For members and visitors at the lake, the end of the year promises an annual surprise to those who can stand near our fish ladder or any of the surrounding creeks and see salmon fighting their way upstream to do their yearly spawning. It’s an incredible experience for both the young and old. This year past, Nov. ’09 until end of January of 2010 saw a prolific number of salmon “doing their thing”. (Many carcasses have been found around the area since). The attached article is one I wrote several years ago for our Fishhawk Lake newsletter(regarding our older Golden Retriever’s experience) and wanted to share it with those who have dogs who happen to enjoy either a)eating dead fish or b) rolling in dead fish or c) all of the above! It is imperative that we share this information because it can save you from heartache down the road. For a dog, getting salmon into its system can be lethal if not caught in time. My following article will spell it out for you. This could happen at other places where fish thrive, so being aware is half the battle!
We have a new Golden Retriever puppy, Takoda, whom we acquired as a new family member last summer and when fall hit and so many salmon began spawning, I quickly realized that our pup could find them easily and everywhere and I spent many months off and on giving him tetracycline to keep him from succumbing to sickness and death.He just kept finding it!! I actually have a friend who didn’t recognize the symptoms until it was too late and she found out that her dog did not die from “old age” as she figured, but from salmon poisoning disease. However, she was able to save her younger dog, who had gotten into the salmon about the same time that her older one did, but she got him to the vet just barely in time and saved his life. It can present as many things and if you are not aware of this, then the veterinarian may not know to test for it.
Click on the article included for more valuable information.
Recent sold lakefront property listed by Gayle Rich-Boxman Realtor with John L Scott
The buying and selling of properties at Fishhawk Lake was moving along quite steadily throughout the spring and summer and much of our delightfully sunny October. The “off” button just got switched on only within the last week or so.
There has been a plethora of interest in vacant lots! Buyers with cash wanting a piece of the Fishhawk Lake pie but not ready to commit to a higher priced home that might involve a loan, or that they simply want to camp and think about building later. I’m seeing this much more frequently this year than in years past.
(Lakefront lot pictured below listed and sold by me for future building after new owners retire).
Lakefront Lot Listed and Sold by: Gayle Rich-Boxman REALTOR® John L Scott Mkt Ctr Direct: (503)755-2905 June 2018
Lakefront lots are becoming scarce and buyers still covet the idea of being on the water, but either the price isn’t attractive or it’s not the side of the lake that they prefer. I have a sale pending for a waterfront lot that is a beauty, flat and buildable and on the canal, with the privacy that the buyers were looking for, after a failed attempt to buy some land being sold privately (without a seller’s agent). Otherwise, most vacant lots are off-the-lake, either along a creek or one of the roads that are part of the community.
More inquiries are being made about upcoming retirement and/or full time living while possibly working remotely part time. Those who are willing to make a bit of a longer commute are finding that the pricing at Fishhawk Lake, along with county taxes is MUCH more amenable than both found in the Portland and surrounding urban areas.
There are currently 14 homes for sale ranging in price from $174,000 to $499,900. Nine vacant lots are for sale ranging from $7,500 to $40,000 all of which are non-lakefront, with only one being waterfront, located on beautiful Boxler Creek, where the salmon spawn yearly and has a view of Fishhawk Lake.
Stunning views of Boxler Creek and Fishhawk Lake in the distance on this reasonably priced lot! Call GayleREALTOR® John L Scott Mkt Ctr Direct: (503)755-2905
Only two properties are in sale pending: one lakefront A-frame, listed at $299,000 and a canal front lot that I have in sale pending (representing the buyers), listed at $59,900.
People are still contacting me about Fishhawk Lake, (the latest, today; a woman from Los Angeles area), what it has to offer, how many are vacationers vs full time and questions that are very similar to everyone else’s. Here is a link to those often-asked top ten questions that each buyer seems to want to address:
Retreat on Fishhawk Lake Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman
As much of our population of Boomers ages, this word comes up often in conversations, in both personal friendships as well as with clients. When? Will you?? What do you intend to do IN retirement, i.e., what does the rest of your life hold?
The word retire came about in the 1530s, from the Middle French “retirer” which means to retreat, to withdraw, especially to some place private. In the 1640’s it took on more of a note of leaving work of some sort.
