The Tony and Libby Kelly Group | Keller Williams Portland Premiere | 503-753-7300 12165 SW Ames Lane, Tigard, OR Dramatic, custom view home w/Greatroom floorplan. Extensive woodwork, hardwoods and finishings. 4 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $549,950 Year Built 1996 Sq Footage 3,436 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 3 Car garage Lot Size 15,246 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Dramatic, custom view home w/Greatroom floorplan. No wasted space! Features extensive woodwork, hardwoods, finishings & attention to detail. Huge kitchen w/7ft cooktop island, granite, SS appls, custom lighting. Maple family rm built-ins. Master suite w/marble in BA & 10X10 closet. Level backyard w/designer cedar fencing. Large bonus rm w/full bath. Seller a licensed Broker. see ... 03/24/2008

Don't Throw Money out the Window  With heating and cooling costs continuing to rise, it makes sense to look at one of the leading causes of energy inefficiency in the home: windows. Installing energy-efficient windows can mean increased comfort as well as savings on utility bills in any climate.The transmission of air and light is generally the most important function of windows. However, this can mean heat loss in the winter, overheating in the summer, and higher energy bills. A typical home may lose up to 30% of its heat or cooling through windows. Properly installed, energy-efficient windows can go a long way toward improving this situation.There are many factors that affect a window's energy efficiency. Whether they are single- or double-paned, gas filled, Low-Emittance (Low-E) coat... 03/18/2008

CONTROLLING ALLERGENS IN THE HOME  For many people, household allergens can cause a variety of symptoms, including sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, and shortness of breath, and may be a contributing cause of asthma, especially in children. However, it is possible to minimize the effects of such allergens by taking steps to control their presence and dispersal in the home.The most common household allergens include dust mites, mold, mildew, pollen, and pet dander (dried flakes of skin shed by pets, particularly cats and dogs). Effective control relies on a combination of measures that, when used properly, will reduce the levels of allergensIncrease ventilation to the home. Opening windows whenever possible promotes good air exchange and will reduce the concentration of airborne allergens... 03/17/2008

Are Portland and Tigard condos right for you?Spring is upon us and buyers maybe considering purchasing a condo in Portland or Tigard. There is no doubt, that in the last few years, they have become a viable housing choice. They can be an affordable first home, a vacation retreat, or a desirable home for retirement. Whether you are buying a condo for your personal residence or for use as a rental, here are some issues to consider.Condo AdvantagesA condo is usually less expensive that a similarly sized house.They appreciate in value, although usually at a lower rate than a single family home.They may offer amenities not available in single family homes.They enjoy all the tax benefits of homeownership.Exterior maintenance is the responsibility of the Condo Association.Condos offer more pea... 03/16/2008

The Tony and Libby Kelly Group | Keller Williams Portland Premiere | 503-753-7300 12300 SW Ames Lane, Tigard, OR Stunning custom Tigard traditional in sought after Arlington Ridge. 5 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $524,900 Year Built 1995 Sq Footage 3,007 Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 3 Car garage Lot Size 11,325 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Stunning custom Tigard traditional in sought after Arlington Ridge. Perfect for the buyer looking for a truly well built custom home is a desirable custom neighborhood. Features a gourmet kitchen with granite & custom cabinets, extensive hardwoods, wainscotting, master suite w/study, skylights, cen. air, huge yard w/sport court and patio. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central hea... 03/13/2008

Lead Capture Technology: First the Internet Now Cell Phones The Internet and now mobile…Will the real estate industry adopt mobile marketing applications in the same sluggish way that internet eventually became the norm?  It has only been 10 years since www.realtor.com became the starting place for anyone looking to buy, sell, rent, and list properties; in those years the same people began carrying a cell phone with them eighty-plus percent of the time.  Now with text messaging growing faster than any other form of communication in the world, the opportunity to capitalize has presented itself.   XAP Realty, a Los Angeles based real estate marketing company has created a lead capture solution to utilize the fact that cell phones are now carried by all buyers.  The concept is extremely si... 03/12/2008

A classic home style in the Portland area is enjoying a renaissance.  Tudor-style homes can be anything from three-bedroom bungalows to huge mansions but builders haven't been going with the Tudor design since the 60's, that is until now.  They've previously been found in some of the older neighborhoods like Alameda and Grant Park and some of these have been renovated, but you can also find brand new construction with the same elements.  Half-timbered stucco, diamond-pane windows, oak floors, French doors, wrought iron railings and dark wood built-ins are some of the details that help define a Tudor home, and the appeal seems to be a perfect blending of modern and classic.  The variety is wonderful too because there is truly something to be found for almost every need.  You can find an ... 02/26/2008

