Living Tigard - Your guide to everything Tigard

What took about two months for my ancestors has taken my family about 11 days to complete. The Oregon Trail from Utah to Oregon was a fun journey and we learned a lot and it was a better history of the trail than my kids ever would have gotten in the classroom. It was tiring, even for me and I wasn’t hiking 22 miles a day. But, I’m glad to be at the end of the trail and back home again. I am here to help my clients home just like the Oregon Trail, real estate can be an adventure and I’m ready to be their guide.

I just closed a transaction where we had to have a 30 day close on because it is scheduled to go to auction on the Thursday of the week of close. On the 8^th of September, when we got approval from the seller’s bank to do the short sale, we were assured by the buyer’s bank that they could easily close in the 30 days and to proceed.

Well, guess who calls on the day of the scheduled closing saying they are backed up in underwriting and they can’t close until the 18^th? Yep, the buyer’s banker from a certain mega bank of some large country. (No names of course) So, I had to inform them we have already had one extension and their bank has said no way to another one and that their buyer is going to be out of luck come Thursday morning when this place is foreclosed on.

I also advised him that if it does go to foreclosure, based on his promises, that he would more likely be getting a call from the other agent and their buyer wondering who is paying for that inspection and appraisal that are now not worth anything because of his lie about when he could close. (He admitted to me that he thought we could get another extension because we were so close.)

I certainly wouldn’t want to be on the phone with that banker when the buyer calls asking for a refund of her appraisal, inspection and her money she put up front to get the loan! ATTENTION BUYERS! This is why it so important to use your agents preferred lenders, these are lenders that your agent has worked with before and they know when they promise something that it can be done!

The 1-800-GREAT-RATES are only great when the loan can close. If they can’t close you can lose thousands in earnest money deposits, appraisal costs and inspection reports. IS IT WORTH IT? 

Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Capstone Real Estate
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Todd Clark is a licensed Realtor who specializing in Washington County, Oregon and also works 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 is copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give Todd Clark a call he would love to help you in all your real estate needs.

Summer is ending, but that doesn't mean the demand for blood donations is going down the fact is it is actually going up. The finally couple weeks of summer can actually be one of the biggest times for the need for blood. Families are all out trying to get one last weekend in before school starts and unfortunately with the holiday weekend accidents happen and the need for blood for transfusions rise.



Donating blood is quick, easy and like I said only takes a couple hours. Then the rest of the day or evening you can be the hero you are and where the sticker that tells the world that you are a hero, the one that says "I DONATED BLOOD TODAY!"

Here are the blood donation centers in Tigard and Beaverton, Oregon, for this upcoming week. (Click on links for map)

Here are the blood donation centers in Beaverton, Oregon, for this upcoming couple weeks. (Click on links for map) To save time call 503-528-5892 and make an appointment (available 8am-8pm M-F)

Monday August 24, 2010

Umpqua Bank 6610 SW Cardinal Lane Tigard, OR 97224 9:00am -2:30pm

1st Tech Credit Union 3555 SW 153rd Drive Beaverton, OR 97006 10:00am - 3:00pm

Mactarnahan's Taproom 2730 NW 31st Portland, OR 97210 12:00pm -2:30pm

Immanuel Community Church 20805 SW Farmington Road Aloha, OR 97007 2:30am - 7:30pm

Tuesday, August 25, 2010

Tualatin Valley Water 1850 SW 170th Ave Aloha, OR 97006 8:00am - 12:00pm

Anchor QEA 6650 SW Redwood Lane #333 Portland, OR 97224 10:30am - 1:30pm

Murray Hills Christian Church 15050 SW Weir Road Beaverton, OR 97007 2:00pm - 7:00pm

Tigard Covenant Church 11321 SW Naeve Street Tigard, OR 97224 2:00pm - 7:00pm

Monday August 26, 2010

Intel - Amberglen AG4 20420 NW Von Neuman Drive Aloha, OR 97006 10:00am -3:00pm

Bank of American 21000 NW Evergreen Pkwy Hillsboro, OR 97124 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Monday August 27, 2010

Kmart 3955 SW Murray Blvd Beaverton, OR 97005 11:00am -4:00pm

Christ of the King Lutheran 11305 SW Bull Mountain Road Hillsboro, OR 97223 2:00pm - 7:00pm

Monday August 28, 2010

Fred Meyer 15995 SW Walker Road Beaverton, OR 97006 11:00am -4:00pm

Christ of the King Lutheran 11305 SW Bull Mountain Road Hillsboro, OR 97223 8:00am - 1:00pm

Todd Clark - Broker / Marketing Coach
Capstone Real Estate
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Todd Clark is a licensed Realtor who specializing in Washington County, Oregon and also works 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 is copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give Todd Clark a call he would love to help you in all your real estate needs.

