Market Activity March 15-21, 2021

Inventory is beginning to pick up and the real estate activity in Lake Oswego last week was quite balanced. We had 18 properties come onto the market, 17 move into pending status, and 17 sold/closed listings. So good to see the inventory picking up!

See below for RMLS data

New on the market March 15-21, 2021

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq Ft
86 Kingsgate Rd A202Condo$246,00022849
6310 Burma RdDetached$499,00031.51052
5850 Kenny StDetached$515,000221172
4185 Childs RdDetached$535,00031.51175
4917 Mulholland DrAttached$678,00022.52403
33 Touchstone Detached$699,900543854
17608 Sydni CtAttached$699,90052.52455
12444 Orchard Hill RdDetached$825,000322519
1720 Yarmouth CirDetached$599,00032.52020
10 Yorick StDetached$925,00053.54023
4431 Bernard STDetached$1,149,000432840
17649 Woodhurst PlDetached$1,250,00064.55669
15003 Twin Fir RdDetached$1,295,00043.52941
19201 Maree CtDetached$1,300,00052.54290
554 4th StAttached$1,449,00044.5+.53376
1799 Atherton DrDetached$1,629,00055.56280
17190 Wall StDetached$2,140,00054.5+.56702
17930 Kelok RdDetached$2,750,00043.5+.54481

Pending sales March 15-21, 2021

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq FtCDOM
4 Touchstone #112Condo$219,90032.51351178
4000 Carman Dr E82Condo$248,000218273
48 Eagle Crest Dr 5FCondo$249,900221370197
3950 Carman DrCondo$345,00022.5110110
16051 Pearcy CtDetached$529,0003212244
63 Tanglewood DrDetached$625,0004328193
1858 Southshore BlvdDetached$650,0004220976
3460 Lake Grove AveDetached$685,00022.516162
1820 Southshore BlvdDetached$700,0003324034
14221 Dolph CtDetached$755,00032.520815
16631 Ford PlDetached$899,90042.531804
18050 Tualata AveDetached$915,00042.528354
17521 Lake Haven DrDetached$1,200,00042.532476
4288 Lakeview BlvdDetached$1,250,0003220165
15420 Boones WayAttached$1,345,00032.5336443
3700 Marquis CtDetached$1,499,90042.544312
5740 Childs RdDetached$1,550,00053551924

Sold/Closed Properties March 15-21, 2021

AddressTypeList PriceSold PriceSq FtCDOM
100 Kerr Pkwy #5Condo$169,000$165,900617171
4 Touchstone #63Condo$195,000$200,0009841
3930 Lake Grove Ave 1BCondo$215,000$210,00095611
668 McVey Ave #44Condo$229,000$215,00063680
5804 Kennycroft WayDetached$504,900$586,00010084
1538 Pine StDetached$515,000$607,30015753
876 Sunny Hill DrDetached$850,000$827,50021644
19125 35th PlDetached$1,175,000$1,114,9005153257
6485 Mission CtDetached$1,165,000$1,189,000313367
16233 Bonaire AveDetached$1,395,000$1,395,00034601
4160 Lakeview BlvdDetached$1,539,000$1,530,0003904363
5775 Dogwood DrDetached$1,679,000$1,679,0004003$3
13701 Knaus RdDetached$1,849,000$1,773,00057302
13585 Goodall RdDetached$1,900,000$1,850,000428218
907 Terrace DrDetached$3,000,000$2,675,0007296128
4321 Southshore BlvdDetached$4,200,000$3,750,00067310
1527 Lake Front RdDetached$3,999,000$3,85072201512

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.

Lake Oswego Has Two New Parks

The livability of LO is just outstanding and it just go even better. We now have two brand new parks!.

Iron Mountain Park

Located on Iron Mountain Blvd right by The Hunt, this is a 51 acre park. There is plenty of parking, a covered picnic area, a play area for kids, and rest rooms. It’s beautifully landscaped using native species and with great care to preserve a wetlands that is part of the park. I can see spending summer evening picnicing and taking my Grandchildren to play and run around.

