We had the pleasure of helping Jenny and Will purchase a great home in Alameda when they moved to Portland. While they’ve loved a lot about this home, the characteristically small living spaces of their bungalow were not quite working when their home became the hub for ALL aspects of work, life, and education. They explored ways of expanding their spaces, but that option was not ideal and the idea of moving was hard because they absolutely LOVE their neighbors. On walks, Jenny and Will admired a more expansive craftsman style home on their street that was for sale, but at that time not obtainable. The home was taken off of the market, but when the possibility of moving became a viable option they called us, hoping to learn more about the home and see if it would become available again. This spurred our team into action and we reached out to the former listing agent to see if the seller was still planning to sell and would consider an off market offer. At first this did not look hopeful, but with patience and persistence the conversation started to advance! Immediately after touring this home they knew it was exactly what they wanted and on the same street… this home would be a dream come true for their family! Immediately we presented an off market offer and it was accepted! It was such a delight to hand over the keys to such an awesome family and it was truly an honor to work with these fantastic people again!
Tag: buyers agent
Don’t chase the market
Being frugal or conservative are both very sound ways of analyzing huge financial decisions. These characteristics are critical when entering the real estate market, but they also can cause you to chase a growing market. It is important to balance this nature with a broader perspective by not simply analyzing each home fiscally. Home ownership is more than an investment, it is shelter and security. If one can shift their conservative thinking to focus on longevity, the unchangeable elements of a home, and future options within their means, this will inherently protect one’s investment no matter what direction the market goes. This balanced perspective is what our team works diligently to help buyers see because if you purchase a home wisely, that home will provide you with many years and will prevent the feeling of having to move. Instead it will allow you to time your sale in the most optimal market for a return on your investment when the time comes to sell.
Patience is key
Ali and Matt were in the market for quite some time before they succeeded at getting into contract on their new home. As strategic buyers, one of their strengths was being able to walk away from homes that became overly competitive and shot above and beyond their comfort zone. They remained true to themselves. But during their search, the market took a swing upward and they worried they would not be able to compete in any of the locations they sought. So when a home with some rough edges, but all the potential they were looking for popped up in their favorite part of town, they moved confidently and were victorious. Their position was truly strengthened by the expanded knowledge that formed during the searching process and broadened their ability to see potential in the less than shiny. This process is different for everyone and it is wonderful to see buyers in a hyper competitive price range emerge empowered.
Quintessential Grant Park Bungalow
Quintessential Grant Park Bungalow
3328 NE Schuyler ST | Portland, OR 97212
Offered at $799,900 | ML #21072650
5 Bedrooms | 4 Baths | 3,106 sf
Quintessential Grant Park bungalow completely remodeled to the studs in 2018. Open floor plan with marvelous kitchen that will delight your guests. Practical main level living and separate living quarters in the basement with independent exterior entrance, a second master and bonus area in the attic. Lovely covered patio and easy maintenance yard ready to enjoy this spring. Convenient location close to New Seasons, restaurants, Grant Park amenities, library and BCS/Grant schools.
Seller Who Collects Rocks Finds Buyers Who Love Rocks
My buyers Alexandra and Ray are first time home buyers and just scored on a great ranch house in Fo-Wo section of Woodstock- between Foster and Woodstock. They were fantastic to work with because they knew what they wanted and they were prepared to jump head first into this nutball of our early 2021 market where there is 1 house for every 20 buyers. After walking into what would become their house, the first thing they said was- we could be friends with this seller. The seller had quite the display of rocks, gems and minerals and before we got very far into the house, my buyers were ooohhhing and ahhhhing over the sellers collection- admiring and even naming some of the rocks. Once we got past the rocks we explored the house, a mid-century 900 sf with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom on an oversized lot graced by a front yard tree with a trunk the size of a truck. I could tel as we walked around that this was “the one” for them. They are also woodworkers and one of their strong wants was a home that had a great space to build stuff in, and this house has a newer oversized garage/ shop that is perfect for woodworking.
We had talked extensively about the state of the market, and how every house was getting multiple offers with buyers offering appraisal make-up gaps in case the house does not appraise for purchase price, buyers taking on homes as-is with few if any repairs made by sellers, and with home prices up between 15-20% over January of 2020. The house was priced at what would have been the top of the price-range only a few months ago for a house like this and in this location, which made it really difficult to decide what to offer without going to crazy. But Alexandra and Ray were prepared to go over asking, and with interest rates as low as they are, their monthly payment was still in a comfortable range for them. It takes some true hardiness as a buyer to be able to succeed in getting their offer accepted, and after I spelled out all the potential bells, whistles and deal sweeteners they could use in an offer, Alexandra and Ray put their trust in me and offered well over list, stated in the offer that they would limit repair requests to only bigger issues, offered the seller free rent-back after closing and wrote a letter to the seller mentioning how much they loved his rock collection. They were also able to offer what has become the number one denominator in winning offers- the ability to make up an appraisal gap if the appraised value came in less then purchase price. Prices are rising faster then appraisals can keep up with them, and to mitigate the real threat of a low appraisal, buyers who can state in writing that they can bring in a higher downpayment to cover that gap are who are having offers accepted. Alexandra and Ray’s offer was not the highest, but the seller and the listing agent loved their terms and letter enough to come back to me and give them the opportunity to come up just a hair to match the highest offer, which they did. Fortunately the house inspected like a dream- one of the best houses my inspector has seen to date this year. We did run into a slight appraisal issue when the house did not appraise at the purchase price, but Alexandra and Ray were prepared so that was an easy enough hoop for them to crawl through. The seller is holding onto the house for a few weeks after closing while he prepares to move, and I am looking forward to handing the keys to my buyers at the end of the month.
Dad, please come to Portland!
Brian sat in the co-seat of his sons’ purchases and got to watch their aspirations of homeownership come true. We got to watch a great family, rooted in service, help each other. What we did not acknowledge is Brian was also watching how our team works, and our commitment to the people we serve. So when his boys sent him a badass North Portland condo in an attempt to get him closer, he took the bait and when they asked him what he wanted to do next, he replied, “call Jessica”. When he shared this with me I felt joy and appreciation at another chance to help this family. What an honor that we are so pleased to have earned from such amazing people. Welcome to Portland, Brian!
What’s Meant To Be Will Be
Reilly and Jaime were referred to me by a local lender and I have to be honest, from the first conversation we had I was thrilled to be working with them. They’re both in their 20s, out of college, and finding their paths in the world. The task ahead of us: find their first home.
Side Note. I have to nerd out for just a minute. I love working with first time homebuyers. I love it because I believe in home ownership as the jumping point for people to start building longitudinal and generational wealth. Homeownership is something I want to see for everyone at some point in their life. It especially excites me for young people to start owning as soon as possible, it opens up so many opportunities in the future. I have many friends who have started businesses, confidently changed careers, and/or retired early as a result of early home ownership.
Back to Reilly and Jaime. We knew they wanted to be in Vancouver and we quickly distilled their wants and needs to figure out exactly what we were looking for. We talked about the challenges in the current market and the strategies I like to employ to be competitive (we are in a heavy seller’s market right now). Some things will always be standard, but sometimes coloring outside of the lines is exactly what you need to do.
We looked at several houses and it didn’t take long until we found the house they were looking for. It checked the most important boxes. We made our offer. So did a dozen other people. We got beat out, barely, but we were in the #2 position, something I was more excited about than they were – because I knew it meant we still had a chance. We kept moving forward and looking at other properties, that’s how it goes. A couple of days later, just as we were getting ready to write an offer on a house that was great, but not quite as great as the first one, I got the call. The first position buyers had backed out due to cold feet and we were now in first position for them to buy the house they really wanted. Calling Jaime and Reilly to tell them the news was my favorite phone call that day.
Just sold on the tip top of Mt. Tabor!
Congratulations to our Buyers Ed & Amanda for scooping up this incredible mid-century property at the top of Mt.Tabor. We are excited to watch the transformation and the incredible style they will bring to this one of a kind property!
We are blessed!
We are blessed to help such amazing people like Juno and Nick. Juno has been a friend since we first picked up weights together at the Refinery. I was a new gym rat, exploring the early morning scene, and instantly felt she would be a great workout buddy. My instincts were right! I have long left the Refinery, and miss working out side–by–side with Juno, but luckily we have stayed in contact, and Juno has followed her instincts to trust the entire team! It has been such a joy to help them navigate the difficult and stressful process of buying and selling a home. If she were writing this, she would say something to the effect that they were needy — as she often expressed this out of concern, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth! We pride ourselves on breaking this process into bite-sized pieces to help focus efforts where progress can be made and worries can be answered. Being of service is what makes this career fulfilling; we would not have it any other way. Education, exploration, and preparation was an enjoyable 1-2 year process with life and covid delaying the start, leading us to concrete plans to enter the market in the spring of 2021 and start touring options as they hit in the New Year. Juno and Nick were prepared, knew what they wanted, and relied on us to make it happen, and this was the perfect balance to deliver success on their first very competitive offer they made. Celebrations are underway as their new house closes, and they head out of town for the debut of their current home hitting the market!
Possum Queen and Brewmaster Find Their Home
It is tough out there for our buyers but these two stellar humans did what it takes and made it happen.
Here it is in Stephanie’s own words:
“WE ARE HOMEOWNERS NOW WTF. What kind of millennial curse did we break and how? I’m in disbelief. Shoutout to Sean Patrick O’Feery and Carly Van Aart for being the best realtors we could have ever hoped for (if any of you need one, we highly recommend). But one detail he (the owner) left out that is of the very most importance:
OUR NEW NEIGHBORS SAID WE HAVE ALL THE TRASH CATS. Raccoons, skunks 
(maybe less than excited about that but they’re still cute), and HOLY JEEZ POSSUMS Y’ALL. I’ve got the possum sweats y’all. I’m ready to be their queen in my castle AND CREATE A KINGDOM. Bring it.”
(maybe less than excited about that but they’re still cute), and HOLY JEEZ POSSUMS Y’ALL. I’ve got the possum sweats y’all. I’m ready to be their queen in my castle AND CREATE A KINGDOM. Bring it.”There is some serious possum love here.
Congratulations Jake and Stephanie, well deserved.
If you’re looking for your own home with or without possums, give me a call!
Thirty-Two Days From Start to Finish on a Brooklyn House
Dave used to live across the street from me until about 2 or 3 years ago (who can keep track of time these days?) when he and his partner divorced and he moved into an apartment a few blocks away. His oldest kid and my oldest kid have been besties since before they could walk or talk, and it was Dave and his 2 kids who we had our last out of our family bubble non-socially distanced get together with on March 14th, 2020 at my older son’s 10th birthday party. When we parted ways that day, we didn’t know when we would be able to get together again in such a carefree way because the following day we all went under lockdown. And nearly a whole entire year later, we are still waiting for that day.