By Todd Clark (Broker/Sales Coach) 503-524-9494

So you have an ugly house, so what? It doesn’t mean it won’t sell, it just means you need to put some lipstick on it and find the right person for it. Look at a Friday or Saturday night at any bar in any town, 2:30 rolls around and even the ugly people go home with someone, so why can’t this be your house?

You just need to be creative and find the person that wants it. It may be price, amenities, or just the right color of lipstick to make someone want to make your home their home. You see, your home may be ugly to you, but to someone else it maybe hold an inner beauty that only they can see.

Clearly, at one time, you found your ugly home to be pretty also, right? So, why don’t you think someone else will? I find many homes that I think are ugly, but on the outside are wearing lots of makeup and look good. Once I step inside I could never see buying this place, but I keep my opinion to myself and I am amazed when my buyers say, “This is it, let’s put in an offer.”

So, what made them take this ugly home? Was it the fact that it was now 2:30 and closing time was coming fast and they were afraid they were going to be left without a home if they didn’t buy yours? They say there is a person for everyone and I believe the same to be about houses. So put that lipstick on your house and gussy up because the weekend is coming and I have a feeling your buyer will be over soon. 

Todd Clark - Broker / Sales Coach
All Brokers Real Estate
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Tigard OR homes for sale, homes for sale in zip code, 97223,97224, Tigard Oregon Realtor, Tigard OR Realtor, Tigard Oregon MLS Search, Tigard OR MLS Search, 1st time home buying expert, short sale expert, avoiding foreclosure in Tigard, helping families home, LivingBeaverton, Townhomes for sale, home for sale, house for sale, Bull Mountain North, Bull Mountain South, King City, Mountainview, Greenburg, Summer Lake Neighborhood, Summerfield neighborhood, Tigard neighborhood, Walnut Grove Neighborhood. Tigard Oregon Real Estate, Tigard OR real estate, Todd Clark, (503)524-9494, WWW.LivingTigard.com, www.IFoundYourNewHome.com, www.SavingyouFromForeclosure.com

©2010Todd Clark - Originally posted at Even on Friday night the ugly ones go home with someone with enough lipstick

Speechless Sundays: I tried all day to come up with a title for this photo, so maybe you can help me.



Todd Clark - Broker / Sales Coach
Palazzo Realty Group
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Beaverton Oregon Homes for Sale, Beaverton OR homes for sale, homes for sale in zip code, 97006, 97007, 97008, 97005, 97223, 97224, 97124, 97123, Beaverton Oregon Realtor, Beaverton OR Realtor, Beaverton Oregon MLS Search, Beaverton OR MLS Search, 1st time home buying expert, short sale expert, avoiding foreclosure in beaverton, helping families home, LivingBeaverton, Townhomes for sale, home for sale, house for sale, Merlo Station, Hart Neighborhood, Greenway Neighborhood, Sexton Mountain Neighborhood, Aloha Neighborhood, Lexington Neighborhood, Cooper Mountain neighborhood, Sorrento neighborhood, Murrayhill Neighborhood. Beaverton Oregon Real Estate, Beaverton OR real estate, Todd Clark, (503)524-9494, WWW.LivingBeaverton.com, www.IFoundYourNewHome.com, www.SavingyouFromForeclosure.com

©2010 Todd Clark - Speechless Sundays: Help me name this photo

By Todd Clark (Broker/Sales Coach) 503-524-9494

Two days ago I thought I found the home for my clients, it was in their price range, it was the layout they were looking for, but they didn't get to see the home! I set up an appointment to see a listing that was new on the market, the listing said contact the agent. I told them what time we wanted to see the home and she said, "Great and good luck!"

Now, when I arrived, I certainly didn't expect to see the agent and the sellers all there waiting for us. They wanted to give us a tour of the home. OK, this wasn't the largest of homes. In fact was it was a 3 bedroom 1300 sqft home, how much tour could we really get from the sellers?

My buyers felt they weren't allowed to see the home, they kept getting asked questions by the sellers and their agent. At one point, I even pulled the listing agent aside and said, "You and your sellers are blowing this and we are about to walk out." She gave me this puzzled look and continued to talk and talk and talk.

Five minutes later, you know what happened. My buyers said they had seen enough and were ready to go. When we got back to the car they said, "That was the most annoying showing I've ever been to! They wouldn't shut up and I felt like they were trying to hide something by leading us around to what they thought we wanted to see."

