The following steps are what I share with my sellers so that they understand what's expected of them as we go from an accepted sale agreement to closing! If this is of any help to you, as a realtor, then you won't have to re-create the wheel! Just tweak it according to your own state's guidelines. Steps for Sellers in a Real Estate Transaction from Acceptance to Closing   As of mutually accepted offer date, the timeclock starts ticking. A home inspection will be ordered and completed before 10 business days. You will be notified of a home inspection by me, your listing agent, and most of the time I represent the buyer also, so I will be attending the home inspection. It’s usually best that you not be there. A 3-4 hour time period is about the most needed by the home inspector. Please ha... 01/16/2017

Fishhawk Lake Real Estate Ten Questions Buyers Ask A SeriesHaving lived in the Fishhawk Lake community part time and full time for  14 years, and having been the local expert REALTOR® at Fishhawk Lake for 11 years, I've heard all kinds of questions over and over again. General questions that come up are the ones that I would like to address here, along with lots of links, photos and videos!The following will be a series of ten common questions that come up often when people are searching for  lakehomes at Fishhawk Lake.  Below is Question #1. For the full series, please click on this link: Fishhawklakerealtor.com.                                          Fishhawk Lake-Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman 2016 Q:What types of properties are there at Fishhawk Lake and what is the difference between... 01/14/2017

Fishhawk Lake inDecember  2008. Worst winter in Oregon history. It looks like we might beat the record for that year, if we remain in the temps and snowfall  that we have accumulated in the last few days. More to come! Brace yourself! (Here's another photo from winters past). Sorry, not so wordless Wednesday! 01/11/2017

Fishhawk Lake Full Time Living in WinterAlternative PowerAfter having lived in this community full time for over 11 years, one of the learning experiences that I can pass onto my buyers who want to live here full time, is to think about potential power outages and what you can prepare for when those do happen.Because of storms, winds, trees falling, ice on powerlines, etc. there are any number of opportunities for you to lose power while you live here at Fishhawk Lake. One sure way to combat this in a matter of seconds upon losing power, is to set your entire home up on a generator system. We've done this a few times and found that it behooved us to have our whole home connected to the generator instead of just part of it. We have the Generac 22KW which services our 1500 sq. ft home ver... 01/08/2017

Getting Back to Fishhawk Lake--Can't Wait!!Towards the end of 2016, I was approached to sell this cabin on the canal at Fishhawk Lake in Birkenfeld OR. Many many years ago, my husband and I were going to make an offer on it and about a New York second before that, the current seller had made an offer and it was accepted. Fast forward about 13 years. I walked into this cabin and fell in love all over again. I went home and told my husband about it going back on the market. Since we were now debt-free, we were looking for a write-off and he was looking at this as an investment property, while giving me a chance to get back to the lake. Talk about doing the happy dance!!We will be closing sometime in early February and things are clicking along nicely. I helped get the existing  seller's p... 01/05/2017

There continues to be an influx of buyers interested in vacation homes at Fishhawk Lake as well as those looking for full time living in an environment far different than the urban sprawl that has taken hold of Portland and the surrounding suburbs in the last year. Oregon being the 6th highest state for people moving to (with Washington being the 5th) and 68,000 people who've moved to Oregon in the last year, the housing market is being squeezed for inventory in Portland and its outer fringes and this has sparked a new interest in more rural areas with lower taxes and lower price-point.There are trade-offs to living full time in a more rural setting. Quiet, activities that require being outside more, far less traffic and more wildlife on the roads, neighbors more spread out. You won't f... 01/02/2017

From our house to yours, a beautiful New Year's Eve and wishes for vacations, vacation homes, lovely outdoor activities, a beautiful lake setting or whatever your heart desires, may it come true for you in 2017!                                      12/31/2016

This is a first for all of us! I have never seen the Roosevelt Elk here in our pasture during the daylight, only at night and are quite skittish. Then, add the element of my palomino, Pearl and my mule, Della just several yards away and it would seem that someone would scatter or bolt. Not so! These are all females, so maybe that's why  no one seemed to have to show their egos. (Sorry, fellas, but that DOES happen, if you're going to be honest). Loved this whole thing and I got a video, too (but from inside my home).Actually went out and rounded up my "girls" and the elk never batted an eyelash in concern.    12/23/2016

