Our Office Went PAPERLESS

Paperless: It’s Changing How We Do Business

Recently, we decided to take our office paperless. And ever since, we’ve noticed that it changes the way we do business. Although getting over the initial transition hump wasn’t without its challenges, we’ve seen many benefits in our daily processes. It’s much easier (and environmentally friendly) to be a paperless office.

Our agents love it too. Here are just a few of the many reasons our agents like our new online real estate transaction management:

Better Customer Service

Our agents have quick access to transaction information and related paperwork, which means they’re able to help buyers and sellers wherever they are. Instead of sorting through piles of paperwork on their desk, they spend their time where it matters most - with our clients.

24/7 Access From Anywhere

Transaction information and all related information is accessible from wherever agents have an Internet connection. Forgotten paperwork and late-night trips to the office are a thing of the past. Instead, agents can grab their laptop and access anything they need.

Get Docs To Clients - Fast!

Often, there are many third-parties involved in our real estate transactions - and with our paperless system, we can get necessary documents into their hands fast. Instead of firing up the fax machine or scanning in several pages of documents, an agent can login to the system, click the email button, and get those docs into the hands of who needs them.

Closings Are a Breeze

Since everything is digital, our closing appointments are much easier too. Even the best of us have forgotten important closing documents. With our new paperless system, those days are over because all paperwork is just a click away.

We’d love to tell you all about our paperless system. If you want to buy or sell your home, we think you’ll be impressed with how smoothly our process goes - and with all the time agents save, they can focus on what’s important - providing you exceptional service. 

Meet our Agent: Kim Uselman!

Experience

I've been a licensed realtor in Oregon since 1993 and consider real estate my full time profession.

Education

Through extensive education, I have earned two designations ~ GRI (Graduate of the Realtor Institute) and CRS (Certified Residential Specialist). I believe that continuing education is crucial, so that I may best serve my client's needs.

Approach

I view real estate as a team effort ~ buyers, sellers, agents, lenders and escrow agents working collectively and cooperatively through the twists and turns of buying and selling. Therefore, I have made sure to surround myself with a "team" of experts that I consider to be proficient.

                                                                                 Personal

I am married to a wonderful man and have two adult sons. My hobbies include antique collecting, quilting and cross stitch. I also enjoy running and like to keep myself fit. I feel strongly about giving back to my community, so I've been an elementary school mentor for the last 8 years. Also, I am involved with a local high school's program that provides career information for troubled teens.

If you would like to get in contact with Kim call us here at the office at 503-391-1350 or via her cell phone: 503-510-1331. Email her at kimuselman@windermere.com with any questions!

Easter Weekend!!

It's good Friday, which means Easter is this Sunday! Celebrating with friends and family! After searching for some ideas for our office, homes, and meals with our loved ones, here are some ideas to help make your weekend festive!

If you are looking for a natural way to dye eggs, brew some tea, leave the tea bags in a little longer than normal. Let it cool and soak the eggs in the tea. Check them after 3-5 min to see the color, and take them out or leave them in longer if you want a darker color!

 Most of us have old paint swatches lying around the house from this project or that! Here is a great way to put them to use! Cut them into egg shapes and poke to small holes at the top (helps them lay flat) to weave a string through, and voila!, you have a sweet Easter egg garland

 Who doesn't love cake? This one is simple, make a simple two layer round cake. Frost the cake, and before the frosting sets, put those peeps on!

Have the kids help you make chocolate chip cookies, and substitute mini cadburry eggs for the chips! 

Pick up a pre-made twig wreath, some fake eggs, and some silk greenery and flowers at your local craft store, heat up that hot glue gun and let your imagination take over!

A great recipe, Italian Easter Bread, to make with the family or for them! 

If you love  making Easter baskets but are running out of ideas? Check out this site for 200 ideas of Easter basket themes or stuffers.

If your from the Salem,OR area here are some local Easter egg hunts happening around you! Comment below if there are other hunts happening that aren't on the list! 

                                    Lastly we leave you with this...

                                    HAPPY EASTER!!!!

Get Ready for Spring!

Create a Spring Cleaning Checklist

Spring is fast approaching, and as you begin to think about putting your home on the market or want to spruce an already listed home, spring cleaning is a great place to start! As I sat and thought of my own home, all the areas I want to clean and often forget about, I thought a checklist would help keep me organized so I clean everything. Here is my checklist to share with you!

