Category: Buying Advice

What to do when buying real estate in Lake Oswego, Oregon

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Real Estate in a Pandemic

Having been a licensed Oregon Realtor since 1987, I kinda thought I’d seen it all, but then what do you know? A Pandemic happens. I had no idea what to expect. I think mostly I was worried. How do you sell houses in a pandemic? Well, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. The market is booming.

As I pointed out in this week’s market activity report, out of 20 closed sales last week, 6 sold OVER the asking price and 4 sold AT the asking price. That’s 50% of what sold. Then look at the fact that 13 properties went on the market and 31 went pending. That is a classic scenario of supply not meeting demand. This creates bidding and competitive buying.

In this environment, how do Realtors keep everyone safe? Everyone is paying attention. National Association of Realtors, the Oregon Association of Realtors, and my company, Oregon First, have all given pretty strict protocols. At a minimum everyone must wear masks and socially distance. The next step is to talk to our clients. Find out their concerns and what their preferences are. If a person has health issues that put them at higher risk, we can take the procedures further. This includes wearing gloves, wiping down surfaces, having the listing agent meet Realtors with their clients at the front door and give instructions that they may not touch anything. If they want to see inside a cupboard, ask and the listing agent will open the cupboard. I showed a house on Sunday in which my clients and I did not touch one single surface or knob. It went smoothly.

I am asking my clients to wear masks but then I am also providing single use plastic gloves. I put them out at the entrance to my listings and I carry them in my car for my buyers. It is one pair for each house so that we don’t cross contaminate between properties. I felt pretty lucky when I found 2000 pairs for about 40 bucks. I am prepared!

I also provide booties to cover shoes. However, I don’t make them keep the booties on going up stairs that are not carpeted. Those booties can be slippery on stairs.

What I am not doing is sharing my car with my clients or holding open houses.

I really want to assure you that Realtors are working very hard to keep everyone safe in a time when the demand for housing is so high. There may be a pandemic but it’s a great time to buy or sell a house.

As always, thanks for reading the blotter,
Dianne

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Market Activity ~ June 22-28, 2020

Last week in Lake Oswego there were 21 New listings, 27 properties that went into Pending status, and 14 Closed sales.  There are currently 212 Properties for sale in Lake Oswego!

Following is the breakdown for you according to RMLS:

New on the Market (June 22-28, 2020)

Address List Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type
104 OSWEGO SMT /Grnd $195,000 1 1 943 CONDO
3930 LAKE GROVE AVE #3A $210,800 2 1 956 CONDO
4 TOUCHSTONE #81 $224,950 3 2.1 1350 CONDO
82 OSWEGO SMT / Upper $239,000 2 2 1212 CONDO
200 BURNHAM RD #303 $257,000 2 1 1200 CONDO
4260 CHAPMAN WAY $630,000 4 3 2301 DETACHD
4403 OAKRIDGE RD $760,000 3 2.1 2052 ATTACHD
19398 RIVER RUN DR $799,900 4 3 2790 DETACHD
1953 SUMMIT DR $889,000 4 3 3312 DETACHD
14360 TRILLIUM CT $927,000 5 3 3558 DETACHD
15371 TWIN FIR RD $1,050,000 4 2.1 2876 DETACHD
2085 RIDGE POINTE DR $1,199,000 5 4.2 6575 DETACHD
17281 LOWENBERG TER $1,225,000 4 3.1 3792 DETACHD
900 FAIRWAY RD $1,295,000 5 3.1 3508 DETACHD
14480 KRUSE OAKS BLVD $1,325,000 4 3.1 4661 DETACHD
827 8TH ST $1,549,900 5 3.1 3852 DETACHD
3109 DOUGLAS CIR $1,950,000 5 4.2 4880 DETACHD
1217 Lake Front RD $2,195,000 3 2.1 2628 DETACHD
17253 KELOK RD $2,659,000 5 4.1 4429 DETACHD
757 LAKE SHORE RD $3,089,000 4 3.1 4098 DETACHD
3214 LAKEVIEW BLVD $4,500,000 4 5 5922 DETACHD

Pending Sales (June 22-28, 2020)

