Living Beaverton - Your guide to everything Beaverton

As many of you know I am what some call a very dedicated blogger madman when it comes to posting. OK, yes between my blog here and my Wordpress blog, I post 30 blogs per week, but what you don't know is that I only spend an average of an hour a day doing that. (I promise.)

But, I am going to let you in on another little secret. The man behind the blog isn't really the brains of the operation. It was pointed out to me by my good friend, (despite being a Phillies Fan - congratulations by the way) Fran "The Title Man" Gaspari, in his comment below that I don't give enough credit to my wife, Samantha.

Samantha takes all my ramblings that I have in Word, or on a voice recorder, and revises the format, grammar and spelling to each and every one of my posts, so I don't look like an idiot to all of you and my loving public.

For those of you that don't know, Samantha and I have been married for 15 years. We met when she was an employee of mine for a company that I owned for 18 years until I sold it in 2005. Without Samantha, I could honestly say that I wouldn't have the great posts I do.

I also have to thank Samantha for raising kids that I can be proud of and I know I don't thank her enough for that. I have written many great posts about my kids, but without Samantha these kids would be in a public school and not be as mature and as smart as they are.

I am proud to be their coach on the baseball field, but I know my wife and her teaching them at home has made them who they are. My wife has been a stay at home mom from the moment my first daughter was born, over 10 years ago and I would never want to even attempt her job of being mom. It is tougher than any job or career that I could ever do in life and I applaud her for her patience with the kids and me. (I know sometimes I can be difficult.)  *Samantha here:  GASP!  Difficult?  Nahhhhhhh! (rofl)

Over the years she has also taken care of me and my real estate career by being the ever diligent filing person in my life. If she wasn't around, I can't imagine how high the stack of folders would be. She is the one that makes sure that I have all the paper work, cell phone and Supra key when I walk out the door. Can you imagine how stupid I would look showing up at the first house of the day without my Supra key?

Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

 

 

 I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard.
All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.

 

What if there was a way you could search the MLS for FREE just like Realtors

Now you can access the MLS using similar tools as Realtors. You are in control of what you want to search for, and you can search the MLS at your leisure. The information you submit in the form below can also be used to put you on an automated system where you'll be emailed all homes that meet your search criteria. You'll get internet access to a website that includes pictures, prices, and addresses to real estate that's listed in the MLS!

Click here to start your FREE home search now

 

Once a week I meet with fellow business owners for what I call Business Social Networking or BS for short. That is right, BS, because that is what you get out of most of these meetings. One hour of people talking up how great they are, just to drive business their way from you and your leads, but never really wanting to give back.

Why is this? I feel that it is a trust issue. Have you ever had your name sold by a company that you do business with to another businesses e-mail or direct mail mailing lists? How did that make you feel, when you found out how they got your name?

B.S. can bring you great wealth, but you have to prove yourself first and sometimes the only way to do that is to have a common client that you have both done business with and the client talks highly of both of you. I've met many great business owners that talk great about themselves, but when you talk to their clients, the story isn't the same.

How would I feel if I referred one of my clients to this member of the group and they came back and asked, "How could you refer that person to me, they were horrible!"? I would feel like a heel and have to say that I had never used them, I just knew of them from my business networking group. I sold them out for the chance to earn business from this person.

Now, don't get me wrong, there are people that are in my group that I have invited and I would trust them with my clients. And they have invited others that they trust. But, every once in a while, as some members leave the field and leave an opening in our business networking group, we have people join that no one has ever met. How do you deal with this, what is your expectations of such a group?

Should I count on B.S. groups as a reliable source of business, especially if they now know I may never refer something to them unless I know they can be counted on to care about my customers as much as I do?

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

 

 

 I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard.
All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.

 

What if there was a way you could search the MLS for FREE just like Realtors

Now you can access the MLS using similar tools as Realtors. You are in control of what you want to search for, and you can search the MLS at your leisure. The information you submit in the form below can also be used to put you on an automated system where you'll be emailed all homes that meet your search criteria. You'll get internet access to a website that includes pictures, prices, and addresses to real estate that's listed in the MLS!

Click here to start your FREE home search now

 

As the weather turns cooler and the trees start to drop their leaves, it can be a time of frustration as our heating bills go up. But, some people just don't care about that, they only see the true beauty of the season and by doing that, they can bring joy to others.

You see, all the kids in the neighborhood pulled out their rakes and started to rake up a rather large pile of leaves to jump in and have a lot of fun. We had some tree trimmers working the area and they saw what the kids were doing. They went over to the neighbors' yard, and on their time, blew extra leaves over to the kids' pile so they could have it even larger.

Well the kids thought this was awesome and went running and dove in. You could hear the tree trimmers laugh from inside the house and two houses away. This was bringing as much joy to them as it was the kids.

If you can't see the video click here

So, forget about the bills, forget about the slow down in the market and go check out the beauty that nature has supplied us, because it won't be around for long.

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

 

 

 I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard.
All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.

