Beaverton Oregon Parks: Hart Meadows Park in the Hart Neighborhood - 04/30/09 02:40 AM

Hart Meadows Park is a medium sized park right in the middle of the Hart Neighborhood of Beaverton, Oregon. The good thing about this park is it is rather large and open making it a great place to take you dog and let it run and play catch without having to worry about the ball going too far.
There is also some great playground equipment there that the kids loved to play on, and because it wasn’t too hot today, they played for almost an hour. I could see this park being a problem during the summer with no shade. … (1 comments)

My family is considering a move, but do I sell or do I hold? - 04/29/09 02:25 AM

I was 14 when I bought my first one, though it was many years earlier when I received my first record. Over the next 25 years, I proceed to buy some 15,000 more albums of some of the greatest artists of all time, but do I really want to move them again?
If you have ever taken a wooden crate full of records from room to another, you know these things are heavy! But, the thing is that crate only holds abut 120 records! Now trying to imagine moving 125 of those boxes every time you move!

You see, … (19 comments)

Relocating your family to Beaverton, Oregon, doesn’t have to involve taking your kids out of school early - 04/28/09 01:15 PM

Are you and your family considering a relocation to Beaverton, Oregon, and one of the things you are worried about is how this will affect their kids and their school year? Relocating to Beaverton, Oregon, can be a fairly easy process, and so can Beaverton school registration at your children’s new schools. They key to relocating, and making the move as easy for your kids as possible, is to plan the move and know all the time lines before you relocate.

Many areas around the country have their last day of school in late May. If you are moving from … (5 comments)

Who the heck are you kissing? - 04/28/09 02:27 AM

I have been watching the news the last couple nights, and I have to say, I’m worried about our kids today. What are we teaching these kids? I remember when my spring break would involve going to downtown Portland for the day and buying records with my friends or driving to the Oregon coast for the day.
But, today, I have to wonder how far these spring break kids are going with the getting drunk thing. The news is reporting that people are coming down with the swine flu at an amazing rate.
Answer me this, since I’ve never … (26 comments)

Beaverton residents lost their closest Zupans on Hwy 10 (Beaverton-Hillsdale) - 04/27/09 06:24 PM

Just outside of Beaverton was a great little local family owned grocery store called Zupans. From time to time, when I needed something unusual, I could count on that extra 10 minute drive from my home to Zupans netting me the results I was looking for and they would have the item.

But, the economy has affected everyone including the Raleigh Hills branch of Zupans. There are many reasons the store could have been losing business, but my wife feels that it could be the introduction of New Seasons Market just up the street. I personally haven’t been to the … (7 comments)

Todd, what do you mean you aren’t selling real estate! - 04/27/09 07:17 AM

Why is that most people leave real estate as a career? It is because they can’t stand not knowing if they are going to be able to pay their mortgage next month? Heck I’m not selling real estate myself right now! But, that doesn’t mean I’m not making money from real estate. My friend Jason Sardi read a interview with me by Katerina Gassett, she wanted to know the low down on me, my family and my blogging, but Jason wanted to know the lowdown how I was surviving the rough market. I got a lot of phone calls about … (120 comments)

Lessons learned from a short sale listing agent - 04/26/09 12:47 PM

Today’s lesson from a short sale listing agent is: don’t take the listing until you have all the paperwork in hand.

One of the lessons you learn as a new agent is not to be too eager to take any and all listings and buyers. I understand you are hungry to put a commission check in your pocket, but this is exactly why you need to be picky about what listings and buyers you accept.
Today we are talking about short sale listings. One of the biggest mistakes I see from agents when they take a short sale listing … (54 comments)

The Oregonian may have finally caught on, but personally, too little too late! - 04/26/09 01:39 AM

The Saturday, April 25, 2009, edition of the Oregonian may have finally figured it out. The front page actually talked positive about real estate and how the time may be right to buy a home in Oregon.