Address List Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type CDOM
100 KERR PKWY #2 $170,000 2 2 822 CONDO 9
4 TOUCHSTONE #71 $198,000 2 2 984 CONDO 49
44 EAGLE CREST DR #41 $224,900 2 1 908 CONDO 30
200 BURNHAM RD #304 $329,000 2 2 1305 CONDO 25
5225 JEAN RD #304 $329,500 3 2 1400 CONDO 23
4324 BOTTICELLI ST $339,000 2 2.1 2260 CONDO 89
1373 BONNIEBRAE DR $370,000 3 2 1477 ATTACHD 3
4386 THUNDER VISTA LN $399,900 2 2.1 1980 CONDO 41
111 TOUCHSTONE TER $420,000 2 2 1341 ATTACHD 16
5071 TUALATA LN $449,000 3 2 1540 DETACHD 5
16111 LINDSAY CT $558,000 3 2.1 1840 DETACHD 34
13188 VERMEER DR $589,000 3 2.1 1862 DETACHD 6
21 BECKET ST $629,900 4 2.1 3070 DETACHD 93
1100 OAK TER $635,000 4 2 1518 DETACHD 40
125 FURNACE ST #125 $799,000 2 2.1 1927 CONDO 78
17502 ERIN CT $799,900 4 3 3014 DETACHD 13
2201 OVERLOOK DR $825,000 4 2.1 3360 DETACHD 3
13751 CAMEO CT $990,000 5 4 3350 DETACHD 97
815 OAK ST $1,035,000 4 3.1 3836 DETACHD 6
14260 UPLANDS DR $1,284,000 4 3 2831 DETACHD 5
18026 SKYLAND CIR $1,399,000 5 3.1 4117 DETACHD 102
18965 Pilkington RD $1,439,000 4 3 3926 DETACHD 19
157 6TH ST $1,498,000 4 3.1 3614 DETACHD 953
17435 WREN CT $1,699,000 4 3 2960 DETACHD 443
16645 GRAEF CIR $1,825,000 4 3.2 3187 DETACHD 16
17537 CARDINAL DR $1,880,000 5 4 5383 DETACHD 137
3124 LAKEVIEW BLVD $2,950,000 5 4 3825 DETACHD 16

Sold/Closed (June 22-28, 2020)

Address Opening Price Closed Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type CDOM
3918 CARMAN DR $299,900 $298,150 2 2.1 1107 CONDO 77
200 BURNHAM RD #205 $320,000 $310,000 2 2 1305 CONDO 10
16675 BONAIRE AVE $450,000 $450,000 3 1 1020 DETACHD 40
59 TOUCHSTONE $450,000 $527,000 4 3 2924 DETACHD 4
16229 Lake Forest BLVD $549,900 $535,000 4 3 2094 DETACHD 26
19026 ARROWWOOD AVE $572,000 $578,900 3 2 1850 DETACHD 3
3 GARIBALDI ST $749,900 $675,000 3 3 3137 DETACHD 153
1771 CAMPUS WAY $668,000 $678,000 3 3 3247 DETACHD 3
6351 BURMA RD $829,000 $820,000 4 4 3500 DETACHD 196
5364 LANGFORD LN $869,000 $869,000 4 2.1 3022 DETACHD 25
5680 LA MESA CT $975,000 $975,000 5 3.1 3405 DETACHD 3
1 DOVER WAY $975,000 $1,075,000 4 3 3559 DETACHD 1
671 5TH ST $1,285,000 $1,280,000 4 2.1 2781 DETACHD 20
16895 CHAPIN WAY $1,495,000 $1,300,000 4 3.2 5182 DETACHD 304

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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Buying Rural Property

Seen here is a dug out open septic tank being pumped out. All the required tools are laying in the yard.
I seem to be on a bit of a roll selling houses on acreage lately. This is prompting me to write a post about how buying rural land is different from buying houses within the city limits. And, yes, this does apply to Lake Oswego houses.

All around the edges of the City of Lake Oswego, the neighborhoods have grown to absorb rural land. There is quite a bit of unincorporated Clackamas and Multnomah Counties with Lake Oswego Addresses.

The biggest difference is that rural homes don’t have city sewer and water. Instead, they have wells and septic systems. This means that when you do inspections of the property, it needs to include testing of the well and investigation of the septic system.

When testing the well you will want to do two tests, one for water flow and one for water quality. A good well needs to be able to supply 600 gallons within a two hour period for use within a home. This is about 5 gallons per minute.

As far as water quality, what is typically tested for are nitrites, coliform bacteria, and arsenic. Lead is also commonly tested for.

The buyer usually pays for all tests associated with the water.

When inspecting the septic system the seller pays to have the tank pumped and then the buyer pays for an inspection to be done while the tank is empty. Further inspection can be done of the drainfield, if the buyer elects to take the inspection one step further.

Living on land is really appealing to people right now and properties on land are in high demand. Please let Linda or I know if you have any questions on this subject. We are here to help.
Dianne

Photo credit Getty images

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News & Notes ~ May 2020 Numbers

Here is your look at the most recent data for the entire Portland area (May 2020) and how Lake Oswego fits in to this picture just below.

