33252 Silver Spot Lane closed 4/28/2008 for $400,000. Silver Spot was on the market for 242 days and had an original list price of $498,000.

and…..

89945 Ocean Drive is back under contract as of 4/24/2008.

images courtesy of the Clastop MLS.

As of 3/31/2008:

• Active: 9
• Closed: 0
• Pended:3
• New: 3

For comparison, I searched the Clatsop MLS for residential properties priced between $500-999,000 active during the first quarter in all parts of the county.

• New: 88
• Pending: 18
• Sold: 9
• Expired: 61
• Active in range: 179

souce: Clatsop MLS

It is certainly a tough market for Sellers, but Buyers are getting some great deals. With inventory still above normal, many Sellers are coming to terms with a tough market and pricing their properties accordingly. On the flip side, Buyers seem to be less tolerant to haggling and tend to move on quickly to another property if they can’t come to terms. This seems to be the rule in most of the area especially Surf Pines, Gearhart and Seaside. Large developments like The Reserve at Gearhart and Thompson Falls give buyers even more options: Now that building has slowed, home builders are eager to get back to building true custom homes to suit on a lot purchased by the Buyer.

The great home at 89565 Manion Drive has a new price! The list price was recently reduced to $525,000. You might remember this home when it was featured as KAST’s house of the week.

The new construction home for sale at 89945 Ocean Drive in Surf Pines is under contract as of 3/13/2008.

It’s great to see some action in Surf Pines, I think we’re going to see things pickup as we move into spring.

edit: home is back on market as of 3/27/08

33252 Silverspot Lane, Surf Pines is currently Sale Pending as of 2/21/08!

We’ll update you soon when this home closes escrow.

With the neighborhood beginning it’s return to normal, I thought this article from About.com would be fitting for those selling their Surf Pines home this spring. While there’s no “magic pill” for home selling, even the smallest details can help grab the attention of a Buyer.

1) Wash windows inside and out / polish all mirrors

Sparkle is free, and sparkle sells homes. A potential buyer may not realize why your home seems so inviting but will feel drawn to it if the windows are spotless and your mirrors reflect sunlight. Cleaning is the first step to preparing your home for sale.

2) Rake the yard / trim back bushes

Clean out dead leaves and debris in your lawn. Don’t let overgrown vegetation block the windows or path to the entrance. Cutting bushes and tree limbs will let the sun inside and showcase the exterior of your home.

3) Mow diagonally and edge lawn along driveway / sidewalks

Artfully manicured lawns are edged and tell buyers you pay attention to small details. Diagonally mowed lawns make your yard appear larger.

4) Transplant tulips and daffodils or buy flowers in containers

Yellow flowers stimulate buying urges. After a long winter, everybody is anxious to see the first signs of spring. Yellow tulips and daffodils induce feelings of happiness and contentment. Arrange containers in groups of three or five near the entrance.

5) Clean drapes, curtains & blinds and open every window

Send your window coverings to the dry cleaners or wash, dry and press. Toss blinds into a soapy bathtub for a quick wash. Get rid of all accumulated dust and spider webs. Crisp linens and a spring-time breeze through the windows invites the season inside.

6) Set out fresh-smelling flowers such as just-clipped lilacs branches or peonies

Why not flatter your neighbors and ask if you can borrow flowers from their yards? Natural scents are more appealing than artificial and trigger fewer allergies among those susceptible. Peony vases are designed to hold peonies upright, but wash the flowers first to avoid carrying ants inside. Clever home staging brings color and fragrance indoors.

7) Polish floors to a high gloss

Your hardwood floors should be refinished, if necessary. Make your ceramic and linoleum floors twinkle and shine. Bleach dull grout. Thoroughly clean all area rugs.

8.) Utilize towels, throws, pillows in light colors – yellows, pinks, pale blues, lavenders

Even if it means replacing items, towels, linens, throws and sofa pillows are inexpensive accents you can buy. In soft spring colors, they will light up a room. Layer towels on bathroom towel racks and place rolled wash cloths on the counters in a fashionable pyramid.

9) Offer an outside mat for cleaning shoes & put umbrella stand at entrance

No matter where you live, spring weather is often unpredictable. In some states, it can be 72 degrees one day and snowing the next. If it’s raining, give buyers a place to stash umbrellas and wipe their feet before entering your home. Some sellers lay down plastic runners across floors for protection, but that tends to ruin the effect of a glittering polish job.

10) Buy brightly colored helium balloons

Stationery and party-supply stores sell helium balloons for about a dollar each. So, there’s no reason not to pick up a couple dozen balloons to tie to your open house signs. Balloons build excitement and will get your home noticed by home shoppers.

11) Set out four-color flyers & financing options

Don’t skimp on your marketing materials. You want home buyers to select your flyer among the dozens they pick up. Color sells better than black and white. Show home buyers how easily they can afford to buy your home by giving them two or three financing options. The first thing on buyer’s minds when considering a home purchase is the monthly mortgage payment. Don’t make them guess.

12) Use a color photo for display advertising

Spend a little more on newspaper and online advertising by including a color photograph in your ad. Remember: a picture is worth a 1,000 words. Look through your photo galleries for a seasonal photograph that flaunts your home to its best advantage.

13) Mail four-color postcards with UV coating

Call a local title company to obtain a free direct-mail list of your surrounding neighbors. Print four-color oversized postcards and include a UV coating to give the marketing oomph. Use first-class postage.

14) Fill sink with ice to chill bottled water for guests

Put a couple dozen bottles of water in a sink of ice for buyers. You can also tape labels to the bottles, printed from your computer, with your phone number, a photograph and address of your home.

15) Set out treats, individually wrapped in cellophane & tied w/ribbon

Touring homes makes buyers hungry. Give them a snack. It will give buyers an opportunity to linger in your kitchen and marvel at its elegant appointments, which might otherwise be overlooked.

January 10, 2008

New Listings: 3

Sale Pending: 4

Closed Sales: 3

Active Listings as of January 1st: 9

Active Residential Listings as of January 1, 2008: 410

Active Residential Listings one year ago: 320

Source: Clatsop Mutliple Listing Service

To check the license of any contractor you can go to the Oregon CCB website.

5. HOA’s often provide networking through organized social gatherings. The Surf Pines HOA has hosted such events as; Ice Cream socials, Wine Tasting and Picnics.

4. HOA’s provide services to keep the neighborhood beautiful, ie: neighborhood clean-up days, coordination of landscaping in the common areas, enforcement of the CCR’s, etc.

3. HOA’s can provide a heightened sense of personal safety. Especially, in a gated community like Surf Pines. The gates restrict access to residents and visitors.

2. HOA’s are an avenue to disperse important neighborhood information. The Surf Pines assoc. uses a website and newsletter. Want to know more about Surf Pines? www.surfpines.org

1. The most significant benefit to a HOA is the proven record of maintaining and sometimes enhancing property values.