Lake Oswego Archives - Page 3 of 139

February 6, 2022February 6, 2022

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.

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.
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.
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.
Add some entertainment potential. Again, a good table for board games, and perhaps a mounted television to watch football and movies.
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.
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.
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.
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

February 4, 2022February 4, 2022

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

Address	Type	Price	BR	Baths	Sq Ft
16 Oriole Ln	Detached	$599,950	2	2	1520
15012 Twin Fir Rd	Detached	$2,599,000	5	3.5	3897

Pending Sales Jan 24-30, 2022

Address	Type	Price	BR	Baths	Sq Ft	CDOM
45 Eagle Crest Dr #202	Condo	$215,000	1	1	678	43
44 Eagle Crest Dr #39	Condo	$269,900	2	1	1085	0
16250 Pacific Hwy #45	Condo	$349,000	2	2	1311	45
525 Jean Rd 4501	Condo	$399,900	3	2	1500	3
5788 Kimball Ct	Detached	$530,000	4	1.5	1148	4
871 Country Club Rd	Detached	$569,000	3	1.5	1449	5
5309 West Sunset Dr	Detached	$611,000	4	2	1449	5
5207 Coventry Ct	Detached	$759,698	3	2	1858	3
351 3rd St	Attached	$924,900	3	3.5	2042	3
837 Oak St	Detached	$999,950	3	2.5	2796	5
580 Weidman Ct	Detached	$1,100,000	5	3.5	3952	5
12975 Elk Rock Rd	Detached	$1,379,000	5	3.5	4569	4
589 7th St	Detached	$1,549,000	5	4.5	3387	3
21 D Ave #9	Condo	$2,000,800	2	2.5	2411	0
13649 Goodall Rd	Detached	$2,499,900	4	4.5+.5	5288	56

Sold/Closed Jan 24-30, 2022

Address	Type	List Price	Sold Price	Sq Feet	DOM
572 State St 8C	Condo	$324,900	$317,500	914	47
16250 Pacific Hwy #75	Condo	$355,000	$350,000	1593	29
1694 Bonniebrae	Attached	$415,000	$445,000	864	2
16191 Lake Forest Blvd	Detached	$550,000	$550,000	864	14
1247 Cedar St	Detached	$550,000	$600,000	2,022	9
6472 Dawn St	Detached	$695,000	$624,016	1032	110
12363 Clara Ln	Detached	$699,999	$709,000	1390	3
770 5th St	Detached	$975,000	$975,000	3180	45
1011 Spruce St	Detached	$1,049,000	$1,019,000	2101	4
6720 Childs Rd	Detached	$2,395,000	$2,200,000	6898	64
1475 Oak Terr	Detached	$4,349,000	$4,100,000	3674	114

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

January 29, 2022January 31, 2022

Lake Oswego Canals

The city/town of Lake Oswego completely surrounds Oswego Lake. Living here is all about the water. There are various options when it comes to considering waterfront property. The main lake is one (most expensive option) the bays are another possibility, and then there are the unique and beautiful canals that are actually more affordable & have that other-worldly or at least Venetian feel.

But whether you live waterfront or not, the water is a constant companion & everything in Lake Oswego is built to accommodate it’s flow. Before I became a Realtor (waaaay back ; ) I used to work in Lake Oswego. And I would drive from my Palisades home via South Shore Blvd to get to my office. I love that drive, and especially love passing over the bridges that cross the canals. There is such a peaceful feeling to it. The only better commute came when I shifted to an in-home office! But of course I can always find a reason, work-related or not, to wind my way along South Shore.

Traversing along South Shore, you cross three bridges. Oswego Canal runs alongside Kelok Rd & was completed in 1872 when it was dug with the intention to connect the Tualatin River to the Willamette River via “Sucker Lake” (originally known “Waluga Lake” & later more eloquently renamed from the “Sucker Lake” moniker given it by the settlers). It was widened in 1881. Originally this canal was meant to allow for lumber & other goods to traverse across the lake & then move on to the Willamette across a very short distance via a planned series of aqueducts to adjust for elevation differences. Those aqueduct plans were eventually scrubbed after Willamette Falls Locks created a new and easier/preferable shipping option than the Tualatin River.