 

Start in the room people walk into, your living area:

1. Clean Ceiling and Walls – This includes air vents, light fixtures, and switch plates.
2. Dust Ceiling Fan – try to use a towel folded over the fan blade so you aren’t flipping dust all over yourself.
3. Shampoo Rugs – Allow a day or two for drying.
4. Curtains and Blinds – Wash curtains and dust blinds.
5. Clean Couch – Depending on the material, you may be able to shampoo your couch as well.
6. Reorganize – Stand in different areas of the room and see what yur focus point is, find what you want that to be in your living area and begin to reorganize your furniture to have good flow.

Next move into the kitchen:

1. Clean Inside Of Oven – Follow the directions of the oven cleaner exactly. If you want a greener clean sprinkle a layer of baking soda along the bottom of our stove, (be generous like a ¼ in.) and spray it to dampen it with water. Now let it sit. Check back to make sure it is still damp, and if it begins to dry continue to dampen it. Go to bed and when you wake up wipe it clean with a  sponge and all that grime will come with!
2. Dust Refrigerator Coils – Remember to unplug refrigerator first! Vacuum and mop in the spot where the refrigerator sits as well.
3. Clean Out Refrigerator – This is your chance to go through all the bottles in the fridge, make sure all the expiration dates are current, scrub the shelves, drawers and any space with food residue to make sure all the bacteria is cleaned away.
4. Clean Ceiling and Walls – This includes air vents, light fixtures, and switch plates. Dust and get an all purpose cleaner to scrub any dirt spots.
5. Curtains and Blinds – Wash any curtains and dust blinds. Remember to keep some windows open so al the dust the duster misses floats away.
6. Clean Out Drawers and Cabinets - Take this time to do any needed reorganizing and get rid of all the little items you don’t need.
7. Clean Garbage Disposal – For a nice fresh scent pour some baking soda and some lemon peels with warm water and let it grind it all up.
8. Clean Dishwasher – Pick out any food that has been left at the bottom of your dishwasher, and then run it empty with either a little baking soda and vinegar.

After the kitchen we head into the bedrooms:

1. Rotate Mattress – This will distribute the usage more evenly.
2. Put on Summer Bedding- take those flannel sheets off, wash them and store them. Time to put on those light sheets and exchange down comforters for cotton blankets.
3. Wash Pillows – Most pillows are machine washable, but they can also be hand washed in a tub.
4. Clean Ceiling and Walls – This includes air vents, light fixtures, and switch plates.
5. Dust Ceiling Fan – Be – try to use a towel folded over the fan blade so you aren’t flipping dust all over yourself.
6. Curtains and Blinds – Wash curtains and dust blinds.
7. Closets – It’s said that people only truly wear 25% of what’s in their closet. Go through your clothes, shoes, and accessories to find the things that haven’t been worn in a year, are out of date, don’t fit and donate them. Also make sure to neatly store all the heavy winter clothing to make room for lighter summer clothing.  

From bedrooms to bathrooms:

1. Update First-Aid Kit – This needs to be done periodically, so spring cleaning is a good reminder to do so. Here is a link to great checklist for first aid kits. http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/lifeline/fakit.html
2. Remove Expired Cosmetics and Beauty Products – When in doubt, throw it out. Some studies suggest that cosmetics are only healthy to use for 6 months.
3. Curtains and Blinds – Wash curtains and dust blinds.
4. Clean Ceiling and Walls – This includes air vents, light fixtures, and switch plates.
5. Wash Out Trash Can – Don’t just dump the trash, clean out the inside of the can.

Head outside because that can always use a cleaning too!:

1. Wash Outdoor Furniture – wipe it down, spray it off, wash those seat cushions and get ready for spring and summer.
2. Wash Windows – This includes the screens (hose and soap is the best method).
3. Spray Down House – If your siding looks dirty, spray it down with a hose. Use a pressure washer if necessary.
4. Pressure Wash Driveway – Stand at the end of your drive way and you make the call? Does it need it or not?

