3442 Wildwood Court: Your Own Slice of Heaven in the West Salem Hills!

Salem-Keizer OR Real Estate For Sale
3442 Wildwood Court NW, Salem, OR  97304

You have found it – your own little slice of heaven right here in the West Salem hills! Act quickly because this lovingly cared for 3 bedroom, 3 bath home will not last long! 2077 square feet of flowing, open living spaces combined with formal rooms is highlighted with vaulted ceilings, skylights, gleaming hardwood floors, two fireplaces, modern fixtures, recessed lighting, plus an attached 2 car garage and an exceptional backyard oasis! The stunning living room is your first stop on this impressive home tour. The beautiful white brick fireplace is the focal point creating a soothing atmosphere. Sunlight fills the room through the large skylight and windows. Delight in hosting dinner parties in the sophisticated dining room under the light of the exquisite chandelier. Crisp white cabinetry and appliances bring a glow to the kitchen with its tile backsplash and counters. A lovely breakfast nook overlooks the custom deck for easy indoor/outdoor entertaining options. Step down to the spacious family room complimented by a wood burning fireplace, wood accent wall and French doors. All three generously sized bedrooms come complete with plush carpeting and abundant closet space. The master gets its own private bathroom so you can soak your cares away after a long day. The finest in outdoor living awaits in this haven designed for comfort and leisurely fun with a multi-level covered custom deck, patio, lawn space, room for a firepit, garden beds, mature landscaping and serene hillside views. Appreciate the RV pad with full hook ups. You are gonna love living here!

The McLeod Group Network has distinguished themselves as a leader in the Salem Oregon real estate market. As a full service, real estate team - focused on working with our Seller and Buyer clients to help achieve their real estate goals!

We bring a keen eye for the details of buying or selling a Salem Oregon home and seemingly boundless determination and energy, which is why our clients benefit from our unique brand of real estate service. Rooted in Tradition, focused on the Future –The McLeod Group Network will help make the most of your Salem Oregon real estate experience. With over 40 years of combined experience, you can rest assured that your real estate transaction will be handled and cared for with the utmost respect and attention to detail. Give us a call today 503-798-4001 and discover the difference we can make during your family's move.

Existing-Home Sales Slide Nearly 5% in March as the On-Again-Off-Again Housing Market Retreats

The numbers: Existing-home sales ran at a seasonally adjusted annual 5.21 million rate in March, the National Association of Realtors said Monday. That was 4.9% lower than February’s pace and missed the Econoday consensus of a 5.3 million rate.

What happened: Sales of previously-owned homes fell more sharply than expected in March as the usual housing headwinds stalked the market. The surge in February was the strongest in nearly four years, and the Realtor lobby group is attributing the March decline to a return to normalcy after that spike. Still, sales were 5.4% lower than a year ago.

The median price of a home sold in March was $259,400, a 3.8% increase versus a year ago. At the current pace of sales, it would take 3.9 months to exhaust available supply, still well below the long-time average of 6 months. Properties stayed on the market for an average of 36 days in March, down from 44 days in February but a bit longer than the 30 days averaged last year.

According to NAR’s measure of first-time buyers, they accounted for 33% of all transactions in March. But more recent comprehensive research – NAR’s is based on survey data – suggests first-time buyers currently make up about the same share of the market that they have for the past two decades.

Activity was mixed regionally, as always, but all regions saw a decline. In the Northeast, sales were down 2.9%, and in the South they fell 3.4%. In the West, which has suffered for several months, in large part because of the recent tax law changes, sales fell 6%. But the Midwest saw the biggest decline, of 7.9%.

Big picture: The housing market is getting a second wind from the steep decline in mortgage rates over the past few months, although rates may have bottomed out. And there still isn’t enough inventory of the type that’s most needed. “The lower-end market is hot while the upper-end market is not,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.

It’s normally the government’s data on newly-constructed homes that are so choppy, not the existing-home market, which accounts for most of the sales activity in housing.

What they’re saying: “March might be the closest approximation we have seen in a while to the true underlying sales pace,” said Amherst Pierpont Securities’ Stephen Stanley after the release. “The 3-month average through February was 5.14 million. The March pace picked up modestly from there but was still short of the 2018 tally of 5.34 million. The National Association of Realtors is optimistic (when are they not?!?) that lower mortgage rates and a better inventory situation will help to propel sales forward during the peak spring season.”