I think the thing I am most excited about is that the park serves as a trail for the Iron Hertage trail. There has long been a terrific trail that makes use of the old rail line that the iron was transported on from the mine near the top of Iron Mountain and down to where the ore was loaded into barges, and barged across the lake to find its final destination at the iron furnace in what is now George Rogers Park.

The Iron Heritage trail is a 3.4 mile loop that connects the new park to the Iron Mountain trail, then along several quiet residential streets to Springbook Park and then back to Iron Mountain Park. For a trail map click here.

Woodmont Natural Park

Located near the intersection of Atwater and Knaus Roads, this 6.8 acre park is lovely. There is a gravel path that meanders through the park. I’m not certain how long the path is, but I think it is likely close to half a mile or so. There is extensive native landscaping and places for picnicing. This park does not have a play structure for children, but it does have restrooms.

Quality of life is just super important to me and a key component of how I have chosen the community that I live in. I know I rave about how much I like LO, but it truly does keep getting better and better. These two new parks are a great addition!

As always, thanks for reading the blotter.

Dianne

Market Activity March 1-7, 2021

Inventory remains low and buyers wanting to buy remains high. Last week in Lake Oswego we had 9 properties come onto the market, 18 move into pending status with accepted offers, and 12 sold/closed.

See below for an explanatin of the RMLS data.

New on the Market March 1-7, 2021

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq Ft
243 CervantesCondo$399,000221292
16200 Pacific Hwy #4Condo$490,000221190
1101 Hallinan CircleDetached$720,000533368
13841 Verte CtDetached$985,000432350
17990 Ridge Lake DrDetached$1,445,00053.53897
2101 Goodall CtDetached$2,539,00044.54290
1677 Leslie LnDetached$2,550,00046.57534
5135 Carman DrDetached$3,650,00032.5+.54400
1125 Maple StDetached$3,900,00043.56254

Pending Sales March 1-7, 2021

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq FtCDOM
45 Eagle Crest #212Condo$179,00011780155
26 Cervantes CircleCondo$244,90021.5110756
4636 Lower DrCondo$265,00021.51170129
5057 Foothills DrCondo$335,0002212523
41 Greenridge CtAttached$415,00032.516529
5804 Kennycroft WayDetached$504,90031.510084
23 Aquinas StDetached$550,00042.518403
1662 Worthington StDetached$700,00042.527634
4749 Black Forest CtDetached$715,00042.522555
17121 Wall StDetached$724,90032.521872
2 Mozarteum CtDetached$744,90042.521925
4184 Virginia WayDetached$849,9004217005
1080 Upper Devon LnDetached$974,90032.523354
19244 35th PlDetached$1,095,00053350313
100 Garibaldi StDetached$1,175,00053.5+.545723
2671 Glen Eagles RdDetached$1,225,0003340194
1688 Leslie LnDetached$1,898,00044.5554053
16655 Maple CircleDetached$3,498,00033.531000

Sold/Closed March 1-7, 2021

AddressTypeList PriceSold PriceSq FtCDOM
16250 Pacific Hwy #50Condo$284,000$290,00013052
57 Greenridge CtAttached$459,000$459,0001,3010
1920 Southshore BlvdDetached$579,900$559,90013138
6 Yorick StDetached$849,950$780,000311683
1661 Woodland TerraceDetached$729,000$801,00030822
252 Greenwood RdDetached$824,900$810,00038345
1216 Spruce StDetached$840,000$820,0002066101
13711 Fielding RdDetached$889,950$830,000464977
17596 Green Bluff DrDetached$959,900$960,000303975
975 Schukart LnDetached$1,198$1,250,0004449350
312 9th StDetached$1,350$1,350,000268618
19491 Lorna LnDetached$2,195$2,388,2704343$55

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

Let’s Talk Trees

Trees have been the focus of my attention lately. This is because two weeks ago Lake Oswego had a big ice storm and a neighbors unkept trees dropped limbs onto power lines that caused a power outage at my house. It lasted 3 days. Of course this was not uncommon. At one point Portland Gas and Electric had power outages at over 300,000 homes in the metro area. Many were without power for longer than 3 days, so my intention here is not to complain about my personal experience. Instead, it has me thinking about the importance of paying attention to the trees in your yard.