According to a survey released Tuesday, the decline in residential real estate became even more aggressive though the end of 2007, and home prices in 20 key markets plunged to an average of  9.1% for the year. The S&P Case/Shiller Home Price index has been around for 20-years and in that entire time there has never been a more extreme decline in home prices then there was in 2007.  Even during the 1990-91 recession, home prices fell 2.8%.  All metro areas are now reporting at least four consecutive monthly declines.20 metro areas were examined and all but three posted declines for the year. The hardest hit was Miami homes which lost 17.5% in value.  Las Vegas and Phoenix both declined by 15.3%. Three metro areas actually increased.  Charlotte, N.C., 2.3%; Portland, Ore., 1.2%; and Seatt... 02/26/2008

What is the current Home Inventory?Unfortunately, our beginning of the year weather was tougher than Portlanders are accustomed to, and they largely decided to stay in rather than go out and look at homes to buy.  Therefore, our home inventory balooned in January to 12.8 months, the highest recorded level since hitting a high of 10 months in January 2000.  (Historically, the month of the year with the highest home inventory is January, so things should improve from here.)  Keep in mind though, if you're looking in a price range much lower than the average home price for that area, then the home inventories are much lower.  Generally, it is not a heavy Buyer's Market for homes priced less than the average home for that area.  Let us know if you'd like us to send you the average home sale... 02/22/2008

For some reason or another, real estate has always been one of those professions that women have had little trouble breaking into.  In fact the National Association of Realtors puts the number of all female sales agents at 65%. What is really impressive though is the number of women at the top of the real estate industry.  The 2008 edition of the Swanepoel Trends Report is referring to management, and not even at middle management levels but executive levels. Women are taking over the very top spots of the real estate world, and this is just the beginning.  Hopefully this sets a great example for other industries and what women can achieve.  The time has come for women to display how truly confident and financially savvy they really are.  http://nationalrealtynews.com/content/templates/... 02/22/2008

As we all know, Oregon is a fabulous place to live.  Surprisingly, not everyone is aware of this fact.  Of course not everyone is in the dark, Oregon grew by 33,314 people in 2006.  149,838 actually moved here and 116,524 moved away for some reason.  In fact, so many people move here every year that half of us came from someplace else.  But where are we coming from?  On the East coast they are still oblivious to our greatness so only 7,122 came here in '06.  The Midwesterners are heading to the coast, either coast, but 13,702 chose the Oregon coast.  In the South people are just trying to escape the heat, what better place than the Northwest, or so thought 17,979 Southerners.  But the West coast by far is very much aware of what we have to offer.  Of the 106,192 Westerners who moved to ... 02/21/2008

January Residential Highlights Market activity appears to have slowed when comparing January 2008 with the same month in 2007. New listings jumped 11.9% compared to last January, but closed sales dropped 31.9% and pending sales fell 34.3% While an increase in new listings in January is common, a substantial drop in closed sales helped compound the inventory rate as the 13,904 active residential listings would last approximately 12.8 months at January’s rate of sales. This is the highest recorded level since the previous high of 10.1 in January 2000.   New Construction in 2007 The sale of properties listed as proposed, under construction or new construction increased 6% (5,370 v. 5,045) when comparing 2007 and 2006. The average sale price appreciated 6% ($387,200 v. $365,600) and the me... 02/15/2008

The Westside Express Service is coming and so far Tualatin is the only city who has expressed concern over noise that will be caused by the daily commuter train that runs between Beaverton and Wilsonville.  Unfortunately if Tualatin wants a noise solution, Tualatin has to pay for it.   City officials have been looking for options to the noise problem and so far have come up with two.  There could be quiet zones established where the horn is not required to sound when crossing the intersection.  This could cost Tualatin about $600,000.  It is about the same cost to install wayside horns.  These are horns that are attached to a train station and sound while the train goes by, and can reduce noise by 98 percent. Since Tualatin, not TriMet, would benefit from the implementation of one of th... 02/05/2008

