The Open House

photo-1There are few subjects that Realtors are quite as opinionated about as open houses. Some think they are great while others swear them off like the plague. I think it might be helpful to give you my take on the subject.

Open Houses have value and are worth having
It is true that your home is not likely to sell as the result of an open house, but it does happen. I would estimate that I have sold at least a dozen homes over the years from an open house. I have sold homes to people who walk in cold with no Realtor, but more often I have had people who came to my open go back to their own buyer’s agent and ask them to write up the offer.

There are two types of open houses
Public open houses are advertized to the general public, usually on websites like rmls.com, our property blotter, and on-line classifieds like trulia. It is important that the public open be advertized. While I enjoy meeting the neighbors, I want people to come through who know the price and size and are there because it fits their needs. Public open houses are usually on Sundays between noon and 4 pm. They usually are hosted for 2 to 3 hours somewhere in that window of time.

Broker’s opens are held on Tuesdays here in Lake Oswego. They usually go from 11am to 1pm. Most real estate offices have a sales meeting on Tuesday mornings about 9am. The broker tour is intended to create an easy opportunity for one or a group of Realtors to easily gain access to houses to preview them for clients.

Realtor’s have fantastic Internet access to photos and maps for homes which makes the need for Broker’s Tour much less than it used to be. But I put every listing on Broker’s Tour and then I host the open so that I can talk to other Realtors and really point out the features of the house. There are enough Realtors who do physically tour to make this an important part of my marketing. I also really love the professional networking that happens.

Buyers go to Open Houses
I think most people who are considering buying a home feel compelled to hop into their cars on Sundays and go drive about looking for open houses. Even with the Internet, there is nothing like going inside of houses.

Get your house ready!
Have your house spotlessly clean, drapes and blinds wide open, and the rooms properly staged. Open houses can be a real motivator to work on and maintain your house in show-ready condition.

Feel free to give Linda or myself a call if you have any questions or if you are thinking about getting in gear to sell your home. We would love to be of help.
Dianne

Open Houses 2/16/2014

This Sunday in Lake Oswego there are 17 open houses scheduled, including my own at 4216 Albert Circle. This is a great house, all on 1-level, with some great features for $459,000. I’ll be there from noon to 2pm. You’ll find my directional signs on Bryant Rd. Please come on by!

Last fall
Last fall
Address Price Type Bedroom Bath Open
6397 McEwan Rd $289,900 Detached 3 2 2 to 4
720 8th St $425,000 Detached 3 2 1 to 3
4216 Albert Circle $459,000 Detached 3 2 12 to 2
4109 Wolf Berry Ct $519,000 Detached 4 2.5 1 to 4
1428 Pine St $550,000 Detached 3 3.5 1 to 3
1830 Cloverleaf Rd $598,000 Detached 3 2.5 2 to 4
363 6th St $599,900 Attached 3 3.5 1 to 4
18020 Jenifers Way $609,881 Detached 4 2.5 1 to 4
19524 River Run Dr $618,950 Detached 4 2.5 1 to 3
14113 Amberwood Circle $684,000 Detached 4 2.5 1 to 3
13528 Twin Creek Ln $689,900 Detached 4 3.5 1 to 3
18982 Bryant Rd $719,900 Detached 4 3.5 1 to 3
1640 Oak St $725,000 Detached 4 2.5 12 to 3
67 Nansen Summit $1,050,000 Detached 6 4 2 to 4
316 Ridgeway Rd $1,225,000 Detached 4 3 2 to 4
17342 Ridgeview Ct $1,250,000 Detached 4 3.5 1 to 3
1345 Cherry Ln $1,295,000 Detached 5 3.5 1 to 4

Open Houses 2/214

It may be Superbowl Sunday, but kick off isn’t until 3:30. So there’s plenty of time to take in one of these great open houses. Enjoy!

Address Price Type Bedroom Bath Open
16200 Pacific Hwy #35 $299,000 condo 2 2 12 to 2
4109 Wolf Berry Ct $519,000 detached 4 2.5 12 to 3
1830 Cloverleaf Rd $598,000 detached 3 2.5 12 to 2:30
14232 Meadow Grass St $619,000 detached 4 3 1 to 4
17632 Woodhurst Pl $648,950 detached 5 4.5 12 to 2
1273 Wells St $799,000 detached 4 3 12 to 3
19463 Lorna Ln $899,800 detached 4 3.5 1 to 4
316 Ridgeway Rd $1,225,000 detached 4 3 12 to 2:30

Open Houses 1/19/13

There are 18 open houses in Lake Oswego this Sunday. Enjoy!