Inventory is down but only slightly from April. Overall we’re seeing an adjustment down in numbers overall as they relate to last year in May, and/but look at the numbers and how they’ve all risen from April, Closed Sales being down a slight 2.6% (fewer Offers made in March). You may remember my prediction that COVID and some freezing/panic in March were affecting April numbers. Now, as I suspected, we see what we’re all seeing anecdotally in the marketplace, which is people adapting to safety protocols and getting out there to buy and sell houses suiting their individual circumstances. So, down over May 2019, and up over April 2020. Look at the 52.5% rise in Pending sales over April!

My trusted Mortgage Advisors tell me:

According to the RMLS Market Action Report for the Portland Metro Area, May 2020:

  • There were 3,419  New Listings in May 2020 which decreased 30.3%  from May of 2019’s 4,902, and/but increased 20.1% over the previous month/April’s 2,847.
  • At 1,963, May 2020’s Closed Sales are down 33.9% from May 2019’s 2,969, and also decreased by 2.6% from the previous month/April 2020’s total of 2,015
  • At 3,112, May 2020’s Pending Sales are down 5.5% from May 2019’s 3,292, and are up a whopping 52.5% from the previous month/April 2020’s total of 2,041.
  • The Average Sale Price in May 2020 of $467,500 is down $3,700 from last year/May 2019’s $471,200, and is also down $9,900 from the previous month/April 2020’s $477,400.   YTD increase is 2.8%, however.
  • The “Median” Sale Price (the price smack dab in the middle of all sales) in May 2020 of $425,000 rose from last year/May 2019’s $420,000 by $5,000, and is up by $1,000 from the previous month/April 2020’s $424,000.   YTD increase is 4.1%.

Neighborhoods: May’s Average Sale Price + 12-month Appreciation:

  • North Portland:  $442,900              1.9%   (Apr $448,500 )
    •                                                     YTD Median: $410,000
  • NE Portland:  $479,900                   2.9%   (Apr $491,200)
    •                                                     YTD Median: $429,900
  • SE Portland:  $448,300                   1.3%   (Apr $449,200)
    •                                                     YTD Median: $389,500
  • Gresham/Troutdale:   $358,800     2.3%   (Apr $371,900)
    •                                                     YTD Median: $360,000
  • Milwaukie/Clackamas:  $435,200  3.8%   (Apr $457,600)
    •                                                     YTD Median: $429,900
  • Oregon City/Canby:   $454,500      3.5%   (Apr $445,200)
    •                                                     YTD Median: $431,700
  • Lake Oswego/West Linn:$698,500  4.1%  (Apr $772,500 )
    •                                                      YTD Median: $604,500
  • West Portland:    $616,200             -1.3%  (Apr $642,000 )
    •                                                     YTD Median: $536,000
  • NW Wash County:  $520,400          0.8%   (Apr $587,400 )
    •                                                      YTD Median: $492,000
  • Beaverton/Aloha:     $407,800       2.9%   (Apr $431,100  )
    •                                                     YTD Median: $410,000
  • Tigard/Wilsonville:   $502,400        2.7%   (Apr $474,600 )
    •                                                      YTD Median: $460,000
  • Hillsboro/Forest Grove: $422,100  5.9%   (Apr $422,100)
    •                                                      YTD Median: $394,000

LAKE OSWEGO:

The combined areas of Lake Oswego and West Linn  for  the month of May 2020 reported:

    •  324 Active Listings (Apr 340)
    •  209 New Listings     (Apr 149)
    •  169 Pending Sales    (Apr  81)
    •   92 Closed Sales       (Apr 89)
    • Average Sale Price for May: $698,500  (Apr $772,500)
      • NOTE: Higher-Priced vs Lower-Priced Homes Sales can skew the “Average” in any given month.  Lake Oswego has quite a variety, so this tends to be a less meaningful stat, generally speaking, in this niche.
    •  59 Average Days on the Market   (Apr 76)

 

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Market Activity ~ June 8-14, 2020

Last week in Lake Oswego there were 14 New listings, 20 properties that went into Pending status, and 32 Closed sales.  There are currently 220 Properties for sale in Lake Oswego!