In looking at synonyms, there was everything from “ebb” to “sever connections”. Yin and yang of retirement perhaps?
There are those who feel that saying the word out loud is acrimonious. On the other side, some relish the idea, holding it up in the spotlight as a lifetime achievement award.
It takes on different meanings in relationship to one’s connection with work, and the meaning derived in life from how you are seen in the world. Also, one’s gender can play a part. In the book Finding Flow, by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, he reports, “Because of the different role of paid work in the psychic economy of men and women, the response of the two genders to their jobs is generally different”. He goes on to say, “…women generally experience employment more positively than men.”
Retirement isn’t a death sentence, but in working with clients who are preparing for that, it can be viewed quite differently, depending upon the person whose opinion you are inquiring about. Finances, travel plans, healthcare and its costs, creating a haven for family to be included (both sets of generations, parents and children), these are all factors in determining the “when” of retirement. OR the if!! Some look at it with glee, others with trepidation. Some have their entire ego invested in what they “do for a living”, while others feel that they have reached a new plateau of freedom when leaving a career behind.
In the real estate field, as in some others, age and gender don’t play such a factor. One can work until one’s demise if that is the choice. And in working with clients, age may not have such a hardline either. It’s more related to what your specialty is, your energy level, your relationships, how well you interact and understand your clients and your history in the business.
In buying a home “on a lake” for example (my particular niche market), that can immediately connote vacation or retirement. It can be part time or full time. There is a wide division in those two descriptions in viewing the reasons for buying property where my niche market is, Fishhawk Lake. It is vital to grasp the financial aspects of what the buyer is contending with when deciding which direction they want to go in purchasing real estate that could start out as a second home or even a vacant lot, later to become a full time residence.
It may not be so definitive as to what the future plan is and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that! Two years, five, ten or maybe never retiring is A-OK.
It’s not all about the money.
“And, in fact, you can find that the lack of basic resources, material resources, contributes to unhappiness, but the increase in material resources do not increase happiness.”
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Being financially responsible to set up a comfortable place to retreat to is important for most of those in the aging workforce, but equally as paramount for ensuing happiness is finding joy in everyday life, simple pleasures, living in a place that offers solace when the world gets to be too crazy. This starts rising to the top of the list as many of us get older. We learn that money isn’t the ultimate high but simply a means of trade for investing in a joyous aging process.
Canoe on Fishhawk Lake Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman
What is paramount for me to comprehend in learning about my clients is this: What is your dream? Why do you want this?
Not only does this relate to my clients, but in my own life as well. As I ponder my future with my husband, and walk that ever-changing path of life, I see how certain goals that mattered in my 30’s don’t matter one whit now! Realizing that spending an afternoon with friends and having marvelous conversations or walking in the woods with my dogs and my husband are becoming more momentous to me than working a 60, 70 or 90 hour week.
I can grasp the importance of supporting this gentle country lifestyle for my clients as well. As a matter-of-fact, I look at it as an honor to present these lifetime “rewards” to them: a quiet lake lifestyle that gives them a sense of peace and offers the simple joy of waking up on a lake in all seasons as they look to “retreat”.
Cabins on Fishhawk Lake Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman
Originally published on ActiveRain by Gayle Rich-Boxman 12.14.17 REALTOR® John L Scott Market Center Direct: (503)755-2905 Fishhawk Lake Real Estate ™
Lakefront home and extra lot now in sale pending! Listed by and representing buyers: Gayle Rich-Boxman REALTOR® John L Scott Market Center Direct: (503)755-2905
In reviewing the last 6 months of sales, listings, and interest in properties at Fishhawk Lake, it’s been a bit of a different year from 2016.
FISHHAWK LAKE MARKET TRENDS
Not nearly as harried or frenzy-like, this year has been somewhat balanced with a cadence of activity that has been regularly moving along like a fine-tuned engine. Unlike Portland, there have not been a plethora of multiple offers on any single property, other than one that was a foreclosure earlier in the year, to which I had the pleasure of representing the buyer on a bank-owned property that he eventually owned, but not without lots of hoops to jump through to get there!! There aren’t often foreclosures in this neck-of-the-woods, so this was a bit unusual.
