Benefit Concert for Hurricane Victims

Sally Harman and Frank Gruner will be conducting a benefit concert on October 20th to benefit the victims of Hurricane Helene.

Sally and Frank have been fixtures in the music scene in Lake Oswego for years. My daughter introduced me to Sally when she was attending Lakeridge Middle School. She’s now 38 years old, so that was some time ago. Sally did a lot of volunteering at the school and my daughter really connected with her.

She and Frank perform classical and Jazz. They are wonderful!

Attendees are asked to make donations to Hurrican Helene relief efforts.

The concert will be held at the United Methodist Church, 1855 Southshore Blvd, at 4:00pm on October 20th.

It will be a fun event and, hopefully, go a long way to help others in desperate need right now.

Dianne

Market Activity Sept 30-Oct 6

We are having the most beautiful fall weather. Cold, crisp mornings followed by pleasant and sunny afternoons. With all of the disastrous weather in other parts of the country, I am grateful to live in the Pacific Northwest.

Last week in Lake Oswego there were 11 new listings, one of which sold in just 1 day and appears as a pending sale in this report. There were 8 properties that accepted offers and are now pending. There were 15 closed sales.

See below for RMLS data.

New Listings Sept 30-Oct 6, 2024

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq Feet
44 Eagle Crest Dr #19Condo$245,00021908
25 Crestfield CtCondo$314,90022995
4000 Carman Dr D57Condo$319,90022836
5061 Foothills DrCondo$419,00022991
5225 Jean Rd #501Condo$445,000321500
4312 Botticelli St B8Attached$485,00022.52285
5754 Charles CirDetached$950,00032.52604
15459 Village DrDetached$1,499,00043.53049
15007 Twin Fir RdDetached$1,800,00043.53079
13560 Goodall Rd #7Detached$5,495,00045.55964

Pending Sept 30-Oct 6, 2024

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq FeetDOM
100 Kerr Pkwy #36Condo$190,00011617155
2651 Lookout CtDetached$759,00052.5247262
17749 Leafy LnDetached$1,129,900433266106
5651 La Mesa CtDetached$1,170,00042.527181
1029 Laurel StDetached$1,175,00053.5320882
2366 Palisades Crest DrDetached$1,650,0004334228
1960 Mapleleaf RdDetached$2,145,00055.54099137
16819 Allen RdDetached$6,950,00043.5488259

Sold/Closed Sept 30-Oct 6, 2024

AddressTypeList PriceSold PriceSq FeetCDOM
4638 Lower DrCondo$310,000$307,500126045
110 Greenridge CtAttached$649,900$527,000286874
4324 Woodside CirAttached$579,000$579,00012105
454 5th StCondo$680,000$677,50010923
710 Timberline DrDetached$825,000$780,00026428
1419 Hemlock StDetached$850,000$793,000252044
610 Boca Ratan DrDetached$879,000$807,2642566115
1795 Oak StDetached$950,000$864,731363225
1620 Oak StDetached$950,000$946,00021523
14190 Amberwood CirDetached$1,000,000$1,000,00031540
4487 Westbay RdDetached$1,200,000$1,200,00018690
309 10th StDetached$1,200,000$1,200,00045200
5254 Westfield CtDetached$1,295,000$1,300,00033465
16337 Chapin WayDetached$2,600,000$1,990,0005115156
4688 Upper DrDetached$2,150,000$2,085,000396226

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

Selling During the Holidays

Here we are, at the start of the holiday season. This is a very unique time of the year to be selling your home. Decorations are being purchased and coming out of storage. It is festive and fun. If you are selling your home at this time of year, you need to be thoughtful about how you approach your decorating of your home.

If you want to decorate, please do.

I do believe that everyone enjoys holiday decor. Outside the leaves are falling and our yards are going dormant. We are spending more and more time indoors. This is true of you and it’s also true of the people who are touring homes to make a purchasing decision. With proper decorating, coming into your home and feeling the spirit of the holidays will help them to feel at home.

Don’t over do it.

