By Lita Batho, June 17, 2024
I have a confession to make: I owned an older Portland home for many years before I felt confident to park in the garage. The small detached garage, facing a narrow alley, seemed like it might be tricky to maneuver a car inside. Years went by, and I used the garage mainly for storing outdoor furniture and garden supplies. It was only when I purchased an electric vehicle that getting the car inside became important to me. Why? EV Charging of course!
My second challenge: the garage had no electricity, and was 30 feet from the house.
For a moment I was unsure of how to begin. However! Having navigated dozens of inspection/repair contingencies, pre-listing home preparations, and unexpected challenges, I knew that the goal of charging my car at home was likely easily achievable.
The Preparation
First, I called an electrician. (If you ever need a referral for a contractor, painter, plumber, roofer, electrician, window person, etc- ask your realtor! We will have suggestions for you.) My licensed and bonded electrician gave me a bid, and explained how the project would work, and to get started, asked me if I knew someone who could dig a trench: of course I did!
Whenever a project requires digging, call before you dig! The utility companies will come out and mark any utility lines on your property. This is a critical step, to prevent digging into a gas, electric, sewer, or water line. Call 811, or 1-800-332-2344 a minimum of two days before starting any digging project. In my case, this are area was free of utility lines.
The Trench
To dig the trench, I hired a trusted landscaper and his team. Although I considered doing it myself, or renting a trench digging machine, letting professionals do it proved to be fast, reasonable, and efficient. It took just a few hours for a few people to dig through the rocky soil by hand, with picks and shovels.
Finally, the Electricity
Once the trench was in place, the electrician returned to install a conduit and the electrical lines. He installed a subpanel in the garage, along with a light (let there be light, for the first time, in my garage: it’s fun to appreciate small things!) and a couple of outlets, including one 240 volt outlet placed to accommodate an EV Charger. I mounted a new EV charger on the wall of the garage, plugged it in, and was all set! It felt like a transformation to be able to not only turn on a light, but also charge my car in the garage.
*in case you notice that the roof of the garage looks rough in the photos, that was the next project!
Lita Batho
Broker | OR & WA
She/Her
Lita has a genuine enthusiasm for navigating home purchases and sales with the intention of outperforming the market and making the process stress free and transparent for her clients.
"I began real estate as an independent agent, however during the pandemic, decided to accelerate my experience and build skills more quickly by serving as a listing specialist for a highly productive, all-female team. Even though there were only 5 of us we were one of the busiest teams in the city, and over 2.5 years, I helped over 60 sellers successfully navigate the sale of various property types throughout the Portland Metro area. From condos and fixers to bungalows and homes with million-dollar views, I thoroughly enjoyed connecting with a diverse range of clients, including seniors downsizing, young families seeking more space, and single women embarking on their next step.
While this experience was rewarding, having accelerated my experience, deepened my knowledge, and honed my skills, it felt natural to return to solo agency in 2024. I'd missed the autonomy and agility that come with being a solo business owner, considering that I've been a business owner for the majority of my working life, and I was eager to leverage these qualities to further benefit my clients.
I firmly believe that whether you're buying or selling a home, you deserve genuine and excellent representation. My consistent client feedback highlights my strengths in setting proper expectations, negotiating, timely communication, and efficiency -- all while being kind, direct, and a dedicated advocate.
My goal extends beyond successful sales and purchases, however; I aim to earn my clients' trust, leading to their recommendations. The highest compliment I can receive is that a past client trusts me with their own friends and family."
Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Lita relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 1995 and has lived in Portland since 2001. She has an small business background, and a zest for negotiation, having grown up in her mother's retail shops and selling Christmas trees for her dad. Lita spent several years as a steel sculptor and public artist in Seattle, as well gaining extensive experience as a yoga teacher. When not working, you’ll find her cultivating an ever-expanding flower garden, doing home improvement projects, making art, or hiking in Forest Park or the gorge.
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- litabatho@livingroomre.com