Dave’s plan was to eventually buy another house, and on January 15th of 2021, he texted me to let me know he was ready to start shopping. He had a very narrow list of needs that were absolute musts- including a location within a mile of his kids mom’s place, at least 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a yard and some sort of studio or garage to tinker around on bikes and he had a maximum price that he would be willing to pay and was expecting to pay. He had his pre-approval on hand and so I went through RMLS to send him a list of all of the properties that sort of kind of matched his needs. And there were only 2 properties. And neither was really a decent option. On January 19th, a sweet bungalow in Brooklyn came on the market. As the crow flies, it was less then 8 blocks from his apartment. From what we could tell from the listing,it could not have been more perfect location wise, size wise, bedroom/bathroom count, the detached huge garage and great back yard. We went to see it in person on January 20th and it was as perfect in person as it seemed like it would be from the listing. It took Dave all of 5 minutes to decide this was going to be his house.
The house was listed at what last year would have been a very reasonable price, but since the floodgates opened and the buyers came spilling out, the supply of houses on the market shriveled to next to nothing, we knew it was going to go way over. The house was listed about 15% under what Dave’s maximum was, so he did have room to go up. Dave approached his offer price from a very practical and logical lens. As long as his monthly payment was within his comfort zone, how much he paid for the house wasn’t all that relevant. With interest rates well under 3%, money is cheaper then it’s ever been (a huge reason for the flood of buyers on the market) so a monthly payment on a house priced at $550k today, is about what it would be on a house priced at $600k a year ago. Savvy buyers know that it’s much more about the monthly payment then it is the sales price. Once interest rates start rising well over 3%, then it’s possible we might see prices stabilize, but for now, home prices are out of control. For this Brooklyn house, even though it was well priced, with 12 offers on the table, Dave’s offer won out between a combination of writing 15% over asking, offering a 3 weeks to close, being able to make up an appraisal gap if the appraisal came in lower then the purchase price (which didn’t happen, it appraised fine!), and stating in his offer that he would not ask for repairs under $4,000. This meant that if a larger issue was found during the inspection, my buyer could expect to negotiate it, but for the smaller stuff, Dave was basically saying he would take the house as-is. Thankfully the house breezed through the inspection and nothing needs to be done to the house anytime soon.
Dave’s story is highly unusual in this market because not that many buyers have the ability to and willingness to do what it takes to rise to the top in a heap of offers. As long as a buyer understands the current market and is willing to and has the means to write up an offer with all the deal sweeteners on the table along with the ability to offer well over asking, as Dave was, then it isn’t rocket science to snag a house even with multiple offers. And on February 16th, 32 days after Dave texted me to let me know he was ready to start the home buying process, he got the keys to his perfect house.
Struck Gold!
Grace and Mike began their search with open minds. Though they loved the part of town they were in, they did not want to limit their search to only nearby neighborhoods. They hit the ground running in a highly competitive market, with record low inventory, and explored new areas of town. But when an amazing home (with room to grow!) hit, in the area of town they know and love, they jumped at the opportunity. They had found their dream home, in their dream neighborhood, and with friends close by, instant community. All with plenty of space to start a family someday. Congratulations!
Room to grow
Meggie and Jamie started the hunt right before COVID hit. Like so many, the uncertainty surrounding 2020 made them take a step back to evaluate their next move. Disengaging from the market for several months helped clarify what they were looking for – space to grow into, to garden. Simply put, they were after their long-term dream home. Meggie and Jamie are savvy buyers, with a keen eye for investment potential. This flair for recognizing possibilities and their love for mid-century design led them to an outstanding mid-century home that just needed a little elbow grease to shine. We can’t wait to see the transformations as they make it their own for years to come.
Stars align
Emily and Matt had been touring for some time and were smitten with a sweet home that hit the market in the Roseway neighborhood. The home went pending with another buyer and they continued their search, believing they had missed their opportunity at this dream home. A few weeks into the transaction, the buyer of the home backed away from the sale and Emily and Matt jumped at the opportunity to submit their best offer quickly, before the home was released into the open market once more. Their surety about the home was clear and their offer was accepted. We just had the great pleasure of handing them the keys to their new home! Their story is proof that sometimes staying hopeful about a long shot pays off.
Multi-Generational Living with a Pool!
Vanessa and I met when we were mere ‘babies’ while working in the restaurant industry circa 1998–I really wish I could find pictures! Over the years we have remained close friends. And I was so thrilled when she contacted me to help her and her new husband to find a house!
Vanessa and Dan have always been close-in SE Portland people. Location was #1 on their list; and #2 was an opportunity for multi-generational living so Vanessa’s dad could eventually move in with them. Dan was the most stern about location. He did NOT want to go above 60th, North of Burnside or South of Sellwood and it had to be walking distance to a bar, a store and a decent restaurant. We saw a ton of homes but none of them seemed to quite fit the bill, were just outside of their desired area or they were out of budget.
To my surprise it was Dan that sent me the listing to this house and was excited to go see it. “But, Dan? It’s in Milwaukie!” I said. But he was charmed by the ample amount of space, the pool and the built-in bar. Talk about having a bar within walking distance! Vanessa was charmed by the absolutely incredible plants in the sunroom giving this house so much light and unique interest.
Vanessa and Dan have run into some hard times over the last few years dealing with tragedy and heartbreak. They had gotten engaged before the pandemic and decided that they still wanted to get married despite it all. They had a small and beautiful family ceremony in upstate New York in October. All of their difficult experiences have led them to the conclusion that this moment is all you have and you have to go for what you want. I’m so proud of them and honored to call them friends.
One of the main reasons I got into this business was to help people follow their dreams. Vanessa and Dan can now start building wealth and a future for their family and more importantly a home for their entire family… and a place where I can go swimming in the summer! Congratulations friends! You did it.
Piedmont Eye Popper! 😍
Look at this amazing home!! I don’t care who you are – you love this house. It’s got all of the things. Not only is it an awesome Portland Bungalow, but it’s full of Craftsman charm with high ceilings, large windows letting in tons of light, plenty of bedrooms, stylish bathrooms, only the coolest light fixtures… you get where I’m going with this. Oh wait, but that kitchen! Then there’s the rest of the house, the partially finished basement offers tons of flex space and the backyard feels like a private oasis – perfect for an evening hang around the firepit. I highly recommend checking this place out, but be careful.. you might just fall in love.
P.S. Is it just me or does eye popper sound kind of gross? Maybe I’ve been working from home far too long with no “real” human interaction – all of the words start to look so weird. But I digress.
Same House Different Clients Four Years Later
Who doesn’t love getting an email from new buyers letting you know they want to work with you because you could be their dream agent. And that’s exactly what my buyers Liz and Alex wrote to me when they first got in touch. After we had a Zoom meeting, I could tell they were going to be dream buyers. Liz and Alex were looking for a home where they could start a family, live as close-in as possible on the east side, and wanted vintage charm out the wazoo.
We started off by seeing a few homes that at least on paper looked like they checked the boxes, but when we went to see them in person, I pointed out all sorts of flaws with foundations, layouts, and other not so fun stuff. After our first foray into seeing what was on the market- which wasn’t much, it really helped them hone in on what was important to so they put together a needs and wants list that was super helpful for both of us in narrowing down their search.
A few days after they put together their magic lists, Liz sent me a listing that had just popped up on the market in NE in the Rose City Park/Laurelhurst neighborhood. This house hit all the marks. The address sounded familiar, and after looking at the photos, I realized that I had listed this very same house back in the summer of 2016! It had belonged to some dear friends of mine that I met when our kids were born around the same time back in 2010, and it was a house that I had spent many hours in. When I sold it in 2016, the buyers had a great agent, and thankfully that same agent was now representing the same folks, this time as sellers. Because I had a really good idea of what Liz and Alex wanted, I was able to tell them with confidence that I thought this might be the perfect house for them. I even let my past sellers know that I now had buyers interested in their old house, which tickled them to no end.
As I had predicted, Liz and Alex loved the house. The worst part about the house when my sellers sold it was the very dated kitchen. The current owners had re-done the kitchen so it was super efficient and stylish. I shared with Liz and Alex all the good times and warm memories that I had in this house and what my sellers had done to the house, along with what was new since I sold it. I called the listing agent to let her know my buyers were really interested. We both remarked how strange but exciting it would be to work together again, on the same house. Liz and Alex wrote up an offer a hair over asking, and that was enough to get the sellers to joyfully accept our offer. Right after we finished up repair negotiations, a tree in the backyard fell over. Alex is an arborist and the sellers asked us for a recommendation for who they should call to have the tree removed, and Alex volunteered to do it himself on the next Saturday, his day off, which the sellers greatly appreciated. Good vibes all around.
When my sellers sold the house in 2016, the roof was nearing the end of it’s life, but still had a good 3-5 years left. This g0-around, our inspector noted that the roof was past due for replacing. The sellers were on it and with only a couple days to spare, the sellers had the roof replaced and we closed on time. I’ve been selling homes since 2007, and this was the first time I’ve sold the same exact home twice- once on each end. The sellers are remaining in the home for 30 days after closing, but I can’t wait to meet Liz and Alex next month to hand them keys!
The Best Part of Second Place? Back-Up!
First- What is “Back-Up?”
Back-up is the term, often used by Realtors, to describe a second position buyer. If there is more than one offer on a home, a seller may choose to offer the people in second position “the back-up position” so that seller does not need to go back to the market if the first position offer does not work out. Sellers often like to avoid the process of going back to market; making space for new people to see the home and a the paperwork associated with a second round of offers can be inconvenient and time consuming.
As a buyer, it is hard to hear that your offer was not accepted. Most of us move into a home in our minds before our offer is accepted. Coming in second place in a multiple offer situation can have a real silver lining though. The back-up agreement is basically like having a first right of refusal if the buyer in first position chooses to back out.
It seems counter intuitive that in this strong sellers market, buyers are backing out of sales more than ever, but it is happening. It may be because of the high level of competition required to just get your offer accepted and have the opportunity to take a further look at a home. Once a buyer has an offer accepted, there can be a moment after the competition is over and you look a little further, that gives pause. There isn’t a lot of time to think things through thoroughly in this competitive market. This is making the back up position more valuable than ever.
My wonderful, experienced client Kate, who just got the keys to her new home yesterday, is a perfect example. We had made, and been turned down on, two offers and were prepping for a third when we got a call back from the agent from the second home. The buyers had backed out and we were being called up from the “Back-Up position.” Because the seller had one buyer back out, they seemed to be appreciative of our offer. We had some very reasonable negotiations around inspections and the sellers repaired an expensive sewer line. Now, because we were willing to take “back-up,” Kate is moving in to her new home!
Hang in there buyers and don’t hesitate to accept that second place prize of “Back-Up.” It is more valuable than ever before!
If you are looking for a buyers agent that is always looking out for you, give me a call!
Quick to the Draw wins SW Mid-Century Stunner!
Congratulations to Tom and Kari for closing on this beautifully updated midcentury house in Vermont Hills.
Tom and Kari have been looking to move “back” to Portland for some time to be closer to family and to take advantage of the natural beauty of the Northwest. This home fit the bill on all fronts with an option for one-level living, amazing mid-century elements (two corner fireplaces), great neighborhood trails and streets for daily strolls, and serene forest-like views from almost every window.
