Preschool
Vaulted ceiling in the formal living area greets you before you enter the formal dining area. An open family room/kitchen area is ideal for entertaining. The fireplace and high ceilings create a comfortable environment. Speaking of ideal entertaining spots, wait until you see the backyard, complete with a pool that has a motorized cover, a pool house, and easy care landscaping. Interior features include brand new paint and carpet, as well as a master suite and hardwood flooring upstairs. Move-in ready in a serene setting and near community parks and trails, all that’s missing is you!
Jaimy Beltran
Licensed Oregon Broker / Owner Beltran Properties Group
Located in the heart of Sherwood on a quiet, tree-lined street, this beautifully maintained home is just waiting for you!
ADMINISTRATION
Matthew Nelson, Publisher
Catrina Nelson, CFO
Tara Weidman, Executive Assistant
Donovan Darling, Content Manager
PRODUCTION
Jeremy Okai Davis, Art Director
Hilary Berg, Sr. Graphic Designer
Sean Carver, Sr. Graphic Designer
Brittany Jungenberg, Sr. Graphic Designer
Morgan King, Sr. Graphic Designer
Shawn Schmidt, Sr. Graphic Designer
Kate Astle, Proofreader
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
David Bates Patti Jo Brooks
Tyler Francke Olive Gallagher
Angie Helvey Robert Matsumura
Dennis McNabb Kelly Romo
Alice Wiliams
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Laurel Bice Carly Carpenter
Tyler Francke Angie Helvey
Malaina Kinne Lisa Kuhlman
Kara Langley Tayler Lundquist
Andrew Sambuceto Henry Schifter
Hayley Starkey Brittney Waterman
ADVERTISING SPECIALISTS
Don Ormsby Bill Kistler
Stephanie Baker Jim Belan
Peggy Jacobs David Long
Chris O’Brien John Zobrist
Brad Marti Shelley Zeman
Tina Toney Darren Dwyer
Ashley Berotte
Looking to reach local consumers? We specialize in direct-mail products: community magazine advertising, mailing inserts, postcards and more. For more information, call 503.825.2111 or email info@ActiveMediaUSA.com CHECK US OUT
Fatima Falcon (Habla Español) (503) 577-6313
Fatima@wilsonvillechamber.com
Serving Keizer, St. Paul, & Wilsonville
Beth Bering (503) 577-9288
Beth@wilsonvillechamber.com
Serving Newberg, Dundee, & Sherwood
“I definitely recommend the Oregon BRC to other small business owners. The BRC staff stand ready to help you no matter what stage of business you’re in. The BRC has helped us with grant funding, free consultation and business advising, and collaboration with other community partners. The BRC is readily available to help small business owners find success.”
Tiffany Graves and Juan Maldonado Green Sky Tree Services, Sherwood, OR www.greenskypdx.com
give back to his community, he signed on to the blended band of professional staff and volunteers. Looking back, he realizes how much that decision directed everything that came next in his life. That choice made him realize that because his family had a background in the armed services, he was pulled to become “civically responsible” and support his community in some essential way.
Over the course of the eight years he was with the department, he worked to fill needs within the ranks, becoming both a certified Oregon EMT and a Lieutenant. When asked where the courage comes from to run into a fire, he replied, “Good mentors, good training, good equipment.” As he matured within the department, he realized how lucky he was to be alive and doing what he was doing.
Crawling on your hands and feet into a structure fire, holding onto your fire brothers and sisters, you also learn over time to deal with the trauma and not panic, knowing someone’s got your back. It’s life safety first on the line: after that you just mitigate the circumstances the best you can. If you can portray calm in the middle of a storm, that’s invaluable.”
By Olive Gallagher, Contributing Writer
Acommon quality found in unsung heroes is a desire to give, rather than take. That impulse seems to be propelled by the desire to fill a need in the community or care for others. In Matt Zacher’s case, it was both.
