What a crazy market we are in!  A house can be priced "right" now & overpriced in a month.  Staging is important, yet pricing trumps it every time.  I think the most important thing to know is that right now, bank owned properties (REOs) and Short Sales are driving the market down for the most part.  Even appraisers right now are having to use comps from foreclosed properties to determine home value.  It's a great market anyway though, because the buyers are out there!  That's the exciting part.  There are people looking to buy.  Don't be discouraged, just keep plugging along & keep in contact with your agent.  Unless of course, you don't have one... :) Kristin SmithKeller Williams Realty Mid-Willamettewww.callkdsmith.com 07/30/2009

I don't know about your neck of the woods, but in Albany, OR, you can't keep good properties down!  This week I had a client call me about a house for sale just about half a mile from my house.  It's currently bank owned & had only been on the market for 5 days.  I called right away when he told me that the asking price was about $89,000.  When I was finally able to talk to the broker, he'd already received 6 offers on the property!  To top it all off, when I went by, there wasn't even a SIGN in the yard!  If you know of any great homes needing to be sold quickly in Albany, let me know!  I'm doing my best to help these clients find a smokin deal!  They're looking for a good, solid starter home for $130K or less.  Call me if you have something that would meet their needs & let's talk bus... 07/29/2009

Have a beautiful but dirty chandelier?  Light fixtures can be a focal point and beautiful feature for a dining room, but when dusty and spotted, they are a eyesore not a selling feature!  Cleaning a chandelier can be a chore if each crystal is removed, cleaned and replaced.  We've used this cleaning product in homes with great success and recommend it! Cover the area below the chandelier.  Using a duster, remove cobwebs and excessive dust.  Turn off the lights before spraying and be sure bulbs are cool.  Spray well with the cleaner -- allowing it to drip on the towels beneath the fixture.    Leaves chandeliers amazingly clean and sparkling!  Its a great product and time saver!   Creative Concepts and Contracting provides quality home staging and contracting services for Salem Oregon and... 05/24/2009

Many calls I have received lately are from home owners who have homes on the market, or whose listings have expired and they are thinking about re-listing.  This week I had two consultations with this type of seller and they both were puzzled and irritated by their agent’s actions! I spent a lot of time explaining the importance of curb appeal, first impressions and why deferred maintenance and declutter had to be dealt with before listing.  The widow whose listing had expired was near tears.  I expected her to be overwhelmed and even a little irritated with me by “imposing” expectations upon her.  It surprised me when she said “Why didn’t my agent take the time to explain this to me before I listed?”  I had no idea these things were so vital to my house selling quickly.” Yes, she was c... 05/14/2009

When advising clients about preparing their home for showings and open houses, I always say to remove all evidence of pets - including the pets themselves.  If the pet is locked up in the garage or backyard, those areas will be hard to show, so it's always best to have them off to "visit grandma" or for a ride in the car if possible.  Additionally, while owners may not be able to smell any odors from the litter boxes, pet food or bedding, buyers with sensitive noses may be turned off by these smells.  Removing these items is a simple step to take, and well worth the effort.  Personally I always find it distracting when I'm viewing a home and see the pet food in the oddest places - like a bathroom counter or bedroom.  I love pets - but for showing a home love them hidden!  Well, rules ar... 05/08/2009

When you're between a rock and a hard place --   Choose to bloom!  Make it a great day!       Creative Concepts and Contracting offers professional home staging and repairs for the Willamette Valley in Oregon.  When preparing to sell your home, contact us for ideas on how to set your home apart and get noticed online or in person.  Staging is affordable and helps you make a great first impression! 03/25/2009

What do you look for in customer service?  Is it a smiling face, going the extra mile, bringing a cup of coffee?  I'll tell you what I like.  I'm sitting at the Power Kia Customer Lounge in Salem, OR.  As the proud owner of a pre-used Kia Optima, let me tell you, these people know customer service.  When I first brought the car here, I was a new owner & had a problem with the driver's door - it wouldn't open.  They went above & beyond, looking it over for me and asked if my timing belt had been replaced.  Turns out that it hadn't, and if I had gone much further, I could have had major damage done to my car.  They didn't push me to have something done, they educated me.  They showed me what needed to be done for my safety and why it needed to be done. I like to look at my real estate bus... 02/27/2009