Tom and Kari recognized that this was a special house right away and didn’t mess around when they realized it was going to be competitive to land this house. They were the first offer that the seller received, and they made their terms so compelling that the seller was motivated to act quickly on it. For that reason, while there was some competition from other buyers, it didn’t feel like the “feeding frenzy” that can be so disheartening for buyers. Kudos to Tom and Kari for quickly recognizing that the home was a winner AND for being willing to quickly take action to make it their reality!
Kari and Erika have many tips and strategies to make this sellers’ market work for our buyers. Please call us if you are looking to make a move!
Gone Commercial in St. Johns
Congratulations Roslyn on your purchase of this cute commercial building in the St. Johns neighborhood. It’s always a pleasure doing business with you and I look forward to working with you on your next project!
Kismet in Ladd’s Addition for My Sister
My sister Jamie moved from our hometown of Portland to New York City to pursue a career in visual arts in 1999, before Y2K, before 9/11, and during the last year of the Clinton era. Along the way she met my now brother-in-law Paul, bought a townhouse in Brooklyn during the height of the recession for a rock bottom price, had my now 8 year old niece and adopted the sweetest little mutt who they named Zucchini- an homage to our childhood dog Squash. For the past 21+ years Jamie, and then Jamie and family, have spent extended amounts of time in Portland, usually at least a couple of months over the summer. They had vague plans of moving to Portland “some day” but no super motivating factor to do the hard work of packing up, figuring out where to live in Portland, and all that goes along with moving across the country. Then 2020 came and like millions of other folks, they re-evaluated where they lived, and the motivation to live closer to family (us) and to get out of the suffocating humdrum of life in New York during the pandemic became stronger with each passing month. We had fantasies of them buying a house in my neighborhood, Ladd’s Addition, and being walking distance from each other so our kids could easily go back and forth between houses.
The market for single family homes in Brooklyn, and especially those with a driveway for off-street parking, a private back-yard and a renovated home like Jamie and Paul’s house, exploded. Just as they timed buying their home at the right time during the bottom of the market, they couldn’t have timed listing their home better. Within a week, they had 8 offers, all over asking. New York real estate sales take at least two to three times as long as Oregon transactions, which take about 30 days, so even though their house was pending, it would still be at least 2-3 months before they made the journey west. Once their house was under contract, my sister started seriously looking at listings in Portland. She sent me a listing of a house in my neighborhood, Ladd’s Addition, that was very intriguing. It was a gorgeous 1905 home with tons of original unpainted woodwork and leaded glass windows everywhere. But the thing that really stuck out for her was that it had an attic that looked like a 1950’s A-frame cabin with floor to ceiling windows facing west and a detached extra large 2 car garage. My brother-in-law is a composer so the 2 things that were most important to them besides price and location, was being able to have 2 studios- one for my sister’s visual art and one that could be turned into a soundproof music studio for my brother-in-law. This house in Ladd’s had both. They were still a couple months off from closing on their New York house, but I told her I would keep an eye on it.
In early December, they found out that their buyers were a sure thing and that their house in NY should close within a month. My sister asked me again about the house in Ladd’s, so the next day I did a 2+ hour FaceTime tour with Jamie and Paul. The house had had a front-porch make-over in the 1950’s, so it looked a little funky in the front, the kitchen is small and dated, and it didn’t have much in the way of upgrades to systems. It had been sitting on the market for 2 months, and despite that, it was reasonably priced. The entire time I toured the home with them on my phone, around every corner was another detail worth oooohhhing and ahhhhhing over. Once I was up on the third floor, in the third floor A-frame space, we were struck that the practically floor to ceiling windows revealed an amazing view of downtown Portland and the west hills. The ceilings peaked at over 12′ and the walls were covered in this beautifully textured mid-century plywood. After spending time up there, we realized that for my sister, there was never going to be another art studio attached to a house that was as inspiring, spacious and convenient as this space. In New York, my sister’s art studio was in a basement with low ceilings and little natural light, so having a studio with such an incredible city view was a dream come true. After we toured the house, we looked at the garage. It was built in 1978 and seemed super sturdy and about 500 sf- a huge garage for inner-city Portland standards. By the time I left, it was clear that they had found their dream home.
We wrote up an offer that evening, and had it accepted the next day. We FaceTimed again for the inspection wrap up, which confirmed that the house had great bones, but was sorely in need of electrical, plumbing, and a couple of small structural corrections- all issues that I could tell by just walking through. The sellers were adamant about selling it as-is, which was pretty disappointing. All of the issues were easily fixable, but really started to add up. After overthinking it and overthinking it, Jamie and Paul couldn’t imagine finding a more perfect house that had the location they wanted, in their price range, and already had both of their ideal studio spaces, so they decided to continue onward with the purchase. Throughout all of the transaction, my sister kept wondering why such a great house had been sitting on the market for so long as 2 months in this market is an eternity. After helping folks buy and sells homes in Portland for 14 years, I truly believe that some houses pick their owners, and this one was just waiting for Jamie and Paul.
Tualatin Townhouse for a Terrific Family
Seven years ago I helped some of my favorite buyers ever, Hanna and Kylan, buy their first home in Foster Powell. From the moment I started working with them, I fell in love with them- they are so on it and we spent so much time laughing together. Not long after they bought that home, they had their first kid. Two and a half years later in the summer of 2016, Hanna was pregnant with their 2nd kiddo and with new adventures out of state awaiting them, I helped them sell their first home. A couple of years ago, they moved back to Portland, and Kylan started working in Tualatin. Not wanting to spend hours in traffic every day commuting, they rented an apartment within walking distance from Kylan’s job in Tualatin. A couple of years of living in an apartment with 2 rambunctious boys and 2 dogs was starting to wear on them, especially as the pandemic raged on and everyone is home all the time.
This past summer Hanna contacted me because they were considering buying another home, this time in Tualatin. We talked for a really long time catching up and talking about what their next move would look like. I gave her the name of a great lender and off they went. I primarily only work in the City of Portland, but I loved working with Hanna and Kylan twice in the past, so for fantastic clients like these folks, I’ll go just about anywhere I’m licensed for the chance to work with them again. Four months later, Hanna contacted me because they were more ready then ever to make the move. Given how low low low the inventory is everywhere, when it came time to actually look at something in the area they wanted to live in, there was literally one home on the market in their price range in the tight circle of where they wanted to live. I met Hanna the next day while her boys stayed in the car. Kylan was working and wasn’t able to meet us to see the house. It was a well kept end unit townhouse that backed up to wetlands so the back view was lovely and wooded and the house was the perfect size and location. Offers were being reviewed the next day, so after sleeping on it, they decided they really did want to buy it. When wrote up the offer, they were originally going to just offer list price, but with at least one other offer on the table, I advised them if they just nudged their offer up by just a few thousand, they would have a better chance of having their offer accepted. They took my advice and later that day had their offer accepted. Kylan didn’t see the home until the home inspection, but I knew that Kylan trusted Hanna so it was quite the relief when after seeing the home in person at the home inspection, Kylan was super excited. Thankfully the sellers had the home pre-inspected and made plans to address everything biggish on the inspection report, including replacing the furnace which still worked, but was on the older side. One month and two kids later, for the second time in 7 years, I got to hand over new keys to one of my favorite families!
Livability and income potential
Molly was on the hunt for a home she could thrive in with her kids, within a certain driving distance to the primary locations of their lives. Some thoughtful strategy around her desired commute time radius left open the possibility of moving to different neighborhoods in Portland. Molly was also interested in a home with long term investment potential. Sometimes the second you jump into the market the right one hits, and such was the case when Molly recognized the potential in a 1911 Craftsman with an oversized garage, seemingly MADE for an ADU conversion. This home was too good to let slip away, so she played her strongest cards in a highly competitive scenario and it paid off!
Just Listed: Light & Bright Hillsboro Ranch
JUST LISTED: 2457 NE GRANT ST
Offered at $399,900
3 Bed | 2 Bath | SF 1414 | MLS# 20106662 | Taxes: $2860
2457 NE Grant St, Hillsboro OR 97124
This well-maintained and inviting one level Ranch is the one! You’re going to love the fantastic layout, comfortable features and wonderful location!
Entering the foyer and into the living room, you are immediately greeted with vaulted ceilings and wonderful natural light. Open to the living room is a large dining room with plenty of room for relaxation and gatherings alike!
Make your way through the heart of the home and you’ll find an open concept kitchen with an eating bar that flows nicely into a family room. Big windows overlooking the backyard and a wood fireplace make this space feel both spacious and inviting.
The layout and flow throughout the home is easy to navigate and absolutely ideal for a home of this size. Through the hall, you’ll find a full bathroom and 2 bedrooms filled with great natural light. A lovely primary suite with two large closets and a lovely mirrored barn door to the bathroom.
This home has been carefully maintained with a newer furnace, A/C and double pane vinyl windows! Rounding out the home is a nice sized laundry room and 2-car garage with plenty of storage.
Step outside into a beautiful, oversized backyard! Established landscaping and greenery surround a patio ready for entertaining or lounging on hot summer days. Plus, you’ll love what bounty the warmer weather brings including roses, lilacs & mature fruit trees: apple, Asian pear, plums and grapevines. The yard is fully fenced for privacy which makes this a delightful space for entertaining and Fido-friendly too! Located in a quiet neighborhood walking distance to MAX, Shopping Center and Shadywood Park with trails and a playground. Easy commute to Intel, Nike and HWY 26. This is a wonderful place to call home!
More Information
I Love My Clients!
These fine folks, Abby and Andy, contacted me after our mutual friends
Aaron and Mallory (and their Hillbilly Hilton as seen below)
talked me up to Abby and Andy when they said they were thinking about buying their own home. Turns out I love the friends of our friends. Andy and Abby are great people and wonderful clients.
It’s a short story-
We found them their dream house in SW Hills.
We had to compete but got the house.
We had fun doing it!
And tonight, we drink champagne together at their new home!
Let me know if you’ve got goals to buy a home for the first time or the tenth, I’m happy to help and fun to work with.
Is Now the Time to Sell?
Sometimes we get to that moment of warmth in the realization that we’ve finally landed in a place where we can settle in, grow some roots, and really get to living. Then sometimes life gets in the way. If 2020 wasn’t that year for you – congratulations!
For some recent clients it was work that surprised them with a forced move across the country. So in the middle of a pandemic they needed to make some minor repairs, paint the entire interior of the house, and have some landscaping taken care of. All while working from home with two small children – one who needed constant supervision so he didn’t break himself (again) and one who required a parent to be their teacher for the majority of the day. No problem!
“No problem,” became a mantra in 2020. It was a year full of new challenges, but in the end it was better than could have been expected. We found new, socially distanced, ways to do business, came up with new solutions to what were now unique scenarios, and ultimately made things happen. Lots of things. Portland real estate was bustling through the first 9 months of the pandemic – and we’re still going.
