‘Tis the Season for Giving in Lake Oswego

Posted on November 19, 2023 by lovelakeoswego

For those of us blessed enough to live in Lake Oswego, our gratitude list runs long this time of year. November is a perfect time to pay all that gratitude forward.

Here are a few ways for you to do just that in and around our community.

GIFT CARDS. Help empower individuals and families experiencing and healing from domestic and sexual violence, child and elder abuse, stalking, dating violence, and trafficking to purchase what is most meaningful to them this holiday season by donating gift cards at the Lake Oswego Public Library. Now through December 10, the Library will be accepting gift cards to Amazon, Fred Meyer, Walmart and Target on behalf of the Clackamas Women’s Shelter. This program supports more than 125 families (including nearly 300 children) each year. Learn more about Clackamas Women’s Services at www.cwsor.org.

COATS/HATS/GLOVES/SOCKS. The Lake Oswego Lions Club and Vision Envoy Club Branch is collecting NEW warm coats, hats, gloves, mittens and scarves for children and youth (adult sizes are important in this age group). The clothing will be distributed by Bethlehem House of Bread in Tigard to those whom it serves. Collection boxes will be in place from November 3 through December 8 at six locations including: the Lake Oswego Adult Community Center (505 G Avenue), the Lake Oswego Fire Department Station (330 B Avenue), and the Lake Oswego Library (706 Fourth Street).

FILL A STOCKING, FILL A HEART. You can become part of this all-volunteer army providing more than 3,000 handmade Christmas stockings to families, seniors, teens and the homeless living in Clackamas County. For many people, these stockings (filled with much-needed items and special gifts) are the only presents they receive. Stockings are available for pickup at City Hall, 380 A Avenue, and at the Lake Oswego Adult Community Center, 505 G Avenue with a list of items you may purchase and then return to the City Hall or ACC donation sites by Tuesday, December 6. For more information about Fill a Stocking, Fill a Heart visit their site.

COVERS FOR KIDS. The City’s Youth Action Council (YAC) is collecting new fleece yards to make and decorate blankets for the Clackamas Children’s Center, a resource and assessment center dedicated to supporting youth who may be experiencing abuse. These blankets are made with love and designed to brighten a dark day! Donation boxes are located at the Adult Community Center (505 G Avenue) and the LO Teen Lounge (1060 Chandler Road).  One full yard is needed to make each blanket. Donations will be accepted through December 9. Donations are tax-deductible, please email Cydny Fletcher at cfletcher@lakeoswego.city to receive a donation receipt. TAX ID number 93-6002231.

LAKE OSWEGO TOY DRIVE. The Lake Oswego Fire Department is accepting new, unwrapped toys to bring holiday cheer to children in need.  Toys will be shared with families throughout the local area and distributed by the Tualatin Valley Elks Lodge.  Please drop off toys from November 15 through December 15 at the Lake Oswego Fire Department Main Station (300 B Avenue) and the Lake Oswego Public Library (706 Fourth Street).

HUNGER FIGHTERS OREGON. In the past year, Hunger Fighters has seen a 184% increase in the demand for their services which is why your donations are especially needed.  High-need items right now are: all types of pasta, all types of rice, all types of canned beans, cereal, boxed milk (dairy and plant) and fall/winter holiday foods. Drop off non-perishable food and essential hygiene items in bins at the Lake Oswego Library (706 Fourth Street– donations accepted all year,) Lake Oswego Fire Department Main Station (300 B Avenue), Deno’s Pizzeria (4475 Lakeview Blvd.), PDX Fitness (17510 Provost St UNIT 101), Mt. Park Recreation Center (2 Mt. Jefferson Terrace), or in the dropbox in front of Hunger Fighters Oregon at 4 Monroe Parkway Suite A. Monetary support is also appreciated. Just make checks to 4 Monroe Parkway, Suite A, Lake Oswego, OR. 97035. This year Hunger Fighters is part of Willamette Week’s 2023 Give? Guide which means you’ll receive some freebies for donating $10 AND be entered to win exciting prizes when you donate on Big Give Days. Find out more here.

