In getting ready for today’s big Super Bowl game, I did some reading up on the players. Since I’m a born-and-raised 49er fan, I’m not as up-to-speed on the talent we’ll be watching. I ran across this article about “18 things you may not have known about Patrick Mahomes,” and I thought, “Wow, we actually have a lot in common.”
See for yourself.
1. Patrick Mahomes is one of the most popular players currently in the NFL.
I was once again named one of the Top Agents in my company, joined this year by my daughter, Riley Costello, as part of the Costello Real Estate Group.
2. When Mahomes was growing up, his father nicknamed him “Showtime” because of his athletic skill.
After playing tour guide to my college friends in Hawaii one winter break, they nicknamed me “Duke” after Duke Kahanamoku, the Hawaiian Olympic champion and Ambassador of Aloha.
3. Before he was drafted to the NFL, Mahomes was selected in the MLB draft.
Before I became a Realtor, I had a successful career as a wholesale produce salesman in the San Francisco Bay Area.
4. As a kid, Mahomes obsessed over MLB player Alex Rodriguez.
As a kid, I obsessed over Jimmy Davenport, #12 for the San Francisco Giants and his teammate, Willie Mays.
5. Mahomes was robbed at gunpoint during his rookie season.
During one of my Realtor open houses in my rookie season, another Realtor stole some things from my client’s house. She was later apprehended and everything returned.
6. Although he chose football over baseball, Mahomes is still involved in the sport.
Although I chose real estate over the produce industry, I still eat fruits and vegetables.
7. Mahomes is married to his high school sweetheart.
I’m married to my college sweetheart.
8. Patrick Mahomes has an impressive sneaker collection.
My favorite shoes as a kid were black low-top Converse. Today I don’t wear socks when I’m wearing dress shoes.
9. Mahomes is the first Kansas City Chiefs player to appear on the cover of “Madden.”
I appeared on the front cover of the Lake Oswego Review when I was honored as the Community Leader of the Year in 1995.
10. The superstar quarterback is slightly obsessed with ketchup.
Much to my family’s dismay, I’m slightly obsessed with mayonnaise.
Since the 49ers aren’t in it, may the best team win!
And if you’re looking for the best team to help you navigate your home buying or selling journey, give me a call at 503.939.9801, email me at kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com and/or check out my website. Working with the right agent can be a real game changer in today’s housing market.
West Linn is offering a couple fun Valentine’s options to choose from this year:
Family Valentine’s Day Dance will be taking place on Friday, February 10 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the West Linn Adult Community Center for ages 4-12 and their parents and guardians. Enjoy music, dancing, refreshments and photo opportunities Be sure to register beforehand online. Tickets are $15.
Sip & Shop Valentine’s Market is being hosted by Triskelee Farm in West Linn from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, February. 11. The event will include the opportunity to purchase goods from local vendors, treats, massages, bottle service, food and more. For more information, visit triskeleefarm.com/events.
SPRING BREAK CAMPS
Spring Break may be seven weeks away but it’s never too early to register your kids for activities that week if you’re planning to stay home.
COMMUNITY SCHOOL. In the past, the Community School has offered programs during Spring Break. Information was not available at press time so check their website and/or call 503.534.2302.