Get them inspected

When buying a home, if the house has large trees in the yard, get them inspected. Most home inspectors only inspect the house itself. They don’t inspect the trees. A good home inspector will make the suggestion that you get the trees inspected, but many don’t. You should not take it for granted that trees are trees and no big deal. In particular, are any of the trees unhealthy? Are any of the trees unstable? Removing a big tree can be expensive. If this is something that can be learned up front, before you buy the house, it is something that can be negotiated as part of the purchase.

Trees need to be maintained

Once you own a home, maintain your trees by hiring an arborist every five years of so to go through your trees and take out dead limbs and prune to maintain health. My husband and I have done this. We have four HUGE fir tress and one HUGE English walnut tree. When we first bought our home I would occassionally sleep downstairs, not in my bedroom, if there was a big wind storm. Then one day while gardening, out of the blue, a big limb came down not too far from where I was standing. There’s a reason that these limbs are called widow makers. They are big and heavy and could really hurt a person. This was my wake up call that it was time to become friends with an arborist.

Since we have had our trees cleaned up, not one big limb has randomly fallen in our yard and no limbs have fallen during wind or ice storms. It is money well spent and gives tremendous peace of mind.

This brings me back to the recent ice storm. How I wish my neighbor was taking better care of his/her trees! Be a good neighbor and be a responsible tree owner.

I hope that you find this information helpful. Feel free to reach out to either Linda or myself if you have any questions about real estate and home ownership.

Dianne

Market Activity February 15-22, 2021

I think that the fact that our current real estate market is lacking inventory is pretty well known. There are many more buyers trying to buy homes than there are homes for sale. Preparing this market activity report a first has happened. Last week in Lake Oswego there was just one new listing. In all of the many years that Linda and I have been writing the blotter, I don’t recall that this has happened before. Hopefully it’s just a fluke and in the coming weeks the inventory will start to build up to meet the spring demand. Last week there were also 12 properties that accepted offers and went into pending status, as well as 18 closed/sold houses.

See below for RMLS data explanations

New on the market February 15-22, 2021

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq Ft
4832 Redwing WayDetached$599,900321472

Pending sales February 15-21, 2021

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq FtCDOM
100 Kerr Pkwy #5Condo$169,00011617171
3930 Lake Grove Ave 1BCondo$215,0002195811
4320 Botticelli ST #11Attached$309,90022.5+.5226018
16880 Cortez CtDetached$599,9003323133
5091 Tualata LnDetached$625,0003215006
853 E AveDetached$650,000217506
19603 River Run DrDetached$800,00042.526566
15606 Manchester DrDetached$849,90032.526563
1920 Park Forest AveDetached$1,125,00033267919
17884 Kelok RdDetached$1,229,00043.5412419
2230 Wembley Park RdDetached$1,785,00054.5460736
907 Terrace DrDetached$2,875,00064.5+.5+.57296128

Closed/Sold February 15-22, 2021

AddressTypeList PriceSold PriceSq FtCDOM
3872 Botticelli StCondo$289,900$293,0001171124
16250 Pacific Hwy #59Condo$319,000$319,0001,3059
5225 Jean Rd #510Condo$305,000$335,00011005
750 1st St E34Condo$335,000$335,00013503
16250 Pacific Hwy #73Condo$319,000$341,000130587
18667 Benfield AveDetached$485,000$529,00014145
17104 Canal CircleDetached$650,000$625,000141636
1427 Greentree CircleDetached$605,000$650,00022395
17160 Wall StDetached$850,000$888,00032462
2145 Summit DrDetached$1,000,000$1,000,000311148
4146 Chad DrDetached$1,099,900$1,030,0003637143
54 Wilbur StAttached$1,247,000$1,170,000360079
18460 Ray Ridge DrDetached$1,249,000$1,224,000376934
72 Nansen SummitDetached$1,369,000$1,240,00044857
978 10th StDetached$1,495,000$1,400,000257825
3175 Douglas CircleDetached$1,425,000$1,500,00054003
13594 Goodall RdDetached$1,700,000$1,700,00037320
16470 Phantom Bluff CtDetached$2,695,000$2,684,515518811

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 Jan 18-24, 2021

The real estate market is really heating up. Buyers are out in hordes wanting to take advantage of the lowest interest rates in decades. They have gotten themselves pre-approved and are ready to go. The issue is, inventory is incredibly low. For every property that comes on the market, there are half a dozen buyers ready to buy. The result? Houses are selling fast, often with multiple offers. It is very much a sellers market. With multiple offers houses are frequently selling at or over the list price. So yes, this late winter and spring market truly is an amazing time to sell your house.