WITH LOVE. This non-profit’s mission is to support children impacted by foster care. They are holding their annual Season of Giving drive and there are several ways you can get involved.

Toy Drive. The toy drive runs now through December 8th. You can shop their General with Love Holiday Amazon Wishlist and/or adopt a With Love Amazon Wish List to share with your very own community.  Drop off toys to With Love by December 8th at 14555 SW 74th Avenue, Tigard on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Financial Gift. Support their year-end fundraising goal of $115,000 now through December 31, ensuring families can continue to benefit from this program.

TUALATIN SCHOOL HOUSE PANTRY. This Oregon Food Bank affiliate serves families each month living in Tualatin, Durham, Lake Oswego, West Linn, and Wilsonville. Cash donations are welcome to buy essentials and can be mailed to: Tualatin Food Pantry, P.O. Box 248, Tualatin, OR. 97062 or done online.  Canned food donations are wanted and can be dropped off at the pantry during normal business hours: Monday 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Volunteers are also needed in the food pantry as well as for delivering and picking up donations. If you would like to volunteer, check out the opportunities online.  The pantry is located on the lower level of Rolling Hills Church, 3550 SW Borland Road, Tualatin. 503.783.0721.

HANDS-ON PORTLAND. Check their calendar for ongoing as well as one-time volunteer opportunities. Many occur year-round such as serving at Grocery Shopping for Homebound Seniors or Serving Meals at a Transitional Home.

If you’d like to count living in Lake Oswego as one of your blessings, give me a call at 503.939.9801. I’ve been a Realtor in Lake Oswego for over 30 years and would love to put my experience to work for you. Check out my website or email me at kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com

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Lake Oswego Housing Market Questions Answered

Posted on November 12, 2023 by lovelakeoswego

Inquiring Lake Oswego minds want to know….

1. Should we consider offering seller financing to attract more buyers? With higher interest rates keeping many buyers on the sidelines today, some homeowners may think that offering to carry the loan may be the bargaining chip they need. I recently advised some homeowners against this. Why? Several reasons—there is risk involved. What if the buyer defaults on the loan? Is that a headache you are willing to take on? To make the offer attractive to buyers, you’d have to offer a loan at interest rates lower than the going rate right now when instead you could put your money in a high interest-bearing CD and earn more with less risk.

2. Should I take my house off the market? There is no denying the housing market, even in Lake Oswego, has slowed down. The median days on the market is 60. But you can’t sell your house if it’s off the market. Maybe with the holidays ahead, you don’t want to be bothered with showings. That’s where your Realtor comes in. He or she should be vetting requests for showings to ensure that lookers are serious buyers and not just “looky-loo’s.” It’s one of the services you should expect from the Realtor you are working with.

3. What’s the Lake Oswego housing market going to do? I’ve been a Realtor in Lake Oswego for over 35 years so I’ve seen hot markets come and go and lived through the housing market crash of 2008. Through it all, Lake Oswego has averaged 5% annual appreciation. Some years it has been as high as 10-15%; others as low as 2%. But when you average it out, Lake Oswego shows a stable appreciation rate of 5%. We are not like places like Austin, Texas where recent research suggests homes there are among the most overvalued in the United States –by as much as 51%! It’s worse for buyers in Boise, Idaho who are paying 81% more than what is expected for homes. Slow and steady is a much more sustainable strategy and that’s what we historically have seen in Lake Oswego.

4. What are interest rates going to do? No one has a crystal ball, but I think, and I’m in good company, that it is going to take a while for rates to significantly come down. The Fed is still laser-focused on bringing inflation down to that 2% level. While we did just see rates back down from the near 8% rates of last week, I’m thinking it may not be until summer of 2024 that we start seeing a noticeable enough drop to give more buyers the green light. Timed with the historically busiest real estate season, that could usher a lot more competition into the market on the buyer side.

5. Should I buy a house now? If you can afford to, now is a great time to buy because there is so much less competition than during the hot market of the pandemic. That caused prices to inflate and now they are being corrected, coming down from that 15% appreciation to something more realistic and as I said before, sustainable. If rates do drop next summer just when the traditional buying season kicks in, you could be competing with a lot more buyers who could drive up prices once again.

