Do You Really Have to Stop at a Stop Sign?

OK I know this is going to sound cranky but I am really annoyed at the way some people drive!

I have no doubt that I have made mistakes in my travels, been distracted by the radio or the darn phone BUT there are some rules of the road that are so ingrained in my brain that i just don’t think I could ever forget.

Why am I ranting on about this?

Well, just using this morning as an example, I was making my ten minute suburban drive from my house to my office and I observed the following;

One driver changed lanes in the intersection
Two drivers rolled through stop signs
Two drivers changed lanes or made turns without using a turn signal.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

Did they take their driving tests on an alien planet? I don’t think so, they looked like fairly standard, average Lake Oswego soccer moms and dads etc to me.

I just don’t get it.  These are all traffic law infractions.  And, they are unsafe driving practices.

Why would you turn without signalling?  Why would you think it is okay NOT to stop at a STOP SIGN.  Are these rules just a suggestion when it comes to you?

And where does it end? 

This is a slippery slope people.  One day you are running a stop sign becuase there is nobody watching and the next you become Andrew Bamberg of Redwood City.

Read this, he tried so hard to cover up his original misdemeanour that he ended up with a year in jail for three felonies, two counts of perjury and one for preparing false evidence.  I am sorry, that is just plain incredible.  (I wonder if he has since moved to Lake Oswego?)  Click here to read Andrew’s story

Ok, so here’s a solution.  How about we have to retake our driving test every 5 years or so?  Shouldn’t be too much of a hardship and would also generate some much needed funds for road works.

In the meantime, please review the rules for your state. 

And remember it is called a STOP sign, not a ROLL THROUGH SLIGHTLY SLOWER sign. Click here for Oregon rules.

-Maria

NAR Reports – Existing Home Sales Rise in April

The National Assocition of Realtors® reported today that existing home sales (defined as single-family, townhomes, condos and co-ops) rose in April 2.9% month-over-month as the result of strong buyer activity in the lower price ranges.  Regionally, the West saw a 3.5% increase in existing home sales month-over-month and a 19.4% increase year-over-year – the Western Region is the ONLY area of the country showing positive year-over-year numbers.

Click Image For Full Report

On May 14th we published the RMLS Market Action Report which also showed a 10% increase in closed business month-over-month.  It is important to know what’s happening on the national level to have a better understanding of where we sit locally.  As you can see, Portland’s real estate market is one of the healthier markets in the nation and similar to the national report, Portland’s activity has largely been fueled by the sale of less expensive homes.

“We have record low mortgage interest rates, a wide selection of homes and affordable prices in most areas,” said NAR President Charles McMillan. “When you add the $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit, it’s hard to imagine a better time to make an investment in your future though homeownership.”

Thinking of buying or selling, give Maria and I a call or drop us an email.  If you’re in a distressed situation we can help you there as well – it’s amazing how much better you’ll feel when you have the information and understand your options.

~Kori

Lake Oswego Sewer Bills to Rise 30% Soon

In the ongoing saga that surrounds the condition of the Lake Oswego sewer system, things are not looking good for household bill payers this year.

Click here for Yuxing Zheng’s article in the Oregonian

City councillors had previously predicted a 10% rise in sewer charges to residents over the next decade, but are now predicting 30% raises.  That means the average family now paying $60 every two months will see that increase to nearly $78 starting in July.  Increases will continue until 2013 and then should level off.

Questions, call the City of Lake Oswego at 503 635 0265

- Maria

Having Trouble Paying Your Mortgage?

Well, you must first know that you are not the only one.  Many people are getting further and further behind these days.  What is the solution? First and foremost, DON’T WAIT.  If you in danger of missing payments or if you are about to lose your job and know things will start falling apart soon after, CALL YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY.

The loan servicer who takes your monthly mortgage payments will want to help you.  A bank or mortgage company is much more inclined to work with you on catching up or modifying your mortgage payments than they are interested in foreclosing on you.  Why?  Simple, it costs them a FORTUNE to go through with a foreclosure and if they can save the loan, they keep receiving income and that is how they stay in business.

Having said that, the banks are OVERWHELMED right now.  It can be a real struggle to find someone to work with who knows what they are doing and who has the time to help you.  Call me if you need advice, I have spent considerable amount of time training and certifying as Certified Distressed Property Expert this year so I can advise my clients and help prevent them from heading down the path to foreclosure.

BIG WARNING – do not pay anybody up front to “review” your mortgage for you.  There are scam artists out there right now charging people hundreds if not thousands of dollars to perform “mortgage evaluations”.  YOU DO NOT NEED THOSE PEOPLE.  Call your mortgage bank customer service directly and ask for the loan mitigation department OR call me and I will help you FOR FREE.

Take care

- Maria

503 495 5197

Maria@MariaSabatino.com

RMLS Market Action Report – April 2009

The market is picking up!  Those of us in the “field” have felt it – an agent in our office had a property on the market for one day (just this past week) resulting in a full price offer with six back up offers – I’m working with a client who laughs that if she likes a house she just sold it for the sellers; we’re finding we need to jump if a house pops up because the good ones are on the market for days, not weeks or months. 

Although we’ve felt the uplift the proof is in the numbers – pending sales grew 13.6% April ‘09 over March ‘09 (March ‘09 saw an increase of 28.3% over February ‘09), closed sales increased 10% month-over-month (March saw a 38.2% increase over February) and with all this activity, new listings saw an increase this month as well by 3.3% – although new listings rose this past month our overall inventory levels decreased by a month (previously we had 12 months of inventory and we are now down to 11months – at six months we consider the market to be “balanced”).  Sales prices remain soft year-over-year but we are starting see prices flatten out month-over-month.