Following is the breakdown for you according to RMLS:

New on the Market (June 8-14, 2020)

Address List Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type
4 TOUCHSTONE #126 $219,900 2 2 984 CONDO
5064 FOOTHILLS DR #19 $317,000 2 2 1252 CONDO
111 TOUCHSTONE TER $420,000 2 2 1341 ATTACHD
71 TANGLEWOOD DR $625,000 3 3 2616 DETACHD
17020 SW Denney CT $650,000 2 2 2500 DETACHD
18706 BRYANT RD $655,000 3 2.1 2489 DETACHD
7 BECKET ST $785,000 4 3.1 4329 DETACHD
12562 SW ORCHARD HILL RD $789,000 4 2.1 2574 DETACHD
17502 ERIN CT $799,900 4 3 3014 DETACHD
18253 SIENA DR $1,395,000 5 4 4375 DETACHD
3933 EDENS EDGE DR $1,400,000 4 3.1 4436 DETACHD
4688 UPPER DR $1,795,000 4 3.1 3962 DETACHD
16645 GRAEF CIR $1,825,000 4 3.2 3187 DETACHD
3124 LAKEVIEW BLVD $2,950,000 5 4 4011 DETACHD

Pending Sales (June 8-14, 2020)

Address List Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type CDOM
65 CHURCH ST $293,000 2 2 1040 CONDO 38
2101 WEMBLEY PARK RD $320,000 5 3 3410 DETACHD 2
12806 SW BOONES FERRY RD $415,000 3 2.1 1174 CONDO 26
6050 FERNBROOK ST $434,900 4 2 1546 DETACHD 65
4292 GALEWOOD ST $549,900 3 2.1 1644 DETACHD 3
19211 INDIAN SPRINGS RD $585,000 4 3 2132 DETACHD 1
5465 CHILDS RD $589,900 4 2 1487 DETACHD 18
1268 SPRUCE ST $665,000 4 2 2220 DETACHD 3
2388 OVERLOOK DR $678,000 4 3 2765 DETACHD 5
14799 UPLANDS DR $699,000 4 2 2150 DETACHD 110
1405 CEDAR ST $749,900 3 2 2178 DETACHD 4
5950 HARRINGTON AVE $795,000 4 3.1 2867 DETACHD 16
15119 QUARRY RD $795,000 3 2 2086 DETACHD 16
64 CONDOLEA TER $799,000 3 3 2958 CONDO 3
1338 TIMBERLINE DR $874,900 3 3 3754 DETACHD 6
828 7TH ST $898,900 3 4 2418 DETACHD 64
16 BERNINI CT $1,150,000 6 5 4786 DETACHD 92
14414 PFEIFER DR $1,248,000 4 3.1 3744 DETACHD 5
4245 WEST BAY RD $2,350,000 4 3.1 2958 DETACHD 8
1415 SKYLAND DR $3,995,000 5 4.1 6085 DETACHD 130

Sold/Closed (June 8-14, 2020)

Address Opening Price Closed Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type CDOM
4 TOUCHSTONE $170,000 $145,900 3 2.1 1351 CONDO 243
8 CERVANTES CIR $209,900 $205,000 2 1.1 912 CONDO 17
35 OSWEGO SMT $235,000 $240,000 2 2 1212 CONDO 3
5225 JEAN RD $265,000 $255,000 2 2 1100 CONDO 56
200 OSWEGO SMT $260,000 $265,000 2 2 1383 CONDO 2
4455 THUNDER VISTA LN $330,000 $330,000 2 2.1 2002 CONDO 5
4270 WOODSIDE CIR $357,500 $357,000 3 2 1944 CONDO 3
16870 CORTEZ CT $449,900 $415,000 3 2 1800 DETACHD 80
5237 SW DAWN ST $494,800 $474,000 3 1.1 1412 DETACHD 42
668 MCVEY AVE $510,000 $482,000 3 2 1184 CONDO 221
100 KINGSGATE RD $515,000 $508,000 3 2.1 1960 DETACHD 5
2091 COUNTRY CLUB RD $618,000 $545,000 5 2 2112 DETACHD 109
16824 SW Inverurie RD $565,000 $565,000 3 3 1945 DETACHD 1
3721 TEMPEST DR $615,000 $583,500 4 2.1 2572 DETACHD 46
905 YORK RD $649,000 $634,000 3 2 1657 DETACHD 10
383 ASH ST $639,000 $639,000 3 2.1 1825 DETACHD 1
8 PARTRIDGE LN $659,000 $659,000 4 2.1 3583 DETACHD 5
15773 SPRINGBROOK CT $649,900 $662,000 3 2 1616 DETACHD 200
55 AQUINAS ST $774,900 $743,200 5 3 3720 DETACHD 43
1590 COUNTRY CLUB RD $950,000 $770,000 4 3.1 3799 DETACHD 251
5623 BAY CREEK DR $845,000 $830,000 5 2.1 3042 DETACHD 20
3996 TEMPEST DR $849,900 $849,900 4 2.2 3397 DETACHD 5
16792 QUAIL CT $900,000 $875,000 4 2.1 3222 DETACHD 91
2535 GLENMORRIE DR $899,900 $890,000 4 4 3134 DETACHD 87
4121 CHILDS RD $956,000 $896,800 4 3.1 3396 DETACHD 76
1535 Pine ST $879,900 $899,000 3 2.1 2390 DETACHD 0
5015 DENTON DR $950,000 $940,000 4 2.1 3131 DETACHD 32
16495 GLENWOOD CT $1,195,000 $1,160,000 5 3.1 4533 DETACHD 23
4720 FIRWOOD RD $1,395,000 $1,310,000 4 3 3605 DETACHD 59
12822 ALTO PARK RD $1,495,000 $1,460,000 4 4.1 3426 DETACHD 91
17281 KELOK RD $1,875,000 $1,800,000 4 3 2699 DETACHD 4
2860 GLEN EAGLES RD $2,748,000 $2,700,000 5 4.1 6800 DETACHD 3