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Here in Lake Oswego, We Are in the Midst of National Celebrities

Posted on November 5, 2023 by lovelakeoswego

If you live in Lake Oswego, you are only miles away from two top nationally-ranked natural wonders…so what are you waiting for? November is a wonderful time to visit both.

HOYT ARBORETUM. Yelp recently listed Hoyt Arboretum as the 11th best spot for fall foliage in the United States. Consider that the Arboretum was duking it out with some tough competition from the likes of East Coast attention grabbers like Arcadia National Park in Maine and the Central Park Conservancy in New York. And our hometown favorite even beat out the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.

One Yelp reviewer called it an “Absolutely gorgeous place! To be able to walk around amongst Coastal Redwoods, Giant Sequoias and numerous other varieties all in one place was simply breathtaking :)”

Another claimed it as “my favorite place in Portland.”

My wife and I visited last fall and the changing colors along the Maple Trail were spectacular. As was the opportunity to just meander on the trails which eventually led us to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Having once trekked across the United States in search of fall foliage in Vermont and Connecticut, it’s much more convenient to just travel the 10.7 miles to Hoyt Arboretum to take it all in.

The Arboretum grounds are open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily; with the Visitor Center open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free but there is a charge for on-site parking.

MULTNOMAH FALLS. We have a celebrity in our midst. It seems Multnomah Falls (only 36.5 miles from Lake Oswego) isn’t only just the most visited outdoor attraction in the Pacific Northwest, but also topped a list of the 30 most Instagrammable waterfalls in the United States.

Once again, our hometown favorite was up against some heavy hitters but managed to come out at #1! According to the online casino search site, Mr. Gamble, Multnomah Falls has been tagged on Instagram 285,337 times, more than any other waterfall in the country. And Silver Falls, just 48 miles away, came in at No. 8 with 91,900 tags. Right now both sights offer a two-for-one deal – the beautiful falls surrounded by stunning fall foliage.

An added bonus for hitting Multnomah Falls now is that timed use permits are not required like they are during the busier summer months. So check the weather and if it looks good, head out!

BEERS AND BOUQUET PUMPKIN CENTERPIECE WORKSHOP. While not on any list, I ran across this event and thought it worth mentioning in this fall-themed post. On Saturday, November 11, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., French Prairie Gardens in St. Paul (26.8 miles)  is offering a pumpkin centerpiece workshop, perfect for your Thanksgiving table or as a hostess gift. The $75 fee includes a heritage pumpkin, the workshop, individual charcuterie board and dessert board, beverages through the class and 10% off any in-store purchases.

Let me be your resource for things to do in and around Lake Oswego! Sign up to follow my blog by clicking the “Sign me up” button in the top right-hand column.

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Happy Halloween from Your Lake Oswego Neighbors!

Posted on October 29, 2023 by lovelakeoswego

Lake Oswegans get into Halloween in a variety of ways from the spooky and macabre to the whimsical and artistic. Driving around you can’t help but get into the spirit of things! And…potentially pick out the neighborhoods that are going to be handing out good stuff come Halloween night. If you’re looking for a guide to the best neighborhoods for trick or treating in Lake Oswego, check out an earlier blog post.

For more Lake Oswego neighborhood insights, give me a call at 503.939.9801 and/or subscribe to my blog. Just click the “Sign me up” button in the top right-hand column. I’ve been a Lake Oswego Realtor and resident for over 30 years so I’d love to put my experience to work for you whether you are looking to move in, out or around Lake Oswego.

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Things We Love About Lake Oswego in November

Posted on October 22, 2023 by lovelakeoswego

IRVING BERLIN’S HOLIDAY INN. The popular Irving Berlin musical comes to the Lakewood Theater for a month-long run, but you can enjoy reduced admission for the dress rehearsal on Thursday, November 9 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $5/residents; $7/non-residents and registration is required by calling the Adult Community Center at 503.635.3758. Regular performances begin Friday, November 10 and run through December 17 with ticket prices at $42/general admission; $40/seniors and $25 for students.  368 S. State Street.