WHAT? The newspaper is saying that people should buy? Are they crazy? This isn’t negative news! This doesn’t sell papers! At least that is what they have been telling us for the past 4 years… that real estate is horrible. It was horrible if you were a buyer, it was then horrible if you were a seller, but they never said … (18 comments)

I don't feel like typing Saturdays: Your a Wiener! - 04/25/09 11:43 AM


The Oscar Meyer wiener mobile is a great memory. You see it and you get to stop on and pick up a wienie whistle. Kids, don't have one, oh get one, it is well worth it. It is a tiny whistle in the shape of the wienie mobile. This picture was taken outside the Fred Meyers on Pacific Highway on 4/23/2009 at about 4:30pm


Todd Clark - Broker / Sales Coach
Palazzo Realty Group
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739




©2009 Todd Clark - I don't feel like typing Saturdays: Your a Wiener!

… (20 comments)

Even I was having problems breathing by the end of the Blazer game tonight - 04/25/09 01:09 AM

Tonight we had a rare night off from baseball, so I decided to pack up the family and head to my parents’ house and watch the Portland Trailblazers game on the big screen. The first half was not looking good, but by the end of the game I was out of breath.
The Blazers got within 3 of Houston Rockets with 4 seconds to go and Blake shot a three that was partially tipped and missed. I have to say I can’t wait until Sunday night when game 4 comes up and the Blazers have a chance to tie the … (10 comments)

Tigard Oregon Real Estate Sales by Neighborhood (04/24/2009) - 04/24/09 04:34 AM

This chart below breaks down Tigard Oregon Real Estate sales by neighborhood, for the week ending 04/24/2008. Sales have been off since last year with the pending sales in Tigard, Oregon were down 26.0% from 2008 for the month of March when the last stats came out. The news isn’t a good for Tigard with the average sales price being down only 6.9% from the same time last year, but by up more than a percent since February. Though many foreclosed homes have hit the market, the hit to average price of homes seems to be less than expected.
… (3 comments)

Beaverton Oregon Real Estate Sales by Neighborhood (04-24-2009) - 04/24/09 03:44 AM

This chart below breaks down Beaverton Oregon Real Estate sales by neighborhood, for the week ending 04/24/2008. Sales have been off since last year with the pending sales in Beaverton, Oregon were down 23.3% from 2008 for the month of March when the last stats came out. The good news is that the average sales price was down only 5.0% from the same time last year, but this was a 1% drop since February. We are starting to see a few more foreclosures hit the market, but things still seem to be picking up just a little.
Here is a … (1 comments)

Are you a buyer starting the process of looking for a new agent? - 04/23/09 02:27 AM

It amazes me when I get this call that starts out, “I’m looking for a new agent to help us find first home, would you mind if we came to your office and met with you and interviewed you for the job?” Well, first of all, you bet! I would love the chance to interview you as well as you interview me.

The process of finding a new agent can be a tough one, but the question I usually ask first is, “WHY?” There are many reasons for looking for a new agent, but the one I find … (17 comments)

Tualatin City Parks: Jurgens Park - 04/22/09 12:45 PM
This park is right on the edge of Tigard, in Tualatin, Oregon, we saw it on the map when I was going to put signs up at one of my listings. Having never even seen this park since it isn’t on a main road, it isn’t something you are going to stumble upon, I had no idea what to expect when we got there.
When we pulled in to the parking lot, boy, we knew immediately that this park was different and it certainly didn’t disappoint! The City of Tualatin really made a great park that the kids did not want … (10 comments)

What is wrong with people today? - 04/21/09 02:06 PM

In the last year, I have had 12 clients who were veterans and I appreciate every one of them. They are the ones, along with the veterans before them, who gave their lives to protect the freedom that I have to do what I do, and say what I say, in this country.
But, while thanking a veteran the other day, after meeting him on his way home from the reserve base, I told him, “Thank you”. He had to ask, “For what?” I told him, “For your service. I know it is a thankless job sometimes, but I also … (87 comments)

Do you need to have money down to buy your first home in Beaverton Oregon? - 04/20/09 11:03 PM

This is one question I get asked a lot from people wanting to relocate to Beaverton, Oregon. “Do I need money down to buy my first home in Beaverton Oregon?” The basic and simple answer is yes. However, then there is always that… BUT!

