Hello again appreciative-ga,
This was a fun search. The information I?ve gathered should help you
develop a strategy for pricing and selling your unique house with a
pool in the living room.
Thank you for providing your location. This helped me to do some
research on home town, Gresham, as well as the Portland metropolitan
area. I discovered that there are two issues about your neighborhood
that might cause concern to prospective buyers.
You mentioned the arrival of Walmart in your neighborhood and the
resistance that preceded its approval. I looked at the maps to see its
relation to where you live and it seems that such a large store may
bring extra traffic into your area just as some of the protestors
predict. Since the store isn?t built yet you can?t really say what the
impact will be but it seems to be close enough to your location that
it might be a consideration when you?re ready to sell. (BTW, the
consideration might be positive for some.)
The other concern I have is the proximity of your Centennial
neighborhood to the Rockwood neighborhood which is an officially
designated ?Weed and Seed? redevelopment and urban renewal area. My
review of the census reports and the various articles I found about
Gresham shows that the Rockwood neighborhood is in trouble. I don?t
have a clear sense of how its geographic relationship to your
neighborhood will impact your ability to get a good price for your
home.
As I mentioned before, selling a unique or unusual home offers some
challenges. Selling homes with swimming pools can also offer
challenges. An indoor swimming pool in the living room will appeal to
a very special buyer. I?ve collected some articles for you on how to
market an unusual home. I?ve also found a few examples of single
family homes with indoor swimming pools. The type and size of home and
the associated prices are all over the map. I think the neighborhood
comps will have an awful lot to do with how much you can get for your
house.
I think it will be essential that you get a real estate agent who is
fully in tune with you about seeing how special your house is and who
is willing to develop a specialized marketing plan.
I?d love to see your home. I wish you well in finding someone who will
fall in love with it and appreciate it as much as you do.
All the best.
~ czh ~
=======================
MAPS OF GRESHAM, OREGON
=======================
http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=52+Sw+Pleasant+View+Ave,+97030
52 SW Pleasant View Ave Gresham, OR 97030
http://www.terraserver.com/imagery/image_gx.asp?cpx=-122.467699&cpy=45.496768&res=8&provider_id=320
http://www.terraserver.com/imagery/image_gx.asp?cpx=-122.467699&cpy=45.496768&res=30&provider_id=340
============================================
PROS AND CONS OF LOCATION IN GRESHAM, OREGON
============================================
http://www.ci.gresham.or.us/
City of Gresham, Oregon
Located between the big-city hustle to the west and the solitude of
the countryside to the east, you will find Gresham - fourth largest
city in Oregon. The quality of life experienced by our citizens is
superb. The community's image and amenities depend on a financially
sustainable future, open spaces, parks, community events, quality
commercial, and industrial development, and an excellent
infrastructure system. The "good life" for our citizens depends
heavily on our commitment to a vision and the willingness to follow
through
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.greshamchamber.org/about.htm
Ideally located in the Pacific Northwest, Gresham is Oregon?s fourth
largest city. Home of the renowned Mt. Hood Jazz Festival, Gresham is
known as ?the City of Music?. Whether relaxing to an evening of fine
dining, celebrating at one of many music festivals, or participating
in outdoor sports and recreation suits your mood, Gresham is your
choice for a great destination.
Enjoy hiking or biking the many trails and parks or sensational golf
on a championship course. Gresham and nearby Troutdale offer downtown
shopping experiences from unique boutiques to national factory stores.
Exceptional dining and music await you at many distinctive
restaurants. Experience daily excursions to the scenic Columbia River
Gorge, the splendor of Mt. Hood or the cosmopolitan city of Portland,
all just minutes away.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.co.multnomah.or.us/dbcs/it/maps/projects/demographics/May14Profiles/1604131250gresham.pdf
Census 2000 Profiles ? Gresham, OR
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.city-data.com/city/Gresham-Oregon.html
Gresham, Oregon
-------------------------------------------------
http://info.econ.state.or.us:591/FMPro?-db=Community.fp4&-Format=forms.htm&-lay=webpage&-op=eq&sort%20name=Gresham&-script=hit%20count&-Find
Gresham Community Profile
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.topix.net/city/gresham-or
Gresham News
Local news for Gresham, OR continually updated from thousands of
sources on the web.
