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Leslie Stewart – Realtor ®, CRS, eCertified

Free Down Payment Analysis

Free Down Payment Analysis

free dpa

You may already have enough money saved to buy your dream home! Find out at NO COST! Call me today and I will prepare a FREE Down Payment Analysis, especially for you!

If you are ready, now is a great time to buy a home. Prices are down and there is more inventory to choose from. Smart home buyers have waited for the perfect time to buy and in our area…. IT’S NOW!

Call today for your FREE Down Payment Analysis. It’s the first step to making yourself a new homeowner.

Now, More Than Ever, Experience Counts!

Leslie Stewart, CRS, Licensed Broker in the State of Oregon
The Brenda Bonebrake and Sandy Edwards Team
503-385-0033 or 800-423-7740

pru logo

Packsaddle Park on the North Santiam River

Packsaddle Park is popular with local fisherman as a place to launch driftboats and kayaks. Located in Marion County just a few miles East of Gates, Packsaddle offers the last Eastern place to launch a boat before the ODFW fish ladders. Launching your boat from here is not advised if you are a novice on the Santiam River. Knowledge and skill are needed to navigate through the Lyon Hole above the Maples Rest Area or Spencer's hole between Gates and Mill City. Other launch sites are located at Kimmel Park, Mill City Bridge, Fisherman's Bend, North Santiam State Park, John Neal Park and the bridge in the City of Lyons. Both John Neal Park and the bridge in Lyons are in Linn County. Whether you are a floating the river for recreation or out to catch your limit of fish, Packsaddle Park is a great place to check out.

Meet Our Team- Bonebrake & Co, LLC

Bonebrake & Co, LLC

Helping you make smart decisions in a fast-paced complex market.

brendaBrenda Bonebrake, Principal Broker

Brenda Bonebrake, our “fearless leader,” started selling real estate in the Valley in 1987. Brenda specializes in working with our sellers and builders, but her steady hand is behind every area of our business. She resides in Lyons with her husband, Dave who is the Agriculture, Science and Technology teacher at Scio High School. Their daughter Bonnie attends Oregon State Univ. and lives in Albany. Recently married to Drew, their oldest daughter, Cassi, is a nurse in Kamiah, Idaho. The Bonebrakes live and work on the family farm where they designed and built their own home. Brenda loves the sweet smell of new lumber & sheetrock, working on the farm, and camping. Brenda can be reached at brendab@prurep.com and 503-932-8222.

sandySandy Edwards, Broker

Sandy Edwards, our “Southern Lady,” lives in Stayton. Twelve years ago, fate brought Brenda and Sandy Edwards together when Sandy was looking for a new home and it was the beginning of a great friendship and partnership. Sandy’s a transplant from Virginia where she worked for an NBC television affiliate. The three “kids” in her family will never grow up and leave home. Bodidlee, Matilda-Louise and Zelda-Jane are her three beloved dogs who keep her home busy. Sandy enjoys showing both locals & transplants the great aspects of the wonderful Willamette Valley and our clients love her Southern charm and the genuine care she shows each and every one of them. Sandy can be reached at sandye@prurep.com and 503-932-0977.

leslieLeslie Stewart, Buyer’s Specialist

Leslie Stewart is one of our full-time Buyer’s Agents; she loves finding the perfect home for her buyers. Leslie grew up in Mill City where she lives with her husband Scott, who works for Frank Lumber Company. Their daughter Kelsey is a freshman at O.I.T. in Klamath Falls where she is enrolled in their pre-dental hygiene program. Their oldest daughter Kendra is married to Josh and lives close by. Leslie’s experience and attention to detail is reassuring to her buyers throughout the entire home-buying process. Leslie can be reached at leslies@prurep.com and 503-932-8202.

maryMary Gries, Buyer’s Specialist

Mary Gries is our other full-time Buyer’s Agent. She and her husband Jim are long-time Stayton residents, and have 3 grown children; Craig and wife Brooke live in Salem, Jaime and husband David live in Japan, and Marcus, wife Jessica, and baby Emmy live in North Carolina. She and Brenda worked together in “former lives” and have stayed close. Brenda finally convinced her to make a career switch to real estate and we couldn’t be happier. Her conscientiousness and wonderful sense of humor make her an invaluable member of our team. Mary can be reached at maryg@prurep.com and 503-881-4976.