The “BUT” of the question, is that you do, “BUT” you can drive about an extra 10 minutes and get outside the urban growth boundary and still buy with 100% financing. If you work in downtown Portland, your drive will only be about 30 minutes between the hours of 6am-8am. Heck it can take that … (8 comments)

I’m so excited I could explode confetti! - 04/20/09 12:59 PM

I’m not sure what that would look like… someone exploding confetti, but I was pretty sure I was about to find out. You see, this last Thursday was the first day for baseball for my four year old daughter (soon to be five). The morning of the first practice she asked the question, “How long until practice, because I’m so excited I could explode confetti!” WOW, that is excited! Out of the mouth of babes come some of the most unusual statements you will ever hear in your life. But I’m happy to say she made it to practice that … (23 comments)

Beaverton Oregon Parks: Buckskin Park (In the Greenway Neighborhood) - 04/20/09 02:09 AM
I would say spring has officially arrived today in the Beaverton, Oregon, Parks. Today my family and I spent some time at Buckskin Park in the Greenway Neighborhood of Beaverton, Oregon.

Now, this park was fun for the kids and I have to say they didn’t actually want to leave. It had a picnic table where we could have lunch and leave our water bottles. We didn’t see any other families while we were there and the kids didn’t get to hot because the trees kept the park pretty shaded. (Even my wife who burns easily didn’t burn as we … (6 comments)

Where is my money and my landlord: a relocation nightmare - 04/19/09 02:51 AM

So, you have found yourself having to move to a completely new city and you put Beaverton Oregon, on that short list of cities that you want to relocate to. Moving to Beaverton Oregon can be a very pleasant experience, but it can also be heartbreaking if you don’t take precautions.
Many people wanting to relocate to Beaverton, Oregon, decide that it is best to rent before they buy, just so they can find out more about the area and the neighborhoods. I have to agree. This is a good idea, but how do you know who to trust when … (19 comments)

I don't feel like typing Saturdays: Lost in thought - 04/18/09 11:27 AM


This is my son who was lost in thought up at Silver Falls state park outside Silverton Oregon. We saw him just sitting there enjoying the view of the stream as it went by and thought it made a great picture and my wife and I just wondered what was going through his head as he sat there for 25 minutes or so, just watching the water go by.


Todd Clark - Broker / Sales Coach
Palazzo Realty Group
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739




©2009 Todd Clark - I don't feel like typing Saturdays

… (37 comments)

Tigard Oregon Real Estate Sales by Neighborhood (04/17/2009) - 04/17/09 04:54 AM

This chart below breaks down Tigard Oregon Real Estate sales by neighborhood, for the week ending 04/17/2008. Sales have been off since last year with the pending sales in Tigard, Oregon were down 25.4% from 2008 for the month of February when the last stats came out. The news isn’t a good for Tigard with the average sales price being down only 7.5% from the same time last year, but by up more than a percent since January. This wasn't good news for sellers, but is better than expected by many with so many foreclosures and short sales hitting the … (6 comments)

Beaverton Oregon Real Estate Sales by Neighborhood (04-17-2009) - 04/17/09 04:12 AM

This chart below breaks down Beaverton Oregon Real Estate sales by neighborhood, for the week ending 04/17/2008. Sales have been off since last year with the pending sales in Beaverton, Oregon were down 25.4% from 2008 for the month of February when the last stats came out. The good news is that the average sales price was down only 5.2% from the same time last year, but this was a 1% drop since January. This was much better than expected as many with a lot of foreclosures and short sales hitting the market the last couple months of 2008 it would … (1 comments)

Junior Girl Scouts – By Meesha Clark (Guest Post) - 04/16/09 12:39 AM

Being in girl scouts is fun.  We earn badges by going on trips, like Camp Arrowhead, Camp Mountaindale, and lots of other places.
At Camp Arrowhead we learn camp songs like, “Camp Arrowhead” and “Susanna Was A Mighty Fine Ham”, and other songs.  We also earn badges by selling super yummy girl scout cookies at the beginning of each year.  We form a troop goal every year.  When we achieve that goal, we get a badge.  There are also bar patches for individual sales, starting at 100+ boxes.  
We also help the community.  Last year we made a bunch … (8 comments)