LAKE OSWEGO PARKS AND RECREATION. Register by calling 503.675.2549 or on their website. ■ Mighty Hawks Multi-Sport Camp for ages 5-7 and 7-12. This Skyhawks camp will have your kids enjoying soccer and baseball. Monday, March 27 through Friday, March 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at East Waluga Park, 15505 Quarry Road for 5-7-year-old’s and Hazelia Field at 17800 SW Stafford Rd. for ages 7-12. Fee is $159 for both residents and non-residents. Register by visiting the Skyhawks site or calling 1.800.804.3509. ■ Intro to Fencing Camp for ages 7-12. Learn the basic skills of this Olympic sport that challenges quick thinking, coordination, strength and agility. All equipment provided. Monday, March 27 through Thursday, March 30 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Christ Church Parish, 1060 Chandler Road. Fee for Course #25672: $116/Resident; $133/Non-Resident. ■In My Backyard Camp for ages 5-12. Kids get to explore Lake Oswego’s very own Luscher Farm and its surroundings on daily nature hikes where they’ll learn about birds, bugs, bees and what makes a garden grow. Science experiments and games round out a lineup of fun activities. Monday, March 27 through Friday, March 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Fee for Course #25614: $194/Resident; $223 Non-Resident. (At posting time, this camp was already full but you can request to be put on the waitlist.) ■Minecraft Engineering with LEGO® Materials for ages 5-7. Play-Well Teknologies staff will be the guides as kids venture into the world of Minecraft building their base, crafting their tools, using their Minecart to harvest raw resources and battling to stop the Ender Dragon from ending the world. Monday, March 27 through Friday, March 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Christ Church Parish, 1060 Chandler Road. Fee for Course #225326: $160/Resident; $184/Non-Resident.
■PEAKE ACADEMY/PLAY BOUTIQUE. Check their website or try calling for information. 464 First Street. 503.675.7529.
MOUNTAIN PARK KIDZONE. Mountain Park Rec Center was still in the planning stages and hoping to know the status of Spring Break Camps by the end of this week so call 503.635.3561 or email kidzone@mtparkhoa.com for updated information at that time. In the past, the spring break camps have been offered for ages 5-12 and included sports, swimming, arts and crafts, science experiments, engineering projects, group games and more at Mountain Park Clubhouse. Fees varied depending on whether for the full week or full day. Mt. Jefferson Terrace.
THE LITTLE GYM. Due to short staffing, Lake Oswego’s Little Gym will not be offering Spring Break camps this year.
Spring Break can be a good time to look at homes for sale in Lake Oswego if you’re thinking of moving. I’ll be around so give me a call at 503.939.9801 or email me at kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com. Would love to show you around. I update this post every year so be sure to subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss out on the latest edition!
Low inventory is one of the factors slowing down the Lake Oswego housing market so I wanted to share one of my new listings at 17173 Cedar Road in the Blue Heron neighborhood.
Built by award-winning Blazer Development, LLC, this 4 bedroom, 5 bath newly built contemporary home at 3,996 square feet offers the best in luxury living with loads of lifestyle amenities including rights to four Oswego Lake easements!
Move right in with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths upstairs, den on the main and a large family room in the basement along with flex spaces for wine collection and reading. Schools are Westridge Elementary, Lakeridge Junior High and Lakeridge High School. As is true throughout Lake Oswego, you can’t go wrong when it comes to schools.
Outdoor living is made easy here with a patio and covered deck, large fully-fenced backyard, plumbing for an outdoor fireplace and 8-foot sliding glass doors that bring the outside in.
Lake easements are a coveted amenity in Lake Oswego, as they deed access to the lake for approximately 3,000 homes, even if they’re not waterfront. Each easement has its own set of rate structures and facilities so merely having deeded rights to one does not mean you would want to or can use them. And it’s important to remember that some amenities at the easements have waiting lists to use them so it’s good to check how long those waiting lists are when you’re doing your research. You can read some previous blogs to learn more about how easements work on Oswego Lake here and here.
Here’s the info on the four easements this home has deeded rights to:
ALDER POINT at 16848 Alder Circle.
Initiation Fee: $2,750
Annual Membership Fee: $450
Boat Slip: $200
Kayak/Canoe Rack: $20
Paddleboard Rack: $20
Boat slips: 6
Canoe Racks: 12
Paddleboard Racks: 12
There is a large lawn area for picnicking and separate swim dock. It’s a perfect spot for watching the 4th of July fireworks over the lake. Restrooms, Electricity and Water available.
