Newport, OR

When I show homes on a day like this, I am glad I moved to the Oregon Coast! This photo was taken in an area just north of Newport, looking toward Cape Fowlweather and Otter Rock, a popular spot for surfers.

Ahh, what a day to open a lockbox! This area of the Central Oregon Coast is some of the most affordable ocean view property on the West Coast. We are fortunate to have miles of beautiful sandy beaches with easy public access which allows an uninterrupted stroll to magical inlets and tidepools. I have found many lovely agates and sand dollars while walking along the beach as I show my clients the "lay of the land."

Up ahead on the right side of Hwy. 101 is a nice campground called Beverly Beach. I highly recommend Beverly Beach to my clients who prefer to camp near Newport while searching for a vacation property.

It's another sunny day out here on the coast, hope your day will be as beautiful as mine!

Contact me at 541-270-6758 for more information about Lincoln County. Happy househunting!

In the current climate of lower priced homes, foreclosures and absentee sellers I see many homes being sold with a fair amount of clean up necessary. Buyer's need to be aware that what they see during the initial showing of a home is likely what they are offering on. The seller is not going to magically appear and clean it in preparation for the closing unless it is specifically required by the contract.

When I list a home like this, I have the seller hire a cleaning company, or sometimes I will even get in there with a bottle of bleach and a scrub brush and do it myself.

When I represent a buyer on a home like this, I make sure the buyer asks for the cleanup on an addendum, or is willing to don a pair of cleaning gloves after close.

I sell homes in Lincoln County, a beautiful, coastal vacation area where many of the listings are second homes with various reasons for selling: Out of state heirs liquidating a vacation home held by a trust, older clients heading for warmer climes, and we see quite a few short sales and foreclosures as well. The expectation of a sparkling-clean bargain home at closing can be unrealistic.

The time to ask for repairs, pest control, clean bathrooms, old furniture and debris removed and all appliances to be in working condition at close of escrow, is at the time of offer, or during the inspection period on a written addendum, prior to the release of the inspection contingency.

The seller may, or may not agree to the buyer's written request. However, once the buyer removes all contingencies, they are buying the house as-is.

This morning my office held a meeting to discuss our past year. I was unprepared for the surprize at the end of the meeting when I was awarded an engraved sales plaque for top sales this year. It was a moment better than any school graduation or applause for a musical performance - it is the first time ever I have received something like this. At the beginning of 2011, we had a meeting about the poor market and how we need to sell if we wish to stay in business. Therefore, my simple wish in Jan. 2011 was to survive and continue to be a real estate professional in year 2012.

Oddly enough, it may have been my referral from Active Rain that put the sales numbers over the top to land the big prize.......AR has helped me in so many other ways too, I am surrounded by helpful and supportive fellow real estate collegues in so many different places. Sharing my experiences with you has been a big part of this successful real estate year for me, so you are invited to do the happy dance with me too!....

Thanks to all of my friends at Active Rain!

Of special note:

Last week I ate at an Asian restaurant called Lees Wok, where I opened a fortune cookie, "You will have a close encounter of a surprising kind." Hmmm, I should go there again tonight to celebrate, shouldn't I?

Last night I went to a holiday party at the Embarcadero Resort in Newport, Oregon on the bayfront. It had a fabulous view of the marina and many of the boats were adorned with Christmas lights, making for a festive setting.

By the end of the evening, I had met a dozen new faces and handed out a few business cards. The topic of conversation at many of the tables was real estate, and because I had already introduced myself as an agent to a couple of strangers early in the evening, I was introduced by those folks to others who were also talking about real estate and wanted to chat once they realized I am a working Broker in the area.

Just by chance, in another part of the restaurant, a few other Newport agents were having dinner. I stopped and said hello as I left and was able to discuss a possible transaction with one of them who had an interested buyer for one of my listings.

What began as a simple night out for good food and conversation turned out to be unexpectedly business related...which proves that you CAN mix business with pleasure!

Whether buying or selling, you need a real estate professional who is going to go out there and be a part of the community. Call me if you need help buying or selling in the Lincoln County area!

When I was a kid, I had a red toy tractor that looked exactly like the one in this photo I took recently in Newport, Oregon. It's interesting how some things come full circle! The Yaquina Bay is full of visual surprises, like the salmon that were jumping in the backround the day this photo was taken last week.

This was shot looking toward the west from the widest part of Yaquina Bay. From here you can see the Bayfront and the new NOAA facility. That large (barely visible) white ship in the center backround is a research vessel that just came in from Alaska after being out at sea for over six months. Just around the bend beyond the harbor is the beautiful Yaquina Bay Bridge.

Something you should know about! Next week on Dec. 3rd is the "Lighted Boat Parade" which is a magical evening sail of boats decorated with Christmas Lights, which will light up the bay behind this tractor. They serve hot chocolate as you sail under the bridge and around the bay over sparkling night water. It is one of the finest holiday traditions in our area!

Newport is a great place to live and work! Contact me for more information about a primary or secondary home on the coast.