Make your holiday decorating tasteful and not over powering. You don’t want to make the decorating the overwhelming experience so that potential buyers end up looking at the decorating and not at the house. Don’t allow the decorating to get in the way of free movement through the house. A Christmas tree that people have to maneuver around is a Christmas tree that is either too big or put in the wrong place. Don’t over crowd the front steps with pumpkins. Safety is important. Less can be more. Be very careful to not let it become overwhelming.

When the holiday is over, it’s over.

As soon as the holiday has passed, take everything down and put it away. Allowing decorations to linger is both distracting and annoying. There are a few exceptions to this. Greenery left at the front door remains tasteful for several weeks. Holiday twinkle lights that are not colored help brighten homes on dark days. But be careful about what you choose to keep up. 99% of holiday decor needs to be taken down.

This actually is a great time to sell a house. Particularly this year as interest rates are coming down. I also believe that people who shop for homes at this time of year are highly motivated.

Please let Linda or I know if you have any questions. We are here to be of help.

Dianne

Market Activity Sept 16-22, 2024

Fall is in the air with dropping temperatures at night and glorious sunny days. In my household, we are looking forward to the return of rain and fires in the fireplace. Oregon is gorgeous in the fall!

Market activity seems a bit slower. Last week in LO there were 13 new listings, 12 pending sales, and 8 closed sales. Even with things slowing down, the market remains balanced.

See below for RMLS data.

New on the Market Sept 16-22, 2024

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq Feet
174 Oswego SummitCondo$345,000221506
16500 Lake Forest BlvdDetached$549,90031960
6401 McEwan RdDetached$599,400321050
10 Greenridge CtAttached$630,000322063
4378 Collins WayDetached$679,000321716
4750 Auburn LnAttached$765,00033.52650
19 Churchill DownsDetached$925,000432175
17418 Brookhurst DrDetached$1,499,99943.54164
610 Atwater RdDetached$1,800,00042.53283
21 D Ave #5Condo$1,966,14022.51986
21 D Ave #3Condo$2,444,20022.52222
21 D Ave #4Condo$2,506,90022.52279
21 D Ave #16Condo$4,167,80022.53206

Pending Sept 16-22, 2024

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq FeetDOM
16538 Carnegie AveDetached$554,00031.5118941
454 5th StCondo$680,00021.510924
4537 Heritage LnDetached$769,90032.5161962
13 Morningview CirDetached$839,00032.52519154
1 Windsor CtDetached$850,00032.5203867
16 Grouse TerDetached$875,00032.5262759
1701 Woodland TerDetached$887,00032.527296
4991 Centerwood StDetached$998,00042.5243378
3672 Tempest DrDetached$1,230,00033331759
1920 Park Forest AveDetached$1,350,00033286956
13869 Amberwood CirDetached$1,597,50042.5340524
2065 Lilli LnDetached$1,750,00063.5445739

Sold/Closed Sept 16-22, 2024

AddressTypeList PriceClosed PriceSq FeetCDOM
90 Galen StCondo$219,900$219,90055220
101 OswegoCondo$309,000$277,000121236
5225 Jean Rd #312Condo$415,000$400,000140049
1699 Village Park LnDetached$1,499,000$1,515,000308523
535 Middlecrest RdDetached$2,325,000$2,075,000287214
17443 Canal CirDetached$2,695,000$2,775,00031530
2430 Summit CtDetached$3,800,000$2,800,0003035128
18015 Cardinal DrDetached$3,849,900$3,500,0004119459

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.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

This gem turned up on my Facebook feed today: a boat tour of Oswego Lake circa 1987. Much remains (Lake Corporation Building, Jansen Island, The Cabanas), but so much has changed. Most of the tiny houses have been replaced by large mansions. It’s a fun visit to see how it was.

Market Activity September 2-8, 2024

Last week in Lake Oswego there were 17 properties that came onto the market. Of those, 3 sold quickly and appear in this report as pending sales. There were a total of 17 pending sales and 11 that completed escrow and now considered to be sold. Again, the market remains very balanced.

See below for RMLS data.

