Tag: Buyer Agent

True Value of hiring a Buyers Agent

Posted on by Kyle Gordon

Picture this: You’ve budgeted diligently, saved for years, and are officially ready to buy your house. Maybe this is your first house, or it could be your next home. Excited about your journey ahead, you start searching for a real estate broker to help you in your home search.  

 

Now look, it’s no secret that everyone has a friend or family member who’s licensed and ready to help you, and they probably find creative ways to remind you of that early and often. Then there’s thousands of other agents open for business that you haven’t met yet, and each one of them would love to grab time with you to discuss your real estate goals and forge a partnership. 

 

Understanding that representation is not free, you make the sound decision to pick a few brokers to interview. And now once again, like so many other parts of your life, you’re in a position where someone is going to do their best to convince you of the value that their services will deliver, the value of their knowledge and experience and [insert a compelling and similar-to-your-situation customer story here] to make you comfortable with picking them over any of the other real estate brokers currently practicing in Portland. 

 

Value gets talked about A LOT in our society. Value this, savings that, act now and you’ll get $$$ back in your pocket! WE SAVE OUR CUSTOMERS [THIS MUCH MONEY] COMPARED TO OUR COMPETITION. Feeling fatigued yet? Yeah me too.. Feel the trust in the room? Yeah me neither. 

 

It’s no wonder that when it comes time to make one of the largest purchases of your life, you feel the need to approach it from a guarded, low trust state of mind. 

 

Lovely. 

 

So you may be asking yourself, truly, what value can a real estate broker give me, and what separates the good from the great from the.. well, everyone else? Let’s unpack that together.

 

When I think of ways to quantify value in a real estate transaction, I like to look at it from the perspective of quantifiable return on investment (you can point your finger at the exact amount of money that was saved), and qualitative return on investment (it’s still there, but harder to pin down an exact number). For the quantitative, we’ll unpack the stages of the home buying journey and address opportunities to negotiate savings along the way. For qualitative, we’ll think through things like time savings and mental/emotional health savings gained through proactive coaching and expectation setting that happens along your buying journey. 

 

First, for the sake of clarity, the Investment that I’m referring to in this blog is the fee you agree to pay your real estate broker. Whether that is a fixed amount, percentage of sale price, or something else entirely that has been mutually agreed upon.

 

Let’s zoom in. 

 

Quantifiable ROI (return on investment)

 

Offer submission and negotiation:

 

  • When drafting your offer, your broker can help you save money by talking with the listing agent about what the Seller’s priorities are other than their bottom line. Maybe they are looking for a shorter/longer escrow period than usual. Possibly offering to allow the Sellers to stay in the home for a few days or a few weeks after close is valuable and important to them. Maybe they really love their refrigerator and are hoping to take that with them, or they’re downsizing and are dreading the idea of having to get rid of the upright piano in the dining room that they can’t take with them. Notice how none of these things are related to the sale price of the home? Knowing these priorities prior to writing your offer can help you submit a strong offer while also keeping money in your pocket by being able to offer a lower purchase price in exchange for these other items. 

 

  • Everything is negotiable in a real estate deal. This includes Seller contributions toward your closing costs and prepaids (ask your lender about these), and even Seller contributions toward your buyer agent commissions. Your broker can help you negotiate these items into your offer, and doing this successfully has the potential to save you tens of thousands of dollars. 

 

Inspection period

 

  • After your offer gets accepted, you will typically have the opportunity to hire a professional inspector to assess your soon to be home and provide you with insights on things that may need to be repaired/replaced/addressed. With this new information in hand, your broker can help you go back to the negotiation table with the Sellers. There are several levers that can be pulled to find a path forward when unknown issues are uncovered, including a reduced sale price, additional Seller contributions toward your closing costs, and even repairs to be completed by the Seller prior to closing on your home purchase. All of these negotiable items must be mutually agreed upon by both the Buyer and the Seller, and having a skilled broker representing you can help you build and communicate a compelling case to get the Seller to agree to some/all of these negotiable items. Once again potentially saving you tens of thousands of dollars. 

 

Appraisal contingency 

 

  • Assuming that you will be taking out a mortgage loan for your home purchase, your lender will, in most cases, require that a third party licenced appraiser prepares an official report validating that the market value of the home you are buying is at least as much as the purchase price you’ve agreed to buy the home for. In some cases, the appraiser determines that the likely market value of your soon to be home is actually less than the current purchase price, leaving you with another negotiation ahead of you. When this happens, there is an opportunity for your broker to help you negotiate a lower purchase price if the Sellers agree to it. A strong broker will once again help you build and communicate a compelling case for why the Sellers should agree, and once again has the opportunity to potentially save you tens of thousands of dollars. 
  • On the flip side of this, if you and your broker were able to negotiate a strong, below market purchase price, you can find yourself in a position where the appraised value is actually higher than your purchase price. This puts you in the position of closing on your home with immediate home equity and can also be considered an added value that your broker helped you secure. 

 

Dang, that’s a lot of opportunities to save tens of thousands of dollars. 

 

Let’s move on to the squishier, less quantifiable value of hiring a high quality broker to guide you through your home buying journey. 

 

Qualitative ROI

 

Home shopping

 

  • Tailored, automated searches. As much as you may love spending time on Zillow or Redfin or whichever home listing site you choose to doom scroll on, your broker can actually set up an automatic search customized to your specific wants and needs and free up a bunch of your time for other things. 

 

  • On the subject of time savings, who likes scheduling and coordinating showings? Not you. Your broker will handle this as well. 

 

  • During showings, your broker can help point out smaller details about the home that may have been missed otherwise. Houses have A TON of things to look at and private showings are commonly described as overwhelming. Finding things during the showing will help you make a more informed and confident decision about how you would like to proceed. Whether for pointing out good or concerning things, having an expert in the room with you will help you know when you’ve found the one, and also know when you haven’t. Some call this peace of mind and that’s worth different amounts to different people. 

 

Escrow

 

  • After you have found your house and have an accepted offer, your broker will help you coordinate inspections and keep track of important deadlines agreed to in your accepted offer. These deadlines are a super important part of your escrow period and can mean the difference between a successful purchase of your dream home or a sale fail where you lose your earnest money deposit – kind of a big swing here of potential outcomes. A high quality broker will have your back every step of the way while also coaching you on what happens next and what to expect. 

 

Post-purchase

 

  • Guess what? A high quality real estate broker does not disappear the second you close on your home purchase. They’re always one text/call/smoke signal away, ready to help direct you to resources when questions come up. 

 

Alright, we’re now at the part of the show where we need to wrap things up! Hopefully this was more informative than it was a ramble. Thanks for spending some time with me either way. If you found this helpful, please let me know! My name is Kyle Gordon, I’m an Oregon Real Estate Broker at Living Room Realty, and my purpose within real estate is to give my clients more value than whatever fee they pay me – so much so that they choose to partner with me again and again, and also feel delighted to recommend me to their friends and family. I recognize that this level of trust and partnership has to be earned rather than given and I’m here for it. 

 

Not sure where to go from here? I offer free buyer consults at a Portland coffee shop near you, or at any of our lovely Living Room Realty offices. We can discuss your real estate goals and map out your journey ahead when you’re ready. In the meantime, check out my blog post that highlights things you should consider when shopping for your home. 

Don’t Make These Mistakes During Your Home Inspection

Posted on by Kelsey Burkett

You can learn a whole lot about houses from a Home Inspection. In fact, they’re one of my favorite parts of my job for that very reason. That being said, when it’s a house you’re in the process of purchasing, it can be overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect. Here are the mistakes to avoid:

1. Not working with a trusted and knowledgeable Home Inspector. Buyers should ultimately choose who they work with and feel the most comfortable and confident in. We do have a short-list of vetted and trusted inspectors and can help you make an informed decision.

2. Not attending the inspection, or the findings recap at the end at the very least. Your Home Inspector will go over their overall, most important findings with you immediately following their inspection. They will follow up with a thorough, written report after that you can use as a long-term resource.

