Tag: Amanda Haworth

Feeling “Whelmed”

Posted on by Living Room Realty

You know you’re doing something right in your career when a former realtor who no longer works in the industry trusts you to help her and her family find their first home to purchase. Munir used to work for the same company as my brother, who is a commercial broker here in Portland. So when it came time for she and her wife Lori to purchase their first home, she reached out to me to help them.

The journey wasn’t all roses and butterflies as we submitted offers on and didn’t get several homes that they thought were “the one.” Lucky for me these buyers remained patient, optimistic and good humored. At one point Lori told me she was feeling “whelmed.” Not overwhelmed or underwhelmed – just “whelmed.” 🙂

In the end, they are soooo happy with how it all turned out. They got a great house for themselves and their teenage daughter. It’s an adorable bungalow with a fantastic back yard with a fire pit for many fun nights with friends to come.

If you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell a home in the Portland area, please contact Amanda Haworth at 503-453-7698.

Last Tango in Mt Tabor

Posted on by Living Room Realty

I first met Galen through his partner, Kyra, who I’ve known for years through my old college roommates and Oregon Country Fair friends. He contacted me to say he was ready to buy a home and asked if I could help him. Naturally, I said yes because he’s a great guy and I like helping people purchase homes.

After about a month of searching and some stressful pressure to move quickly on the homes he liked, we finally found this fantastic Mt Tabor home. This house has one of the best entertaining kitchens I’ve ever seen. It is open concept AND has double French doors that open onto the large deck and back yard. I have major kitchen envy. 🙂

Now, the market being what it is, we naturally had to compete to get the home. Luckily, Galen wrote a heartfelt letter about how he loves to dance and entertain, and along with our stellar terms that sealed the deal.

I can’t wait to come fete your new home with you at some point, Galen!

If you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell a home in the Portland area, please contact Amanda Haworth at 503-453-7698 or amanda@livingroomre.com.

The Little Buyers Who Could

Posted on by Living Room Realty

When I say this market is tough on buyers, that may be an understatement for what Andrea and Amar (and sweet 1-year-old daughter Maeve) have been through. When we first met they were coming out of the process of getting bids for their current home to expand it to fit their growing family. They decided it would be easier to just purchase something else instead. Little did they know the challenges that lay ahead.

After a few weeks of searching, we finally found their “dream home.” We put in a stellar offer, and although the listing agent told us ours was the strongest, the sellers picked another offer based on the buyer letter. Crushing. And, frankly, unethical. So Andrea and Amar took a little time off from the hunt and regrouped.

A few weeks of looking later, a home popped up that looked promising. It had the big yard they had dreamed of, it was a “granny ranch” with great bones and a ton of potential to make it into exactly what they want. The problem was, we would have to fight for it. There was a ton of competition for this home, including a cash offer that was very appealing to the sellers.

Insert super lender Jen Bell into the mix. She said she could get us a 10 day closing to compete with the cash buyer. So we put our best foot forward and I had a lot of heart-to-hearts with the listing agent. When she finally called to tell us we got it, she said, “I feel like we’re old friends at this point!” 🙂

Needless to say, Andrea and Amar are THRILLED with how things panned out. And so am I! I can’t wait to see how their amazing remodel will turn out. They have a great eye for design and I just know they are going to have the coolest house when this is all done! So happy for them!

If you, or anyone you know, are looking to buy or sell a home in the greater Portland area, please contact Amanda Haworth at 503-453-7698 or amanda@livingroomre.com.

 

Dancing Into Homeownership

Posted on by Living Room Realty

I met Dianne and Luke through our mutual friend, Angie. The three of them are part of the Lindy Hop community, and met when they were all living on the east coast. Lindy Hop is a form of dance that became popular in Black communities in the 1920s. The dance has continued to rise in popularity in no small part because of the uplifting and fun form. According to one website, “The spirit of Lindy Hop today is about inclusivity, creativity, and improvisation.”

This beautiful couple decided to transplant to the west coast and we started their search over a year ago, but due to issues with the sale of their home back east, they ended up waiting to purchase until the end of 2020. Though not without some challenges, we finally found them a beautiful bungalow sandwiched between the Mississippi and Vancouver/Williams corridor neighborhoods. This home is spectacular! Original details and updates where needed.

I hope Dianne and Luke are happy in this home for many years to come.

If you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell a home, please contact Amanda Haworth at 503-453-7698 or amanda@livingroomre.com.