Lakefront homes at Fishhawk Lake have been selling pretty regularly, everything from a tiny lakefront place at 728 sq ft selling for $220,000 to the usual of under 2,000 sq ft that included an extra lot for a higher price of $415,000.
Lakefront cabin SOLD $220,000 July 2017
Buyers do run the gamut of interest from anything under $200,000 to ONLY lakefront or waterfront, with 3 BR/2BA and no compromises!
Custom Built “Green” Home with private creek frontage $433,000-Listed by Gayle Rich-Boxman REALTOR® John L Scott Market Center (503)755-2905
Earlier this year, interest usually fell into the “first-time vacation home” buyer who wanted it to be under $200,000 and preferably around $150K or less, but some of the properties listed don’t match up to what buyers are looking for, so some of these lower-priced properties still remain on the market.
Just Sold! $190,000 with a view of Fishhawk Lake Listed by: Gayle Rich-Boxman REALTOR® John L Scott Market Center Direct: (503)755-2905
Vacant lots at Fishhawk Lake have gained much attention for those who have a wish of owning something reasonably priced that offers lake amenities, but alas, these buyers have pipedreams that don’t come to fruition! No longer can you find acreage with the ability to put an RV or a mobile home somewhere with no restrictions AND a price of $40,ooo or less! Not gonna happen in this market!! Currently, there are 10 listed lots for sale that range in price from $10,000 to $70,000, in location and accessibility.
2 adjoining private lots with darling shed, driveway, ravine and some utilities! $70,000 contract terms available. Call: Gayle C. Rich-Boxman REALTOR® John L Scott Market Center Direct: (503)755-2905
The pace of this year has been steady-as-she-goes, with properties selling, but not at breakneck speed. Currently, there are several in sale pending, or listed. 4 are in sale pending: $269,00-425,000 with my listing for $425,000 closing later this week.
Listed and representing buyers: Gayle Rich-Boxman REALTOR® John L Scott Market Center (502)755-2905
As far as active listings: there are 18 homes for sale, both on and off the lake ranging from $219,000 to $499,000. No two homes are alike and the history and age of them can vary drastically, as well as in location.
We’ve had 10 sold in the last six months, ranging from $168,500 to $290,000.
If this piques your interest to know more about my niche, the Fishhawk Lake community, DO give me a call!
Gayle C. Rich-Boxman
REALTOR® John L Scott Market Center Direct: (503)755-2905
Birkenfeld OR 97016
Specializing in Fishhawk Lake Real Estate ™
Having lived in the Fishhawk Lake community part time and full time for over 16 years, and having been the local expert REALTOR® at Fishhawk Lake for 13 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 are ten common questions that come up often when people are searching for lakehomes at Fishhawk Lake.
Fishhawk Lake-Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman 2016
Q:What types of properties are there at Fishhawk Lake and what is the difference between lakefront homes/lots and those that are off of the lake?
A:Most properties, whether vacant lots or with homes are about a 1/4 of an acre. The most expensive are lakefront homes, and are usually the most popular.
Luxury Lakefront Home Listed and Sold by Gayle Rich-Boxman
These can range in age, size, quality, upgrades and price. According to the HOA (Homeowners Association) rules, you must have a home built that is no smaller than 900 sq. ft, but there is no limit to size, otherwise, or how high.
Lakefront Cabin Listed and Sold by Gayle Rich-Boxman
Lakefront cabins on Northshore Drive Fishhawk Lake-Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman
After lakefront homes/properties, homes/properties that are on water, but not lakefront are the second most popular among buyers. On the canal, on a creek, including Fishhawk Creek (that feeds our lake and is our main watersource), these are considered “waterfront” properties.
Boat docked on Fishhawk Creek Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman
Then, view homes that have a view of Fishhawk Lake or water of some sort are next in popularity. Usually the most reasonably priced homes are completely off the lake, which are often of interest to people who want a woodsy setting or seclusion and privacy.
Ridgeview Terrace Cabin in the woods
Any owner of property in the Fishhawk Lake community gets to enjoy all of the amenities of Fishhawk Lake membership that are offered; boating, fishing, swimming, tennis, social events, and much more. The only difference is that if you want to own a pontoon, you will need to have a dock, lakeside or on water, to house it. If you don’t own a lakefront property, the way around this is to co-own a pontoon with someone who does.
