Blog Buyer From Bellingham to St. John's - All For Henry!

From Bellingham to St. John’s – All For Henry!

By Olivia Rush, June 10, 2021

Congratulations to Richard on the purchase of his darling St. John’s home!

My dear friend Claire connected me with her pops, Richard. Richard, having spent the majority of his adult life in Bellingham, was ready to move to be closer to his 4-year-old grandson, Henry. Ideally, within a mile of Henry – otherwise, what was the point? Richard needed his partner in crime close. St. John’s was really the only option.

In this market, buyers often have to compromise. Being restricted to a small geographic area means less options – and when that small geographic area is St. John’s, where everyone wants to live – more competition. The kicker: Richard wanted to close before the end of June, which gave us roughly 2 months tops to secure his next home.

Challenge accepted – but not without several very blunt and honest conversations about the realities of our market and contingency plans. Richard got it. He was serious, motivated, and ready to bring the heat to his offers. Henry needed him, and within walking distance!

Richard came to Portland to tour some homes in person, and actually found TWO within blocks of each other (and Henry, duh), that would work. Fancy that, options!? A good and rare problem to have these days, deciding which house to make an offer on. Ultimately, being the outdoor guy that he is, Richard chose the house that had two yards: a private, sunny backyard with a fire pit and fruit trees, and the front yard with a massive Siberian Elm tree, ripe for hammocks and Henry’s future tree house.

There were four offers. Because of Richard’s flexibility with move-in date and aggressive terms, the Sellers chose his. The best part of this transaction were the ongoing communication between the Buyers and Sellers. The Sellers had revived this house from nearly being demolished. It was a foreclosure sale, and had been home to squatters for several years. Richard wanted to know the history of the property, so there was a ton of back and forth throughout the transactions. This created more goodwill – which came in handy during negotiations. Richard was reasonable and fair with his Concession Ask, and knowing he would continue to be a great steward of this home, the Sellers simply agreed to it.

We closed, and that evening Richard got to meet the Sellers in person! It was smiles all around. Richard has a few more weeks before he can move in, but has already begun planning a summer of epic adventures with Henry. Cheers to Richard and welcome to Portland!

Olivia Rush

Broker | OR

She/Her

As your trusted guide through the buying or selling process, you can expect me to customize my services to your specific goals and preferences, much like I did for my students during my ten years as an educator. My clients’ goals vary. A couple retiring to the Big City after 30 years on 22 acres. A woman purchasing her first home independently. A couple upsizing to support a growing family. Two friends pooling their resources to make their first investment possible. A couple navigating a divorce and the sale of their home. A refugee family with limited English setting down roots in this country. Deaf investors looking to maximize profit on their flip.  A couple selling the home of their daughter who has lost her battle to cancer. A family relocating from across the country and buying sight-unseen.  These situations all require unique, dynamic, and holistic approaches. Everyone has different needs, and it is my top priority to meet my clients where they are. For me, real estate is not transactional. It is deeply personal and inevitably life-changing. While each client requires a tailored strategy, my work ethic is unwavering. With me you can always expect organization, tenacity, responsiveness, dedication, and hustle. A gatherer of resources, a communicator of all options and possible outcomes. As your advocate, I will be brutally honest so you know what to expect. A skilled negotiator, I’ll consider every angle with your dreams and goals in mind. My clients often end up feeling like family. I am honored they trust me enough to return to me as their needs change and refer me to their friends, family, and communities. What are your real estate goals and dreams? Call or text me so we can meet to discuss your vision.   Curious about the home-buying process in Portland? Click here to sign up for one of my free The How To Buy A House Class™ classes!
Read More
  • T: 207-240-8837
  • oliviarushpdx@gmail.com

You might also enjoy

Closed! Home Together in Foster Powell

Olivia Rush

Congratulations Austyn + Eddy on purchasing their first home together! In 2020, I helped Austyn purchase...

Finding the Perfect Farm: C and D’s Journey in Southwest Washington

Beth Benner

When C and D first came to me, they had such a clear vision for their...

First Time Home Buyer Class – Southwest Washington

Jessica Ward

Are you ready to take the leap into homeownership but unsure where to start? If you’re...

Never to late to Congratulate!

Nicole Chavira

Never too late to Congratulate M, M & T! . Another success story of an FHA...