Hood River Real Estate Update

Here are some sights out and about in Stevenson Washington which is located about 45 miles East of Portland, Oregon in Skamania County in the Columbia River Gorge. The population in the city of Stevenson is about 1200  with a total of 10,833 population in all of Skamania County. The communities in Skamania County are Stevenson (County Seat), Skamania, North Bonneville, Carson, Hemlock, Stabler, Home Valley, Mill A, Willard, Cook, & Underwood. 

Here are the latest sales for Hood River County for March 2008 compiled from the RMLS-Regional Multiple Listing Service.  Sales for the first quarter of 2008 Hood River County are down compared to 2007 sales for the first quarter. January/2008-7 sales February/2008-9 sales and March/2008-7 sales  Compared to Sales in Hood River county in January/2007-13 sales  February/2007-15 sales  March/2007-25 sales

When comparing February 2008 with February 2007 it shows that sales fell 32.5% and closed sales decreased 22.4%. However there was also a 15.8% increase in new listings.

Cascade Locks- 0 sales

Hood River-city- Condos- 2 sales #1 sale-listed for $165,000 sold for $170,000  DOM-169 days on market

                                               #2 sale-listed for $175,000 sold for $175,000 DOM-222-days on market

         Town Homes- 1 sale  listed for $368,000 sold for $358,000 DOM-148 days on market

         Single Family Homes-4 sales  #1 sale-listed for $275,000 sold for $260,000 DOM-47days on market

                                                    #2 sale-listed for $299,500 sold for $335,000 DOM-274 days on market

                                                    #3 sale-listed for $359,000 sold for $350,000 DOM-233 days on market

                                                    #4 sale-listed for $439,000 sold for $400,000 DOM-149 days on market

Hood River-westside- 0 sales

Hood River-eastside- 0 sales

Odell-Dee-0 sales

Parkdale-0 sales 

Hood River County total sales for March 2008- 7 sales

Now for the currently sale pendings in Hood River County:

Hood River-city- 1 condo, 12 single family homes   Hood River-westside- 6 single family homes 

Hood River-eastside-1 single family home    Parkdale-2 single family homes  

There are currently a total of 22 sale pendings in Hood River County which is an optimistic thought.

This is what I woke up to in Hood River Oregon this morning-March 28, 2008. It's hard to believe it is actually spring because it looks pretty much like winter to me.   I don't think I've ever seen snow so late in the season in this part of Oregon, Bend maybe but not the gorge.

Some recent housing projects in Hood River have been built by Mike Kitts of Cottage Housing, LLC 

I just saw an ad in the Hood River News-3/26/08 issue for homes on Sunderland Lane and also homes on The Heights in Hood River starting at $239,000. This is a great price for a new home in Hood River. The homes are modest in size-appr1200 sq. ft.  There are some 2 bdrm, 2 bath and some 3 bdrm, 1.5 bath homes.

Here are some pictures I took today of one of the Cottage Housing developments.

The homes built by Cottage Housing, LLC are located on smaller than normal sized lots through the Planned Unit Development (PUD) process of the City of Hood River.  This generally means the actual lot size is smaller which allows more homes to be built on the plot. Shared common open spaces can be used by all homeowners. This reduces the lot cost for each home.  These savings can then be passed on to the buyer.  

Another Cottage Housing project PUD is on Katies Way located near the Hospital and Hood River Middle School. The homes are placed close together but blend nicely with the winding road, creek, and trees. 

Here are some Feng Shui tips I recently learned. 

1.  The front door is considered the "mouth of chi" which is the "life force" of all things. This makes it one of the most powerful aspects of the entire home and property. These things enter through the front door: Abundance, blessings, opportunities, and good fortune.  The front entrance is also the first impression buyers have of how well the sellers have taken care of the home and the rest of the property. Make sure the area around the front door is clean and free of cobwebs & clutter.   

2. Chi energy can be flushed away wherever there are drains in the home. To keep the good forces of a home in you should keep the toilet seats down and close the doors to bathrooms.

3. The dining room symbolizes the energy and power of a families togetherness. Make sure the table is clean and uncluttered during showings.  Use an attractive tablecloth to enhance the look of the table.