Two tiered dock on our vacant lot for sale on Beach Drive
There are two boat ramp areas to store your watercraft, during the boating season, and if you live off of the lake, these shoreline areas are available for you to put paddleboats, drift boats, kayaks and canoes along the shoreline. Be sure and put your Membership Fishhawk Lake emblem on the side of the watercraft and even your address and last name.
Canoeing on Fishhawk Lake in February-Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman
If you want to own a vacant lot, you never have to build! You can have a shed, 96 sq. ft is the largest. If you do plan to build, please consult the Fishhawk Lake Reserve and Community CC&Rs and know that you will need to show house plans, shed, etc. to the architectural committee. If you feel like camping forever, you can do that! Just know that leaving an RV is only allowed for 60 days per year. All lots have water/sewer available but most aren’t hooked up. $1,000 for each is the charge for hook up and the lake will do that for you.
Here’s an example of a hickory barn shed that you can have on your lot.
Shed located at vacant lot for sale by Gayle Rich-Boxman REALTOR® Vernonia Realty Direct: (503)755-2905
Q:What are the seasons like at Fishhawk Lake?
A:Many clients come from other states and ask about the weather patterns here because they are looking for milder temperatures, less heat or more seasons when exploring places to buy a 2nd home or retire. I recently had a client in AZ who is specifically looking to be able to enjoy the outside and not be stuck in air-conditioning 24/7! He also asked about global warming as that’s a concern of his, too. It has seemed to be warmer here than when we first purchased our lot and then home, but not a drastic difference. We also don’t experience the humidity of the south or the mosquitoes that other lakes deal with.
There are four seasons at Fishhawk Lake. I’ve seen everything from 90+ degree summers to four feet or more of snow and that was all in the years of ’08-’09! Some years we get no snow at all. Because we’re located in the coastal range, our temperatures can vary 6-12 degrees from the climate in Portland and around that city. We are at 600 feet elevation and tucked in amongst some trees, mountainous area, so we can have 50 degree mornings (perfect for a run or a hike) and then enjoy 90 degrees in the afternoon which warrants a good long swim in the lake.
The winter of ’08 was the most amount of snow on record in Northwest Oregon. I measured 4′ on our deck. I took our ATV out and got many photos around the lake to capture the beauty. We have snow removal as one of the many amenities we appreciate in our Homeowners’ Association. We have the equipment to clear our main roads, however you need to do your own driveway. ATVs are a great way to get around in inclement weather, but are also fun for going up Greasy Spoon Rd. and hitting 3500′ elevation where you can see Astoria and barges heading for the ocean. It’s a series of old logging roads that can be hiked, driven with four-wheel drive vehicles or the efficient ATVs, but wear your helmet!
Nature and wildlife abound in this coastal range community.
Fawn on Fishhawk Road Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman 2016
I get asked a lot about mosquitoes! If you’ve ever spent time at a lake, especially lakes in Michigan, you’ve experienced the unpleasantness of mosquitoes. We hardly see any at this lake and certainly not the size that can carry away a small child, like in Michigan! We do have “critters”: dragonflies, lizards, frogs, and of course waterfowl.
We’ve got Canada Geese, ducks, bald eagle, osprey (Fishhawk), herons and other wonderful feathered friends who visit and sometimes stay–maybe they got lost or just found paradise and didn’t want to leave! We also have salmon, steelhead, cutthroat trout, otters, deer, elk, bear, cougar, raccoons, bats, you name it! Some can be a bit shy, or seasonal.
CanadaGeese on Fishhawk Lake-Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman
One of the pleasures of the weather patterns we delight in is the mist on the water in the early mornings here, even in the summer. I’ve relished those early trysts outside with a cup of coffee and taking in the view before it burns off.
Fishhawk Lake mist by the spillway
Photo by: Gayle Rich-Boxman
Spring Mist Fishhawk Lake
Photo by:Gayle Rich-Boxman
February can be a month that teases us with warmer temperatures suddenly to give us a taste of spring. Then, it goes away and winter proceeds to return for a couple of months.
