Crawlspaces are a very popular way to build a home in the Salem, Oregon area.  With a crawlspace the home is up off the ground, so most importantly to the builder, there is less concrete and that equals less money.  Being up off the ground also allows the homes to stay away from the water that is frequently bubbling up from the ground when the rains come down.  Over all this area is ideal for crawlspaces however there are some things that most homeowners don't realize: •·         We live in a maritime climate.  That means it does not freeze very hard (or at all) most winters.   Those silly Styrofoam crawlspace vent plugs should be strictly reserved for the 3 days of below freezing weather we get every 2 years.  At all other times the crawlspace vents should be left open!  The times your... 09/04/2008

I came across an outdoor AC compressor the other day that was running at full speed.  This was not immediately unusual, because it is August.  Then I realized that at this early hour of the morning the outdoor temperature was only 50 degrees Fahrenheit!   Upon closer inspection I noticed one whole side of the compressor was covered with about a 2 inch layer of ice!! After I ran into the home and quickly turned the air conditioning off,  I took a side bar with my clients and explained how an Air conditioner works:  Through the powerful processes of evaporation and condensation the AC unit is able to absorb heat from the inside air and exhaust it outside.  Right before the coolant enters the home it has been cooled and evaporated so it is a low pressure gas.  After the warm house air is p... 09/03/2008

We are proud to unveil our newly designed Salem, Washington Relocation website which is located at http://www.salem-oregon-relocation.com/.   Although we had a lot of sucess with the old design, we received numerous suggestions on how to make a better looking website. I'd like to thank all the people who commented on this website, and we took all suggestions, comments to heart. We hope this new website design will be more comfortable, and each visitor will feel secure with submiting their information so they can be in contact with a Relocation Specialist. 08/27/2008

August  Home Care: •·Cooling system (if installed) is working overtime in this month.  Make sure the outdoor unit has at least 2 feet on three sides of free air.  Keep the fins on the compressor clean as well.  Depending on the model of compressor this may be a professional HVAC tech's job.  Keeping your compressor clean will be well worth it in terms of efficiency and life expectancy. •·Caulking and Paint:  This is a wonderful month for these absolutely necessary items on every homeowner's addenda here in Salem Oregon.  A good rule of thumb is, "if the crack is too big to be filled with paint, caulk it."  Sealing the openings in the siding and trim around windows will not only make your home look better it will also prevent moisture from entering the wall system and you will also slow ... 08/24/2008

The Oregon Grape Stomp Championship and Harvest Celebration Just south of Salem on I-5 is the beautiful Willamette Valley Vineyards.  September features a most intriguing event -- It's the Oregon Grape Stomp Championship!  There is still time to sign your team to stomp and swab!  Some of us are old enough to recall the "I Love Lucy" show and the image of her stomping grapes sticks with me when I think of this event.  Sounds like a purple feet, stomping good time to me - but I think I'll watch this year! Each team consists of two persons.  One person, the Stomper, stands inside the barrel and stomps the grapes, and the other person, the Swabber, stands outside the barrel and catches the juice.  The Swabber may also reach inside the barrel to ensure a free flow of juice through the screen... 08/24/2008

  I love old homes. I love the details and wondering what the owners were like 100 years ago. I like seeing the original water closet as it is reminiscent of our past and where we have come from. Salem has several designated historic districts, including one downtown. We have two residential historic districts Bush Park/Gaity Hill and Court-Chemeketa. Last year I helped a local buyer purchase an old home. Completely neglected, this home was the blight of the historic district. Inside the original wood floors, window panes, and trim screamed for someone to restore the home. The claw foot tub would eagerly await a new owner. Buying in a historic district comes with some rules. Currently Fairmount Hills has an application for the National historic Register. Even if the home is not on the ... 08/19/2008

View Larger Map I just wrote a post a couple of days about about "old" Englewood. Despite the fact that Englewood is one area, there really are to vey different atmosphere's to the neighborhood.  East Englewood runs from 23rd to around Park and is made up of homes built in the 1950-1970 range.  Variations on a ranch could be the theme for this part of Englewood.While the neighborhood is very stable, it doesn't have the variety of architecture of older Englewood.  I wouldn't call it cookie cutter, but it does lack some architectural diversity.East Englewood neighborhood feeds into Hoover Elementary School, Parrish Middle School, and North Salem High School. If schools are important to you, remember that boundaries are subject to change from year to year so verify schools. WVMLS Market Da... 08/18/2008