Contact The McLeod Group Network for all your Real Estate needs! 971.208.5093 or admin@mgnrealtors.com 

By: Realtor.com, Andrea Riquier 

474 Sandy Drive: Move-in Ready Home in Convenient Location!

Salem-Keizer OR Real Estate For Sale
474 Sandy Drive N, Keizer, OR  97303

Enjoy comfortable everyday living in this 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in a convenient location! Easy access to shopping, dining, grocery and the freeway. The spacious family room offers plenty of space for all your needs with a wood fireplace to keep you warm on those cool nights. The connecting kitchen provides plentiful cabinet and counter space for easy meal prep and storage. The three ample sized bedrooms come complete with easy care flooring, lots of closet space and the master gets its own private bath! The open living/dining room is filled with natural light creating a relaxing space, plus easy access to the yard makes it easy to entertain inside and out. Perfectly situated on a large 0.24 acre corner lot on a quiet dead end street providing loads of potential! Fully fenced backyard with plenty of room to BBQ, garden or hang a hammock and enjoy the summer sun! Take advantage of all the opportunities this property offers, make your appointment today!

The McLeod Group Network has distinguished themselves as a leader in the Salem Oregon real estate market. As a full service, real estate team - focused on working with our Seller and Buyer clients to help achieve their real estate goals!

We bring a keen eye for the details of buying or selling a Salem Oregon home and seemingly boundless determination and energy, which is why our clients benefit from our unique brand of real estate service. Rooted in Tradition, focused on the Future –The McLeod Group Network will help make the most of your Salem Oregon real estate experience. With over 40 years of combined experience, you can rest assured that your real estate transaction will be handled and cared for with the utmost respect and attention to detail. Give us a call today 503-798-4001 and discover the difference we can make during your family's move.

5749 Moonstone Lp: Darling Home in Quite South Salem Neighborhood!

Salem-Keizer OR Real Estate For Sale
5749 Moonstone Loop SE, Salem, OR  97306

You are gonna love living here! Lovely landscaping sets the scene for this darling home tucked away in the quite South Salem neighborhood of Sunstone! 5749 Moonstone Loop offers numerous updates including low maintenance flooring, neutral colors, 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths all in an effortlessly flowing floor plan. The formal living/dining room warmly welcomes you in for an impressive home tour! Natural light pours through the large windows creating an elegant atmosphere for entertaining and function. The kitchen offers oodles of work and storage space with an abundance of cabinets, counterspace and a breakfast bar. Open to the spacious family room, this space is designed for relaxed living with sliding doors to the covered patio. You will appreciate this peaceful spot to relax where you can overlook your fenced yard with room for BBQ’s and gardening. The master suite is a soothing oasis to retreat to after a long day. Appreciate the storage space in your two large closets and wash your cares away in your private bath! The two secondary bedrooms are generously sized with plentiful closet space, large windows to let the sunshine in and a shared full bath. There is an attached two car garage and room to park your RV. Modern, chic and move in ready; make your appointment today!

The McLeod Group Network has distinguished themselves as a leader in the Salem Oregon real estate market. As a full service, real estate team - focused on working with our Seller and Buyer clients to help achieve their real estate goals!

We bring a keen eye for the details of buying or selling a Salem Oregon home and seemingly boundless determination and energy, which is why our clients benefit from our unique brand of real estate service. Rooted in Tradition, focused on the Future –The McLeod Group Network will help make the most of your Salem Oregon real estate experience. With over 40 years of combined experience, you can rest assured that your real estate transaction will be handled and cared for with the utmost respect and attention to detail. Give us a call today 503-798-4001 and discover the difference we can make during your family's move.

The Real Estate Commission: A Guide to Who Pays, How Much, and More

If you hire a real estate agent to help you buy, sell, or rent a house, this professional gets paid through a real estate commission. So how much do you pay, and what for? Is there any wiggle room to negotiate this fee?

As a real estate agent myself, allow me to tell you firsthand everything you need to know about real estate commissions, from who pays to how much to where that money goes.

How much is a real estate commission?

Rather than getting paid hourly or weekly fees, most real estate agents earn money only when a real estate deal goes through.