Fishhawk Lake February overlooking the log boom
Duck footprints in snow in February-Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman
Usually right after the 4th of July is when we kick into summer. You will see kids of all ages off from school, hanging out at the beach by the community lodge or walking around the lake, at a leisurely pace. Swimming, laughing, fishing, it all happens, along with the adults using watercrafts, as well as the kids. Paddleboards are more popular now and some people plant their dogs on the board and cavort, calmly around the rippleless lake!
Paddle boater on Fishhawk Lake
Sailing is good for small sailboats and often a wind will kick up in the later afternoons, perfect for a one-person sailboat.
Sailing on Fishhawk Lake-Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman
Septembers are quite often lovely as well. We can see Indian summers at times, too. What I suggest for attire: layer-and-peel types of clothing are best!!
Fishhawk Lake Winter
Neighbors using their ATV
Q:Where is the closest grocery store, hospital, etc.?
A:There are two towns to go for grocery shopping, both about a 1/2 hour away.Clatskanie has a Safeway, pharmacy, and post office, restaurants, shops, etc. It is 18 miles from Fishhawk Lake on Hwy 47 toN Hwy 30 from Mist. Vernonia is 24 miles, but takes about the same amount of time from Hwy 202 to Hwy 47South. It has a Sentry, restaurants, two hardware stores, lots of shops, bike trails, Vernonia Lake. I suggest heading into Hillsboro for major “big box store” shopping, like Costco, Trader Joes and everything else you can think of, located off Hwy 26 about an hour and fifteen minutes from Fishhawk Lake.
The closest hospital is in Longview WA, 45 minutes away. St. John’s. There are many more choices in the Portland and surrounding areas as well. For trauma, usually Emanuel or OHSU are where people are transported. We have Life Flight available as we have a helipad located by our little fire station on Northshore Drive. As a Fishhawk Lake member, you can buy a yearly membership to Life Flight and Fire Med for a nominal fee, through the Mist Birkenfeld Rural Fire Protection District located on Hwy 101 about 5 miles from the lake community.
Q: What does the Homeowners’ Association Fee cover?
A: We have our own water treatment plant and sewage treatment plant, so all of your water and sewer are covered by the annual dues. We also have:
beach with sand and easy access to the lake for little children/several docks
fishing and boating (electric and human-powered only)
community lodge
snow removal (around the community only),road maintenance
neighbor patrol
upkeep of general areas around the lake
dredging and more
Q: Can I rent my property for short term, weekends or month-to-month?
A: Short term rentals are not allowed. A year-long lease is the only option for renting. Friends and family are welcome to enjoy your property as much as they would like. Since we are a private lake, we like to keep this area pristine, and it is part of our CC&Rs that weekend/short-term rentals are not acceptable.
Q:How many homes are vacation homes and how many are full time?
A: The percentage is roughly 75/25, but I have had more property be sold to new full timers in 2016 than I have seen in my eleven years of being a REALTOR® . The trend is changing. Read about my summary of the market trends happening at Fishhawk Lake .
Fishhawk Lake Cabin
Q:What activities are offered locally at or around Fishhawk Lake?
A:Some water play is mentioned above. You can fish for cutthroat trout during the statewide fishing season. You can catch and keep two per day. From May-November 1st. Salmon and steelhead are catch&release only.
Hiking is bountiful! You can walk around the lake which is an easy trek mostly, and about 3 miles. There are other hiking trails, running trails and areas to walk your dog(s) off-leash on Greasy Spoon Road, about a 1/2 mile from the entrance to Fishhawk Lake. Here is a video I took of Greasy Spoon Road one day while walking my Golden Retrievers.
Jewell Elk Reserve Jewell Oregon Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman
Fishhawk Falls, and places along the coastline, as well as wineries that are about an hour away, like Apolloni Vineyards, (one of my personal favorites), located in Forest Grove, Gales Creek, and beyond.
Apolloni Pinor Noir Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman
Montinore Vineyards Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman
Plum Hill Winery Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman
Q:What services come out to Fishhawk Lake and how do I get ahold of them?
A: I’ve made it easy for my clients and new neighbors as well as sellers who have property listed with me and need repairs, remodeling, etc. by putting together my Members Resource List. These are all services that I have either used myself or they come highly recommended from those I trust in our community.
Q:What types of people or age groups own/live at Fishhawk Lake?
