So stoked to represent the buyer for this gorgeous Tangerine Dream home in Alberta Arts! This was one of my favorite transactions ever – one of the first homes where the moment I heard of it I KNEW this was the one for Jim. I sent it to him a few weeks before it went live on the MLS – the only photo I had was street view. He was hesitant, but came to the open house I held a few weeks later.
LO AND BEHOLD! HE LOVED IT! He was set on offering on another home that morning, but when he saw “Tangerine Dreams” he agreed with me, THIS WAS THE ONE.
This only scratches the surface of this awesome story – consummate professionals all around (another Living Room agent on the “other side!) and a smooth process all the way to the end.
After a month of dedicated searching and writing offers in the most competitive price point, my client beat out 5 other offers to get an accepted offer in NE Portland on his first home! This home hits on all his requested features – vintage “Atomic” kitchen, large roomy garage, and a great location close to cafes and easy access to life. Congratulations, Sean!
As real estate agents, we know our neighborhoods, but once in a while we discover one newly. I found this great mid century ranch in the Madison South neighborhood. This house has this very unique great room with vaulted ceilings. You certainly wouldn’t guess that from looking at the house from the curb. Madison South is a great little neighborhood just up the road from Roseway and in the valley of Rocky Butte.
The neighborhood is quiet, with little traffic, and everyone seems to be walking the dogs or kids around. We started making updates to this house including a new roof, and replacing the old electric cadet heaters with a brand new high efficiency furnace and ducting. As some of the final details are coming together with the interior updates, I can’t help but think about the family that had been here so long, over 70 years I hear. It of course reminds me of my own Granny’s house in Clarkston, Michigan about an hour North of Detroit. She was there for about 50 years before she passed away at the feisty age of 102 in 2010.
While my family and I bought this house to restore it, I never consider it mine. The ones that lived here for 70 years are still the owners, and I’m more of a placeholder getting it ready for the next family. It may seem trite, but I always hope the improvements we make are ones that will make the previous owners happy or proud. I hope they still see their house, when they look at the work we did, and that we’ve done well enough to leave all the character for them to still see their memories through our work.
Keep an eye open for this one. 8603 NE Dyer, Portland, OR. It will be looking for a new family to take cafe of it for the next 70 years. In the meantime, if you want to learn more about Madison South, check out their webpage here
Bobby Curtis
Principal Broker
Licensed in Oregon
Licensed Contractor CCB 215071
Living Room Realty
503-502-3066
bobby@livingroomrealty.com
Just sold in SW Portland’s Marshall Park neighborhood! CONGRATULATIONS to my most amazing client, Pamela for beating out 8 other offers! And also for her patience while the crazy spring market started heating up – we put offers in all over town – everywhere from St. John’s, Multnomah Village, Hillsdale, even down to Lake Oswego. Patience finally paid off in Marshall Park where the perfect one-level home nestled in the firs and gorgeous landscaping will welcome her home everyday. CONGRATS, Pamela! I wish you so many happy years here!
Some may think working with family friends would be harder, or maybe more complicated- but it was quite the opposite with
these awesome people. Just because I sang at their wedding (when I was 8 years old…) doesn’t mean I couldn’t also hand them the keys to their home. Whether it’s shopping for shoes in Manhattan together, or shopping for houses in the beautiful Pacific Northwest on Sundays, spending time with Chris & Heather is a blast.
After going through one sale fail… purchasing this gorgeous home $15k under asking, with a quick and painless close is well deserved for these two, and a success worth celebrating! I am so fortunate to have been their realtor, and I am so happy to know this spunky power couple found their place in a small NE neighborhood.
Long term renters spend a lot of money funding their landlord’s investment instead of their own. In today’s market it is so tough to get a foothold and purchase a first home, let alone to consider purchasing income property. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) offer an innovative way to add to your income while securing your own pad. Tom and April were willing to put in some elbow grease to make the most of their resources. They had the vision to see the potential in an older home with an existing ADU in the basement, located in the burgeoning St. John’s area. This neighborhood has a great Farmers’ Market, as well as some of my favorite vegan eateries: The Sudra and Homegrown Smoker.
Tom is one of my go-to home inspectors at NonProfit Home Inspections. I am always especially honored when people in the housing industry choose me to be their agent. His knowledge and experience with dwellings and construction and April’s keen sense of color, design and style, have me eager to see how they will bring this home back to life. The added income they will generate by renting out their ADU will enhance their lives and help pay for improvements for these new homeowners.
For the birdwatchers, the lovers of all things outdoors, the Master Gardener, the youthful spirit and timeless beauty in all of us. – Here’s to the next chapter of this stunning Ladd’s Addition home and to the amazing family that I have had the pleasure of getting to know over the past 6 months.
My sewer scope guy has had spirals in his eyes about cryptocurrency this past year. And since then, I’ve been keeping a close eye on broker.cex.io. As tempting as it was to throw a few thousand dollars out into the ether, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it because I’m not a numbers person and knowing that, it would just be blind betting. The second I start even reading about Bitcoin or crypto, I fall asleep. I thought about just having him manage it for me, but this last time I asked him how it was going and he told me he was down considerably, I decided it’s too “get rich quick” for me. I’d rather play video crack and at least have some whiskeys if I’m going to throw my money away.
One thing that is for sure is that they’re not making any more land. We sold this little house (800sqft) 3 years ago to our clients as an investment property. They already owned a beautiful mid-century in Woodlawn, then the house behind them came up for sale and they bought that too. Realizing the window was closing for anything under $250k, even in St. Johns, they jumped back in the market again to buy one more rental. It was cute to start, it needed some paint, a roof, and cosmetics, but otherwise solid. Here we are just a few short years later and this little house is selling for $150k more than they bought it for. Not a bad return. I don’t think it gets better than that, folks.