3. Following the Home Inspector around during the inspection. There are a TON of nooks and crannies that your Inspector is evaluating in just 3-4 short hours. Let them focus, leave them alone, hang out with your super cool Realtor and be available for questions if they pop up.

4. Being emotionally unprepared for the myriad of things that are likely to come up during the inspection. Inspections are meant to turn over stones and call out every little fix. Your Home Inspector and Realtor can help you prioritize what items are most pressing and which you can work to negotiate with the Seller.

5. Not reading the inspection report. This thing is thick, but it’s a WEALTH of knowledge. My partner and I created a Trello board/home maintenance to-do list from ours so we can prioritize and tackle things over time (reach out if you’d like tips on how to create your own).

Questions? Advice? Let’s chat. Happy to help. 971-371-0203 // kelsey@livingroomre.com // @kcb_portland.

Portland Real Estate Market Update mid-Mid 2024

Posted on by Kim Parmon

Find out what’s happening in the Portland real estate market for mid-May 2024.

 

 

Hi, I’m Kim Parmon, listing specialist and Principal Broker with Living Room Realty here to tell you what you need to know about the Portland Metro market for mid May, 2023.

 

Upcoming Changes

You’ve likely heard that the way real estate commissions are structured will soon be changing.  Starting in August of this year, buyer agent commissions will no longer be advertised as part of a house listing’s marketing. 

This means that buyers and their agents will need to agree on a compensation structure before touring properties. In the event that a seller won’t agree to pay for the buyer’s agent’s commission, the buyer would be responsible for paying for their agent’s fee as well as their down payment and closing costs. Yikes! 

I am a listing agent only, and yet I still believe that working with a quality buyer’s agent is the right move for EVERYONE in a real estate transaction. Why does working with a buyer’s agent matter anyway? We’ll get to that in a second.

 

 

The Market

Despite higher mortgage interest rates sticking around longer than expected, we are still in a strong seller’s market where competition over good homes is normal. At Living Room this week the average days on market for homes was less than a week across the board! 

Remember, selling your home, period, is not the goal: I can offer you $5 for your house it right now.  Do you want to sell for that price?  Of course not!  The goal is not AN offer, it’s THE BEST offer that works for you. 

As a listing agent, I want to make sure my clients are not only choosing an offer with the best price and terms, but with the greatest chance of making it to closing with the least amount of stress. Which is EXACTLY why working with a buyers agent is so important.

 

The Value Of A Buyer’s Agent

A strong buyer’s agent understands the current market conditions and also will be able to help a buyer research a home and talk through potential concerns before even submitting an offer in the first place, reducing the risk of the buyer walking away due to cold feet.  They can help make sure the buyer is sticking to their goals and plans, that their choice of home fits within their budget, and that the buyer is aware of a host of details that they aren’t thinking about when they’re excited because they just saw a cute home that they love. 

As a listing agent, I’m listening for how buyers’ agents respond to disclosure items, how they ask questions, and I’m generally interviewing them to see how adept they are at navigating potential issues during the buyer’s many contingencies.  

Having a strong partner helping guide a buyer through a complicated, stressful process full of pitfalls and liability makes the chances of success (for both the buyer & seller) significantly higher.  As I always tell my clients, someone can offer you hundreds of thousands of dollars above your list price, but it’s all Monopoly money until they actually close.  A great buyer’s agent’s job is to help their client navigate this process and smooth out the kinks.  We may be on opposite sides of a transaction, but we have the same goal: to make it to closing!  

Do you have questions about why working with a buyer’s agent may or may not be the right move for you?  If so, reach out!  We are fiduciaries whose job it is to help you figure out the best possible moves for YOU in this market.  

 

Make A Move

If you’re ready to make a move, call us today, we would love to help you find your next Living Room.

 

Portland Market Update Early-April 2024

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Find out what’s happening in the Portland real estate market for Early-April 2024.



Hi, I’m Gabrielle Enfield, Real Estate Magician at Working Magic Group and Oregon Broker for Living Room Realty, here to give you the scoop as we enter peak real estate season here in Portland, Oregon.

A Major Shakeup?

Headlines may make you think there’s commotion happening in the real estate world. In short, the National Association of Realtors is facing a Department of Justice settlement tied to buyer agent fees and how they’re communicated, as well as the agreements that need to be in place before a buyer can tour a home for sale with a licensed agent.

While it may sound like a shakeup, it’s really just putting a bold underline on what we – as licensed agents in the Northwest – have been doing all along, especially here at Living Room Realty.

It’s tied to client advocacy and what’s in their best interests, while clearly communicating the value we, as Realtor Fiduciaries, have in one of life’s biggest decision making moments. Right now, we are in a wait and see period, with regulatory changes expected in July. If you have questions or want to discuss your options and what this means for you, please reach out, we are here to help.

Buyers

Now, onto the really juicy stuff – what’s happening in our local real estate market?

At this week’s Living Room team meeting, our agents put gobs of homes under contract, representing mostly buyers. So if you were wondering if now’s the right time to hit the touring circuit – the answer’s a big old yes! Really, anytime you’re ready to enter the real estate market is a good time, it all just comes down to the strategic levers you and your agent can pull.

Here’s the deal…. if you run the numbers on a home that you could see yourself in for the next few years, and you can afford it now, you should probably make a play for it. Rates are expected to head below six percent sometime in the future. The minute they do, buyers are going to rush forward and create a very competitive landscape. This will likely push pricing further upward and in some cases further out of reach. You being the smarty pants you are, you’ll have the option to refinance on your rad house down the line.

Let’s Look At The Numbers

Right now, at Living Room, homes under contract averaged 2 offers, and went for roughly $15,000 over asking with an average pending price is $702,000 dollars

Across Portland Metro, the market action index is hovering around 47, still tipping in favor of sellers. Median days on market is 42. The median listing price for new listings is $675k – that’s about 40 grand more than this time last year.

Get Your Home On The Market

No matter the political or economic climate, real estate operates on a somewhat predictable cycle. If you’re thinking about selling, NOW is the time for action. It’s important to have your house on the market before the first week in July. After that, we Oregonians goof off and want to be settled before fall routines kick in.

An advocate like me will help you identify your punch-list to get your house ready for its close up. You’d be amazed what changing the front door color does for a place – my favorite is saffron yellow. 3 cheers for color!

 

Make A Move

Real estate is a lot, and takes practice, precision and market intelligence. If you’re feeling like you’re ready to make a move , call us today! We’d love to help you find your next Living Room.

 

Unlocking the Hidden Value: The Benefits of Hiring a Buyer’s Agent

Posted on by Sally Tansill

In the intricate world of real estate, navigating the complexities of buying a property can be daunting. From sifting through listings to negotiating contracts, every step demands careful attention and expertise. In this journey, having a trusted ally can make all the difference. Enter the buyer’s agent, a seasoned professional dedicated to representing your interests throughout the home-buying process. Let’s explore the myriad benefits of enlisting the services of a buyer’s agent, while also highlighting the fiduciary duties they uphold, as outlined in the Realtor Code of Ethics.

Market Expertise: Buyer’s agents are well-versed in local real estate markets. They possess valuable insights into neighborhood trends, property values, and market dynamics. Leveraging their knowledge, they can guide you toward neighborhoods that align with your preferences and budget, ensuring you make informed decisions. Upholding their fiduciary duty to the buyer, buyer’s agents prioritize your interests above all else, providing objective advice and guidance to help you achieve your goals.

Access to Listings: While online listing platforms provide a wealth of information, buyer agents often have access to exclusive listings and off-market properties. This gives you an edge in finding hidden gems that might not be readily available to the general public, expanding your options and increasing the likelihood of finding your dream home. By diligently searching for properties that meet your criteria, buyer’s agents demonstrate their commitment to fulfilling their fiduciary duty of loyalty, always acting in your best interests.

Negotiation Skills: Negotiating the terms of a real estate transaction requires finesse and tact. Buyer’s agents are skilled negotiators with a keen understanding of market conditions and property values. Whether it’s securing a favorable purchase price, negotiating repairs after inspections, or navigating contingencies, they advocate for your best interests every step of the way. Upholding their fiduciary duty of confidentiality, buyer’s agents handle negotiations with discretion and professionalism, safeguarding your sensitive information and strategic objectives.

