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!

Meet one of our agents, John Reis!!

Professional

With over 10 years of local real estate experience in Marion and Polk counties and throughout the Willamette Valley, I have a track record of results and several satisfied customers whom I now call my friends. I consistently adhere to the highest ethical standards and we have selected Windermere Pacific West Properties as my affiliate because the support team, Principal Brokers and Brokers all share the same commitment to my clients. Please visit my website at www.johnreis.withwre.com to see my current listings!

Community

For the past several years we have been actively raising money with the Cystic-Fibrosis Foundation in their ongoing quest to find a cure to this debilitating and often fatal disease. Each year we help our local Salem Chapter raise thousands of dollars through our participation in the "Walk for a Cure" and "Showdown" Texas Hold'em Tournament. If you have questions about Cystic-Fibrosis, or want to get involved or participate in any of our events, please give us a call. John is active at Salem Alliance Church, where he participates in a bi-annual Financial Peace University.  

Family

My wife and I veterans of the US Coast Guard from which John Retired in 1996. We have been married since 1990 and are the very proud parents of Victoria, Toni, Tabitha, Justin, and John. We make our home in West Salem.

Fun

If it's not fun, then it's not worth it! We enjoy what we do and we do all we can to make if fun, even though buying or selling a home can be trying for our clients and us and the team of experts involved in the entire process, we stress the importance of keeping everything in prospective. Close a deal with a smile and have your clients call you back with a smile on their face. That's fun and that's worth it! In addition to work we take pleasure in spending time with our family and friends. We like the lakes and rivers the ocean and the mountains and streams. Oregon and the Willamette Valley is a fun place to live and work!

Most Recent Milestone

With the help of a sales team at Windermere PWP, Inc lead by John Reis, Gerry Stewart (pictured on the far left with his wife Chris Stewart on the far right), and Jan Day; the residential units at 295 Church St. have recently as of 12/20/2011 been 100% sold or under contract. John is actively looking for his next residential project.

You may contact John with any questions at 503-580-7811 or his email at yoursalemrealtor@comcast.net  Also through our office at 503-391-1350

Important tips for staging your home!

We all know that it's easier to picture yourself living in a home when you have somehting to visualize in it. But staging doesn't always help this vision to grab wings a fly through our imagination. But there are some quick easy steps that are out there, for easy DIY staging!

As I was looking around I stumbled upon this website: stagingdiva.com, and wow does she have some great tips! Here is what she had to say:

1. Consider the curb appeal. Landscaping is nice, but not in everyone's budget. At minimum, lawns should be freshly mowed, leaves raked, or snow shoveled. Consider a hanging or potted plant for the entrance. Sweep the porch, deck and all walk ways and ensure garbage and recycling are tucked neatly away from the front of the house. Scrub your front door, porch, outside railings and steps. This is cheaper than repainting and makes a world of difference. Once the outside entrance is clean, decide if the paint really needs a touch up. 2. Get rid of clutter! Pick one closet or area at a time so the task isn't as daunting. Look at every item with a very critical eye and ask yourself why you're keeping it. Remember that how you live in your home and how you sell your house are two entirely different things. You're going for a "show home" look like the one Debra Gould created here! Forget about hanging onto items for a garage sale. Pick your favorite charity and donate it. You paid for these things long ago, why not just give them away to others who REALLY need them? You'll probably have to edit the same closets a number of times to really whittle them down to the "essentials". If rooms and closets still look cramped, rent a storage locker. A Staging Diva Graduate Home Stager can recommend a location for you. Removing clutter is an important starting point. A home staging professional will also know how to draw attention to the room's best features and create a focal point, as seen here in a home office staged by Debra Gould for her home staging company Six Elements Inc. 3. Turn excess inventory into cash. If you have a collection of items for projects you never got around to, return them. This also applies to the two-year supply of light bulbs, canned goods or paper products sitting in your basement. Without a receipt you won't get cash, but you will have a store credit that you can use once you move. Less clutter and less stuff to pack, move and unpack again! 4. Watch where the eye goes. There are speedy and low cost solutions to many of the little problems that together make a home seem shabbier than it needs to. Walk along each corridor and into every room and check where your eye is drawn (better yet, ask a critical friend or family member). If the eye is drawn to the chipped white paint on the door frame, take some "white out" and fill it in. If it's those old nail holes in the wall, see if you can hang a picture to cover them. Glue any peeling wallpaper. If it's really horrible and you can't afford the time or money to fix it properly, hang pictures and strategically place baskets. You won't cover the problem entirely (which would be wrong anyway), but you will draw your audience's attention away from the problem and onto something more visually pleasing to focus on. 5. Find a fix-it person. Ensure cupboards open and shut and that no taps are dripping. Look in all rooms for things you never got around to fixing and decide which ones might be distracting to potential buyers. No, it's not OK for door handles to fall off, even if you have learned to ignore it! A Staging Diva Professional identifies which problems should be fixed and can recommend someone to do the work.

