Living Beaverton - Your guide to everything Beaverton

head_left_image

Clients Helping Clients

Last night, one of my clients decided that after the inspection, based on the watermarks on the sump pumphome, they were scared that the home may one day flood and with their luck, it just wasn't worth the risk.

They decided a home in a possible flood plain was too much risk for them. But, I had another client that I thought this home would be perfect for and I told them this. They said, "Feel free to show it to them."

In a gesture of kindness (the first buyer knew I was showing the home at 1pm) to the new potential buyers, they arrived a little early and caught my buyers who also arrived early and said, "This home won't work for us, but Todd thinks it will work for you. We have already paid for, and had, the inspection so we thought we would just give you this. So here you go." Then they gave them their inspection on the home, from two days earlier, free of charge.

I didn't find out they gave them the inspection until later when talking to them about timelines if the offer is accepted. They said, "You previous buyer gave us their inspection and we just want to submit the offer with the repair addendum and not get an inspection"

I advised them even though that inspector found those items, they may want to get one of their own. A new inspector might even find more, but they thought the money would be better spent on bills to help their credit, since the inspection was only two days old.

So, now let us hope the listing agent will keep it in the MLS as sale pending, just with a different buyer at the closing table.

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
http://www.ifoundyournewhome.com/

creative financing

 

        

Why I love Halloween – Sorry Kids!

I love Halloween and not just because I have to test candy to make sure it isn't dangerous. As all parents now the most dangerous candies are Butter Fingers, Chocolate Malt balls and Kit Kats.

But you also get the chance to have fun with the kids, even if they don't always like you taken pictures that you can use against them later. This is why I'm posting these pictures, so I can get them out there for the world to see before they can delete them from our hard drive.



I will update this blog after Halloween, but here are some great photos of the kids from the past few years.

Sorry Kids!

UPDATE: As promised here is a link to this years Halloween pics Kids had fun, but I had to take a lot of unsafe candy!

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
http://www.ifoundyournewhome.com/

I don't feel like typing Saturdays: Dog day afternoon

Sometimes a pile leaves can be used for more than just a compost pile, as our puppy figured out real quick
after a long day of playing with the kids.

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
http://www.ifoundyournewhome.com/

creative financing

UPDATE: We lost Midge the puppy in this picture in early February and she will be missed very much by everyone who met her. Thanks midge for the great memories and some even more unforgettable laughs.

U-Haul, not me-haul for pizza and beer

 Well, I got another call today from a friend of mine who hasn't made the jump to owning a home and is planning a move back... home? Don't ask me how they can handle that at almost 40, but mom's basement must be fun!

Now, the call goes something like this...

Friend: What you doing this weekend?

Me: Showing some homes and holding a couple open houses. Why? What's up?

Friend: Oh, just moving back home with mom and dad and need some help moving. I've rented a U-haul and have invited everyone over for pizza and beer.

 Me: Sorry, won't be able to help labor wise, but if you need an extra trailer, I can lend you mine along with the trailer hitch.

Friend: Thanks, but I think the U-haul should be able to handle it.

Me: Sorry, I couldn't help! Is there anything else I can help you with?

Friend: No, it's alright, just thought I would try.

Now, for you people out there thinking that this sounds like a good idea, these people have known me for years and every one of them knows that first of all... I DON'T DRINK! Not a good start to your U-haul party, which is looking more like a me-haul party, that is going to leave me with a sore back and help you move back to your parents basement.

Just a side note - Chicks dig that when you say you live in your parents basement. May I also suggest you pick up some beer lamps for a better atmosphere for the ladies.

                                                             

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
http://www.ifoundyournewhome.com/

 

OK – I need your help (My daughter doesn’t believe me)

I've told my daughter that the tooth fairy has rules just like banks. She thinks I am pulling her leg, which I would never do! She started to lose another baby tooth last night and I told her that if she lost it after 5pm, like all banks, all transactions after 5pm have to wait until the next business day.

I've also told her that the Tooth Fairy only works Monday-Friday and shouldn't be expected to work weekends. How would you like it if you had to work 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Since it is always night time somewhere, this made sense to me when I said it.

So, please back me up and I will print out your comments for her to read. Also, if you know of any other rules that I am not thinking of, please feel free to report them here - lol


Update
: The Tooth Fairy came and even had a Kit Kat in hand. Seems had to take a late night run to the store for change. Also people thought I was a little off when it came to this one and for a look in to my humor I wrote another blog about how I got this way. Feel free to check it out My Easter Dinner (1982) - And a look in to my sense of humor.