New on the Market September 2-8, 2024

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq Feet
45 Eagle Crest Dr #313Condo$249,90021.5+.51056
4 Touchstone #117Condo$285,00022984
4 Touchstone #147Condo$349,95032.51351
4055 Jefferson PkwyCondo$379,90032.51210
6313 Alyssa TerrAttached$500,00032.51534
27 Oriole LnDetached$675,00042.51851
5316 Lower DrDetached$775,00042.52016
23 Tanglewood DrDetached$849,90052.52522
855 Palisades Terrace DrDetached$859,99942.52221
1507 Cedar StDetached$1,249,00032.52590
111 Ladd StDetached$1,250,00032.52303
5718 Meadowcreek CtDetached$1,580,000543024
3131 Westview CtDetached$1,986,00044.54597
310 Chandler PlDetached$2,595,00043.53909

Pending Sales September 2-8, 2024

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq FeetDOM
4638 Lower DrCondo$299,90021.5126045
101 OswegoCondo$300,00022121236
4652 Lower DrAttached$395,00021.5117023
5225 Jean Rd #312Condo$415,00022140049
110 Greenridge CtAttached$549,90032.5286874
4324 Woodside CirAttached$579,0002212105
1419 Greentree CirDetached$694,0004322506
45 Hillshire DrDetached$749,90032.5201671
610 Boca Ratan DrDetached$839,000422566115
4661 Trillium WoodsAttached$925,00032.5226531
14190 Amberwood CirDetached$1,000,0004331540
5552 Yorkshire PlDetached$1,150,00042.526379
15203 Lily Bay CtDetached$1,350,00042.532164
2990 Glen Eagles RdDetached$1,495,00042.537873
17288 Cedar RdDetached$2,595,00033426775
17930 Kelok RdDetached$3,149,90053.5+.5471541
1031 Sunningdale RdDetached$4,400,00055.5532237





Sold/Closed September 2-8, 2024

AddressTypeList PriceSold PriceSq FeetCDOM
220 Cervantes CCondo$329,500$329,500137817
86 Kingsgate Rd C-201Condo$345,000$345,0009384
668 McVey Ave #58Condo$835,000$650,000992137
32 Nova CtDetached$649,900$655,00021901
2405 Knaus RdDetached$785,000$695,000168544
18421 Indian Creek DrDetached$748,000$748,000183613
13551 Southwood CtDetached$1,175,000$1,090,000321756
17129 Kelok RdDetached$2,395,000$2,100,000289619
1237 Lake Front RdDetached$2,795,000$2,769,000337820
2260 Summit CtDetached$3,495,000$2,872,5003797390
17227 Canal CirDetached$4,450,000$3,519,0004720176

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.

Emergency Preparedness Fair

Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 5th, 5 to 7pm. This free event is designed to help you and your family be prepared for emergency events such as earthquakes, floods, winter storms, and other disasters. As far off as these sorts of events may seem. They do happen.

My family and I went through a terrible winter storm last January. Our house lost power for 5 days when temperatures were a low a 16 degrees and didn’t get above freezing for 3 days straight. It was tough, but we got through it while remaining in our home to safeguard it from freezing pipes and to care for our pets. With proper equipment, we did fine.

This week’s Emergency Preparedness Fair will feature 20 booths plus programs and activities. This year will include The Big Shaker, the world’s largest mobile earthquake simulator. The Pacific Northwest is overdue for “the big one”. The area has a history of magnitude 9 earthquakes. It has happened here, and it will again.

Now is the time to think about and plan for these events. This is a great opportunity to prepare yourself and your family. The event will take place at city hall, 380 A Avenue.

Dianne

Market Activity August 19-25, 2024

As I have observed several times this summer, the real estate market in Lake Oswego remains very balanced with nearly equal numbers of properties entering the market as are selling. It’s a good time to both buy and to sell.

Last week in Lake Oswego we had 16 new listings come onto the market, 15 properties that accepted offers and went pending, and 14 closed sales.

See below for RMLS data.

