Open Houses for December 13th and 14th

For the brave souls out there who are happy to venture forth in this weekend’s winter weather, there are several open houses for your holiday enjoyment.

On Saturday the 13th there is one open house:

3844 Botticelli, a townhouse with 1129 square feet, 2 bedrooms and 1 1/2 baths, priced at $237,500. It will be open from 1-3pm.

On Sunday the 14th, there are 6 open houses:

1265 Rockinghorse Lane, a home with 2402 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, priced at $444,000. It will be open from 2-4pm.

3030 Westview Ct, a home with 3415 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths, priced at $959,000. It will be open from 12:30-2pm.

943 Atwater Rd, a home with 3874 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths, priced at $1,225,000. It will be open from 12-2pm.

17512 Greenblulff Lot 1, a home with 3777 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 4 baths, priced at $1,425,000. It will be open from 1-4pm.

16359 Chapin Way, a home with 4158 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths, priced at $1,439,000. It will be open from 1-4pm.

17554 Greenbluff Lot 2, a home with 5042 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths and 2 half baths, priced at $1,850,000. It will be open from 1-4pm.

With rain and the chance of snow in this weekend’s forecast, we will hold positive thoughts of clear streets and safe driving for anyone who ventures out. For the rest of us, it’s time for hot chocolate in front of a blazing fire. Enjoy.

Market Activity for November 30th thru December 7th

Once again, thank you for your patience with our posting of the weekly activity report. We are still tweaking the set up for this posting. We know that there are quite a few people who look forward to seeing this and value your on-going patronage of the propertyblotter.

NEWLY LISTED (November 30 —December 7, 2008)

Address List Price # Bedrooms Total Baths Total SF Prop Type List Date
668 MCVEY AVE $144,000 1 1 627 CONDO 12/4/2008
3433 MCNARY PKWY $249,900 2 2.1 1,136 CONDO 12/4/2008
14431 SHERBROOK PL $349,950 4 3 2,605 DETACHD 12/2/2008
221 HIDALGO ST $399,000 3 2.1 2,628 DETACHD 12/3/2008
29 BECKET ST $399,950 3 2.1 2,288 DETACHD 12/4/2008
562 2ND ST $419,000 2 2.1 1,406 CONDO 12/7/2008
16913 Canal CIR $449,000 3 1.1 2,525 DETACHD 12/1/2008
1830 CLOVERLEAF RD $470,000 3 2 1,795 DETACHD 12/5/2008
101 3RD ST $474,900 3 2 1,447 CONDO 12/6/2008
11 BECKET ST $550,000 4 2.1 4,030 DETACHD 12/4/2008
7 CONDOLEA DR $599,900 3 3 2,388 CONDO 12/1/2008
13254 Twin Creek CT $689,000 4 2.1 3,470 DETACHD 12/1/2008
524 WEIDMAN CT $739,000 4 2.1 3,450 DETACHD 12/5/2008
426 7TH ST $778,950 4 2.1 2,902 DETACHD 12/5/2008
705 10TH ST $1,686,000 4 3.1 4,818 DETACHD 12/3/2008
13795 CAMEO CT $2,395,000 4 5.2 7,190 DETACHD 12/1/2008
13777 CAMEO CT $2,595,000 4 5.1 8,080 DETACHD 12/1/2008

PENDING SALES (November 30 —December 7, 2008)

ADDRESS LIST PRICE # BEDS # BATHS TOT. SQ FT PROP TYPE DOM
16250 PACIFIC HWY $228,850 2 2 1,324 CONDO 433
4211 WOODSIDE CIR $325,000 3 2 1,688 CONDO 439
1685 CLOVERLEAF RD $349,900 3 2.1 1,722 DETACHD 50
7050 CHILDS RD $398,000 2 2 1,693 DETACHD 552
5051 TUALATA LN $409,900 4 2 1,591 DETACHD 114
16750 PHANTOM BLUFF CT $485,000 3 3 2,267 DETACHD 288
13217 FOX RUN $550,000 4 3 2,706 DETACHD 160
1141 TROON RD $648,850 4 3 2,522 DETACHD 155
13581 GOODALL RD $650,000 3 2 1,220 DETACHD 455
3723 ELEANOR CT $724,950 4 2.1 2,736 DETACHD 145

SOLD (November 30—December 7, 2008)

Address O/Price Close Price # BR # Baths Total SF CDOM
68 WHEATHERSTONE CT $399,000 $312,500 4 3.1 2,465 299
1130 LAUREL ST $524,000 $420,000 4 2 2,800 86
4076 COLTSFOOT LN $680,000 $555,000 4 3.1 3,882 126
5384 Washington CT $769,900 $670,000 4 3.1 3,246 415
4378 ALBERT CIR $1,225,000 $805,000 3 3 3,735 263
104 3RD ST $1,050,000 $975,000 2 2 1,151 15
301 IRON MOUNTAIN BLVD $1,329,000 $1,150,000 4 3.2 3,004 136

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.