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 ~ May 25-31, 2020

Last week in Lake Oswego, 11 New properties entered the market, 19 moved to Pending status, and 11 were “Closed”/Sold. We also have 225 homes for sale here, right now.

Following is the breakdown for you according to RMLS:

NEW on Mkt (May 25-31, 2020)

Address List Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type
4 TOUCHSTONE #70 $279,950 3 2.1 1351 CONDO
200 BURNHAM RD #304 $329,000 2 2 1305 CONDO
4851 MADRONA ST $585,000 4 2 1500 DETACHD
1601 ASH ST $629,999 3 2 2045 DETACHD
13366 AUBURN CT $689,000 3 2.1 2432 ATTACHD
5950 HARRINGTON AVE $795,000 4 3.1 2867 DETACHD
15119 QUARRY RD $795,000 3 2 2086 DETACHD
1985 COUNTRY CLUB RD $1,050,000 4 4 3630 DETACHD
3131 WEMBLEY PARK RD $1,395,000 4 3.1 3597 DETACHD
4423 WEST BAY RD $2,399,900 4 3.1 2975 DETACHD
1730 NORTHSHORE RD $4,500,000 4 3.1 4173 DETACHD

PENDING SALES (May 25-31, 2020)

Address List Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type CDOM
35 OSWEGO SMT / Main $235,000 2 2 1212 CONDO 3
4626 LOWER DR / Main $245,000 2 1.1 1260 CONDO 12
3918 CARMAN DR $299,900 2 2.1 1107 CONDO 77
59 TOUCHSTONE $450,000 4 3 2924 DETACHD 4
16229 Lake Forest BLVD $544,900 4 3 2094 DETACHD 26
19232 PILKINGTON RD $599,900 3 2.1 1735 CONDO 250
19200 REDWING CT $599,900 4 3 2128 DETACHD 2
5474 BAY CREEK DR $674,900 4 2.1 2322 DETACHD 3
16251 REESE RD $745,000 3 2.1 2555 DETACHD 21
3778 RIVERS EDGE DR $799,000 4 3.1 3012 DETACHD 4
19681 PERCH CT $849,900 4 3 3307 DETACHD 82
14003 CHELSEA DR $895,000 4 2.1 3270 DETACHD 2
950 CEDAR ST $1,079,900 4 3.1 3266 DETACHD 79
16495 GLENWOOD CT $1,195,000 5 3.1 4533 DETACHD 23
4190 CHAPMAN WAY $1,249,000 3 3.1 3624 DETACHD 67
815 E AVE $1,379,000 3 2.1 2796 DETACHD 3
2260 SUMMIT CT $1,798,000 4 4.1 3797 DETACHD 436
931 ATWATER RD $2,695,000 4 4.1 5059 DETACHD 58
1633 LESLIE LN $2,725,000 5 4.2 5921 DETACHD 15

SOLD (May 25-31, 2020)

Address Opening Price Closed Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type CDOM
1731 ASPEN CT $489,000 $489,000 3 2 1440 DETACHD 6
77 kingsgate RD $529,900 $542,000 3 2.1 1739 DETACHD 3
4900 INDIAN CREEK CT $624,900 $595,000 4 3 2124 DETACHD 33
4257 LORDS LN $600,000 $600,000 4 2 2097 DETACHD 0
1448 CEDAR ST $649,000 $605,000 4 3 2544 DETACHD 244
4007 BASS LN $699,000 $655,000 4 3 2648 DETACHD 14
15569 VILLAGE PARK CT $729,000 $729,000 3 2.1 2850 DETACHD 4
620 1ST ST $750,000 $745,000 3 3.1 1916 ATTACHD 34
259 PINE VALLEY RD $850,000 $775,000 3 2 2010 DETACHD 16
4500 WEST RD $899,000 $899,000 3 2.1 2479 DETACHD 17
1251 FOREST MEADOWS WAY $2,125,000 $1,930,000 3 3.1 5000 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.

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News & Notes ~ April 2020 Numbers

On this Memorial Day weekend, here is your look at the most recent data for the entire Portland area (April 2020) and how Lake Oswego fits in to this picture just below.

