Living in Portland

Oregon’s beacons of achievement

Linda — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:03:49 +0000

Recently, “the Stump” with the Oregonian asked 50 Oregonians with an interest in public policy to help them identify some Oregon “success stories.” From more than 120 nominations from contacts in government, business, education, religion, the arts and the nonprofit world, they chose nine that reflect creative thinking and innovative approaches to problem solving.

Read about the Portland Streetcars, Downtown’s vibrant retail core, Locavores, the Riverfront and more, and feel proud of where we live. http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/01/oregons_beacons_of_achievement.html

Lake Oswego Condos

Jolynne Ash — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:59:47 +0000

As a Buyers Agent I often get calls about Lake Oswego because they have the highest rated school district in the state. Families with children are often willing to make sacrifices to get their children into these schools. Since homes in Lake Oswego are expensive compared to the rest of the Portland Metro area (Average sales price $486,300), condos and townhouses may be the only option for a less expensive home in Lake Oswego.

The majority of condos are located in Mt. Park. They are large multi-story buildings built in the late 70’s and a few have amazing views. Some have pools and rec centers but not all. These amenities add to the monthly HOA (Homeowner Assoc) dues and may not be worth paying for since Mt. Park as a community, has two pools and a rec center which services the entire area. Dues for the Mt. Park HOA’s are mandatory and cost about $35-$40 per month. Monthly HOA dues vary from around $230 to $380 per month making HOA’s an important factor in choosing a condo. Property taxes range from around $1800 to $2400 per year.

Other condos are available around the city and on the lake. There are some impressive new townhomes in downtown Lake Oswego right on the esplanade. These are being offered for sale or a lease/option and are priced just under $400K. This location would allow an owner to do just about everything without the use of a car.

Condos are available in all sizes from the simple one bedroom (650 SF) to a large three bedroom two bath (1400 SF). Currently there are a number of condos for sale under $125k. Some of these are short sales so the price may not be obtainable. The majority are priced between $150-$250k. With condo financing becoming increasingly difficult, I expect the condo market to be very soft for the next few years.

Showing properties 1 - 20 of 121. See more city of Lake Oswego real estate.
(all data current as of 3/11/2010)

$100,000 : 64 Cervantes Cir, Lake Oswego

2 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

Size: 912 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$104,800 : 33 Crestfield Ct, Lake Oswego

1 beds, 1 full bath

Size: 689 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$105,000 : 57 Galen St, Lake Oswego

1 beds, 1 full bath

Size: 689 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$105,000 : 47 Eagle Crest Dr #59, Lake Oswego

3 beds, 1 full bath

Size: 1,024 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$109,900 : 45 Oswego Smt, Lake Oswego

1 beds, 1 full bath

Size: 764 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$115,000 : 47 Eagle Crest Dr #53, Lake Oswego

3 beds, 1 full bath

Size: 1,024 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$119,000 : 91 Galen St, Lake Oswego

1 beds, 1 full bath

Size: 680 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$119,000 : 86 Kingsgate Rd #D204, Lake Oswego

2 beds, 2 full baths

Size: 924 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$119,900 : 210 Ridgeway Rd, Lake Oswego

1 beds, 1 full bath

Size: 778 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$119,900 : 44 Eagle Crest Dr #9, Lake Oswego

2 beds, 1 full bath

Size: 908 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$124,950 : 45 Eagle Crest Dr #206, Lake Oswego

1 beds, 1 full bath

Size: 600 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$125,000 : 4000 Carman Dr #88, Lake Oswego

2 beds, 2 full baths

Size: 935 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$126,500 : 3433 Mcnary Pkwy #402, Lake Oswego

2 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Size: 1,208 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$129,000 : 4 Touchstone #138, Lake Oswego

2 beds, 2 full baths

Size: 984 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$129,000 : 4000 Carman Dr #57, Lake Oswego

2 beds, 2 full baths

Size: 836 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$129,900 : 86 Kingsgate Rd #I-103, Lake Oswego

2 beds, 2 full baths

Size: 849 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$129,900 : 8 Oswego Smt, Lake Oswego

2 beds, 2 full baths

Size: 1,140 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$130,000 : 86 Kingsgate Rd #F106, Lake Oswego

2 beds, 2 full baths

Size: 849 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$133,900 : 3930 Lake Grove Ave, Lake Oswego

2 beds, 1 full bath

Size: 952 sq ft

Lot size: n/a
$134,900 : 334 Cervantes Cir, Lake Oswego

2 beds, 1 full bath

Size: 832 sq ft

Lot size: n/a

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Portland Monthly Magazine Annual Report on Schools

Jolynne Ash — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:55:00 +0000

The magazine usually puts out their report in April but ran it early in the February 2010 issue instead. The format changed a bit and they added a category for minority status. The web site also has SAT scores and AP and IP classes even though those were not included in the printed version of the report. www.PortlandMonthlyMag.com/schools

Keep Portland Weird!

Linda — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:11:53 +0000

I had to grab some of J. Cortright’s commentary for The Oregonian this past Sunday.