Selling or buying a home during the holidays

I am frequently asked if the winter, and specifically the holidays, are a good time to be selling or buying a home. My answer is yes. There are several advantages to selling or buying at this time of year.

First, a home that is warm and decorated for the holidays is extremely inviting. There is such a contrast from being outside and coming in. It really makes the home embrace the buyer. However, this means that you need to make that extra effort to create this experience. Keep the house heated properly. Homes where the heat is turned down, or even left off if the house is vacant, can actually be colder inside than out. When this happens both the buyer and the Realtor will be in a hurry to leave and get warmed up back in the car. Also, turn on every light in the house and open every curtain or blind. Buyers want a house that has lots of light. Because so many of our days are gray, it is important that you create the best light possible. I have recently shown several homes to clients that were great values and in great condition, but ruled out because they gave the impression of being too dark.

Be on top of the holiday decorations. They can enhance the look of the house, but don’t over do it and allow the house to look cluttered or small because it is filled with too much stuff. Also, take them down in a timely fashion.

There are several advantages to the quality of buyers who are out looking at this time of year. While there are fewer of them, those who are looking are serious. People are busy at the holidays so a person who is taking the time to look at houses is a person who really needs to move. In addition, many corporations have fiscal years that match the calendar year. This means that they are trying to move their transferring executives before December 31st. This is a great time of year to be marketing executive quality homes. (I’d would characterize those as being homes priced at $400,000 or greater).

What about buying at this time of year? I think there are four pretty strong advantages. 1) Interest rates are historically at their lowest in the winter. As the market picks up in the spring, interest rates trend up. 2) There aren’t many buyers looking so sellers will really jump through hoops for you. You may be the only game in town and they will work very hard to sell you their home. 3) If a house looks good in the winter, it is going to be spectacular in the summer. You can really get an idea of the actual house in terms of the light it has and the condition of the property. And 4) this is the time of year when a home inspector can most easily find water issues. If the basement leaks, you’ll more likely learn about it in the winter.

It is completely understandable if you feel like you want to get the holidays behind you before selling or buying a home. But if you do need to move, you have quite a few strong reasons why this time of year can work to your advantage.

Open Houses for Sunday, December 7th

What a gorgeous day today! I guess I need to check the weather for Sunday, but it could be a great day to look at Lake Oswego properties. Here’s what will be open according to RMLS:

18959 Kristi Way, $384,400, 3 Bd, 2 Ba, Open 1-3:30

14371 Holly Springs Rd, $427,500, 4 Bd, 2.5 Ba, Open 2-4

668 4th St, $439,900, 2 Bd, 2 Ba, Open 2-4

5807 Ridgetop Ct, $549,900, 5 Bd, 2.5 Ba, Open 1-4

624 Livingood Ln, $574,900, 4 Bd, 3 Ba, Open 1-3

605 SW Country Club Rd, $595,000, 5 Bd, 2.5 Ba, Open 11-1

4676 Winthrop Ct, $599,900, 4 Bd, 2.5 Ba, Open 2-4

17706 Marylbrook Dr, $699,900, 3 Bd, 2 & 2 1/2 Ba, Open 1:30-4

943 SW Atwater Rd, $1,225,000, 4 Bd, 2.5 Ba, Open 12-2

16359 Chapin Way, $1,439,000, 4 Bd, 3.5 Ba, Open 1-4

24015 SW Newland Rd, $1.695,000, 4 Bd, 4 Ba, Open 1-4

An Amazing Market for Buyers…

What a market. Some of what CNN reports applies here locally and some does not, but no matter how you look at it, this is the time to buy if you’re so inclined. I am told by mortgage and financial planning experts that rates are not likely to go down, but only up (generally speaking) from here on out.

A professional I trust, Pat Goodell, with Prospect Mortgage, says:

Aggressive measures to keep mortgage financing available for potential homeowners have been established now. This will help to stabilize housing prices and continue to make home ownership an affordable reality. HUD has created new programs to complement existing FHA options, and interest rates remain at very comfortable levels, fluctuating right now around 6% for 30-year fixed loans.

Appraisers in the Portland area are reporting values have leveled off – they are no longer seeing the significant drops in value we have seen in the last year.

