100,00028756
18168 Westminster DrDetached$1,099,000$1,150,00042205
14405 Pfeifer DrDetached$1,250,000$1,250,00038534
828 7th StDetached$1,250,000$1,400,00024184
1300 Tyndall CtDetached$1,299,950$1,400,88824184
5918 Seville AveDetached$1,289,800$1,405,345177624
2245 Glen Haven RdDetached$1,950,000$1,950,00038309
637 Englewood DrDetached$2,825,000$2,695,000423119
2101 Wembley Park RdDetached$2,750,000$2,700,000471019
1101 Crestline CtDetached$3,695,000$2,775,0007226415

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

Notary Services at the Library

Did you know that the Lake Oswego Library offers free notary services the first and third Saturdays of each month? It does, including today. Volunteers provide the notary as a community service. It’s free.

The library is located at 706 4th St in First Addition. For more information click here.

I’ll have the market activity report up shortly. Thank you for your patience.

Dianne