BLUE HERON at 3215 South Shore Boulevard
Initiation Fee: $650
Annual Membership Fee: $155
Boat Slip: $375
Kayak/Canoe Rack: $100
Paddleboard Rack: $50
Boat slips: 24
Canoe/Paddleboard Racks: 6
Restrooms and Electricity available.
LAKEVIEW RECREATION CLUB at 3951 South Shore Boulevard
Initiation Fee: $1,000
Annual Membership Fee: $100
Boat Slip: $250
Kayak/Canoe Rack: $25
Paddleboard Rack: $15
Boat Slips: 16
Canoe Racks: 18
Paddleboard Racks: 25
Restrooms and Electricity are available.
MAPLE CIRCLE at 16902 Maple Circle
Initiation Fee: $1,000
Annual Membership Fee: $250
Canoe/kayak/paddleboard Racks: $20
Canoe/kayak/paddleboard racks: 18
Restrooms/Shower, Electricity and Storage are available as well as picnic tables, benches, chairs and a low-level launch site.
If you’d like to tour this home, please give me a call at 503.939.9801 and/or stop by our open house this Saturday, January 28 and Sunday, January 29 from 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. and meet my daughter/partner, Riley Costello who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
DISPLACING BLACK PORTLAND: A HISTORY OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION. In honor of Black History Month, the Lake Oswego library is offering a presentation by Zachary Stocks from Oregon’s Black Pioneers, about the history of housing discrimination in Portland. Wednesday, February 1 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., 706 Fourth Street.
CATALYTIC CONVERTER ENGRAVING EVENT. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the number of reported catalytic converter thefts increased from roughly 1,300 in 2018 to more than 52,000 in 2021. To help prevent a catalytic converter from being stolen, it is recommended that you have it engraved with your vehicle identification number (VIN) or at least the last 8 digits/letters of the VIN, or with your vehicle’s license plate number with the state/province.
To assist, the Lake Oswego Police Department is offering a free catalytic converter engraving event for Lake Oswego residents. To participate, bring your vehicle to the City’s Maintenance Center, 17601 Pilkington Rd, on Saturday, February 4, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. For questions, please contact Officer Tony Sparling(link sends e-mail) at 503-635-0221.
THE HAPPY TIME SIDE DOOR STAGE PERFORMANCES. Enjoy this play about a world-traveling prize-winning photographer who returns to his 1920s French Canadian village after a five-year absence in search of happier times he experienced as a child there. Only three performances in February 17 (at 7:00 p.m.) and February 18 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available online.
THE GIN GAME. Enjoy the intimacy of the side door stage for this performance of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by D.L. Coburn in which two sharp-witted residents of a retirement home are drawn together over a game of gin. Runs February 24 through March 4 with Thursday through Saturday performances at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday matinees at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available online.
LAKE OSWEGO READS BOOK GIVEAWAY AND KICKOFF. Bring your Lake Oswego Library card or number (and your friend’s card if picking up multiple books) to receive a free copy of The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson. 800 free books will be distributed to Lake Oswego Public Library cardholders, thanks to the ongoing support of the Friends of the Lake Oswego Library. Books will be distributed through the parking lot starting at 11: 00 a.m. Please do not line up beforehand. Walk-up service will also be available starting at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 706 Fourth Street.
Stay up-to-date on what’s happening in Lake Oswego. Subscribe to my blog by clicking on the “Sign me up” button in the top right-hand column. You’ll receive weekly updates in your inbox. And if you’d like to know more about the Lake Oswego housing market, give me a call at 503.939.9801 or email me at kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com.
The holiday months are typically slow in the housing market and Lake Oswego was no exception. Add to that higher interest rates and low inventory and the word for the first couple of months of 2023 for Lake Oswego and the Portland Metro area real estate market is WATCHFUL.
The chart below tells part of the picture. Sales are down from where they were in December of last year all over the Portland metro area. While some buyers are standing back and taking a “wait and see” approach, those numbers also reflect sellers who are choosing not to list their properties at this time.