Though there are still challenges in the economy and housing market, there are very clear steps being established to ensure that the consumer is able to purchase a home at affordable rates, while providing that the loan does not put them at risk in the future. The Four C’s of mortgage lending are important- Credit, Cash, Collateral (property), and Capacity (ability to make the payment), but there are still great programs available to allow the responsible person to get into a home with as little as 3% down, and even 0 down under the right circumstances.

We here at the Blotter recommend that you talk to your real estate broker about the market, and assess your options if you have been thinking about buying but have been waiting for the “right moment”. We also welcome a call or an email to us too if you’re not working with anyone & want to talk about what buying would look like for you at this amazing time in real estate history.

Stay informed. Decide what is best for you. Knowledge + Discernment is the winning formula.

…….What a ride!

Lake Oswego Real Estate Activity – November 24-30, 2008

Market activity typically slows down during the holidays and last weeks stats certainly reflect this.  Having said this, it is good to see that the market does have some activity.  7 new listings, 4 pendings and 4 closed sales happened last week.  While the market is slower, it is still very much happening.

NEWLY LISTED (November 24 —November 30, 2008)

ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
# BEDS
# BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
LIST DATE
3433 MCNARY PKWY
$214,900
2
2
1,008
CONDO
11/27/08
3834 BOTTICELLI ST
$224,900
2
2
1,055
ATTACHD
11/24/08
600 TIPPECANOE CT
$439,800
3
2
1,812
DETACHD
11/24/08
1189 SUNNINGDALE CT
$724,000
3
2
2,056
DETACHD
11/26/08
51 HILLSHIRE DR
$849,900
3
2.2
4,306
DETACHD
11/25/08
1667 VILLAGE PARK LN
$899,900
6
3.1
4,743
DETACHD
11/24/08
1055 COUNTRY CLUB RD
$1,000,000
3
2
2,804
DETACHD
11/24/08

PENDING SALES (November 24 —November 30, 2008)

ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
# BEDS
# BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
DOM
668 McVey AVE
$144,850
0
1
485
CONDO
740
455 10TH ST
$473,950
2
2
2,284
DETACHD
180
17561 SHEPHERDS CT
$675,000
4
2.1
3,011
DETACHD
287
13010 KNAUS RD
$1,249,500
4
3.1
4,312
DETACHD
737

SOLD (November 17—November 23, 2008)

ADDRESS ORIG. PRICE SALE PRICE
# BEDS
# BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
DOM
4644 LOWER DR
$136,900
$129,000
2
1.1
1,170
CONDO
30
4000 CARMAN DR
$149,900
$135,000
2
2
869
CONDO
22
2435 PARK RD
$749,990
$480,000
4
3
2,940
DETACHD
302
16 NORTHVIEW CT
$599,900
$495,000
4
3.1
2,962
ATTACHD
419

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.

Open Houses for Sunday November 30th

Our very best Thanksgiving wishes to you and your loved ones this holiday weekend!

Should you be in the mood to browse some available Lake Oswego properties this Sunday (perhaps with those relatives you’ve been wanting to move closer to you so badly!) there are a whopping 3 that will be held open according to RMLS:

1307 Cedar St., $459,900, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, Open 1-4

100 Garibaldi St., $1,299,000, 5 bedrooms, 3 baths + 2 1/2 baths, Open 1-4

16359 Chapin Way., $1,439,000, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths + 1/2 bath, Open 1-4

***Those of you new to the Property Blotter, please scroll down for the most recent market activity, and enjoy perusing our archived posts and features!

Lake Oswego Real Estate Market Activity – November 17-23, 2008

Real estate activity is chugging right along in Lake Oswego this month.

New properties hitting the market during this last week total 31. 24 are detached, single family residences.  Of those 24, the ones listing for under $500,000. total 9.

Sold properties this last week total 9.  6 are detached, single family residences.  Of those 6, the ones selling for under $500,000. total 4.

We have 3 properties pending sale, and will just have to hold our horses to see how those “sold” prices come in.

