I am happy to say I am involved in a condo conversion project in Tigard, Oregon, but the number one question I get is when will the HOA dues go up? Well, to be honest, I don't know! You see the HOA dues are determined by how much is needed to do the everyday things in the HOA, plus plan for the big items. (Roofs, siding, windows)
The reason I get this question is our HOA dues are relatively low here compared to the competition. Why is that? Well, first of all we already have new siding, windows, roofs and gutters. So we don't need as much in a short amount of time, but our HOA dues are set up to build a reserve, so when we do need those things we will have the money to do it without having to raise them.
This question comes about because some of the condos around us have double the HOA dues we do here, thanks to special assessments and bad planning by the HOA members. I know one of the members of one of those HOA's, and she said the biggest problem was 5 years ago they had a very large reserve set up for things like the roof and the siding, but instead of saving it for the big thing, they used it on playground equipment and other things like exercise equipment for their club house.
Now, the problem is those people who bought those things to supposedly increase the value of the property have sold and left the HOA to try to pay for those big items without leaving them money to do it. The end result has been a permanent increase in the HOA's by $135 per month!
My suggestion for you if you are in an HOA, is to get involved, plan and set proper reserves that can pay for the roof, siding and windows if they should be needed and if you want something special, then take a vote of ALL the people in the HOA and do a special assessment for that. It will cost you a lot less in the long run if you plan ahead and get involved.
The biggest problem with the special assessment for residents is that the ones that need to move are now having to sell their units for $30,000-$40,000 less than the ones across the street just to make up for having such high HOA dues. For more questions on buying or selling in a community that has an HOA, and how to get involved, please feel free to contact me anytime, I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.
Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Today is Friday, March 21, 2008 and it is time for another breakdown of homes sales in the Washington County, Oregon market. This week was a little slow for sales, but we still had some movement in the market. This week, I've started to add stats for expired listings to the weekly pages for each neighborhood because of the increase of over priced homes that are not selling.
While this is not news, but if you price your home correctly, you still can have a quick sale.
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
Let me give you a little history about myself first! I've owned both a Disc Jockey company and a courier service in my time before I joined the world of real estate. Since then I have never owned a map book or a GPS unit, I just thought it was a waste of money. With my past experience, I knew where everything was, I didn't need it.
But, every once in awhile, I would have a client get in the car and ask how come I didn't have a GPS unit, since they were so inexpensive now! I would always tell them of my time as the owner of a courier company and they would say, "OH, so you really just don't need it?"
Well, I've finally stopped those questions and found a GPS unit that was at a price I could justify and I no longer have to tell my clients the story of why I don't own a GPS unit. You can pick yours up at any Toys ‘R Us science department for around $9.99 and the Velcro was only $1.29! It works really well and I can tell you exactly where I am on the thing every time!
Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Are you selling your home FSBO, "For Sale by Owner", and know you can do it, but would like some advice? Did you realize that you may be able to work with a Realtor without having to pay for advice on advertising and paperwork? You really don't have to go it alone.
I work with a lot of FSBOs for a lot of reasons. But, I am willing to work with a FSBO owner only if they are willing to work with me! If you are a FSBO, answer me this question...How many buyers can buy your home? Unless you own a fractional vacation home, the answer is one!
That is why I'm willing to work with you and help you sell your home. You see, I have a lot of ways to advertise your home that may attract a lot of buyers, but what do you do with those buyers that don't want your home or can't qualify to buy your home. In most cases you never talk to them again. I, on the other hand, need buyers for the homes I have listed, and one of these homes may just fit their needs!
One of the biggest suggestions I can give to you, the FSBO, is offer to pay a buyer's agent a 3% commission if they bring a buyer for your home. No agent will want to show your home if they aren't going to get paid. But, if you think about it, the reason homes get sold faster with an agent is because they usually have a list of 20-30 buyers they get from every home they sell. If you can advertise to these agents and promise to pay them what they would get if they were to show the home next door to yours that is on the MLS, you may just get a quicker sale and for a little more money.