Englewood.  Doesn't it seem like many towns have an Englewood neighborhood?  Salem is no exception. Sandwiched between Market Street and D Street, Englewood runs from about 17th to 22nd, and East Englewood runs from 23rd to around Park.  Centrally located in Salem, Englewood is actually a patchwork of two neighborhoods that have drastically different characteristics.  I like to call them Old Englewood and East Englewood.  These are not official designations, just my made up musings... The only reason, I bring up the distinction, as they are all referred to as Englewood, is that East Englewood has newer more ranch style homes, where older Englewood has older cottage style homes. They both have their own distinct architecture. This blog today is about the old Englewood part of town.The ho... 08/15/2008

Located between Lone Oak and Sunnyside, Ironwood Estates is in a prime location in South Salem.  If you find yourself driving on Whipplewood, Cherrywood, Peachwood, Wormwood...well...you get the idea, right?  If you find yourself in a cluster of streets that end in wood in south Salem, then you are in Ironwood Estates. View Larger Map Some of the attracting features of the neighborhood are the proximity to Sumpter Elementary School, Sumpter Park, and the tree lined streets. The tree lined streets...you need to know that the beautiful trees that line the streets in this neighborhood are cottonwood trees. Every summer, you get to experience a late "blizzard" in this neighborhood as the cottonwood trees lose their seeds.  Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com Most of the homes... 08/11/2008

National Night Out is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.  My block has celebrated National Night Out for the 6 years I have lived in my current home.  National Night Out was started out as a crime prevention program designed to get more people involved in their communities. It is always the first Tuesday in August which is the 5th this year.  So if you live in Sunnyridge Heights around 18th Pl, head to 18th Pl around 5:30 with your potluck and join the neighborhood for some good food and conversation. Last year was a great turnout. I'll see you there! 08/02/2008

Gorgeous weather certainly played a part in the success of this years art fair.  Fairgoers and vendors alike  benefitted from the milder weather.  Past years have seen temperatures blazing in the high 90's.  The Salem Art Fair is held the third weekend in July at Bush Park. There are many different vendors from all over the United States.  A music stage, food court and the popular children's area round out the grounds.            See you there next year! 07/21/2008

     It was hot, really hot this weekend.  Our summers in the valley are normally quite moderate, but we seem to get one week every July that hits the 90's and 100's.  This past weekend was no exception.   My kids wanted to go to the Riverfront Park here in Salem.  When we first moved to Salem from Portland about 10 years ago, Riverfront Park was a fairly new park.  It was one of many projects slated to reinvigorate the downtown area, and it really is a fantastic addition. The park has a great play structure...well actually two.  One for larger kids and one for smaller kids. They are right next to each other so parents with both sizes can easily watch their children.     A nice flat sidewalk is perfect for kids who want to learn to ride their bikes or roller blade, joggers out for some... 07/15/2008

from my main blog What are the Best Buys Under $200,000 in the Salem Real Estate market?(for higher home value best buys, email > Best Buys Salem) to see this page with active links to MLS listings click here  I have researched the active and current listings up to July 14th.These best picks are for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home priced between $140,000 and $200,000. NOTE: My opinions only. Preferences will vary and what works best for you may be different.Receive automatic updates in your email up to 3x weekly for new listings and price reductions.(Click on the HomeSearch banner above right.). - David Brown Factors for best pick include: Price, and .... a combination of curb appeal, lot size, location, sq. footage, charm, upgrades, photos, and amenities. Not all with have every one : some st... 07/14/2008

With the first 6 months of the year gone, I wanted to take a look at how the real estate market is looking so far this year.    For residential homes sales in Salem, Oregon...   The 180 day trend: Median sold price: $204,912 Average sold price: $223,489 Average original list price: $228,756 % of listing price to sale price: 97.7% Average DOM: 122 Listed vs. sold: 67%   The 90 day trend: Median sold price: $209,950 Average sold price: $230,526 Average original list price: $236,489 % of listing price to sale price: 97.5 % Average DOM: 117 Listed vs. sold: 55%   The 30 day trend: Median sold price: $215,800 Average sold price: $232,470 Average original list price: $238,439 % of listing price to sale price: 97.5% Average DOM: 125 Listed vs. sold: 44%   The percentage of list to sales price ... 07/11/2008