Fishhawk Lake Real Estate ANOTHER Lakefront Property SOLD Busy Month!!71547 Fishhawk RoadBirkenfeld OR 97016Just recorded on this dark December day to shed some light on the real estate world at Fishhawk Lake!(Click on the link above to see more properties for sale at Fishhawk Lake) (The new deck that the Leback family will be soon enjoying)I was the listing agent and want to thank Suzanne Peters, the buyer's agent who was wonderful to work with! My sellers are now switching their hats and becoming buyers and staying at the lake, buying another lakefront home that I have listed, so I'm representing both parties, willingly! What a great way to end a very successful 2016 and ring in the new year of 2017!! Welcome, Leback family to Fishhawk LakeYou're going to LOVE it! I would welcome the ... 12/19/2016

Speechless Sunday--Hiking And Checking Animal TracksToday was a day to check the snow for animal tracks. I took the dogs and it came in handy. I already recognize deer tracks as I have seen them often. This one looks like a heart to me.          This is the more common shape.         Then I saw bigger tracks, and thought they were cougar, but they are actually bear tracks!I was able to capture these two side-by-side. My dog's recent track and an older one. We have a bear den somewhere nearby, but haven't seen any. YET. Here is a clear photo of bear tracks from Google:This was one singular snow track, but the nails seem to be unmistakeable. I love living in the country and having the opportunity to learn about our local wildlife. I have learned about scat and am teaching myself about ani... 12/18/2016

Fishhawk Lake Real Estate-Newest Sold Lake Property by Gayle Rich-BoxmanA terrific new family will be very engaged with our community as they already have fallen in love with it! I was able to get a group photo of the sellers, Mike and Mary Foote and the new buyers, the Lee Kwai family when we had a final walk-through party. They felt very connected to this home and Fishhawk Lake the first time they came up to look and I was grateful to have the honor of representing them as their Fishhawk Lake buyers agent in their journey from buyer to new Fishhawk Lake community member. (Here are a couple of photos of their view during our home inspection with our local home inspector, Dave McLean and his assistant, Eric on a beautiful fall day).  Welcome them with open arms! They've joined Fishhawk ... 12/14/2016

Fishhawk Creek-It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!We've had our share of snow, ice, fog, and cold, but it hasn't stopped people from coming to Fishhawk Lake to view properties!I even had a buyer fly in from Arizona to see some of my listings this week--the weather didn't deter her! Things are not slowing down as far as interest in our beautiful Fishhawk Lake, Fishhawk Creek and surrounding community. Give me a call when you want your own slice of paradise!Fishhawk Lake Real EstateGayle C. Rich-Boxman REALTOR® Vernonia Realty Direct: (503)755-2905                                                          Birkenfeld OR 97016                                 Specializing in Fishhawk Lake Reserve and Community                                                "Your Gateway to the Lake!"... 12/11/2016

There are people who move here and after a few years, really let their hair down....This came as a result of an informal contest between some of the male local full timers who could go the longest without cutting their hair. "Cousin IT" is still letting his locks grow. One of the many reasons why we love him and embrace each other's "unique ways". We have fun at Fishhawk Lake!! Our Fishhawk Lake community is pretty special. If you feel the need to let your hair down in a relaxed setting, please call your local expert,                                               Gayle C. Rich-Boxman                         REALTOR® Vernonia Realty Direct: (503)755-2905                                               Birkenfeld OR 97016                     Specializing in Fishhawk Lake Reserve and Communi... 11/25/2016

This cabin has needed a new family for quite some time and I could not have picked nicer people! The Brooks family are VERY excited to be part of our Fishhawk Lake community. The appraisal process was SOOO long that we thought it would never come to fruition! We, both the buyers and the sellers whom I worked as dual agent for and I are ecstatic to say it's Sold!They get to spend Thanksgiving weekend in their new cabin!!  Sweet Remodel on Fishhawk Creek Overview Maps Photos Features Description $135,000 Single Family Home Main Features 2 Bedrooms1 Full Bathroom1 Half BathroomInterior: 852 sqftLot: 0.30 acre(s)Year Built: 1973 Location 10207 Ridgeview TerraceBirkenfeld, OR 97016USA Gayle Colleen Rich-Boxman Vernonia Realty(503) 755-2905[email protected]// http://www.lakehomesatfishhawk.co... 11/23/2016