Inventory is up a bit in April, so we’ll see how that plays out in May numbers. As for April overall, this is the first month we’re really seeing the market take a bit of a hit since COVID19. Prices are still holding their own & rising while volume in all aspects of real estate dropped in April: Fewer New Listings, Pending Sales & SOLD’s than both the previous month & last year.  All areas are appreciating, however, save West Portland, and/but those prices have risen a bit in April (by $61,000 over March), so things seem likely to be leveling out there. Lake Oswego also saw an $85,000 Average Sale Price increase, and/but that can happen in an environment with such a wide span of prices from low/mid to upper end.

My trusted Mortgage Advisors tell me: Mortgage Rates are in the low 3’s for good borrowers on Conventional loans as of this writing, and Government loans (VA & FHA) have recently gone as low as 2.875% on good days.

According to the RMLS Market Action Report for the Portland Metro Area, April 2020:

  • There were 2,847  New Listings in April 2020 which decreased 32.4%  from April of 2019’s 4,210, and also dropped 17.9% from the previous month/March’s 3,468.
  • At 2,015, April 2020’s Closed Sales are down 16.4% from April 2019’s 2,409, and also down 14.5% from the previous month/March 2020’s total of 2,536
  • At 2,041, April 2020’s Pending Sales are down 34.2% from April 2019’s 3,102, and also fell 13.0% from the previous month/March 2020’s total of 2,347.
  • The Average Sale Price in April 2020 of $477,400 is up $25,300 from last year/April 2019’s $452,100, and is also up $11,900 from the previous month/March 2020’s $465,500.   YTD increase of 4.3%.
  • The “Median” Sale Price (the price smack dab in the middle of all sales) in April 2020 of $424,000 rose from last year/April 2019’s $405,000 by $19,000, and is almost the same/down by $1,000 from the previous month/March 2020’s $425,000.   YTD increase of 3.9%.

Neighborhoods: April’s Average Sale Price + 12-month Appreciation:

  • North Portland:  $448,500              1.9%   (Mar $441,300)
    •                                                     YTD Median: $410,000
  • NE Portland:  $491,200                   4.8%   (Mar $470,500)
    •                                                     YTD Median: $425,000
  • SE Portland:  $449,200                   1.8%   (Mar $442,600)
    •                                                     YTD Median: $385,000
  • Gresham/Troutdale:   $371,900     3.5%   (Mar $355,000)
    •                                                     YTD Median: $358,000
  • Milwaukie/Clackamas:  $457,600  4.3%   (Mar $466,100 )
    •                                                     YTD Median: $430,200
  • Oregon City/Canby:   $445,200      3.7%   (Mar $447,000)
    •                                                     YTD Median: $430,000
  • Lake Oswego/West Linn:$772,500  3.4%  (Mar $687,400)
    •                                                      YTD Median: $599,900
  • West Portland:    $642,000             -0.4%  (Mar $580,400 )
    •                                                     YTD Median: $527,300
  • NW Wash County:  $587,400          0.4%   (Mar $544,200 )
    •                                                      YTD Median: $492,300
  • Beaverton/Aloha:     $431,100       3.8%   (Mar $445,100)
    •                                                     YTD Median: $412,000
  • Tigard/Wilsonville:   $474,600        2.3%   (Mar $487,200 )
    •                                                      YTD Median: $459,500
  • Hillsboro/Forest Grove: $422,100  6.4%   (Mar $406,900)
    •                                                      YTD Median: $391,000

LAKE OSWEGO:

The combined areas of Lake Oswego and West Linn  for  the month of April 2020 reported:

    •  340 Active Listings (Mar 305)
    •  149 New Listings     (Mar 183)
    •   81 Pending Sales    (Mar  87)
    •   89 Closed Sales      (Mar 103)
    • Average Sale Price for April: $772,500  (Mar $687,400)
      • NOTE: Higher-Priced vs Lower-Priced Homes Sales can skew the “Average” in any given month.  Lake Oswego has quite a variety, so this tends to be a less meaningful stat, generally speaking, in this niche.
    •  76 Average Days on the Market   (Mar 106)

 

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Market Activity ~ May 11-17, 2020

Last week in Lake Oswego, 23 New properties entered the market, 16 moved to Pending status, and 13 were “Closed”/Sold. We also have 219 homes for sale here, right now.