http://www.bestplaces.net/zipr/nhood1.asp?qryZip=97030
Neighborhood Profile
Zip code 97030 -
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.livingchoices.com/community/communitydetails.aspx?mid=6440&zip=97030
Neighborhood Details
GRESHAM, Oregon 97030
Pollution 97030 State National
Air Pollution Index* 109 110 100
Carbon Monoxide Index* 109 110 100
Lead Index* 150 145 100
NO2 Index* 59 66 100
Ozone Index* 103 102 100
Particulate Matter Index* 92 93 100
Crime 97030 State National
Total Crime Index (more details) 146 99 100
Personal Crime Index 107 74 99
Property Crime Index 184 124 100
========================
WALMART COMES TO GRESHAM
========================
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2002359103_floyd06.html
July 6, 2005
Tackling Wal-Mart takes Oregonization
The Arkansas behemoth is having trouble right now in Oregon, where a
combination of land-use laws, neighborhood activists and a few
farsighted politicians are placing hurdles in the expansion path.
Wal-Mart isn't on its knees, but it has some bloody shins.
The retail giant is forced to go into the Portland metro area in order
to expand in Oregon. Simply put, that's where the people live; the
company has already saturated downstate Oregon.
There are only two Wal-Marts in the Portland area (encompassing
Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties), to serve 1.5 million
people. Wal-Mart has 27 downstate stores for the state's remaining 1.9
million people.
Gresham opponents bought time when the city's urban-renewal commission
purchased the site Wal-Mart had planned for a supercenter. Opponents,
operating as GreshamFirst, haven't popped the champagne ? they are
gearing up to fight other site proposals and pressure the City Council
to evaluate economic impacts of any Wal-Mart.
-------------------------------------------------
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2005/06/320083.shtml
Gresham WalMart Update: Public Comment Period Begins!
author: www.greshamfirst.org
e-mail: greshamfirst@hotmail.com
Wal-Mart's Type II Development Application has been deemed "complete"
and residents now have only 14 days (June 20 - July 4) to submit
comments to the City Planner. ANY PERSON opposed to this development
may communicate in writing via electronic or regular mail during this
review period. Comments should address relevant concerns and also your
intent to appeal if the application is approved.
-------------------------------------------------
http://walmart-oregon.com/home/wm1/page_230/Gresham-Project-Overview.html
Project Overview: Gresham
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.onwardoregon.org/site/apps/s/inline.asp?c=ffIOIRMEG&b=848883
Gresham Wal-Mart Background Information
WAL-MART WILL GUT THE GRESHAM RETAIL BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND UNDERMINE
THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
Wal-Mart's size and dominance of the retail market result in
competitive advantages unable to be matched by local business. Even
large chains like Kmart, Walgreen, Target, Fred Meyer and Toys 'R' Us
lose market share to Wal-Mart.(8)
WAL-MART'S PRESENCE DEVALUES PROPERTY.
The Supercenter will have multiple adverse effects on nearby
neighborhoods. These range from noise pollution; light pollution;
flooding due to increased run-off; increased traffic congestion,
gridlock and aggressive driving; decreased driver and pedestrian
safety; endangerment of our children: decreased air quality; parking
lot crime; environmental and aesthetic optiadation, all of
whichatinrease the enjoyment and marketability of our neighborhoods.
================================
ROCKWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD OF GRESHAM
================================
http://www.theoutlookonline.com/article/7536
Brand Rockwood process kicks off
by: Mara Stine - 06/04/05
First there was Brand Oregon. Now Gresham leaders are moving forward
with Brand Rockwood.
In an effort to attract development and growth that fits with the
city?s vision for Rockwood, Gresham redevelopment commissioners have
given Rockwood Urban Renewal Manager Rebecca Ocken the go-ahead to
create a brand for the economically depressed, poverty-stricken,
high-crime area of west Gresham.
Rockwood became the city?s first urban renewal district in 2003,
allowing the area to use taxes from increasing property values to fund
$92 million in improvements over 20 years.
It also has much working against it, such as poorly maintained
housing, lack of services to local residents, huge blocks and light
rail tracks that act as physical barriers to access, plus crime or the
perception of crime.
With these strengths and weaknesses in mind, consultants determined
that four key sites must be developed.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.weedandseedoregon.org/
Operation Weed and Seed...
A strategy within the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice
Programs that incorporates community-based initiatives. It is an
innovative and comprehensive multi-agency approach to law enforcement,
crime prevention, and community revitalization.