Address Price Type Bedroom Bath Open
1531 Bonniebrae Dr $244,900 Attached 3 1.5 12 to 2
2719 Greentree Rd $449,950 Detached 5 3.5 1 to 4
4109 Wolf Berry Ct $519,000 Detached 4 2.5 1 to 4
5554 Royal Oaks Dr $525,000 Detached 3 2 1 to 3
55 Aquinas St $574,900 Detached 5 3 11 to 1
14 Del Prado St $583,000 Detached 3 3.5 1 to 3
421 Middlecrest Rd $629,900 Detached 3 2.5 1 to 3
3015 Royce Way $689,900 Detached 4 3.5 1 to 3
3826 Upper Dr $739,900 Detached 4 2.5 1 to 4
18112 Westminster Dr $750,000 Detached 5 4 2 to 4
18499 Old River Dr $819,000 Detached 4 3.5 11:30 to 1:30
4540 Lamont Way $874,950 Detached 5 2.5 1 to 3
13537 Fielding Rd $895,000 Detached 4 3.5 1 to 3
18325 River Edge Ln $899,995 Detached 3 3.5 1 to 3
2943 Lakeview Blvd $995,000 Detached 4 3 1 to 3
752 E Ave $998,500 Detached 3 3 1 to 3
17322 Cedar Rd $1,149,500 Detached 4 4.5 1 to 3
13310 Atwater Ln $1,249,900 Detached 5 4 2 to 4

Open Houses 12/15/13

Lake Oswego has 13 open houses scheduled for this Sunday. Enjoy!

Address Price Type Bedroom Bath Open
12894 Boones Ferry Rd $299,000 Attached 2 2.5 1 to 3
67 Tanglewood Dr $434,900 Detached 4 2.5 1 to 4
3065 Royce Way $475,000 Detached 4 2.5 1:30 to 3:30
751 Briercliff Ln $508,500 Detached 4 3 12 to 3
18020 Jenifers Way $609,881 Detached 4 2.5 1 to 4
19524 River Run Dr $618,950 Detached 4 2.5 1 to 3
2814 Vale Ct $629,000 Detached 4 3 12 to 2:30
13374 Hidden Bay Ct $699,000 Detached 4 2.5 1 to 3
4540 Lamont Way $899,950 Detached 5 2.1 1 to 3
19463 Lorna Ln $900,000 Detached 4 3.5 1 to 3
2801 Lakeview Blvd $925,000 Detached 3 3.5+.5 1 to 3
13310 Atwater Ln $1,249,900 Detached 5 4 2 to 4
112 Northshore Circle $1,500,000 Detached 4 3.5 1 to 5

Open Houses for Dec. 1st, 2013

Looking for a nice break in the holiday shopping? How about checking out one of these open houses that are scheduled for this Sunday in Lake Oswego? Enjoy!

Address Price Type Bedroom Bath Open
5101 Dawn Ave $574,000 Detached 5 3 1 to 3
2302 Overlook Dr $595,000 Detached 4 2.5 1 to 4
1830 Cloverleaf Rd $599,000 Detached 3 2.5 2 to 4
363 6th Ave $599,900 Attached 3 3.5 1 to 4
18994 Bryant Rd $699,000 Detached 4 2.5 12 to 3
18430 Tamaway Dr $899,999 Detached 4 2.5+.5  1 to 4

Open Houses 11/17/13

There will be 17 open houses this Sunday in Lake Oswego. Enjoy!

Address Price Type Bedroom Bath Open
1602 Greentree Rd $399,950 Detached 4 2 1 to 4
3595 Tempest Dr $424,900 Detached 3 2 1 to 3
67 Tanglewood Dr $434,900 Detached 4 2.5 1 to 3
231 Laurel St $435,000 Detached 3 3 1 to 3
1571 Woodland Terrace $474,500 Detached 3 2 12 to 4
5101 Dawn Ave $574,000 Detached 5 3 11:30 to 3
3435 Lake Grove Ave $595,000 Detached 4 3 1 to 3
5522 Royal Oaks Dr $598,950 Detached 4 2.5 1 to 3
14920 Twin Fir Rd $599,500 Detached 3 1.5 1 to 4
1830 Cloverleaf Rd $599,500 Detached 3 2.5 2 to 4
14 Del Prado St $599,999 Detached 5 3.5 1 to 3
2322 Stonehurst Ct $600,000 Detached 4 2.5 12 to 3
18020 Jenifers Way $609,880 Detached 4 2.5 2:30 to 4:30
13374 Hidden Bay Ct $699,000 Detached 4 2.5 1 to 3
144 Leonard St $699,900 Detached 4 3.5 1 to 4
18499 Old River Rd $819,000 Detached 4 3.5 1 to 4
18430 Tamaway Dr $899,999 Detached 4 2.5+.5 1 to 4

Open Houses 11/3/13

This Sunday in Lake Oswego there are 24 open houses scheduled. Enjoy!