Many of them are sitting with 2.5 – 3.75% interest rates so unless they are planning on renting, significantly downsizing, or paying in cash, they’re not in a hurry to trade that low-interest rate for something in the 7.0 range.
How long do they wait? Predictions run the gamut from “mortgage rates have peaked” to “mortgage rates will remain elevated.” With so many influencers at play—inflation, the war in Ukraine, Federal Reserve policies trying to tame inflation—it’s hard to know where things are going to land. Mortgage Reports polled eight industry insiders for their 2023 mortgage rate predictions and came up with a range that varied from just under 5% to over 9% for the 30-year fixed rate and 4.5% to 8.75% for the 15-year fixed. So rather than trying to “time the market,” both buyers and sellers need to make their next move when they’re financially ready and can afford it.
The conundrum for sellers, however, is that because inventory is so low, putting their house on the market now means there is not a lot of competition for the buyers out there.
And despite what you hear, there are buyers out there. We are working with several right now looking in Lake Oswego and Portland area neighborhoods and other agents reach out to us all the time, asking if we know of anything coming on the market. They either have cash or are in a position to manage the higher interest rates, knowing that when they come down they can refinance.
I think it’s also important to look at current interest rates from a historical perspective. The chart below shows you the ride interest rates have taken since the 1970s. The 1980s saw the worst of it with the average 30-year fixed rate topping out at 18.4% in October of 1981. Double-digit rates were ushered in during 1979 at 11.2 and stayed with us for over a decade, finally dropping in late 1990 to 9.97 and have remained in the single digits since then. How’s that to make 7+% look like a bargain?!
How did people afford to buy homes in the 80s? Creative financing starting with assumable loans which meant the buyer not only got the house but also the interest rate that the seller had on his/her mortgage! Congress put the kibosh on most assumable loans in 1982 so today’s buyers and sellers have to find other ways to get creative, some of which I discuss in a previous blog.
If you’re wondering what your next move should be and when in today’s housing market, give me a call at 503.939.9801 or email me at kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com. I’ve been a Realtor and Lake Oswego homeowner since the 1980s so I’ve seen it all and would love to put my experience to work helping you make sense of it all so you can move forward wisely.
ARTS COUNCIL OF LAKE OSWEGO ART MART. This popular exhibition of donated artwork available for purchase opens January 6 and continues through February 4. In the past, the collection has included paints, sculptures, prints, ceramics, quilts, photos, mixed media and drawings. Marylhurst Commons Bookstore Building (Clark Commons) – 3162 Furman Drive, Marylhurst. Call the Arts Council for hours: 503.675.3738.
VISION BOARD WORKSHOP. Make this new year intentional with this workshop that provides all the guidance and materials for creating your own vision board. Experience aromatherapy and end the session with a guided relaxation meditation. First session was on Saturday, January 7; next one is Tuesday, January 10 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Christ Church Parish. Fees are $50/Resident; $62/Non-Resident. Register online. 1060 Chandler Road.
THE GHOST OF DAVID BELASCO. The Lakewood Center for the Arts presents The Ghost of David Belasco, a clever and quick-witted farce by C.S. Whitcomb in which a group of interesting characters hire a medium to contact the long-dead theatre impresario David Belasco in a haunted theatre. What could be wrong?! The play begins January 6 and continues through February 12, 2023, playing Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m., one Wednesday performance (Jan. 25) at 7:30 p.m., one Saturday matinee at 2:00 p.m. (Feb. 4), and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. (Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29 and Feb. 5, 12). On Wednesday, January 25, the theatre continues its program called WOW: 25-35. For audience-goers 35 and under, tickets are priced at $25 each. Use the code WOW25 when ordering tickets online to get this special discount. At this performance, there will be a complimentary wine tasting one hour before curtain courtesy of Willamette Vineyards. OLCC rules apply! Bring your ID for the tasting! Tickets are available online at $39/Adults; $36/Seniors 65+; $25/Students 25 and under.