Raised in Canby, Matt is highly aware of how fortunate he was, as an only child, to have loving parents who provided a safe, stable home. Canby Rental & Equipment, a firm that rents, sells and services outdoor power equipment to homeowners, landscapers, and tree services, was founded in 1979 by his grandfather. While Matt initially wasn’t driven to someday be the boss and take over the company, he grew up among family members who worked together — not always an easy feat among family-owned businesses, where boundaries are easily blurred and personal relationships are strained.
He was an honor student and wanted to play football, but his small frame ruled out that possibility. While earning a BS in Business Administration at the University of Oregon, he discovered he much preferred marketing to accounting. After graduating in 1999, Matt joined CRE, working in various jobs in the company but not particularly expected or needed to take over.
One day in 2005, after moving into his first home in Molalla, he drove by the fire department and noticed a sign recruiting volunteers. Propelled by a strong post-9/11 desire to
In 2008, after taking over the company, he realized the patience and perspective he had acquired in the department now served him well. He also realized his father had been silently grooming him to shoulder the responsibilities he now happily carries. Asked what one quality he values most in dealing with others, Matt’s answer was simple: “Choose kindness.”
By Christine Lewy, Divine Complexions
The sun has arrived, and I wouldn’t be a good esthetician if I didn’t write an article on sunscreen!
Summertime signals more exposure as we start to think about getting a nice tan! It’s really only the last couple of decades that we’ve known about the harmful effects of tanning inside and outside. As an esthetician, one of the biggest complaints I hear from my clients is their disgust for their sunspots. These happen over time as we age from damage done from the sun. They may also worsen or darken when you’re outside for during the sunnier months.
But why are the sun rays so harmful and cause aging? The sun has two type of UV rays, UVA and UVB. The UVB rays from the sun are those tanning burning rays, which maybe you love to bask in when the sun comes out... hello sunspots. But did you know that the UVA rays, the other type of light emitted from
the sun, penetrates clouds and windows and this is the type of light ray that causes skin aging and even skin cancer? This is why wearing sunscreen on any exposed skin every single day is so important, even on cloudy rainy days.
The light from the sun alters our skin cells’ DNA, which can eventually lead to skin cancer. Some tanning beds are like light rays on steroids and even more dangerous than lying outside on a sunny day. So steer clear of traditional tanning and choose a good for you self tanner! My new at home favorite for fool-proof gradual tan skin…the Coola Sunless Tan Dry Oil Mist.
Sunscreens have come such a long way! There are fast absorbing formulas, formulas with a tint, and oil free formulas for acne prone skin! Need help finding the right one? Check out some of my favorites below.
I love your feedback and questions, so don’t hesitate to reach out at info@DivineComplexions.com.
Kris Sallee
Licensed Insurance Agent
Kris Sallee
Direct: (503) 678-5768
Kris Sallee
Licensed Agent
Office: (503) 263-8200
k sallee@HealthMarkets.com
Direct: (503) 678-5768
Office: (503) 263-8200
Direct: 503-678-5768
Licensed Insurance Agent
Kris Sallee
Licensed Agent
ksallee@healthmarkets.com
HealthMarketsInsuranceAgency,Inc.islicensed
k sallee@HealthMarkets.com
Direct: 503-678-5768
ksallee@healthmarkets.com
ksallee@healthmarkets.com
HealthMarketsInsuranceAgency,Inc.islicensed asaninsuranceagencyinall50statesandthe DistrictofColumbia.Notallagentsarelicensedto sellallproducts.Serviceandproductavailability variesbystate.Nocostorobligationtoenroll.
HealthMarketsInsuranceAgency,Inc.islicensed asaninsuranceagencyinall50statesandthe DistrictofColumbia.Notallagentsarelicensedto sellallproducts.Serviceandproductavailability variesbystate.Nocostorobligationtoenroll.
Brighten Montessori will shine even brighter this fall with the opening of a new space designed to host their newly expanded program. Just two doors down from their Wilsonville preschool, Brighten Montessori will be caring for younger children, including infants as little as six weeks old. Parents will appreciate the convenience of dropping off their preschoolers at one door and their little ones at another, and only having to walk a few feet between the two.