cyndibCyndi Bolduc, Client Care Coordinator

Cyndi Bolduc is the wizard “behind the scenes” at the office. She was born and raised in Hawaii, then spent 20 years in Maine. She lives on 5 acres just outside Sublimity with her husband Dan. Their son Brian is a junior at Oregon State Univ. and daughter Emily is a junior at Regis H.S. where she enjoys volleyball & softball. Cyndi ran a B&B Inn in Maine for 12 years before moving here. We count on this calm & talented team member to smoothly and efficiently handle all the hundreds of administrative details that crop up each day. Cyndi is always ready & available in our office to provide an immediate answer to any of our client’s questions and keep track of who’s where! Cyndi can be reached at cyndib@prurep.com and 503-385-0033.

2008 Salem Home and Remodeling Show - Salem Oregon

construction

2008 Salem Home and Remodeling Show

Join vendors, Valley home builders and remodeling specialists this weekend at the Salem Home and Remodeling Show. Everyone is looking to save a few bucks this year and a remodel may just make sense for you. Walk through rows and rows of new market products, hard surface supplies, windows, doors and take the opportunity to visit with builders offering special incentives for potential clients.

Visit booth #1000 and my friend Jay Parmele from J. Parmele Construction. He is offering 10% off any remodel service or repair and he says he has free goodies to give away!


Friday, October 24 - Sunday, October 26

2008 Salem Home and Remodeling Show

Buildings: Jackman Long & Columbia Hall

Hours: Friday 3pm - 9pm; Saturday 10am - 8pm; Sunday 11am - 5pm

Admission: $7

Contact: Willamette Valley Productions - 1-800-537-9396; http://www.wvpevents.com/

Are You Credit Worthy?

Are You Credit Worthy?

Back in the early ‘80’s I was a new bride with one credit card given to me by my parents to help me responsibly establish credit. My Emporium card had a credit limit of $100.00 and I would purchase a item or two, pay off the balance and purchase again. After about three years my limit was raised to $300.00 and I thought I had the world by the tail.

My husband Scott and I rented a small home, we had one car payment of $118.00 a month and by the time we paid our utilities, groceries and a few other small bills we were lucky to have $4.00 in the checkbook by the time the next pay period arrived. Scott and I decided we needed a second vehicle so I would be able to use the car for my job and Scott would take the second vehicle as his work car. His commute is only a mile to work. We found a old jeep for a price of $600.00 and set off to our bank to apply for a loan. We were immediately rejected for lack of credit history. We had ample income but not enough payment history and the loan officer wouldn’t give us the loan. Of course, we live in the same small town were we grew up in and we both knew the loan officer, which didn’t make for pleasant dinner time conversation for some time. It took us eighteen months and a change in banking establishments before we were able to purchase our second car.

Fast forward to 2002 and my 16 year old daughter is getting “pre-approved” credit card offers in the mail. I finally called one company and told them I had a good mind to let her have the card. I couldn’t believe they were offering credit to a juvenile! I remember being so upset; it took me many years to establish good credit and they were handing a pre-approved card to a high school senior without a job or any previous credit history what so ever!

Today it seems credit worthiness is offering credit to anyone the law allows. I believe good credit is paramount for all individuals and using credit responsibly is something everyone should strive for. I DO NOT believe that everyone should have credit extended to them. I think credit, like trust, needs to be earned. Yes, I was very angry at the loan officer who denied our first loan, but I understand why he did it.

If you are fortunate to have credit, use it wisely and pay on time to avoid late fees, charge offs or being sent to collections. If you have one or more credit cards do not max out your limits and do not close a credit card account with a balance. This will cause your credit score to drop.

goalRemember to reach your financial and real estate goals you must have a solid plan in plan in place. Use credit wisely and you will reach your goal. If you are questions about credit or your credit score, call or email me and I will help you get the answers you need.