A lot of people have been on the fence about selling for reasons that are completely understandable, but if you’re willing to be flexible and think out of the box now could be a great time to sell your home. We’ve been in a strong seller’s market for quite awhile, but now more than ever. The combination of historically low inventory in conjunction with great interest rates has left buyers competing for homes across the Portland Metro and Vancouver areas.
If you’re interested in talking about this more feel free to reach out!
Dancing Into Homeownership
I met Dianne and Luke through our mutual friend, Angie. The three of them are part of the Lindy Hop community, and met when they were all living on the east coast. Lindy Hop is a form of dance that became popular in Black communities in the 1920s. The dance has continued to rise in popularity in no small part because of the uplifting and fun form. According to one website, “The spirit of Lindy Hop today is about inclusivity, creativity, and improvisation.”
This beautiful couple decided to transplant to the west coast and we started their search over a year ago, but due to issues with the sale of their home back east, they ended up waiting to purchase until the end of 2020. Though not without some challenges, we finally found them a beautiful bungalow sandwiched between the Mississippi and Vancouver/Williams corridor neighborhoods. This home is spectacular! Original details and updates where needed.
I hope Dianne and Luke are happy in this home for many years to come.
If you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell a home, please contact Amanda Haworth at 503-453-7698 or amanda@livingroomre.com.
Tips for Buying a Multi-Family Home
Purchasing a multi-family home offers a unique set of challenges, when compared to buying a single family residence — especially if you plan on occupying one or more of the units in the multiplex. Given the impact of the global pandemic, there are some additional challenges that buyers will face as well. Outlined below is a (non-exhaustive) list of things to consider and prepare for, if you would like to buy a multi-family home:
- You will likely have to write an offer before seeing the interior — If the multiplex is currently leased, there is a strong chance that all offers will need to be written “subject to interior inspection.” Meaning, you have to submit an offer (and have it accepted) prior to setting foot inside any of the units. This isn’t quite as scary as it sounds, though. If you walk through the units, and are not satisfied with what you see, you can attempt to renegotiate the terms of the offer, or simply terminate the agreement altogether. This type of requirement is usually in place to protect the tenants from having to vacate the premises over and over again for showings. Requiring all prospective buyers to submit an offer (and have it accepted) prior to viewing the interior, helps ensure that only the most serious buyers are being shown the property.
- Occupancy may have some challenges — If the current tenants are signed to long-term leases, any new owner of the property will be required to let those leases run their course. If you plan on occupying one or more of the units, this can provide some significant challenges, as most Lenders will require that you move into at least one of the units within 60-90 days of closing — otherwise they will consider it a purchase of an investment property. If the tenants are on month-to-month leases, they will still have to be given 90-days notice for a move-out date, so it’s important to negotiate all of these terms as part of the initial offer for the property.
- Inspection and Repair Considerations — When it comes time to inspect a multi-family property, there are a few additional things to consider. a) The inspection will likely take much longer than an inspection of a single-family home, and will also cost more. Both of these will of course depend on the number of units in the multiplex. b) The tenants are not required to move their furniture or personal belongings (nor can we make them) for the inspection. This might mean certain areas are not able to be inspected as thoroughly as we might like. c) The tenants are not required to leave for the inspection (nor can we make them), so there is always a chance that they are present for the duration of inspections. d) If repairs are needed, it may be easiest for all parties if these are handled through a credit or price reduction. Coordinating repairs, providing proper notice to tenants and working out access for contractors — that also fits with the tenants’ schedules — can prove quite difficult, so handling these items monetarily is often the most effective method.
- Seek guidance from a Real Estate Attorney — As a Realtor, I specialize in helping my clients buy and sell property. And while I have a loose grasp on a number of the laws regarding tenant’s rights, I am simply not qualified to provide legal advice on those matters. I strongly encourage my clients to speak with a Real Estate Attorney early on in the process, so as to ensure all rules and regulations are properly followed — especially when it comes to taking responsibility for vacating a tenant. It’s 100% worth the financial and time investment to do so. Trying to navigate these topics on your own is just not worth the risk in my opinion.
- The Pandemic Effect — Throughout the last year, there have been a number of eviction moratoriums and temporary rule changes when it comes to tenant’s rights. Having an understanding of which laws apply to the property you are interested in will prove critical for a successful purchase. Again, here is where I would defer to an Attorney to provide the proper guidance, which only underscores the importance of having a solid Real Estate Attorney on your team for this venture.
While this list is certainly not exhaustive of all the things to consider when buying a multi-family home in the Portland area, it’s a good start towards preparing yourself for this type of investment!
Next Stage
The Wandschneider family just grew to a family of 4, so it was time to think about moving from their cute little bungalow to a home to grow into. They knew this would be their forever home, so finding a wonderful home and community was very important. We set out on our first tour and saw a handful of homes not expecting to find “the one,” but as soon as we entered the last home on the tour it was clear this home stood in a league of its own and was very close to their current neighborhood, which they love. It was fate and we are so very excited to deliver keys to this wonderful home and family!
Keep the Faith People: A Success Story of a Zero Down Payment, First Time Home Buyer Experience
A Zero Downpayment in this market?- Yes!
Under $400k?- Yes!
Cute house in SE?- Yes!
The loan is ‘Just for Starters’ from OnPoint Community Credit Union
Our Rock Star loan officer is Adam Rousse @ Adam.Rousse@onpointcu.com
Keep the faith people-
It took four offers on four homes in four consecutive weeks but my wonderful first time home buyers with an eye for ‘cute’ and attention to detail found a wonderful home to call their own. They took possession of their new home two days before Christmas and it was a joy to play a part in helping these two find their first home.
My buyers contacted me this fall out of the blue. 98% of my clients come to me by referral, whether it is from past clients, friends, an office referral or a lender referral, but there is almost always some kind of context. When the buyer called me and said that they had chosen to interview with me based on information they had found online, I was really surprised, but thrilled.
Thank you to all of you who have left a review! Your kind words are finding their way!
These buyers agreed to a meeting in which we go through the process of a purchasing and I take notes on their goals. This conversation usually ends with the ‘with what?’ question, which is one way to say; what is your budget and what is the down payment?
When these buyers let me know we’d be under $400k, ideally closer to $350k with a zero down payment loan… I took a deep breath. I know this market and I know very well that there are more buyers than there are sellers. We had ourselves a bit of a challenge, challenge accepted!
Right away we got out and started to tour homes. We saw some great ones, terrible ones, underpriced ones and some clearly overpriced. We made three great offers and got beat out very clearly on two. The third we landed a back up offer and the fourth we got acceptance!
The inspections went well overall but there were a few items that any buyer would ask for so we made a good case for needed repairs, requests were presented with bids from trusted contractors. The sellers signed off on all requested repairs in the form of $4500 credit to the buyers closing costs!
When the appraisal came back $4000 over the negotiated sales price we were clear for landing. These really wonderful buyers had been able to leverage a great loan option to their advantage and scored a great home for their first home together.
It’s my honor to work hard and get great results for my clients. I work with both buyers and sellers and love the work that I do. I, of course, couldn’t do it without my team. Thank you Nieka and Carly!
The Perfect Little House in the Shadow of Mt Tabor
My clients Elizabeth and Tom contacted me in early October. They were getting all their ducks in a row to start the home buying process within the first 6 months of 2021. After we spoke, Elizabeth got in touch with a great lender and it was after she spoke with the lender that they realized they were actually a lot closer to making home ownership a reality then they had anticipated. Once pre-approved, they realized that with rates below 3%, buying a home sooner then later to take advantage of the low low low rates was within their reach. Besides staying within their budget, location was the most important feature, and they knew they wanted to be as close-in as possible, preferably west of 82nd and within walking distance of places you would want to walk to and near transit so once the pandemic ends Elizabeth could easily get downtown to her job at Mercy Corps.
On our first outing to see homes, we saw a few homes and found a couple that they really liked. One in particular, in Madison South just a few spits east of 82nd seemed to check all the boxes. It was a home that has just been flipped, so from what I could see when we saw the house in person, it looked ok. There are always 2 parts of a house that I can’t see during a showing, and it’s those 2 parts that tend to have the most issues. The crawl space and attic. I always warn my clients up front that the crawl space and attic will make or break a house. Armed with the knowledge that the house was a flip and that I could not see the attic or crawl space, they decided to take their chances and write up an offer. For a house listed under $400k that looked to be in decent shape on the interior and had a nice floor plan, surprisingly it only had one offer. This is usually a sign of not great things, but hey- it meant no competition and since it had just been listed, they wrote their offer at just list price and not over asking. Their offer was accepted and we scheduled the inspection to happen within a couple of days. When we arrived at the house to go over the report with the inspector, I could tell by the look on my inspectors face that the house was a dud and all my concerns about it just having been flipped were validated. The crawl space and attic were total wrecks. Rats had chewed through a ton of the wiring, had made nests everywhere, even in the house ductwork. Rodent feces was out the wahoo and all the other terrible things that happen when rats move in were present. It was so bad that our inspector wasn’t able to inspect the whole crawl space or attic. We were all incredulous that the flippers who listed this house didn’t even bother to do any clean up or even try to cover it up. And it just added more fodder for my hesitancy in recommending recently flipped houses to first time buyers. My buyers terminated that very afternoon.
A couple of days later a cupcake little mid-century ranchalow just west of 82nd on the east side of Mt. Tabor in the SE part of Montavilla came on the market. Painted a perfect light blue/teal with scalloped siding frosting the front of the house, the curb appeal was delicious. This one hit all the same boxes as the Montavilla house, and this one felt even more warm and cozy. This house was not a flip and had been well taken care of by the previous owners. After sleeping on it, and before they even had their earnest money back in their pockets after terminating on the first house they had been in transaction with, they decided to go for it. This house did receive multiple offers and Elizabeth and Tom were able to rise to the top with a small escalation clause. For the second time in a week, they had an offer accepted on a great house. This house sailed through the inspection, and with just a couple of needed repairs that we were able to negotiate, the transaction was smooth from start to finish.
3 Key Tips for Relocating to Portland
If you are relocating to the Portland area, and looking to buy a home, here are 3 key things worth considering, which will help prepare yourself for success in this current real estate market.
- Find a place to rent first — the timeline for finding the right home to buy might take longer than expected. Extremely low inventory means there will be less homes to choose from, and the multiple offer scenarios we see regularly might mean you miss on a couple homes before ultimately having an offer accepted. Having a stable, open-ended housing situation in the meantime will take a lot of stress out of the process, and help ensure that you don’t have external pressures that force you to settle on a home that you might not otherwise want to buy.
- Choose a local Lender — Having a Lender with local market knowledge is crucial for your success in this market. Many Lenders are licensed in multiple states, so it might be tempting to work with your Lender from California, or your big bank that you have an established relationship with. While this may seem like the path of least resistance, I have seen too many scenarios in which this type of Lender selection has worked against a Buyer; particularly during a multiple offer situation. Listing Agents and Sellers want to know that the Buyer’s Lender is in-tune with the local market and local appraiser timelines, which will help ensure the deal closes on time.
