Retirees – Oregon Dreaming.

As we exchanged keys and perused their new Oregon home, Judith told me that her adult daughter reminded her that she’d written a report on Oregon in the 5th grade.  Seems perhaps the family had been dreaming of our lovely state for a long while…

Fans of the clean lines of mid-century modern, Judith and Arthur contacted me to help seek out their retirement home where they would live out their days walking their dogs in the evergreen trees of the parks and buttes of Oregon. Arthur was from the Pac NW and missed the green and the growing of berries and the like, and wanted to get back to it.  Knowing Portland to be fairly gray most months, and with Judith being an artist and employer of great color in her work, they wished for a home that was bright and light all year.  They wanted vaulted ceilings and open spaces,  a single level and a hopefully a easy-care home so that they could age-in-place.

I set them up with a search, and as we wanted to keep their purchase price realistic, we searched into the suburbs and into the ‘contemporary’ era of homes up through the 80’s. Within a week, they felt they FOUND THE ONE! Vaulted ceilings, clerestory and long wall windows,  the house exuded light. There was a enclosed sun porch with sky light and french doors that would be absolutely perfect for Judith’s studio.  The kitchen opened into a vaulted family room with woodstove and imparted a cozy feeling that I personally was jealous of.  This was way more house than Judith and Arthur were expecting for the money, and it made great sense to their budget too.   I wrote the strongest offer we could muster — there were multiple offers.  I submitted an offer with explanatory letter from me, and a love letter from Judith and with fingers crossed and left for my vacation, sneezing the whole way (Murphy’s Law of Real Estate says that a vacation + a cold = DEFINITE ACCEPTANCE!).

I arrived to my destination and of course, had a voice mail that our offer had been ACCEPTED!  I stole a few hours here and there for paperwork, to open escrow and set up inspections. The following week we started inspections on the cleanest, tidiest,  most well-maintained house I’ve ever helped a client buy.  It all went off without a hitch.  Closing a reverse mortgage was surprisingly easy. A few hoops to jump through on the lender and escrow’s side, but absolutely worth it for my buyers: a life with no mortgage payments!

Today I received a text: We are very happy people. Thanks again for all your help.”  And that means everything to me.   So, congrats to Judith and Arthur on the first step to their new adventure in Oregon!! I’m absolutely sure you’ll love it!!

Sincerely, Alyssa

Below are a few examples of Judith Bruce’s art.  Brilliant isn’t it?? See more at http://www.judithbruce.com/

Alyssa Starelli

Broker | OR

She/Her

A Portland native, Alyssa started her real estate career in the chaotic market of 2005, and quickly realized she reveled in matching particular clients with their perfect home, no matter how unusual...

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