Streamlined Process: Buying a home involves a multitude of tasks, from scheduling viewings to coordinating inspections and closing procedures. A buyer’s agent acts as your point person, streamlining the process and managing the logistics on your behalf. Their expertise ensures that deadlines are met, paperwork is handled efficiently, and potential roadblocks are addressed promptly, reducing stress and saving you time. Upholding their fiduciary duty of diligence, buyer’s agents meticulously oversee every aspect of the transaction, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks.

Professional Network: Buyer’s agents often have an extensive network of industry contacts, including lenders, inspectors, contractors, and real estate attorneys. Drawing upon this network, they can connect you with trusted professionals who can facilitate various aspects of the home-buying process. This network not only enhances the quality of service you receive but also provides access to resources that may not be readily available otherwise. Upholding their fiduciary duty of care, buyer’s agents ensure that you receive expert advice and support from qualified professionals at every stage of the transaction.

Transaction Management: From offer acceptance to closing day, numerous details must be managed to ensure a smooth transaction. Buyer’s agents oversee the entire process, coordinating with all parties involved, including sellers’ agents, title companies, and lenders. Their meticulous attention to detail helps prevent potential hiccups and ensures that the closing process proceeds seamlessly. Upholding their fiduciary duty of obedience, buyer’s agents adhere to your instructions and preferences, guiding you through each step of the transaction with integrity and professionalism.

Buyer Representation: In a real estate transaction, the seller is typically represented by a listing agent whose primary duty is to secure the best possible outcome for their client. By hiring a buyer’s agent, you have someone in your corner, dedicated solely to representing your interests. This level of advocacy gives you peace of mind, knowing that your needs and priorities are being prioritized throughout the transaction. Upholding their fiduciary duty of undivided loyalty, buyer’s agents work tirelessly to protect your interests and ensure a successful outcome.

Enlisting the services of a buyer’s agent offers a multitude of benefits that can significantly enhance your home-buying experience while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. From market expertise and negotiation skills to streamlined processes and professional representation, their guidance and support are invaluable assets in navigating the complexities of the real estate landscape. So, whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, partnering with a buyer’s agent can help you unlock the hidden value and achieve your real estate goals with confidence, knowing that your interests are always their top priority, as mandated by the Realtor Code of Ethics.

5 Tips for Getting Ready to Buy a Home

Posted on by Kelsey Burkett

Preparing to buy a home is a big deal. It’s a huge investment that can feel confusing and overwhelming, making it difficult to even know where to start. Here are five tips that can help you take a deep breath and begin the process: 

1. Play around with a mortgage calculator to understand how mortgage rates affect your home buying budget

Most online mortgage calculators are free and you can find them on sites like Realtor.com or Google. Play around with the rate (enter the current rate, one quarter, one half and one full percent up and down from the current rate) to get a feel for what changes in the mortgage rate may mean for your monthly housing costs so you’re not surprised. This can help you get a feel for your budget range and timing – but keep in mind that not all fees are accounted for (ie: closing costs, pre-paids), which is why it’s important to chat with a local mortgage broker.

2. Get pre-approved

Understanding what lenders are willing to lend you, and what you have budgeted for a down payment and closing costs, is a pivotal first step in your home buying journey. A pre-approval letter is something that most sellers want to see when you’re making an offer. This will also help you establish what your budget range is before you start touring homes more seriously with a realtor.

Tip: find a knowledgeable lender or mortgage broker who will spend the time to break down a few different scenarios for you. 

3. Get to know your local market by keeping up with data and setting up automated searches

Read and follow national and local real estate news to get to know the market and trends. The National Association of Realtors releases a weekly podcast (called Real Estate Today) every Friday. Living Room gathers and posts regular local market updates on their social pages (@livingroomrealty). You can also find helpful tips and recommendations on my Instagram account: @kcb_portland.

Define your search criteria. What are your must-have’s vs nice-to-haves? You can set separate searches for each. Set up searches on sites like Realtor.com, Zillow or Redfin that automatically ping your email inbox with new or price reduced listings that fit your criteria in the neighborhoods you’re excited about.

Tip: Visit open houses! Talk to the host and ask about the market. This is real-time data and most realtors are happy to share. 

4. Be aware of seasonal trends, timing and inventory

If you’re looking to have the highest number of fresh homes to choose from, maximizing your potential to find just what you’re looking for, consider buying during a peak season (like late spring or summer). But be aware that competition is likely to be high and be ready to pay a slight premium.

Inventory in the winter tends to be low, but prices can often reflect this due to lower competition near the holidays and colder months where touring and curb appeal are lessened. 

5. Work with a realtor and team who you not only trust, but connect with

It’s quite literally our job to stay up-to-date on data, news and trends in our national and local market. Work with someone you know, like and trust. If you don’t know a realtor already, ask your friends, family or coworkers for a referral. It’s best to get connected with an agent at the start of your home buying journey so you can get aligned on your goals, criteria and prep. You want to be ready to write an offer quickly once you find “the one.” 

Added bonus: Many real estate brokers are well connected in the community and can provide you with knowledge, recommendations and referrals for your housing needs and beyond (we also love to eat and drink). Your realtor is there for you far past your home buying journey, so be sure to keep in touch!

If you’re interested in chatting about the market or want to explore your home ownership or investment goals, reach out! You can find me at @kcb_portland or kelsey@livingroomre.com.

Mid-century time capsule

Posted on by Living Room Realty

My clients Paul and Ashley were on the lookout for a home in SW Portland. They wanted to change up their experience of being in Portland after 5 years of living in busier parts of NE Portland. They were flexible on the style of the home, but they were hoping to find something that had solid bones and original detailing, with room to put their own stamp on it. They also wanted the chance to live on a quiet street and have some solid outdoor space that they could stretch out in.

We looked for a bit, and then eventually we toured a newly listed mid-century during Tuesday broker tour. The home was a gem, a single owner, custom designed house on 1/4 acre lot just outside of Multnomah Village. It had all the original appliances (charming, but not all that functional), but it also had exposed beams, and a great floor-plan. The downstairs had a mother in law style apartment as well, which was an added bonus. The previous owner had recently passed, and she had even mowed the lawn for the entire property into her early 90’s. It was a special property that fit the bill, really solid construction with a pride of ownership blend and tons of custom details.

We pushed hard for it, being the first to offer while maintaining close contact with the listing agent. As offers came in, I made sure Paul and Ashley knew where things stood as best as I could, and offered my advice on what I thought they needed to do to get the property. I always say my job is to provide as much advice and perspective as I can, so my clients can make the absolute best decision that feels right for them. In this case, they worked closely with their lender to understand all the pros and cons of their choices financially, and we updated their offer accordingly. In the end, they beat out 7 other offers and came away incredibly excited to get the house they truly wanted on the terms that felt right for them.

I’m so happy for my clients, and proud to have been of service in doing my part to make this deal come together and bring it to close.

8 Things to Know About Buying and Selling a Home at the Same Time

Posted on by Mel Marzahl

Selling your house and buying a new one at the same time can be a daunting task. It can be especially daunting when interest rates are high or inventory is low. But, with the right agent, planning, and approach, you can successfully navigate the market.

Here are 8 things to know to help you sell your house and buy a new one at the same time:

1. Work with a real estate agent.

Working with a knowledgeable and experienced real estate agent can help you navigate the market and ensure a successful sale and purchase.
As your realtor, I will help you price your house appropriately, market it effectively, and negotiate on your behalf. I also help you negotiate a fair price, terms, and repairs or closing credits if needed.

2. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage First.  

Before listing your home, obtain a mortgage pre-approval to determine your budget for the new home. Shop around for competitive rates.
I have a list of trusted lenders I’ve worked with and will provide the information they may need about your current home. If you’re moving to another state, I’ll connect you to an expert agent in that area from my national network.

3. Know the market.

Before listing your home, it is important to know the local real estate market. Knowing the market will help you price your home appropriately.
We’ll review a report of comparable properties, market data, and pricing strategy at your listing consultation. We’ll discuss how quickly it is likely to sell as-is, with some repairs, and/or with staging. Pricing appropriately is important to help you sell on your timeline and make the most of your investment.