Following is the breakdown for you according to RMLS:

NEW on Mkt (May 11-17, 2020)

Address List Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type
59 OSWEGO SMT $244,900 2 2 1140 CONDO
4626 LOWER DR / Main $245,000 2 1.1 1260 CONDO
4646 LOWER DR / Grnd $275,000 2 2 1260 CONDO
16250 PACIFIC HWY #50 $339,500 2 2 1305 CONDO
4386 THUNDER VISTA LN $399,900 2 2.1 1980 CONDO
27 GREENRIDGE CT $420,000 3 2.1 2140 ATTACHD
12806 SW BOONES FERRY RD $425,000 3 2.1 1174 CONDO
5215 MADRONA ST $479,900 3 2 1325 DETACHD
22 MORNINGVIEW CIR $562,500 3 2.1 3438 DETACHD
2941 SW ORCHARD HILL PL $750,000 5 3.1 3446 DETACHD
4089 MELISSA DR $815,000 4 2.1 2762 DETACHD
553 2ND ST $890,000 2 2.1 1816 CONDO
1766 PALISADES TERRACE DR $930,000 4 2.1 2805 DETACHD
19125 35TH PL $1,175,000 4 4.1 5153 DETACHD
671 5TH ST $1,285,000 4 2.1 2781 DETACHD
16206 REESE RD $1,625,000 4 3.1 3631 DETACHD
3920 UPPER DR $1,690,000 4 3.1 3800 DETACHD
18099 GREEN BLUFF DR $1,695,000 4 3.1 5343 DETACHD
129 FURNACE ST / Upper $1,995,000 4 4.1 4911 CONDO
19491 Lorna LN $2,195,000 4 4.1 4343 DETACHD
19494 SW LORNA LN $2,499,000 5 3.1 4830 DETACHD
1633 LESLIE LN $2,725,000 5 4.2 5921 DETACHD
13490 FIELDING RD $3,398,000 5 6.1 8286 DETACHD

PENDING SALES (May 11-17, 2020)

Address List Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type CDOM
9 OSWEGO SMT $175,000 1 1 764 CONDO 181
47 OSWEGO SMT $249,900 2 2 1212 CONDO 28
4455 THUNDER VISTA LN $330,000 2 2.1 2002 CONDO 5
19 BLOCH TER $420,000 2 2 1527 ATTACHD 73
16675 BONAIRE AVE $439,000 3 1 1020 DETACHD 40
1042 YATES ST $469,900 3 1.1 1100 DETACHD 4
100 KINGSGATE RD $515,000 3 2.1 1960 DETACHD 5
16824 SW Inverurie RD $565,000 3 3 1945 DETACHD 1
3721 TEMPEST DR $600,000 4 2.1 2572 DETACHD 46
6438 Frost ST $625,000 4 2.1 2269 DETACHD 39
184 D AVE $647,000 3 2.1 1636 ATTACHD 37
2535 GLENMORRIE DR $899,900 4 4 3134 DETACHD 87
5680 LA MESA CT $975,000 5 3.1 3405 DETACHD 3
475 IRON MOUNTAIN BLVD $1,379,000 4 2.2 3254 DETACHD 2
16895 CHAPIN WAY $1,439,000 4 3.2 5182 DETACHD 304
12822 ALTO PARK RD $1,495,000 4 4.1 3426 DETACHD 91

SOLD (May 11-17, 2020)

Address Opening Price Closed Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type CDOM
5053 FOOTHILLS DR #A $329,900 $299,000 3 2 1252 CONDO 78
18540 SW KRISTI WAY $424,900 $424,000 3 1.1 1277 DETACHD 26
16910 TRACY AVE $450,000 $450,000 3 2 1176 DETACHD 2
19230 SW REDWING CT $455,000 $474,000 4 2.1 1842 DETACHD 62
1001 HALLINAN ST $569,000 $508,000 4 2 2580 DETACHD 30
100 LEONARD ST $569,000 $530,000 3 2 1736 CONDO 188
5511 ROYAL OAKS DR $575,000 $603,189 3 2 1898 DETACHD 6
16212 SW KIMBALL ST $599,000 $616,000 4 2.1 1844 DETACHD 4
2103 RIDGEWOOD RD $664,900 $656,000 4 2 1650 DETACHD 83
18679 INDIAN CREEK DR $659,428 $659,428 4 2.1 2292 DETACHD 2
4092 COLTSFOOT LN $750,000 $721,500 4 3 2405 DETACHD 3
4799 LAMONT WAY $925,000 $925,000 3 2.1 3142 DETACHD 1
5745 Washington CT $1,149,000 $1,035,000 4 3.1 2841 DETACHD

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.

Posted on

Why You Buy a House

There are lots of great reasons to buy a home.

