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

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

Market Activity Dec 6-12, 2021

While a bit slower than the market when we are not in the Holiday Season, real estate continues to chug along. Last week in Lake Oswego there were 8 new listings, 17 pending sales, and 13 sold/closed transactions. That is strong activity for this time of year.

See below for RMLS data.

New on the Market Dec 6-12, 2021

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq Ft
4000 Carman Dr #92Condo$349,00022999
16250 Pacific Hwy #75Condo$355,000321593
200 Burnham Rd #206Condo$358,000211199
4 Preakness CtAttached$550,000321985
8 Pheasant RunDetached$649,95042.51845
1720 Kilkenny DrDetached$685,00032.51348
17617 Sydni CtCondo$799,90052.52634
18000 Sarah Hill LnDetached$1,999,90042.53280

Pending Sales Dec 6-12, 2021

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq FtCDOM
100 Kerr Pkwy #19Condo$170,0001161752
100 Kerr Pkwy #51Condo$179,000116177
58 Galen StCondo$209,9002168925
9 Oswego SummitCondo$218,000117646
44 Eagle Crest Dr #36Condo$250,000219033
4000 Carman Dr #81Condo$289,0002211294
86 Kingsgate Rd E-203Condo$325,000229243
4429 Thunder Vista LnCondo$459,90022.52002111
1455 Hallinan StDetached$639,90032.513255
52 Northview CtAttached$649,90032.521983
17347 Ashley CtAttached$650,00042.5211734
13470 Peters RdAttached$799,50022.523244
5756 Ridgetop CtDetached$935,0004331625
1011 Spruce StDetached$1,049,00032.521014
425 Kenwood RdDetached$1,090,00032.535276
1500 Morning Sky CtDetached$1,148,00053.54402107
1155 Crestline CtDetached$1,995,000`54.5743873

Sold/Closed Dec 6-12, 2021

AddressTypeList PriceSold PriceSq FeetDOM
4 Touchstone #78Condo$224,999$212,000135130
324 Cervantes CircleCondo$229,000$241,0008323
204 Cervantes CircleCondo$305,000$332,00011383
5077 W Sunset DrAttached$500,000$500,000172047
4301 Lakeview BlvdDetached$635,000$617,0001,22319
1335 Laurel StDetached$850,000$699,000189862
3225 Tempest DrDetached$799,000$800,000223112
3795 Tempest DrDetached$815,000$860,000275319
6810 Childs RdDetached$950,000$935,00032822
14145 Redwood CtDetached$825,000$975,00025195
18 TouchstoneDetached$998,000$1,055,000437818
17561 Lake Haven DrDetached$500,000$1,720,00038790
456 Lake Bay CtDetached$1,600,000$1,725,00023932

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.

News & Notes ~ November Numbers 2021

Here is your look at what’s been happening in the overall Portland area including individual areas of the metro, and with Lake Oswego broken out below:

Overview/Fluctuations ~  Market Data Nov 2021:   

What I call the Black Hole of the Holidays is upon us! Meaning- while it is an amazing time to buy a home, there is also shrinking inventory even from the low levels we already had. So… great time to buy- just fewer homes available from which to choose. All that said, when you look at previous years, you can see inventory always takes a dip this time of year as both Buyers and Sellers become distracted with all the trappings of the season. So…nothing out of the ordinary, except for how low supply has fallen. Right now if you’re selling, you can be sure that the Buyers who are looking at your home are savvy, serious, and probably a bit sappy : ) That means…get the cookies in the oven and play those old timey holiday tunes in the background!

Rates: “Rates are being pushed up a bit with continued inflation concerns. Right now they are at about 3.375%.”   Gary Boyer, Regional VP, Directors Mortgage                                                                                                                            

According to the RMLS Market Action Report  for the Portland Metro Area, Nov 2021:

  • There were 2,229 New Listings in Nov 2021, down slightly at 0.4% from Nov 2020’s 2,238 and also down a whopping 31.0% from the previous month/Oct’s 3,232 (normal, seasonal stuff).
  • At 2,832, Nov 2021’s Closed Sales are up 3.2% from Nov 2020’s 2,745, and dropped 9.5% from the previous month/Oct’s total of 3,129
  • At 2,660, Oct 2021’s Pending Sales increased 4.0% from Nov 2020’s 2,557, and decreased 16.5% from the previous month/Oct’s total of 3,187.
  • The Average Sale Price in Nov 2021 of $575,600 is up $54,400 from last year/Nov 2020’s $521,200, and nearly the same as the previous month/Oct’s $575,200.   
  • The “Median” Sale Price (the price smack dab in the middle of all sales) in Nov 2021 of $517,800 rose $60,800 from last year/Nov 2020’s $457,000, and was also up $1,800 from the previous month/Oct’s $516,000.