Coming soon to SE 61st just south of Foster! 2 bed/1 bath 822sf on Main w/ partial basement, 1925 Fixer Investor Special w/ detached garage – zoned residential/commercial – approx. $250K. Cash only (no, it will not finance =)
When Lara called me up and said she wanted me to help her buy a house, I did as I normally would. I set a time to meet with her and told her she should be thinking about what some of her criteria would be. Numbers of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, yard or no yard, open kitchen, basement, garage etc.
We set an appointment to meet and start forming a plan. But the very next day she sent me the picture above. I want this, she said! Uh, huh…. I responded, but really? “REALLY”, I want Barbies Dream House! As I tried to imagine what she really meant, I thought to myself that I may have bitten off more than I could chew. But, because I am nothing if not resolute, and neither snow, nor gloom or impossible request will keep this REALTOR® from his appointed rounds.
Still, when we met the next day I was determined to pin her down. Ok, so, what does that really mean? Frilly and pink and lots of plastic? Lace wallpaper, unrealistically proportioned furniture and rooms without walls?!?!
I never did find out exactly what a Barbie dream house meant to her, but near as I can tell its a Renaissance Homes, three bedroom townhouse on the SW side.
So, if you need help, finding YOUR Barbie dream house, give me a call!
Tristan and Elke found their way to me through another REALTOR® who needed someone to help them buy a house in Vancouver. They were hoping to find a place that wasn’t going to require a lot of work. Someplace truly move in ready but that also had fairly separated living spaces so they could occupy the home together yet not step all over each. They had been searching in Portland and hadn’t quite found the right place so they expanded their search into Washington.
Shortly after, they happened upon a recently well done remodel. It has a living room big enough to entertain guests together, a freshly redone kitchen, a nice big yard for Elke to get dirty in and plenty of space for one of them to have a bedroom upstairs and the other to create their own haven downstairs. Just four short weeks, start to finish and they are moved in and getting settled.
So remember, when you need a friend in Washington. I’m a Broker licensed in Oregon and Washington!
Local boutique Woonwinkel is a Portland, Oregon-based shop owned by two women with a passion for independent designers, simple forms, and gorgeous color. They carry home goods and gifts from all over the world, most of it created by individuals and itty bitty companies. It’s also a big favorite of ours. By the way, woonwinkel means “living shop” in Dutch.
Kristin Van Buskirk
To celebrate Spring Equinox (yay!), owner and color expert Kristin Van Buskirk recently sat down with Broker Gabrielle Enfield to chat about interior color to brighten up the season. The blank slate of bare walls can be intimidating for a new homeowner, so Gabrielle enlisted Kristin to demystify it for her clients by boiling it down to what’s hot, and how to get started. Kristin and Gabrielle not only have the love of homes and interiors in common, they met through their sons’ school and enjoy spending sunny Sundays chatting about all things design- and decor-related.
Gabrielle: Kristin – thank you so much for doing this! Woonwinkel is, without a doubt, a big favorite of ours. I’m excited to sit down with you each season to tackle design questions and tips for our readers. First question:What’s your favorite color and how does it make you feel when you see it?
Kristin: I love color and I embrace change so my favorite color changes a lot. Right now I’m obsessed with terracotta. Ranging from pinkish to rose to orange to brown, it makes me feel warm and soothed. It’s very natural in its paler tones and when it’s deeper and richer it’s slightly exotic.
Gabrielle: Trends for spring 2018 – what color does everyone need to paint their accent wall this year?
Kristin: Without a doubt, it’s green. The world’s antidote to the digital world is a celebration of life. You might remember that a very leafy, bright green was the Pantone color of the year in 2017, and it was NOT much loved. We have to admit, we prefer a richer, deeper botanical green like Thrive.06 by local paint company, Colorhouse, or a dark neutralized green.
Pedestal Plant Stand, Minimal Curved Planter, Crinkle Throw, Storage Basket, Blah Blah Mini Blanket, Farmhouse Lounge Chair, Curved MirrorBrass Hooks. Photo by Ali Gradischer, courtesy Merkled Studio.
Gabrielle: What’s the most popular design and accent piece in your store?
Kristin: One of our strangest items is also one of our most popular: a plastic resin pineapple light that comes in tons of colors. Pineapples are the sign of hospitality so some people have bought them for their entryway. Others use them as a nightlight, and one customer was in the midst of a tiki room renovation!
Gabrielle: How can people embrace color at home in 3 easy steps?
Kristin:
1. Think 60% neutral. Even a colorful home needs a good grounding in neutrals. Don’t feel like you’re wimping out when you choose a simple neutral backdrop. Then you can mix up the accent colors in different ways at different times.
2.Find colorful items that can work in different rooms. Afraid of color commitment? Then buy colorful things that can travel to different parts of the house easily. Cushions and throws can travel from living room to bedroom to den. Storage baskets are useful in many different rooms, and planters can find a home in just about any room.
3. Find one place to go wild. Find one place where you can really experiment. I like going super bold in rooms that we tend to take in smaller doses, like an entryway or a guest bathroom.
Gabrielle: What do you read/follow/listen to that inspires you?
Kristin: Okay, this sounds really cheesy, but what really inspires me most right now is the sound of nothing. Or just the wind in the trees. I’ve been getting my best ideas lately when I’ve been able to enjoy some moments of true quiet, which is a luxury that’s totally worth seeking out.
Kristin co-owns Woonwinkel, and is a color expert, with more than 20 years in the design industry. Before jumping full-time into Woonwinkel, Kristin was Design Director at Nike, working with a range of product and apparel teams. Remember Usain Bolt’s yellow shoes that took the gold at the 2012 Olympics? That was Kristin and her teams’ design.
