Blog Stories At Home in Lents (and Double Digit Appreciation)

At Home in Lents (and Double Digit Appreciation)

By Carrie Struss, May 15, 2018

Lents has gone through years of revitalization to make it one of Portland’s hottest, most in-demand (aka still somewhat affordable for first time home buyers) neighborhoods. Since 1998, the Portland Development Commission (PDC) has invested $90 million in infrastructure, facilities, transportation, affordable housing, and business development. In early 2014, the PDC implemented the Lents Five-Year Action Plan calling for focused investments that would have the greatest benefit and impact on existing residents and businesses. This plan “focuses on creating healthy, complete neighborhoods with vibrant communities and corridors. The goal is to support growth of mixed use, mixed income communities that contribute to improved business and resident satisfaction with the community.”

First time home buyers, David and Anna, wanted to be a part of this growing community. Lents would provide an ideal location giving them easy access to I-205, close proximity to their family in Milwaukie, and ease to downtown via the MAX Lents Town Center/Southeast Foster Road transit station. David and Anna were also greatly concerned with resale value and wanting to provide a solid future for their family. Knowing that Lents is one of PDC’s focused areas, gave them reassurance they were making the best decision for their financial future. In looking at stats for the neighborhood, before the Lents Five-Year Action Plan, the average home sale price was $178,231* (March 2014). In March of 2018 the average sale price for a home in Lents was $293,625* creating an average 16% annual appreciation since the plan was implemented 4 years ago. (In comparison to the average annual appreciation in SE Portland of 12% since 2014). With further implantation of the Lents Five-Year plan, David and Anna will like continue to see double digit appreciation on their investment and future in Lents.

After two months of searching in the competitive, high demand neighborhood of Lents David and Anna finally landed the perfect home for their family to settle and grow. As first time home buyers, it’s easy to be discouraged in today’s competitive Portland real estate market. But, David and Anna stayed positive throughout the entire process. They did not get discouraged when their offers were rejected, rather they got motivated to save more money to make their offer as strong as possible. I am so proud of them for all their efforts in making their dream come true, for staying positive throughout the process, and persevering into their new role as home owners! I am honored to be a part of their journey.

Congratulations to David and Anna on their new home!

*data pulled from RMLS statistics

Carrie Struss

Broker | OR & WA

She/Her

Carrie brings eight years of experience as a Licensed Broker in Oregon and Washington, combining her industry expertise with an eye for detail honed through her degree in Commercial Photography. Her career began with one of her proudest accomplishments: relocating to New York straight out of college to work as a photo producer, where she never settled for an entry-level mindset. It is this same tenacity that has helped make her the top producing agent at Living Room Realty in the Vancouver, WA area since 2021. This accomplishment is a testament to her unwavering commitment to client success. Throughout her career, Carrie has had the privilege of assisting over 100 homeowners achieve their real estate goals. What sets Carrie apart as an agent is her empathetic approach, ensuring that every client feels heard and understood throughout the buying or selling process. Carrie has lived in the Pacific Northwest since 2017, though she’s been visiting the area since her teenage years. Beyond her professional life, Carrie finds peace and joy in nature, spending summers by the river and winters in Hawaii. Amidst her successful career, Carrie's greatest joy is her son Jack, who brings boundless love and inspiration to her life. As your agent Carrie will…
  • help get your home (and emotions) ready to sell, then sell your home.
  • find you a new home complete with (fill in the “must have” blank).
  • facilitate the transaction making sure everyone does what they need to do and has what they need to do it.
  • negotiate tenaciously for you.
  • educate you on the daunting, overwhelming, and at times stressful process.
  • remain calm, always.
  • keep you focused on your goals.
  • pay attention to every detail.
  • show up.
  • effectively communicate in the way that works best for you.
  • uphold Living Room Realty’s values and what they mean to her.
"I care about where you live. I care about you home, your street, your neighborhood, your community. All the things that are important to you will be my priority. I look forward to working with you!"
Read More
  • T: 503-953-0850
  • carrie@carriestruss.com

You might also enjoy

How To Negotiate Effectively, Efficiently – and Fairly

Andy Meeks

Negotiations are a delicate dance, and it’s not about simply ‘splitting the difference’. In fact, I advocate...

Home Warranties Explained: Pros, Cons, and Everything You Need to Know

Will Sing

When buying a home, one of the considerations you might encounter is whether to invest in...

Book Nerds Wanted

Marissa Sainz

I love to read.  It is my nightly ritual to read in bed to end my...

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...