Usually, when I help someone like yourself, the only thing I ask is if you should ever decide to list with an agent, that you give me a chance to interview for the position.
Happy home selling!
Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
A couple months ago I talked about this thing coming with mortgage brokers and actually think it is a great idea. In my original article I wrote of a mortgage broker that told my clients to lie on their application and if I should ask, lie to me so they could get the loan. In the process they ended up losing their home because they really couldn't afford the home they were buying.
The idea of regulating and licensing mortgage brokers was not just because of that situation. I think mortgage brokers have access to a lot more sensitive information than real estate agents who require background checks, finger printing and a whole lot of education over our career.
You see my thought was that, yes I had access to houses pretty much 24 hours a day, but a mortgage broker has access to every persons SS#, DOB, and every bit of information that could be used in an identity theft of someone with great credit.
I'm sure the feds' reason has to do more with mortgage fraud and sub-prime loans, but I personally think this has been needed for a very long time. I would love to hear your feedback on if you think this is a good idea or not.
Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
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Is your family looking to buy or sell in Beaverton, Oregon? Then give me a call, I would love to help your family home! (503)-524-9494 www.IFoundYourNewHome.com
Oregon native, Todd Clark, understands that to be happy in life, it is the little things that matter. Todd grew up in Tigard, Oregon, in Washington County, and the west side of Portland really is his passion. Todd believes in keeping the beauty of Washington County alive and well with the beauty of its historic farm houses and its rich history. But, nothing makes Todd happier than seeing people who take the time to better their kid's future by taking the time to educate through nature. Seeing kids outside, having fun, and learning is where the true classroom should be. Todd understands our future is in our hands. Todd would love to help you find that perfect home to educate our future leaders.
Dedication...
Todd Clark is a dedicated person whose goal in life is to exceed in every thing he ventures into. His dedication to family is what made him strive to do even more for every family he meets. Ever since one young couple told Todd "You were everything you said you were, and more! You completely exceeded our expectations." He has wanted to do even more!
Happiness is...
What Todd Clark feels every time he gets to help the community grow stronger with each family he gets moved in. Todd wants every person in a community to feel the sense of pride he does in the wonderful state of Oregon. As an Oregon native Todd says growing up 1 hour from the ocean and the mountains is something everyone should experience.
Family...
Is an important part of Todd's happiness. He met his wife in 1992 when she started working for him in the wedding industry; together they have 3 wonderful children Meesha, Nathaniel and Natascha.
Your Family...
Is a very important part of the home buying or home selling process. Todd believes kids should be listened to and asks questions of even the youngest of children about the pending move. Kids do say the darndest things and sometimes they see things from a point of view that us adults really shouldn't overlook but often do.
Teaching...
Has been something Todd has enjoyed with his own children. He also enjoys teaching other peoples kid's life lessons through sports while being a baseball coach for his daughter's T-Ball team or the lessons he got to teach kids while he worked with Junior Achievement and the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Programs.
Sense of Humor...
Todd is a very genuine person with a great sense humor. He loves to break the tension by cracking a joke. Sometimes he says it is just needed to break up awkwardness of a situation. After working as a Disc Jockey for so long you just know when a joke is needed.
Todd is an expert with first time home buyers and sellers. He takes that extra step to educate and hold a buyer or sellers hand through the tough times to make sure they get the most out of their investment.
Buying your first home in Beaverton Oregon doesn’t have to be stressful
Buying your first home in Beaverton Oregon: Don’t let the inspection scare you!
Beaverton Oregon Real Estate: 1st time home buyers, know the facts before you buy
Todd also help those who need help keeping their homes. Todd is an expert at helping people avoid foreclosure with options that don't necessarly mean selling their home. Most people when they get into a default situation, got there through a temporary problem and Todd understands this. He helps the home owner keep their home and doesn't ask for anything in return other than the occasional referral.