LAKE OSWEGO:

92 Active Listings (Oct 138)
99 New Listings  (Oct 146)
124 Pending Sales (Oct 152)
134 Closed Sales    (Oct 142)
Average Sale Price for Nov: $964,300 (Oct $853,200)
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.
36 Days on the Market   (Oct 27)

Market Activity ~ Nov 29-Dec 5, 2021

This last week we saw 4 properties enter the market, 11 move to Pending status, and 23 Sold/Closed. Right now there are 59 homes in all price ranges available in Lake Oswego.

NEW Nov 29-Dec 5, 2021

AddressList Price# Beds# BathsTotal SFProp Type
12962 KNAUS RD$829,00032.11952DETACHD
17154 LOWENBERG TER$1,295,00053.13412DETACHD
13648 GOODALL RD$2,499,90044.25288DETACHD
13041 KNAUS RD$4,395,00044.14924DETACHD

PENDING Nov 29-Dec 5, 2021

AddressList Price# Beds# BathsTotal SFProp TypeCDOM
4 TOUCHSTONE,  #76$228,00022984CONDO27
4000 CARMAN DR,  G108$249,00021767CONDO3
86 KINGSGATE RD,  E103$355,00022924CONDO66
4083 JEFFERSON PKWY$366,900221202CONDO8
1719 ASPEN CT$590,000321444DETACHD2
4104 LAKEVIEW BLVD$735,000422244DETACHD87
4080 COLTSFOOT LN$899,90042.12884DETACHD11
4118 GLACIER LILY ST$1,499,50043.14452DETACHD3
312 9TH ST$1,650,00032.12686DETACHD8
752 8TH ST$1,877,00053.14032DETACHD27
21 D AVE,  #14$2,046,80022.12406CONDO1

SOLD Nov 29-Dec5, 2021

AddressOpeningClosedBedsBathsSFProp TypeDays
4000 CARMAN DR,  C44$260,000$256,50022866CONDO46
86 KINGSGATE RD, A203$285,000$307,00022849CONDO1
4000 CARMAN DR,  B23$307,500$321,70022866CONDO3
218 RIDGEWAY RD / Main$350,000$360,00021914CONDO4
1400 BONNIEBRAE DR / Main$425,000$415,00021890CONDO7
71 KINGSGATE RD$595,000$625,00032.11727DETACHD2
1638 PINE ST$800,000$835,000433105DETACHD4
15449 PARTRIDGE DR$824,900$865,00042.12817DETACHD2
14655 UPLANDS DR$1,065,000$1,065,000532462DETACHD0
5492 YORKSHIRE PL$1,130,000$1,180,00042.12462DETACHD4
1776 OAK ST$1,350,000$1,290,00043.14012DETACHD89
2630 RIVENDELL RD$1,399,000$1,378,20043.14612DETACHD10
4305 UPPER DR$1,525,000$1,540,00042.13483DETACHD8
17301 BERGIS FARM DR$2,250,000$1,785,00043.14737DETACHD188
611 RIDGEWAY RD$2,049,000$1,900,00045.14463DETACHD145
4480 UPPER DR$2,000,000$1,950,00043.13497DETACHD19
16743 SW Pacific HWY$2,195,000$2,085,000444340DETACHD132
1099 CHERRY CIR$2,275,000$2,300,00053.14039DETACHD3
4105 UPPER DR$3,250,000$3,450,00053.14967DETACHD4
17475 BLUE HERON RD$3,995,000$3,600,00055.15787DETACHD39
736 SOUTHVIEW RD$4,195,000$3,940,00043.24639DETACHD6
2088 CREST DR$6,995,000$5,800,00046.18259DETACHD91
3232 LAKEVIEW BLVD$7,000,000$7,000,00045.18170DETACHD0
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.

Tinseltown Trolley

The Lake Oswego Trolley is a favorite of mine. The trolley runs from State Street, along the Willamette River to the South waterfront in Portland. It’s a blast! One year, I packed a picnic and took my Mom for a trolley ride for her birthday.

The scenery is lovely. It meanders along through Dunthorpe ( a gorgeous neighborhood!) and has expansive views of the river. There is also a long tunnel that is pitch dark inside, except for the lights of the trolley.