Not, five minutes after we were gone, the listing agent was calling asking if were going to put in an offer and I told her I would call her back later that afternoon. After I dropped my clients off, I went back to my home office and I called that agent! She said "What did they think?" I told her "Of what? You, your sellers, or the house?" She said, "What?" I said, "I told you when we were there to stop talking and you and your sellers just continued to talk and lead my clients around to the point that they decided you were hiding something and decided the home wasn't for them. They knew what they were looking for and you and your clients wouldn't leave them alone!"

She then asked, "If I can arrange another showing where no one is there, would that help?" I said, "Maybe, but at this point I can tell you first impressions are lasting and you didn't have a good one!"

So, if you are selling your home and you have buyers coming over to look at the house, don't be a pushy car salesman. Let the buyers get a feel for the house, leave, let them look at the house for them, not the way you see it. The buyers will buy if the home is right for them, no need to push them in to buying your home, you may actually be pushing them away.

Todd Clark - Broker / Sales Coach
Palazzo Realty Group
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Tigard OR homes for sale, homes for sale in zip code, 97223,97224, Tigard Oregon Realtor, Tigard OR Realtor, Tigard Oregon MLS Search, Tigard OR MLS Search, 1st time home buying expert, short sale expert, avoiding foreclosure in Tigard, helping families home, LivingBeaverton, Townhomes for sale, home for sale, house for sale, Bull Mountain North, Bull Mountain South, King City, Mountainview, Greenburg, Summer Lake Neighborhood, Summerfield neighborhood, Tigard neighborhood, Walnut Grove Neighborhood. Tigard Oregon Real Estate, Tigard OR real estate, Todd Clark, (503)524-9494, WWW.LivingTigard.com, www.IFoundYourNewHome.com, www.SavingyouFromForeclosure.com

©2009 Todd Clark - http://livingtigard.com/post/1345857/dear-mr-and-mrs-seller-and-your-agent-can-you-please-leave-so-i-can-sell-your-home-

By Todd Clark (Broker/Sales Coach) 503-524-9494

Now, I love the Beaverton / Tigard area of Oregon as I graduated from Tigard High School and have lived her my entire life, but I have to say the newest idea of the Oregon Department of Transportation is just absolutely stupid! (And stupid may not be a strong enough word!)

You see, we have a highway here that connects Highway 26 with Interstate 5 that cuts right through the cities of Tigard and Beaverton, called Highway 217. It is really only about 10 miles long, but it is very much needed because without it, the drive from highway 26 to interstate 5 via surface streets would take well over 45 minutes. But, over the years as Tigard and Beaverton have grown, the traffic on 217 gets very heavy during rush hour, but it is still faster than the surface streets. The surface streets at rush hour would take well over an hour and half.


So what is the solution of the Oregon Department of Transportation to relieve the congestion? It is to close exits and on ramps during rush hour times so less people use the highway. WHAT? Are you joking? This will not only increase the traffic at the other on ramps, it will increase the traffic in the neighborhoods near the freeway because people will drive them to get to the on ramp that is open.

I have a family. I don't want more cars driving through my neighborhood, just because you couldn't come up with a better plan than closing on ramps and exit ramps to lesson the amount of traffic. Many people jump on the freeway, just to go to the next exit because it is faster and they don't want to drive through the neighborhoods. I think you idea is foolish and short sighted and maybe you need to think of actual development.

How many employees do you have in the highway development division? Now answer me this... How many new highways have actually been developed in the last 15 years? Either figure it out or retire, because I don't want to pay you if you aren't actually developing anything!

 

Todd Clark - Broker / Sales Coach
Palazzo Realty Group
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Beaverton Oregon Homes for Sale, Beaverton OR homes for sale, homes for sale in zip code, 97006, 97007, 97008, 97005, 97223, 97224, 97124, 97123, Beaverton Oregon Realtor, Beaverton OR Realtor, Beaverton Oregon MLS Search, Beaverton OR MLS Search, 1st time home buying expert, short sale expert, avoiding foreclosure in beaverton, helping families home, LivingBeaverton, Townhomes for sale, home for sale, house for sale, Merlo Station, Hart Neighborhood, Greenway Neighorborhood, Sexton Mountain Neighborhood, Aloha Neighborhood, Lexington Neighborhood, Cooper Mountain neighborhood, Sorrento neighborhood, Murrayhill Neighborhood. Beaverton, Beaverton Oregon Home Sales Oregon Real Estate, Beaverton OR real estate, Todd Clark, (503)524-9494, WWW.LivingBeaverton.com, www.IFoundYourNewHome.com, www.SavingyouFromForeclosure.com

©2009 Todd Clark - Oregon Department of Transportation (O.D.O.T) What are you thinking?