Established in Wilsonville in 2017, Brighten Montessori is owned and operated by cofounders
Kristin Nikolas and Bree Maloney. Wearing as many hats as there are children in the program,
Kristin and Bree serve as directors, head teachers and cleanup crew. Creating and developing the Montessori-inspired preschool was a natural fit for these two best friends who met in high school and remained close throughout the years. Bree’s Montessori education as a youngster, and Kristin’s hands-on training and experience at NW Montessori, were a perfect fit for “the little red schoolhouse” on Wilsonville Road that provided the perfect foundation for their business venture.
While Kristin explains that “Brighten” is a loose mashup of “Bree” and “Kristin,” Bree has gone on to adopt it as a slogan. “We’re here to Brighten futures!” she says joyfully. Operating solely as a preschool for the last six years, Kristin and Bree became aware that the community was in great need of infant and toddler care. Kristin says that “our program is expanding; our wait list has been so long and now
we are able to get all the families into our program.” As Brighten Montessori heads into its seventh year, fall hours of operation will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., allowing for before-school and after-school care for preschoolers and all-day care for the little ones. Developmental Readiness guidelines
are posted on the website for the preschool program which accepts children ages three through six.
Parents are welcome to take a tour and see first-hand what the preschooler experience is like at Brighten Montessori. “We want to create a fun, loving, nurturing environment for the kids,” Bree relates, adding, “We also want the parents to get to know us because we know they’re leaving their most prized possessions here.” Bree and Kristin share much: a passion of working with kids, of working together, of growing a business together.
They rely on each other and care about each other and believe that is reflected in the classroom. “This is our passion and our dream,” Bree affirms, and Kristin adds, “We’re not only business partners, we’re best friends as well!”
Brighten Montessori is located at 28900 SW Villebois Dr N., Ste 1004 in Wilsonville. For inquiries, call (503) 682-2229 or email brightenmontessori@gmail.com. For additional information, visit their website at brightenmontessori.com.
Everyone has heard the saying ‘Dog Days of Summer,’ but what are they, when are they, and what does it even mean?
The Dog Days of Summer stretch for 40 days from July 3 to August 11, referring to the especially hot and humid summer months in the Northern Hemisphere, yet their roots began with ancient civilizations.
The Dog Days of Summer coincide with the dawn rising of the star Sirius, also known as the Dog Star. Part of the constellation Canis Majoris (the “Greater Dog”), this is where Sirius gets its canine nickname, as well as its official name Alpha Canis Majoris. Apart from our own Sun, sometimes known as Sol (Latin for “sun”), Sirius is the brightest star in the sky.
Way back in ancient Rome and Greece, the Dog Days of Summer were thought to be a season of drought, unrest, and bad luck, where men and dogs would go mad due to the heat. More so, the combination of Sirius’ light and heat with the Sun’s was thought to affect men and women, animals and plants, even blighting the bark from tree trunks. These days we don’t think of the Dog Days so dramatically – and mostly farmers are concerned with them – but rather, we think of them as a period of peak summer temperatures and humidity.
In ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt, all known for their extensive knowledge of astronomy and science yet still rooted deeply in folklore and superstition, they believed that the heliacal (“at sunrise”) rising of Sirius during this period caused the blistering seasonal heat. More specifically, that the heat of our own Sun and super-bright Sirius combined caused this “scorching” heat. The name “Sirius,” from the Ancient Greek seírios, even means “scorching.” For the ancient Egyptians specifically, the dawn rising of Sirius (also known as Sothis to the Egyptians) coincided with the flooding of the Nile River, and they used the star as a “barometer” to help predict when the flooding would occur. Contrary to ancient belief, we know now that the dawn rising of Sirius does not affect seasonal weather, but its appearance during the hottest part of summer does keep the folklore of the Dog Days alive and well.
Dog days bright and clear Indicate a good year; But when accompanied by rain, We hope for better times in vain.
(Henry Harrison Chase Dunwoody’s “Proverbs Relating to Months, Weeks, and Days”)
By Dennis McNabb, Staff Writer
There’s something special about woodwork, isn’t there? Whether it’s the beautiful natural grain, the interesting twists and gnarls that inform its shape, or the knowledge that it was once a living thing, we connect to and appreciate art made of wood in unique and distinctive ways. Particularly here in the Northwest, where our forests are such an integral part of our economy and also our identity, we have an even stronger affinity for the medium. This is what inspired local artist, Ethan Hill, to follow his current path.