Sometimes a home with a great floor plan and location can go unnoticed on the MLS . . . A few changes can make a dramatic difference and create that all important favorable first impression! A room that isn't used for it's original purpose, such as this dining room - Can be confusing to buyers and won't create an inviting image -- one that speaks of family dinners and a cozy haven. And even rooms that may be small and seem insignifcant . . .     Can have a huge visual impact -speaking of a quality lifestyle that these walls hold.   How much is it worth to you to have an updated look online and one that   creates a desirous impression in person as well?   This realtor paid for a staging consultation for her clients.  Through our do-it-yourself checklist and a items from our accessory ren... 02/20/2009

I love my coffee.  Straight up black at home and work, but when I'm out with friends, meeting clients, or just wanting a break, it's a grande Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks - with whip! One of my favorite things to do is read the little "The Way I See It" quotes on the sides of the cup.  A while back they "decided" they were going back to the original look and I thought the quotes were gone forever - tragedy!  But no, at this point at least our local Starbucks on Pacific Blvd. at the Fred Meyer is back to having the cups with quotes.  This of course was also after the Christmas red cups during the holidays!  Anyway, I was sitting in a real estate accountability group meeting on Tuesday, and a friend of mine came in with her venti cup.  On the side of it was the following quote: (Thi... 01/29/2009

Albany: Average Days on Market 145 343 Currently Active Properties Average Price per Sq Ft. $124 Average Sales Price $194,490   North Albany: Average Days on Market 158 89 Currently Active Properties Average Price per Sq Ft. $139 Average Sales Price $308,836   Corvallis: Average Days on Market 114 278 Currently Active Properties Average Price per Sq Ft. $164 Average Sales Price $301,363     01/26/2009

So I was sitting here and thinking...in this struggling economy, why is it that I stay in Real Estate?  Here are a few of the reasons I thought of: 1. I love the people.  You simply cannot trade the feeling that you get when you help that young couple buy their first home, or that single make the most confident step of independence. 2. I love a challenge.  Ok, so lately, I could do with a little LESS challenge, but there is a certain amount of a "high" you get from matching people up to homes. 3. I love my town.  In Albany, OR, we have a population of between 40,000-45,000 people, so we can still be considered a small community.  It's fun to go out & see the different neighborhoods and "discover" areas that I haven't seen before. 4. I love my brokerage.  Truly, in all my years of busine... 01/15/2009

For all of you out there thinking of buying your fist home in the new year, I wanted to give you some information. If you are in the Albany, Corvallis areas, you should really check out Willamette Neighborhood Housing. They offer first time home buyer classes and financial assistance for first time buyers. Coming up in the new year, they are going to be offering their own fixed rate loan program as well. WNHS not only helps prepare you to buy a home, but they know where to get grants, down payment assitance, second mortgages and more! They also work with reputable lenders and realtors who know our area! Rates are too good not to buy. Inventory is up and if you were every going to get a deal, now is the time! Here is the link to Willamette Neighborhood Housing: http://www.w-nhs.org/ Ther... 12/19/2008

I spent about an hour this week with Dave Pautsch, RE/MAX Integrity in Albany discussing the USDA 100% Rural Guarantee Program and the FHA 203k Streamline loans. The thing that made this meeting different than most meetings that I have had with Realtors was that this one was done on the radio. Dave has a weekly program on KGAL 1580 NewsTalk Radio called Real Estate Talk. It was a lot of fun and I appreciate Dave asking that I be a guest on his program. To be real honest, trying to explain numbers on a 203k was confusing even to me but I think we covered the area pretty well. The USDA program fit so well with one of his own listings, it was a lot of fun talking about specific property. Take a look and a listen, if you have the time. I think we covered a lot of ground in the hour program.... 12/06/2008

  As winter approaches, there are many things you can do around the house that will save you money and energy.  Knowing where to start and how to do what is needed can be daunting!  Learning how to get started on these projects is now as easy as heading to your local Home Depot.  Home Depot is sponsoring do it yourself workshops teaching basics such as installing dimmer switches and properly caulking your windows, sealing gaps in your walls and weatherizing your doors.  These small improvements to your home can help you save up to 20% on heating costs and up to 10% on your total energy costs. Saving Money On Your Energy Bills is scheduled at the Albany Home Depot Thursday, October 23, 2008 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. To sign up go to www.homedepotclinics.com. To locate a workshop in your area... 10/18/2008

