I’ve written about Lake Oswego’s strict tree code, and Portland has a tree code as well.  Probably most areas around the U.S. have some form of a tree code. Portlanders (Oregonians for that matter) love their trees. Portland is known for its large expanse of trees growing along streets and streams, in parks and

The City of Lake Oswego has a new website – We ♥ LO! That website has great neighborhood information and plans for the City’s future.  Below is information from that website: In Lake Oswego, 77% of residential properties are located within 1/4 mile of a park Parents driving children to school comprises of 20-

There was an interesting report recently about the condition of downtown Portland in regards to employment, construction, leasing, business growth, etc. According to the report, Portland is still suffering from job losses that occurred in 2008 when 3,000 jobs were lost.  Although there was an increase of 393 jobs in 2009,

Guest Author: Bob Chiodo, CFP Ofc 503.670.7393 Fax 503.670.7062 www.ResCommLending.com Apply Here Estimated Rates for the week of July 26, 2010*: 30 yr fixed: 4.375 – 4.50 FHA/VA: 4.375 – 4.750 15 yr fixed: 3.750 – 4.000 OR VA: 4.50 w/1.5 pts; 4.625 w/1.0 pt. Jumbo (30 yr fixed): 5.25 – 5.50 5/1 ARM: conforming [...

Have you ever wondered which side of Oswego Lake was more expensive?  Or how much per sq. ft. the cost of owning a home would be on either side of the lake? Although the stats below don’t necessarily tell you the whole story, it does represent what the market did on the north side of [...]

The following is a repost from our RMLS™ and provides some interesting data: How Well are Short Sales and Bank Owned Properties Selling? Terms like “short sales” and “bank-owned” are on many people’s tongues and minds in the real estate industry. The recent addition of the Short Sale and Bank Owned fields on RM

When I started posting these stats, I didn’t mean it to become a monthly exercise, but it is becoming one.  Letting you know which real estate markets are balanced, sellers, or buyers markets is something you need to know if you are buying or selling a house. If you’re a buyer it can help give [...]

HUD just issued an interesting housing report from 1930-2010. There were several things that caught my interest. (Click on link above for the full report). Lead paint studies started in 1972 and it is still a major point of discussion today. Sellers are required to disclose if homes built after 1978 have lead paint in [...]

Strategic defaults are becoming a national epidemic as an increasing number of borrowers who face owing more on their mortgage than what their home is worth, are considering the option of walking away from their homes. It is becoming an unresolved bubble of sorts on its own. Housing Wire says that one-third of all defaults

There is a house in my neighborhood, currently a foreclosure, and owned by Freddie Mac.  This foreclosure could have been avoided had the previous owner paid more attention to my market analysis of his home four years ago. I had this house listed with a different owner at another time.  I’m not only familiar with [.

Guest Author: Bob Chiodo, CFP Equity Home Mortgage, LLC Ofc 503.670.7393 Fax 503.670.7062 www.ResCommLending.com Apply Here Estimated Rates for the week of July 19, 2010*: 30 yr fixed=4.375 – 4.625 FHA/VA=4.375 – 4.750 15 yr fixed=3.750 – 4.000 OR VA=4.50 w/1.5 pts; 4.625 w/1.0 pt. Jumbo (30 yr fixed)=5.25 – 5.50 5/

Market Activity in Lake Oswego last week brought 29 new listings onto the market, 15 pending sales (including our featured property from last Wednesday, which received an accepted offer in just 7 days), and 11 closed sales. Here’ your weekly update (see below the tables for additional notes): NEWLY

According to a recent article, foreclosures are selling at 30-34% discounts, making them attractive to buyers, while short sales are only selling at 15% discounts.  Further, in the first quarter of 2010, 25-30% of all sales made were foreclosures. Lately, every short sale I’ve been showing has at least 3-4 offers on

Some highlights from 2009 as presented at the 2010 National Home Builders Show are: Average home size is smaller.  The average home size was smaller last year for the 1st time in over twenty years. One level homes are the most popular. The two story and multi-levels homes have decreased in popularity. Energy efficient fea

100 Years Old And It’s A Party! Let the party begin and you’re invited.  Today Lake Oswego celebrates its 100th Birthday.  Here is the link to the festivities at Luscher Farm.  Also, there’s no parking, access is only via shuttle service.  See link for the details. Interest Rates I started selling real

It is going to be another gorgeous summer weekend:  a great time to see some beautiful houses.  This Sunday there are 37 homes scheduled to be held open, according to the RMLS: Address List Price BR BATHS Prop Type Open 4000 CARMAN DR $119,900 1 1 CONDO 12 to 2 1684 BOCA RATAN DR $248,900 3 2 ATTACH

RMLS™ Market Update The June 2010 report was issued late last night.  Both pending sales and new listings dropped by 25% from last year.  Inventory increased slightly to 7.3 months with listings increasing over 16% from last month -  May 2010.  The median sales price in the month of June was $240,000, decreasing by 4

Our June RMLS™ stats should be out today or in the next day or so for sure.  As soon as they are, I will post the information.  For those of you searching for them, I don’t have them as yet.  Therefore, I will post two other reports that have been issued instead. S&P/CASE-SHILLER The most [...]