Ethan grew up working with his hands. When both his father and a close friend began working with wood, Ethan discovered that he was not only drawn to it but also naturally adept. With no formal training and working only out of his garage, Ethan experimented with an endless variety of methods and outcomes until he found his niche in building cutting boards. Customdesigned to any specifications, his beautiful cutting boards are what put his name on the map. Through mere word-of-mouth, he has built himself an impeccable reputation and an impressive following. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg!
In recent months, he has added 3D art and furniture to his growing list of offerings. The 3D art pieces are laser-cut, painted and layered images that look absolutely fantastic on your wall! Subjects currently include farm animals, wildlife and landscapes, but he is always expanding. Similarly, the furniture he is currently making is primarily wood (although sometimes reinforced with metal) and restricted to non-cushioned
items like epoxy tables, coffee tables and more. That said, the future holds nothing but open possibilities, and Ethan hopes to expand all of these lines. At some point, he even hopes to move beyond wood to include other mediums.
Beautiful, natural wood art holds a special place in all of our hearts. When it’s done right, there is nothing more striking or original. Every piece has its unique qualities, its own stories to tell. And Ethan Hill is a master of absolutely stunning pieces that you have to see for yourself to believe. Discover this local rising artist now and tell your friends later, “you knew him when…”
Check out his website at hillsideworkshop.com for more details. You can also find him on Instagram (@Hillsideworkshop) or at the Sherwood Farmers Market.
“This is America, the place to find hope.” I still remember loving this as a kid back in the ‘90s. Starring the voice talents of Dom DeLoise, Christopher Plummer, Madeline Kahn, Phillip Glasser and more, this cartoon musical follows a young Russian mouse named Fievel Mousekewitz and his family who emigrate to America in 1885, searching for freedom and the American Dream. During a storm at sea, Fievel gets tossed overboard and separated from his family, sailing to New York in a bottle, thus beginning a wild adventure to find his family again. Its exquisite hand-drawn animation by Don Bluth and great musical score by James Horner make it a treat to watch. Produced by Steven Spielberg, the movie overall is adventurous, wholesome, and great for the whole family. Rated G.
“Welcome to Earth!” Starring a massive cast of Will Smith, Vivica A. Fox, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Randy Quaid and more, this is quintessential alien sci-fi and a must-see summer blockbuster. It’s cool, quippy, bombastic, scientific and extremely satisfying in the over-thetop action-adventure sense. In fact, the President, played by Bill Pullman, at one point says “Nuke ‘em,” if that gives you any clue. And yet it’s very smart and plays into the Roswell/Area 51 conspiracy theory that the U.S. Government has been hiding spaceships and aliens for almost a century. In the movie, all communications suffer from interference, and what the military believes are meteors turn out to be massive spacecrafts shadowing all the major cities in the world, which a scientist (Jeff Goldblum) determines are going to be attacked. It’s action-packed, funny, and a solid ‘90s movie. Rated PG-13 for sci-fi destruction, violence and language. Late teens and adults only.
“It’s not the Plane, tt’s the pilot.” Listen, I’m not a huge military movie buff. But this sequel we never asked for not only didn’t disappoint, it blew me and the entire world away!
Starring Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connolly, and Miles Teller, “Top Gun: Maverick” was nominated for a slew of Oscars (winning for Best Sound) and broke box office records — the best-ever opening at $248 million in 3 days worldwide, and the highest grossing movie ever at $1.49 billion worldwide. And why was it so successful? Watch and you’ll see. It’s cinematically gorgeous, a pure visual spectacle, incredible sound for all those screaming jets (ok, the Oscar makes sense), deeply dramatic, and as actionpacked as it gets. If a movie ever shouted America at the top of its eagle lungs, it’s this. Rated PG-13 for intense action and strong language. Teens and adults only.