The other two canals that you cross over when taking that beautiful scenic drive are the Blue Heron Bay/Canal. It winds along and ends before you reach Bryant Rd, not connecting to any other body of water than Oswego Lake. West Bay also has a shorter canal that you’ll cross over while on South Shore that leads from the lake to the bay.

On the other side of the lake, a short canal was dug back in 1828 to connect to a marshy area called the Duck Pond which was flooded and then became a part of the lake. We know it as Lakewood Bay near city-center shops, restaurants, the theater, Millenium Plaza Park, and Hwy 43/State St. There is a little bridge over the canal at Northshore Rd.

January 27, 2022September 11, 2022

Market Activity ~Jan 17-23, 2022

Greetings Dear Property Blotter Readers! Last week we had just one property come to market, and that one was on the market in December/then something happened & it came back as available. It is a beautiful home! I used to live right up the hill from it and though it backs to a busy road, the landscaping and well-nurtured privacy they’ve created is really something to see. Plus, it is in a coveted spot in Palisades! It’s very near to where the Palisades Market used to be…I called it Planet Palisades as when you walked in the door (which I did often), the ambience and the people who worked there really did make your day…every time. There is a New Seasons slated to go in that space and I have a feeling they will carry that whole tradition forward. The 7 Dees landscaping nursery is also nearby, as is a really nice Thai dining place, as well as easy access on Stafford or South Shore or Hwy 43…its all close, and the list goes on. Check it out if you’re looking.

We also saw 11 properties move to Pending status, and 10 that Closed/Sold. Right now there are 36 properties available in Lake Oswego from $248,000 to $5.2.

Here is the breakdown for last week according to RMLS:

NEW Jan 17-23, 2022

Address	List Price	# Beds	# Baths	Total SF	Prop Type
1720 KILKENNY DR	$ 699,900	3	2.1	1348	DETACHD

PENDING Jan 17-23, 2022

Address	List Price	# Beds	# Baths	Total SF	Prop Type	Days
100 KERR PKWY #38	$185,000	1	1	628	CONDO	123
30 CRESTFIELD CT	$290,000	2	2	989	CONDO	1
1719 ASPEN CT	$575,000	3	2	1444	DETACHD	49
16940 SW TRACY AVE	$650,000	4	1.2	1656	DETACHD	88
17763 MARDEE AVE	$741,900	5	3	2110	DETACHD	6
8 DA VINCI ST	$779,000	5	3	2906	DETACHD	4
19001 REDWING WAY	$829,000	3	2.1	2116	DETACHD	3
12962 KNAUS RD	$829,000	3	2.1	1952	DETACHD	230
14361 SHERBROOK PL	$899,000	3	2.1	2100	DETACHD	2
17095 WESTVIEW DR	$985,000	4	3	3356	DETACHD	2
13888 SHIREVA DR	$1,200,000	5	2.1	3827	DETACHD	4

SOLD Jan 17-23. 2022

Address	Opening	Closed	Beds	Baths	SF	Prop Type	Days
100 KERR PKWY #19	$170,000	$170,000	1	1	617	CONDO	52
200 SW Burnham RD #203	$299,000	$296,000	2	1	1199	CONDO	29
4429 THUNDER VISTA LN	$479,900	$455,000	2	2.1	2002	CONDO	111
4 PREAKNESS CT	$550,000	$500,000	3	2	1985	ATTACHD	32
4939 HAMPTON CT	$895,000	$900,000	4	2.1	2971	DETACHD	62
41 AQUINAS ST	$785,000	$985,000	4	3.1	3558	DETACHD	1
425 KENWOOD RD	$1,090,000	$1,140,000	3	2.1	3527	DETACHD	6
223 Cornell CT	$965,000	$1,190,000	5	3.1	3756	DETACHD	10
1913 CHERYL CT	$1,895,000	$1,699,000	4	4.1	5341	DETACHD	103
4247 LORDS LN	$2,650,000	$2,275,000	4	3.1	3785	DETACHD	115

Criteria: (RMLS DATA) 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.

