06/03/2015

The Dilemma of the Almost-Sale In looking at the calendar and being almost halfway through the year, it seems that the trend for this year has been an odd one. I have grappled with it for months, wondering what's really going on this year that is so very different from last year?Finally, having an aha moment over lunch in front of my computer, I realized....It is the dilemma of the "almost-sale". From the sale lost in probate for almost a year to the failed attempt at getting an accepted offer on a FSBO that wasn't going to pay a courtesy to broker fee (but, my ethical buyer would have), it's been a 1/2 year of near-misses.Some of you are experiencing the vapid seller's market, too OR on the other side,  where your thousands- over-asking price still aren't enough to reward your buyer wi... 05/29/2015

Fishhawk Lake-Birds of a Feather Flock to Fishhawk! I tell ya, I've been having a blast shooting birds with my new little "Can-do" Canon Powershot! As the birds go by, or momentarily park themselves in a grand tree, I'm THERE!  Maybe they are posing in my landscaping, or on my boat smiling at me, or sitting in a marsh across the lake for just that right moment when I bring a new buyer by during a pontoon ride and we see movement along the shoreline. I am camera-ready, no missed opportunities here!!I barely saw these fuzzy faces with my naked eye, thank goodness for an enormous zoom with a stabilizing factor built into my Canon. The birds change with the seasons, so there is always some new opportunity for birdlovers.Life is better at Fishhawk Lake!Come see!(Bring your camera, too)  05/26/2015

 When an American says that he loves his country, he means not only that he loves the New England hills, the prairies glistening in the sun, the wide and rising plains, the great mountains, and the sea. He means that he loves an inner air, an inner light in which freedom lives and in which a man can draw the breath of self-respect.                                                                                                       Adlai Stevenson We must have many Lincoln-hearted men. Vachel Lindsay  I bow down in respect for all of those men and women who have loved this country so much that they have given their lives for our strong belief in freedom. Thank you for your service. Two generations of our fallen at Fishhawk Cemetery. 05/25/2015

05/19/2015

Fishhawk Lake Friday's Fotos--What the heck IS this??Every now and then I take artistic license to another realm by simplifying. This is why I say this.Sometimes for me, it's the minute detail--the textures of something quite simple, but really rather complex.Do you know what this is? Well, it's a version of this:Which really is simply one of these:Nature's textures are so intricate if you take the time to view closely. It was really just a group of these, until you hone in on one or two stalks. Much more interesting to look at them individually.Mom Nature offers us endless opportunities for enjoying art for art's sake. It's everywhere. Just show up and drink it in!  05/14/2015

Fishhawk Real Estate--A-Frame with a Pool!Not for sale!But not bad looking for a sewage treatment plant, huh? Fishhawk Lake is a self-sustaining community with our own water treatment plant at one end of the lake, where Fishhawk Creek feeds the lake, and at the other end is this, our sewage treatment plant.The first time my husband brought my father-in-law out to see our home at Fishhawk Lake (flying in from the east coast) he pointed this out and said, "Dad, this is our home." ("And look! It comes with a pool!" is what I would have added, had I been in the car). It sits next to the fishladder that helps the salmon when spawning every winter at Fishhawk Lake.   This was actually our home, just past the plant and over the dam.I have since sold it twice and it is now owned by two happy fu... 05/14/2015

Fishhawk Lake Friday Fotos-I'm a New Grandmama!Last night, towards dusk, my dogs informed me that we had important company.I saw that I had my duck couple looking for food so I grabbed some and headed out to feed them. Turns out that I have a new addition to my duck family!I was beyond excited because they let me get close to their newborn. (Look at the size of those feet!)After some food, they headed onto the dock, marching in time with Mom. I watched Mama Mallard leap into the water, (about a foot down to the water) and without a second thought Baby Duckling did, too with absolutely no fear and off they went to go show off for a dad and young daughter to see across Fishhawk Lake over by the community lodge, across from my lakefront dock.  I was as thrilled as I could be and he was bor... 04/30/2015

Serendipity Sunday Spring Birds in Birkenfeld (Oregon)!Anyone who loves to photograph birds will have never-ending opportunities if you're ready for them!From sweet to fierce, we have many choices!Other than the first two, the others were all shot on April 1st while sitting on my deck lakefront or at my dock on Fishhawk Lake. And all except for one were looking toward me. (There's always one shy one in the crowd).   These are the many blessings I receive just by showing up with my camera ready! ~Happy Sunday to you~ 04/26/2015

"It's Just Like Hawaii Wait Ten Minutes"!I'm not one to talk about the weather much unless prompted. It does come up often with my buyers, though. "What's the weather like at Fishhawk Lake? Do you get much rain? How about snow, does it snow there??"The weather can change on a dime, and seems to often when I'm showing property. So, if it starts to rain, I will say (as we're inside a lakefront home, looking at the shower going on outside), "It's just like Hawaii, wait ten minutes!" And true to my word, I swear that's what happens! I also will follow up with notes about dressing for it, which are simple: "Layer and peel". Weather is certainly a universal topic and so, when I use that line (because, let's face it, we're not tropical ) I do get a laugh out of people. Although, having travele... 04/25/2015