- Be Open Minded with Location — There are so many great neighborhoods and micro-markets here in the Portland area, and if you are relocating here, you may not be aware of all of them. Oftentimes, it’s helpful to consider the characteristics that you are looking for in the neighborhood that you want to live in. If you have a list of what those things are, I can help identify which neighborhoods might be a great fit! Then, I always recommend spending time exploring those neighborhoods — even spending a weekend doing normal “weekend activities” in the different areas you want to consider. Being open minded is key in this market, as some neighborhoods only have a handful of homes sell in a given month. Eliminating certain areas without giving them proper consideration could mean missing on a great home!
While this list is certainly not exhaustive of all the things to consider when relocating to Portland, it’s a good start towards preparing yourself for a move here!
2020 wasn’t only full of crap!
2020 wasn’t only full of crap!
It goes without saying that 2020 has been a messed up year. Politics, COVID, and social unrest aside, I still find myself in a place of gratitude. It is in times like this we see what really matters… Helping people! I am thankful for the amazing clients I get to help navigate this competitive market and come out on the other side victorious. Today Carson gets the keys to his new house, a place for him and his daughter to make home!
Proud Ground and Columbia Ecovillage for the Ultimate Co-housing Opportunity
My clients Laura and Umar contacted me in mid-October because they had just been approved to purchase a home at Columbia Ecovillage through the local community land trust, Proud Ground. I absolutely love what Proud Ground does and any chance I get to work with a family who has been approved to purchase one of their homes I jump on the opportunity.
Land trusts provides permanently affordable home ownership opportunities for families making at or below 80% of the area median income level. The land trust legally splits the home from the land. The “land” remains in the trust in perpetuity, while the home can be bought and sold as long as the new homeowners make below the 80% median family income at the time of purchase. By taking the land value out of the equation, the price of the home remains affordable. Columbia Ecovillage is a multi-generational co-housing community in Cully made up of 37 condominiums and situated on nearly 4 acres of splendor. The units rarely become available, but earlier this year a unit did come on the market, and a couple of long term Columbia Ecovillage residents decided they wanted to have a family sized unit be part of Proud Ground. This couple purchased the unit and donated it to Proud Ground to sell, and bringing another housing unit into the land trust.
Umar and Laura had moved to China from Portland a couple of years ago when Laura got a job doing mental health work for an English-speaking school there. This past February, they decided to go to Cambodia for a 2-week holiday. While they were there, coronavirus starting surging in China and around the world, and their family wound up getting stuck in Cambodia and were not allowed to return to China. After weeks in SE Asia it became clear they would not be able to return to China to their home for an unknown amount of time- probably months. They decided to go with plan B which involved making their way back to Portland. They left behind most of their belongings in China, including work and personal computers, and someday they hope to return there to recover their stuff. Once they arrived back in Portland, thankfully they found a fully furnished apartment to land in. Laura was able to keep her job in China working remotely from Portland, but it did mean her hours were late given the time zone difference.
Umar is from Uganda and growing up in Uganda, daily life was lived more communally. When they heard about Proud Ground and found out about the unit for sale at Columbia Ecovillage, it seemed like the perfect fit. They stopped by and were welcomed in and given a tour by some fantastic residents there. They fell in love with the idea of moving into this village space with beautiful shared gardens, community spaces, a communal kitchen and large old home that the residents use for gatherings, meetings and socializing and being a part of a close-knit community. They applied with Proud Ground and were accepted into the program and the unit at Columbia Ecovillage was reserved in their names. And that’s when I entered the picture after Laura called me. We wrote up the offer, and of course it was accepted. As we were writing up the offer, Laura and Umar learned who the benevolent sellers were who purchased the unit to bring into the Proud Ground stable, and it turned out the sellers were the very same people who had given Laura and Umar and their 4 year old son a tour and spent time talking with them about the community, and it all made sense. Everything was smooth sailing until it came time for the final employment verification. With Laura’s employer based in China, it did make for some tense moments and caused a slight delay in closing getting that final verification, but in the end, the sale closed and Umar and Laura and their son joined Columbia Ecovillage as the newest residents.
Gratitude in Pandemic Times
In early March of this year the pandemic was just beginning to feel real. While most of us still had no clue as to the magnitude or impact of the problem, many of us were beginning to consider making changes to the way we moved through the world. I hadn’t started wearing a mask yet but I began social distancing, wiping down surfaces in homes I visited or held open houses, and avoided contact with buyers sellers and other agents. I remember the first weekend in March when agents looked at me weird, or giggled when I told them I wasn’t shaking hands for a while.
But, as the reality of the world situation started to settle in, I just naturally expected that people would be staying home, working from home, and planning to stay living where they were. I started circling the wagons in preparation for a slow year of business. It was still too soon to tell where things were going but of all the options I considered for what the business year would look like, there wasn’t one that looked like a fairly normally busy year for me and a banner year that some agents have experienced. I hadn’t seen the writing on the wall yet that a combination of lowering interest rates, low housing inventory, people working from home and their desires to be closer to their families or further away from the masses would combine to make for a busy real estate year. All of that said, I have been grateful for the ability to help people land where they wanted at a time that has been and is very disruptive and troubling to most of our lives.
With all of that comes mixed feelings. While I have been able to maintain a comfortable, albeit much less social and more hermited lifestyle, many people around me have struggled immensely this year and anticipate further and more difficult struggles into 2021. I can only imagine the pain and difficulty that many have felt through job losses, illness, the loss of loved ones and displacement from their homes.
As this year comes to a close I feel deeply grateful for my health, the health of my clients, friends, family and my partner. I am grateful for Living Room Realty, the Real Estate Community and our clients willingness to adapt to doing business in a very different and much safer way. But most of all, I’m grateful for the emotional support I’ve received and especially the support I’ve been able to provide everyone around me. If I can be there for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Be well,
Martin
How to get it done!
In a market of record-low inventory, increasing prices, and fierce competition, Stefan had the right formula to find a home quickly. He put less emphasis on the charm and more emphasis on functionality. The home Stefan found is solid, practical, and on a huge lot. It will provide him with space for roommates, low maintenance, a quarter acre of yard, and an awesome outbuilding. The home truly has it all and Stefan saw that so he dove in, threw down, and scored a fabulous home in a growing NE neighborhood well within budget! Finding a quality home under $450,000 with good spaces and condition in Portland is hard to say the least and Stefan came out victorious!
Another WIN for First Time Homebuyers!
Congratulations to David and Mireille who closed on their first home on Monday. This is the ninth time (insert Ferris Bueller joke here!) we have helped first time homebuyers purchase a home in the last 4 months! Yes — low inventory and low interest rates makes this a sellers’ market, BUT the low interest rates work in our buyers’ favor too — they can afford to pay more for a house while keeping payments at a comfortable level. Moreover, first time homebuyers usually have an edge over competition as they don’t have a home to sell. They have good flexibility when it come to when they can close and take possession.
David and Mireille were flexible when it came to location, which is another hallmark of many of our successful first time homebuyers. Because they chose to consider homes in a broad swath of Southeast Portland, they found a cute and well maintained home in Brentwood Darlington that checked most of their boxes: three bedrooms, open concept living and dining, updated systems, and lovely outdoor spaces. It even has a a fun dining room peninsula from which their beloved cats can slink, play and pounce!
We know David and Mireille (and their kitties!) will have many happy years in their new home. Are you considering purchasing a home for the first time? Now is a great time to explore your options — Call us!
Winning the Multiple Offer Game in Kenton on the Perfect House
Nowhere in Portland proper on the east side is competition for what few decent homes are on the market fiercest then in N/NE Portland, and in particular Kenton, Overlook and Arbor Lodge and Concordia. Any decent home listed under $500k WILL get multiple offers. Going into the house hunting search, I warned my buyers Josie and Brandon of what to expect if they wanted to buy a house in those parts of town. First weekend we went out looking they found a house that was full of charm and had a great location. After seeing it, they went home, slept on it and decided to put in an offer. It was an a cute house but had an awkward layout, so they were only willing to offer so much. And unsurprisingly, they lost out on that house. And then a couple of weeks later another sweet vintage home in Concordia came on the market that checked most of the boxes. After we saw that one, they went home, slept on it and decided to put in an offer. And same story on this one- they were not willing to pay as high as it was going to go, so they lost out on that one.
We kept looking at houses and then a sweet vintage bungalow in the heart of Kenton came on the market. We went to check it out and the entire time we wandered around Josie kept repeating that this was their house, and they were willing to give it their all to get THIS house, and those other 2 houses were just practice houses. And because it was super cute, in great condition and in a stellar location- the ultimate trifecta- it received 7 offers. We put in an escalation clause and threw in some other carrots and thankfully the seller accepted Josie and Brandon’s offer! Transaction went smoothly and here they are- one month after having their offer accepted!
The One and Only
As it has been said before, buying a home is no easy process. Especially when it is your first home, there is a global pandemic, wildfires, and many other motivated buyers in the market. This is why choosing a dedicated buyer’s agent to work with is so important!
That said, here is the story of my clients, Jack & Julia. Together we navigated the challenges with ease and emerged victoriously!
All together we toured roughly 20 homes ranging from 900 sqft cabins in Rhododendron, sprawling 1+ acre lots in Sandy, to the more traditional 3 bedroom and 2 bath properties in Gresham and Troutdale, as well as everything in between.
After getting a solid idea of what the market had to offer, Jack & Julia decided to write and offer on the best home of all. This was a great 1960’s single-level positioned in SE with a lot that backs right up to the park! This was the first offer that my clients had decided to write, and they were in love as the property checked every box on the list.
At first, it seemed like we had just missed the boat. We were outbid by a small margin but due to good communication when writing the offer and strong first impressions, we had the opportunity to move into back-up position. This allowed us to continue looking, but also remain on-deck should things change.
Lucky for us, this worked out in our favor and our back-up offer was soon accepted. Just like that, we were under contract on the one home that my clients wanted out of more than 20+ that we had seen.
While this was their first offer and we were initially placed in back-up position, it was a success! Despite all the environmental and unforeseen challenges, my clients were rewarded with the one and only home that they wanted which makes for a happy ending and an exciting new beginning as we approach 2021!
Jack & Julia, I genuinely appreciate your trust and belief in me as your Realtor. I look forward to some killer post-pandemic parties and to helping you build that backyard sauna!
It’s Easy to Be Seen at Cully Green
About 5 years ago I helped my clients Tim and Elizabeth purchase their first home in the Cully neighborhood. It was an older home on a nice sized lot with a lot of old house quirks. Earlier this year in the year (though it feels like it was 10 years ago) they contacted me because a new co-housing development was about to break ground right in the heart of the Cully neighborhood called Cully Green. Built by Orange Splot, who is well known for their green building, use of whimsical features and lots of real wood in their buildings, Cully Green is a community of 23 homes- 22 newly built townhomes and 1 home from the 1920’s that is original to the space. Tim and Elizabeth heard about this new community and had gone to a couple of meetings to learn more, and realized this was going to be exactly the kind of community that they wanted to be a part of. Featuring a community building, gardens, and even a sauna- some of the highlights of physical features of living in a co-housing situation along with the opportunity to build a new community from the ground up was super appealing to them. The buildings in the development are built around several courtyards with large covered front porches designed to invite neighbors to pull up a chair and chat. We wrote up an offer on a yet to be built unit in early March,and at the time we wrote up the offer, the expected completion date was around January/February of 2021.
