Silverton Photographer Gets The Assignment Of A Lifetime - 06/29/07 06:40 PM
Gretchen Dow Mashkuri is photographer from Silverton, Oregon who doesn't have a business card or a website.  So how did this mother of four end up taking the first pictures of Sam Alexis Woods?  Tiger Woods and his wife, Elin, didn’t want some high-profile celebrity photographer to take the first professional pictures of their new baby.  Gretchen's brother's sister-in-law was the interior decorator for Tiger Woods and recommended her for the job.  They picked Gretchen because she is an unknown and a mother who lives on a farm.The birth of Sam Alexis Woods was announced on the golfer’s Web site June … (0 comments)

Have You Donated Blood Recently? - 06/29/07 12:38 PM
    A seasonal shortage of blood donations could leave hospitals in Oregon, Washington and Alaska with a dangerously low supply during the Fourth of July holiday.  Highway accidents tend to increase in summer, especially during the holiday.  Colleges and high schools, whose blood drives usually provide a fifth of the agency’s collection, are out of session.  Those who donate regularly tend to skip an appointment or two in the summer due to vacations.  This year the 4th of July falls on a Wednesday so the "long weekend" vacations are even longer and for all these reasons there is are blood shortages … (0 comments)

Photos in Real Estate - 06/28/07 05:27 PM
    Too many realtors have not yet realized the power of their photos.  Perhaps they don't know how many people start with the internet, or even solely use the internet in their home search but it just isn't enough to have a description up.  You could be taking those who are relocating completely out of the running four your place.  99% of home-seekers using the internet found photos to be the most informative part of the website.  Believe it or not, the quality of your photos matters a great deal.  
    You cannot "run out" and grab some pics really quick.  … (1 comments)

A Longer Murray Boulevard - 06/26/07 02:22 PM
    Construction has already started on lengthening Murray Boulevard by a mile.  Progress Ridge, a development south of Scholls Ferry Road and east of the new extention, has 1,100 people who will be given a much needed outlet.  This will also benefit those who live in Beaverton and Tigard, Murray will now stretch all the way to Walnut Street where it crosses Barrows Road and now Scholls Ferry and Barrows will be connected.  The project is expected to eventually have 4,000 to 6,000 cars a day.  
    The $3.25 million dollar street will come from the Oregon Department of Transportation, … (0 comments)

Why is it so hard to sell your own home? - 06/26/07 01:09 PM
Can't list in MLS.  The Multiple Listing Service is only available to licensed real estate brokers and agents.  You also have to be an agent to advertise on sites and search engines like Realtor.com.  So if you are trying to do a FSBO and you don't happen to be an agent, very few people are going to see your place.  Only those in your neighborhood who see your sign or read the local paper, if you advertised, which puts you at a huge disadvantage.  This pretty much takes out of the equation those who are relocating or do their search exclusively … (0 comments)

The Market Strains Relocation - 06/25/07 06:32 PM
    The real estate market has become a buyers market and for those who don't get to choose when they move, it makes for really bad timing.  It's not just bad timing for the employee but also for the employer who is asking for the move.  Not only is it causing delays in getting that employee where they need them but it is also costing them money.  No one is going to want to sell their house at a loss by choosing to do it in this market, so either the company is going to pay the employee the difference or … (0 comments)

What are they eating in Beaverton? - 06/25/07 02:52 PM
    Perhaps everyone already knew and it's just me but I had no idea that Beaverton was so diverse.  I read an article about all the types of ethnic food stores there are in the Beaverton area and they are thriving due demand created by a huge ethnic population.  Foods like pickled duck eggs, bok choy, dried kelp and seasoned pollock entrails are available to me with just a short drive and I didn't even know it.  Now I just need to find out what to do with them.  
    Beaverton is 28 percent minorities with Latinos being the largest group.  … (0 comments)