In Lake Oswego last week we had 6 properties come onto the market, 12 move into pending status with an accepted offer, and 16 closed sales.

See below for RMLS data and an explanation of this chart.

New on the Market Jan 18-24, 2021

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq Ft
16250 Pacific Hwy #59Condo$319,000221305
2574 Palisades Crest DrDetached$975,00042.5+.54563
17311 Canyon DrDetached$1,099,500635376
667 Lake Bay CtDetached$1,899,90043.53616
1340 Cherry LnDetached$2,145,00044.5+.55922
16470 Phantom Bluff CtDetached$2,695,00044.55188

Pending sales Jan 18-24, 2021

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq FtCDOM
5225 Jean Rd #510Condo$305,0002211005
456 5th StCondo$450,00021.510921
1238 Laurel StDetached$524,9003214852
1920 Southshore BlvdDetached$569,9003213138
6126 Frost LnDetached$749,0005324979
4264 West Bay RdDetached$799,0003213082
4850 Lower DrDetached$825,00043270011
2145 Summit DrDetached$1,000,00042.5+.5311148
975 Schukart LnDetached$1,198,00042.54449350
16234 Waluga DrDetached$1,349,00053.5313086
701 4th StDetached$1,450,00032.5278643
3735 Upper DrDetached$2,000,000444056137

Closed/Sold Jan 18-24, 2021

AddressTypeList PriceSold PriceSq FtCDOM
42 Cervantes CircleCondo$189,000$185,0009124
7200 Montauk CircleCondo$219,900$228,0009683
47 Eagle Crest Dr #62Condo$249,000$233,000102677
668 McVey Ave #85Condo$274,900$290,0009924
4047 Jefferson PkwyCondo$330,000$346,00012281
27 Bloch TerrAttached$425,000$442,00019723
15012 Twin Fir RdDetached$599,900$610,0003372
18861 Indian Springs CircleDetached$635,000$645,00016492
17012 Crestview DrDetached$699,000$699,00027504
5228 Lower DrDetached$850,000$839,9502723101
802 Clara CtDetached$850,000$875,00028863
3000 Brookside RdDetached$999,950$950,000160050
6 Essex CtDetached$998,000$998,000433842
5055 Lakeview BlvdDetached$1,298,000$1,245,000360728
1200 Lake Garden CtDetached$1,400,000$1,400,000334716
3509 Lanewood StDetached$1,799,000$1,790,9003830114

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.

Cool Stuff is Happening at the Library!

I say cool stuff is happening at the library, but in the time of Covid it is happening via zoom and on line. I really have to give a round of applause to the staff at the library because they have come up with some awesome options to keep readers engaged. At a time when we are spending more time at home, and really needing options to keep us busy, these programs are pretty terrific.

Multicultural Children’s Book Day

Watch videos of members of the community reading children’s books in different languages. Get recommendations for books to read that will educate about different cultures. This program honors the similarities and differences that make our community shine. For more information visit www.lakeoswego.city/library/mcbd.

A Bookish Affair

This is a book group that is devoted to romance novels. They read one book per month. To get involved you can email Shannon Dickinson at sdickinson@lakeoswego.city. You can also download the podcast at “A Bookish Affair” from all of the usual places that podcasts are found.

Cook The Books Book Group

This book group is all about food! It meets via zoom on Tuesdays at 4pm. Each week features a new theme. Folks get together to share recipes and talk about food. It’s pretty much a big recipe exchange. You can register at www.lakeoswego.city/library/cook-books-virtual-book-group where you’ll get a meeting link and a password.