Check it out:

NEWLY LISTED (November 17 —November 23, 2008)

ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
# BEDS
# BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
LIST DATE
44 EAGLE CREST DR
$134,900
1
1
798
CONDO
11/17
47 EAGLE CREST DR
$149,900
2
1
932
CONDO
11/18
15938 QUARRY RD
$167,400
2
1
991
CONDO
11/20
16790 LAKE FOREST BLVD
$199,900
2
1
780
DETACHD
11/16
3876 BOTTICELLI ST
$199,900
2
2
1,286
CONDO
11/18
12846 SW BOONES FERRY RD
$249,000
2
2.1
1,136
CONDO
11/16
5063 FOOTHILLS DR
$259,000
2
2
1,031
CONDO
11/16
5235 OAKRIDGE RD
$324,900
3
2.1
1,576
DETACHD
11/17
5354 LOWER DR
$339,000
3
1
1,565
DETACHD
11/18
18530 PILKINGTON RD
$339,000
4
2
1,925
DETACHD
11/17
4051 VIRGINIA WAY
$389,500
3
2.1
1,658
DETACHD
11/18
6109 SUMMER WOODS
$449,000
4
2.1
2,331
DETACHD
11/18
1307 CEDAR ST
$459,900
4
3
2,054
DETACHD
11/18
785 5TH ST
$480,000
3
2
2,208
DETACHD
11/17
805 COUNTRY CLUB RD
$489,900
5
2
2,722
DETACHD
11/16
1921 PARK FOREST CT
$529,000
3
2.1
2,531
DETACHD
11/20
4676 WINTHROP CT
$599,900
4
2.1
3,112
DETACHD
11/17
17784 TREETOP LN
$599,900
4
3
3,468
DETACHD
11/17
4691 SW HERITAGE LN
$639,900
4
2.1
2,888
DETACHD
11/20
18212 INDIAN CREEK DR
$649,000
4
2.1
2,313
DETACHD
11/18
30 WILBUR ST
$679,000
2
2.1
2,664
ATTACHD
11/17
19285 SW Megly CT
$699,900
4
2.1
2,587
DETACHD
11/17
14204 KIMBERLY CIR
$700,000
3
3.1
2,900
DETACHD
11/21
19263 SW Megly CT
$749,900
4
2.1
2,743
DETACHD
11/17
2545 DELLWOOD DR
$779,000
5
3.1
3,843
DETACHD
11/17
19245 SW Megly CT
$789,900
4
2.1
2,884
DETACHD
11/17
19266 SW Megly CT
$789,900
4
2.1
3,025
DETACHD
11/16
5435 WASHINGTON CT
$849,900
4
3.1
3,323
DETACHD
11/18
1250 Andrews RD
$849,900
4
2.1
3,137
DETACHD
11/20
17649 WOODHURST PL
$899,000
5
4.1
5,793
DETACHD
11/16
3136 DOUGLAS CIR
$1,289,000
4
3.1
4,022
DETACHD
11/20

PENDING SALES (November 17 —November 23, 2008)

ADDRESS
LIST PRICE
# BEDS
# BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
DOM
68 WHEATHERSTONE CT
$325,000
4
3.1
2,465
CONDO
299
17079 CHERRY CREST AVE
$469,000
3
2.1
3,002
DETACHD
17
2057 SUMMIT DR
$998,000
4
3.1
4,396
DETACHD
522

SOLD (November 9 —November 16, 2008)

ADDRESS ORIG. PRICE SALE PRICE
# BEDS
# BATHS
TOT. SQ FT
PROP TYPE
DOM
3680 SPRING LN
$199,900
$187,000
2
2.1
1,152
CONDO
220
595 6TH ST
$314,800
$257,050
3
1
1,520
DETACHD
40
22 CONDOLEA DR
$339,900
$275,000
2
2
1,454
CONDO
36
2870 PARK RD
$379,900
$396,000
4
2.1
2,380
DETACHD
4
20 El Greco
$549,000
$420,000
4
3
2,425
DETACHD
354
13340 AUBURN CT
$589,000
$485,000
3
2.1
2,451
ATTACHD
222
1012 ANDREWS RD
$590,800
$495,000
3
2
2,246
DETACHD
133
17760 LAKE HAVEN DR
$1,169,000
$800,000
4
2.1
2,051
DETACHD
224
4256 LAKEVIEW BLVD
$1,295,000
$950,000
3
3.1
3,117
DETACHD
436

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.

Open Houses for Sunday November 23rd

For those of you who like to tour open houses, here is what the RMLS is listing as open this coming Sunday:

4206 Woodside Circle:

$284,900, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, open 1-3

18959 Kristi Way:

$384,900, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, open 1:30-4

3486 Ponderosa Loop:

$429,000, 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, open 12-4

1980 Alpine Dr:

$664,900, 6 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, open 1-3

21463 Rosepark Ct:

$690,000, 5 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, open 1-4

3030 Westview Ct:

$959,000, 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, open 2-3

3540 Red Cedar Way:

$989,000, 5 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, open 1-3

16359 Chapin Way:

$1,439,000, 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, open 1-4