 

What if there was a way you could search the MLS for FREE just like Realtors

Now you can access the MLS using similar tools as Realtors. You are in control of what you want to search for, and you can search the MLS at your leisure. The information you submit in the form below can also be used to put you on an automated system where you'll be emailed all homes that meet your search criteria. You'll get internet access to a website that includes pictures, prices, and addresses to real estate that's listed in the MLS!

Click here to start your FREE home search now

 

I have to ask, did Christmas arrive early and I miss it? Last late week, I wrote a post about Santa Claus and his early Christmas present to one of my clients. But, then last night on the news, I hear a story that at one of our local auctions a son and mother team heard a lady crying when they announced a certain house.

They decided to bid on it, won the house in the auction, and then gave the house back to her. Talk about giving! This couple deserves to be applauded for what they did, these people are investors, out to make money, and here they do something so nice, for someone they have never met.

To you the investors who did that, I think you are truly giving and caring people and I wish you all the success in the world! It is people like you that deserve to get what you want out of life as you clearly live by the get by giving philosophy.

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

 

 

 I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard.
All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.

 

What if there was a way you could search the MLS for FREE just like Realtors

Now you can access the MLS using similar tools as Realtors. You are in control of what you want to search for, and you can search the MLS at your leisure. The information you submit in the form below can also be used to put you on an automated system where you'll be emailed all homes that meet your search criteria. You'll get internet access to a website that includes pictures, prices, and addresses to real estate that's listed in the MLS!

Click here to start your FREE home search now

 

Have you ever run in to an agent that thinks they are the greatest thing since sliced bread, but you just want to slap them upside the head and bring them back to Earth? As far as I'm concerned two things make a great agent. First is their clients and the second is dedication.

I was asked by an agent who is in a bigger office what they should do with an agent that is trying to copy her in every way, including her farm areas. She is worried about her farm because this person is a self proclaimed real estate GOD! But, in less than two years has had more complaints filed against them than any other agent in the office. The only thing is, not one has resulted in a fine or disciplinary action, so the public has no idea about this person.

This tells me that the guy is just plain lucky so far! You don't get that many complaints filed against you unless you are not very good and not very well liked by your clients. Now, this person is trying to copy a successful agent because she is successful, but I don't think they understand that part of the reason she is successful is because she has ethics.

I remember my first year very well and I agree it was very hard to find my own. But I looked at a lot of the top agents and "learned from" not copied what they were doing and adapted it to what I was able to do. I didn't have a lot of money, so mailing flyers and news letters that first year wasn't going to happen. But, I did deliver those news letters by hand and saved myself $370 a month in postage and got some exercise.

The second thing that happens by copying someone is you aren't learning what it actually takes to be successful, and I promise the public knows. I'm guessing this agent's farm area is on to this guy since the post cards are almost word for word copies of her ads, just one week later.

I love new agents, most of them have so much passion and their attitude is that nothing can stop them. Not only do I get energy from them, I get the chance to encourage them. I think that is partially what makes Activerain so great. New and experienced agents can share their experiences without the fear of competition.

Competition is good, but it does have to be played on a level playing field. I thrive and do better when I have something to lose. That is why I challenge people to see who can deliver the most flyers in one week. (The loser buys lunch.) I love the challenge, and for the record, there have been a few times I've lied to a newbie about how many I delivered just because I knew they did their best, but the fear of having to come out of their pocket with $10 for lunch was too much to bear. So, I of course, delivered about 50 less flyers than them for the week and bought them lunch. Usually, less than two months later, they are buying me lunch because they have a commission check!

So, for you new agents, there is just as much ethics involved in being successful as there is hard work. I wish you all the success in the world, but you have to earn it and not steal it. That goes for people new to Activerain as well, you can't just copy and paste and expect to get to the top of the Hall of Fame, you have to work and work hard.

My mom taught me that hard work is the only way to true success!

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

 

 

 I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard.
All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.

 

What if there was a way you could search the MLS for FREE just like Realtors

Now you can access the MLS using similar tools as Realtors. You are in control of what you want to search for, and you can search the MLS at your leisure. The information you submit in the form below can also be used to put you on an automated system where you'll be emailed all homes that meet your search criteria. You'll get internet access to a website that includes pictures, prices, and addresses to real estate that's listed in the MLS!

Click here to start your FREE home search now

 

Over the past two weeks I have spent some serious hours on the phone with the negotiator at Countrywide. I really don't enjoy this, but I do joke with her when we are on the phone. You know, whatever it takes to make the time go by faster, even though nothing seems to be getting done!

Well, Friday my wife put me on notice when I was talking to the home seller, and after 5 hours on the phone to the bank, I accidently called the home seller by the negotiators name. I caught it immediately and the home owner got a laugh out of it. But, my wife says if I call her by the negotiators name again, I will be cut off from the phone, internet and anything real estate related for 24 hours!

OUCH! Let's hope I don't make that mistake, I love Activerain way to much to go 24 hours without at least checking out some great post!

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

 

 

 I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard.
All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.