The first fireworks were used as early as 200 BC. The tradition of setting off fireworks on the 4 of July began in Philadelphia on July 4th, 1777, during the first organized celebration of Independence Day. A ship’s cannon fired a 13-gun salute in honor of the 13 colonies.
Stream these movies where available, or rent from your local movie store, library, or rental kiosk.
By Robert Matsumura, Contributing Writer
If you’re like many Oregonians, summertime and Marionberries go hand-in-hand. From early July through August, Marionberries are harvested and begin appearing in the produce section of grocery stores, pies and a plethora of other food and drink items. But, did you know that this scrumptious berry did not even exist until the 1940s? Had you walked into a Portland diner in the 1920s and asked for a slice of Marionberry pie, you would have been met with puzzled looks.
While an urban myth circulates that the Marionberry was named for the American politician Marion Barry, the actual origin of this delectable berry traces back to the 1940s when the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Oregon State University collaborated to create a blackberry hybrid like no other. The two organizations have long worked together cross-breeding berries in an effort to produce varieties with greater flavor, fragrance and higher yields. In the Marionberry this collaboration struck pure gold.
It was USDA horticulturist George F. Waldo with the agency’s station in Corvallis, and horticulturists from Oregon State University, who were responsible for bringing us some of our state’s signature berries. One of these was the Hood Strawberry — the favored variety of Oregon berry farmers and local consumers alike. The other berry creation was the Marionberry. This partnership between USDA berry breeders and OSU horticulturists is unique — a true oneof-a-kind collaboration that has spanned over a century and exists nowhere else in the world.
Chad Finn, a USDA-ARS research geneticist who currently occupies Waldo’s previous position in Corvallis, describes Waldo’s pioneering work as, “classical plant breeding,” a process that is “always a combination of art and science.” Finn’s admiration runs deep. “One of the things that I think is lost, really, is that he created a whole crop that never existed before,” Finn explained. “That’s remarkable.
We would be dead in the water without him or somebody like him.” Because much of the early testing for this new berry creation was done in Marion County, it was called the “Marionberry.”
So, what exactly is a Marionberry? The Marionberry is a cross between a Chehalem blackberry (a berry with native blackberry, loganberry and raspberry in its genetics) with an Ollalieberry (another blackberry crossbreed). All that one needs to know, though, is that it is absolutely delicious! Linda Strand of the Oregon Raspberry and Blackberry Commission
George F. Waldodescribes the Marionberry as “sweeter than most other berries, but not overly so.” She shared that “in blind taste tests around the country, people always prefer it. It’s our gold standard in the industry.”
Marionberries are often marketed as being seedless, but, in fact, a seedless berry is actually impossible. Even though one detects no seeds while eating a Marionberry, there are, indeed, extremely flat, thin seeds in the berries that are coated with a gelatinous material that renders them undetectable to the tongue.
According to Bernadine Strik, an OSU professor and leader of the university’s berry research program, “Oregon continues to be known as the premier blackberry growing region in the world,” she proclaims. “It’s a fact.” And of all types of blackberries grown in Oregon, the Marionberry still reigns supreme, called by some the “Cabernet of blackberries.” The Marionberry accounts for approximately 25% of the state’s berry production, which is an impressive accomplishment for a variety that was developed over 50 years ago, and must continually compete with newer rivals bred to topple the Marionberry from its throne.
So popular was the Marionberry that in 2009 an effort was made to make it the official state berry. Many legislators supported the initiative, but ultimately the proposal was abandoned when a prominent berry producer insisted that focus on a specific berry variety might damage the sales of others. And while the Marionberry didn’t achieve official status as the state berry, the Pacific Northwest and Oregon in particular still maintain supremacy in the
production of this highly prized berry.
Not only do the Willamette Valley’s cool, mild winters and warm, temperate summers create the ideal climate for berries to thrive in, but decades of Marionberry cultivation have resulted in the development of harvesting techniques specifically designed for obtaining the optimal yield. Marionberries are delicate by nature, and in order to maintain consistent flavor and texture — particularly for processed products — specialized technology is employed to ensure only ripe berries
of Marionberries. And while Marionberries are still a wildly popular treasure of summer, the cultivation of these marvels of the berry world pose a number of challenges. Since
are harvested (unlike other berry types which are harvested in large batches without such care). During the compressed four-week season that commences with Independence Day, Marionberries are picked every few days with finely calibrated row machines that vibrate at designated frequencies causing only the ripe berries to detach themselves from the plants for collection.
