Living Beaverton - Your guide to everything Beaverton

There are lots of homes for sale in Tigard Oregon and lots of them are great deals. They look great and would be fine homes to own. But, how do you tell which one is the best purchase for your pocket book or the best home for your situation?

YOU GO TO OPEN HOUSES!

But, then you really only have from 1pm-4pm to see all the open houses in Tigard, Oregon. Now you have to decide which ones you are going to go to. Even if you do that, you have to decide which one is the clear standout in a sea of homes that are for sale in Tigard, Oregon.

LET ME HELP YOU! Here is a run down of all the homes for sale in Tigard, Oregon. See if you can see anything that stands out. If you do, I suggest you click here and find out how to get to that open house tomorrow, February 28, 2009, between 1pm and 4pm and to find out more information about the house.

Look forward to seeing you there!

© 2009 Todd Clark - Tigard Oregon Real Estate: Open Houses in Tigard Oregon

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

 

Today is Friday, February 27, 2009 and it is time for another breakdown of homes sales in the Washington County, Oregon market. With the average drop in home pending sales in Washington County since this time last years is 30.95% and now we are starting to feel the pinch of short sales and foreclosures hitting the market. It has caused the average home sold price to drop 4.05% since in the last month. This is an interesting situation, because for the first time we are seeing prices start to fall, but I’m interested in seeing the next couple months as I have started to see a little more buyer activity this month versus last month.

So, if you have a family home that you are thinking about selling, this is a great time to get it on the market!

Here is a breakdown of homes sales for the week by neighborhood. Just click on the link to your neighborhood for the complete breakdown of what the average of homes that are on the market, how long they have been on the market, how many have sold, what their average price was, and how long they were on the market.

As always, if you are looking to buy or sell in the Washington County, Oregon area, I would love to show you how you can save the most money by being on your side during the negotiations.

Neighborhood # of Active Listings

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

© 2009 Todd Clark - Washington County, Oregon home sales week in review by neighborhood (02/27/2009)

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 a parent with two parents as public school teachers, a brother who teaches at a middle school in Tigard, and grandparents on both sides of my family who were also teachers, this sometimes can be a touchy subject. But, you know what? I believe what we are doing for our kids is the right thing.

Schools today try to teach to a test or to the dumbest kid in the class, so they don’t make certain kids feel bad about themselves. This basically makes our smart children dumber and does nothing for the kids who really need just some one on one help.

But, that isn’t really what this post is about. This post is about the budget cuts proposed by our state and how this could affect our kids in the public school system that already seems to be failing them.

Our government says they need to cut teachers salaries, or cut certain programs, in order to make the budget in the next two years. This is where even my 10 year old daughter can do math well enough to figure out something doesn’t sound right. She wanted to know where the money was going.

You see, in Oregon, each school gets approximately $10,000 per child per year. That comes to $25,000 dollars a month when you multiply that by a classroom of 25 kids and then divide it by 12 months. The average teacher in Oregon, with benefits package, only makes about $51,000 on average, according to the Oregon School Board Association.

So, let’s do the math here….

25 kids x $12,000 = $300,000

$300,000 - $51,000 = $249,000

Now, I went to college and books cost a lot per year… So let us say each kid gets $1,000 worth of books per year.

$249,000 - $25,000 = $224,000

I’m even going to add in $2,000 per student per year for bus drivers, electricity and water.

$224,000 - $50,000 = $174,000

My 10 year old - “Mom, Dad, doesn’t it only cost you about $3000 to teach all of us, including the cost of books per year?”

Me - “Well, Yes, that is correct. It only costs us about $3,500 for all of you, and that includes memberships to things like OMSI, The Oregon Zoo, and the sports programs for you every year.”

Daughter – “So, where does the rest of that money go then?”

Me – “Well child, that would be the $64,000 question and the same reason we keep you out of public schools. Do I want people teaching you that can need more supervisors than they do teachers to do the same thing”

You see, my attitude is my kids are very well educated and I’ve seen many public school kids that are also very well educated. But what I’ve noticed is, it’s those kids that have parent help and interaction in their lives.

I would like to see the public school system go back to the days were they had 20 kids, one class room and one teacher who taught everything, like my wife does with my kids. We don’t need principals, we just need teachers that have the right to discipline kids when they misbehave and give them the freedom to teach instead of indoctrinate.

© 2009 Todd Clark - Beaverton Oregon Home Schooling – Where public and private don’t meet in the middle

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 wondered why a city would make a code that totally defeated the purpose of government? One of these government regulations in Beaverton, Oregon, was that many churches, schools, and other large facilities couldn’t be used as emergency shelters because they didn’t meet the city’s codes for that.

I’m not sure why the codes didn’t allow for this or what code could have possibly been violated by trying to keep people safe during large storms or other events. However, the Mayor of Beaverton has really stepped up to the plate and has proposed a change that I think is a good one.

Mayor Denny Doyle has proposed that there be a temporary lifting of the rules on development codes during major events making it so these facilities could be used to protect the public from the elements.

The idea is that there is a lot of homeless people and people who lose their power during major storms, like the one we had in December. Can you imagine it being 25 degrees outside and to be without power for 8 or 9 days? Well it happened here and we had no place for these people to go to keep warm or even get a warm meal.