True cost of homeownership - 06/22/07 02:22 PM
Homeownership is more than just a mortgage payment.  In fact, it is more than just closing costs and down payments.  Those preparing to buy their first home might want to take some possible extras into consideration when planning out their budget.  
Annual insurance premium.  Hopefully you had renters insurance before, but a house can be very different and more than likely the size of your house will be more than your apartment.  Definitely shop around, it can save you a lot of money! 
Property taxes.  Property taxes are based on the value of your home, this is a major one in … (0 comments)

New Bull Mountain Parks! - 06/22/07 01:23 PM
    $670,000 has been authorized to buy the Clute property on Bull Mountain from the water capital improvement project.  The Water Board was using it to provide access to the reservoir but found themselves with a 1.36 acre excess. 
    Preparing the site will cost about $30,000 which will leave the land to be appraised at $700,000.  The proceeds from the sale are to be put in the water capital improvement project fund.    
    Also, two lots in the Ash Creek Estates subdivision will be purchased for $345,000, which will be used for a pocket or neighborhood park.  … (0 comments)

Tigard Bridge Dedication - 06/22/07 12:57 PM
    For a few weeks now bicyclists, walkers and joggers have been using the Ki-a-kuts bridge, which links Tigard’s Cook Park, Tualatin Community Park and Durham City Park, but it won't actually be dedicated till this weekend, Saturday at 11 a.m.  Following the ceremony, everyone is invited to enjoy a free ice cream social at noon at Tualatin Community Park’s newest playground.  Tualatin Mayor Lou Ogden, Tigard Mayor Craig Dirksen, Durham Mayor Gery Schirado, Washington County Commissioner Roy Rogers and project managers will be on hand along with William “Wink” Soderberg of the Grand Ronde Tribal Council. 
    The original inhabitants … (0 comments)

Lake Oswego Events - 06/20/07 05:16 PM
    44th Annual FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS - Lakewood Center for the Arts and George Rogers Park (both on State St).  Included will be a judged craft fair, music, food and beer/wine garden.  The theme this year is "Pixel: Artists Who Use the Computer", so there will be a 1,100 piece exhibit with entries from students in the Lake Oswego School District.  10am-9pm June 22-23 and 10am-6pm June 24.  Admission free.  www.lakewood-center.org/Festival2007.htm
    THURSDAY NIGHT MOVIES - Millennium Plaza Park.  Movies like "Happy Feet" and "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" will be shown at dusk on Thursday nights.  Concession will … (0 comments)

RMLS going Green - 06/20/07 01:40 PM
    In February Oregon became one of the few areas in the nation to offer green home feature options on its real estate forms.  The main change is the Green Certification Field letting buyers know that the listing has received ENERGY STAR, Earth Advantage or LEED for Homes certification.  This Green Certification Field is only available for homes listed as New, Proposed or Under Construction.  
    They have also added options to fields that were already there, things like ENERGY STAR appliances under Kitchen Features.  Other options include
Bamboo or cork flooringHigh-efficiency 90 AFUE furnacesSource of electrical power, including specific utility service … (0 comments)

Baby Boomers get Condos - 06/19/07 02:03 PM
    The Boomers kids are leaving home and retirement is being redefined.  Sitting at home and tending to your garden is just not enough.  People still want to live active, adventurous lives and don't have time for big, high maintenance houses anymore.  Lake Oswego is answering the call with townhomes and condominiums that just built or being built just off the heart of downtown.  These homes are being marketed to aging baby boomers who are still in good health but want to downsize into something big enough for the grandkids to visit but small enough to require minimal upkeep.  
    … (0 comments)

Baby Boomers get Condos - 06/19/07 02:01 PM
    The Boomers kids are leaving home and retirement is being redefined.  Sitting at home and tending to your garden is just not enough.  People still want to live active, adventurous lives and don't have time for big, high maintenance houses anymore.  Lake Oswego is answering the call with townhomes and condominiums that just built or being built just off the heart of downtown.  These homes are being marketed to aging baby boomers who are still in good health but want to downsize into something big enough for the grandkids to visit but small enough to require minimal upkeep.  
    … (0 comments)