4. Time your sale and purchase carefully.

Timing is key when it comes to selling your house and buying a new one at the same time. Ideally, you want to sell your house before you buy a new one. However, this is not always possible and comes with the logistical challenges of finding a place to stay between sales.
I’ll help with the logistics to make your move as smooth as possible. For example, I can negotiate for you to stay in your home for additional time after your sale closes. This is called a rent-back period and is relatively common and often free. If you need to buy a new home before selling your old one, speak with me and your lender about your options.

5. Have a backup plan.

Even with careful planning, there is always a small chance that something will come up. Sales fall through and other things can happen to cause delays.
I strategize your backup plan with you. Having a rental property or temporary housing booked in case you need to bridge the gap between selling your old house and buying a new one is helpful.

6. Consider renovation and staging.

You should always consider renovating or staging your home. This always results in getting you a higher price and quicker sale. A fresh coat of paint, new fixtures, and decluttering can go a long way in making your house more attractive to potential buyers.
When you choose to list your home with me, you’ll be given design and repair advice in your budget. I’ll provide a to-do list to prepare your home and references to contractors, stagers, cleaners, and movers.

7. Prepare to negotiate.

In a high-interest rate market, buyers may be more hesitant to make offers. Prepare yourself to negotiate on price and other terms to ensure a successful sale and purchase. Keep in mind that both parties want to make a deal, so be flexible and open to compromise.
We’ll review each offer thoroughly. I’ll navigate you through the negotiations to ensure you’re getting a fair price, making reasonable concessions, and meeting your goals for the sale.

8. Make a Strong Offer.

When you’re selling first and then buying, you might have challenges to overcome on the buying side such as finding a home at the right time, making contingent offers, getting your offer accepted, and closing in time to move from one home to the next.
Writing a strong offer that will get accepted in a multiple-offer situation is key. I’ll work with you to craft the perfect offer within your budget, on your timeline, and with terms that will stand out to a seller and their agent.

 

Selling your house and buying a new one at the same time can be challenging, especially in a high-interest rate market. But with the right planning and the help of your realtor and lender, you can successfully navigate the process.

If you’re thinking about making a move, I can help. Give me a call or text to get started or you can read my bio, and testimonials, or find me on Instagram to learn more about what it’s like to work with me.

Are ductless heat pumps right for you?

Posted on by Living Room Realty

As the Portland summers get hotter and drier, I finally decided that it was time to look at AC for my own home. With my primary bedroom upstairs, another summer of unbearable heat at night was off the table for me. I have a forced air gas furnace, so I initially considered adding AC to my ducted system that was already in place. However, living in a 1940’s home with no return vent on the second floor meant that any cooling that reached the second floor was likely going to be a trickle, and not nearly enough to cool the space like I would need. Therefore I would likely also need a ductless heat pump for my upstairs.

I pivoted to ductless heat pump systems, aka mini splits for the whole home. These heat and cool spaces extremely efficiently, but target only specific areas of the house. Each unit is called a head, and there are different size compressors depending on how many heads you want to run. I opted for a three head system, one for my upstairs, and one for each common space of my main floor. The hope was that the two units downstairs would be able to cool secondary spaces like the bedrooms via ambient air flow moving through the house. In the winter I’ll add a couple in wall heaters for the bedrooms.

As someone who always lived in homes with central heating, it’s a very different experience having the heat pumps. Gas furnaces always felt very noticeable to me from the roar of the furnace, but the air flow was very subtle coming out of the vents. The mini-splits are much more present in their look, being attached to the walls around eye level. The air flow is also more present as it circulates through the room and is focused only from the unit as opposed to several registers around each room. The units are really effective in the temperature of the air it produces, blowing cold and hot.

Designing a system for an older home can be tricky though. In my experience the heat pumps don’t travel down hallways very well. Cooling my main level bedrooms has proved more difficult than I would have liked. I also had to relocate my upstairs unit to maximize its potential. All in all, I’m glad that I chose these units, especially as we transition toward an electrified future of renewables over natural gas. However, understanding a homes heating and cooling system can be complicated, and having a team to work with who will help guide you through it is key. Similar to building my ADU, I find direct experience is invaluable in guiding my clients through understanding the process and helping to set expectations. I’m always happy to help, and please let me know if you have any questions!

We Sold a Firehouse!

Posted on by Sean Patrick O'Feery
My wonderful clients Abby and Everett found their unicorn of a home in the form of a firehouse! They had been looking for something specific for quite some time now and found it in this converted firehouse. Everett uses a wheelchair for mobility and loves cars so a big home all on one level with a spacious garage is the dream!
I helped Everett and Abby to find their Alberta Arts bungalow in 2017. They have retrofitted and styled out their home and it was perfect until they had twins!! With a family of four, their beautiful bungalow started to seem small and then came COVID and finding space for a home office too.
One afternoon, I got the call that there was something interesting that came onto the market. A big part of this profession is to be ready when opportunity arises! The three of us got out right away to see this converted firehouse and made a strong offer, beating out two other offers, one by terms the other by price.
The house is not perfect yet, but I’m certain that with the design and style that Everett and Abby bring to their homes, it will soon be amazing AND a perfect fit for who they are as a family.
Congratulations! It is an honor to be your Realtor of choice and I’m looking forward to the sale of your Alberta Arts  home this spring.
If you’re looking for a responsive agent that can tailor service to your specific needs, I would be happy to be a resource for you. Let’s go find your UNICORN!!

 

Just Sold: A Streetcar “Loft” Called Desire

Posted on by Living Room Realty

JUST SOLD

1030 NW 12th Ave #210
Portland, OR 97209

SOLD AT: $299,900

STUDIO | 1 BATH | 610 SQFT
MLS# 21593452 

I met Austin by way of introduction by my colleague Bonnie Roseman. She was in a pinch and needed some assistance with someone familiar with condos. Austin was only in town for a weekend trip, and had set aside one day to do a tour-de-force of condo tours and I was lucky enough to be available to take him around the urban core of Portland and see a variety of homes that fit his budget and needs. We ranged from the Central Business District, to the Waterfront, Old Town, the Pearl District, NW Portland, Lloyd District, and areas of SE Portland as well. Austin was able to weigh the pros and cons of the various buildings, the associated HOA amounts (which varied greatly), and the difference between something built from the ground up in the last 20 years vs apartment conversions which ranged to almost 50-100 years old. The great thing about Austin was that he absorbed everything I relayed to him evenly, and processed it in a very thorough analysis of what worked best for him.

When we wrapped up, he landed on the decision to make an offer on a studio loft at the Streetcar Loft Condominiums in the North end of the Pearl District. Built in 2001, this iconic building sits along NW Lovejoy and features the large letters “GO BY STREETCAR” displayed on a corner of the building. Perfectly situated along the streetcar line, a few blocks away from grocery stores, shopping, and restaurants, this was a perfect mix of what Austin was looking for. It was also built to newer standards, than many of the other conversions we had seen, and included a rooftop garden, gym, and common room as part of the building Amenities.

We worked with Ethan Sackfield of the Mike Maier Mortgage Team with Fairway Mortgage on the financing side, and he hit it out of the park. His communication to all parties kept us up to date on where things were from their side, and had loan docs out and were ready to close early if we desired. In Real Estate transactions, we tend to get a bit jaded and expect the sky to fall any minute, but that was never the case here and it was a welcome change (and feeling) to not have to worry about anything at the 11th hour.

Lauren Sheehan and her team at the Sheehan Home Group of EXP Realty, LLC. did a wonderful job representing the Seller and were great on communication, follow-up and ability to put a deal together. I hope I have the chance to work with them again.

Congrats and welcome home Austin!