The reasons you’ll usually hear are practical and financial ones like:

  • Appreciation (grow your nest egg/investment)
  • Mortgage Interest and Property Tax Deductions (especially where it makes sense on a higher-end/jumbo loan home)
  • Exclusion from Capital Gains
  • Prices are Attractive/Bending toward Buyer’s benefit
  • Mortgage Rates are Low

These are all very good reasons!  But, as I read recently, if financial considerations were the only motivator, we’d all “Buy Low/Sell High” every single time.  We don’t do that.  I mean, sometimes the circumstances are just right for us to do that & that’s fabulous! But mostly people buy homes for the following reasons:

  • Family is growing/need more space
  • Just want a nicer house
  • Renting now & tired of contributing to landlord’s equity w/no personal gain
  • Be closer to work, work location changed, etc
  • Get child into a desired school or district
  • Move out of a condo to have more control over property
  • Move into a condo to have less responsibility for maintenance
  • Downsizing
  • Want to be closer to shops/restaurants/services
  • Want to be farther away from the hubbub of activity and traffic

So… all of these reasons revolve around making your Life better. That’s why I always say I help people change their lives through buying or selling real estate. Its just what its all about ; )

 

Posted on

Market Activity ~ Apr 27-May 3, 2020

Things are really holding very steady. Last week in Lake Oswego, 10 New properties entered the market, 18 moved to Pending status, and 10 were “Closed”/Sold. We also have 217 homes for sale here, right now.

Following is the breakdown for you according to RMLS:

NEW on Mkt (April 27-May 3, 2020)

Address List Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type
6073 HARRINGTON AVE $448,000 2 1 1050 DETACHD
16229 Lake Forest BLVD $549,900 4 3 2094 DETACHD
14183 TAYLORS CREST LN $796,000 4 2.1 3551 DETACHD
16495 GLENWOOD CT $1,195,000 5 3.1 4533 DETACHD
3125 ALBER SPRING CT $1,198,000 4 3.1 4308 DETACHD
1225 LAKE GARDEN CT $1,295,000 4 3.2 3558 DETACHD
16364 IVY LN $1,595,950 5 3.1 4862 DETACHD
16621 GRAEF CIR $1,700,000 2 3.1 2506 DETACHD
14005 GOODALL RD $1,800,000 4 3.1 4809 DETACHD
3358 LAKEVIEW BLVD $4,485,000 5 4 5133 DETACHD

PENDING SALES (April 27-May 3, 2020)

Address List Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type CDOM
3956 CARMAN DR $299,990 2 2.1 1107 CONDO 63
12888 BOONES FERRY RD $415,000 2 2.1 1182 CONDO 44
15 SUMMIT RIDGE CT $419,960 2 2.1 1750 ATTACHD 42
1485 GREENTREE CIR $565,000 4 3.1 2440 DETACHD 3
19026 ARROWWOOD AVE $572,000 3 2 1850 DETACHD 3
4900 INDIAN CREEK CT $599,900 4 3 2124 DETACHD 33
16885 SW Denney CT $600,000 3 2 1712 DETACHD 26
4007 BASS LN $699,000 4 3 2648 DETACHD 14
620 1ST ST $750,000 3 3.1 1916 ATTACHD 34
4208 ALBERT CIR $790,000 5 3 2777 DETACHD 11
2152 WEMBLEY PL $799,000 4 3 2854 DETACHD 2
960 BULLOCK ST $849,900 3 2 3062 DETACHD 11
3996 TEMPEST DR $849,900 4 2.2 3397 DETACHD 5
5015 DENTON DR $950,000 4 2.1 3131 DETACHD 32
1666 LAKE FRONT RD $1,375,000 4 3 3312 DETACHD 54
718 3RD ST $1,590,000 4 2 3759 DETACHD 1
1646 LESLIE LN $1,868,000 4 4.1 4879 DETACHD 28
18404 OLD RIVER LNDG $2,098,000 4 4 4295 DETACHD 17

SOLD (April 27-May 3, 2020)

Address Opening Price Closed Price # Beds # Baths Total SF Prop Type CDOM
66 GALEN ST / Upper $179,900 $175,400 1 1 690 CONDO 39
15490 BRIANNE CT $329,900 $329,900 2 2.1 1250 ATTACHD 5
102 GREENRIDGE CT $424,000 $424,000 3 2.1 2004 ATTACHD 197
731 CLARA CT $629,000 $629,000 4 2.1 2700 DETACHD 1
4595 HASTINGS PL $703,000 $695,000 4 2.1 2178 DETACHD 3
700 PEBBLE BEACH CT $850,000 $870,000 4 2 2527 DETACHD 2
5331 W SUNSET DR $960,500 $925,000 3 3.1 3606 DETACHD 137
2397 HILLSIDE LN $925,000 $925,000 5 3 3158 DETACHD 0
17084 CANAL CIR $1,850,000 $1,685,000 5 3.1 5104 DETACHD 68
1350 Andrews RD $2,150,000 $1,800,000 3 3.1 3377 DETACHD 530

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.