First-time homebuyers have been in the market due to the federal incentives (who could pass up a free $8000) and we are starting to see investors re-emerge; however, the investor profile is different from those who were snagging up properties in the early 2000’s.  We are not seeing the “flipper” as much, instead investors are grabbing properties to extend their real estate portfolio with rental properties.  This is a great time to get into the market but if you’ve been intimidated about how to select rental properties, check out our new tool for investors and our new investor resource page.

We keep saying it – now is the time to buy!  Maria and I are happy to help, please drop us an email or give us a buzz (503-495-5179) if you’re interested in buying or selling a home.

~Kori

New Investor Tool Available From Oregon Property Team

There are great benefits to being a part of one of the largest and most successful real estate firms in the Portland area.  I’m not just tooting the RE/MAX equity group horn and I’m definitely not one to drink the “Kool Aid” (too many years in corporate America) – it’s an actual fact per Real Trends, an annual independent research report which identifies the country’s largest and most successful residential firms as ranked by number of closed transactions and separately by closed dollar/sales volume – RE/MAX equity group (remember, we are an independently and locally owned franchise of RE/MAX International):

• Ranked #27 on the number of closed transactions(the next Portland Area company – Hasson, Lake Oswego ranking #131)
• Ranked #24 on closed dollar/sales volume(the next Portland Area company – Hasson, Lake Oswego ranking #71)

I mention this because being part of the most successful firm in the area we have access to tools that other companies do not.  Here’s a great example – just launched today a great new tool for our investors.  Check out our new Investor Resource page here on our site and take a look at the InvestorLoft website. 

Enjoy, and of course Maria & I are always available to help with your real estate buying and selling needs.

~Kori

Fun Ideas for Mom on Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is this coming Sunday, May 10th so do you know what you’re going to do for Mom?

I thought I’d throw out a few ideas to help those who are a little stumped thinking about what to do for Mom this year – I know for me personally, after 33 Mother’s Days, coming up with something unique and exciting can be a challenge.

Inexpensive Ideas
This Sunday is supposed to be beautiful so why not spend the afternoon at the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden located at SE 28th & Woodstock (between Reed College & Eastmoreland Golf Course).  The Garden is a unique seven-acre garden containing an internationally recognized collection of rare species and hybrid rhododendrons, azaleas, companion plants and tress.  A spring-fed lake surrounds much of the garden, attracting countless water fowl to nest and feed in this natural oasis. 

Admission: $3 for adults and children under 12 are FREE.
Garden Hours: 6 AM to 10 PM

Why not treat Mom to dinner and a movie at the award-winning newly renovated Academy Theater?  Originally built in 1948, the Academy was a popular Montavilla destination until its closure in the 1970s.  Over the years the theater fell into significant disrepair but lucky for us, the theater has been skillfully restored to its original 1940s charm winning the ”Preservation in Action” award from the Architectural Heritage Center in October 2008. 

The theater offers beer, wine, pizza from Flying Pie Pizza, as well as your traditional movie going snacks.  Shows starting after 8 PM are 21 & older. 

Admission: $4 for adults, $3 for children under 12 & seniors over 65
On Mother’s Day – Moms are FREE
Click here for show times.

Does mom Golf?  Check out Beacon Rock Golf Course nestled in the heart of the majestic Columbia River Gorge.  Beacon Rock offers excellent playing conditions for all levels of golfers and this Sunday, Mother’s Day, Moms golf for FREE!  Enjoy a sunny Sunday with Mom in the Gorge and after you’ve worked up an appetite have a bite in the Ye Old Golf Shoppe Grill featuring local & organic ingredients!

Regular rates: 9 holes – $16, 18 holes – $27 (weekends)

Little More Spendy, but Worth It!
Treat Mom to a day at the spa but not just any spa – take her up to Carson Hot Springs!  I just discovered Carson this past weekend when Jimmy took me on a surprise birthday destination.  I’m of the modest type and have never been to a hot spring but Carson was fantastic!  Carson is truly unique!  Simply lay back, relax and enjoy the rejuvenating experience in the original1930s bathhouse complete with private clawfoot tubs that are piped directly from the natural mineral spring with an attendant to guide you through the process.  The experience was amazing (even for the bashful)!  You can make it a day trip or stay the night at the resort.  Don’t I look relaxed?

Spa Rates:
30 minute mineral bath soak and 30 minute swaddling cloth wrap - $20
One hour massage – $60

Take Mom out for a Champagne Brunch at Shenanigan’s on the Columbia.  The Shenanigan’s brunch is one of the best I’ve been to in Portland.  Although it’s a buffet, everything is kept very fresh with over 100 items to choose from; in addition to a Belgian waffle station, an omelet station, a pasta station, sushi station and a crepe station.

Adults: $26.95 (which includes Champagne)
Children under 11: $13.50

What kid hasn’t given their Mom an I.O.U. – I.O.U. a foot rub was one of my Mom’s favorites growing up but this year I’m taking it up a step.  For my mom this year I’ve giving her tickets to see Kathleen Madigan at the Aladdin Theater on October 17th.  Since tickets do not go on sale until July, she’s getting an I.O.U. for the tickets but that just makes Mother’s Day last that much longer. 

So, if you can’t get up to Carson or a reservation at Shenanigan’s or maybe you can’t be with Mom this Sunday – send her an I.O.U. for a fun event with you in the future.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mom’s.  In our house, doggie “Mommies” count too.

~Kori