Gabrielle is lives in North Portland where she’s decorated her mid century home with thrift store scores and is no stranger to bold colors and textures.She works out of the Northwest office of Living Room Realty at 17th and Lovejoy in Portland and loves making people’s real estate dreams come true. Thinking about making a move? She’d love to hear from you.
Congratulations to my buyers Judy, Nelson and Bridgett on their purchase of a swanky condo in Sunnyside! Judy is currently in California finishing up a work contract, so unfortunately she was not able to make it to the closing. So as to not be left out of the getting house keys for the first time photo, Judy is represented by the duck and can be seen here on the phone screen.
After decades living in California, the trio recently made the move up to Portland to live the good life and be closer to their daughter and grandchildren- who just happen to be dear friends and neighbors of my family. When they moved to Portland last summer, they settled into a rental in the Sunnyside neighborhood. Back in California, they lived far from anything worth walking to, and when they landed in the Sunnyside neighborhood, the oyster revealed her pearl. Laurelhurst Park, bars, restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and funky shops- all within an easy walking distance. Once their house in California finally sold, we began the house search in earnest with the goal of finding a detached home with early 20th century charm. After looking at houses that were not quite right- too depressing, too small, too expensive, not close enough to the action, a townhouse style condo came on the market in the heart of the Sunnyside neighborhood. While a modern condo wasn’t what they originally pictured themselves in, the location was so ideal that we went to see it within a few hours of it being listed. Once inside, it was love at first sight. The space, layout, kitchen set up and bedroom/bathroom count were perfect and having fallen in love with Sunnyside, the location outweighed their desire for a detached home. We wrote the full price offer up that evening and thankfully no other offers came in so it was an easy choice for the sellers.
As a sign (actually three signs) that it was meant to be, each door to the exterior has a mezuzah hanging on the doorpost. For those who don’t know what a mezuzah is, it’s a small container containing a scroll in Hebrew affixed to the doorpost that symbolizes the home is a Jewish household. When one moves from a home, it is customary to leave the mezuzah in place in case the next occupants are also Jewish. Judy and Nelson are Jewish, while Bridgett goes along for the ride, and seeing the mezuzahs confirmed to them that this home was theirs. Of course the sellers would have no way of knowing if the buyers of their home would be Jewish, but I always trust that when it comes to finding the right house, it mysteriously almost always works out the way it was supposed to, and little signs like the mezuzahs for my Jewish buyers always reassure me that in fact, my buyers have made the perfect choice.
3 Bedrooms + Bonus| 1.1 Bathrooms | SqFt: 1909 Main House + 1056 Outbuilding
This private homestead is a vital sanctuary in the heart of it all. Super flexible, adaptable living and bonus spaces to fit so many lifestyles. Multi-purpose outbuilding as guest quarters, studio + more! Clinton-Division living without the parking hassles. Zoned R2.5, the extra half lot is a luxury this close in. Organic edible and native habitat established for 16 years. HES = 6. SCHOOLS: Abernethy, Hosford, Cleveland.
Just Sold in SE Portland’s Ladd’s Addition neighborhood! Congratulations to my most amazing clients (and now friends, even better!), Lisa & Will on their new dream home! WOW this is the most perfect match of buyer/home matchmaking yet. Lisa & Will are seasoned home buyers and knew specifically what they wanted and in a very precise location. We started the search in January with even more slim pickens’ in Portland’s already tight inventory. We looked at everything from Queen Anne Victorians, Bungalows to Foursquares, when this perfect Old-PDX style came on in the absolute most perfect location, they pounced (Jo the kitty was proud of the pouncing!)! This was the one! We dialed in quickly and had tunnel vision to get them in, closed, and on their way to making happy memories (especially on that front porch swing ) Congratulations, Lisa & Will, I wish you so many happy years here! Ladd’s Addison is lucky to have you!!
Brentwood-Darlington on 50′ x 107′ lot
Three Bedrooms – One bath
Garage for additional storage or parking
Large full sun lot for gardening
Hardwood floors + wood Fireplace
Gas Heat + newer roof
Ben and Briauna met while both working at New Seasons Market when Briauna was training Ben as a courtesy clerk. A true local love story! 7 years later they are married with two frisky lil rescue pups.
First came Lily from the Oregon Humane Society at 3 months old, three years later came Albus, rescued from Northern California last year. All of a sudden the need for more space was staring them in the face.
Having lived in Portland for most of their lives they knew what they wanted, close in, single story, recently remodeled or newer construction. It was surprising and wonderful that the second house they saw checked all the boxes and made for an easy decision. Today, the dogs are in heaven and so are their parents in their newly remodeled single level ranch in Woodstock. Congratulations Ben and Briauna!! And Albus & Lily too of course!
This adorable Beaumont Wilshire bungalow is move-in ready! The freshly refinished hardwood floors gleam with the sunlight streaming through the many windows. The house has new paint throughout and the kitchen features new flooring, quartz counters and maple cabinets.
The lovely landscaped yard has raised beds, raspberries, jasmine and lilac plus tons of room to add your own touches. Private fenced backyard features an elevated deck and thoughtfully designed gardening spaces. The great, open basement adds another 699 SF of usable space or possible ADU.
This darling bungalow sits just blocks from happening Fremont St. where you can walk to Noho’s, Grand Central, Pips and more! Just a few blocks in the other direction brings you to New Seasons and Motavasi Coffee.
OPEN HOUSES: Sat, 3/17 from 11am – 2 pm, & Sun, 3/18 from 12 pm – 2 pm
Stop by this weekend and take this Beaumont Wilshire Cutie home with you!
