By Cristen Lincoln, November 10, 2020
Always consult a realtor prior to selling! Our clients got a notice in the mail telling them that the zoning changed on their home from residential to commercial, and they were ecstatic. They thought that would surely equal a big bump in sales price. They moved out, and allowed their estate salesperson to sell everything from inside the home, assuming it would be torn down. They didn’t consult with anyone besides family and neighbors. It was a choice they would end up regretting. Their home is surrounded by other modest inner city single family homes. The make up of their area is not commercial. Their lot size is small, so not a good candidate for development. Perhaps one day, if the area changes, the commercial zoning will bring value, but at this point, the highest and best use of their house is as a single family home. This realization hit hard. They now had a house where the actual furnace and kitchen had been stripped out, as well as original light fixtures, doors, and hardware. A home can’t get financed for a mortgage without heat and a kitchen. The seller was faced with either looking for an investor with cash (which equals a discounted price) or putting in a kitchen and furnace so we could market it to a future home owner. They decided that they would prefer to get the house back in financeable condition themselves, so we set about getting bids for the work. In the meantime, they let us know they would be open to not going through that and selling off market if someone would step up. So, as we were getting bids, we started to reach out to all the agents we work with, to see if anyone had an investor that the project would be a great fit for. It didn’t take long for a fellow Living Room agent to bring us the perfect buyer. We met everyone’s needs, and now my sellers can stop thinking about their old house and move on to their next chapter! The lesson here is of course, that you should always consult your trusted real estate advisor before making big decisions when it comes to selling a home. Allowing the kitchen and furnace and other elements to be removed, cost them more than $50,000. All in all, they got just a couple thousand bucks for those items. A hard but valuable lesson, and we share this story in the hopes to help others avoid such a loss. If you are thinking about making a move, or selling an investment, please reachout to us! We would love to help you strategize how to get the most equity out of your home!
Cristen Lincoln
Principal Broker | Earth Advantage | Business Development | OR
She/Her
Cristen has been a Portland real estate broker since 1993, giving her an exceptional understanding of the industry and the local market. She was born here, grew up here, and raised her own family here. She knows the parks, the farmers’ markets, the schools, the hidden corners, and the joyful quirks of Portland’s bustling neighborhoods.
Cristen’s deep-rooted knowledge of the area means she understands the audience for a house. She understands what a potential buyer is looking for, the process they go through when choosing a home, and what details matter most. This makes her the ideal guide to help you prepare your home for market. She is an expert in maximizing the value of your home while minimizing unnecessary improvements.
With the confident and tranquil mastery that comes with experience, Cristen is often three steps ahead—holding future possibilities, ideas, and strategies that will navigate her clients toward achieving their long-term goals. Known for her calm demeanor in the face of any size challenge, Cristen is respected in her industry for being an exceptional negotiator and strong advocate for her clients, even in the toughest of circumstances.
With intention and spirit, Cristen has built her real estate team around her core values of honesty, hard work, follow-through, and serious play.
A top broker in the city, Cristen has been named a Portland Monthly Five Star Agent year after year. She has received the Seven Star Certificate of Excellence and the Top 500 in the nation award from Broker★Agent™ Advisor. Cristen is a key member of Living Room Realty’s leadership team where she mentors, teaches, and coaches Portland’s top real estate brokers.
When not working, Cristen is likely immersed in outdoor play with her husband, her kids, or a pup by her side. Whether she’s hiking, gardening, snowboarding, or walking the sands of the Oregon Coast, nature is the place Cristen goes for inspiration and restorative balance.
ADDITIONAL AWARDS & AFFILIATIONS- Broker★Agent™ Advisor ‘Top 500" and "Certificate of Excellence"
- Portland Monthly Five Star Agent for past 7 years
- 10 Best of 2015: Client Satisfaction – American Institute of Real Estate Professionals
- Mt Tabor Park Stewardship Fund Committee Member
- Past PMAR Public Relations Committee Member
- Former Mt Tabor Middle school PTA and Auction Committee Member
- Past PTA board member at Atkinson school and Auction Committee Member
- Franklin High School PTA Member
- Impact NW Volunteer and Community Liaison
- Past Member Rose Chapter National Charity League
- Member 99 Girlfriends Collective Giving For Impact
- T: 503-260-2414
- cristen@livingroomre.com