A last but not least a few misc. places to clean:

1. Check Fire Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Monitor Batteries – Do this every 6 months for home fire safety and protection, and to protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning.
2. Clean Out Your Files – Go through all your loose mail, papers sitting around and receipts. File away what you need and shred the rest. If you want to be space savvy, go paperless and scan everything!
3. Shampoo Carpets – You can do this yourself, or hire someone to do it for you. Just remember to let them dry thoroughly before putting your furniture back in place in order to prevent furniture stains.
4. Re-seal Grout – Grout is no fun to clean so protect it with a sealer.
5. Clean Out Garage – We all talk about needing to go through everything out there and donate or have a garage sale. Well, your time is now, set aside some time, and go through it now! No better time to have a sale then summer time!
6. Shine Doorknobs – Doorknobs are full of germs and should be cleaned regularly. Think about, what gets touched upon entering any room in your house?

Meet Our Agent: Rich Ford!

PERSONAL, PROFESSIONAL . . .

Have you ever felt that your Realtor didn't listen to you or work hard on your behalf? I am motivated by the simple desire to serve clients well and build a reputation for honesty and excellent real estate services. Whether you are buying your first home, trading up, downsizing, relocating, or investing in rental property, I will help you find the right home, condo, or investment property and financing suited to your needs. I understand that real estate transactions are some of the most important financial events in which you will ever be involved. Let me put my experience, work ethic, and willingness to listen & ask questions to work for you. I promise you personal service and no high pressure. I want to assist just a limited number of clients at a time in order to serve them in the same manner that I would liked to be represented.

 

SELLERS

If you are listing your property, I will work up a thorough Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to give you a realistic evaluation of its value and salability. I will also make suggestions on maintenance, repairs, & improvements that will help maximize the value of your property, and I will actively market it according to your desires and keep you informed about showings and prospective buyers. I will be present for inspections, (and for repairs when you cannot be home to meet a contractor), and I will work closely with your escrow officer to anticipate possible problems and help facilitate a timely closing.

 

BUYERS

Finding the right home in the right neighborhood that you can afford is a challenge. I have lived in the Salem/Keizer community since 1976 and know the mid-Willamette Valley area well. Together, we will develop a list of the features and considerations that are most important to you. With that information, I will search the thousands of listings of available properties to identify a manageable number of prospects for you to consider. Often, I preview properties to make better use of your time. I can make a market analysis to support my opinion of a property's fair market value, and I will be present at home inspections and work closely with the escrow and lending officers handling your home purchase to anticipate problems and expedite closing.

 

INVESTORS

I have owned and managed income property in Salem and Keizer since 1979, and I am very familiar with 1031 tax-deferred exchanges. Experience has given me a keen eye for rental marketability as well as deferred maintenance & repairs that might cost you dearly later. I can help you find and evaluate the apartment complex, multi-plex, or single family home that meets your investment goals.

Improving the Curb Appeal of Your Home

It’s the first thing you see when you pull up to a house, and based on that you have an idea of what to expect going in.

Have everyone so excited to come into your home with a few quick changes! Here are some simple tips to adding appeal to your home starting with the outside!

• Start with the most basic step of clean your house! Get out a pressure washer, get some old towels, scrub brushes, whatever it is going to take to clean your house up! Over the winter especially layers of salt scum build up as well as layers of dirt. Don’t forget your porch either! Clean the windows to so they let more light in, scrub your front steps so the entry looks brighter!
• Make sure all the vegetation beds around the house are cleaned out and all the plants pruned nicely. Get those weeds pulled, get all the leaves that have blown off the trees, and trim back any wild bushes. They don’t need to be perfect, just presentable.
• Go out into the street in front of your home and make sure that none of the trees or bushes are obstructing the view of your home! If they are, trim them back. You only get a first look once, make sure potential buyers can see all off your house, especially the unique parts.
• Check your gutters. Are there twigs sticking out, secure bands hanging off, a leak? Clean them out and repair those small mishaps. They more tidy and cleaned up they are the less of an eyesore they are to buyers.
• A simple last touch to your flower beds is mulch. It adds a final clean and crisp look to your beds and helps them all look uniform.
• As you look at your porch, do so through the eyes of someone looking for their “home”. Make it easy for them to see this as their home. Create more uniformity at the front door with putting those colorful pots on each side of the door, putting light fixtures on both sides of the door, replace old hardware like knobs and hinges, add some seasonal flair.
• To add appeal at night, put in some low voltage or solar walkway lighting. Not only does it offer safety, but it can accent trees, flowers, or help them to see the steps up into your home
• If your windows are looking for a quick up-do, add exterior shutters! They are made from so many different materials, they are not only low maintenance but there is one for every household.