Are You a Niche Master or Jack of All Trades, Master of None?For most of my young adult life, I bounced from job to job, never really finding where I was really supposed to be. I came to realize that what I was good at was sales and marketing...a skill, but not a NICHE. I often felt like a Jill-of-all-trades, knowing a bit about many things, but not a master of any.In 2002, I met a fella at a Quik Print. He was holding a water-color rendering of a beautiful lake cabin. We got to chatting and I was mesmerized, asking him, "Where is that?"  He said Fishhawk Lake and after only five minutes, he looked deeply into my eyes and with a twinkle, said, "Maybe this was meant to be". SUCH TRUE WORDS!By discovering Fishhawk Lake it held the key to my future. We moved to Fishhawk Lake full time in 2... 04/24/2015

Remember Goldilocks? She had a tough time making up her mind.That's the same type of behavior one can encounter with a buyer. One house is too big. Another is too small. The house the buyer wants is perfect, but in the wrong location. Often, I will hear, "If I could just take this house and move it onto the lake it would be perfect!" Well, certainly and if that had occurred, this buyer wouldn't be looking at it because it would already have been sold. I tell people, there are no perfect partners, and there are no perfect houses. With that, also think about what you don't want to compromise on and what you can. As in a relationship, if you don't like the foundation of that person; the basic make up of your future partner in life, then you need to move on. Same goes for a home. If you fee... 04/19/2015

Farm and Fowl--Fishhawk Faces! This is what I did for a good part of the weekend!  Got a close-up shot of my buddy, "Big Red". He was talking to me when I snapped this pose. Then there was the mini with the bad hair day. One angry goose! The Ultimate Birdhouse for guys! 04/06/2015

Fishhawk Lake Easter Sunday Sunrise Service at Fishhawk Cemetery Thanks goes to Amanda Graham, our Fishhawk Lake secretary for sharing this information.  Easter Sunday, April 5th there will be a Sunrise Service at the Fishhawk Cemetery at 7 AM.   At 8 AM there will be a hearty home cooked breakfast served at the Birkenfeld Community Church followed by a worship service at 9 AM. Feel free to come to one or all three. The road leading to Fishhawk Cemetery  HAPPY EASTER, everyone!  04/04/2015

Fishhawk Lake--Things are just Ducky here! These two have been gracing my lakefront door looking for goodies. Within the last week they have let me get ever closer and actually follow me when I go to put food out. Springtime brings them here to Fishhawk Lake!  Sometimes we are lucky enough to see ducklings close by. I never get tired of them! (This male had just taken a drink of Fishhawk Lake water) Have a ducky day!   04/03/2015

Wordless Wednesday from in the Country-Hey There Big Fella! "Are YOU lookin' at ME?" 03/31/2015

Fishhawk Lake Gardening Tip --Deer gotta love'em til they ruin your garden! I absolutely LOVE deer and always take pictures of them. With that said, I know not everyone is a FAN  especially when they eat your new sprouts, vegetables or lovely bushes!   I just found a natural "Critter Control" remedy to share! Deer Buster Egg Tonic (Found in Jerry Baker's book, Great Green book of Garden Secrets that I purchased for $1 at the Vernonia Thrift Store!)    Ingredients: 2 eggs 2 cloves of garlic 2 TBL of Tabasco sauce 2TBL of cayenne pepper 2 cups water   Put all ingredients in a blender, puree. All mixture to sit for 2 days, then pour or spray it all over and around the plants you want to protect!     After that, the only thing you'll want to shoot these sweet creatures with is a camera!  Do... 03/30/2015

Fishhawk Lake Real Estate One of the Best Things About My "Job".... is when I drive a new client (or a client with family members tagging along) around Fishhawk Lake and I watch the transformation from intrigue to love take place in less than two hours' time! It is the BEST feeling in the world to watch someone start to relax, sit back, smell the clean air, comment on how quiet it is. Then as you drive around the Fishhawk Lake community while showing homes, you have a sweet family of little ones waving from the side of the road or while atop Dad's shoulders, as we drive by. You just can't PLAN this stuff! It simply happens.  At the end of two hours, I have 'em hooked. I don't have to spread fairy dust on them to make them believe. And they may not have found the home, BUT, they have fou... 03/28/2015

Fishhawk Lake Real Estate-Answering Buyer's Questions I'm thinking of making this a weekly series, but for the time being, this is one that comes up frequently.  "Why are there so many properties for sale at Fishhawk Lake?"  The answers could take a couple of different directions.   First of all, there aren't nearly as many as last year, because I listed and sold MANY properties both lakefront, off the lake and vacant lots. In doing real estate at Fishhawk Lake since 2006, 2014 was my best year. So, inventory is lower than it was a year ago.    The other answer to this is that there are any number of reasons why my neighbors are selling their homes and lots. Some have kids starting college and the money needs to be shifted. Some are retiring and selling everything, including homes in th... 03/26/2015

A few months ago, I was approached by Suzanne De Vita to share my thoughts for an upcoming article on being an expert in selling a second home. It was thrilling to be invited to respond to many interview questions about my thoughts on this topic. The article was posted online for RISMedia on March 16th.    The Secrets to Selling a Second Home-by Suzanne De Vita (This luxury home located at 9837 Beach Drive is for sale MLS#14525548) She started the article in her own words: "For real estate professionals serving vacation areas, marketing a property is a lot like telling a story: the story of the home, the story of the surroundings, the story of the community".  Suzanne then used one of my quotes: “[Buyers] are often looking to fulfill a lifelong dream,” says Gayle Rich-Boxman, a REALTOR®... 03/21/2015