The closing gift that I couldn’t top - 04/15/09 01:03 PM
One year ago today, one of my clients got a closing gift that I couldn’t top, and I know I never will. You see, a little over a year ago, I met a young couple that wanted to find a home were they could start a family. She was about to finish school and he was a chef. I helped them find a great home where they could raise a family. It had a large yard, 4 bedrooms, and 2.5 baths, it was perfect. They wouldn’t have to sell until they were ready to retire and downsize.
The house closed without … (26 comments)

Don’t call me dude….But I hope you are wrong anyway: Real Estate agents that invest - 04/13/09 11:30 PM

About two years ago, I wrote a post called, “If Real Estate is SOOOO good how come only 3% of us invest in it?” Well, on Friday I was talking with another agent that was investing in real estate about those numbers and he said, “Dude, that number is now more like 2% according to NAR. All these agents are selling their investment properties to survive.”

I laughed and said, “First of all, don’t call me dude. It makes you sound like an idiot. Second, I hope you are wrong.” At this point I even went to NAR website … (25 comments)

Tuesday it became official, I became a full time Realtor! - 04/13/09 01:24 PM

What? Todd, you have so many points, you have so many stories of clients, you have been part of the community of Activerain for two years plus, and in real estate for years. You always answer your phone, you always answer your e-mail and you always seem to be available. How can it be today you are now just becoming a full time Realtor?

Well, my friends, it is this time every year that I become a full time Realtor. MY FAMILY COMES FIRST! Always has and always will! But, during the months of April, May, June and early July, … (28 comments)

How one client went from no down payment to 5% down payment in a little less than 2 weeks and you can too! - 04/13/09 02:38 AM
About two weeks ago, I got a call from a potential client that wanted to buy their first home in Beaverton, Oregon. They were willing to meet at my office, or in their home, with me and one of my mortgage brokers (Of their choice), which is one of my requirements prior to going and looking at homes. (You need to be able to qualify so we know what you can afford so you are not disappointed that you can’t afford a certain property.)

After the hour or so meeting everything was looking good, their credit was good, job history … (30 comments)

Are there advantages to buying versus renting in Beaverton, Oregon, right now? - 04/12/09 12:02 PM

I am always being asked by renters, “What are the advantages of owning versus renting in Beaverton Oregon?” One of the first questions I ask them is how long they have been renting and how much their rent is. If their rent is $1,000 and they have been renting for 12-15 years, I tell them, “OK, You could have had your home paid off, if you had bought it 15 years ago, and had a nest egg of $130,000 in the form of equity. Do you have $130,000 in savings?” When they tell me, "No" I tell them, “You could … (13 comments)

Beaverton Oregon Parks: Forest Glen Park in the Greenway Neighborhood - 04/12/09 04:14 AM
Normally I will say something at least a little good about all the Beaverton, Oregon, parks I visit in Beaverton, Oregon, but I can’t do this on this park. Forest Glen Park is a little “park” that I think was a flag lot that was given back to the city after it was foreclosed on for non-payment of taxes, and they just decided to put a sign up instead of trying to do something else with it.
There is no playground equipment, no bathrooms, no picnic beaches or even a place to sit. This is what I call a lawn that … (10 comments)

I don't feel like typing Saturdays: Big Leaf - 04/11/09 06:56 AM

 
This is one big leaf and my daughter found it at one of the little parks we went that day and I forgot which day it was and where it is.