4. The master bed should be in a place of honor, power, and protection. This should be farthest from and facing toward the entryway of the room. Placing the bed diagonally in the farthest corner of the room is a good idea. Paint the room in colors that promote relaxation, peace, and  romance, such as soft tones of greens, or blues.  

5. Windows are considered to be the eyes of the home.  Make sure your windows are especially clean and sparkling to enhance the views. Hire a professional window cleaner if necessary. 

 

Here are some tips that may increase your chances of buying the home you desire in a competitive housing market, and lower your chances of losing out to another buyer.

1. Get prequalified for a mortgage. This way you can make a firm commitment to buy and your offer will be more desirable to the seller.

2. Stay in close contact with your real estate agent to find out about the newest listings. A great home can go fast so be ready to see a house as soon as it goes on the market.

3. Scout out new listings yourself.  Browse websites like REALTOR.com, check your local newspaper's real estate ads, and drive through neighborhoods you like to spot For Sale signs. If you see a home you like, write down the address and the name of the listing agent. Your real estate agent will be able to get the listing info and schedule a showing.

4. Be ready to make a decision.  You should know in advance what you want in a home so you won't be unsure when you have the chance to make an offer.

5. Bid competitively. When you find the right home and want to put in an offer you may not want to start out offering the absolute highest price you can afford, but don't go too low either.  In a tight market, you could lose out.

6. Keep contingencies to a minimum. Restrictions such as needing to sell your home before you move or wanting to delay the closing until a certain date can make your offer unappealing to sellers. If you do need to sell your home in order to buy,  one possiblilty may be a bridge loan to cover both mortgages for a short period.

7. Don't get caught in a buying frenzy. Even though there's competition it doesn't mean you should just buy it. You want your offer to be attractive but don't neglect inspections to find out the exact condition of the home or you may be sorry.

High Prairie is located in Klickitat County Washington. It is about 10 miles North West of Lyle, Washington.  High Prairie is an isolated neighborhood bordered on the north and west by the Klickitat River, on the east by Swale Canyon, and on the south by the Columbia Mountains. Goldendale is 25 miles to the east. Farming and stock raising have been the principal industries.

Indians roamed the area in the early days and there were several farms on High Prairie owned by Indians. The first white settlers came to High Prairie in 1877. Mr. Chester Parshall and a young man named John Varker, started out from California, to go farther north and find a location for their new homes. They came by wagon to The Dalles, Oregon then traveled to the Washington side of the Columbia River. They stood on the Columbia mountains and looked over into what later became known as High Prairie. It was a land about ten miles square, hills and canyons and valleys, with timber scattered around.

I currently have a listing in High Prairie. It is 20 acres of dividable land with a house, 2 barns, meadows, oak trees, and 3 seasonal creeks. The price is $379,000. http://www.rmls.com/  #7026212  http://amymcallisterrealty.vflyer.com/3/index.html

Here are some sights out and about in Hood River which is located 59 miles East of Portland, Oregon in the Columbia River Gorge. The population in the City of Hood River is about 6,000 with a total of 20,411 population in all of Hood River County. The communities in Hood River County are Hood River (County Seat), Odell, Parkdale, Mt. Hood, Dee, and Cascade Locks.

Lone Pine Village is a new community being built along the Columbia River in The Dalles, Oregon. This community of single family homes, townhomes and condominiums is being built on 60 acres of riverfront property. There will be 248 residential homes and 175,000 sq. ft. of commercial space which is planned to include professional offices, boutiques, restaurants, a health spa, a grocery store and cafe's.

The Dalles is located about 20 miles East of Hood River. The climate is drier with only 12" annually of precipitation compared to Hood River's 25" annually.  The Dalles has a population of approximately 12,175 people. There is a larger commercial district than Hood River. The City of The Dalles has been improving in general over the past 10 years with new stores including a Home Depot.

I noticed these buildings under construction recently in Hood River on Selkirk Ln off of Sierra Ln which is a new road off of Rand Rd. I'm not sure what the story is on this development but they are certainly squeezed tightly onto small lots. Very vertical construction is what I have been seeing a lot of in Hood River lately. Personally, I am not especially fond of this archtectural style.