BOTTLES AND BITES. Catch this year’s last First Sunday Market in Lake Grove on Sunday, November 5 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Hallmark Drive. With the theme, Bottles and Bites, you can explore, savor, shop and sip to your heart’s content as you enjoy delicious wines from local wineries and treat yourself to an array of delectable bites.

PINTS FROM THE PAST: DEATH AND BURIAL IN OREGON. Learn why The Oregon Trail was known as The Nation’s Longest Graveyard and the history of death rituals along the trail and in Oregon from Elizabeth Fournier, known as the Green Reaper. Dedicated to helping people with sustainable burial options, she has affectionately been given that title. Admission is free and no ticket is required, although food and drink purchase is encouraged to offset the cost to the Lake Theater. Tuesday, November 14. Doors open at 6:30, with the presentation beginning at 7:00 p.m. 106 North State Street.

HOLIDAY KICKOFF EVENT. Lake Oswego business, Kelly’s Jelly is hosting a holiday kickoff event with artisan vendors, food and a chance to donate to With Love and Hunger Fighters of Oregon on Thursday, November 16 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 5833 Jean Road. RVSP to kellysjellyoregon@gmail.com.

GUITAR CONCERT. U.S. Classic Guitar founder William Jenks is offering a concert series featuring six decorated guitarists starting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 at Christ Church Episcopal Parish in Lake Oswego. 1060 Chandler Road.

BRIDGING DIVIDES: A PRESENTATION ABOUT POLITICAL POLARIZATION IN AMERICA AND HOW WE CAN COME TOGETHER TO SOLVE TOUGH PROBLEMS. Sounds like just what we need in today’s political climate. Listen to Bill Howe, lead presenter for the nonprofit SAGE Citizen Project as he explains how we can constructively problem solve in spite of differences between left and right. Admission is free and no registration is required. Saturday, November 18 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Lake Oswego Library, 706 Fourth Street.

2023 REUNION FARMERS’ MARKET. Fresh from local farms to your Thanksgiving table! Visit your favorite Farmers’ Market vendors as they return to Lake Oswego to share the bounty of their fall harvest. Enjoy shopping on a crisp fall day amid the scent of pumpkins, sweet potatoes, spices and mushrooms and pick up a few new recipes to boot! The entire family can appreciate the live music from Wayne Richards & Southern Nights from 10:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, November 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Millennium Plaza Park, 200 1st Street.

2023 TREE LIGHTING FESTIVAL. Ring in the holiday season with the annual Tree Lighting Festival! 2023 marks the 59th year of this time-honored tradition. Festivities take place at Millennium Plaza Park only, with extended hours of holiday music, a holiday marketplace, sweet treats, a special visit from the big guy in red and more! The celebratory lighting of the Millennium tree takes place at 6 p.m. Take advantage of the opportunity to write a letter to Santa and drop it in the red mailbox as part of the annual police community-building #YouandBlue campaign. Believers of all ages will receive a personal letter back. Friday, November 24 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Millennium Plaza Park, 200 1st Street.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY. Shop local and support Lake Oswego’s small businesses as part of this national promotion. Saturday, November 26 throughout Lake Oswego.

Stay up-to-date on what’s happening in Lake Oswego by subscribing to my blog. Click the “Sign me up” button in the top right-hand column and receive weekly updates to your inbox.

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Lake Oswego Housing Market Update – The Hyper-Local Edition

Posted on October 15, 2023 by lovelakeoswego

Here’s why you need a Realtor on the ground who can tell you what’s ACTUALLY happening in your local real estate market.

Take a look at these headlines from different national news sources:

“In the housing market today, it feels like what goes up doesn’t have to come down.” (NBC News)

In Lake Oswego, we are seeing listing prices come down, sometimes by hundreds of thousands of dollars as affordability is being challenged by higher interest rates. The median sale price in September was $834,950 which was an 11% decrease from August’s median price of $935,000 and a 6% decrease from $885,000 in September of last year.