 

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
http://www.ifoundyournewhome.com/

 

What is your present to yourself for reaching your yearly goals?

Every year, I sit down with my family, and we set a goal for sales that I need to reach. When I reach that goal, we go on a family vacation. We take a picture of that goal and put it on my bedroom door and my bathroom mirror. This reminds me as I go to bed and when I get up what my goals are and that my family is counting on me reaching them.

The one on the outside of my bedroom door has a check list. Whenever I close a property we have one of the kids cross out a picture of a home on the check list. When we get to the last one, we are allowed to go on a family vacation.

This does two things. First, it reminds daily that I am working toward a goal and my family is counting on me reaching that goal. Second, it reminds my family that they need to do what they can to help me reach that goal, be it stuffing envelopes or being quiet when I am on the phone in the car with them.

Last year we had set a goal that was double what I had done the previous year and when we made it, we all decided that we were going to Yellowstone, and boy, was it one of the best two weeks of my life. Here are some pictures from that vacation.

This year the goal was even higher and so was what the kids decided to do as a vacation. They wanted to go to Disneyland, I am still a few sales short, but I am close, and the family is getting excited. (To be honest so am I!)

So what kind of goals do you set for yourself, and do you have a reward picked out if you reach those goals? Sometimes when you know what the prize is, it makes you work that much harder to reach them. In my case I have others holding me accountable, and I don't want to disappoint.

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
http://www.ifoundyournewhome.com/

creative financing

 

          

We were driving down I-5 in Portland and were passed by a caravan of fire trucks

My kids, loving fire trucks, thought this was the coolest thing seeing all these fire trucks pass us, but they wanted to know where they were all going. Neither my wife, nor I, had any idea, and so when we got home we decided to go to a local news channel and see if there was a large fire that we didn't know about.

Well, it turns out, we did know about the fire and they were on their way to it. It seems our local fire departments got together and are sending our local fire trucks and fire fighters to help all of our friends in Southern California to help put a stop to all the wild fires.

Just knowing that we had the resources and are actually going to do something to help makes me proud to be an Oregonian. So if you see a bunch of fire trucks from Oregon passing you on I-5 in the next few days, be assured they are not lost!

They are on the way to help you our southern friends.

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
http://www.ifoundyournewhome.com/

 

Commonwealth Lake Park in Beaverton, Oregon (Another reason to relocate)

Commonwealth Lake Park in Beaverton, Oregon is another attraction in Beaverton that the whole family can enjoy. The park is hidden within a neighborhood and is really difficult to find, and unless you know its there, you would never find it.

Commonwealth Lake Park 

But, with its trout filled lake, walking paths, playground, soccer field, and nature you can get right darn close to, it has something for everyone. Its not often you can find a fishing spot within 5 minutes of home in a major city, but thanks to the City of Beaverton and their creation of Commonwealth lake, it gives you a great mixture of nature nestled right in the heart of a larger city.


For more information on the parks of Tigard or Beaverton, feel free to contact me anytime for a complete list and maps to each.


View Larger Map


Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
http://www.ifoundyournewhome.com/

creative financing

 

 

Not claiming to be a great chef – But it is time for Halloween fun!

 With me and cooking, you have a choice of three different dinner entrees: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, or Pancakes!

Well, with this being October, the kids got something special tonight. Ok, not really. It was just pancakes... orange pancakes... but they thought they were cool! So for dinner next week, I think I'll try to figure out how to make orange hamburgers.

Anyone know a good recipe or any other spooky halloween recipes I can make for my kids this next week?

 

 

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
http://www.ifoundyournewhome.com/

Creative Financing

My fishing partner is back in action!

DadEarlier this year I wrote a post about me losing my fishing partner to knee surgery. But, I'm happy to say, the doctors have cleared him to go fishing with me again and we are set for next week to head out to the lake for a boys day out.

My dad is my best friend and we talk everyday. We love fishing together and as soon as I can get my wife to realize that my job is catching them and her job is to clean and cook them we will be in good shape.

Insert wife comments here: "When he catches one, we'll talk about it." Or how about, "Keep dreaming buddy!"

But, I am happy to say I will be taking a day off next week to hang out with my best friend and I really hope to be posting a blog with pictures of the fish we caught. If you don't see one, you know I came back empty handed and my wife will be laughing.

This is going out to my fellow Active Rainers, if you are ever in the Portland
area and want to head out fishing, I'm not going to be turning anyone down
for a networking fishing trip!

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
http://www.ifoundyournewhome.com/

creative financing