The real estate market has changed.  Not long ago, buyers could walk away from the closing table with a home and little to no out-of-pocket expenses.  We had access to zero down loans and many times, sellers were willing to pay for closing costs for a buyer or the buyer could simply roll them into the mortgage.  Buyers did not have to be disciplined and save money to make an investment in their home.  The buyers that did have money chose to keep it to fix up their new home or other moving expenses.  In the ‘90’s buyers were expected to come in with money to buy a home; at least 3% for an FHA, 5% or 10% conventional, and zero down programs were not yet in vogue. I bought my first home in 1985 on an FHA program. I had to save 3% and come up with my own closing costs. Today, buyers are onc... 07/09/2008

  Salem has 19 neighborhood associations within it's confines.  The South Central Association is located just south of the downtown area and includes the Bush park and Fairmount Hills Neighborhoods.    This area has access to good parks, and is close to downtown for residents that want to head to the main city library or to Bentley's for a good meal.     4 parks are within the associations boundaries including Pringle Creek Park, Fairmount Park, Bush Pasture Park, and Gilmore Field. Bush Park holds the annual art festival which draws thousands of people.  Bush Park has several events that occur throughout the year. Residents of this neighborhood association are very active and have worked with the city to improve the parks within it's boundaries.  Their newsletter is available online. ... 07/02/2008

   We have all heard nothing but doom and gloom on the radio, TV and just about everything we pick up and read. Well the mass media has done it again, they have painted the picture and implanted in our minds that the real estate market is the worse it has been in years and is to continue this way for several years to come. I agree that there has been some shifts and changes due to the sub-prime lending crisis, some depreciating of homes values, home owners owning more than current market values, unemployment, etc. etc. etc.  But let me point out that there is a flip side to all of this, unfortunately only a few of us are taking advantage of it.  In today's real estate market, and I do mean today "right now" the money that is going to be made is on the buy not the sell.  There is a highe... 07/02/2008

My daughter Kelsey is a second year member of the Lady Warriors.  This is an ASA 18U team coached by Santos Lingmai.  The team is made up of girls from North Salem High School, McNary, Central, Santiam, McMinnville, and Yamhill-Carlton.  It is a great group of girls.  The kind of girls that work hard, check attitudes at the door and have fun.  Their home field is North Salem High School. Saturday, June 28, 2008 these girls played 4 games in 100 degree heat and won all but the semi-final game.  This tournament was for the Regional Nationals and held at Vancouver Girls Softball Association home complex in Washington State.  A win would have put them in the Championship bracket for a trip to Illinois to play in the National Championship.  In the last game, we were the away team.  With Kels... 06/30/2008

The current conditions of buying and selling  real estate in the Salem/Keizer and surrounding areas are somewhat staple in comparison with other areas.  It is definitely in favor of the buyer due to the amount of inventory currently on the market.  Prices have slipped downward because of the amount of homes available.  Buyers have many choices which leads to a competitive market to attract buyers.  Sellers to be competitive in this market need to put there best foot forward to attract buyers.  Homes need to be priced right, look there best and have an aggressive marketing strategy.  I have lived in this area for many years and have found that the market is slowly stabilizing and returning to what I would consider to be a normal market.  If I can answer any question about this area or if... 05/29/2008

In the fall, the colors in this neighborhood are truly stunning.  The Laurel Springs neighborhood is about 40 years old, which means the oaks and the maples can almost touch each other from across the street.    The large trees and well kept landscapes are the appeal of this neighborhood.       Bounded by River Rd to the west and Azalea to the east, 90% of this neighborhood sits between Acacia and Madrona. If you approach this neighborhood from River Rd you will enter it on Acacia.  Lined with trees, the entry to this neighborhood is consistent with what lies within. Most of the homes in the neighborhood were built in the 1960's and 1970's so the architecture is consistent with that time.  Larger lots and ranch style homes make up a good chunk of this neighborhood.   Special Considerat... 05/18/2008