3 bed | 1 bath | 1,452 sq. ft.
MLS# 18393549 | Taxes: $3957.80 | Lot Size: .12 Acre
Last year, Chris and Sue moved to Portland to downsize from their large family home in San Diego, and to be closer to kids and grandkids. They bought an amazing house with tons of potential in Eastmoreland, that wasn’t small, but felt right. A year later, and after much soul searching, they realized that they didn’t achieve their original goal of simplifying. Even though the house was fabulous, they still felt like it was too big, and too much of a project. So we set out on round 2 of downsizing!
They wanted to move slowly, and take their time to find just the right place. Who would have guessed that “the one” would come on the market the very day we were first getting back together to make a plan. The house had been one they admired often as they walked their dog around the neighborhood. The seller was traveling, but we convinced them to take the offer right away, on I-5 in LA, using their smart phones to sign documents!
Chris and Sue couldn’t love their new house any more. The street appeal, with clean lines and stucco exterior struck them immediately, and the inside met every need perfectly. It’s a true art piece, and just the right size with everything they need on one level. It goes to show how timing can be everything! If you are thinking about making a move, timing can be everything for you too! It’s never too early to start planning and I’d be happy to help. Call me, Cristen Lincoln at (503)-260-2414
Perched perfectly at the foot of Forest Park and overlooking the Willamette- today my amazing client closed on her very own urban oasis. The home is the perfect balance of turn of the century craftsmanship and modern updates. Its location offers the very best of Portland just outside the front door.
This past October my clients lost their home of 35 years- the one in which they had raised their family and created so many memories in. Awoken in the middle of the night and narrowly escaping with just the clothes on their backs. They were just one of the many families that lost everything in the most destructive wildfire in California history. This week they closed on their new home. One which remarkably happened to come fully furnished and just blocks from the school their grandchildren attend. To say it felt serendipitous is an understatement. Here is to springtime, longer days, new beginnings, and two of the strongest people I have ever met.
I had the honor of helping my dear friend, Megan Zimmer find her first home sweet home! When Megan called me up to ask if I could quickly show her a condo on Super Bowl Sunday I was happy to oblige, because (see title). This sweet and beautiful lady found a sweet and beautiful condo that fits her to a tee. Light and bright with 3 floor to ceiling windows and her own private entrance to the courtyard, this charmer was a rare find.
Having found this gorgeous historic condo in the heart of 28th and Northeast Glisan and the Sandy Blvd revitalization area, Megan found her Portland dream home! Not to mention that Megan is no stranger to the neighborhood as she currently lives just a few blocks away. It was a plus that we were able to find her a home that is conveniently close to amazing restaurants and shops! We’re already planning some dates at The Flying Fish Market inside the Providore Market to sip champagne and slurp oysters.
Megan sure does have fabulous style when it comes to making her living space as comfortable and chic as possible. Including her love homes with original features, this condo boasts beautiful arched windows and doorways, hardwood floors, tiled countertops and a fabulous Spanish Revival style mantle as you walk in.
Needless to say, Megan is a happy homeowner and I am one honored friend to have assisted with her first time home purchase!
If you or anyone you know want to buy or sell a home, please contact Amanda Haworth with Living Room Realty at amanda@livingroomre.com or 503-453-7698.
A green, moss-covered roof may make you think you’ve wandered into a fairy tale. Ferns growing in gutters are quite beautiful. But, in the real world, moss is much less a fantasy than it is a nightmare. Left untreated, the clumpy greenery can cause virtually any roofing material to degrade. Moss starts as a thin green layer on and between shingles, but then it proceeds to lift those shingles up as it grows, allowing water to seep underneath. Hello, wood rot and leaks. Fortunately, removing moss is a fairly simple task that you can perform on a seasonal or as-needed basis to keep your roof weathertight. I would prescribe doing the job with your clients on a warm sunny day. You kill two birds with one stone — You get your daily dose of vitamin D plus the satisfaction of clearing a landscape of fluffy green-stuff. You get to hang out on your clients roof and chat about life with them. Talk about kids, love, career’s, how they met and fell in love, summer plans, etc…. It’s pretty dang great!
Here are four DIY recipes from moss removal that you can use in a spray bottle:
• 8 ounces Dawn Ultra dish soap + 2 gallons of water
• 1 pound powdered oxygen bleach + 2 gallons of water
• 1½ to 3½ cups chlorine bleach + 2 gallons of water
• 1½ to 3½ cups white distilled vinegar + 2 gallons of water
For any of these homemade options, you’ll want to wet down the roof with plain water first, then apply the cleanser and let it sit for 20 to 45 minutes. Lightly scrub with a soft-bristle brush, then rinse with water.
When my cousin Kristina called me from Houston at Christmas to tell me she and her family were moving back to Portland, I was thrilled. She had just announced to the family that she and her husband Vic were expecting baby number two and that their daughter Sahana was excited to be a big sister. Their house was under contract in Houston and they wanted to have a house in Portland to transition to as soon as possible as they would be staying with family in the interim. Initially, they set out to be in SE Portland near Kristina’s parents but their search took them to Lake Oswego, Beaverton and then back to SE Portland. During their home search they ultimately realized that you can’t put a price on being close to family. Since proximity to family was the reason for moving back they discovered that SE Portland was where they wanted to be. We came across a house in Woodstock that was a for sale by owner. I was able to set up a viewing of the home directly with the owner. He even gave us a personal tour and shared details about the house. Before the tour was over we called Kristina’s dad to join us. With Dad’s approval of the house we wrote an offer that afternoon and had an acceptance shortly there after. I’m so happy to be welcoming them back to the neighborhood!