Creative Selling of your Tigard HomeIf you are trying to sell your home in Tigard now, you know that it is a buyer's market. You have been keeping the house in tip-top showing condition and you have selected a Realtor you are convinced is doing a good job of marketing your home in the places that buyers are likely to search for homes, but, coupled with the time of year and the current housing crisis, showings are down and buyers are scarce.Any offer that does come in will most likely be less than what you want. If you have owned your Tigard home for three years or less, and need to sell, you can not expect to make much of a profit. If you have owned your home for more than three years, there is some wiggle room. Cherish any offer that does come in. These buyers have chosen your house, s... 02/03/2008

The Tigard Public Library reaches a MilestoneThe Tigard Public Library checked out over one million items, for the first time ever,  in 2007. This coveted milestone of the library staff was reached on Dec. 27, 2007. As reported in The Times, 1/31/2008, Tigard joins Beaverton, Cedar Mills and Hillsboro, as libraries that have circulated over one million items in a year.I have lived in Tigard for 30 years and the community has always recognized the value of the library. The community has supported library bond measures and many people are volunteering to work there. Volunteers will even bring materials to patrons who can no longer make it to the library.Since moving to its new location, less than two years ago, the library breaks records for use and circulation each month. Among the thing... 02/01/2008

Since the internet has sped up the design migration, it makes it more important to keep up so you know what buyers want or are about to want. If you want to keep up on the next new design trends for the home experts have some ideas for where to look.  HOTELS  Of course people love the feel of a hotel, it reminds them of being on vacation and a lot of thought and expensive designers go into the look.  Especially new hotels are good for study because the most recent options are at their disposal.FASHION RUNWAYS  Design is Design. Creative people are not limited to only one medium.  It is not at all uncommon for fashion to influence interior design color, fabric and shape, and vice versa. MOVIES AND TV SHOWS  The set of a show or a movie is very strategically planned and can create impress... 01/30/2008

Those who are looking to add value to their home should be focusing outside.  According to Remodeling magazine's 20th annual "Cost vs. Value Report".  Realtors in 65 markets were given construction specs and costs on 29 upscale and midrange projects and asked to estimate the percentage return at resale.  The only interior remodel to reach 80 percent recovery in 2007 was a minor kitchen remodel.  Other projects that beat the 80 percent mark were siding, deck additions, and window replacement.  In general, remodeling returns have gone down due to rising remodeling costs and slowing home appreciation.  Except, of course, for the Pacific region which includes Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon and California.  In this area there were actually six projects that saw an estimated return of ove... 01/29/2008

The Tony and Libby Kelly Group | Keller Williams Portland Premiere | 503-753-7300 12300 SW Ames Lane, Tigard, OR Stunning custom Tigard traditional in sought after Arlington Ridge. 5 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $530,000 Year Built 1995 Sq Footage 3,007 Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 3 Car garage Lot Size 11,325 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Stunning custom Tigard traditional in sought after Arlington Ridge. Perfect for the buyer looking for a truly well built custom home is a desirable custom neighborhood. Features a gourmet kitchen with granite & custom cabinets, extensive hardwoods, wainscotting, master suite w/study, skylights, cen. air, huge yard w/sport court and patio. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central hea... 01/28/2008

The Tony and Libby Kelly Group | Keller Williams Portland Premiere | 503-753-7300 13369 SW 129th Ave, Tigard, OR Spacious home features almost 3,000 sqft on main level. 3 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $669,000 Year Built 2002 Sq Footage 3,945 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 1 Parking 3 Car garage Lot Size 8,276 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Spacious home features almost 3,000 sqft on main, gourmet kit. w/granite & SS appliances, hardwds and tile flooring, coved & vaulted ceilings, multiple skylights, multi-rm sur.sys., & covered bkyrd patio. 1000sq.ft partially finished lower lvl. with sep. entry, could be seplvqtrs/4thBR. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Fireplace High/Vaulted ceiling Hardwood floor Tile floor Family ... 01/28/2008

Coping with Buyer's RemorseThe decision to buy a home involves making the largest financial purchase most people will ever make. This is not an entirely rational process, but also involves making emotional decisions, especially for first-time home buyers. Buyer's remorse is the pain, anxiety and fear of making a mistake, which usually occurs after your offer is accepted. You have looked at many houses, found the one you like, signed all the paperwork, obtained a mortgage, had the house properly inspected, and now you're scared. You are not the first to feel this way. This reaction is normal and has been shared by many buyers.Buyer's remorse is often triggered when you start to talk to others about your new home. Family and friends, who mean well, start to question your housing selection... 01/28/2008