With more than 18,000 bumper stickers sold, claiming we should keep Portland weird, there has to be something in it. It’s definitely funny and controversial, and according to the weirdness index, Portland is up there, compared with other U.S. metropolitan areas.

We developed a weirdness index for the national organization CEOs for Cities that measures the differences in behavior based on 60 different indicators of what people do, watch, read and consume.

We used this data to rank the 50 largest metro areas, based on how closely their patterns tracked the overall national average. Portland ranks 11th of the 50.

The most normal places in the country are in the Midwest. Consumption patterns, attitudes and behaviors in St. Louis, Kansas City, Cincinnati and Columbus almost exactly match national norms.

Trying to summarize weirdness in a single index is, of course, a contradiction in terms. Every weird city is weird in its own unique way. San Francisco and Salt Lake City rank among the weirdest — most different from the U.S. average in attitudes, activities and behaviors –but are nothing alike. So it makes sense to drill down to find out what makes each place distinctive.

In what ways is Portland weird? As you might expect, recreation, environmentalism, and great food and drink figure prominently. Compared with the U.S. average, Portlanders are twice as likely to go camping, 60 percent more likely to go hiking or backpacking and 40 percent more likely to golf or hunt. Portland has the highest per-capita ownership of hybrid vehicles of any city, and more people belong to environmental groups. We also rank above average in consumption of alcohol, coffee and tea.

Another way to track local weirdness is to look at what terms people are searching for on the Internet. According to Google over the past year, Portland ranks first among U.S. metro areas for the search terms “sustainability,” “vegan,” “farmers market,” “cyclocross,” “microbrew” and “dragonboat,” and second — after Seattle — for “espresso.”

To read more about practical examples of how distinctive local behaviors translate into economic activity right in our own backyard, go to http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/02/keep_portland_weird_makes_sens.html

Short Sales for Sellers

Jolynne Ash — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:28:22 +0000

This is a very complex subject but I would like to mention the major points in hopes of saving you or someone you know huge financial pain.

First, a Bank will only approve a short sale on a primary residence if the Owner is insolvent and cannot make the monthly payment. There must also be a Hardship. If you have other assets, the Bank will require you to use them.

Second, in many cases you may still owe the Bank the difference between the net sales price and the total loan balance including all late fees and penalties. This is called a ‘Deficiency Judgment‘ and Banks are turning these over to collection agencies for recovery. If you have a second mortgage it is almost guaranteed that they will come after you for repayment. You should always consult an attorney to discuss your options. It may be better for you to go into foreclosure or even bankruptcy. In the case of foreclosure in Oregon, there is no Deficiency Judgment.

Third, In many cases the amount of debt forgiven is taxable (1st and 2nd mortgage). You should always consult a CPA prior to entering into a contract. Now that it is tax season I’m hearing all kinds of stories about sellers receiving 1099s in the mail for well over a hundred thousand dollars. It this money doesn’t qualify for special tax treatment, the IRS considers it regular income and will collect taxes on it.

A short sale will negatively impact your credit score in a big way. It will be years before you will be able to get another home loan. Just how long is unknown since this is a relatively new procedure. If at all possible you should stay current with all of your other payments. If the mortgage is the only ‘ding’ on your credit report and everything else is reporting as ‘paid on time’ your credit score will recover much faster.

Portland Beer and Movie Fest 2010

Jolynne Ash — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:06:32 +0000

What is a Beer and Movie Festival you might ask? Portlander’s love beer and in the raining months we also like movies, so why not put them together. For two weeks starting February 15th, several of the local brewing companies showcase their craft beers and local movie theaters (not the Regal Cinemas of the world) present some not so typical movie selections. Times and details can be found at www.bamfestpdx.com This is one more reason to love Portland.

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

Linda — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:50:41 +0000

It’s the Year of the Tiger, and what better way to celebrate it than to go to the beautiful Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland on February 14 – 28.

An annual festival for families and children this celebration includes lion dances, puppet shows, martial arts and demonstrations sharing the rich culture and history of Chinese New Year. This two week celebration culminates with traditional lantern viewing on February 28th. Throughout the festival, all visitors receive a red envelope, symbolizing good luck for the coming year.

Learn more about Chinese New Year and see a full schedule of activities.

Interior Designer on board!

Linda — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:08:02 +0000

To make sure that your Portland Real Estate is looking as best it can be, we are partnering with Linda Gemal of Rejuvenate Your Home. They are not your typical interior design firm. Think of them as your Home Rejuvenation Coach who believes in the power of what you already own. No need to spend a bundle on brand new furniture when all you need may just be to rearrange the furniture, add some fabulous paint color, and a few accent pieces.

Not to say that you can’t go all new; if that is what you want and need, they will find that right piece for you. In their back pocket they also have experience in whole kitchen and bath remodels, so if that is what you need help with, help is what you’ll get.

Maybe you are selling your home? You have probably heard how important it is to “de-personalize” your house before putting it on the market. It can be much harder than it sounds to do this on your own. For a small amount Linda can help you bring in the bigger amounts in the form of a better sales price.