New on the Market August 19-25, 2024

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq Feet
100 Kerr Pkwy #8Condo$182,95011617
3433 McNary Pkwy 3303Condo$299,50022.51208
280 CervantesCondo$395,000221050
17681 Leafy LnDetached$775,000532242
12850 Alto Park RdDetached$799,90021.51147
16061 Waluga DrDetached$799,90011676
4513 Oakridge RdAttached$829,90032.51974
18790 Bryant RdDetached$875,00032.52489
17701 Overlook CirDetached$999,000532864
18894 Bryant RdDetached$1,249,00044.54302
15468 Boones WayAttached$1,295,00042.52401
990 Lund StDetached$1,695,00043.53115
768 7th StDetached$1,895,00033.52921
429 6th StDetached$1,895,00042.53205
14400 Uplands DrDetached$2,198,00032.54267
13581 Goodall RdDetached$3,450,00044.55141

Pending Sales August 19-25, 2024

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq FeetDOM
86 Kingsgate Rd C-201Condo$345,000229384
1784 Bonniebrae DrAttached$495,00021.5139311
12886 Boones Ferry RdCondo$499,90022.5118211
5170 Lakeview BlvdDetached$695,00032177146
710 Timberline DrDetached$775,00043264281
1419 Hemlock StDetached$799,00053252017
1620 Oak StDetached$950,0003221523
137 Furnace StCondo$1,595,00032192776
2120 Glenmorrie DrDetached$1,699,00043.5429360
16337 Chapin WayDetached$2,095,00054.55115156
4688 Upper DrDetached$2,150,00043.5396226
1515 Cherry LnDetached$2,150,00054.5571983
535 Middlecrest RdDetached$2,198,00032.5+.5287214
18015 Cardinal DrDetached$3,674,90043.5+.54119201
1750 Northshore RdDetached$4,750,00032.5330276

Sold/Closed August 19-25, 2024

AddressTypeList PriceSold PriceSq FeetCDOM
45 Eagle Crest Dr $422Condo$295,000$265,000134869
4438 Thunder Vista LnCondo$453,000$370,5252040107
102 Oswego SummitCondo$375,000$375,00015061
5 Bloch TerAttached$599,000$564,000197157
5314 Tualata CtDetached$815,000$785,000244446
16849 Lakeridge DrDetached$875,000$815,000220853
17654 Cardinal DrDetached$1,195,000$870,0002042150
20 Othello StDetached$950,000$942,000216019
16792 Quail CtDetached$1,275,000$1,237,000322227
139 Del Prado StDetached$1,615,000$1,325,0002935150
14360 Amberwood CirDetached$1,250,000$1,365,00028452
16915 Greentree AveDetached$1,499,950$1,425,000279134
469 7th StDetached$1,875,000$1,595,0004350149
529 8th StDetached$2,400,000$2,275,0003569246

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.

Nothing So Certain As Change

If you are paying attention to the headlines, you know that a big change happened in the Real Estate industry that went into effect last Saturday. It was the culmination of a lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice against the National Association of Realtors and several of the largest National Real Estate Brokerages.

The gist of the lawsuit was that the traditional method of agents who represent buyers to be paid resulted from the listing contract between the listing agent and the seller of a home. The Department of Justice determined that this was price fixing because it excluded the buyer from having any influence on the commission that their agent was paid. The courts agreed and in May a fine of 418 million dollars was imposed upon the defendants.

How does this affect you? It’s going to have a big impact when you buy or sell a home.

When you sell a home, your Realtor can not provide any information in the Multiple Listing Service that indicates whether or not you are willing to pay the buyer’s agent commission. I suppose that means that you could benefit because you only need to agree to pay your Realtor that you have hired to sell your property. Sounds pretty good, right? However you need to consider the situation that most buyers are in. They’re the folks who have to have enough money to pay their down payment and their closing costs. That is a big sum of money. Most buyers are pushing themselves financially to come up with these funds. As a seller, you are likely enjoying years of equity that has built up in your home. At the time of selling, you will be flush with cash, in most cases. Paying the buyer’s agent commission is likely more affordable for the seller than it is for the buyer.

As a buyer, you will have to enter into a contract with your buyer’s agent in which you agree to pay your Realtor. Being a Realtor is not a charity situation. Realtors need to know that they will be paid. If a seller declines to pay the buyer’s agent, the buyer will need to do so. So be prepared to financially plan to pay a buyer’s agent commission. That commission is negotiable and is between you and your Realtor.