“…I think most people have written off the 2023 home buying season.” (Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman on foxbusiness.com)

If “most people” have written off the 2023 home buying season, how do you explain the 48 homes sold in Lake Oswego in September or the clients we just met with last week who are “ready to buy” in Lake Oswego, or the showings we are getting on listings in town?

“There’s this view out that that the housing market is overvalued but the lack of inventory is keeping those prices very sticky where they should be pulling back.” (Andy Walden, ICE vice president of Enterprise Research on CNBC).

Prices in Lake Oswego, especially in the $1.5 to $2 million and $3.5 to $4 million price range are losing some of their stickiness as I mentioned above. All those price ranges are currently considered buyers’ markets, with the $2.0 to $3.5 million as well as over $5 million price ranges falling into more of a balanced market scenario. Right now the only seller’s market is under $500K up to $1.5 million. These are clear indicators of the effect higher interest rates are having on affordability.

Now more than ever, you need the insight of an experienced hyper-local Realtor to help you make informed decisions when it comes to buying or selling your home. Internet searches cast a wide net; you need to drill down to what’s happening in the First Addition…to waterfront property…in Westlake and so on. Let me be that resource for you. Having lived and worked as a Realtor in Lake Oswego for over 35 years, I bring a depth of experience and market intelligence that helps you make informed decisions when it comes to buying or selling your home.

Phone: 503.939.9801

Email: kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com

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Pumpkin Patches Near Lake Oswego

Posted on October 8, 2023 by lovelakeoswego

‘Tis the season of all things pumpkin from the Pumpkin Spice Pecan Old-Fashioned donuts at Blue Star to the ubiquitous Pumpkin Latte found at your favorite coffee shop. But what about a pumpkin cannon that catapults the season’s favorite orange gourds as far as 400 feet away or a pumpkin pyramid? You can find all things pumpkin both edible and fun at many of the pumpkin patches located within a short driving distance from Lake Oswego.

Here are some spots to check out:

FIALA FARMS. You won’t have to travel too far to hunt for pumpkins at Fiala Farms.  Located in West Linn, it’s the closest pumpkin patch to Lake Oswego. And it comes with a five-acre corn maze that’s designed to challenge you. Expect it to take at least 35 to 40 minutes. Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission to corn maze is $7/adults; $5/ages 6-12; Free for kids 5 and under. 21231 SW Johnson Road, West Linn. 971.777.3727.

LEE FARMS.  Located in Tualatin, Lee Farms is also close by. The Fall Harvest Pumpkin Patch Festival is underway through October 29 with lots of activities for kids to enjoy. Admission to the farm is $15 for ages 1 and older with access to hayrides, corn maze, and animal viewing pen. By purchasing an activities wristband for $29.99, you can enjoy those activities as well as unlimited time on: hay maze, super mega slide, bounce pillow, jump pad, barrel wagon rides and tricycle rides. Guaranteed to wear your kids out! Tickets can be purchased online or onsite. Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday; 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday. 21975 SW 65th Avenue, Tualatin. 503.638.1869.

FROG POND FARM. This location has plenty to get you in the autumn vibe with over  farm activities and attractions like bounce houses, games, and slides in addition to the pumpkin patch and close to 60 animals on site. The farm is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and admission is $12/person for ages 2 and older. Season passes can also be purchased online. 2995 SW Advance Road, Wilsonville. 503.475.5997.

THE PUMPKIN PATCH. Unlike many locations, there are a few activities you can enjoy here for free including the daily hayrides out to the pumpkin patch and visiting the animal barn. The corn maze will cost you $10 for ages 13 and older; $8 for children 6-12, and should take 30-40 minutes to complete. Rides on the Cow Train (operating on weekends in October only) are $3/person. Hours: Pumpkin patch and most activities 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Maze: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, ‘til 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Cow Train from 10:00 a.m. to 530 p.m. on weekends. 15611 NW Gillihan Road, Portland. 503.621.3874:

TOPAZ FARM. If you’re feeling like “corn mazes—been there, done that,” then try the Sunflower or sorghum mazes (great for kids) at Topaz.  Here’s what you’ll find Wednesday through Sundays: a market, bar, grill, pre-picked pumpkins, farm animals, hay pyramid, playgrounds, tire swing, and sunflower maze ($7). Weekend activities include hay rides, sorghum mazes, cow train ($5), mini-diggers, u-cut flower, u-pick pumpkin field, duck races, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin tic tac toe, tractor trikes, horseshoes and cornhole. Admission on Saturdays and Sundays and select weekdays is $10, ages 2 and up, with entry every ½ hour; $15 if purchased onsite.  Hours: Wednesday through Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 17100 NW Sauvie Island Road. 503.621.3489.