 

 

 

all photos courtesy of Lauren Sheehan of EXP Realty, LLC

Another Contingent Offer, Another Success Story

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Dillon and Lindsey came my way via referral and were looking to make a move to Portland from the East Coast. They were transparent about their needs for finding a home, but had to have it contingent on the sale of their home back East to be able to make it work. Contingent offers are never an easy proposition in a Seller’s market, so we had to keep our eyes peeled for the perfect home for themselves and their 4 boys. We came across a home in Ashcreek, sandwiched in between Multnomah Village and Garden Home, that fit the bill for them. On a cul-de-sac, 4 Bedrooms, den, and most importantly, in Portland, where family already was. This home had been on the market longer than the average, so we felt that it might be a good candidate for entertaining a contingent offer.

Dillon and Lindsey were the model of great communication, and after a FaceTime tour of the home, we made an offer. After some finessing of the timing for them to put their home on the market, we were able to get their contingent offer accepted. They navigated their timelines to list their home, get it on the market with their Realtor back East, and quickly accepted an offer and went pending. That began our timelines for their purchase, and we proceeded to conduct inspections, navigate repairs, have appraisal conducted (and it appraised!), and we had their financing ready to go for a timely closing. Thanks to Matt Jolivette at Associated Mortgage Brokers for his work on that side of things.

Cheers Dillon, Lindsey and Family! I hope your new home in Portland brings you the nearness to your family you were hoping for, and some extra set of hands for the boys!

JUST SOLD

6317 SW Bently Ct

Portland, Oregon 97219

LISTED AT: $658,000| SOLD AT: $658,000

4 BEDROOM | 2.1 BATH | 2,316 SQFT
MLS# 21379299 

photo courtesy of Eric Zechenelly of Willamette Equity Brokerage LLC

Thinking Outside the Box

Posted on by Veronica Powell

In this crazy market, with single family homes garnering hoards of offers, thinking outside the box might be a strategy to get you into a home.  Condos aren’t for everyone, but if it might be a fit for you, maybe step outside of your comfort zone and consider what condo living might be like.  Oftentimes, they are in very walkable areas with amenities nearby.  Not all condos are in big towers either.  Some are townhouses or cottages.  Leave the craziness behind and get cozy in a condo. If you would like some help narrowing down your search to areas you would like, or if you have a condo you’d like to sell. I’m happy to help.

Veronica Powell

503.936.3475

Veronica@LivingRoomRE.com

Leap of Faith!

Posted on by Erika George & Kari McGee

 

KUDOS to Bill and Sara for closing on this property with HUGE potential.  Bill was on his way to pick up his son from golf lessons when he stumbled across three adjoining properties for sale.  Bill immediately saw the potential and called his wife Sara.  Well, actually first he called us, and then he called his wife, Sara, but he sounds like a much better husband the first way.  We were able to help him get an offer accepted right away (despite multiple offers from other buyers — beginners’ luck!).

 

Bill is “two thumbs up” excited!  Sara?  Maybe a tepid one thumbs up, but she is taking a leap of faith and believes in Bill’s vision.  We know that this property will shine when they have completed their vision.  We are looking forward to seeing the end results.  Does this all sound a little vague and mysterious?  Well, that’s because the first rule of rehab club is . . . . Well, you know!

 

Are you looking for inspiration?  Have dared to let yourself dream about investment opportunities?  We want to help make your most daring dreams come true.  Call us!

When a low appraisal can be a blessing in disguise

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Sometimes a low appraisal isn’t always the downfall of a deal. When the appraisal comes in low, as the contract is written, it triggers the buyers financing contingency (this can be waived by the buyers in their offer if they choose to). When Michael and Rebecca got the news this happened to them, they were discouraged as they were already at the top of their price point. In their case, the financing contingency was triggered and we had 3 business days to come to agreement on how to proceed, or risk termination of the deal and a refund of their earnest money. We reviewed the appraisal report with the listing agent, and found that there was a justifiable reason the appraiser submitted the report as they did. We worked towards appealing the report to see if we could gain any momentum on a revision of the report, but the comparable properties that we found by that point likely wouldn’t have made any difference. We stated our case to the listing agent and sellers as to why they should drop the price point from the offer down to the appraised value. In this case, the sellers conceded and we wrote an addendum with a price revision. My buyers were very excited, and in this case, the appraisal ended up being a benefit to them.

This is certainly not always the case – it’s a negotiation, and while meeting in the middle is often times the result of a low appraisal, sometimes it works out that the motivations of all parties are a win-win to get the deal done.

I complimented my buyers on their ability to maintain a cool focus and keep their eye on the prize through the whole transaction. I believe that sometimes small concessions throughout the deal to maintain a good working relationship can have bigger impacts as a deal progresses. For Michael and Rebecca, this really paid off, and they’re on their way to closing today on their first home.

We Appreciate You

Posted on by Living Room Realty

To our beautiful clients –

Thank you so much for the wild ride we’ve had over the past year. It’s been amazing to see your dedication and commitment to riding the bidding war wave alongside Chris and I in finding the perfect house. We are thankful that by the time we close on a home we can call one another friends. And to all of our sellers, it’s been especially exciting to see how hard you’ve  worked to finish all of your projects and allow us to work alongside of  you to reach your goal. We’ve been in awe of those of you that picked up a paint brush, busted out your neighbor’s pressure washer and tiled your own floors all by yourself.  Having never tiled before!  We’re so thrilled and humbled that you chose to work with Chris and I.  It is always a big deal to us that we get to go on this ride with you — thanks for giving us the chance to help each other grow!

Cheers,

Tracy and Chris

The Highest Honor

Posted on by Sean Patrick O'Feery
When I received the call from Lillian to work with her mother it was so excited. To be referred to a family member in this important business of finding a home, is truly the highest honor.
Thank you to Lillian and Justin for the referral!  They are friends and clients I have gotten to work with twice and now. Barbara, Lillian’s mother,  just sold her Belmont townhome to move to a lovely home in the Mt Tabor neighborhood with a yard of her own.  It was a pleasure to see where your grace and poise come from.
Thank you, Barbara for being on top of it all: prepping your home for a great sale, document transmission, email communication, lenders requests and the 100 other things that it takes to have a smooth sale and then to purchase a new home.
I was honored to be on point for you and look forward to having you as a neighbor. Congratulations on your new home!!
If you are looking for a trusted Real Estate Agent don’t hesitate to call.

0% Down Success Story!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

There are lots of great programs out there to help buyers become home owners with a variety of down payment options.  A lender colleague of mine sent me a couple who were using the 0% down program.  It’s a great tool for people who can clearly make a mortgage payment but don’t have a huge savings, so basically MOST people.  The hard part in the Portland market is that you’re competing with multiple offers who usually have large down payments.  The reason why it puts the buyer at a disadvantage is because there are several components to an offer that make it strong.  There’s price, down payment, earnest money deposit, inspection period, closing costs, etc….

From a seller’s perspective, a 0% down payment means that the bank is 100% responsible for the loan if the buyers should stop making their payments.  In a real estate deal, when it’s time for the appraisal they will be looking hard at the house to make sure there’s nothing that might put the bank at risk for taking on 100% of the loan.  What that can translate to is the seller having to make repairs in order for the buyer to get their loan.  Most often a seller will go with not just the highest price but the strongest down payment because it puts them at less of risk.

All that said, it’s a challenge to find a house without multiple offers.  These clients were very specific about what they wanted.  It had to be a 3 bedroom in Kenton or Portsmouth.  We looked at all the old inventory to see if there were any overlooked gems but there wasn’t too much sitting there.  It didn’t take long before a house popped up directly across from my old house in Kenton where my kids live half the time with their other mom.  I happened to know the seller because he was my neighbor for 10 years.  The buyers loved the house and location so we wasted no time getting our offer in.  Miraculously, they accepted it the same day.

The rest was smooth sailing because the hardest part was finding the right house and finding a seller who was willing to work with us.  I thought this process might take months but we were able to find it in a matter of weeks.  Now we have some awesome new queer neighbors and kids across the street.  Congrats Jean and Sarah!!!  Come borrow eggs or butter anytime!

Why Have a Buyer’s Agent

Posted on by Aryne + Dulcinea

Thanks to Zillow, Redfin and a host of other websites, shopping for a new home has never been easier. Most of the time you can connect directly to a real estate agent who can open a door and show you any home you want to see. Convenient, yes? Same as having a real estate agent of your own? NOT EVEN CLOSE.