While there are some real estate agents who will charge a flat fee for their services, most charge a percentage of the sales price of the home once the deal is done. That exact percentage varies, but the commission is typically 5% to 6% of a home’s final sales price. On a $200,000 home, a 6% commission would amount to $12,000.

Granted, this may seem like a serious chunk of change, but keep in mind that no one makes off with the whole amount! Plus, real estate agents don't see a dime until a buyer finds a home she loves, the seller accepts the offer, and all parties meet at the closing table. That process can mean weeks or months of work.

Who pays the commission?

Generally, the home seller pays the full commission for the services of both their own listing agent and the buyer's agent (assuming the buyer has one).

Buyer's and seller's agents typically split the commission. So if a home sells for $200,000 at a 6% commission, the seller's agent and buyer's agent might split that $12,000, and each receive $6,000.

However, the commission split varies from one agent to another, with new agents sometimes earning a smaller percentage of the commission than experienced agents who sell more homes or more expensive properties.

What is dual agency?

So what happens if an agent represents the buyer and the seller? In that case, the agent becomes a “dual agent” and gets paid both commissions. (Talk about a big payday!)

However, because it puts them in a sticky position of having to work for both the seller and the buyer, many agents don’t practice dual agency—and some states don’t even allow it. I believe it creates a conflict of interest. After all, clients hire me to represent their best interests. How can I do that when I'm sitting on both sides of the table?

What does a real estate agent commission cover?

Though people certainly have the option of selling (or buying) their house without a real estate agent, agents provide clients a wide range of services, including helping you price your home, marketing it (on the multiple listing service, social media, and other venues), negotiating with home buyers, and ushering the home sale through closing.

As trained experts, real estate agents can help you fetch top dollar for your house and put out fires—while also alleviating some of the stress that comes with selling a home. (It’s no picnic!) I might be biased, since I’m an agent myself, but great ones earn their keep.

Want proof? Just look at the numbers: A recent survey found that the typical "for sale by owner" home sold for $190,000, compared with $249,000 for agent-assisted home sales, according to the National Association of Realtors®. That’s in line with a recent survey from Keeping Current Matters that found that homes listed for sale with a real estate agent sell for $46,000 more on average than FSBO houses. Perhaps that explains why 92% of home sellers use an agent to sell their house.

Is a real estate agent commission negotiable?

Though 5% to 6% tends to be the norm, commission standards can vary from state to state and among brokerages. Still, there are no federal or state laws that set commission rates—meaning commission is negotiable.

In other words, if you’re a home seller, you can certainly ask your agent to reduce their commission, but be aware that he is not obligated to do so.

A factor to consider: Because the marketing dollars for a property generally come from the agent’s commission, a lower commission could mean less advertising for your house.

That being said, it doesn’t hurt to ask for a lower commission. Most agents won't take offense, and the worst case is they say no. Or, if you’re truly tight on cash—say, because you’ve maxed out your budget buying your next home—you could opt for a transactional agreement, in which the listing agent will help you set an asking price, facilitate communication between you and the buyer, write the contract, and move the process along to closing for a flat fee or lower commission, but you won’t receive the agent's full services. It’s not ideal, but it’s the right route for some people. However, not all agents offer transactional agreements, so you may have to shop around to find one.

Bottom line: It is likely that buying and selling a home will be the biggest financial transactions of your life, so be sure you find an agent that you trust will do a great job. This is not the time to shop solely on price.

What else do I need to know about commissions?

All of the details about a real estate agent's commission (and any transaction fees the agent charges) should be outlined in the contract that you sign when you hire an agent. This is typically referred to as a listing agreement, and it also specifies how long the agent will represent you. (Generally, listing agreements last 90 to 120 days.)

Also keep in mind that there are some exceptions. For instance, rental agents work differently from purchase agents. It's usually the landlord’s job to pay the rental agent's fee, but that’s not set in stone. In New York City, for example, tenants often pay the rental agent’s commission. It's up to the landlord and the tenant to decide who pays the rental agent's fee.

Furthermore, commission is usually higher when selling a vacant lot(anywhere from 10% to 20%), since selling land often takes longer and requires more marketing dollars. Some auctions charge home buyers a 5% "premium," or commission.

As a seller, you want a real estate agent who can broker the best sales price and terms for you, but good agents aren’t cheap. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for.