A: We run the gamut of age groups and people! Some folks are young with small children, others are single, retired and have a dog. They come from all walks of life and I like to describe our community members as “eclectic intelligent”. They come from all over the country, too. We have the east coast vacationers, Arizona people, Californians, and those from Portland who’ve either decided to find a getaway that’s close (within 2 hours) or have decided to move here and either work remotely or live here as their retirement/ primary home.
Q:How far is the beach from Fishhawk Lake?
A: There are a number of coastal towns about an hour from Fishhawk Lake, that offer great variety. Cannon Beach is an hour and 8 minutes away. It offers beach-walking, many shops, resort hotels or funky coastal getaways, and has always been very popular with our relatives who all visit from back east.
Cannon Beach morning Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman
Noel Thomas Local Astoria Artist
Astoria is another coastal town an hour away, that offers the chance to see sealions sprawling along piers and large ships passing while you eat lunch on the shoreline. Art galleries, that show local artists,
antique malls, and beautiful historical buildings. This town has seen many movies shot here, including the famous Goonies! The Wet Dog Cafe is dog-friendly and has its own microbrewery, and casual food with a great view of the ships.
The Wet Dog Cafe and Astoria Brewing Company-Photos by Gayle Rich-Boxman
If all of this piques your interest for pursuing buying property at Fishhawk Lake, Birkenfeld OR 97016, then by all means, give me a call or e-mail me! Let’s take a tour of the lake and look at properties! Be sure and click on the link above to go to my website and see more of what Fishhawk Lake has to offer from the Fishhawk Lake real estate local expert!
Gayle C. Rich-Boxman REALTOR® John L Scott Market Center Direct: (503)755-2905
Birkenfeld OR 97016
Specializing in Fishhawk Lake Reserve and Community “Your Gateway to the Lake!”
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 find a Trader Joe’s a mile down the road, so you will have to plan ahead when doing your weekly shopping. Living at Fishhawk Lake year round might require buying that stand-alone freezer and stocking up for the winter when weather may take a turn towards snow and ice and the dark nights come faster, making driving a bit more challenging.
Interested buyers for both vacation AND full time lake properties are coming from out-of-state lately, too; Arizona, Utah California, just to name some recent areas of inquirers. Many are coming from just 90 minutes away, too. It’s surprising to see so much interest in December and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
Lake Properties for $200,000
At this moment, the vacation home properties and potential full time living homes of interest all lie in the $200,000 range or the very inexpensive vacant lots. There is still a variety of choices to be had in that price range for homes, most of which I am familiar with as to their history or current condition. Do call or e-mail when you are ready to do a tour of Fishhawk Lake or want to know more about our community, the seasons and all of the other questions that come up about our slice of paradise!
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!”
(Fishing, boating, swimming, wildlife,& so much more!)
My website http://lakehomesatfishhawk.com/
Autumn colors on Fishhawk Lake Photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman 10.16
Fishhawk Lake Real Estate-Many Properties are in
Sale Pending!
As the season winds down for many vacation-type communities across the U.S. we aren’t the type of lake resort community that has a “season”, persay. I will have sellers ask me this question and honestly, even when the downturn in the market happened in 2008, there were still buyers purchasing in what some would call “off-season”. My husband and I first came to look at Fishhawk Lake in November of 2002 and others have followed suit. Buying can occur in December, January, February besides the glorious summer months.
Right now you will find that it’s quieter around the lake and there’s the occasional pontoon soaking up the last rays of sunshine while tooling around the placid lake, or a kayaker gliding by in the early morning mist, but many have taken up their urban lifestyle once again, with kids’ activities taking the time that might have been spent “playing at the Lake” on weekends. The full-timers are now ruling the roost.
There are more full timers buying within the last year than I have seen in the almost eleven years of working in my beloved niche market at Fishhawk Lake. Several have been single women! The vacation properties still rule the numbers, but the 80/20 percentage is slowly changing in favor of more full time residents of Fishhawk Lake with people pushing themselves out of the urban sprawl that is ever-widening in the Portland Metro area with the tremendous influx of new Portland residents. I heard one statistic, recently that said 100 people per day are moving to Portland. Some who have lived in Portland for many years are not happy with the high increase in city traffic and end up looking for wide-open spaces and less brake lights.