Operation Weed and Seed initiative "weeds out" undesirable elements
such as violent crime, gang activity, drug use, and drug trafficking
in a targeted area of the community. The program then "seeds" the area
by restoring those neighborhoods through a variety of social and
economic revitalization activities.
http://www.weedandseedoregon.org/rockwood/index_r.html
http://www.weedandseedoregon.org/rockwood/demographics_r.htm
http://www.weedandseedoregon.org/rockwood/documents/final_application.pdf
The Weed N' Seed program is a community revitalization strategy that
combines various aspects of law enforcement with community development
projects.
The Rockwood Weed and Seed project addresses the following strategic areas:
-- Community Policing
-- Health and Social Services
-- Neighborhood Revitalization
-- Economic Development & Jobs
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.ci.gresham.or.us/cityprojects/rockwood/urbasics.asp
Rockwood Redevelopment Urban Renewal Basics
Why is urban renewal taking place in Rockwood·West Gresham?
Rockwood-West Gresham is a section of the city that is distressed. In
parts of the area, there are buildings in poor condition. In other
parts of the area, there are no streets or sidewalks. In yet other
areas, there is little access to parks or recreation facilities.
Additionally, Rockwood-West Gresham has industrial and commercial
properties that are not fully used.
How can urban renewal affect city residents and property?
State laws about the value of property for tax purposes (the "assessed
value") are the same regardless of whether or not urban renewal is
enacted. Specifically, state law limits the growth in the assessed
value to 3% per year, unless a property owner constructs a major
redevelopment or remodel/reuse of their property. For property within
the urban renewal area, the "market value" of the property (what
someone might pay to purchase the property) may increase as public
improvements are made in the area.
What impacts can Rockwood-West Gresham Renewal have on Gresham as a whole?
There are two main impacts. First, urban renewal can assist with
improving Gresham's "front door" - entries into the City on 181st
Avenue, Stark, and Burnside. Second, Rockwood-West Gresham Renewal is
envisioned to help Gresham obtain more jobs through promoting economic
development of industrial and commercial properties.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.clfuture.org/orfreport/orfpt3.html
III. Portland Findings & The Status of the Portland Metro Region
Compared to National Trends
Significant concentrations of these families can be found in sections
of northeast and southeast Portland, western Gresham, Milwaukie,
Forest Grove, and in many other older suburban communities. Further,
in virtually all the places in the region where social needs are
increasing, the total assessed property value per household is small,
relatively stagnant, or even declining. On the other hand, in places
where the tax valuation per household is the largest, the social needs
are comparatively small and sometimes declining.
Whatever the reasons, there appear to be more good things happening,
such as job growth and property value increases in the central city of
Portland and older, low tax-value suburbs like Gresham, than in other
regions. However, this growth remains a pale reflection of the growth
occurring in the high-valued suburbs.
=========================
HOMES WITH SWIMMING POOLS
=========================
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/rm_architecture_extreme/article/0,1797,HGTV_3662_1397075,00.html
Indoor Swim Spas
There's a Strong Current of Interest
Homeowners are beginning to discover what doctors and therapists have
long known, that water's weightlessness makes exercise easier on the
body. The latest wave in indoor pools are swim spas and fitness pools
sized for the home.
SwimEx, Endless Pools and Speck Pumps' Badujet lead the pack, offering
slightly different products that attract both fitness buffs who want
to swim against a current and people who require home water therapy.
Even sports teams have gotten into the swim; the Pirates, Steelers and
University of Pittsburgh sports teams all have souped-up SwimEx pools.
"As baby boomers enter their 50s, they're having a hard time
continuing at the level they once did, jogging on asphalt a couple
times a week," he said. "Now they can run in the pool two or three
times a week. It's the perfect exercise. There's not as much pounding
on the joints."
***** This article gives you some ideas about the types of buyers who
might be interested in a house with a pool.
-------------------------------------------------
http://HousewPool.notlong.com
Address: 713 Lakefair N, Keizer, OR 97303
$560,000.00
INCREDIBLE LAKE VIEW! Custom built, single level home with indoor
swimming pool, wheelchair accessible, hardwood floors, office/shop
area, lots of windows allow wonderful view of Staats Lake. Maple
cabinets, granite countertops, camera-monitor surveillance equip. 3,
POSSIBLE 4 BEDROOMS. VERY UNIQUE HOME PRICE REDUCED
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.livingchoices.com/home/homedetail.aspx?mid=N083&hid=534045835&refer=bvc
Address: 69223 Crooked Horseshoe Road. Sisters, OR 97759
$1,650,000: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms in Sisters
INCREDIBLE HORSE PROPERTY. No detail overlooked! Amazing custom home
on ten +/- acres; close to town. Ultimate horse setup including
irrigated turnouts, heated barn, hay storage, barn office, tack room,
hot wash rack and riding trails to National Forest. Home boasts indoor
swimming pool, mountain views and three heat pumps. Recent extensive
upgrades throughout. Easy to create more bedrooms too! P174.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.alicevoges.com/104381.htm