Then Covid hit, and like everything else in the world, the whole project timeline was thrown for a loop as everyone hunkered down at the beginning of the pandemic. With a month or so, it became clear that because of Covid, a lot of the subcontractors on the job were going to have more time to devote to Cully Green since so many smaller projects stopped, or delayed starting. With all of the contractors and subcontractors going full steam ahead, we were notified in early summer that the homes should be ready for occupancy by late October or early November! In late August we put their home on the market and thankfully got a great offer that accommodated Tim and Elizabeth’s closing on Cully Green. The sale on their home went really well, and they closed right on time. As is often the case with new construction, by the end of October it was pretty clear their new home would not be ready to close the first week in November due to paperwork issues. Since we had already timed the sale of their house to coincide with the closing on Cully Green, the Cully Green folks were gracious enough to let Tim and Elizabeth take early occupancy otherwise they would have had to find someplace to stay for a couple of weeks with their pup. So while they moved into their home about 2 weeks before they officially closed, it was pretty still pretty exciting to meet them at their new home and see the whole project finished.
Washington County Treasures
For Buyers looking for more affordable property taxes, or just more options in our current low inventory market, searching slightly further west can still get you a relatively “close in” property. With lower property taxes, it can also give you a little more buying power. Many of these homes are still within city of Portland boundaries, even though they are within Washington County tax jurisdiction (vs Multnomah County). If Beaverton feels, or sounds, too far out, there are options! This lovely home in the West Slope neighborhood was just the right fit for my Buyers.
I’m happy to share all of these little pockets with you to help you find just the right fit for your needs. Give me a call if you’ like to discuss what you are looking for in your next home.
Veronica Powell
503.936.3475
Veronica@ LivingRoom RE.com
Awesome House, Awesome People.
Hannah and Sasha are just plain awesome and therefore it makes sense that we got them into a truly awesome house. They gave me fair warning at the onset that they weren’t in a hurry and anticipated being very patient in their efforts to find the one. Lucky for them, that the awesome house they wanted showed up more quickly than anyone could have hoped. Congratulations Hannah and Sasha! I couldn’t be happier for you!
Family first
Nathan was looking for a home in Sellwood that would be close to family and a great spot for his girls. At Nathan’s price point, homes in Sellwood came with a bit of fixing, but Nathan was motivated and clear on his priorities. He is embracing the idea of future projects, knowing the tradeoff is remaining connected to his community and staying in the best location for his kids. Congratulations Nathan!
The long haul…
Sarah and Charles had been in the market for about two years. At a tough price point in a competitive market and with clear location parameters, their search was about the waiting game. To top it off, they were touring homes exclusively virtually, so being their eyes and ears was our goal. Like many buyers, vintage charm (or the potential for the restoration of charm) was something that was important to them. But, charm at this price point can often mean cramped spaces, awkward layouts, or other hurdles. So, when an older St. John’s home with the open spaces they were missing in so many of the others popped on the market, they jumped. They were not the highest offer, but they wrote competitive terms that created a strong case for them as buyers and they won! It was amazing to tour the home with them in person after so much distance and to see their patience pay off!
Cross Country Move…
Amber and Jared were selling their home out of state and had a limited timeline to purchase their new Portland home, so they were motivated buyers with their eyes on the goal! Amber grew up in Oregon, but Portland has changed so dramatically since her time here that their search was in part about becoming reacquainted with the city and finding neighborhoods that would be compatible with their lifestyle. They were moving from a community they LOVED, so finding a neighborhood that fosters connection was important to them. Luckily, they still have close friends and family in town, and those that know them best pointed them toward the Maywood neighborhood. When they drove down Maywood’s tree-lined streets, busy with neighbors walking and socializing, it simply felt like home.
Masquerade Ball…
Or at least that’s how it felt… Duplex, Triplex, and ADU were the costume themes for this ball, but what lay underneath was non-confirming units, no permits, and much much more. The process involved a lot of researching and educating our client on the risk he would be taking on and the impact this has on value. We do not take this process lightly and our client saw that. As an agent who prides herself on education and helping a client see potential pitfalls, constantly poo-pooing options felt daunting… The search felt like a game of line them up and knock them down UNTIL we came across an amazing property with historic character intact and permits! This home was as it seemed… a place for our client to settle into, that would also provide income. Way to be patient!
Roller Coast Year – Celebrating the Ups
I have heard from a lot of people that this year has felt like a roller coaster with so many ups and downs. One of my ups this year was that I was fortunate to be able to represent some of the most kind people that I have ever met and magically get them into their first home in a really tough price range on their first try, it was amazing! The magic here was having clients who followed my advice and also having a great relationship with the broker on the other side made for a smooth transaction. Congratulations to all parties!
My client, Tasa’s home remodel
In 2018, Tasa, reached out to me because she wanted to flip a house. I didn’t know it would lead to this, but since then, we have spent many hours talking about house remodeling, key improvements, and how to ensure a profitable investment. Just finishing up her third successful home remodel, I wanted to share some of her work with Kara Mack on Afternoon Live. Below are a few before and after photos. For the full 8 minute segment, and more of the work she did to the house, check out the link below.
My Client, Tasa’s, Third House Flip
Fresh Energy!
The stress and anxiety leading up to the election this year was like none other before it. It felt like so much of our future hinged on this election, and I was nervous about whether Americans would vote to restore a sense of competency in the White House. As a Realtor and business-owner, it was such a huge relief to see Joe Biden elected as President; knowing that someone who actually cared about the American people and small business would be running the show. There are so many challenges we will all face as we try to dig our way out of the devastating effects of the pandemic, but for the first time in 2020, it feels like there is light at the end of the tunnel. Congratulations to President-elect, Joe Biden, and Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris!
Moving On Up to Mt. Tabor
A little over 4 years ago a most fabulous lady named Claire contacted me to help her purchase her first home. At the time, she was working for a non-profit and while she didn’t have a lot of funds or a high paying job, she did have fierce determination to buy a home. It took a while, and included several grants and first time home buyer programs, but she wound up purchasing the most adorable condo ever that I was listing. My seller on the condo had purchased the condo a couple of years before, and then met the love of her life and they sold the condo to buy a bigger home. Claire wound up buying the condo after a break-up with a former partner. Fast forward 3 years and Claire contacted me again because she had met the love of her life Timothy. Claire had moved out of the condo into a larger apartment with Timothy, and she was ready to sell the condo. I listed the condo and within a couple of weeks got a great offer and a month later she closed on the condo and that chapter of her life. Timothy is a veteran and eligible for a VA loan. I hooked them up with Jennifer Leon over at Umpqua who is fabulous with VA loans and they got pre-approved for a nice sized loan. Off we went to go look at good sized detached houses with 3 and 4 bedrooms in great parts of town.
We spent a solid weekend looking at 10+ houses, and as often happens, they fell in love with the first house we saw. It’s a brand new 4 bedroom home with a legal ADU that sits on the edge of Mt Tabor and has a lovely west facing view. With both of them working from home, this house has plenty of space for a home office and future bedrooms for their hopefully expanded family. And with the ADU on the bottom floor, it provides a great space for a renter or as a space for family to come stay for longer visits once a baby comes on board. After they decided that this was the house they wanted to buy, they got back in touch with Jennifer for a pre-approval letter to go along with their offer, and found at that the interest rate was only 2.5%. TWO POINT FIVE PERCENT! Whut?!? Claire and Timothy had a monthly budget and at that low of a rate, it meant that they could do 100% financing and still pay several hundred less a month then what they had budgeted for. We all had to slap ourselves silly when we found out how low their monthly payments would be- even with zero down.
We wrote up the offer, had it accepted, went through inspections and with the exception of a very unexpected find of an abandoned oil tank on a property with new construction, (that thankfully had not leaked) sailed through the transaction. A little more then 3 years after I handed Claire her first set of keys to her very first home, I had the privilege of handing over the second set of keys to an even bigger and better home.
Get Out Your Favorite Pens Folks Because We Are About To Check ALL THE BOXES
Congratulations to Nathan & Isabelle!!
My clients are some of my favorite people! I’m proud to say my business is entirely referral-based which means there is a high level of trust naturally built-in to our relationship from the beginning. Nathan and Isabelle were no exception. They were referred to me by Nathans’s sister, Jenn, who has been a client for years. As expected from already knowing Jenn, Nathan and Isabelle are some of the sweetest people on the planet. They were looking for a cute house with a yard and an oversized, clean garage. Nathan’s hobby is car racing so he needs a nice space to work on cars.
Nathan and Isabelle saw a good number of homes that didn’t quite hit the mark, but they were troopers and stuck with it. They knew exactly what they wanted and they were not willing to compromise. So, when this cutie popped up they knew it was the ONE and they were ready to jump on it!
The market is very competitive right now and Nathan and Isabelle were on board to put together a very competitive offer that was accepted without hesitation! I think it really helped that they had seen a lot of houses already, so they knew a gem when they saw it and were ready to fight for it. This house couldn’t be a better fit for Nathan and Isabelle! Seriously, it almost seems as if they manifested it, that’s what a great fit it is. They did the right thing by waiting for something that checked all the boxes!
Here’s to their new home!
MID-CENTURY LOVE
Jenna and Jeff loved their mid-century home, but needed more space and wanted to improve their school district. We explored older homes, but nothing gave them the comfort of solid mid-century construction. They were patient, realistic, and open-minded, all of which led us to the perfect storybook home and sale. The sellers were a couple that cared for their amazing mid-century for the past 55 years and were ready to move to a smaller place. Jenna and Jeff were ready to take on the stewardship of this well-loved home and yard (Jeff’s an avid gardener). This experience has been more than they ever expected, both because of the house and the rare opportunity to truly meet the owners.
To Be Young Again
It was so much fun helping Alex and Jessica find their first home and start their life together. They have been married for 2 years, living with roommates as they saved for this. All their hard work and patience to make their dream come true was supported by appreciation, eagerness, and excitement, which I simply found so refreshing and a privilege to be a part of. Now they have a space for their big couch (a couch they bought together and love) and a yard for a new puppy!
A New Perspective
As we approach the end of the year, I always spend time reflecting back on the market for that year — where my business came from, whether I was able to improve my level of service and expertise, and the motivations that inspired buying and selling decisions. This year was markedly different from any previous year for many obvious reasons. As Realtors, we all had to adapt to changes in the way we conduct business — Zoom calls instead of face-to-face meetings, no-contact showings and never-ending supplies of hand sanitizer.
In many ways, the vast reduction in face-to-face interaction was the hardest part to cope with. Building and maintaining solid connections with my friends and clients is one of the most rewarding parts about my career, and being able to spend time together in-person has always been my favorite way to do so.
