What’s selling in Lake Oswego

Hard to believe it’s May already and the home selling season is in full bloom.  With just over 600 homes on the market – one is sure to be what you are looking for!

April sales in Lake Oswego stayed in line with the trend we have seen since December with the average selling price still under 500K @ 473.9K.  It was a mixed bag of closings when we take a closer look;  23 total closings – 6 condos 17 single family homes.

Pricing was aggressive and looks like investors are moving back in the market as Cash is King – averaging 17% off original list price of the 7 cash closings.

Buyers with conventional financing are still able to negotiate an average of 10% off original list.  A few distressed properties also closed.   4 short sales & 2 bank owned accounting for about 25% of the transactions.

Lake Oswego Luxury homes are still quite slow with only one at 1.4M closing.  A contemporary view property up on Crestline.

Overall, whether it was a condo, sf home under 500K or in the 700-800K range, buyers are buying neutral easy to move in homes.  

If you are a home owner needing to get your home on the market – give us a call; 503-495-5231 or email info@lakeoswegohomesellers.com

one even at 1.4 for a view property up on Crestline.

Will designer colors cost you the sale of your Lake Oswego home?

When you think of color most of us think of Devine Color.  Devine is a Northwest original developed in the countryside Hillsboro Oregon in the 90’s.  Color was new and refreshing, it seemed to be all the rage and many Lake Oswego/West Linn home owners where some of the first take its dramatic splash. 

The Street of Dreams homes even had designer color noted hand outs so you could be on the trend fast!  Those whom could afford the color expertise of an interior designer followed their vision thoughout the home.  Dining rooms became shades of red, a warm orange for the family rooms, and yellows for dimly lit rooms, and so on…  I personally love yellows; they brighten your mood and create a positive energy to the room. 

Of course bedrooms were another story, as they became personal to the inhabitant.  Grand Master suites of expresso blends or ocean tidepools, sweet & hot beans color brights of lemon drop & grapes for the preteen girl, spun tales blues & reds for boys.  For those who chose to go to the color wheel alone, made their personal statements, afterall color is art and art is personal right?

Now a few years later these same homes are finding themselves in the resale market.  Sellers are proud of the interior master piece.  Alot of time and money went into its creation and surely a buyer will feel the mood of the home.   Many list agents not wanting to affend or loose the listing, simply state “designer colors thoughout”.   Others who dare, are at the other end of the spectrum and discuss the option to “vanilla-ize” the home.

So which is right?  Alot depends on price range of the home, how intense the master piece, and knowing your buyer.  Is your home to be move in ready or another job for the next interior decorators painter?  There are many shades of vanilla.  Vanilla even has its own color wheel!

A warm shade will create the immediate sense of a cozy home, whereas a too white home or room, becomes invisible and cold.  By using variations of the same warm color,  rather than a contrasting color in each room,  you can create a soothing flow from room to room, and it does not distract a buyers’ eyes.  You want the buyer to see the home not just the color.

Some rooms just need a splash, just enough to help the buyer to remember (fondly) your home.  Go cautionsly with impact color,  a little goes a long way.  Painting could be the easiest task to get your home ready for todays’ buyer, or a new look for your home for you to enjoy.