Fishhawk Lake Real Estate-Lakefront Home Now Sale Pending!I have buyers who are "seasoned" Fishhawk Lake folks. They currently have a home in sale pending that I have listed but want to stay "lakefront"! I don't blame them. The location is one of the best, a great selling point and was the clincher for my buyers. If you're in the market to buy a lake home at Fishhawk Lake, call me, your local expert!Gayle C. Rich-Boxman REALTOR® Vernonia Realty Direct: (503)755-2905                                                      Birkenfeld OR 97016                              Specializing in Fishhawk Lake Reserve and Community                                                "Your Gateway to the Lake!"   Newer Remodeled Lakefront Cabin with Wide Open Views! Overview Maps Photos Description $310,000... 11/23/2016

Speechless Sunday-Roosevelt ElkThese large, yet elegant creatures become more prevalent in my area this time of year. They can be skittish around humans and this female has a bit of concern in her right eye while facing me. This herd was found at the Jewell Elk Reserve. Wild elk come back every year for months at a time.While taking photos, I saw this lonely fella off by himself. I actually have never seen this before and hope that he isn't being ostracized. He had his back to the herd. I felt sorry for him. (It wasn't a good shot, but you get the idea).This photo was taken early in the AM, inside my home as I saw nine elk in my pasture--a first for me!!   11/20/2016

Fishhawk Lake Real Estate-- Lakefront SOLD after 12 days!My sellers received a full price offer and a seamless transaction with buyers who walked into my listing and fell in love with it, according to the buyer's agent. (He told me he loved it, too).Congrats and welcome to the Leeborg family who are now lakefront homeowners at Fishhawk Lake! Thinking of selling or buying at Fishhawk Lake?Let me be "Your Gateway to the Lake!"Gayle C. Rich-Boxman REALTOR® Vernonia Realty Direct: (503)755-2905Specializing in Fishhawk Lake Reserve and Community                                                       11/19/2016

First off, if you don't like the  roller coaster, then this career isn't for you! For those of you who've been in the biz for umpteen years, this is no big deal. OR, maybe it is and you're just plain TIRED OF THE RIDE. Me? I'm lovin' every minute of it! It's UP, it's DOWN. Mind you, my ride has only been for the last 10 and 1/2 years, but boyhowdy, I've seen some rough rides! My first year, a major FLOOD in my neck-of-the-woods. Vacation lakehomes with 4' of water, mudslides and wind for what some called a "perfect storm". Most didn't have insurance. We learned more about FEMA than we ever cared to. My second year: the worst winter in Oregon history. Over 4' of snow, power outtages that lasted for 9 days, Lordy! Then, the downturn in the market. Fishhawk Lake trended downwards more slow... 11/13/2016

 Mother Nature confounds me with her endless creativity. Each singular moment is one-of-a-kind, never repeated the same twice. She gives us these freely and asks nothing in return. So, today, just after hunting season, I decided to take a walk in my beloved woods on Greasy Spoon Road and help her clean up her floors as my simple nod of thanks. An hour’s pensive puttering on one of my paths presented me with many expendable items along these hunters’ trails. A full bag of cheap beer cans, power drinks, busted styrofoam cups with broken lids and a plethora of small garbage was the stash of trash that formed in the bag I carried--nothing that Mom Nature creates naturally.  My rewards from Her, while walking with my two Goldens were many.  Mom N showed me rays of sunshine filtering through ... 11/06/2016

The grandeur of these trees in the coastal range of Oregon at Fishhawk Lake can really be understood by having my Golden Retriever, Kasa standing there pondering the world underneath on a fall day. Living moment-to-moment, and enjoying it, that's the way to look at the world!  10/26/2016