Pete Anderson Realty, Inc
709 Pacific Ave.
Tillamook, OR 97141
$195,000 - MLS# 104381
Fun for the family
in this heated indoor swimming pool! Five bedrooms, 2 baths, large
kitchen, living room with fireplace insert, garage, small barn & large
yard.
-------------------------------------------------
http://HousewPool2.notlong.com
Address: 2000 SW PALATINE HILL RD, Portland OR 97219
Price: $3,600,000.00
City: Portland
Beds: 4
Baths: 5.0
Square Feet: 6813
Subdivision: PALATINE HILL
Area: Portland West, Raleigh Hills
MLS ID: 5013527
Status: Active
Elegant & extensive remodel of Dunthorpe home on 2 acres of privacy
with stream, waterfall, indoor swimming pool, green house, extensive
patios.Large rooms include 4 bedrms, office, sitting room next to
master br, eat-in kitchen, edit suite, exercise room. Mahogany floors,
crown molding.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.pajarodunes.com/sales/props.html
Pajaro Dunes
$2,650,000
4 BDRM, 4+ BTH. WOW! A house with an indoor swimming pool -- that is
unusual at Pajaro Dunes! This 4,300 square foot home seems to have it
all. Indoor swimming pool, spa and sauna. Two wet bars, two
fireplaces. This home has been totally redone inside and out. New
blinds throughout the house. Spectacular views from the great room of
the Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz city lights. Wonderful views from the
master suite and upper balcony. A must see!
======================
MARKETING UNUSUAL HOME
======================
http://www.seattledreamhomes.com/Nav.aspx/Page=%2fPageManager%2fDefault.aspx%2fPageID%3d308601
Unusual Homes Gallery
***** I?m including this site just for fun. It?s an incredible
collection of unusual homes that makes the challenge of marketing your
home pale by comparison. You might want to talk to this realtor even
if she?s in Seattle since she seems creative and might have some
suggestions for you.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.realtor.org/rmomag.NSF/pages/feat1dec04?OpenDocument
12/01/2004
How to Market a Unique Home
The very qualities that make a property peculiar can become its
strongest selling point. Real estate practitioners share lessons
they?ve learned from their most unusual listings.
All too often, marketing a unique home is a trial-and-error process.
Many sellers report having to reduce their initial asking prices and
having to alter original advertising strategies. Without the guidance
of a licensed real estate practitioner, the property can languish on
the market for years. On the other hand, a shrewd?and perhaps
unconventional?approach can turn eccentricities into assets. Here,
real estate pros share important lessons they?ve learned from their
unconventional listings.
***** This is a long article that gives you some pointers on how to
sell an unusual house.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news_features/real_estate/fall2002/marketing.shtml
October 16, 2002
Selling strategies
When the market gets tough, the marketers get creative
***** This is a long article to help you with generating ideas for
developing a marketing plan for your home.
-------------------------------------------------
http://houseandhome.msn.com/selling/HomeSales10KeyQuestionstoAskYourAgent.aspx
Home Sales: 10 Key Questions to Ask Your Agent
***** This article gives you a good review of the basics.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.metropolismag.com/html/content_1102/per/
The Cost of Good Intentions
Why great residential architecture doesn't pay.
November 2002
One thing everybody does know is that most American houses built today
are banal at best. Despite the vogue for bigger and costlier new
homes, few of them are products of daring design.
I am here to attest that unusual houses, no matter how wonderful,
appraise for less. It's not just that appraisers have a hard time
capturing the value of frozen music on paper--although of course they
do--but when confronted with an interesting work of architecture, they
often take value off. Bud Burdick, an appraiser with Concra Associates
in Hudson, New York, says an unconventional house often means fewer
potential buyers. To an appraiser, he says, this logically suggests a
lower value. "The less enlightened--who maybe haven't done that kind
of work and mainly understand subdivisions--deduct a good ten or even
twenty percent from the value of a contemporary house," Burdick says.
"It's a hell of a hit."
The story doesn't end there. In arriving at the value of a home,
appraisers look for comparable sales in the area. The prices of these
recent sales form a major part of the valuation exercise. But if your
home is unique, it will be tough to find truly valid comps.