This year the trolley is offering a Tinseltown experience. The event is December 10, 11, and 12. Departure times vary with 3 rides on Friday the 10th, 6 on Saturday the 11th. and 6 on Sunday the 12th. The cost is $20 for adults and $17 for youth (0-17). The trolley is decorated for the season and there is a special guest on board from the North Pole. For more details, click here.

What a fun holiday event for everyone!

Seasons greetings, and, as always, thanks for reading the blotter.

Dianne

Market Activity Nov 20-26, 2021

Real estate took a back seat to Thanksgiving last week with only 4 new listings, 13 pending sales and 8 closed/sold properties.

See below for RMLS details.

New on the Market Nov 20-26, 2021

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq Ft
4083 Jefferson PkwyCondo$366,900221202
871 Country Club RdDetached$625,00031.51449
4080 Coltsfoot LnDetached$899,90042.52884
312 9th StDetached$1,650,00032.52686

Pending Sales Nov 20-26, 2021

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq FtCDOM
156 Ridgeway RdCondo$429,00032.51758174
5077 W Sunset DrAttached$500,00022.5172047
5020 Jean RdDetached$599,0003218373
16989 Tualatin StDetached$650,00032.5149129
1407 Greentree CircleDetached$835,00042.522013
5431 Bonita RdDetached$859,00043278415
4939 Hampton CtDetached$875,00042.5297162
365 3rd StAttached$899,00033.521543
770 5th StDetached$975,00033.531805
17288 Blue Heron RdDetached$1,200,00042.54128405
14405 Pfeifer DrDetached$1,250,0005338534
1300 Tyndall CtDetached$1,299,95054.538667
4247 Lords LnDetached$2,275,00043.5378557

Sold/Closed Nov 20-26, 2021

AddressTypeList PriceSold PriceSq FeetDOM
5051 Foothills Dr DCondo$340,000$330,39599114
3433 McNary Pkwy #804Condo$329,000$337,00011363
239 CervantesCondo$399,000$367,500110048
14798 Davis LnAttached$590,000$595,10016983
32 Aquinas StDetached$600,000$657,0101,5962
18470 Ray Ridge DrDetached$1,350,000$1,295,0004329136
18939 Palisades Lake CtDetached$1,499,000$1,535,000457034

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.

Market Activity ~ Nov 15-21, 2021

Last week we saw 7 properties enter the market, 22 move to Pending status and 20 Closed/Sold. Right now there are 60 beautiful homes available in Lake Oswego.

Here is the breakdown:

NEW Nov 15-21, 2021

AddressList Price# Beds# BathsTotal SFProp Type
871 COUNTRY CLUB RD$215,00011600CONDO
2991 DELLWOOD DR$499,00032.11844CONDO
45 EAGLE CREST DR #316$580,000421546DETACHD
21 D AVE  #4$625,00031.11449DETACHD
2305 GLEN HAVEN RD$1,425,00042.24308DETACHD
4325 SILVER CT / Upper$2,067,00022.12431CONDO
6050 FERNBROOK ST$2,275,000543632DETACHD

PENDING Nov 15-21, 2021

AddressList Price# Beds# BathsTotal SFProp TypeCDOM
7155 CHILDS RD / Grnd$278,00021916CONDO4
1400 BONNIEBRAE DR / Main$425,00021890CONDO7
71 KINGSGATE RD$595,00032.11727DETACHD2
5020 JEAN RD$599,000321837DETACHD3
16989 TUALATIN ST$650,00032.11491DETACHD50
1695 MEADOWS DR$698,000432219DETACHD6
74 CONDOLEA WAY$699,000332965CONDO51
1335 LAUREL ST$699,000311898DETACHD62
326 LAKE BAY CT$820,000321427DETACHD3
129 DEL PRADO ST$829,00042.12622DETACHD2
16510 MAPLE CIR$899,00042.12295DETACHD101
223 Cornell CT$965,00053.13756DETACHD10
3777 RIVERS EDGE DR$1,095,00042.12875DETACHD6
16164 PARKER RD  #2$1,098,00032.12091DETACHD57
18168 WESTMINSTER DR$1,099,00053.14220DETACHD5
828 7TH ST$1,250,000342418DETACHD4
16164 PARKER RD  #1$1,395,000543257DETACHD79
17912 KELOK RD$1,650,000533218DETACHD19
17908 BLUE HERON DR$1,799,000344172DETACHD4
2245 GLEN HAVEN RD$1,950,000443830DETACHD9
6720 CHILDS RD$2,395,00044.16898DETACHD64
637 ENGLEWOOD DR$2,825,00073.14231DETACHD19