With that said, the intrinsic gratification of helping a client accomplish their goals seemed to be at an all-time high this year. Many people’s motivation for buying or selling a home this year was predicated on the idea of finding more space. Whether that be for multiple offices to work-from-home, more yard space for spending time outdoors or more space to spread out at home and stay sane, it seemed that everyone was looking for ways to develop a new appreciation for being at home, since all of us were spending so much more time there. And with the heightened sense of anxiety that so many of us have been feeling, there were additional layers of stress added to each real estate transaction.
All of this made things just that much more exciting though, when a client was able to successfully accomplish what they set out to do. And, it helped add some sparks of joy to both mine and my client’s year. I am always so grateful for all my friends and clients who choose to work with me, but this year has been extra special. Thank you all for your continued trust and support!
Triumph Over the Beetles
Way back in May- just barely into the pandemic, my buyer Elizabeth contacted me to see about working together. She picked me because my profile photo has me holding my Italian Greyhound pup, Pinto, because Elizabeth also has an Italian Greyhound mix pup named Whiskey. She gave me the basics of what she was looking for, but what was really important was to be in her own home by election day. Given it was only May, that seemed like an achievable goal.
The first time I met Elizabeth in person was when I showed her a darling little house over in Brentwood Darlington that she loved. We then went to look at a couple more houses, but none fit the bill like the first house we saw. We wrote up a full priced offer which the sellers accepted right away. Then came the inspection. I usually have a pretty good eye for seeing what might come up in an inspection and can prepare my buyer. But if there is weird stuff going on in the crawlspace or up in the attic where I can’t see, I’m as blind to the house’s charms as my buyer. When Elizabeth and I showed up to the house to go over the report with the inspector, it became clearer by the moment by the look on her face that she was not that going to be buying this house. The house had been flipped a few years before, and the seller bought it either not having had an inspection, or not having a very good one. You see, most of the framing underneath the house was powdering away and crumbling because the house was so infested with wood boring beetles. And the chimney was supported by a few pebbles. And the whole roof structure needed to be replaced. And there was some other stuff too, but there was enough stuff wrong with the house even if the sellers agreed to fix all of it (which was looking easily in the $25k or higher range) it wasn’t a house Elizabeth felt good about buying anymore, so she terminated the transaction.
After that experience, she decided that she wanted to save up more and sort of see what happens with the world before going back into the market. Three months later Elizabeth felt ready again to hop back on the house buying horse. We looked at a couple of duds, and then a super cool rancher in NoPo that had been on the market for a couple of weeks had a price drop that put it within Elizabeth’s reach. It had been thoughtfully renovated and had a ginormous yard- something that she really, really wanted. It’s on a busy street, which even though the market in NoPo is fierce, probably kept this house on the market. Everything looked great about the house and no red flags jumped out, so we wrote up an offer that day and the sellers accepted a couple hours later. And then came that inspection. And once again, beetles. Beetles had eaten through a good chunk of some of the sill plates, had gotten into the sub flooring and some important beams. Though this time it wasn’t as bad as the other house, and other then the beetle damage, this house was in otherwise good shape. Elizabeth was really and truly in love with this one and the yard and the thought of terminating again was probably more anxiety producing to her then the beetles. We had originally written the offer with a 30 day close, but given the extensive work needed, we were able to get the inspection period extended while we waited for contractors to come out to get us bids. Once we had bids, the sellers agreed to do the work, so we wound up extending closing another month so the work could be done prior to closing.
The work finished up and we finally closed after a 2+ month long transaction. I handed over the keys the day before Halloween, which gave Elizabeth a couple of days to settle in just in time for the election.
Knowledge is power
Amber wanted a place of her own, but in the height of the summer market, competing at her price point was tough. Luckily, Amber’s open mindedness helped clarify an accessible niche in the market for her. She began her search with the preconception that HOA fees would rule out condos, but after digging a little deeper into the reality of condo expenses, her fears were alleviated and it became clear that not all HOAs are equal. This created an opportunity for us to seek condos with HOAs that carry enough costs to offset the additional fees and with enough space to live like a single family home. We were able to secure a spacious condo for Amber that will bring her closer to her work, to family, and at an ideal price point that will allow for more financial freedom. We are thrilled for her!
Keep Calm and Believe in Your Home Destiny
You know that feeling of calm when something just feels right? That’s what this transaction was like for my friend and client Camille. We had only looked at one house before this one that she liked but just not quite in the right location. I called her a couple of days later when I saw this listing. I had a great feeling about it by looking at the photos and then… bonus! Ross Seligman at Living Room Realty was the listing agent. I thought it could be a perfect fit.
We walked in and immediately she felt it. That feeling when you know this is the right place at the right time and it feels like the universe is speaking to you… was this destiny? From the Japanese maples in the front yard, to the beautiful fireplace, the spacious kitchen, wonderfully updated bathroom with subway tiles and the private back yard. She was in love. It checked off everything on her wish list. We spent probably 45 minutes in the house just feeling the vibe and talking about how much she loved it. She wanted to make an offer. We came in with our best and crossed our fingers.
With 11 other offers on the table I was nervous, but Camille was calm. And then we got the news that our offer would be in the backup position. It was not the winning offer but backup is better than rejection every time!!! Then after about a week, DESTINY! I got a call from Ross telling me that the first position buyer had decided to back out. Our offer was accepted!
What a pleasure to work with friends and see them living their dreams. What an honor to be a part of this process with her! She never waivered, never felt anxious or scared because she just had the feeling that this was her future. After a challenging year she can move into the new chapter of her life in a home that was destined for her.
Hollywood Here I Come!
Wow. This truly stunning home located in Hollywood/Grant Park has undergone a complete designer remodel that successfully preserved it’s beauty as a 1915 bungalow. The home is full of light filled spaces that feel warm and comfortable, even on the rainiest of days. Your eye will be drawn to the custom cabinets and lighting, restored wood windows, restored hardware, and beautiful hardwood floors. Behind the scenes new plumbing, sewer, wiring and electrical panel, water main, HVAC system, radon system, and earthquake retrofit will keep your mind at ease! And just when you thought it couldn’t get better you’ll find the separate living space in the basement with it’s own laundry, full bath and private entrance.
I love working with our sellers to make their home shine when it’s time to list… it’s kind of my thing. 🖤
Finding The Elusive Unicorn In Record Low Inventory
Eva and Ben are a young newlywed couple looking for their first home. When I first met them we hit it off right away. They were eager but they needed guidance. I knew I could help them find their first home where they could build their lives. They asked to see a home right down the street from their current rental. They already loved their neighborhood in Milwaukie and the move, should they get the home, would be a cinch!
Because they were just starting out in their journey, I hooked them up with my favorite mortgage banker at OnPoint, and as a result they received their approval in a matter of days! Sadly, the house that we had seen in their neighborhood that they loved had gone pending. This market is FAST, y’all! I sent them other listings for a few weeks but they just couldn’t get that first home out of their minds. Then, out of what seemed like kismet the house came back on the market! They quickly called me to go see it again. That was it. The second look just confirmed that they loved the home, the location and the layout. They wanted to make an offer.
Now, this rarely happens that the first and only home a client sees is the one that they make an offer on and it is accepted right away, especially during this tough market for buyers. But this was the unicorn agents and buyers are always looking for! Offer accepted! As first time home buyers, I made sure to walk with them every step of the way. Thanks to their perseverance, quick decision making and hiring themselves an agent that goes the extra mile they finally have a place they can start their lives as a married couple after saving for so long! Congrats to my wonderful clients!
First time home buyer? I’m here for you! Contact me 503.267.0923 or savanna@livingroomre.com
A Neighborhood Favorite Finds an Adorable Bungalow
Congratulations to Tim & Artie!
Tim and I have known each other for long time. He is a dear friend and, as the owner of Little T American Baker on SE Division, a beloved part of our community. He is beyond kind and very thoughtful. Good vibes lead the way in everything he does. That charm led the way for Tim to find a very special home!
Firstly, Tim found a house that wasn’t even listed for sale, all on his own! A friend of his knew another friend was planning to sell her cute Bungalow in the Hawthorne district. Seemingly a red carpet rolled out in front of Tim because shortly thereafter we were inside the house taking a look around. It was a perfect size, had ideal updates and was in fantastic condition!
Another part of what made this transaction special was the seller and her agent. They were clear, prompt communicators and a pleasure to work with. Buying a home is a big deal, and it’s always going to bring a little stress along with it. But when both sides can work toward a shared goal and with mutual respect, it can be a great experience!
I’m over the moon for my dear friend Tim and his new house!
The Sunburst House
Houses with the sunburst pattern in the siding over the front porch are special and this Irvington home with the sunniest of siding is no exception. My buyers recently moved up to Portland to be closer to family and after a couple of months of looking for the ONE, they found it here. Because it’s a special house, of course it had 3 great offers. My buyers were the first to write on the house, and when it came time for the sellers to choose which offer they would accept, thankfully being first offer in was a big point in our column. Congratulations to my buyers on getting the first and only house they wrote on!
Work Hard & Be Kind
Congratulations to Maggie and Hoyt!
Work hard and be kind really sums up my whole work philosophy, and for that matter, probably my whole LIFE philosophy! It also sums up Hoyt and Maggie!
I love working with other hard workers. Maggie and Hoyt are a great example of how hard work, kindness, and trust can take you a long way down the road of life.
I first met Hoyt and Maggie years ago when they were purchasing their first home. And oh how time flies! Fast forward to 2019 and their family has outgrown that lovely ranch and is ready for more room.
One of my favorite parts of being a Real Estate Broker is helping clients prepare their homes for sale. It’s very rewarding to suggest updates and tweaks that prove to have a big impact on the outcome of the sale. Maggie and Hoyt worked super hard and did an amazing job updating their home. Their kitchen remodel looked fantastic! And because of all that hard work, they were extra jazzed when they received 6 offers on the house!
So, you can imaging that after all the work Hoyt and Maggie had just done to sell their home they now wanted to buy a home that didn’t require much updating while big enough for a growing family. Plus, they have fantastic style, so that was a given! After a few near-misses, we found the CUTEST, remodeled home on a corner lot in Piedmont. The big yard is full of potential and garden space, with plenty of room to improve the value.
I am so grateful to have hard-working and kind clients such as Hoyt and Maggie!
Chloe & Alex found the ONE!
Congratulations to Chloe & Alex!
Meet Alex and Chloe, first time home buyers looking for their first home together. They are whip-smart, fun, and data-oriented, which, of course, made me want to work with them from our first introduction! …But, Alex really got me when he said he was looking for an agent who wouldn’t just tell him what he wanted to hear. BINGO! We were a match. And, as expected, it was a joy to get to dive into the details of the process with them and give them my honest opinion throughout.
The market is very competitive for buyers right now so when Chloe and Alex found the house that checked all the boxes plus tugged at their heartstrings, they were ready to pull out all the stops to make it happen! Plus, I think there was a little extra fairy dust sprinkled on this one because even though there were 2 offers higher than theirs, the terms of the sale were strong enough that they managed to get into first position and breeze through the sale. We even closed a week early! Big shout out to JJ Lee Kwai at Two Rivers Mortgage for making that happen!! I’m so happy for Chloe and Alex.