January 23, 2022January 23, 2022

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

January 21, 2022January 21, 2022

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

Address	Type	Price	BR	Baths	Sq Ft
959 Lee St	Detached	$719,000	3	2	2340
17763 Mardee Ave	Detached	$741,900	5	3	2110
566 4th St	Attached	$1,549,000	4	4.5+.5	3376
5001 Park Bluff Pl	Detached	$2,200,000	4	4	4022

Pending Sales January 10-16, 2022

Address	Type	Price	BR	Baths	Sq Ft	CDOM
4632 Lower Dr B2	Condo	$320,000	2	1.5	1170	29
19 Britten Ct	Attached	$535,000	2	2	1394	5
4 Preakness Ct	Attached	$550,000	3	2	1985	32
17617 Sydni Ct	Condo	$799,900	5	2.5	2634	35
13522 Provencial Hill Way	Detached	$899,000	3	2.5	3244	1
17154 Lowenberg Terr	Detached	$1,295,000	5	3.5	3412	40
180 Iron Mountain Blvd	Detached	$1,495,000	5	4	3378	124
16538 Maple Circle	Detached	$1,550,000	4	3.5	2854	4
567 10th St	Detached	$1,800,000	4	3.5	4706	85

Sold/Closed January 10-16, 2022

Address	Type	List Price	Sold Price	Sq Feet	DOM
58 Galen St	Condo	$224,900	$215,000	687	25
156 Ridgeway Rd	Condo	$450,000	$420,000	1758	174
2320 Glen Haven Rd	Detached	$649,000	$680,000	1346	1
326 Lake Bay Ct	Detached	$820,000	$820,000	1427	3
1500 Morning Sky Ct	Detached	$1,178,000	$1,098,000	4,402	107
769 4th St	Detached	$1,965,000	$1,965,000	3922	29
2643 Southshore Blvd	Detached	$3,300,000	$2,750,000	4543	146

January 15, 2022January 15, 2022

News & Notes ~ Dec 2021 + Year-End Comparison

Every year I like to add in a comparison at the end of the year to the year prior being as the December report offers a unique opportunity to look at just that. So, below you’ll find our usual monthly overview & Neighborhood Report along with a comparison; 2021 to 2020.

As always, Lake Oswego info for Dec 2021 is broken out below as well.

Overview/Fluctuations ~ Market Data Dec 2021 (+2020):

Inventory is now at a stunning 0.6 months of supply in the Portland area for December. Our supply has simply never been this low… a little more than 2 weeks of Inventory available. Rates as of this writing are hovering around 3.5%, and the Fed is signaling that rates will be rising.

The twelve months of 2021 compared to 2020:

–New Listings, (40,531) increased 5.4%. –Pending Sales (35,405) increased 7.8%, and –Closed Sales (35,182) increased 9.8%. ***By Comparison, Twelve months of 2020 (to compare to 2021 above) from last year’s December report read: -New Listings, (38,442) decreased 5.2%, -Pending Sales (32,849) increased 7.9%, and -Closed Sales (32,031) increased 7.8%.

LAKE OSWEGO:

63 Active Listings (Nov 92)
71 New Listings (Nov 99)
82 Pending Sales (Nov 124)
134 Closed Sales (Nov 127)
Average Sale Price for Nov: $1,024,400 (Nov $964,300)
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.
29 Days on the Market (Nov 36)

January 13, 2022September 11, 2022

Market Activity ~ Jan 3-9, 2022

This first full week in the New Year we had only ONE property go on the market in Lake Oswego, and that one is a major fixer/possible rebuild over by George Rogers Park (per the Listing). In my Master’s Group, Realtors are begging each other to list the properties they have in their pockets. My guess is that Sellers are seeing the news of Omicron likely hitting peak soon to then taper off… and so are holding on a bit longer. IMHO there may be a flood of new properties hitting the market in the near future, and anyone in their right mind ought to list their property *now*. All in all, if you’re Buying… hold ‘yer horses! Things will change soon.

There were 11 properties that moved to Pending status and 16 that Closed/Sold last week as well. Right now there are 38 homes available in Lake Oswego.