BELLA ORGANIC PUMPKIN PATCH AND WINERY. The corn maze comes both regular and haunted depending on whether you catch it by day or by night. Should take you about an hour to complete. Tickets are between $10 and $12 for the regular maze; $30-$40 for the haunted experience on Friday and Saturday nights. Enjoy free hayrides to the pumpkin patch. Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 16205 NW Gillihan Road. 503.621.9545.

PLUMPER PUMPKIN PATCH. If you want to wear your kids out, this is the place. Activities included in the $13 admission price are the corn maze, playgrounds, animals, walking loops, hobbit house, hay pyramid and access to the pumpkin patch. Pony rides, face painting, and pumpkin and apple cannons are extra. Reserve your time slot online. Season passes are available for $36. Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. 11435 NW Old Cornelius Pass Road. 503.645.9561.

FIR POINT FARMS. Weekends is when this place kicks into high gear with Harvest Festival activities including a corn maze, pumpkin painting, cow train, paint ball gallery, bounce houses, hay rides, pumpkin patch, petting zoo. Free admission includes petting zoo, tetherball, volleyball, badminton and cornhole. There are separate fees for other activities like the corn maze, hay wagon, cow train, bounce house, mini pumpkin painting or you can purchase an all-day wristband for $28Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 14601 Arndt Road, Aurora. 503.678.2455.

BAUMAN FARMS. This family farm turns into a fun zone for its annual Harvest Festival complete with 40 acres of pumpkins to choose from as well as over 30 activities including mazes, animal barn, obstacle course, apple cannon, giant slide, hayrides, pumpkin hill, and the popular apple cider dumplings. Admission price varies depending on the day and the number of activities you choose (15-30). Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday through October 29. 12989 Howell Prairie Road, NE, Gervais. 503.792.3524.

Don’t miss out on things to do in and around Lake Oswego. Subscribe to my blog by clicking the “Sign me up” button in the top right-hand column and receive weekly updates. I’m a Realtor in town and enjoy sharing all Lake Oswego has to offer with its residents and people looking to move to Lake Oswego. Give me a call at 503.939.9801, email me at kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com and/or check out my website. I’d love to help you in your home buying or selling journey.

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What’s to Love About Lake Oswego in October

Posted on October 1, 2023 by lovelakeoswego

There’s lots to love about Lake Oswego in October from the fall colors to spooktacularly decorated homes. Here are some other things to check out.

First Sunday Market in Lake Grove. This month’s themed event is Barks and Brews featuring a lively pet parade/costume contest (at 1:00 p.m.) and pet-friendly shopping, dining, and a beer garden featuring local craft beers. Sunday, October 1 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Hallmark Drive in Lake Oswego.

Gallery Without Walls Celebration. Learn all about the 12 new sculptures joining the temporary collection to our public outdoor art exhibit. Docent-led tours starting at 4:00 p.m. are already full, however, you can join the program from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at ARTspace, 380 A Avenue. Friday, October 6.

National Banned Books Week in Lake Oswego. In response to the exponential increase in instances of attempted book banning and censorship in Oregon as well as national libraries, the Lake Oswego Public Library has planned some activities. First on tap is a presentation by Emily O’Neal, chair of the Oregon Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee on the current situation in Oregon and elsewhere and what members of our community can do to help combat these occurrences. Check the link for more information about Banned Books activities at the Lake Oswego Public Library. Saturday, October 7 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Who Who Is Active in the Park at Night? Lake Oswego’s Ranger Ben will be your host for this family-friendly event in Springbrook Park as he shares about the animals and action that happens while we sleep. Saturday, October 7 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Residents $5/Non-Residents $7. 2899 Diane Drive

Lakewood’s Annual Costume Sale. Take advantage of the Lakewood Theater Company cleaning out their closets—there are some real treasures to be found! Friday and Saturday, October 13-14 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room. 368 S. State Street.