Todd also works on with a team of other Realtors know as the "Friendly Home Team". This team is dedicated to helping those who are 55+ or eventually will be, by giving back to those who have GIVEN so much. They help people with investments to further help them later in life or if it is time for the move to an assisted living home, they work with counselors to help make the move as easy and stress free as possible, while not losing everything they have worked so hard to earn.
Designations:
GRI - Graduate REALTOR® Institute
Todd thanks for your tenacity!! Michael was lucky he had you as a Realtor.
Alyce Irving (Realtor)
Todd, we wished we had called you earlier! After having our home on the market for one year with one agent for $118,900 and then on our own for another year for $115,000. That is when we decided we would finally give you a shot. Boy are we glad we did. We signed with you on a Thursday and after work on Friday you called me and asked if I was sitting down. That is when you told me you had 3 offers. When you brought them over and you got the buyers to go in to a bidding war for our property, you made the process actually fun! You left our house at 11:30 that night and by Monday we had all the paperwork signed and had accepted an offer for $129,500. Thank You and we guarantee we will refer you to anyone wanting to sell their home.
Todd and Elise P. (Hillsboro, OR)
Thank you Todd for not giving up on us. Most Realtors® would have just stopped dealing with us when after putting an offer on a house and then our funding fell through. It was a year before we could get our credit back to where we needed it to buy a home. But during that year, you not only kept in contact with us, you gave us encouragement and advised on how to bring up our credit score. You then found us our dream home, a place where we could have our family grow up and even a place for Joshua's pool table. Once again, Thank You!!!! We will refer you to all our friends and family when they want to buy or sell a home.
Joshua and Kellie S (Portland, OR)
Todd,
You always seem to go above and beyond for your clients and that just amazes me! I truly believe there is no length you wouldn't go to please a client.
Kristine - Insight Home Inspection
You are the best Agent I have dealt with in ages. Keep up the awesome customer service. Let me know if you are ever in the market for an Assistant.
Tami E - Gresham
Todd listed my house in Tigard, OR. His services were exemplary. He went beyond expectations, even helping with understanding lease option and seller financing so that we could market to the home to a variety of customers. He also has his own radio talk show and community real estate meetings which he educates others on how to leverage creative financing to quickly find hidden gems in real estate market. Todd was always kind, courteous, and personable. I highly recommend his services to anyone who wishes to list their home or purchase a home in the future. Simply, there are no agents left like Todd, he does the job right, persevering the profession of real estate with the highest skills and creativity that is required to be successful in this business.
Elizabeth Tran
Todd was always there for me and very knowledgeable and reliable. He even helped me when my lender wouldn't seem to and helped me get the loan for my home. I fired my previous agent because he wasn't doing these things and I was very grateful to have found Todd a few days later and got what I was expecting from an agent
Betty Perez
"Todd is a rare person in the Real Estate Industry. Like many of the better agents in the field, he is knowledgeable of the market, understands thoroughly the legal and ethical considerations of the real estate transaction and has both a practical and esoteric understanding the real estate sales process. Where Todd separates himself from his contemporaries is in his preparedness. Todd is has become one of the leading real estate bloggers in the country over the past several years. His deep and comprehensive understanding of the industry comes from hundreds of hours of research and writing about real estate. The average agent reads an article here or there, maybe takes a class when it is required but Todd is a true "student of real estate" so much in fact, I would now classify him as a professor.
I have been in the mortgage lending industry for 25 years and I can honestly say, "Todd is the best informed agent I have ever met". I would trust Todd with my own real estate transaction! I offer my highest recommendation to Todd Clark."
Art Marine (Academy Mortgage)
Todd continually puts the well-being and best interest of his clients ahead of immediate personal gain. He cares genuinely and is attuned to the needs of those he serves.
Jemila Kwon
Krista Talley (Portland, OR)
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