From my perspective, I think that this new law will be very hard on buyers: particularly first time home buyers. That entry level market is already the most competitive and the most likely to involve multiple offers. The typical first time buyer is putting down a very small down payment. That already bodes badly for them when they are competing against investors who have large down payments or all cash. Now imagine that the seller has several offers and they are determining which brings them the most benefit. Are they going to go with the offer with a small down payment who also asks them to pay the buyer side commission? Nope. Not when there is an offer that not only has more cash on the table but also doesn’t ask them to pay an extra commission.

Last, I want to mention that it is now against the law for a Realtor who is not representing the seller to show a houses to a buyer without a Buyer Broker Compensation Agreement. So if you are casually calling around and asking Realtors to show you houses, you are going to have to have a signed contract to get into any house that the Realtor is not the listing agent for.

There really is nothing so certain as change. We will all get used to working with these new rules. I do like that it puts the buyer side commission right up front and creates an honest conversation. I also think it is not good for entry level buyers, but we will figure this out. We can do it.

Dianne

Market Activity August 5-11, 2024

We really are in the dog days of summer. Rush hour is unusually light on the freeways, the weather has been perfect, it just feels like folks are enjoying vacationing and the languid days before school starts. This is reflected in last week’s real estate activity. Lake Oswego had 13 new listings, one of which sold quickly and appears in this report as a pending sale. 17 properties went into pending status, and there were 9 closed sales. Good numbers showing on-going real estate activity, but a bit down from recent previous weeks.

See below for RMLS data.

New on the Market August 5-11, 2024

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq Feet
12 Cervantes CirCondo$325,00021.5912
12886 Boones Ferry RdCondo$499,90022.51182
16538 Carnegia AveDetached$589,90031.51189
5271 Chinook CtDetached$675,000321390
4661 Trillium WoodsAttached$925,00032.52265
782 Sunny Hill DrDetached$1,145,000322012
5982 Harrington AveDetached$1,199,000333106
3037 Tolkien LnDetached$1,350,000433159
570 Middlecrest RdDetached$1,685,000322213
2065 Lilli LnDetached$1,750,00063.54457
535 Middlecrest RdDetached$2,325,00032.5+.52872
17575 Crestline DrDetached$3,975,00054.5+.57240

Pending Sales August 5-11, 2024

AddressTypePriceBedroomsBathsSq FeetDOM
47 Eagle Crest Dr #20Condo$297,00021100923
4438 Thunder Vista LnCondo$400,00022.52040107
121 Leonard St CCondo$485,00032141325
4421 Upper DrDetached$639,00031.511762
127 Ash StDetached$650,00052.53211142
5215 Bonita RdDetached$803,00032176167
5314 Tualata CtDetached$815,00032.524446
5379 Greystoke DrDetached$830,0003219176
17900 Westview DrDetached$875,00032196087
3060 Glenmorrie DrDetached$1,475,00032418368
16915 Greentree AveDetached$1,499,95033279134
469 7th StDetached$1,595,00043.54350149
16873 Canyon DrDetached$2,250,00054378942
16337 Chapin WayDetached$2,295,00054.55115137
2430 Summit CtDetached$3,249,000333035128
1551 Lake Front RdDetached$3,850,00053.5351945
17227 Canal CirDetached$3,950,00054.5472059

Sold/Closed August 5-11, 2024

AddressTypeList PriceClosed PriceSQ FeetCDOM
5057 Foothillls Dr #BCondo$469,000$395,000125264
18308 Pilkington RdDetached$595,000$545,000151130
57 Condolea TerCondo$675,000$725,00021722
19428 River Run DrDetached$1,075,000$975,815291844
3899 Tamarack LnDetached$950,000$980,00027433
15930 Twin Fir RdDetached$1,250,000$1,220,000246317
13546 Peters RdDetached$1,200,000$1,272,00030363
13707 Fielding RdDetached$1,550,000$1,380,000327793
361 10th StDetached$2,949,900$2,733,0003710140
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.