This is one of the reasons I love Beaverton, Oregon. The government here doesn’t always think like the government we have come to expect over the past 30 years, where logic doesn’t prevail, it hinders.

© 2009 Todd Clark - Beaverton Oregon: Putting people before government

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

 

Are you looking for a family place to go play pool or just a fun place to take a date that isn’t too expensive? Then Hot Shots Billiards is the place for you! When I was younger this was one of my favorite spots to go on a date. It was inexpensive and you could always talk to your date and not have to worry about missing part of a movie.

My wife also loved this place, but we never did see each other there, but we both had been going there for years prior to us dating. I guess it just wasn’t our time to meet yet. But, what I loved about Hot Shots was that it was a non drinking Billiards hall that I could go to and my parents wouldn’t have to worry about where I was or who I was with.

I wasn’t downtown, they could get a hold of me with ease. The owner seemed to know everyone that walked in, so when our parents would call, he would hand over the phone and we would hop on the bus or in the car and head home.

We always seemed to spend hours there just having fun laughing and meeting new people and friends. The best part was that it wasn’t expensive and when I was 16, that was very important. I haven’t been there in awhile, but talking to my brother-in-law who is 19 now, it is still a very popular place and they go there a lot. As soon as my youngest is old enough to see over the table, I think we will be planning a family night out as there is something about billiards that is just fun!

So, if you are looking for a fun night out that doesn’t involve alcohol, than I suggest you check out Hot Shots Billiards in Beaverton, Oregon.

Address:
4900 SW Western Ave
Beaverton, Oregon 97005
Phone: (503)644-8869

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

 

One of the biggest questions I get by families relocating to Beaverton, Oregon, who have dogs is, “Todd, where can we take our pets? Our temporary apartment (or hotel) won’t allow pets.”

Well, until a couple weeks ago, I didn’t really have any good answers for that question. I didn’t have anyone I knew speak highly of a place until one client, who was moving to Beaverton, Oregon from California, needed to have a place to keep her little dog Ginger.

Ginger was a small dog, and she was her family. The place she was staying while looking for a property didn’t allow pets. She searched high and low and found a place just outside Beaverton, in Tigard, called 4 Paws Dog Daycare and Cageless Boarding.

 Now, when I went there with her to pick up her little Ginger, I have to say I was impressed. A place for pets that didn’t believe in little 2 x 3 foot cages for dogs 18 hours a day. This place really showed the love for the dogs and all the dogs were playing with each other. Much to my surprise, and my Virginia (my client), her dog didn’t want to go! I’ve had to take dogs to many kennels in my time, but when I get there the dogs have always beat down the door and were to the car before I could be, they couldn’t wait to go home!

This place was different and we knew it. I had found my place where I was going to send people who needed to keep a dog if they were either relocating, going on vacation for a couple weeks, or the dog just needs a place to stay for the day. Check out 4 Paws. You can read more about them at www.4pawsdogdaycare.com or give them a call at 503-639-8897 and set up an appointment to check out their facility.

Your dog will thank you!

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

 

Today everyone seems to have a game system at home, be it a Wii, Xbox, or a Playstation, but don’t you wish you could just show your kids what it was really supposed to be about? Well, if you are in Beaverton, Oregon, on vacation or live here, than I suggest you get your kids over to Wunderland.

This place is awesome and has some great video games, including the ones you remember from the 80s and 90s that you can show your kids and it will only cost you a couple bucks to get in the door and then a nickel or two per game.

I really don’t enjoy losing games against my kids on these new gaming systems at home but I like to take them where I can still kick their butts in some old fashioned Donkey Kong, Pac Man or many other games.

I’m an old school pinball kind of guy and even have the Kiss Pinball machine in the garage, but it is even more fun when you play a newer version pinball game like Earth Shaker and the whole machine shakes when you hit the right ramp. You just don’t get that on the system at home.

So, show your kids how games are meant to be played and nickel and dime your way to fun!

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

 

This was a picture of my daughter just dancing in the rain. Now I can say that my beautiful wife took this picture and can not be used unless given written permission. I am hoping to raise a lawyer and if you do use it, once my kids are done with law school, be prepared to be sued.

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

© 2009 Todd Clark - I don't feel like typing Saturdays! (Spring is coming)

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

 

Today is Friday, February 20, 2009 and it is time for another breakdown of homes sales in the Washington County, Oregon market. With the average drop in home pending sales in Washington County since this time last years is 30.95% and now we are starting to feel the pinch of short sales and foreclosures hitting the market. It has caused the average home sold price to drop 4.05% since in the last month. This is an interesting situation, because for the first time we are seeing prices start to fall, but I’m interested in seeing the next couple months as I have started to see a little more buyer activity this month versus last month. I look forward to reporting this falls sales at the end of November and hopefully I will have some good news.

So, if you have a family home that you are thinking about selling, this is a great time to get it on the market!

Here is a breakdown of homes sales for the week by neighborhood. Just click on the link to your neighborhood for the complete breakdown of what the average of homes that are on the market, how long they have been on the market, how many have sold, what their average price was, and how long they were on the market.

As always, if you are looking to buy or sell in the Washington County, Oregon area, I would love to show you how you can save the most money by being on your side during the negotiations.

Neighborhood # of Active Listings

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