My clients were looking for a creative way to supplement their retirement and this lovely home in Camas, WA was just the ticket! Investing in real estate in up-and-coming areas is a great way to plan for the future.
If you want more information about how I can help you take the first steps in investing in real estate for retirement I would love to be a resource for you.
Color sets the mood and I love this tone. I love collecting design inspiration ideas from designers around the world. I’ve curated my favorite design ideas on my instagram page @realestatebyjulia. Some of my favorites include light and bright interiors using variations of the same color palette and a pop of live plants. Blush is my favorite accent color this year. Using time period fixtures that compliment the original character of a home- bring out a classic “new vintage” look. Mixing modern with vintage is a refreshing way to update an older style home. I’m in love with the simplicity of clean lines and classic marble spreading the walls of the bathroom(pictured below). Stop by my instagram and and see what I’ve found!
New vintage. Grayscale. White interiors. Texture. Subtle pastel tones. Brass fixtures. Indoor Garden.
Anna Potepanko
Fantastic Frank
Danielle De Lange
Pinterest, Photographer unknown
Julia Robertson | Broker licensed in Oregon & Washington
This bright, airy craftsman contemporary in Portland’s Montavilla neighborhood has it all: quality new construction, walking distance to Mt. Tabor, and tranquil views. The home lives large with four bedrooms upstairs and 2.5 baths. The spacious master bedroom features a gas fireplace, french doors and deck, a roomy walk-in closet, and an ensuite spa to help soak away life’s stressors. Vaulted ceiling in the loft-like flex space is perfect for a family playroom, and the floorplan includes plenty of inspiring areas for telecommuters.
Imagine indoor/outdoor entertaining with french doors to great stamped concrete patio. Gas line is plumbed, ready and waiting for your fireplace and outdoor kitchen, with hot & cold water already available. Inside, the chef’s kitchen centerpiece features a gorgeous island workspace, a deep kitchen sink with Mt. Tabor out the window, and storage for days. Light-filled rooms create warmth and comfort. Come be part of this close-knit, active community. The home is right across the street from Bridger K-8 school with dog-friendly park. Road improvements to be completed by closing.
This home was a featured home in the 2016 show of homes. I fell in love with the brass designer light and plumbing fixtures that the builder used throughout to showcase the home. Barely lived in by the seller, this home was better than new! My clients had sold their home in Forest Grove over the summer and had since been looking for their next home. It took a few months, but they made their way back to Forest Grove where they finally found the one!
This home, located in Centennial, has a great history. The seller grew up in the house and took it over when his parents passed. He watched his father build the heated pool because “my dad just wanted a pool and that’s what he did”. Over the years the seller enjoyed the home but now felt it was time to move on. He listed it last year with another broker, for 6 months over most of the summer, he was unable to sell and resigned to being in a home no one wanted. We updated the home and marketed the home in a way that drew multiple offers and we are now under contract in 10 days! Now we have a buyer just waiting to jump into that pool…as soon and as long as the Portland weather will allow.
My clients moved to the Portland area from Brooklyn, NY. As first-time home buyers, they were open to most possibilities spanning small homes in close in neighborhoods, modern homes in wooded areas and large, new construction in the suburbs. We saw a few homes and the choice came down to two – the modern home in the woods with a huge yard and the traditional, newer construction home with space galore in the suburbs. I had them pegged for the wooded home, but they surprised me when they chose the larger home in the suburbs. In retrospect, the choice is clear and I couldn’t be happier for them. Now, their sweet little boy has uber amounts of room to play, they are walking distance to a best friend and are still close enough to all Portland has to offer. Congrats to the Sisante’s on their amazing new home!
When you get ready to buy a new house or put your house up for sale, the house will almost always have professional inspections. And if you buy a house with the intent to renovate and resell it, get ready for 2 sets of inspections in a short period of time- when you buy, and when you sell. Licensed REALTOR® and Contractor, Bobby Curtis discusses the what’s and why’s of this with Tra’Renee Chambers on KATU. Watch here or check out his highlights below.
Lets talk about When You Buy
As a licensed Contractor and a licensed REALTOR®, I still get inspections before the purchase and you should too. Here’s why:
Inspectors are inspecting many houses in the area we’re buying houses every day. They see all the good and all the bad in detail, have more experience than most of us, and offer a ton of information. They provide a thorough inspection report with pictures. If you need to negotiate and repairs or credits, you have detail of the situation that the sellers may not know about their own house. Inspectors are a non-biased independent third party. As much as I like to keep my own emotions out of a real estate investment, having an inspector give me the facts, helps keep me in check
There are 4 standard inspections that are common to conduct while in the inspection period in the Portland area. 1. Whole home general inspection. 2. Sewer scope to ensure a compliant, functioning sewer line. 3. Oil tank scan, to see if the property has one, and ensure it is in good shape. 4. Radon test, to ensure low levels of radon in the house.
Before getting into contract, I always have a budget with detail on what I plan to spend money on and how much. After the inspection, I’m able to make adjustments. (ie you may have thought you needed a new roof, but alas it just needs moss removal)
Patio needs inspections
Lets talk about When You Sell.
The buyers will almost always get all 4 of the previous inspections, and maybe more. Even better if you can provide them the clean sewer scope, radon test, and oil tank scan results showing everything is in good shape. This gives your new buyers extra confidence in the house. Keep in mind, if this is a house you remodeled and something came up on your inspection that you did not fix, there is a good chance it will come up for the new buyers.
Know that even if you fix everything that pops up on your inspection report, the new buyers inspectors are bound to find some things. It is essentially part of their job to find things wrong with the house, and most of these Portland area houses are older.
Bathroom renovated
If you have an inspection-type question you’d like to ask me, or want help buying or selling your next property or home, give me a call. I’m happy to help.