LOPL Trivia

Join librarians for a family-friendly virtual game of trivia. Thursdays at 7pm. This sounds like a lot of fun! Registration is required. Go to www.lakeoswego.city/library/remote.

Personalized Reading Recommendations

Fill out a reading profile and librarians will use your answers to create a customized reading list just for you. For adults, go to www.lakeoswego.city/library/webforms/ten-ten-personalized-recommendations. For kids, go to www.lakeoswego.city/kids/you-need-read-weve-got-books. All books are loaned via curbside pickup and are quarantined before being loaned out again.

Lake Oswego Reads

Our library is just such a tremendous resource to our city! With all of this going on, I want to end this post by pointing out the Lake Oswego Reads is happenning right now. Citywide, the community is reading Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. There are many events associated with LO Reads. Find details at www.ci.oswego.or.us/loreads.

Happy Reading!

Market Activity Dec 7-13, 2020

Last week in Lake Oswego sales remainded strong. 24 houses received offers that were accepted and 18 properties sold with finalized sales. New inventory remained low at just 6 new listings.

See below for RMLS details

New on the Market Dec 7-13, 2020

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq Ft
47 Eagle Crest Dr #50Condo$210,00021932
18964 Redwing WayDetached$549,95031.51406
6126 Frost LnDetached$765,000532497
252 Greenwood RdDetached$824,900523834
5513 Rachel LnDetached$1,049,00042.53335
701 4th StDetached$1,499,00032.52885

Pending Sales Dec 7-13, 2020

AddressTypePriceBRBathsSq FtCDOM
30 Oswego SummitCondo$198,5001170078
750 1st St #26Condo$350,00022135020
16191 Lake Forest BlvdDetached$424,999318644
16342 Kimball StDetached$495,00031.512506
1225 Lee StDetached$511,00031.510561
14150 Goodall RdDetached$525,0003217453
1101 Hemlock SStDetached$574,90032.5221326
4380 Douglas WayDetached$599,95032136419
18861 Indian Springs CircleDetached$635,0003216492
15677 Fieldstone DrDetached$688,00032.52527156
4984 Bilford LnDetached$725,00032.5262935
2679 Glen Eagles RdDetached$729,9003323786
1771 Campus WayDetached$738,0003332773
2765 Glen Haven RdDetached$749,90042.522775
6123 Frost LnDetached$759,90042.5233121
803 Clara CtDetached$850,0004328863
17970 Meadowlark LnDetached$899,0004336401
18064 Jenifers WayDetached$899,90053296544
17596 Green Bluff DrDetached$959,90042.5303926
5055 Lakeview BlvdDetached$1,298,00043.5360728
961 Terrace DrDetached$2,495,00054.5+.5601696
1287 Cherry LnDetached$2,595,00054.55212110
2950 Lakeview BlvdDetached$2,750,00043.54299190
16649 Maple CircleDetached$2,969,000432714113

Closed/Sold Dec 7-13, 2020

AddressTypeList PriceSold PriceSq FtCDOM
48 Eagle Crest 5ECondo$269,000$249,0001442103
16250 Pacific Hwy #77Condo$289,900$259,0001,327257
3433 McNary Pkwy #804Condo$269,900$260,0001136103
65 Oswego SummitCondo$274,900$260,00011404
4107 Jefferson PkwyCondo$329,000$325,000150732
5626 Fernbrook WayDetached$511,000$489,000125059
17020 Denny CtDetached$650,000$525,0001704150
17297 Bryant RdDetached$575,000$550,000142811
13 Walking Woods DrDetached$515,000$556,00021304
17879 Hillside DrDetached$849,999$630,0003149271
18225 SW 65th AveDetached$799,000$747,000221037
3125 Alber Sring CtDetached$1,198,000$1,0654308195
16291 Bonaire AveDetached$1,096,660$1,09632400
6441 Mission CtDetached$1,165,000$1,165320124
3920 Upper DrDetached$1,595,000$1,4253800$115
15532 Village DrDetached$1,599,000$1,545344647
4165 Childs RdDetached$1,549,000$1,549331011
15607 Village DrDetached$2,589,000$2,2005407525

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 Season of Caring

Winter in general can be a challenging time. Daylight is short and the temperature outside is COLD. For those in need, it’s got to be the very difficult. In Lake Oswego there are several ways that you can help.