Charming NoPo Bungalow: OPEN THIS WEEKEND!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Charming NoPo Bungalow

9311 N Mohawk Ave, Portland, OR 97203

Offered at $385,000 | MLS# 20468821
2 bed | 1 bath | 1,120 sq. ft. | Taxes: $3,465.80

A sweet price for a sweet home! Classic Portland bungalow complete with an open concept main space, gleaming hardwoods throughout, big windows for lots of natural light, a well-appointed galley kitchen with newer appliances, and a bonus room. A big yard with a garden is perfect for green thumbs and outdoor hangouts. Updates throughout include appliances, furnace and water heater new in 2006, and a new roof in 2013. In the heart of St. Johns, this home is on a quiet tree-lined street, with a bike score of 97! 

Open houses this weekend:

Saturday 11/14 & Sunday 11/15, from 11am–1pm

Light-filled Belmont Bungalow

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Light-filled Belmont Bungalow

718 SE 32nd Ave | Portland, OR 97214

Offered at $585,000 | ML #20262880

3+ Bedrooms | 1 Bathroom | 2,607 SF

Winter is coming! What better way to beat the Oregon grays than with a home filled with windows and light? Perfectly situated within blocks of Laurelhurst Park, Sunnyside Environmental School, H-Mart, Stumptown Coffee, The Liquor Store and some of the city’s best dining and shopping, this west-facing charmer sits high up off the street and features a covered front porch, hardwood floors and period built-ins. A light and bright living room with wood burning fireplace flows to a formal dining room with a built-in window bench with storage, which in turn opens up to the beautifully updated kitchen, finally transitioning to the back yard via french doors with a large deck and patio area for outdoor dinners and grassy area for kiddos and pets. Large hedges provide privacy galore. Working from home? There is a large upstairs workspace perfectly appointed for your home office needs. Basement has loads of potential with a workshop space and room for an ADU or anything you can dream up. 

Click here for Virtual Tour

 

Sweet Cully Ranch With “Wow Factor” Yard

Posted on by Living Room Realty

 

4629 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97218

OFFERED AT $475,000

3 BEDROOM | 2 BATH | 1,174 SQFT

MLS #20683865 | TAXES: $4,272.30 (2018)

Bright and cheerful remodeled ranch on large (possibly dividable) lot that backs to a community garden. Cozy up to the wood-burning fireplace in the living room, or gather around the kitchen island in this open floor plan setting. Remodeled kitchen features stainless steel appliances and tiled countertops and connects to the dining area that opens to screened-in back porch. Hardwood floors lead you to the bedroom spaces which feature an en suite master bedroom and 2 more bedrooms with guest bath. Large yard includes beautiful outdoor spaces with a covered porch and deck, a patio space for outdoor dining, fire pit, chicken coop and a fenced garden area with raised beds. Many established fruit trees and bushes mean many opportunities for canning or freezing fruit for year-round enjoyment. Home has large, 2 car garage and ample parking space in driveway. Nearby to one of Portland’s great commercial districts on NE 42nd Ave with shopping and dining, and is down the road from Fernhill Park.

If you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell a home in the Portland area, please contact Amanda Haworth at amanda@livingroomre.com or 503-453-7698.

 

Brentwood-Darlington Rehab Opportunity

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Situated in SE Portland’s Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood, this ready-for-rehab home offers comfortable living spaces and natural light. Detached garage has been used as shop and has electricity. Tool shed in private, fenced back yard for storage. Several city parks, community gardens and the large food  cart pod “Cartlandia” nearby. Easy access to shopping, restaurants and I-205.


You Know it’s “The One” When You Want to Throw Up

Posted on by Living Room Realty

I met Molly at my coworker Bonnie’s open house. Bonnie had been working with Molly and her husband David to find the perfect home for their family, who had outgrown their small two bedroom apartment.

While at the open Bonnie turned to me and said, “Do you have buyers for this listing?” and when I replied that I didn’t she introduced me to Molly. Molly and I then walked around the home, where she let me know she liked the home so much it was making her feel nauseated. 🙂 So I tried my best to ease her nerves while we waited for David to show up.

Luckily, David approved and we were able to move easily through the offer and inspection process. Now they are the proud owners of a beautiful home with enough space for the whole family.

If you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell a home in the Portland area, please contact Amanda Haworth at 503-453-7698 or amanda@livingroomre.com.

Giving Back to My Community

Posted on by Living Room Realty
www.pdxparent.com/building-a-better-pta/

My oldest daughter attends our neighborhood school of Scott Elementary in the Cully neighborhood. We have been so fortunate to be a part of this community, which has been made even better with the award winning PTA at the school.

In the past 4 years since we’ve been a part of the school, I’ve seen it change by leaps and bounds. This is in no small part due to the efforts of the PTA.

In an article written for pdxparent.com, Denise Castañon writes “Scott is one of the most diverse schools in Portland Public Schools. The school is home to a dual-language Spanish immersion program, and Latinx students make up 41 percent of the school’s population. Black students account for 18 percent of the population; Asian and Pacific Islanders account for 4 percent of the students; Native students make up 2 percent of the population; 7 percent of Scott students are multiracial; white students are just under 30 percent of the population. It’s also a high-poverty, Title 1 school with more than 95 percent of students on free and reduced lunch. In addition to Spanish and English, Vietnamese and Somali are spoken by Scott families.”