May Market Report - 06/19/07 12:54 PM
May Residential Highlights     May Residential Highlights Market Activity in the Portland Metro Area appears to have cooled when comparing May 2007 to May 2006. While new listings continue to grow, the market experienced a decline in both closed and pending sales transactions. The number of new listings in the market continued its growth trend, increasing 4.8% over last May’s total. See table below. On the other hand, the total amount of closed sales dropped 8.3% (2,802 v. 3,054), while pending sales dropped 16.4% (3,054 v. 3,651). The average sale price reached a record high of $348,800. This is likely the result of … (0 comments)

...but Green is still a priority for Oregon - 06/11/07 05:48 PM
    Govoner Ted Kulongoski just last week signed a law requiring major utilities to generate 25 percent of the state's electricity from renewable resources by the year 2025.  Some types of renewable resources include wind, sunlight and biomass.  It has been said that this should not only make Oregon a leader in clean energy but also promote economic growth in Oregon's rural areas.  
Those who are opposed state that there is a chance for rate increases since these alternative sources are still more expensive and a lot of times inconsistent, like wind and sun.  The thing is, not only are we … (0 comments)

Is Oregon Green? - 06/08/07 06:11 PM
    I am probably not the only one around here who thought that Oregon was sitting pretty when it came to doing our part.  I had always considered Oregonians pioneers in the pursuit of being green, but as it turns out, we aren't even top ten.  Actually we aren't even top 50!
Pelzer SCHastings NESan Carlos CAMill Valley CATopeka KSDover DESpring TXLawrence KSWalnut Creek CAFairfax VAAlthough Oregon did have 9 cities out of the 300 listed.
Beaverton #73, Corvallis #122, Portland #136, Eugene #156, Cottage Grove #161, Hillsboro #229, Tualatin #267, Lebanon #275, Salem #291
http://better.yahoo.com/planet/map/

  PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR NEW PODCAST ON … (0 comments)

Tigard Infill part II - 06/08/07 05:58 PM
    Not only is the infill an eye sore for previous residents but it also has made traffic much worse. And it isn't that a new house is a horrible thing to look at but when you are staring right into your neighbors window when before there was only trees, that would be considered an eye sore.  Unfortunately the traffic, the eye sores and the change in the feel of the community could have been avoided with a little city planning back in the 70's and 80's when it all began.  We are now dealing with that lack of planning.  But … (0 comments)

Tigard Infill - 06/06/07 06:24 PM
    Infill means developments that plant large new homes in older neighborhoods, which is becoming more and more common in Tigard.  The problem is that the original Tigard residents feel that the character of their town in being compromised.  A survey showed most residents would rather have new developments be more compatible with current homes.  Part of keeping with the style of Tigard would be to leave the bigger lot sizes the way they are.  Most lots are cut into halves or thirds to make more houses, which makes more money.  The problem is that more that 5000 people are expected … (0 comments)

Tigard gets a skate park - 06/06/07 12:42 PM
    In fall 2007 Tigard will get a new spot for the kids to hang out.  The 15,000 square foot park will have stairs, ledges and two large bowls.  It will also feature a rotating top "volcano" where skaters ride onto a 6 foot diameter cylinder that can be spun manually.  
    The concrete park has even been endorsed by skating legend Tony Hawk and $5,000 of the construction cost was provided by the Tony Hawk Foundation plus $1,000 in promotional materials.  Every bit helps since skateboarders in Tigard have been trying to raise the money for the park for years.  … (0 comments)

And you thought it rained a lot! - 06/01/07 12:08 PM
    A recent study of 195 cities over the last 30 years found that the East and Southeast of the USA is getting wetter while the West gets drier. In fact, the Pacific Northwest didn't even enter the list until number 24, Olympia Washington.  Of course there are other things to consider, Olympia still had the most number of rainy days which probably means we get more of those "drizzly" days when it rains but it doesn't.  
    The top ten wettest cities include:
Mobile, Alabama - 67 inches avePensacola, Florida - 65 inches aveNew Orleans, Louisiana - 64 inches aveWest Palm Beach, … (1 comments)

 
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Tony and Libby Kelly, CRS, ABR, ePro, SRES, CLHMS, CDPE

Lake Oswego, OR

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