***** This article offers a cautionary note about the appraised value
of unusual houses.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/ah_real_estate_selling/article/0,1801,HGTV_3165_1374524,00.html
Open Houses: Effective?
Home sellers still favor open houses, but many real estate agents say
they are a waste of time compared with other marketing methods,
according to a new survey.
The survey, which sampled residential agents in Texas, shows that
almost all (97 percent) respondents have used public open houses, but
only 41 percent say the technique helps sell the home. While 32
percent agree that public open houses attract many potential buyers,
62 percent believe most people attending open houses are not serious
buyers. A slight majority (59 percent), however, say open houses are
especially important for selling unusual homes.
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Use-Design-Psychology-to-Stage-Your-Home-for-a-Top-Dollar-Sale&id=36168
How to Use Design Psychology to Stage Your Home for a Top-Dollar Sale
***** This article discusses the elements and importance of staging
your house for a quick sales.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.semnrealestate.com/StagingChecklist
Staging Checklist
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.associatedcontent.com/content.cfm?content_type=article&content_type_id=2073
How to Stage Your Home to Sell
10 Tips to Make Your Property Stand Out
=============================================================================
MARKETING YOUR HOUSE ? STRATEGIES FOR UNIQUE QUALITIES FOR YOUR TARGET BUYERS
=============================================================================
http://www.turbotax.com/articles/DeductingHomeImprovementsasMedicalExpenses.html?source=ttcom4home1
Deducting Home Improvements as Medical Expenses
If you fix up your house to help improve a family member's medical
condition, can you deduct the costs as medical expenses? The answer
may be yes.
You may find it surprising that you can deduct the cost of adding a
swimming pool, elevator, or air conditioner to your home. That is, if
the primary purpose of the expense is for the medical care of you,
your spouse, or your dependent. You can also deduct the costs related
to the operation and maintenance of the addition or improvement as
long as the medical reason still exists and the costs are for treating
the taxpayer, spouse, or dependent
***** As the boomers are aging, more and more of them have physical
ailments that might be helped by swimming. You might try to find
people who have a physical condition that would be eligible to claim a
tax deduction for a pool.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.poolspaliving.com/shop/issues/99/april/100Reasons.asp
25 of "100 Great Reasons to Own a Swimming Pool
***** These might be helpful for brainstorming reasons that might
appeal to your prospective buyers.
-------------------------------------------------
http://home-remodeling.orbl.org/
Swimming Pool - ONLY if you plan to stay in your house for a while!
A pool is one popular home improvement that seldom returns the
investment. Obviously, people are installing pools for reasons other
than investment return. Don't consider the addition of a swimming pool
unless your home is in a high-price bracket or you plan to be around
for a while. Same applies to expensive spas and hot tubs -- you should
add these for YOU... not for the buyer.
***** Your goal is to find someone who will fall in love with the idea
of having a pool in the living room.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.hasson.com/
THE HASSON COMPANY
http://www.movingtoportland.net/house_price.htm
Portland Metro Home Prices
Suburban Communities
The lowest average price in the close-in metro area suburban
communities in 2004 were the combined communities of
Corbett\Gresham\Sandy\Troutdale with an average price of $203,300
followed closely by Hillsboro\Forest Grove at $208,000. Further out
was the Mt. Hood (communities of Brightwood, Government Camp,
Rhododendron, Welches, Wemme, Zigzag) area which increased by 7.4%
over 2003.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.realtor.org/rmomag.NSF/pages/feat1dec04?OpenDocument
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/11243613.htm
http://www.mrcranky.com/movies/guesswho/9.html
03/25/05: New York Times article on Portland, Oregon's shrinking birthrate.
The problem is not that children are leaving for private schools,
officials said. It is that new people attracted to the city tend to
have higher incomes, having already raised a family; are retiring; or
are single and unlikely to have children.
After interviewing 300 parents who had left the city, researchers at
Portland State found that high housing costs and a desire for space
were the top reasons.
Tina Ray lived in Portland for 12 years before moving to Gresham,
where her 9-year-old daughter attends school. Her family left for a
bigger house and more space, she said. "It's kid friendly, with a
great sense of community, and lots of sports leagues," she said.
Many Portland families are relocating to the newest edge suburbs,
where housing prices are cheapest, including Clark County across the
Columbia River in Washington, Portland State demographers say.
===============
SEARCH STRATEGY
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