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you’re ready to connect with a real estate agent. Your agent is your advocate and your guide from beginning your property search to closing on your new home – whether it takes a month, a year or a decade. An initial meeting with an agent carries no obligation but offers you the chance to learn about the home buying process, what you’ll need set up in order to write offers, how to get pre-approved for financing and how inspections work. Then if you are selling property it’s essential to have the best local estate agent. When we sold some property in Bristol we used these who are easily the best estate agents in Bristol so they are a very good example of that, and we got an amazing price for the property.

Once you do decide to work with us, we make you and your home search a priority. Agents look for homes right along with you and make sure that you don’t miss a great opportunity. We also know how to gather more information on neighborhoods and schools. We know what red flags to look for when touring a home and when we see a great deal we can bring it to you directly. We’ll get to know you, your likes and dislikes, your needs, and the features that would enhance your quality of life. In essence, we are at your service and our working relationship with you is paramount. You won’t have to give up Zillow or Redfin searches if you work with us, but you will get better access to houses, complete information on properties, pricing and offer deadlines, and you’ll be able to get an offer submitted the moment you are ready to write.

About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped over 200 clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.

 

A House For RaRa

Posted on by Leanne Bach

I’m going to talk about one of my all time favorite home love stories that recently happened. I feel like I appreciate these little victories even more now, due to the pandemic.

Right after my daughter was born, I received a referral from some friends for a family relocating to Portland. Being a fairly new mom herself, my client and I bonded over our interests in cooking and our knack for sending late night emails when our children were asleep. Her family included her husband, son and her mother, whom is nicknamed RaRa by her grandson (my daughter thinks this is her real name).

Fast forward almost 5 years and this family and I vacation together. Our children play and argue and make believe to their heart’s content and the adults discuss how nice it would be to make a compound for us all to live in. Not a REAL compound, of course, but houses right next to each other so we can watch each other’s kids, have late night visits and sleepovers and parties where nobody has to drive home. “Future goals,” we said! 

Although my clients fit perfectly into their house, RaRa had a plan to move out eventually, when her grandson was older and in school. She wanted space of her own, as we all do. She started poking around here and there, but nothing screamed out as being the perfect house. The goal was to be within walking distance, mind you, the neighborhood they live in is very popular. Properties go for a premium and competition is fierce. I knew if I saw anything hit the market that I felt would be suitable for RaRa, I’d have to move quickly.

One night, I was perusing properties for my own purchase and came across a lovely house that was literally 1 block down from my friends. I texted them all immediately, stating how exciting it would be to be their neighbor, when the lightbulb exploded in my face and I realized how perfect it would be for RaRa. Unbelievable. This would be too perfect for them. We are mid-pandemic at this point and haven’t seen each other for a few months. We all met at the property with our face masks and sanitizer in tow. Even through all the barriers, the excitement was palpable. We found THE house for RaRa. We made an offer right away and I made sure to put a package together that the sellers could not refuse. Failure was not an option. And we got it. “Hands down,” the seller’s agent said. 

Inspections went well and we closed without any drama, of course. My clients have not been able to move in yet, because the sellers are waiting for their new home to be built, but we are all excited for our future gatherings there. Easter egg hunts where our kids can run in circles around the house, within the safety of a fenced yard. Watching people walking through the farmers markets from the amazing front porch. Sitting on the back patio after sundown, enjoying our wine over the fire table. The kids pitching a tent in the front yard, the backyard or the sideyard, ha ha! I’m simply over the moon that RaRa can be so close to her family and not only enjoy her own space, but have her grandchild run back and forth from his home to hers, which is so important for her. It’s like a dream come true. Now I have two homes on the same block that will always be a home away from home.

 

The Hot Spot

Posted on by Aryne + Dulcinea

Shopping for a home in the $350,000 – $500,000 range? Want cute and dialed in the inner city? You may have to fight for your right to…own a house. In the last 4 weeks, the competition in Portland has heated up. Many multiple offer situations are back, so before you write that offer, do as much research about the house as possible. Be thorough before writing an offer by looking at the property on portlandmaps.com, driving around to be sure you like the location, spending enough time in the home to know it will work for you.

 

 

About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped over 200 clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.

First time buying in a pandemic

Posted on by Living Room Realty

I started working with Bryan and Maeve back in February when we were all living in our pre-Covid worlds. We toured together, wrote competitive offers and ended up in back-up position a couple of times. When everything escalated in March, they moved from backup to first position on a house in NE Portland. It seemed perfect, that they might be able to get into their new home right before the lock down really changed how we search for homes. Alas, my very thorough home inspector discovered that the house was built on a brick foundation under the concrete. They thankfully pulled out of that deal and decided to take a pause.

As the very long month of March turned to April, and we got more information on how to more safely tour homes, we started up the search again. They were offered backup position on another great house in NE Portland, before finally finding their perfect house just a few blocks away. It had been renovated (with permits!), but the original charm of the house was very much still intact. We moved very quickly presenting a strong offer, and organized all the necessary contractors to complete a thorough inspection. We were able to negotiate a lot of the more serious needs (see my previous post: a sewer scope is the best $125 inspection). The transaction went really smoothly, and we were able to close quickly. As we don’t have five or hug right now, we did a dance of joy in the living room on the key hand off.

My buyers are so excited to be moving into their first home. It was three years of hard work and saving that made it possible for them, and now they can stretch out in their big back yard and cute, cozy house.

Just Sold in Tigard

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Earlier this Spring my clients Brooke and Jeff reached out about purchasing a home Tigard. We have worked together before and I was honored when they asked for my help again. They already had an ideal location and price point in mind and we discussed how competitive it might be to find a home in that area. As we prepared ourselves for a potentially long and difficult search, this charming one-story ranch came on the market in the much beloved Hambach Park neighborhood. Luckily, we were able to move quickly and locked it down on the first day. It is always a joy to work with clients over the years as their real estate needs change and evolve. Congrats Jeff and Brooke, it has been a privilege to help you find this home!

Her First Home Renovation

Posted on by Bobby Curtis

I Want to Fix Up an Old House

Tasa first reached out to me in 2018. She had seen some of the work I’ve done, and expressed a deep interest to buy and renovate a house. She also “warned me” she had no home renovation experience outside of her own, but as a professional home stager, she had design sense.  Had work was second nature to Tasa, and that she had a successful janitorial business for over 20 years helped.

That said, we started off on the journey to get Tasa ready to take on a renovation project. From finding a funding source, to vetting contractors, we went through many of the ins and outs of house flipping.

The Modern Kenton Ranch

Nine months later we found this sweet Portland ranch in the Kenton neighborhood. Because she was skeptical at first, Tasa passed it up. While it was a smaller size house, which was appropriate for her first project, it was still in pretty rough shape. It was certainly rougher than what she was looking for. After weeks of searching, I asked her if she would reconsider the Kenton house. We went back for another look, and something changed. All of a sudden she was ready to go, and this time around Tasa knew this was the renovation for her.

And so it was.  We wrote that offer. Her offer was the only one, and the sellers accepted. While I knew she had it in her, I was impressed every step of the way. Her quality job and dedication was distinct, and she spent almost everyday at the house until the renovation was complete, including her birthday. She expressed to me that taking this leap was something she had talked about for 10 years. I’m very proud, and it’s been a privilege to work with her. It’s not a surprise that she’s already onto her next renovation. That one will be coming soon in Milwaukie, Oregon.

 

 

 

Interested in other home renovations, check out this Portland Farmhouse I restored in the Montavilla neighborhood here.

Bobby Curtis
Principle Broker
Licensed in Oregon
Licensed Contractor
CCB# 215071
503-502-3066

Good Karma, Great Home

Posted on by Mel Marzahl

Me, Aaron, and Carol after he finished singing his closing documents!

The first time I sat down with Aaron was the first week of June, 2019. He told me about his goal of buying a house and how he wasn’t sure about the process just yet. More importantly, he shared with me his motivations.