It is this combination of ideal climate combined with specialized harvesting technology that has limited the production of Marionberries to this region. Other areas of the country lack either the climate and/or harvesting technology which are critical for successful commercial production
Marionberries are thorny, hand-picking is difficult (requiring specialized machinery as noted above), and they are less cold-tolerant than other varieties, which can affect variances in production volume. These are a few of the challenges horticulturists are striving to solve through selective breeding and experimentation.
If you’re wondering about the difference between Marionberries and blackberries, here’s a simple rule of thumb: Not all blackberries are Marionberries, but all Marionberries are a type of blackberry. Visually, Marionberries are more oblong, and tend to be sweeter and juicier than blackberries, and in general a bit firmer.
So, the next time you’re enjoying a slice of Marionberry pie or, perhaps, a Marionberry ice cream cone on a warm summer day, remember George F. Waldo and the many hard-working horticulturists at the USDA and Oregon State University who over the years have created this delectable true Oregon original, and are still striving to develop new delicious berries for future generations.
Nina George NOVEL
Set in a French town in the 1960s, a dazzling encounter with love itself changes the life of infant orphan Marie-Jeanne forever. As a girl, Marie-Jeanne realizes she can see the magical marks of love—tiny glowing lights on the faces, hands that shimmer more brightly when “the one” is near. Marie-Jeanne plays matchmaker in her village, but when will she find her own soulmate?
Patrick DeWitt NOVEL
Bob Comet, a retired librarian, passes his solitary days surrounded by books and small comforts in his Portland home. One day, he encounters a confused elderly woman lost in a market and returns her to her home at the senior center. Hoping to fill the void, he begins volunteering at the center. As a community of strange peers gathers around Bob, and following a happenstance brush with a painful complication from his past, the events of his life and the details of his introverted character are revealed.
10am–6pm
11am–4pm
Anyone can be in the parade. “It’s a pretty big mix, whoever wants to come and participate,” Andria says. The Over the Hill Gang Car Club will organize a car show, sponsored by 808 Automotive.
The City of Hubbard will sponsor activities and games for kids too, including face painting, field games, inflatable toys like the bounce house and a 22-foot slide. For the adults, a horseshoe tournament will be sponsored by Justin Stearns State Farm, and there will also be bingo sponsored by Le Petit Bistro, and a raffle with some incredible prizes.
By Angie Helvey, Contributing WriterSummer in Oregon has finally arrived. It’s a time to spend with family and friends and enjoy the fantastic weather. The Hubbard Hop Festival is the perfect summer event for families and will include a parade, food and beverage vendors, a beer garden with live entertainment, tons of activities for kids, a 5K run and more!
The Hubbard Hop Festival originated in 1974 and was started by the Hubbard Fire Department as a fundraiser. It’s evolved over the years into a nonprofit organization with a six-member board dedicated to planning and executing a fun community event for all ages. This year’s festival, title-sponsored by Megafoods, will be held on Saturday, July 15, at 11 a.m. in Rivenes Park, right in the center of Hubbard.
“We wanted this to be an event for families,” says board member/treasurer Andria Young. “The theme is old-fashioned family fun, so that’s what it’s all about. Bring the family, have something to eat, play games and enjoy the entertainment.”
The activity roster has something for everyone. The Fun Run, sponsored by Country Financial, is a 5K course around Hubbard. Preregistration is available online, and the run will begin on festival day at 7 a.m. The parade, sponsored by Hubbard Chevrolet, begins at 10 a.m., with pre-registration available online or starting at 9 a.m. on festival day.