FLORAL DESIGN AND WINE. Zupan’s is offering one of its popular floral design and wine workshops to create an all-white arrangement to start off your new year. January 15 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The class is virtual so you will need to pick up floral materials, cheese and charcuterie and wine on Sunday, January 15 prior to class. Fee is $125 and includes all supplies and treats. 16380 Boones Ferry Road.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION. Commemorate Dr. King’s legacy with a special celebration featuring D.J. Avelanche as M.C., a keynote address by Dr. Shirley Jackson, a greeting by Mayor Joe Buck, musical performances by Alonzo Chadwick, Sr., and artwork created by community members. A call rally through Lake Oswego will conclude the event. For additional information, please contact Adult Services Manager Allison Arnold at 503-534-5665 / aarnold@ci.oswego.or.us(link sends e-mail). Sunday, January 15 beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the Lake Oswego High School auditorium. 2501 Country Club Road.
FAMILY MOVIE MATINEE. School may be out but the Lake Oswego library has you covered. Stop in for a family matinee complete with popcorn and plenty of room to spread out and get cozy. The movie features the last dragon in the land of Kumandra so you can guess what you’ll be watching. Friday, January 20 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., 706 Fourth Street. For more information, contact the Children’s desk at 503-697-6580 or visit www.lakeoswegolibrary.org/youth(link is external).
LAKE OSWEGO INDOOR TENNIS CENTER GRAND REOPENING. Celebrate the newly renovated community tennis hub complete with a new upstairs viewing area, multi-purpose room to host meetings and gatherings and lobby area. The event will feature ribbon cutting and dedication, refreshments and self-guided tours, an opportunity to meet the pros and register for activities. Saturday, January 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 2900 SW Diane Drive.
Don’t miss a reason to love Lake Oswego! Subscribe to my blog by clicking on the “Sign me up” button in the top right-hand column and receive weekly updates. And if you’re already in love with Lake Oswego and are thinking about moving here, let’s talk. Give me a call at 503.939.9801 or email me at kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com. I’d love to show you around.
You might think Lake Oswego prices are high but Buckingham Palace is the most expensive house in the world, valued at $4.9 billion.
Red doors in Scotland have traditionally been the homeowner’s way of saying, “I’ve paid off my mortgage!”
49% of homebuyers cited the quality of the neighborhood as the most important factor in determining their location which bodes well for Lake Oswego neighborhoods!
From 1908–1940, Sears, Roebuck and Co. sold about 70,000 – 75,000 homes through their mail-order Modern Homes program. Some were no-bath cottages, for which a separate outhouse could be purchased.
In 1886 the United States paid Russia $7.2 million for the territory of Alaska – meaning that the U.S. acquired nearly 600,000 square miles for less than 2 cents an acre – now that’s a deal!
If you’d like to know what your house is worth or how much it might cost you to move to Lake Oswego, give me a call at 503.939.9801 and/or email me at kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com. I’d love to put my 30+ years as a Lake Oswego Realtor and homeowner to work for you!
When my wife and I first married, we vacationed at Bass Lake, just outside of Yosemite National Park. Our times there were so idyllic that we decided to find a lake we could live on. After traveling around the country in a Volkswagen Westphalia exploring the Land of 10000 Lakes and the lake On Golden Pond was filmed on, we passed through Lake Oswego and fell in love. We bought a small cottage on one of the canals, started out with a free boat being given away by neighbors, and plunged headfirst into the lake lifestyle.
What followed were glorious summers and a growing family that spent just about every summer day on the lake, in the lake, reading by the lake and appreciating the lake.
So yes, the #1 reason we moved to Lake Oswego was the lake. But some 30 years later, we find that the lake is just one of endless reasons we decided to stay.