Aaron told me about his little brother who he had taken in just about a year prior. He is in middle school and adjusting well since his move up from TX. Aaron also told me about how he really wanted to move his mom up from TX to live with him to so he could live with her and make sure she is taken care of.

At this point I’m practically in tears about what a selfless and caring guy Aaron is. BUT THEN, he goes on to tell me about how he is into community building. He helps all these different people out in small and big ways all while working 10 hr or more days 5+ days/week. (I mean… if anyone deserves a home to call their own, it’s Aaron, right?) We continued to connect over a love of classic cars, he loves working on old Cadillacs and other cars. My dad has been restoring old Corvettes forever and my husband designs and builds custom motorcycles.

He hadn’t decided to hire me just yet, but I would be damned if I didn’t get to help him achieve his goals! I told him I would be honored to be his agent and would do whatever I could to help him get there. I explained how Living Room Realty stands by and truly lives out our values. I thought they would resonate with him and I think they did. Last, I asked if I could put him in touch with a great mortgage consultant and he agreed.

Aaron worked really hard after this meeting. I connected him with Carol Flanagan at Guild Mortgage and she assisted with him from that point on to repair and build his credit. He listened to her advice and by about Thanksgiving he had a pre-approval letter in hand. He qualified for the Oregon Bond Program, an FHA loan that provides down payment assistance to help buyers like him get into the market and start building equity.

Aaron and his girlfriend, Kjiersten, outside their new home!

Once he was ready, we went out and saw just about every home on the market that met his criteria in about 3-4 days. We wrote an offer right away on a turn-key ranch in SE that checked all the boxes. While there was another offer practically the same as his, he won out after bumping up his price just enough. I was also able to negotiate just over $2000 in closing credits, along with a home warranty paid for by the seller. We closed 35 days later, which was  7 months and 3 days after I first met with him.

Watching him sign his closing papers was emotional because it reminded me of why I love this job so much. Aaron worked really hard to get to the signing table. I am so proud of the work everyone did, especially Aaron, to get him the keys to his new home.

Congrats Aaron!

Little Gem’s in the $300K’s

Posted on by Veronica Powell

 

There aren’t many, but this little cutie goes to show you that some diligence, realistic expectations and a good amount of elbow grease can truly make your dreams of homeownership come true.

If you’d like some help finding your little gem, I’d be happy to guide you through this adventure.

Veronica Powell
Veronica@LivingRoomRE.com
503.936.3475

To every season turn , turn, turn . . . .

Posted on by Erika George & Kari McGee

Chris, Nicole and five year-old Alma came to us last Spring with fresh enthusiasm as first-time home buyers. Having rented for many years in a home and neighborhood they loved, they had never been super motivated to buy. They had also been intimated by the stories of the “cut throat” sellers’ market of prior years. But, with the start of elementary school for Alma “right around the bend,” they thought the timing was right to make the plunge into home ownership. Unfortunately, despite all of the talk of a cooling market, they found competition at every turn. Turns out they have GREAT taste in homes — they seemed to like the same houses that everyone else did!

Their Summer disappointments were “not for nothing” however. They learned to evaluate their priorities, readjust their expectations, and became experts at acting quickly when a house peaked their interest. We had a feeling that Fall would be the sweet spot for them in terms of timing. With Alma enrolled in Kindergarten at a K-8 school they loved, they could open up their location parameters to include other adjacent neighborhoods with less desirable schools. Moreover, even though there is usually less inventory in the Fall/Winter months, there are usually less active buyers as well, and sellers who weren’t able to sell in the summer are motivated!

In mid-October, we leaned that this DARLING Rose City Park home was going on the market. It was perfect for Chris, Nicole and Alma in all ways — right layout, lovely yard, excellent condition AND in their dream neighborhood. It was literally around the corner from their rental house. They toured it as soon as it hit the market and made an offer right away. Once again, there were multiple offers, but with their summer experience under their belt, Chris and Nicole decisively made the terms of their offer very attractive and wrote a kick-ass letter to the seller about their connection to the neighborhood and what they loved about the house. They stretched their comfort zone in calculated/low risk ways. Their were tears around (realtors included) when we got the word the house was theirs.

Nicole and Alma received the keys to their new home last week. (Chris was at work!) Alma quickly made the house their “home” by placing her artwork on the refrigerator. It was a joyous day indeed, and, while moving during the holidays is less than ideal, their willingness to wait for the right season earned them the house of their dreams!

Congratulations Nicole, Chris and Alma — it was a pleasure guiding you through the seasons!

Make it your own, N Portland

Posted on by Living Room Realty

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Brian and Bianca on the purchase of their new home in St. John’s. We toured throughout the city to find a home that would be a great fit for them with a budget in the low 300K’s. They didn’t need a lot of space, and were focused on finding a 2 bedroom home in good condition, with a great yard for their puppers. After touring different neighborhoods, they kept coming back to St. John’s as being the area that felt like home to them.

We found this great little house that had been rehabbed on the exterior. The inside had newer carpet put in, and some paint– aka light cosmetics, but the exterior had a new roof, siding, paint, and windows. They loved the original details of the house, including the 10 ft ceilings inside which made the home feel larger. They also love a project, and wanted to make it their own with the interior design. With the shell of the house ready to go, they were really excited to be able to put their personal stamp on it. We did all the inspections, and were able to negotiate a new sewer line, as well as a new furnace.

I’m so excited to see what Brian and Bianca do with their renovation, and for them to be in their preferred neighborhood with such a solid home.

I’m always happy to have coffee/tea or a drink and talk about what’s important to you in your purchase! Please reach out and be in touch.

Multnomah Village People

Posted on by Veronica Powell
Walkable to Spring Garden Park and Multnomah Village.   This sweet house is just what this delightful young  family was looking for.  Wishing them so many fun strolls in the neighborhood!
 If you would like help finding your perfect home give me a call. I’m happy to help.
Veronica Powell
Veronica@LivingRoomRE.com
503.936.3475

From Piedmont to Woodstock – A Renaissance Home for my Buyers

Posted on by Living Room Realty

I had helped Ivan and Heather sell their Piedmont home back in November and they had been living with relatives ever since. When I received their call about being ready to begin their home search, it was the start of Spring and things were beginning to trickle in on the market.

They were far out on the West side and wanted back over on the East side of the River.  Open to anywhere from St. Johns all the way down to SW Portland, but their ideal home was located close in NE or SE Portland. A home that they could enjoy with their young daughter and ideally have family members stay with them from time to time. They stressed that a multi-generational house was ideal, one with a kitchen where they could share their love of cooking with their daughter, and a place for Ivan to work from, as he worked from home a few days out of the week.

Ivan is a Commercial Banker and his knowledge of how interest rates affect buying power was key to getting the home they wanted. As our search progressed from Early Spring to Late Spring, then from Early Summer into late Summer, we felt like we had exhausted everything on the market. Their price point started in the low $400k range, but due to lowering interest rates, they were able to keep increasing their price point and as they did, new types of homes started opening up. More importantly, homes that were in their target areas. Most Buyer’s aren’t sure how fluctuations in interest rates can affect the monthly payments, but Ivan did, and he was keenly aware of how a shift of a 1/4 percentage down, increased what they could purchase.

Enter this lovely 2014 built Renaissance Home located in the Woodstock neighborhood. It was at the absolute top of my client’s price point, but it stood out amongst the turn of the century homes and tall skinny builds littered through the city that we had toured. We needed a few rounds of negotiation to get the property at a point where it worked for my clients, but with an extremely professional Listing Team from Home Team Realty, we were able to get the parties into an agreement and a month later, Ivan and Heather became homeowners once more.

Congrats to Ivan, Heather and Olivia on their new home. I hope it brings many happy memories in the years to come!

 

 

The 125 Year Old Lady

Posted on by Veronica Powell

This 125 year old lady has many stories to tell.  Joyful stories.  Sad stories.  And many, many everyday stories of life and love. This Victorian Lady is overjoyed to have her new owners write the next chapter for her.