Todd Clark - Broker / Sales Coach
Palazzo Realty Group
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739




©2009 Todd Clark - I don't feel like typing Saturdays
 
… (20 comments)

Tigard Oregon Real Estate Sales by Neighborhood (04/10/2009) - 04/10/09 04:17 AM

This chart below breaks down Tigard Oregon Real Estate sales by neighborhood, for the week ending 04/10/2008. Sales have been off since last year with the pending sales in Tigard, Oregon were down 25.4% from 2008 for the month of February when the last stats came out. The news isn’t a good for Tigard with the average sales price being down only 7.5% from the same time last year, but by up more than a percent since January. This wasn't good news for sellers, but is better than expected by many with so many foreclosures and short sales hitting the … (3 comments)

Beaverton Oregon Real Estate Sales by Neighborhood (04/10/2009) - 04/10/09 03:41 AM
This chart below breaks down Beaverton Oregon Real Estate sales by neighborhood, for the week ending 04/10/2008. Sales have been off since last year with the pending sales in Beaverton, Oregon were down 25.4% from 2008 for the month of February when the last stats came out. The good news is that the average sales price was down only 5.2% from the same time last year, but this was a 1% drop since January. This was much better than expected as many with a lot of foreclosures and short sales hitting the market the last couple months of 2008 it would … (0 comments)

Beaverton Oregon First Time Buyer Specialist Todd Clark says “DON’T WAIT” - 04/09/09 12:22 PM

Buying your first home in Beaverton, Oregon, is a tough decision. I get asked, all the time, by first time home buyers, “Should we buy now or wait?” I say, “DON’T WAIT!” The reason I say this to these people is because right now you have interest rates that are at an all time low. You have many homes that are priced 25% less than they were just a year ago, and last but not least, the government wants to pay you $8,000 to buy your first home.

Let’s breakdown these three reasons:

1. Right now we have … (14 comments)

It is finally warm and sunny in Oregon, but how come for me it is raining and I’m miserable - 04/09/09 02:00 AM

Yes, spring is here in Oregon. I’ve been waiting for it for awhile now, baseball season starts tomorrow night with our first practice. For the past two days it has hit 70 degrees for the first time since October. Although it is warm and sunny, for me the last two days have been miserable and it seems to be raining where ever I go.

Yes, spring is here and I’ve been waiting for it as I do every year. But, I always seem to forget the one thing I don’t like about spring. I have allergies. I went out … (15 comments)

Beaverton Oregon Parks: Wildhorse Park in the Greenway Neighborhood - 04/08/09 02:18 PM
Wildhorse Park is what the City of Beaverton calls a mini park. A mini park is a park that is nothing more than a small greenspace where they have put park benches, playground equipment, or something to improve the community.

Wildhorse Park is located off Davies Road in the Greenway neighborhood of Beaverton. Even though it’s a mini park, the playground equipment is big enough that a family can spend 30 – 45 minutes playing without getting board.

The only drawback that my family found with this park is that there are no trees to shade you from the … (8 comments)

No, I don’t present my offers directly to the seller! - 04/07/09 06:30 PM

OK, this started out as a response to a post called, “Who Do You Present Your Buyer’s Offer to?” by Mike Saunders, that was apparently inspired by one of my posts. But, while commenting to Mike’s post, I realized my comment was now well over 500 words and needed its own post. So, I called Mike and gave him permission to put a link on my post to his, and if he was up for it, to put his open to the public and I would put my post up in response for the world to see.

Mike, I … (59 comments)

Ethically I thought cloning was wrong, but I’m ready to change my mind! - 04/07/09 10:37 AM

I have many years left in real estate, and if I stay in real estate for 30 + years like many of you have, then I’m ready to clone one my new buyers that I called me last Thursday. I will admit that this is completely for selfish reasons, but come on, I’m allowed to be selfish every once in awhile, right?
Why this sudden change in attitude about cloning?

Have you ever have one of those dream customers? Well, this guy was that dream customer and I want more of them. It feels good. It has been … (81 comments)

The economy shouldn’t hurt kids, but it does - 04/06/09 07:09 AM
I love kids and would do anything for them and today was no exception. Over the past two years many of you have read about me coaching not one, but two teams. One softball and one baseball, to make sure these kids got to play.
This year, I have one more that is ready to play, but the league doesn’t have enough coaches, and unless they can get two more coaches, they have announced they are going to have to cancel T-Ball for the 5 year olds.