You want to freshen up your home but don’t know where to start? This is where Rejuvenate Your Home comes in. They focus on what you already have, what works and does not work, and then add from their arsenal of innovative ideas. Add some color, move the couch, organize the storage, and maybe add a few new accessories, and suddenly you have the home you always wanted, the rooms you actually use, and the stress free mood you need.

This is your chance to create a home that fits you.
To create a mood.
And to stay within budget.

So go ahead and contact Linda so she can help you
“Rejuvenate Your Home” !!!

“Bet You Didn’t Know Portland Has A Roller Derby Team”

Linda — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:34:29 +0000

I just found out that Portland has a ferocious female Roller Derby league – how fun does that sound? They are made up by a group of eight teams called the Rose City Rollers, practicing three times a week at the Oaks Amusement Park skating rink. This all-star team is ranked 10th in the country!

A team is made up of five skaters, one of whom is called a jammer. This brave soul’s task is to earn points by ripping around the track and lapping members of the opposing team—called blockers—who try their best to ensure the jammer doesn’t go anywhere, besides maybe the floor. (There’s a reason they wear helmets.) Some of these gals are former collegiate hockey and rugby players, sporting nick names like “Rocket Mean” and “Judge Mental”.

Roller Derby wasn’t always quite so ferocious. When Leo A. Setzler headed up the country’s first Roller Derby league in 1935, the sport mirrored the era’s popular dance-a-thons by featuring couples racing around a rink for hours on end. Eventually, to spice things up, female skaters were encouraged to begin jostling, pushing, and shoving one another. These rolling catfights (along with skimpy costumes) helped popularize the sport through the 1970s. For much of the 1980s and ’90s, the sport all but disappeared, until a derby revival began with the formation of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) in 2004.

Besides being excellent exercise, lots of fun and the risk of getting your body filled with blue and black marks, there’s also the sport’s other big draw: camaraderie. “We’re all about empowering women,” says one skater. “Sure, there are rivalries in bouts, but at the end of the day we’re trying to achieve common goals and perpetuate the Rose City Rollers.”

Lace up your skates and hit the rink with the Rose City Rollers. Ladies looking to hone their skating prowess can sign up for the club’s upcoming skills clinics (Oct 4 and 11 from 3 to 5 p.m.). If you’re ready for the big time, strap on your pads for an official tryout on Oct 14, 6:45 p.m. All events held at Oaks Skating Rink; www.rosecityrollers.com

Prefer to take on Roller Derby as a spectator sport? Buy a ticket to the Northwest Knockdown Nationals, held at the Portland Expo Center (Nov 14-16; www.northwestknockdown.com), and watch the country’s best derby girls battle it out for the U.S. title.

Portland Real Estate January 2010 ‘The State of the Market’

Jolynne Ash — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 23:00:05 +0000

Rather than quote statistics, I’m inclined to talk about what I actually see happening in the Portland Real Estate market. I have been doing this for 19 years now and have a pretty good feel for what’s happening. November and December of 2009 where the busiest I can remember in recent times. As an Exclusive Buyers Agent, I was working with several Buyers trying to claim the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit. Extending the Tax Credit was the best thing the Government could have done to keep the housing market moving. Winter is always a slow time of year for real estate and the market always begins to pick up mid January and is in full swing by March. Since the winter stayed strong I predict the spring will be far better than usual.

I predicted that we hit bottom sometime this last Summer and I am sticking with that prediction. Prices are not dropping. In fact in some locations prices are rising due to the state of the market. Here’s what is happening that is different from the last two years that support that claim.

1. Sellers have finally got it, and are pricing their homes at market value.

2. Available inventory that is NOT a short sale, is very limited. Most Buyers and their Agents are avoiding short sales for very good reasons which leave fewer homes to choose from.

3. When inventory is low and the demand is strong, prices increase.

At this time last year, we Agents were trying to get Sellers to realize the market had dropped and their homes were not worth as much as they thought. This point was reinforced when Buyers were making offers that were significantly lower than the asking price. Sellers had no choice but to sell or wait a few years until the market recovered. Foreclosures did have an impact on this, but I believe it was a very small factor in the Portland market. We have very few foreclosures compared the total numbers of homes on the market, and they don’t stay on the market long. Short Sales on the other hand do comprise a fair number of the available homes on the market. But since they are not selling with any kind of volume they are not impacting the current market value.

So here’s the problem. Buyers have not caught up with the market and still believe they can get a home for far less than the asking price. What they don’t understand is that the adjustment for the declining value has already be made and is reflected in the asking price. I had four separate Sellers reject offers that were in the 8-10% less than asking price range in December alone. When Sellers start saying ‘no’ the market has in fact turned.

The reality for Buyers is that they have missed the bottom of the market but they are still in a good position to ride the wave up. The bigger concern is that interest rates are finally starting to increase. The ‘Perfect Storm’ (low interest rates, low prices and a tax credit) has started to break up and buyers may only be able to get two of the three advantages of buying a home now rather than later.