Recently I had a fabulous opportunity to teach a class for "Learn Something New Day" which was sponsored by the Albany Oregon Downtown Association.  I was presenting information on updating your home affordably  -- whether you are selling or desiring a new look. I live in a nearby town and had no personal experience with the local paint store, so contacted them for information on their products and handouts for the class.  What I received was far more than I had asked for!  Not only did they have amazing packets put together for attendees, I also learned about many of their products that I'm so excited to try!  Miller Paint offers premium quality paint products that are specifically engineered for the Pacific Northwest.  The manager, Lee Warwick explained many of their products that are... 10/16/2008

     Saturday October 11th is Learn Something New Day - sponsored by the Albany Downtown Association.  Local merchants are offering free classes at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm. One class offered is "Achieving the Wow Factor for Your Home" at Full House Furniture (212 1st Ave E - 541-924-3793) Ever dream of your home looking like it came out of an interior design magazine? Selling your home?  Does it create a memorable impression- one that sets it apart from all the others on the market online and in person?  A home stager can give your homes these qualities!  Learn how to affordably apply staging concepts to your home.  From cleaning, decluttering, updating on a dime, and creating an ambiance - what you learn can help you create the look you desire! Margaret Oscilia of Creative Concep... 10/07/2008

Remember that song -- "The change will do you good"?  Sometimes convincing sellers of this is a home stagers biggest success! It seems frequently I hear from sellers -- I'll do anything but don't ask me to ____________ -- they always have one thing they dig in their heels and don't want to do.  This home was no exception.  When I viewed the kitchen the homeowner said - Just don't ask me to paint the kitchen.  This house had been on the market for MANY months, and already had been previously staged.  From the front entry, you could see five different colors of paint -- and not in any planned palate!   After explaining this problem to the homeowner and a providing them a list of to do items, the homeowner went to work painting!  Some rented accessories from our inventory and this home tra... 09/29/2008

The WVHBA Tour of Homes is in full swing - but it's not too late - there is one more weekend to view the 17 homes featured this year in Albany, Millersburg and Corvallis!  Despite an economic slow down in the industry and new construction permits being down, the Mid-Willamette Valley real estate market has proven to be a strong contender once again.  Area builders have provided a wonderful variety of styles and sizes of homes in a wide range of pricing.  These builders are a testament to the hard work and dedication of quality builders in a tight market and they have put their best foot forward featuring new industry products and ideas.   Come see these beautiful homes to see the latest trends and ideas!  The Tour Homes continues September 19-21 and the tour hours are Friday 2-8pm, Satu... 09/14/2008

Sunday, September 7, 2008, is the annual Festival of Red.  This event is a benefit for FISH (Fish Guest House Teen Pregnancy Center).  It will be on Ferry St. this year between 1st and 2nd Avenues.  Hours are 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  Local restaurants will be providing food.  Wine and beer will be available from local breweries and wineries.  In the past 15 restaurants, breweries and wineries have offered samples from their menus, all including red ingredients. Recognized Albany artisits will be painting on site.  Artwork will be on display and be available for sale.  For ticket prices and information call Annette at 928-4460. 09/03/2008

Albany, Oregon Antiques in the Streets 9-6-08 (edit/delete) On September 6th Albany will hold it's 11th annual Antiques in the Streets event.  Browse through the Historic Downtown Albany district with antiques literally filling the streets.  Some of the area Antique Shops: Arlene's Victorian RoseContact: Arlene Barber 541-928-4203Camas Creek AntiquesContact: Janet Ross 541-926-0035Christmas Now & ThenContact: Karla Swiger 541-924-1225Flinn's Mall AntiquesContact: Sue Newman 541-926-2286My Secret TreasuresContact: Mary Kresse 541-924-0116Opulence NXSContact: Dianna ThompsonPastime AntiquesContact: Kris Eskridge 541-926-0303Pattycake's PlunderContact: Patricia Wolfer 541-619-4688Peabody'sContact: Gini Christie 541-926-3654VintiqueContact: Jim & Jim541-924-9697Peabody'sContact: Judy Heyerl... 09/03/2008