44 Eagle Crest, a condo, $123,900, 2 BR, 1 Bath, open 1 to 3

6397 McEwan Rd, a house, $289,900, 3 BR, 2 Baths, open 1 to 4

1602 Greentree Rd, a house, $399,950, 4 BR, 2 Baths, open 11:30 to 1:30

1571 Woodland Terrace, a house, $498,900, 3 BR, 2 Baths, open 12 to 4

5101 Dawn Ave, a house, $574,000, 5 BR, 3 Baths, open 11 to 2

11 Masaryk St, a house, $585,000, 5 BR, 4 Baths, open 1 to 3

18343 Anduin Terrace, a house, $599,000, 4 BR, 2.5 Baths, open 2 to 4

14 Del Prado St, a house, $599,999, 5 BR, 3.5 Baths, open 1 to 3

3435 Lake Grove Ave, a house, $604,900, 4 BR, 3 Baths, open 1 to 3

19524 River Run Dr, a house, $618,950, 4 BR, 2.5 Baths, open 1 to 3

5522 Royal Oaks Dr, a house, $624,500, 4 BR, 2.5 Baths, open 1 to 3

621 Country Club Rd, a house, $625,000, 4 BR, 2.5 Baths, open 11 to 1

17632 Woodhurst Pl, a house, $699,900, 5 BR, 4.5 Baths, open 2 to 4

144 Leonard St, a house, $725,000, 4 BR, 3.5 Baths, open 1 to 3

13276 Deerfield Ct, a house, $749,000, 4 BR, 2.5 Baths, open 1 to 3

18112 Westminster Dr, a house, $750,000, 5 BR, 4 Baths, open 1 to 4

2070 Wembley Park Rd, a house, $850,000, 5 BR, 4.5 Baths, open 12:30 to 2:30

18325 River Edge Ln, a house, $919,000, 3 BR, 3.5 Baths, open 1 to 3

19463 Lorna Ln, a house, $920,000, 3 BR, 3.5 Baths, open 1 to 3

735 7th St, a house, $939,000, 3 BR, 3.5 Baths, open 1 to 5

752 E Ave, a house, $998,500, 3 BR, 3 Baths, open 12 to 2

624 Atwater Rd, a house, $1,069,000, 5 BR, 3.5 Baths, open 2 to 4

13310 Atwater Ln, a house, $1,295,000, 5 BR, 4 Baths, open 3 to 5

17353 Canal Circle, a house, $1,590,000, 5 BR, 4 Baths, open 11 to 1

Open Houses 10/20/13

This Sunday there will be 28 Open Houses in Lake Oswego. We are having a glorious, sunny weekend, so it should be a great day to tour. Enjoy!