 

What if there was a way you could search the MLS for FREE just like Realtors

Now you can access the MLS using similar tools as Realtors. You are in control of what you want to search for, and you can search the MLS at your leisure. The information you submit in the form below can also be used to put you on an automated system where you'll be emailed all homes that meet your search criteria. You'll get internet access to a website that includes pictures, prices, and addresses to real estate that's listed in the MLS!

Click here to start your FREE home search now

 

Oh, what a fun event this was! I held a small get together with friends, family and past clients from this last year that had kids. We all got together to carve pumpkins, decorate cookies, and eat BBQ Hot dogs and homemade chili.

It was a wonderful night and fun was had by all. I think next year, I'm going to make it even bigger and invite even more people because it truly was a blast. However, since I did it more on the spur of the moment it was a little harder to plan for much larger than I had.

Here are some photos from the night and I have to say thank you to Mother Nature for working out and making the night dry!

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

 

 

 I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard.
All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.

 

What if there was a way you could search the MLS for FREE just like Realtors

Now you can access the MLS using similar tools as Realtors. You are in control of what you want to search for, and you can search the MLS at your leisure. The information you submit in the form below can also be used to put you on an automated system where you'll be emailed all homes that meet your search criteria. You'll get internet access to a website that includes pictures, prices, and addresses to real estate that's listed in the MLS!

Click here to start your FREE home search now

 

Do I slap you now or later? First of all, my fiduciary responsibility is to my seller and I guess in the case of a short sale it really is the bank, so my job is to get them the most money for the house so they lose the least amount of money and not have to foreclose on the property.

But, guess what? I have a seller who doesn't want to do a short sale, but has too! What does that mean to your buyer? My seller is going to turn around and tell you where to stick your offer because they plan to payback every dime that the bank doesn't get in the form of an unsecured loan.

I know it sounds crazy, but guess what? I have a seller who was taught if you borrow money then you have to pay it back. It may not be as agreed to, but you agreed to pay it back, so do it! I think what the seller is doing is certainly above and beyond the call of duty, but they said they can't live with themselves if they short the bank and they will pay it as soon as they have the money.

Now, this home is going to be short only about $20,000 after commissions and closing costs, but it still will come up short. So if you offer $100,000 less they would feel pressured to pay that back to the bank. So please take your offer back and take it to someone who doesn't care, MY CLIENTS DO!



Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

 

 

 I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard.
All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.

 

What if there was a way you could search the MLS for FREE just like Realtors

Now you can access the MLS using similar tools as Realtors. You are in control of what you want to search for, and you can search the MLS at your leisure. The information you submit in the form below can also be used to put you on an automated system where you'll be emailed all homes that meet your search criteria. You'll get internet access to a website that includes pictures, prices, and addresses to real estate that's listed in the MLS!

Click here to start your FREE home search now

 

Over the past two months I've received some strange feedback on one of my listings. I've also seen similar things on other listings of mine, but this one has gotten the most. I just don't understand why agents would want to be a taxi service to a buyer. Read the feedback from below and tell me if you think these agents are being taxi drivers or agents? With gas prices what they are today, I certainly wouldn't be doing extra stops or driving 60 miles roundtrip out of my way to show a listing that I know they will never buy.

Do you see what I mean? Tell me, are there any agents out there that would still do this to get a buyer? Not in this market with gas prices what they are! I would tell these buyers that its time to find a new agent if you are only going to be looking at things that you have no desire to buy.

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

 

 

 I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard.
All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.

 

What if there was a way you could search the MLS for FREE just like Realtors

Now you can access the MLS using similar tools as Realtors. You are in control of what you want to search for, and you can search the MLS at your leisure. The information you submit in the form below can also be used to put you on an automated system where you'll be emailed all homes that meet your search criteria. You'll get internet access to a website that includes pictures, prices, and addresses to real estate that's listed in the MLS!

Click here to start your FREE home search now

 

You read the MLS and it says "REMODELED". It has an amazing price and you call your buyers who get excited and head over to meet you before anyone else has a chance to put an offer in. Now, things get exciting. The house looks amazing, so you put in an offer, it gets accepted and then you order the inspection.

It turns out that remodel was only cosmetic! As the inspector is climbing in and around the kitchen, and the attic above the kitchen, he finds beams burnt through that weren't replaced, and cabinets that still have water damage from the fire department on them. It looks like this family took the insurance money and only covered the damage and kept the rest of the money!

No where does it mention in the disclosures that there has been a fire, heck there is no place to put something like that in the disclosures. But, calling a place remodeled because you tried to burn it down just doesn't cut it for my buyers and me. I think you will find yourself in court so they can get their money back for the inspection that you were wrong not have disclosed this upfront!

Please, if you know something about a house, it is better to disclose it up front than let the buyer find out later and have to take you to court for not disclosing it.



Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

 

 

 I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard.
All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.

 

What if there was a way you could search the MLS for FREE just like Realtors

Now you can access the MLS using similar tools as Realtors. You are in control of what you want to search for, and you can search the MLS at your leisure. The information you submit in the form below can also be used to put you on an automated system where you'll be emailed all homes that meet your search criteria. You'll get internet access to a website that includes pictures, prices, and addresses to real estate that's listed in the MLS!

Click here to start your FREE home search now