Bobby Curtis, REALTOR®
Bobby Curtis
Principal Broker
Licensed in Oregon
Licensed Contractor CCB# 215071
503-502-3066
bobby@livingroomre.com
Cozy 1914 Craftsman enhanced w/modern updates and solid systems. Pristine woodwork, gourmet kitchen, skylights, eating nook + formal entry. Two bedrooms on the main floor + fully restored bath. Giant upstairs den/office/studio space with inviting master bedroom. Custom closets, balcony deck, new windows, plush carpet & incredible light. Full unfinished basement great for storage, tandem garage, front porch, private backyard, and hop-skip to downtown and eateries. New sewer line, radiant heat, gas stove and updated electrical equal piece of mind!
New in St. Johns this weekend! Open Houses Saturday and Sunday 1-3pm. Don’t be that guy that waits until spring and then gets priced out of the market. The time is now, folks. It doesn’t get any better than this house at this price. Call me to see. 508-340-1456
When I was 26, I was living on top of the Star E Rose on Alberta and wanted a truck because I wouldn’t leave the house if it was raining and it was always raining. I found this little yellow pickup for $800 on Craigslist in St. Johns. When I got there and drove it, it only ran in 1st and 3rd gear but I was so in love and optimistic I offered the guy $700 and drove it back home.
Back then there was this guy Joe that lived in his camper on the corner of 20th and Sumner. He was sort of the neighborhood mechanic, but you had to catch him early or he’d be too drunk. He and I drove out to some junk yard in Washington and bought a new transmission and he threw it in for me the next day. Aside from that, I really haven’t had to do much more to it in over 10 years.
She’s not my daily driver anymore, I mostly just use her for dump runs or Home Depot, but I will never get rid of her. I can’t tell you how many times this truck has come in handy. I’ve moved 9,000 times, moved so many friends, picked up motorcycles, hauled trash out of client’s houses (not that I love doing that), and loan it out to friends when they come to town. My days of moving people are over, but you can borrow it if you need it.
The historical beauty of the buildings in the Alphabet district drew Aron in. After living if modern buildings he realized, although nice, his desire was to find a home with history. Aron set out to find his new home, honed in on one building, and threw down when the perfect unit hit the market. Way to go Aron, you are now home!
This is a new photograph from Hubble of a spiral galaxy 11 million light years away from earth. Just 90 miles from Portland you can marvel similarly about the vastness of space, the miracle of light, many grains of sand. At no extra charge telescope like local perspective is spoken here. Time to get your beach on? Hans Tonjes 503-936-4244 hans@livingroomre.com
Gail knew that moving to Manzanita meant keeping movement a priority in her life, retiring doesn’t mean settling down for some but merely the beginning of the next adventure! Purchasing along Jackson Way means she has limitless exploration right from her doorstep. To the south, Nehalem Bay State Park is located less than a 15 minute walk, promising miles of paved biking and running trails along one of the coasts abundant waterways, brimming with wildlife. Westward, views of Manzanita Golf Course accent the soft rumble of the waves, where a leisurely walk will bring you to the Pacific Ocean. To the north, snippet views of town can be seen at the base of Neahkahnie Mountain.
The home itself was designed with simplicity and functionality in mind and allows the perfect amount of space for everything one would need and just that. The downstairs additional room connecting to the garage can be used for storage upgraded to a living space. The second story feature encourages an active lifestyle and allows spectacular coastal views. Our favorite part is the deck!
Gail is looking forward to the close knit community vibe that Classic Street Cottages brings but also can’t wait to strike out and explore her new corner of the world, solo style. If you’d like to learn more about the community of Manzanita, please visit our site HERE.
LISTING PRICE: $325,000
SALE PRICE: $340,435
Jackson Way,
Manzanita, OR
If you are interested in Manzanita Real Estate or Surrounding areas. Please feel welcome to reach out.
Tosha Reinmiller
Principal Broker
Living Room Realty – Manzanita
(541) 231-5829
tosha@livingroomre.com
Beautiful two bedroom unit in South Tabor/Richmond Area. Built in 2016, this condo offers modern amenities in the heart of historic Southeast Portland. High ceilings, designer kitchen, in-unit laundry, ample storage, walk-in closet and a private 84 sf balcony for outdoor entertaining. Walkscore: 85. Bikescore: 94. Enjoy Division Street’s shops and dining, local transit & nearby Mount Tabor park.
For a Photo Slide Show of this Unit’s Photos click HERE
My buyer JT and his partner moved to Portland a little over a year ago with the goal of purchasing a home with the right size, layout and yard to form a communal living space with enough room for a large garden. They have started a non-profit with the goal of promoting community building and community based governance by providing weekly gatherings where people can enjoy healthy affordable dinners with neighbors while learning how to engage in local and national government, and the plan was that their new home is to be the hub.