The best thing about these projects is, they are simple, easy, and low budget! If you like any of these tips, take some before and after pictures, email them to us at salem@windermere.com and we would love to feature your up-do in a post! 

Happy Valentine's Day!

What a cute day to celebrate all that love is, for your loved ones, family and friends! I was looking around for some ideas of Valentine's Day decor for our office and ran across these ideas for decorating homes.

A cute way to decorate a home office. I love all the different texture of the hearts!

Mantel's can be overdone or under-done. This is very simple and playful. Great decor to celebrate a Date night in.

Classic pinks with vintage greys. 

This felt flower wreath would be great for a front door!

There is nothing like going to visit a friend's home and see the decor to get you in the spirit for a holiday. The important thing is that nothing is tacky or looks misplaced, but that it adds quality to your home!

Enjoy your Valentine's Day and show everyone the LOVE!

Local Real Estate Search Engines

Whether you are looking for a house to buy or a place to rent, this present age of searching for these properties presents itself in so many places.

Where are the places you can actually trust? What sites are local and which have no idea if you searching for Salem, Or and Salem, Ma?

I took some time to research some sites and look through their local real estate sites and compiled a list for you when you begin your home searching:

• http://realestate.oregonlive.com/

They offer a very easy to navigate search bar where you can input simple search properties like zip codes, cities, or even an MLS number if available.

They offer easy inputting to narrow your search of beds, baths, and pricing min and max.

They offered a map that when you hover over home icons takes you to that listing.

There is a modify search button in bright red if you feel the search results weren’t satisfactory.

Boxes under the listing photo, to select a driving tour that will print up directions to get you from house to house.

Easy to navigate buttons to get you back in your search or anywhere else in the site

• http://www.realtor.com/?source=web

Easy to locate search tool bar with simple input form for zip code or area, that counts down the available listings as you narrow the search.

They offer easy inputting to narrow your search of beds, baths, and pricing min and max.

Each listing in easy to differentiate box.

Options along the left side of the results to add even more search tools like square feet, property status, and property features.

• http://statesmanjournal.gon.gannettonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=HOMES

The opening page is a search page with a great feature that I didn’t see in either of the other sites that allowed you to pick a property type in the preliminary search criteria.

Once in the search results are in a list the listing brokers information is readily available to the right of the listings box.

Saving the listing to homefinder.com so you can go through them in a list of homes that have interested you.

Zip code search availability to the far right of the search page.

A tab for foreclosures that is easy to find and navigate through if that is the route of home buying, it is isolated so you see only those.

These are some great sites in addition to our own site www.windermere.com which features:

Navigating any state we have offices in to find one local to you.

Looking through all of our, company wide, listings to see what we have available.

Tabs to get you walking through all about our company, what we stand for and our Windermere Foundation.

Easy navigation to agents personal sites that are filled with personal information to help you get one more step closer to feeling and knowing that our agents are members of their communities just like you!

For more information about our office give us a call at 503-391-1350 or come visit us at 4285 Commercial St SE Suite 100, Salem, Or, 97302. 

Meet Our Agent: Cris Brennan

Service with a Professional Touch

I believe in good old fashioned service. So when you need the expertise of a professional agent, look no further than my years of experience. Your satisfaction, is and always has been, my top priority. No high pressure sales. I find that a happy client that does not feel pressured into the largest purchase they will probably ever make, tells their family and friends about me. Having confidence in me, that I will do as good a job for them .

           Years of Experience

I have been a licensed realtor since 1994 and a member of the Salem Association and the National Association of Realtors since 1994. I received my designation of G.R.I in 2000 from the real estate institute.

My Commitment to Community

I am the Windermere Foundation coordinator for our Salem office. The Windermere Foundation helps low income families and children in our area. We help send kids to summer camp. Supported over 50 mothers in crisis with brand new car seats to bring their new born baby's home from the hospital. Back to school is a special time for many and a hard ship for others. We have packed 100's of back packs with the supplies needed for back to school. We financially support after school programs for low income families and serve them hot meals once a month. As always I am looking forward to raising money to make a family in need have a wonderful Christmas. Our newest program is purchasing new eyeglasses for children with vision problems. I also coordinate the Windermere Services Day. In August each year we close the doors at the office and head out into the community to help others. This year we were able to help two family's with home needs. We painted interior's and exterior's along with every kind of yard work you can imagine, from pruning tree's, building fences, and much, much more. It is always a feeling of accomplishment when we get to stand back and see what a difference we have made.