That’s why I named this blog, “52 Reasons to Love Lake Oswego.” I’ve been writing this blog since May of 2011 so the reasons add up to some 581!
They include:
SCHOOLS. You’ve read it here before, but in my 30-plus years as a Realtor in Lake Oswego, the Lake Oswego School District’s reputation is the number one reason why families want to call Lake Oswego home.
SAFETY. Check out the Lake Oswego Review Police Blotter to see what’s going down in our town and then sleep soundly. The city profiling site, City-Data.com estimates Lake Oswego’s crime index at 85.6 compared to 431 for Portland and 194.5 for Tualatin.
NEIGHBORHOODS. Before one of our neighbors moved in a few doors down several years ago, she knocked on our door to ask if it was a kid-friendly spot. My wife reassured her that it was. She probably would have found the same answer in many of the neighborhoods around Lake Oswego. From active neighborhood associations to 4th of July potlucks to swim and pool easements, there is lots for kids and their parents to like.
RECREATION. You don’t have to leave home to maintain an active lifestyle in Lake Oswego. Choose from swimming in the lake at the Lake Oswego Swim Park to running the trails at Tryon Creek. The Parks and Recreation Department’s program guide offers everything from skateboard lessons to belly dancing. Venture a little further, and you can be snowboarding at Mt. Hood in less than two hours or running along the beach at Seaside in a little over 90 minutes.
SENSE OF COMMUNITY. Lake Oswegans care. You can see it in the faces of the hundreds of supporters who show up each year for the Walk4Water to support World Vision’s water, sanitation and hygiene projects in Zambia, the outpouring of support for Clackamas residents who were displaced by wildfires in 2020, or the greetings shared by the hundreds who turn out for the Lions Club 4th of July pancake breakfast in George Rogers Park or wander the stalls at the Lake Oswego Farmer’s Market.
IT’S A PLACE KIDS WANT TO COME BACK TO. Gone are the days when all three of my kids live under my roof 365 days a year. But they do show up, most notably for those glorious summers I talked about earlier. It’s nice to know we’re settled in a place that spells home to them in more ways than one.
WEATHER. For anyone who has heard of wet Northwest winters, this may sound like false advertising, but hear me out. Fall is beautiful here—crisp, chilly, colorful. Winter is, yes, wet, but sometimes it’s also white. Those rare snow days were some of my kids’ favorite memories as they would send up a rousing cheer to their mom’s news that school had been canceled for the day. We’d pull out the boots and mittens and head for the neighborhood hill for some not-so-serious sledding. Spring is yes, wet, and cooler than we’d like, especially when my son played spring baseball. But the colorful azaleas and rhododendrons make up for it. Summer is late in arriving but once it makes its debut (usually after July 4th), there is no better place to be.
GREEN SPACES. You don’t have to travel to a national park or forest to enjoy green spaces here. Lake Oswego has been designated an official Tree City USA so just step outside. And then reap the benefits. University of Essex researchers found that people’s moods improve after spending time exercising outdoors. With more than 490 acres of open spaces, there is no excuse to stay inside and sulk.
NATURAL BEAUTY. Sometimes I almost have to pinch myself when I’m driving around town or out on the lake and take in my surroundings. Lake Oswego is a beautiful place to call home from the tree canopies mentioned above to the views of Mt. Hood from A Avenue and many homes, to the village flower baskets lining summer streets and more.
If you’d like to make Lake Oswego your home, or are considering selling your home, let’s talk. I’d love to put my 30+ experience as a Lake Oswego Realtor to work helping you with your next move. Call me at 503.939.9801, check my website or email me at kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com.
Typically the holiday season is a slow one in the housing market and this one has been no exception. However, as you can see by the chart below which highlights key market indicators for Lake Oswego, the slowdown has been exacerbated by the higher interest rates (the 30-year fixed was @3.3% in November of last year compared to 6.3%) and reduced inventory. Many sellers, some distracted by the holidays, are choosing to sit things out for a variety of reasons like not having someplace else to go and/or not wanting to trade their low-interest rate for a higher one.