45 Eagle Crest #409, 2 BR, 2 Baths, $150,000, Open 1 to 3

3595 Tempest Dr, 3 BR, 2 Baths, $424,900, Open 12 to 3

87 Ash St, 3 BR, 2 Baths, $429,900, Open 1 to 3

16038 Reese Rd, 3 BR, 3 Baths, $449,000, Open 1 to 3

5456 Willow Ct, 3 BR, 2.5 Baths, $469,000, Open 1 to 3

6192 Harrington Ave, 5 BR, 3 Baths, $479,900, Open 12 to 2

15677 Fieldstone Dr, 3 BR, 2.5 Baths, $546,500, Open 12 to 2

3435 Lake Grove Ave, 4 BR, 3 Baths, $604,900, Open 1 to 4

18020 Jennifers Way, 4 BR, 2.5 Baths, $609,889, Open 12 to 3

19524 River Run Dr, 4 BR, 2.5 Baths, $618,950, Open 12 to 2

2478 Marylview Ct, 5 BR, 3 Baths, $619,000, Open 1 to 3

14412 Meadow Grass St, 5 BR, 2.5 Baths, $619,900, Open 2 to 4

5522 Royal Oaks Dr, 4 BR, 2.5 Baths, $624,500, Open 12 to 3

113601 Twin Creek Ln, 4 BR, 2.5 Baths, $630,000, Open 1 to 3

421 Middlecrest Rd, 3 BR, 2.5 Baths, $645,000, Open 1 to 3

18042 Jenifers Way, 4 BR, 3 Baths, $657,950, Open 12:30 to 3

5831 Suncreek Dr, 4 BR, 2.5 Baths, $659,900, Open 1 to 3

18064 Jenifers Way, 5 BR, 3 Baths, $667,950, Open 12:30 to 3

5728 Bay Creek Dr, 5 BR, 2.5 Baths, $719,900, Open 2 to 4

13562 Peters Rd, 4 BR, 3 Baths, $875,000, Open 2 to 4

4540 Lamont Way, 4 BR, 2.5 Baths, $899,950, Open 3 to 5

2801 Lakeview Blvd, 3 BR, 3.5+.5 Baths, $925,000, Open 12 to 4

2671 Glen Eagles Rd, 3 BR, 3 Baths, $950,000, Open 1 to 3

14110 Goodall Rd, 4 BR, 3.5 Baths, $995,000, Open 12 to 2

2943 Lakeview Blvd, 4 BR, 3 Baths, $1,095,000, Open 1 to 3

853 D Ave, 4 BR, 3.5 Baths, $1,250,000, Open 2 to 4

16777 Phantom Bluff Ct, 4 BR, 2.5+.5 Baths, Open 1 to 3

67 Nansen Summit, 6 BR, 4 Baths, $1,500,000, Open 1 to 3

Sunday Open Houses, Oct 6th

Here are the houses scheduled to be held open on Sunday, October 6th. Enjoy

Address Price Type Bedroom Bath Open
143 Oswego Summit $146,000 Condo 2 2 2 to 4
4 Touchstone #62 $159,500 Condo 3 2.5 1 to 3
6397 McEwan Rd $295,000 Detached 3 2 1 to 3
1602 Greentree Rd $399,950 Detached 4 2 2 to 4
87 Ash St $429,900 Detached 3 2 1 to 3
2727 Glen Haven Rd $449,900 Detached 3 2 12 to 3
1730 Yarmouth Circle $454,500 Detached 2 2 1 to 3
18321 Wood Thrush Circle $458,500 Detached 3 2.5 1 to 3
16838 Wight Ln $469,500 Detached 4 2.5 2 to 4
17125 Fernwood Dr $478,000 Detached 3 3 1 to 3
1287 Rockinghorse Ln $479,000 Detached 3 2 1 to 3
17730 Marylbrook Dr $479,000 Detached 4 2.5 2 to 4
6 Hillshire Dr $499,000 Detached 5 3 1 to 4
1448 Cedar St $499,000 Detached 4 3 1 to 3
15677 Fieldstone Dr $546,500 Detached 3 2.5 1 to 3
17973 Saint Clair Dr $565,000 Detached 4 3 1 to 3
5555 Fieldstone Ct $579,500 Detached 3 2.5 1 to 3
14 Del Prado St $599,999 Detached 5 3.5 2 to 4
18343 Anduin Terrace $614,900 Detached 4 2.5 2 to 4
19524 River Run Dr $618,950 Detached 4 2.5 1 to 3
621 Country Club Rd $625,000 Detached 4 2.5 1 to 4
14920 Twin Fir Rd $649,000 Detached 3 1.5 1 to 4
3752 Tempest Dr $659,000 Detached 5 2.5 2 to 4
5267 Lakeview Blvd $674,900 Detached 4 3.5 10 to 1
13374 Hidden Bay Ct $699,000 Detached 4 2.5 1 to 3
1273 Wells St $829,000 Detached 4 3 12 to 2
16671 Fir Ln $845,000 Detached 3 3.5 12 to 3
17641 Cardinal Dr $899,000 Detached 4 3 1 to 4
18187 Siena Dr $938,950 Detached 4 3.5 1 to 4
735 7th St $939,000 Detached 3 3.5 1 to 4
13537 Fielding Rd $995,000 Detached 4 3.5 1 to 3
752 E Ave $998,500 Detached 3 3 10 to 2
13310 Atwater Ln $1,295,000 Detached 5 4 3 to 5
67 Nansen Summit $1,500,000 Detached 6 4 1 to 4