No hop festival would be complete without beer, music and food! Hierba Buena will be sponsoring this year’s food court, and Ratchet Brewery will provide drinks in the beer garden with eight different options on tap, including a couple of ciders. The beer garden has no cover charge and is open to families, so everyone can come in and enjoy the entertainment, including a children’s theater group and KAPA Dance. They’ve got three bands lined up on the entertainment stage sponsored by The Kennedy Group RE/MAX: Stepchild with classic rock, Kelsey Bales with some lively country tunes, and Radio Remedy, the perfect band for a dance party. “Bring your lawn chair from home if you’d like, find a place in the shade to sit, grab a drink and some dinner, and kick back and enjoy the evening,” says Andria.
Food vendors will be offering tasty snacks like sausages served up by Hubbard Fire Department, hamburgers, Mexican food, cotton candy, strawberry shortcake, and Kona Ice will be on-site to make sure everyone gets a cold sweet treat!
So take this opportunity to get out, enjoy the sunshine and bring your whole crew to the Hubbard Hop Festival for this family-friendly event and some good old-fashioned fun.
The Hubbard Hop Festival will be held Saturday, July 15 at 11 a.m., in Rivenes Park in Hubbard.
By Dennis McNabb, Staff Writer
By now, we should all be familiar with the fact that the real estate market has been in unprecedented territory these past few years. Historically low interest rates combined with exceedingly low inventory made for a highly-competitive seller’s market where houses were selling in days and garnering multiple over-asking-price offers. That is not, however, the case any longer. It was inevitable, but in the last twelve months interest rates and inventory have both risen and the market has adjusted towards a more balanced position. This is not a bad thing, though! Real estate is today, as it has always been, a fantastic investment. And while that seller’s market, still so fresh in our minds, was very exciting while it lasted, it was also highly stressful for buyers and difficult to navigate for all parties due to its volatility. And while the market will always periodically swing from one side to the other due to the economical factors of the time, its natural state is one of balance. It’s only in a balanced market that opportunities abound for those on both sides of the equation. The problem
we are all having in adjusting to it is simply the fact that the market remained in that position for so long.
Generally speaking, the market follows a seasonal pattern. Sales move in spring and summer, and slow down in fall and winter. The aforementioned economic factors play a pivotal role as well, and together they can swing the pendulum one way or the other, but it’s typically only for a limited time; a few months, maybe a year. That last swing we had lasted almost five years though! So, rather than people regarding it as just another temporary shift, it became the new normal. And now that the market has moved back towards a neutral position, we are all just having a little trouble adjusting. It’s a natural reaction, but one that needs to be addressed.
In a balanced market, the playing field is much more even; people have opportunities on both sides of the equation. And provided that we can appropriately adjust our expectations, everyone should feel very good about where the market currently stands. It’s not as “hot” as it was a year ago, but we
are still in a much more favorable position than we were prior to that five year trend. Interest rates, while higher than they have been in recent years, are still lower than the historical average. We are really in a great position right now for both buyers and sellers to find what they are looking for. We simply need to consider the market relative to long term trends versus that recent boom.
So, with our expectations adjusted, what does getting into the real estate market look like right now? It looks highly advantageous for everyone involved! For sellers, the inventory is actually lower than it appears due to a surplus of overpriced homes which aren’t moving and continue to inflate the numbers. This reinforces the need to adjust expectations and price according to the current market, not the previous market, but it also means you have incredible opportunities provided you do the appropriate preparations. And for buyers, you now have much more room to negotiate; to make your own list of demands and genuinely obtain the house of your dreams without settling for less.
This also means that contingency offers must again be considered a normal part of the process. During this last swing in the market, the competition was so stiff and so many people were making cash offers that contingent sales weren’t even considered (even though a majority of the population can only purchase a new home contingent on the sale of their previous one). In a balanced market, however, that is no longer the case. Sellers must consider contingencies as good, quality offers, and deferred maintenance issues must be addressed.
Of course, navigating these current conditions, along with any conditions in any market, requires the work of an expert in the field. In the Portland Metro area, there is only one agent you need to contact, and that is Jaimy Beltran of Beltran Properties at eXp Realty. Jaimy has the expertise, the proven track record and the backing of an entire network of industry professionals to assist you in the process.
Call Jaimy today at 503-502-3330 and rest assured this will be the best home buying/selling experience of your life!