In this next chart you can see that market conditions can vary by price point and houses selling under $1.6 million are still in a seller’s market, meaning there are less than six months of inventory; whereas homes in the $2.1 to $2.6 million and $3.4 to $4.3 million reflect a buyer’s market and homes in the $1.6 to $2.1 million price range and over $4.3 million have between 6-7 months inventory which is considered a balanced market. Even though you may be hearing through the rumor mill that homes aren’t selling, 41% of the homes that sold in Lake Oswego in November sold for over the original asking price.
The takeaway from all this is that the Lake Oswego housing market is not one-size-fits-all. What your neighbor or friend may be experiencing is not necessarily what you would experience. Given that this is a typically slow time, it’s also the perfect time to find out what your home is worth in today’s market conditions. Wouldn’t you like to know, even if you’re not planning on moving?
I am more than happy to meet with you and prepare a market report for your particular home that takes into consideration its location, age, condition, size, amenities and current market conditions. I’ve been living and selling real estate in Lake Oswego for over 30 years and have ridden the waves. I can provide a perspective that’s based on hard data and seasoned experience. Once the holiday tempo has slowed, give me a call at 503.939.9801 and/or email me at kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com. Start your new year with the peace of mind that comes with knowing what your home is worth. And if you’re looking to move here, I can discuss that strategy as well.
Come New Year’s, it’s nice to have options. And living in Lake Oswego, you have those. You can order in and stay in, head out to several shindigs in Portland OR stay close to home but do it up right at Tavern on Kruse.
Tavern on Kruse featuring StimPak. It’s a throwback to the old pre-pandemic days of 2018 – Tavern on Kruse is bringing back its popular New Year’s Eve dance party complete with craft cocktails, top-notch service at both indoor and outdoor venues, and great food. Tickets are $75/online; $85/door and include party favors, a champagne toast at midnight, tasty appetizers and dance inspiration by the high energy Portland rock band, StimPak. Saturday, December 31. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. and the party starts at 9:00 p.m. 4835 Meadows Road.
Willamette River Polar Plunge. The city of West Linn is bringing a whole new meaning to a “cool” event with its New Year’s Day invitation to take the plunge in your icy best. Prizes will be awarded for creative costumes based on crowd favorite in different age categories. Participants as well as their fans can enjoy music, a warm fire and sweet treats both before and after the plunge. Sunday, January 1 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Register online.
Find out what your home is worth. You’ve heard a lot of conflicting news over the last couple of years. The real estate market is hot! The real estate market is cooling down! It’s a seller’s market! The market is shifting! Now’s the best time to sell! Now’s the best time to buy! Let me help you cut through the noise by starting with knowing what your home is worth in today’s market conditions. The only way to get a true value is to talk with a hyperlocal Realtor like myself who is dealing with the changing climate on a daily basis specific to the Lake Oswego and Portland metro market. Wouldn’t it be a great way to start the new year knowing what your home is really worth so you can decide whether to stay put, renovate, add on, or move on?! I’ve been a top-producing Realtor for over 30 years because I put what’s best for my clients first. Sometimes that means talking them out of selling their home or buying a particular house. You’ll get an honest assessment from me, free of charge, which if nothing else, can give you peace of mind. Feel free to give me a call at 503.939.9801 or email me at kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com so we can start your new year off right!
I feel pretty lucky—I live where I work and I love where I live. As a Realtor in Lake Oswego, Oregon, I get to share that enthusiasm with clients every day. Through this blog, with the help of my freelance writer wife, Genita, I’d like to share that enthusiasm with you. Be sure to visit my website.
Due to the changing nature of activities in response to COVID-19, I am suspending this section of the blog temporarily but wish every mom out there a Happy Mother’s Day today!
52 Reasons to Love Lake Oswego 