Lake Oswego and West Linn Wellness Fair. Enjoy a day of mini-demonstrations, exhibits, and connections all benefiting your body, mind and soul! Over 40 vendor booths will be open from 10:00 am. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14 at Millennium Plaza Park, 200 1st Street.

Side Door Stage: Lost Treasures Presents Weird Romance. Enjoy the cabaret-type venue of this two one-act 1992 musical that weaves in traditional themes of the generation gap, a love triangle and the conflict between those who have power and those who have none through a science fiction framework. Friday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 21 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on the Side Door Stage. $20/person. 368 S. State Street.

A Haunting History. Enjoy a spooky night of history and hauntings if you dare! The Oswego Heritage Council is offering fear-filled activities to learn more about the culture of death in the early 20th century, refreshments of the most spooky order, a sneak peek at their new exhibit on death and dying and an Edwardian reenactment of a seance. Tickets are available online for $12/members; $15/non-members. Saturday, October 21 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 28 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 398 10th Street.

High School Rivalry Game. Whether you’re a Pacer or a Laker fan, you can cheer for your team on Friday, October 27 when both football teams face off on the Lakeridge football field. Kickoff at 7:00 p.m. This is hometown football at its best! 1235 Overlook Drive.

The Gin Game. The Lakewood Theater is bringing back this Pulitzer-Prize-winning play about an elderly man and woman, both residents of a nursing home, whose gin rummy games bring out the best and the worst in both of them. October 27 and November 2 and 3 at 7:00 p.m. and 2:00 matinees on October 28, 29, November 4 and 5. Performances are on the Side Door Stage and tickets are $20/person.

Drug Take Back Event. Time to properly dispose of unwanted or expired medications! The City of Lake Oswego is holding a one-day-only drug take-back event on Saturday, October 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Mary’s Woods (Gallagher Builder, 17550 Provost Street). This is a drive-thru collection. All you need to do is put all pill/table medications into a sealed plastic baggie or leave them in their original container, with personal information crossed out. Further information is available online.

Monster Mash Spooktacular. Bring your costumed kiddos to this family-friendly event with treats, sweets, toys, trinkets, spooky decorations and tunes and ghostly crafts. Geared for ages 0-12. Tuesday, October 31 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Christ Church Parish, 1060 Chandler Road.

Don’t get spooked by today’s housing market. Give me a call at 503.939.9801 or email me at kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com and let me answer any of your questions. I’ve been in the business long enough to have seen it all so I can bring my perspective as well as my current market knowledge to address any concerns you may have. I look forward to hearing from you!

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Sip Sip Hooray! LO Wine Walk Set for October 7

Posted on September 24, 2023 by lovelakeoswego

It’s wine harvest season but luckily you don’t have to travel far to celebrate. The Lake Oswego Wine Walk is set for Saturday, October 7 where over 35 downtown Lake Oswego businesses will be bringing the wine to you!

Here’s a good game plan to make the most of the event.