SOLD Nov 15-21, 2021

AddressOpeningClosedBedsBathsSFProp TypeDays
316 CERVANTES CIR  #316 $      220,000 $     225,00021832CONDO13
29 CRESTFIELD CT/ Grnd $      249,900 $     232,00022989CONDO357
350 CERVANTES CIRb#1E $      259,900 $     249,50021.1912CONDO10
28 AQUINAS ST $      529,000 $     539,000321960DETACHD6
18840 SW 65TH AVE $      549,000 $     549,00032.11634DETACHD34
5944 BURMA RD $      629,000 $     675,000321409DETACHD4
4191 SOUTHSHORE BLVD $      699,000 $     705,000421361DETACHD5
4322 COLLINS WAY $      765,500 $     727,000532112DETACHD36
17226 MARJORIE AVE $      684,900 $     750,000321782DETACHD3
603 ATWATER RD $      924,900 $     850,00053.13430DETACHD73
4705 LAKEVIEW BLVD $      875,000 $     874,00032.12700DETACHD41
17555 ERIN CT $      969,000 $     910,000433156DETACHD17
3211 WESTVIEW CT $  1,150,000 $ 1,150,00043.13325DETACHD20
14322 EDENBERRY DR $  1,295,000 $ 1,230,00042.13262DETACHD31
7 GARIBALDI ST $  1,450,000 $ 1,450,00043.16303DETACHD85
860 SKYLAND DR $  1,299,000 $ 1,460,000433527DETACHD4
9 HIDALGO ST $  1,400,000 $ 1,500,00043.35713DETACHD4
792 2ND ST $  1,650,000 $ 1,670,000432786DETACHD8
14034 TAYLORS CREST LN $  1,685,000 $ 1,685,00053.24007DETACHD0
13710 KNAUS RD $  2,990,000 $ 2,950,00044.25780DETACHD0
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.

Worshipping options in and near Lake Oswego

I once worked with a family who was being transferred from another part of the country. One of the first questions that I was asked was, does it matter what church you belong to? It was the one and only time that I’ve ever gotten that question. And it’s a fair question.

My answer was then, and still is today, no. There is no social pressure to be affliated with an organized faith group. However, there are quite a few worship options should you be inclined to want to join one.

Lake Oswego has 25 christian churches, including a Mormon Temple. There is also a Jewish Synagogue. 2 miles South of Lake Oswego is the Cambodian Buddhist Society. Within 5 miles of Lake Oswego there is a Hindu Temple and 3 more Jewish Synagogues.

I hope you find this information helpful, and, as always, thank you for reading the blotter.

Dianne

News & Notes ~ October 2021 Numbers

Here is your look at what’s been happening in the overall Portland area including individual areas of the metro, and with Lake Oswego broken out below:

Overview/Fluctuations ~  Market Data Oct 2021:                                                                                            We’re definitely watching the typical fall/winter slowdown across the board, BUT, in general we’re seeing improvements over the same 10-month period in 2020. Inventory which had started to rise slowly but steadily did take another slight dip in October. Listings increased 6.6% over 2020 during this time period, Pending Sales rose 9.0% and Closed Sales were up by 12.5%.

Rates: “Rates are at around 3.25% right now, however we are seeing continued upward pressure as the Federal Reserve takes steps to combat inflation.”     Gary Boyer, Regional VP, Directors Mortgage                                                                                                                    

According to the RMLS Market Action Report  for the Portland Metro Area, Oct 2021:

  • There were 3,232 New Listings in Oct 2021, down 8.1% from Oct 2020’s 3,515 and also down 14.0% from the previous month/Sept’s 3,760.
  • At 3,129, Oct 2021’s Closed Sales are down 0.8% from Oct 2020’s 3,155, and also down 1.2% from the previous month/Sept’s total of 3,167
  • At 3,187, Oct 2021’s Pending Sales decreased 0.4% from Oct 2020’s 3,199, and increased 0.5% from the previous month/Sept’s total of 3,170.
  • The Average Sale Price in Oct 2021 of $575,200 is up $58,700 from last year/Oct 2020’s $516,500, and up $3,700. from the previous month/Sept’s $571,500.   
  • The “Median” Sale Price (the price smack dab in the middle of all sales) in Oct 2021 of $516,000 rose $56,000 from last year/Oct 2020’s $460,000, and was also up $6,000 from the previous month/Sept’s $510,000.

LAKE OSWEGO:

138 Active Listings (Sep 154)
146 New Listings    (Sep178)
152 Pending Sales (Sep 170)
142 Closed Sales    (Sep 168)
Average Sale Price for Sept: $853,200 (Sep $975,700)
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.
 27 Days on the Market   (Sep 24)