Contact The McLeod Group Network for all your Real Estate needs! 971.208.5093 or admin@mgnrealtors.com 

By: Realtor.com, Daniel Bortz
Michele Lerner contributed to this report

5 Things to Know So Your Septic System Won't Destroy Your Yard—and Everybody Else's

Just because you have a septic system doesn’t mean you need to be an expert on it. But the real septic experts wish you knew at least a few things. And not just for their sake, but for yours. A little knowledge can go a long way toward preventing massively expensive (and massively gross) issues down the line.

We talked with the pros who service septic systems every day to dig up the most important dirt you need to know.

1. Know how your system works (please)

“What you have in your backyard is your very own water disposal plant,” says Kim Seipp, who owns High Plans Sanitation Service, in Strasburg, CO, with her husband. “When you live in the city, [your waste] goes away and you don’t think about it. It goes to a municipal plant and all kinds of great things happen to it. With a septic system, all that happens in your backyard.”

To give you the basics, everything that goes into your tank naturally separates into three layers.

“Anything heavier than water goes to the bottom, anything lighter goes to the top, and there’s a nice, clear liquid in between,” says Seipp.

Over time, of course, the sludge at the bottom “gets thicker and thicker,” Seipp says.

And that’s why you need a good inspection—and pumping—every now and then.

“It’s like changing the oil in your car. You just have to do it,” Seipp says.

2. You can't put anything you want down your toilet—or garbage disposal

Correction: You can, but it’s not a wise idea.

Everything that goes down your toilets, as well as your shower and sink drains, makes its way into your septic tank. If it can’t physically travel through the pipes, you’ll have a major clog on your hands.

The list of what not to flush encompasses more than you might think. For instance, “you should not flush thick paper down the drain at any time,” warns Jack Pruitt, franchise business consultant and operations specialist for bluefrog Plumbing + Drain. That includes feminine hygiene products and baby wipes. “Doing so can cause costly repairs.”

Heavy use of your kitchen garbage disposal is also a no-no. Food waste, coffee grounds, and greasy or fatty foods will have a tough time breaking down in your septic tank. And the bacteria that grow as a result of these items stewing in your septic tank can prevent your system from working the way it should. (Hint: Toss food waste into a compost pail instead.)

3. Know the location of your septic tank so you don't crush it

“The septic tank and field lines are typically installed in areas near the home, and it’s very important that every homeowner knows where they are,” says Glenn Gallas, vice president of operations of Mr. Rooter Plumbing, a Neighborly Company. “That way, you can prevent driving over it with vehicles or equipment, which can crush them and prevent them from operating properly.”

You’ll also want to avoid planting trees or bushes over or near the area. Effluent—the wastewater that leaves your septic tank to be slowly dispersed underground—contains rich organic matter.

“The roots will seek out those nutrients,” Gallas says. And in doing so, those roots could easily wrap around the pipes of your septic system, setting the stage for disaster.

4. Using less water will help your system work better

Your septic system is responsible for distributing and disposing all of the water that flows through your household. To put that in perspective, Gallas points out, the average person will use up to 70 gallons per day.

If you can reduce that number, you’ll reduce the amount of wastewater your system has to deal with.

To do that, consider replacing your standard-issue toilets with high-efficiency ones. That's because regular toilets use up to 20% to 30% of the water your household consumes. High-efficiency toilets can cut that water usage in half, Gallas says.

You’ll also make a difference by waiting to run your washing machine or dishwasher until they’re full, and switching to low-flow shower heads and faucets.

“Reducing the flow even a little will save you thousands down the road in expensive septic repairs or replacements,” Gallas says.

5. Ignoring your septic system can wreak havoc on the environment

If you neglect to take care of your septic system, it’s not just your pipes (or your family) who’ll suffer. Failing septic systems can pollute nearby bodies of water and contaminate local drinking water. In fact, the second most-cited contamination source of groundwater is septic systems, Gallas says.

To make sure your system isn’t one of them, perform preventive maintenance regularly—and frequently, Gallas says. The average household septic system should be inspected at least every three years and typically needs to be pumped every three to five years.

Contact The McLeod Group Network for all your Real Estate needs! 971.208.5093 or admin@mgnrealtors.com 

By: Realtor.com, Stephanie Booth