  1. Buy your tickets early. Follow this link and make sure you’re in for this year’s popular event. Tickets are $60/person and entitle you to twelve one-ounce pours. By signing up early, you’ll be sure to receive an email confirmation once the wine list has been curated so you can start strategizing your game day timeline. AND you guarantee you’ll snag a ticket as the event has SOLD OUT the last two years.
  2. Make a day of it. Start the day off at the Lake Oswego Farmers’ Market. Grab lunch at one of our downtown spots before the first pour at 1:00. Then be sure and make dinner reservations for afterwards. They’re expecting over 600 visitors so you’ll want to plan ahead.
  3. Check-in early. Check-in opens at 12:00 noon with tastings beginning at 1:00 p.m. An early check-in gives you time to grab lunch in the interim and plan your tasting route accordingly. Put your favorites at the top of your list just in case supplies run out towards the end of the afternoon.
  4. Check the weather and dress appropriately. Past events have run the gamut from sunny and warm to wet and windy so be sure you’re prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in store. And bring a tote bag to hold any purchases you may pick up along the way.
  5. Make sure to factor in some water stops along the way since as good as wine is, it does dehydrate you. You’ll thank yourself the next day for making sure you’re sipping water as well as wine on your walk.
  6. Be adventurous. This is the perfect excuse to try new things—from wines you may have never tasted to businesses you have never visited. The lineup is still being put together but already it’s a quite a list of Who’s Who in the downtown chamber membership roster including: Willamette Valley Vineyard, Wishbone Home and Design, The Windward, Wizer’s Fine Wines, beso bar and bottle, Blue Star Donuts, Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty, Director’s Mortgage, glassybaby, Grapevine, Harnish Company Realtors, Lola’s, Lucky Me, Luxe Forbes Luxury Properties,, R. Bloom’s, Stretch Lab, Citrus, City Home, Cougar Crest Estate Winery, The Dullahan, Lions Capital Mortgage, Lake Oswego Review, Ingrid Dohm Artist Studio, Travel and Cruise Desk, Mapel Boutique, SkinSpirit, State Farm Insurance, Simply Posh, Meraki Medical Aesthetics, Domaine Serene, Eleete Real Estate, Exceptional Homes by John L. Scott. There will be over 35 pouring locations, each featuring two different wines as well as a range of food items and entertainment to complement the tasting experience.
  7. Take pictures. What better way to commemorate the event and also to remember the wines you really liked! That way next time you’re at the store, you can just open up your photo library and know what you want to purchase.

Don’t miss out on a reason to Love Lake Oswego. Click the “Sign me up” button in the top right-hand column and receive weekly updates to my blog. And if you’re in the market for a house where you can drink all that wine, give me a call at 503.939.9801 or email me at kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com. I’d love to help you discover your own reasons to love this town I’ve called home for over 30 years.

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Lake Oswego Housing Market Update

Posted on September 17, 2023 by lovelakeoswego

Some stories are best told in numbers. Others in anecdotes. So to give you an update on the housing market, I’m going to give you a little bit of both.

Activity has slowed in Lake Oswego and that is spelled out in the numbers. 58 homes sold in August which was 12% less than in July and a 13% decrease from August of 2022.

The days on market is even more telling. In August of this year, the median number of days a house sat on the market was 24 compared to 10 in July and 6 in August of last year; however, that range stretches from one day on the market for a home in the $4.5-$5M range to 211 days for homes in the $3.5M to $4M price range.

Despite all that, the median sale price has actually gone up 16% from $830,000 in 2022 to $965,000 in August of 2023. However, only 24% of properties sold over the asking price as compared to last year at the same time when 46% sold over asking.

As for anecdotes, I have an interesting one from the greater Portland metro housing market and it concerns price reductions.

A house in Northeast Portland was listed for $495,000 in 2021 and ended up selling for $621,000 due to a bidding war. It went back on the market in June of this year for $650,000 and to-date has experienced three price reductions to $625,000 followed by $599,000 and then $575,000.

That is just one example, but I’ve mentioned here before that the competitive pricing that fueled the seller’s market coupled with historic low interest rates during the pandemic created inflated prices in some cases. And to realize a profit in those situations, a homeowner would need to hold on to the house for a few years for the market to catch up.

And when homeowners are listing their homes today, they need to use realistic comparative market values, not inflated ones to determine what to price their homes at.

We are seeing some price reductions in Lake Oswego too in an effort to nudge buyer activity where higher interest rates are keeping some buyers on the sidelines.

As you can see a lot goes into making a SMART home buying or selling decision. If you’d like some help making yours, please give me or my daughter a call. We have lived and worked in Lake Oswego for more than 30 years so we have the insight and perspective that can help you decide when, what, where and for how much to buy in and around Lake Oswego.

Kevin Costello. 503.939.9801. kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com

Riley Costello. 971.322.6205. riley.costello@cascadehassonsir.com

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