At this juncture, there are 6 sale pendings at Fishhawk Lake and I am involved in representing one or both parties to the transaction for all six! We are mostly in a waiting period, as appraisers are slowly chipping away at the necessary appraisals needed.
Many recent inquiries on vacant land are essentially regarding the lower priced vacant lots. Two in particular are $5,000 and $12,000. There are 11 active listings $5,000-$79,000. I have an accepted offer on a lot listed for $16,000. That will make one sale pending and 10 active lots. (UPDATE: SOLD!)
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!” (Fishing, boating, swimming, wildlife,& so much more!) My website http://lakehomesatfishhawk.com/
Originally posted on ActiveRain by Gayle Rich-Boxman 2016
Years ago I somehow came across this very simple strategy for decision-making attributed to Ben Franklin and have imparted this method to many a home-buying client when they have thoughts swirling around in their heads about which property would work best for them.
This is a very simple way of putting things down on paper that, when actually seen written out, can guide someone to an answer more easily by seeing which column is longer. Homebuying advice that anyone can include in their decision-making process.
So, here we go:
Two columns: Assets and Liabilities
Write down everything you can think of regarding the property/properties that you feel are potentials for purchase. If you have multiple properties in mind, do one sheet for each one.
View the list.
Whichever column is longer will define what best fits you for which direction to go in.If assets of one property far outweigh the liabilities, then you have a much easier decision to make. Same goes for the liabilities list if it is longer. Better to get rid of that one right away and shorten your list of potential winners!!
Ben Franklin was such a smart guy!
And in any important decision process, having it down on paper makes it much easier to SEE instead of random thoughts running through your head. There is something about seeing the physicality of it that gives it credence and clarity!
If you want help making buying decisions on a property at or on Fishhawk Lake, let your Fishhawk Lake local expert help!
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!”
(Fishing, boating, swimming, wildlife,& so much more!)
My website http://lakehomesatfishhawk.com/
Originally posted on ActiveRain by Gayle Rich-Boxman
When we bought our lakefront home from friends, they had an extensive “journal” that they handed us. It was very organized and included extended warranties,brand names of window treatments, who they used for putting in the flooring, etc. all neatly categorized and in a ringed notebook. Get Your Ducks in a Row!
Since then, I have kept every receipt of repair work, new purchases (like the new part for the central vacuum system), housecleaning receipts, maintenance agreements for the heating/cooling systems, pest control, everything pertaining to it that would be of interest to a new buyer.
What it did for us, when we purchased this lovely lakefront home was to have ONE PLACE to go for repair phone numbers, contacts, a running history of the home and the age of certain appliances, etc., AND showed how well maintained the home had been!
Very powerful ammunition when the time comes for a buyer to be getting serious about making an offer or after an accepted offer and during/after a home inspection. It is the optimal papertrail since the buyer eventually will be on their own with this home that you’ve taken such good care of.
Choose one place to be able to easily retrieve it to add new receipts, etc. Maybe even put tabs in for easy access, categorizing the different aspects of the journal, making it even simpler for the buyer to look at (like “Extended Warranties”). If it is in a place that you always use, it will make it that much easier to stay on top of keeping those items of interest organized and available. I keep mine in a bottom drawer near where I keep my other papers by the phone.
This will be such a great way to let your buyer know that your home has been loved and cared for and you have something to support that and pass along for a seamless transition!
(Originally posted on ActiveRain by Gayle Rich-Boxman)
Back in 2012, I took a canoe ride…by myself. With my husband’s little point&shoot camera that I decided to use for video-taping, I tried my hand at it.
Hey, it’s not so easy video-taping while rowing on a lake!
It was a lovely spring day in May and I just needed to clear the cobwebs, so I indulged in a calm little Fishhawk Lake Foray.
Well, today my brand new buyer who lives in Colorado, but mostly travels all over the country for his job, took the time to watch this video on my Google YouTube site(and a couple of others) and when I told him that I was the one who took it, he seemed genuinely PLEASED and surprised!
Hey, when you live and work in the same place and you’re out in the middle of nowhere….you just
Get’er Done!
And it paid off, because he contacted me! Now, we’re getting him pre-approved with my favorite lender so that he can have his own place, his own boat and we’ve already discussed that there’s great fishing here!!
Always good to know about this!! 
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