Wishing the new owners many peaceful mornings on the patio, joyful celebrations in the kitchen, and memories that last a lifetime.
Year Built: 1894
Style: Victorian
Sold: 8/30/19 at $500,000

My Favorite Murderino!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

My Favorite Murderino!

It was a day like any other; commute to work, do the work things, and post work gym session.  What Tamra didn’t know was what was lurking for her around the corner.

She grew up in a wholesome family, surrounded by love and the common trials and tribulations of a young woman.  Working her way into a solid career path with a well known ‘swoosh’ company, she was happy and feeling quite fulfilled.

On this particular day, Tamra received a chilling phone call from a family member.  It was her brother, and he needed her to meet with him immediately.  He’d known for awhile something wasn’t quite right in Tamra’s life.  She’d mentioned that being a life long renter had created an empty hole in her heart.  She’d grown more weary in recent years and wasn’t sure how much more of the Portland commute she could bear.

I became involved right away since this crucial life decision needed professional (free) representation.  Tamra and I toured the property and discussed all the likely suspects that could come up during inspections.  It was later, on inspection day, that I was made aware that she too, is a murderino!

After much negotiation, and long hours worked to compile all the data, appraisal report, and timelines, this home was hers!

Although not a murder house, or any suspect for a creepy seeded history, this home will be filled with many memories and stories to share.  The only crime here was being guilty of making a great investment.  If that’s a crime, this murderino is expected to be a repeat offender.

As always, SSDGM, and also, to heck with crazy work commutes!

 

Congratulations to my favorite murderino and new home owner!

 

503-840-2842

If you’d like help buying, selling, or small space planning, I’d love to be a part of your team too!

Love Wins!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Life is full of surprises isn’t it? You go about your life doing all of the things, having so much fun, and generally loving how things are going. Then something happens to shake it all up. In this case that something was love – cue the choir of, “awe..” But really, two of the most adorable and sweet men I’ve had the pleasure of meeting found each other and just couldn’t imagine living apart. We had a great time hanging out, found their new home in no time, and I couldn’t be more excited that they now have keys! Congratulations gentlemen! xx

Overlook Decolow: When Bungalow and Deco Meet

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Chris and Andrea are transplants from Los Angeles and after settling in the Pacific Northwest for the last six months, were sold on Portland and ready to start looking for their new home: what would turn out to be a 1942 Overlook Bungalow with some serious Deco flare.

Andrea is an architect and has an eye for design. They both wanted to be able to commute via public transportation – her to downtown and him to OHSU, so we began by looking at neighborhoods that would offer them a less than an hour commute via bus or train.

It was also important for them to have a house with character and a yard, no shared wall, bathtub, two toilets, fireplace and walkability. I loved that they knew what they wanted!

They basically manifested this darling Overlook Bungalow-Deco (Bungaleco? Decolow?) that had been sitting on the market for awhile.

We scooped it up for a great price, negotiated an additional credit and repairs, and they’re closing in time to enjoy Portland’s perfect summer. Bonus: the lender waived appraisal, which means it really was a steal.

Andrea has plans for the hardwoods and kitchen, and I’m so excited to see what they do with it. There are so many beautiful original details, but the deco doorways get me every time I’m there.  And, they even had a view of the downtown from their Master attic space.

These two were dream clients: decisive, design-savvy, and witty. I find myself laughing every time I get to spend time with them (note to self: find more sarcastic/witty/dry clients).

Looking for a Decolow? Or to buy or sell in Portland? Reach out here.

Or get social with me here.

Newlyweds on Mississippi Ave

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Newlyweds on Mississippi Ave  Newlyweds on Mississippi Ave  Newlyweds on Mississippi Ave

Oh, hey. Let me introduce you some of my favorite clients. Meet Emily and Jason!

Newly(ish) married and working professionals, these two wanted a low maintenance home in a walkable area. We looked at a few homes that were further out and they quickly realized that they wanted to be closer-in, and would sacrifice a yard for great restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. As long as there was space for a “shoe room.”

After I previewed the GORGEOUS condo on Skidmore and Mississippi, I emailed them both and said, “Newlywed Soph would be all about this one.”

Matt’s BBQ, Por Que No?, The Rambler, Paxton Gate, Pistils Nursery…the list goes on. All within walking distance too.

Jason was smitten as soon as he walked in (he showed up a bit earlier than Emily), and tried to stifle his excitement to allow her the ability to form her own opinion. She was quickly, equally as smitten.

I mean, the master bathroom looks like it belongs in a luxury hotel.

I’m so excited for these two! They are decisive, smart, kind and stylish and will make amazing neighbors. This was a perfect first buy for them.

Congrats, Emily and Jason! I can’t wait to come stay…errr, visit you!

Interested in buying or selling in Portland? Reach out!

ADU Magic is in the air, reach out and grab it!

Posted on by Sean Patrick O'Feery
We set out to find a small and stylish affordable home here in Portland area at a starter home price. There are, and were, a few really good options out there, but none of them had that spark the creates the excitement it takes to sign on the bottom line.
UNTIL!  She found a home that fit the bill with an ADU for just a little over $100k more then the original price point we were looking in. Now, I know not everyone can do this, but if you can afford to, the rewards are there. Her plan is to live in one and rent the other. If she wants more room at a later time, she can switch from the small house to the larger one. If she wants her family to live with her for a time, they can have her own house. The flexibility is such a huge value and the rental income offset means her payments are significantly less than the mortgage for the home we were looking for when we started out.
I am so proud to help with this purchase, it’s a big step ahead in the financial stability of a good friend.
As the owner of a home and ADU, I want to express the value and flexibility that comes with this form of home ownership. If you can qualify for the purchase, the rewards are enduring.
Call me if you’d like to own a little piece of your own magic!

Patience is rewarding …

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux

Kaola travels a lot for work and lives a very full life. Hunting for a home can be challenging because inventory is unpredictable and fast moving.  Often great possibilities would pop up when she was out of town and then nothing would come on while she was available. Kaola remained patient and her spirit did not waiver.  Our commitment to maximize the time she had helped her know what she wanted and led her to the perfect home when it finally arrived … A great neighborhood, solid home, and plenty of space to have a housemate if she so desires!  The time spent house hunting with Kaola will be missed but we are so happy for her to have a home! 

Jessica + Karim

Patient REALTORS®, Home Hunters & Finders

 

Decisiveness at its best …

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux

Wow, Jenny and Will are a powerhouse couple and wonderful people!  They had their eyes set on moving to Portland.  When an opportunity to relocate became available in Jenny’s company they jumped and immediately reached out to a Portland friend for a REALTOR® recommendation … We got the call!

After our conference call we hit the ground running!  As we awaited Jenny’s arrival to tour homes we utilized the time to virtually hunt! Discussing properties in depth, reviewing video walk throughs, and learning more about the neighborhoods of interest, more than prepared all of us for the Tour-Palooza.  Jenny landed at 9, we toured 15 homes, and she hopped back on an airplane at 6pm. They were in contract to buy a home just a couple days later… WOW!

Their decisiveness & commitment to the process was displayed in every step of the transaction and they were on top of everything.  When I called to say the house had closed, we chatted about how great this has been and in that moment I realized I’d forgotten that EVERY other REALTOR® experience Jenny and Will had experienced was underwhelming.  Consequently, their words expressing how wonderful buying in Portland was for them mean that much more.  We are so grateful for your trust and are honored to have exceeded your expectations because you deserve only the best!

Jessica

Advocate, Counselor, REALTOR®

Achieving Goals!

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux

After growing up in St. Helens with an amazing family consisting of 6 boys, Josh set his eyes on a career as a firefighter. He worked hard to put himself through school and volunteer at Columbia River Fire & Rescue. Josh set his goal for his ultimate dream job:  to work at Portland Fire and Rescue. He received the call of a lifetime, an offer to begin his career as a Firefighter Paramedic in the city he had come to know and love, Portland.  Now it was time to achieve his second goal … home ownership! Just as he did with his career, he started this process with complete commitment and found an amazing first home where his 5 brothers will help him put on a new roof. It’s fabulous to achieve goals & it is awesome to have a great family!

Jessica + Karim 

REALTORS® + Goal Achievement Specialists