Now, this isn’t even the end of the story. It costs approximately $50 … (14 comments)

Well, that wasn’t the results I was expecting! - 04/05/09 07:31 PM

On Friday evening I wrote a post, “Why and how I think the $8,000 tax credit could be better spent”. This post came about because of a footer that I was putting on a post that I put up tonight called, “Beaverton First Time Home Buyers can realize a $8,000 tax credit if they buy before December 1, 2009”

Now, when I wrote that, I certainly didn’t expect to get it featured. It was just my opinion that I wanted to put as a footer… that turned into a post of all its own by the time I … (88 comments)

Beaverton First Time Home Buyers can realize a $8,000 tax credit if they buy before December 1, 2009 - 04/05/09 01:05 AM

One of the things I tell first time home buyers looking to buy a home in the Beaverton, Oregon, area in 2009, is that if you are still sitting on the fence about buying, then get off that fence because now is the time to buy! One of the biggest reasons is the government is just going to give you money… a sort of reward for having good enough credit and income to be able to purchase that first home.
I still get a lot of, “Todd, I’m thinking of buying my first home and I need some advice, … (17 comments)

I don't feel like typing Saturdays: The Hat - 04/04/09 01:16 PM

This is my littlest daughter and when she found her older sisters had a couple years ago she decided it was her hat no matter how big it was on her. She wore that hat 24/7, she even wore it to be. Now when she was fishing it looked good, it was a fish killer, but I can't count the times that she ran into things because she was wearing that hat.


Todd Clark - Broker / Sales Coach
Palazzo Realty Group
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739




©2009 Todd Clark - I don't feel like … (24 comments)

Why and how I think the $8,000 tax credit could be better spent - 04/04/09 06:25 AM

I applaud the government for trying to at least do something to stimulate the economy by getting the housing market going. I think the government is trying to get things moving by doing the only thing they know how to do when they see a problem. THROW MONEY AT IT!
Here is the why I think this $8,000 tax credit is a bad idea. Today there are more home owners than there ever has been at any other point in our history. So, throwing money at people to buy who were, more than likely, going to buy anyway, is just … (57 comments)

Tigard Oregon Real Estate Sales by Neighborhood (04/03/2009) - 04/03/09 04:33 AM

This chart below breaks down Tigard Oregon Real Estate sales by neighborhood, for the week ending 04/03/2008. Sales have been off since last year with the pending sales in Tigard, Oregon were down 25.4% from 2008 for the month of February when the last stats came out. The news isn’t a good for Tigard with the average sales price being down only 7.5% from the same time last year, but by up more than a percent since January. This wasn't good news for sellers, but is better than expected by many with so many foreclosures and short sales hitting the … (7 comments)

Beaverton Oregon Real Estate Sales by Neighborhood (04/03/2009) - 04/03/09 03:42 AM

This chart below breaks down Beaverton Oregon Real Estate sales by neighborhood, for the week ending 04/03/2008. Sales have been off since last year with the pending sales in Beaverton, Oregon were down 25.4% from 2008 for the month of February when the last stats came out. The good news is that the average sales price was down only 5.2% from the same time last year, but this was a 1% drop since January. This was much better than expected as many with a lot of foreclosures and short sales hitting the market the last couple months of 2008 it would … (0 comments)

Is your target audience and your target market finding each other? - 04/01/09 11:15 PM
Your target audience and your target market can be two very different things, but if they are, then you, my friend, are doing a very big disservice to your marketing time and budget. You see, if you come talk to me I will tell you my target market is first time home buying families in the Beaverton, Oregon, area. Then if you ask me what my target audience is when it comes to my blogs, well guess what, it is the same audience.
It may seem weird, but what if my target market was the Summerfield neighborhood of Tigard, Oregon, and … (39 comments)

 
Helping Families Home is a blog set up to help families find that perfect home for them. I have a family and I understand how hard it can be to find a home that everyone is happy with. Let me help you find that home and help your family home.


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