 

Committed to Service

My commitment of quality service to you is #1. My business is built on referrals from satisfied customers. With each new or repeat client, I want to listen to what your needs are. Helping seller's sell their home fast for the most money, and the least ammount of hassle. Purchasers finding the home that will meet their need's for years to come. Taking the time with professionalism and integrity. Cris Brennan "THE SKILL OF A PROFESSIONAL WITH THE CONCERN OF A FRIEND"

Best Winter Vacation spots in the Pacific NorthWest

Trip planning can be stressful! For starters, even beginning to pick out where to stay? What place is worth it, and where is a dud? Let me help you narrow it down to some top places to visit in the PNW (Pacific North West).

These are in no order of preference, and are not sponsored in any way! This is a list compiled from suggestion from our agents and doing a little research! They really are just some great places where you can truly see the beauty of the North West! Remember if you visit and can’t dream of leaving, we have an office of realtors that can help you find your home here! Call us at 503-391-1350

1)      Whistler , Canada:

Have your passport ready because if you love the snow this place is worth the trip! Whistler was the home of the 2010 Winter Olympics, which means this mountain has it going on. Great for skiers, snowboarders and sleders, this is a winter winter womderland. Also offering up top rated B&B’s and restaurants, the fun doesn’t stop at the mountain. Once you are done with your day at 7,000 ft up the mountain stop by the spa or the PEAK2Peak gondola ride!

2)      Cannon Beach, Or:

With the iconic haystack rock, Cannon Beach is one of Oregon idealistic and quaintest locations. With a shoreline 9 miles long, perfect for walks with the dogs, watching all the native wildlife or participating in the annual sand castle/building contest. Canon Beach keeps its small town charm by keeping out large chain restaurants and stores.

        3)      Bend, Or:

Outdoor enthusiasts dream! Bend is known for its dramatic scenery and rugged terrain. In the foothills of the Cascade Mountain range, Bend is a natural haven for travelers. Mt. Bachelor has  powdered slopes for the most experienced or novice skier or snowboarder, while still having the most challenging summit climb at South Sisiter. Home of the distinguished Deshutes River for rafters, and other mountain lakes for kayakers and canoeing.

                       4)      Seattle, Wa:

The perfect weekend, or weekday get away, Seattle’s tight downtown district and unique transportation make it a great day trip. This city is the perfect bland of urban and outdoors. Surrounded by lakes, dense green forests, and outdoor recreation. Stop by any local coffee stand and you are ready to go! With Pike’s Place Market, the original Starbucks, the Space Needle, Odyssey, or  Washington Park Arboretum there is no end to the things you will discover here. Take a casual cruise to Blake island on the mighty Puget Sound, or venture a little ways to the coast to visit the San Juan Islands. This big “little” city is scattered with local and fantastic restaurants, neighborhoods, open air festivals, and family oriented activities.

                                                                                                                                                         

       5)      Portland, Or:

The friendly city of the PNW, known for it’s love of the outdoors, coffee, and microbreweries. The city with a heart for bicyclists and pedestrians, there is something on every corner to catch your eye. Whether you are at one of the many parks that look out over the city, or walking around the famous Japanese garden. The attractions include a vast supply of museums, eateries, coffee houses, and the great outdoors.

                       6)      Big lagoon, Ca:

More specifically, Redwood National Park, just east of Big Lagoon, Ca. This national park preserves an area of over 110,000 acres of sky scraping Redwoods, follow it down over 50 miles of scenic coastal highway in this quaint stretch of Northern California.

                                                                                                 

                                                                                                 

                                                                                                 7)      Mt. Rainer, Wa:

With an amazing 14,410 ft summit, Mount Rainer is the fifth highest mountain in the continental US. With tons of trails for all hikers, offering views of glaciers, meadows, and a possible encounter with a mountain goat. Or follow along Comet Falls trail for a 3.8 mile hiking trail that leads to a 320 ft. waterfall.

Social Network

If you would like to be up to date with all things Windermere Pacific West Properties, Inc. here are the links to network with us.

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/salem.windermere

Twitter:
@salemwindermere

Foursquare:
https://foursquare.com/v/windermere-pacific-west-properties-inc/4ee0f88b754acfabf1044d5b

Linked-In
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/pam-mccolly/11/791/209 

And of course here! Do you have a blog? Let us know, we would love to learn more about you too!