Castañon credits recruiting bilingual parent leaders as being crucial in bridging the divide between the different communities that make up the school. She also notes that PTA president Kristen Hoffman has been tireless in her efforts to bring our community together. And I concur! Kristen is not only a client whom I helped find a house for she and her family last year, but a powerhouse in our community.

This year I have decided to give back to my community by donating 1% of all of my commissions through the end of the 2019/2020 school year to the Scott School PTA. I believe in giving back to my community and I believe in the great work the Scott School PTA is doing to improve the lives of the children who go there.

If you or anyone you know would like to buy or sell a home in the Portland Metro area, and support a great cause, please have them contact Amanda Haworth at amanda@livingroomre.com or 503-453-7698.

Charmed by the First

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Sometimes when you know, you know. When Shani came to me to look for her “downsize” home after enlisting me to help her sell her Multnomah Village house, she sent me a list of what she envisioned her next home to be. It was as follows:

“My new home is quiet, private and surrounded by greenery.  It has lots of natural light and its surroundings are friendly to birds, butterflies and other wild creatures.
The interior is bright and well-ventilated and has a living room, two bedrooms, 1-2 baths (including a bathtub) and a kitchen/dining area with room for a table for 6.  There is generous closet space and the kitchen has efficient storage and ample counter space.  Ideally it would have a wood-burning fireplace. It has reliable cell reception and internet service.  It has in-unit washer and dryer, and it’s clean and lovingly maintained. There’s a pleasant outdoor deck or patio that accommodates a dinner party of 6. Any garden is compact and easily maintained.
It is situated on the west side of town, walking distance from one or more of the westside’s incredible trails (eg, Marshall Park or Multnomah Village/Council Crest/Washington Park/Hoyt arboretum areas).  Ideally it’s also walking distance from a neighborhood center (eg, Multnomah Village or Hillsdale). There’s easy, convenient parking for me and my guests, and  it’s convenient to I-5 (although not within earshot). My neighbors are quiet, friendly and considerate.”
At first I thought it might be a challenge to find all of those things, but on our very first outing we found exactly what she described. Well, except the fireplace was gas instead of wood-burning. We all make sacrifices. 🙂
After looking at a couple more duds that didn’t fit the bill, we came back to this beautiful unit nestled in the trees with many updates and beautiful built-ins. It was the perfect fit for her!
If you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell a home in the Portland area, please contact Amanda Haworth at 503-453-7698 or amanda@livingroomre.com.

Rock Out Butte

Posted on by Living Room Realty

I couldn’t have been luckier than to have helped Davey buy his first home. From the beginning he was informed, inquisitive and knew what he was looking for. My favorite kind of client!

We found him a great little house at the base of Rocky Butte, and he is STOKED! He can’t wait to set up a practice space for his band, Dry Wedding (facebook.com/drywedding), in the garage. In fact, during the repair negotiation process he was in the studio recording their new album!

It was an absolute delight to work with Davey, and I hope he’s happy in his new home for many years to come.

If you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell a home in the Portland area, please contact Amanda Haworth at 503-453-7698 or amanda@livingroomre.com.

We used ALL the signs.

As Home Sales Slow, Portland Could See Buyer’s Market

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Amanda Haworth, a 12-year REALTOR® with Living Room Realty, sees a steady amount of homes being listed on the market in Portland, but a tendency toward caution and hesitation in buyers.

“Everyone’s really afraid of paying too much right be fore a potential recession,” Haworth said. “I think people are really remembering what happened 10 years ago and don’t want to get into a situation where they’re left holding the bag.”

With a less competitive housing market, Haworth is seeing more and more buyers getting last-minute buyer’s remorse and backing out of contracts, or buyers being slow on decision-making without the pressure to quickly decide on available houses.

“I am seeing a little more fear-based decision-making in the younger first-time home buyers,” Haworth said. “It’s a large investment, and if they are getting more time, they can talk themselves out of it. Whereas in the last few years, when you had a multiple offer situation, you didn’t have a lot of time to question your decision.”

Haworth predicts that the real estate market will shift over to a buyer’s market in the near future, although it will be a different reality compared to 10 years ago with more stable lending.

“I do see that it’s going to shift over to a buyer’s market,” Amanda said. “But I don’t read the amount of drop that we saw last time. While we will see some market stabilization, I don’t see the type of recession that we saw before happening.”

The Downtown Opportunity Zones program and fewer people moving to Portland than expected are both factors that could ultimately help stabilize Portland’s housing market, she said.

 

Read the full article by Hannah Sievert published at www.bizjournals.com