6. Clean, clean and clean again. Most mortals can't live in a spotless environment all the time. This can be one of the more stressful aspects of having your home on the market— but it's worth the effort to sell your home for top dollar. You can hire a professional service to come in and deep clean everything; then take 20-30 minutes each day to maintain it. Don't neglect hallways. They lead potential buyers through your home and should be bright and clutter free. Remember you're trying to maximize the feeling of space in your home! Project by Six Elements. Appliances should sparkle even if you're not including them with the house. After all, you might throw them in later as a negotiating tool. Counter tops, taps, sinks and bathtubs should be shiny and free of water spots. If you have a pedestal sink, don't forget the dust that collects on top of the plumbing where it attaches to the wall. If the whole sink is spotless and the taps aren't dripping, it will look new! Dust shelves and vacuum or "Swiffer" the floors. Naturally, all beds should be made. At a recent open house for a home listed over $500,000 (and over 60 days on the market), they hadn't even bothered with these two simple steps! It made you wonder what bigger things had been neglected. Remember clean windows let in more light and look newer. Hire a service if you have to— it's worth the investment. Staging Diva Professionals know who to call to get your home in sparkling shape. It's all part of the home staging process. If all this attention to detail seems over the top, remember that a very clean home leaves the impression that the house is well cared for. This helps put buyers at ease— especially a first time buyer who may be worried about the responsibilities of owning a house. 7. Let in some air. Open some windows for at least 10 minutes. There is nothing worse than walking into a stuffy house or one that smells of smoke and pet odors. 8. Let in some light. It might be mood lighting to you, but if you're trying to sell your home, keep it bright! Dimly lit rooms tend to look small and dingy— especially during the day. If you have a particularly dark room, consider investing in a floor lamp that will bounce light off the ceiling. If your walls are so dark that they're sucking up all the light, consider repainting. You can even buy a small can of a lighter shade of your wall color, mix it with glaze and rub it onto the wall. It will reflect light and give the room a more open feeling. This approach saves much of the preparation and clean up involved in repainting. 9. Don't forget fresh flowers. You don't need to spend a fortune to have fresh flowers throughout your home. Even a daisy in a bud vase brightens a bathroom counter. Ask your florist which blooms last a week. You can also use potted flowering plants that are in season for a low-cost solution. Don't use plastic or obviously fake flowers, especially in an expensive home! 10. Carefully consider music. Soft background music can help create a soothing environment and camouflage neighbor and traffic noise. But make sure the volume is very low. Blaring TVs are definitely a no-no, but you'd be surprised how many people leave them on for showings!

Here is a link to her website: http://www.stagingdiva.com/freehomestagingtips.html
Tons of great stuff on there!

Meet the Owner, Pam McColly!

NATIVE OREGONIAN

I have lived in the Salem area all my married life. My childhood was spent in the Silverton area, just 20 miles to the East of Salem. I can comfortably say I know the Willamette Valley very well. I love Real Estate, all the challenges, the education found in knowing the community, helping people find that right home to live and raise their family. Windermere is all about family, working together to make everyones life better.

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

I started my real estate career in 1990 after having owned my own protective clothing business for 15 years. Opening the first startup office in Oregon on July 21, 1997 we have grown steadily. We have full time agents who are well trained and have education available to them either in office or out of the office at no less than semi-weekly. We have a full time receptionist, transaction coordinator, and bookkeeper and our office is open 7 days a week. We also have 3 full time Principal Brokers to assist our brokers.

BENEFITS TO Agents & Clients

Windermere has so many great programs to offer our clients. We specialize in residential, small acreage, manufactured homes, and commercial. We also have the expertise to handle everything from first time home buyers, to investers, HUD homes, short sales and the ever elusive cash buyer. We love real estate and can`t imagine doing anything else. If you love your job, the rest is easy.

DEDICATED TO THE COMMUNITY

As a company we are involved in on-going programs to help the low income and homeless in the Salem area. The Windermere Foundation was set up to help those in need in our community. We set one day aside every June 18th to donate our time for the day to help a cause. We also serve dinners once a month at a local school, donate back packs to first graders, car seats to first time mothers, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners during the holidays and sponse one or more family with gifts for the holidays. A portion of each agents check goes towards these great causes.