Here is the data according to RMLS:

NEW Jan 3-9, 2022

Address	List Price	# Beds	# Baths	Total SF	Prop Type
143 CHURCH ST	$700,000	2	1	1220	DETACHD

PENDING Jan 3-9, 2022

Address	List Price	# Beds	# Baths	Total SF	Prop Type	CDOM
200 SW Burnham RD, #203	$299,000	2	1	1199	CONDO	29
4632 LOWER DR, B2	$320,000	2	1.1	1170	CONDO	19
16250 PACIFIC HWY, #75	$355,000	3	2	1593	CONDO	29
1694 BONNIEBRAE DR	$415,000	2	1	864	ATTACHD	2
4325 SILVER CT / Upper	$499,000	3	2.1	1844	CONDO	49
1247 CEDAR ST	$550,000	3	2	2022	DETACHD	9
1719 ASPEN CT	$575,000	3	2	1444	DETACHD	31
302 LAUREL ST	$679,000	3	2	1907	DETACHD	6
770 5TH ST	$975,000	3	3.1	3180	DETACHD	45
17908 BLUE HERON DR	$1,850,000	3	4	4172	DETACHD	58
4247 LORDS LN	$2,275,000	4	3.1	3785	DETACHD	115

SOLD Jan 3-9, 2022

Address	Opening Price	Closed Price	Beds	Baths	SF	Prop Type	Days
100 KERR PKWY #51	$ 179,000.00	$ 186,000.00	1	1	617	CONDO	7
4 TOUCHSTONE #76	$ 234,900.00	$ 228,000.00	2	2	984	CONDO	27
4610 LOWER DR / Main	$ 325,000.00	$ 310,000.00	2	1.1	1260	CONDO	22
86 KINGSGATE RD, E203	$ 325,000.00	$ 325,000.00	2	2	924	CONDO	3
4000 CARMAN DR #92	$ 349,000.00	$ 349,000.00	2	2	999	CONDO	12
1455 HALLINAN ST	$ 639,900.00	$ 650,000.00	3	2.1	1325	DETACHD	5
8 PHEASANT RUN	$ 649,950.00	$ 675,000.00	4	2.1	1845	DETACHD	5
5431 BONITA RD	$ 859,000.00	$ 835,000.00	4	3	2784	DETACHD	15
548 4TH ST	$ 1,524,900.00	$ 1,450,000.00	3	4.1	3186	ATTACHD	103
19317 LORNA LN	$ 1,699,000.00	$ 1,515,000.00	5	4.1	4634	DETACHD	186
4118 GLACIER LILY ST	$ 1,499,500.00	$ 1,625,000.00	4	3.1	4452	DETACHD	3
312 9TH ST	$ 1,650,000.00	$ 1,650,000.00	3	2.1	2686	DETACHD	8
1155 CRESTLINE CT	$ 2,195,000.00	$ 2,010,998.00	5	4.1	7438	DETACHD	73
16847 GREENBRIER RD	$ 2,598,000.00	$ 2,598,000.00	3	2.1	2360	DETACHD	0
16767 GRAEF CIR	$ 2,950,000.00	$ 2,700,000.00	4	4.1	4222	DETACHD	13
1226 NORTHSHORE RD	$ 7,000,000.00	$ 5,500,000.00	4	5.1	6330	DETACHD	160

January 8, 2022January 8, 2022

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

December 18, 2021December 18, 2021

Choosing a Home Inspector

There is a tendancy to shop for good value. It’s bread into us by the reality that making our dollars go further enhances our ability to invest and plan for the future. This is a good trait in people, but when it comes to home inspectors, you really do get what you pay for.

You can get a home inspection done for around $300-$400. The inspectors that I recommend charge twice that. So what’s the difference? Time, my friend. The difference is time.

The good inspectors book 1 or 2 inspections a day. The cheap inspectors book 3-4 a day. This means that in saving money you are probably hiring someone who is checking their watch and thinking that they need time to drive to the next appointment to get there on time.

You just don’t know what is going to turn up in a home inspection. Your inspector needs time to dwell on details and figure the house out. The two companies I recommend most highly are Associated Master Inspectors and Inspectek West. Both have mulitiple employees and anyone of them is terrific. In addition, AMI maintains a contractor list that is long and well vetted. Painters, asbestos abatement, electricians, you name it, they have it. For the AMI contractor list click here.

I want to assure you that I am not in kahoots with either company. I have attended many, many home inspections. I know what a good inspection looks like. In my entire career, I’ve never had a client come back to me after the sale with a horror story of something missed in the home inspection.

I also had a client a few years ago that was certain that I must be recommending people who would go easy on the house so that the sale would be more likely to happen. She hired an inspector who inspected the roof from the driveway. He did not even walk on the roof.

I want my clients to know what they are buying. If something so bad turns up that makes them change their mind about buying the house, I am happy it happened early in the process and that they didn’t buy a problem.

As always, thanks for reading the blotter,

Dianne