Shop with a Cop

Shop with a cop pairs police officers with children. They go shopping together for items that the child needs. This year, because of Covid, volunteers are doing the shopping and police officers will deliver the purchased items to children’s homes. You can make a donation at www.ccpobf.org/about/make-a-donation.html. This event ends on December 12th.

Personal Care Items

Personal hygene items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, sun screen, disposable razors, diapers, deodorant, and shampoo can be dropped off at a donation barrel at City Hall, 380 A Avenue, South entrance vestibule. Donations can be dropped off at any time. New, unused items, please.

Hunger Fighters Oregon

A record number of people in Lake Oswego are in need of emergency food. Non-parishable food items can be donated at City Hall, 380 A Avenue. Donation barrels are located in the North vestibule fronting A Avenue or directly with Hunger Fighters, 2301 Hazel Rd, Lake Oswego. You can learn more by visiting www.hungerfightersoregon.org

School Supply Drive

The Rotary club of Lake Oswego is collecting school supplies in conjunction with the Lake Oswego School Foundation and district counselors. Back packs have already been generously donated and now is the time to fill them up! The Rotary is looking for monetary donations. Money will be used to purchase basic school supplies and also to fund the gift card program that Rotary administers year around. You can make a donation at https://bit.ly/2IMnPeA or you can mail a donation to Rotary Club of Lake Oswego-School Supply Drive, P.O. Box 94, Lake Oswego, OR 97034.

Toy Drive

The Lake Oswego Fire Department and Library are accepting new, unwrapped toys to give to children. Toys will be distributed by the Tualatin Valley Elks Lodge. The toy drive ends December 11th. Until then toys can be dropped off at the the Lake Oswego Fire Department’s main station, 300 B Avenue, Lake Oswego or at the Library, 706 Fouth Street.

Thank you for spreading the love and good cheer!

Dianne

A Tribute

Today I want to share with you something personal, and yes, it does have to do with real estate. You see, my Mom passed away on October 16th. If you have ever worked with me, you’ve heard me talk about my Mom. So this isn’t new to you. But if you haven’t worked with me, I feel a need to tell you about the best Realtor I have ever known.

My Mom got her real estate license in 1976. She was raised in an era when she wanted to major in business at Oregon State, but as a woman she had to major in “Secretarial Sciences”. Seriously. But she had a head for business. She hung her license at Shelter Properties on Boones Ferry Rd in Lake Grove. There she got her feet on the ground and at one time, after listing an entire new subdivision, got chewed out for besting a more prominent agent, a bit of a diva, for beating her out with most new listings for the month.

She moved on to Professionals 100. In 1987, after the birth of my daughter, I was agonizing over having to put my baby into daycare 5 days a week. I had a back ground in sales. I had actually been a sales trainer for a health club organization. My Mom’s business was booming. She was the leading sales agent in the metro area for Great Western Savings and Loan. She was handling their foreclosure properties and she had just been handed about 20 properties to list and sell. She needed help. She called me up and asked if, perhaps, my husband would consider coming to work for her. My reaction? My husband, what about me? That’s when I started my real estate career. It was 33 years ago. I’ve never looked back.

At first, I was her assistant. As I gained experience, we became a team. Then, as she approached retirement, she became my assistant. It’s probably the best possible circumstance in which to be in this business. You see, real estate has a lot of moving parts. So many people are involved: the buyer, the seller, the inspector, the appraiser, the lender. This means that it’s complicated and no two transactions are the same. As Realtors, we need sounding boards, people we respect and rely on to help us navigate complex circumstances so that we can give our clients the best advice possible, for their benefit, not for out own.

About the time that my Mom retired, I met Linda. She and I have known each other for at least 15 years. She calls me, I call her, she filled that void that opened up when my Mom retired. I don’t know how anyone can be in this business without a confidant.

So yes, I’m grieving. But I’m grateful. How lucky am I to have had Mom who, along with giving me life and raising me, gave me a career?

Today I want to salute my Mom. Oh what a wonderful woman she was!

Dianne