A past client of mine who runs an awesome non-profit dedicated to educating the public about the evils of factory farming referred JT and his partner to me about a year ago. The ball started rolling this past September as we began the search. We looked everywhere on the east side for large homes on large properties with the right layout that fosters communal living and with a yard large enough room to grow a bounty of food in a location that was both convenient to services and public transportation. Shortly after New Years, we went to take a look at a house that seemed almost too good to be true. Located in the Foster Powell neighborhood, the home was built as George Morlan’s personal residence. George Morlan started his plumbing business on Foster Rd in 1927, and by the mid 1950’s, the business had grown big enough to open a second location. It was during this time in 1956 that the mid-century castle was built. No expense was spared building the house, quite fitting for a king. Oversized timbers frame the over sized house- 1700 sf on the main floor, 1700 sf finished basement with tall ceilings and a second kitchen even larger than the main kitchen upstairs, plus an 800 sf finished attic for over 4200 sf of nice open living space. The home currently has 5 good sized bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, and with a little tweaking at least 2 or 3 more bedrooms can be added. We’re guessing that either George Morlan must have had an in with talented craftspeople including the most talented linoleum installer in town. In a masterpiece of mid-century linoleum floor design, large tear shaped pieces of linoleum in multiple patterns are merged together seamlessly in the attic- not the kind of detail one puts into a house’s attic unless the budget is endless. The large basement bathroom has a custom extra large custom tub, with matching toilet and sink in the loveliest lavender/grey/blue color. The kitchen was updated from the original kitchen in the early 80’s, presumably by the Moreland family. Talk about 1980’s top of the line fancy. A custom sized sub-zero fridge faced with the same cabinets as the rest of the large kitchen. The cooktop looks ventless, but when you are ready to cook, you press a button and up pops a thingy that acts as a vent sucking in the greasy smoky air as you cook. And if the inside wasn’t stellar enough, the house and property are on a double lot, with the house sitting on one 50×100 lot, and the yard is being an entire 50×100 plot surrounded by fruit trees. That’s a lot of space to grow a cornucopia of food and lot of roaming room for chickens.
The house needs cosmetic refreshing, a facelift including a paint job, a new roof and a little bit of love to up the curb appeal, but it’s the planned transformation into the heart of a new community that I am most looking forward to watching sprout and grow.
I met Treven and Brough at an open house last year, and we’ve been in touch since then. Brough and Treven have a lot of interest in ADU’s, and wanted to build out a basement apartment to create a duplex. Being the savvy home buyers they are, we also kept a sharp eye out for properties that had potential to be split into multiple lots. Having done this process on my own home, it was a lot of fun to work together and try and locate a specific property that would have all these elements.
After looking at 20+ houses, we finally found a really nice 50’s mid-century house that ticked all the boxes. The house has three bedrooms on the main floor, one bathroom and a remodeled kitchen. The basement is unfinished, has a separate outside entrance, and tall ceilings. We went through the home inspection process and had a lot of contractors and architects visit the house to verify it’s potential, talk about design, figure out any problems areas, and of course get some bids to understand expectations on pricing.
It was a whirlwind two weeks, but through it all my clients were able to iron out a lot of details and make sure they knew and understood the challenges and potential of the home. They closed this week, and are now looking towards getting the ADU permitting going (before the waiver expires this summer) and starting the renovation. They’ll have a really nice two unit house in the south Tabor neighborhood when it’s done, and a potential 2500 sq. ft. lot they can partition in the future if they decide they want to do another development project.
If you have any interest in ADU’s, houses, or coffee, let me know and we can chat about what your goals are and how we can make it happen.
5 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | Garages for 4 Cars | 3/4 Acre Lot
Milwaukie Oasis. Custom built 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom home with exceptional layout. Set on a 3/4 acre lot, complete with mature landscaping, gardens, playground & entertainment areas. Open plan boasts indoor/outdoor dining, updated kitchen w/pantry, family room with fireplace, central vacuum, A/C, master suite w/dual sinks, walk-in closets, jacuzzi. Ample storage in attached double garage and detached shop. Lovingly tended by original owners.
My longtime friend and client just closed on a 1959 bungalow nestled between four parks and the Glendoveer Golfcourse.
Situated on an oversized lot and convenient to public transportation and shopping I can’t wait to share the photos once this home is brought back to its original glory.
My clients are close friends who, on their second year of living stateside, decided to make in semi-permanent by becoming homeowners. I was ecstatic to help guide them through this huge purchase; mostly because this meant they would be staying in America for at least the next few years.
I can only imagine how daunting it must be to move your family to a new country. They have three daughters in preschool/elementary schools who had to meet new friends, experience a new culture and learn a new language. So, when I met with Duncan to discuss real estate goals/needs, I was somewhat surprised that he was open to different locations. I assumed that they would want to stay in the same school district that they currently were renting in, so they wouldn’t have another major transition. We began looking for homes all over the west side of Portland and Beaverton. Duncan’s wife, Sune’, was in S Africa with the girls on holiday, so we were able to fit in a lot of home tours. After about two weeks of touring homes, Sune’ returned from S Africa and sent me a home located in their current neighborhood. We went for a tour and I discussed some of the other homes Duncan and I had checked out while she was abroad. She let me know that they WOULD NOT be purchasing outside of their school district. I told her my mama instinct had assumed as much, but was happy for her to confirm it. And so, after touring the west side, we ended up writing on a home one block from their current residence. And it’s perfect. Views for day, great space for entertaining (slightly self-serving) and on a cul-de-sac where the girls can safely play. It also has a secret fence door that leads them to a park down the road. I am oh so happy for my friends…congrats Duncan, Sune’ and girlies!
With so much sun this week, it feels like spring is kicking off. I could not be more excited for winter to end and to be outside everyday again. That means the spring market is about to start and I wonder what it will do this year. The last 6 years have been insane, I’m hoping that buyers get a break this year and can have an easier time getting a house. We shall see!
Andrew and Katie started their home search resigned to probably having to live east of 82nd. They wanted to find a house with enough bedrooms to be able to take their roommates with them, although it didn’t really matter what style of house. We started looking at fixers but they quickly realized that they don’t the time to dedicate to home projects. It wasn’t long before this little bungalow in St. John’s came back on the market. Besides location, what drew them to this house was the the beautiful natural woodwork throughout. Someone had taken the time to strip down all the wood and restore it to it’s original state.
The listing agent explained what had killed the previous deal. The roof was at the end of it’s life, there was some funky electrical in the attic, and it needed a sewer. Nothing that can’t be fixed but it was enough to spook the first buyer. We got all of our bids and negotiated all three repairs and they felt confident moving forward.
These two were the sweetest couple and working with them felt like hanging out with new friends. I’m so glad they were able to land in St. John’s, close to everything and all of their friends. Congrats, you guys!!
Sometimes a referral client just fits, fits so well you thank the stars for the referrer (thank you Yoni and MJ) and gleefully dig in to a new client like a taking a fork to chocolate cake, knowing “this is gonna be sooo fun!” And that’s how meeting and working with Erin and Cory was. Full of energy, positivity and excitement, Erin could see something good in every home. So much that I had to take it with a grain of salt and learn her REAL LIKES from her “I can dig this” squeals of interest. Cory was so pleasant that he could see very reasonable changes that could make any house a home. But I wanted them to FREAK OUT, to beam with that crazy glow of ‘this is the one’ which doesn’t come with concessions, it comes with perfection. So we pressed on, knowing that come January new homes would pop up and the wait might be worth it.
I left on a month long vacation over the winter holiday, leaving my clients in the good hands of Carly Van Aart, and came back to Erin and Cory in contract on the most fitting and delightful house, one that suited their needs far better than any we’d seen previously and had all the beautiful built-ins and wood work they’d been dreaming of.
Filling me in to take over the closing of the deal, Carly quoted Erin’s excited interjections “Oh My God, OHH MY GAWD, oooh it’s so ____” or some excited variation of that and remarked to me how well suited we all were what with Erin’s vintage style bouffant and pointy glasses. I shared that ironically Cory plays board games and works with my dj/scooter friend-client Yoni. She said, “Ironic, but not because you know EVERYONE in that cool kitschy retro vibey community. At least no more than twice removed.” I had to laugh because that might be exaggerating the point a bit, but I sure do know some really great people.
I smiled to myself and said, “I really do get the best referrals”.
And I do. And I appreciate them.
So congratulations to Erin and Cory on their wonderful dream home and being such neat, positive people! Your neighbors are going to absolutely adore you!
And thank you to Yoni and MJ, and all my other fantastic past clients who send their friends my way, I wholly appreciate you. Your referrals make what could be a boring sales job instead a career of bonding with the neatest people.
Super Starter Home for a Kombucha Brewer and a Bibliophile
Just about 10 miles southeast of the very center of Portland, near a secret forest, a best kept secret really, Lincoln Park, Ben and Sally found the proverbial needle in a haystack – an affordable Portland home in move-in condition. They nabbed one with a great yard on a quiet dead end street. It is a place where they can create their future together. A place to nurture a vegetable garden, set up a home brewery and design cozy reading spots both indoors and out.
Finding a place for under $300K can seem daunting, but every now and then there is a real gem, like the one Ben and Sally get to call home. Their new nest is a mid-century ranch style home with original oak floors, a wood burning fireplace, French doors, a laundry room, an attached garage, a covered patio and a generously sized yard to be envied . Sure, they will need to do some updating over time, but it will be great to see their vision take shape when they remodel the kitchen and bathroom. I can’t wait to come back for a home brew and to check out the outdoor sauna of their dreams, once it is built.
The cherry on top is being a block from the lush woods of Lincoln Park, https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder/index.cfm?action=ViewPark&PropertyID=239, located at 135th and Mill St. This little known city park has a playground designed to be accessible to all, including those in wheelchairs, plus paths, picnic tables, volleyball and a horseshoe pit! Thinking about all this activity is making me hungry… better head over to nearby Yuan Su, yuansuvegetarian.com, my favorite vegan Chinese restaurant, only a couple of miles from Ben and Sally’s new pad. They have the best pot stickers ever. See you there!
Neither Chris or I have the slightest clue on how to be a computer programmer, heart surgeon, or a tech analyst… but we do know how to help clients transform their homes. Every job requires training or experience, a certain type of work ethic. When Chris and I partnered years ago we decided that we would specialize in being the kind of agents that would “Kick-Ass” as project managers for our clients. We would show our clients what we could do on a budget. We would S-T-R-E-T-C-H their money to get the most bang-for-the-buck on the listing end. And when we took on buyers, if their purchase needed work after we closed, we would help them hire out their projects. We would do it on a tight budget. They would fall in love with us!
We try to empower our clients to bring their houses back to life. Sometimes, that means we work along side them, painting and scraping, hauling and cleaning, restoring and shopping for products. Sometimes, it means we drink booze with them to help get them through their house projects (Chris is better at this then I am). Sometimes, it means helping them tile their floor while they weep about their pending divorce. Sometimes, it means watching their children while they go out house hunting with one of us (I’m better at this then Chris is). Sometimes, it means helping get rid of multiple cars and have them towed…. Any which way, whether you are trying to pimp out your house for sale, or pimp it out after your purchase, Chris and I have your back.
Meet our new listing in SE Milwaukie. Our seller gave us a $10,000 budget to do everything. We went slightly over budget because of the hardwood floors/baseboards we had installed. Still, we were really close. Our seller gave us a lump of money and said with a laugh, “I trust you completely. Ruth said you two know what you are doing (thanks Ruth for the referral). Do what you can to make it beautiful. It is yours to tweak.”
This once was a house with flying marsupials and a driveway full of suburban crummies. It is now sitting and waiting for its next chapter. You.
Congratulations to my buyers Judy, Nelson and Bridgett on their purchase of a swanky condo in Sunnyside! Judy is currently in California finishing up a work contract, so unfortunately she was not able to make it to the closing. So as to not be left out of the getting house keys for the first time photo, Judy is represented by the duck and can be seen here on the phone screen.
oods of Lincoln Park, 