One more note, Chloe and Alex were referred to me by way of a wonderful past client who I had the chance to catch up with at my Social Distance Party this Summer. Hooray for referrals! My business is built on referrals for a reason and Chloe and Alex’s experience was a great example of why referrals are important. We build trust a lot faster when a friend has already vouched for the top-notch experience they can expect from me and my team. This especially makes a difference in our current competitive market. Chloe and Alex trusted my advice and it made all the difference in getting the home.
Horray for Alex and Chloe!
When The Playbook Calls For An Audible…
A couple of real estate truisms…
1). The clearest path to success for our clients is often found by following a well thought out blueprint (a specialty of mine, as it just so happens).
2). We collaborate and honor our client’s wishes.
My latest listing in SE PDX is an interesting example of the above. While prepping a listing for a photo shoot the other day, I asked the homeowner if she meant to have left her BLM sign in the front window of her house. She said she was unsure if it was a good/bad idea and then asked my opinion. Having helped this person buy the home several years earlier, we’ve built our relationship on trust and candor, so I dive in “Well, umm, errr”, but then “The conventional rule of thumb in real estate marketing is to present a Seller’s home in its most attractive light to the widest audience possible. Again, just generally speaking, creating a space that a prospective buyer can imagine themselves inhabiting is the goal, so keeping personal items (like a Seller’s family photos) out of sight might help ensure that a potential buyer’s own vision doesn’t get obstructed. After all, anything that could limit a home’s audience could mean less demand & less bottom line for the Seller. However… There is also a scenario wherein a personal statement will attract and/or compel an even higher bid. Ultimately, there is no one correct answer here. After all, much like with a person’s social media account, at some point there’s usually a conscious (and very personal) decision on whether or not to try and maintain a neutral presence, or to just lean into yourself hard.” In the end, the Seller instructed me to include an image of her house with the sign proudly posted, just not the lead shot on Zillow though.
What a great little property and it went under contract (with several offers for well over list price) within 72 hours!
I’ve a blueprint available for your home too.
Pride of Ownership
A couple of years ago, Paul and Jana started dreaming of finding a more spacious “forever” home. As long time occupants of one of Portland’s historic Craftsmans, they value preservation and knew they were seeking a home with vintage attributes that they could be stewards of for years to come. Part of finding the right place was finding a seller who aligned with these values and took pride in upholding a home’s original character. When they walked into the meticulously maintained Irvington Craftsman that would become their home, it was clear the seller had a kindred perspective and they jumped at the opportunity. Congratulations Jana and Paul! Here’s to safeguarding a piece of Portland’s history.
Leap of Faith = Sweet Laurelhurst Homecoming!
We just helped Matt and Shannon purchase this GORGEOUS Laurelhurst home. It is fully updated with a modern, open floor-plan, a stunning kitchen with an island that goes on and and on, and a private owners’ suite that will be the perfect sanctuary for these two busy working parents!
It is truly a homecoming for them, as Shannon grew up around the corner and Matt’s sister (also a HouseLovePDX client) lives only blocks away. We first met Matt and Shannon last December, when they were here visiting family. They were living in the Bay Area and were excited at the thought of leaving California behind for the quality of life that living in Portland, surrounded by family, might bring. Then the global pandemic hit. Thud. Fast forward to July, when two things became clear: (1) Covid was here to stay (at least for the foreseeable future) and (2) they still wanted to move. They noticed this beautifully updated Laurelhurst home as soon as it hit the market and called us. We provided them with many virtual and online resources so they could learn as much as possible about the house. We provided them with an in-depth video tour so they could investigate every closet, nook and cranny. We gave them our honest assessment of the location, quality of construction and price. They made an offer, sight unseen. It was a true LEAP OF FAITH!
That “leap” was the reason Matt and Shannon’s PDX dreams came true. We were able to celebrate with them in person last week (outside, of course), and it was so sweet to be able to see their smiles in person.
The global pandemic has altered the way people buy and sell homes — it is hard to see us “going back” to the way things were pre-Covid. One byproduct of this is that it has never been easier to purchase a home from afar. We have so many virtual tools and we have developed great systems to help our out-of-town buyers comfortably purchase homes here in the greater Portland area! If you, or someone you love, wants to re-locate to the Portland area, give us a call — we’d love to help!
The Value of an Excellent Lender
The importance of a lender is not truly felt until you are in the process of the purchase. There are so many options for a prospective buyer to shop from, some great and some not so great. We, as Real Estate agents, have an opportunity to offer referrals for a trusted lender, but it is ultimately the buyer’s choice who they will work with.
In this short blog post I want to point out a couple of things to think about, as a buyer, to help you find the right lender or lending institution for you:
Does your choice answer the phone on a weekend or after 5:00?
- I can tell you, from personal experience, that Real Estate happens at all hours, especially the weekends and evenings. Getting timely information or a revised pre-approval letter when you need it can be the difference between getting your dream home and getting your offer rejected.
Does your lender keep your timeline in mind and have experience with the local market?
- A Real Estate purchase or sale is a list of terms and timeframes. The best lenders are looking ahead on all timeframes to set up for a smooth sale. They are communicating with you to let you know when you should be considering a decision that will affect your timeline. Namely, on when to order the appraisal. A thoughtful and active lender will know if appraisal reports are taken longer than normal in your area.
Does your choice of lender have a track record of making it easy for you as a buyer and did they come to you from a referral?
- As an Agent who works by referral, I cannot understate the value in having a first hand referral of the professionals you choose to work with. A lender is the third member of your team: It is you- the buyer, me-the agent and your lender that all work to make a successful sale. Choose wisely!
How do the rates compare?
- I get it! The cost of a loan is important and the interest rate of your loan is important but if you can get the same cost and rate from a proven performer with a stellar reputation, take the time to get pre-approved with them, it could save you some headaches down the road.
If you’ve read this far, I’ll bet you can imagine that this blog is inspired by the wonderful lenders I work with and some of the others that have struggled.
Shout out to my top three:
Aaron Nawrocki with Capital M
Gary Boyer with Directors Mortgage
And JJ Lee Kwai with Two Rivers Mortgage
You guys are the best!
If you are just getting started or at any stage of looking for your home give me a call, I’m with you for every step of the way toward your goals.
I pride my practice on being full service from before the beginning well past the end!
From One Agent to Another
I had the pleasure to help a Seattle Real Estate Agent buy a home here in Portland. She walked into my open house and found the townhome I had listed was not quite right for her but it was SO close. She called me a couple days later and we took a look at one down the street that was a better fit for her family.
It was great to work with someone that has a feel for the pace of a purchase and although she was a client it was more like working with a colleague. Bethany was great and the sale was a sweetheart deal. Thrilled to be welcoming another stellar human being and new Real Estate Agent to Portland!
If you are looking for your home here in Portland, I’m always happy to be of service.
New Construction Offers Opportunity
Buying a home in the Portland Real Estate Market can be extremely challenging right now. With the average sale price up 9% from where it was this time last year, and with inventory levels at record lows, the competitive frenzy that is the Portland Market is full of challenges for would-be buyers to overcome. With multiple offers on seemingly every property, buyers have to be aggressive, take risks and be ready to make major decisions within a matter of hours after seeing a home. For some, this can be exhausting and overwhelming, and even cause a sense of burnout when it comes to searching for a home.
For some of my clients, it has caused them to reframe their goals for purchasing a home, and some have begun to look for new construction in the various new communities that are popping up outside of Portland. New construction communities can oftentimes offer an opportunity to purchase a home without having to compete with other buyers; meaning less stress, more time to make decisions and more options to choose from. In many cases, you are able to make upgrades or add customizations as well. Not to mention, all the systems of the home are brand new, so maintenance costs and repairs are kept to a minimum!
Many of these new construction communities are still selling out quickly though, so it definitely pays to know about these communities early. As your resource in the industry, I am constantly keeping a pulse on new construction communities that are in the works, so my clients can be the first to know about them and have an opportunity to see the available inventory!
A new yard for Duck.. Or, its my apple and you can’t have it!
Like most couples, when I first started talking with Josh and Alyssa, they had the usual list of desires for their new home. Some of which were “needs” and some just “desires”. At least two bedrooms, two baths. 1700 ft.² or more. Hardwood floors, some kind of cool attic or bonus room, a porch or a deck and of course a fenced yard for Duck and Oliver.
After a couple of long days touring, a serendipitous price reduction that combined with some shrewd negotiating by yours truly, we had locked up a great house that combined all of their wants, including, a HUGE fenced back yard.
But, what became most evident after move-in day was that really, this was all about a fenced yard for Duck.
Just Sold: Dwell Worthy Dwelling in Arbor Lodge
My lucky clients just closed on this lovely condo in N Portland designed by Fieldwork Design. The SoLoS project is a collaboration between Tieton Construction and Fieldwork Design. The design is superb and the finishes are gorgeous. Congrats to my buyers, you will love living here!
collaboration:
designed by Fieldwork design built by Tieton construction
Living Large in Summerplace (55+)
This unit is a beautiful and spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, condo in the Glenwood/SummerPlace 55+ community! This unit is on the ground floor and has a patio with a keyed exterior entrance. The unit has been updated with hardwood floors, new windows, and some new appliances. Close to Glendoveer golf course and walking trails, shopping, dining, and freeway. Transfer fee to be paid by buyer at closing, $3500 total for both HOAs + $325 per person prorated annual assessment.
An Eastside Dream Realized
Buying a home anywhere west of SE 82nd is a tall order these days. Being able to buy a home without any competing offers, is nearly impossible. Congratulations to R&C for being able to find the diamond in the rough, and landing a home in their target neighborhood, without having to compete with any other offers. There are definitely a few projects to get started on right away, but I look forward to seeing how they transform their new home!
It’s all about the VIEW!
Last summer, our client, Rick, decided to leave the city behind in search for more land and beautiful views! Within weeks he found the perfect Corbett home, with stunning views of the Columbia Gorge.
Of course, there was a slight catch — he had to sell his house first. We weren’t sure the sellers were going to accept his contingent offer given that they had other non-contingent offers in hand. However, good communication and flexibility won the day and the sellers accepted his offer. Luckily, his darling Rose City Park house sold in a flash, and, last week, during the most heinous smoky air conditions the greater Portland area has ever experienced, he closed on the Corbett house.
Normally, handing clients the keys to their new house is the best part of our day. Well, in this case, it was still exciting but there was a little “Wah Wah” about it, as this is the view to which we were greeted.
Luckily, Rick’s spirits were not dampened, and he reported last weekend that, once the smoke cleared, he was treated to the most wonderful view sipping his coffee on Sunday morning.
Congratulations Rick for taking action to make your Corbett dreams come true! We know you are going love you new home and will undoubtably enjoy many more cups of coffee enjoying the natural beauty of the Columbia Gorge!
Time in nature is essential to my sanity!
For me, the life of a REALTOR® is often seven days a week 10 hours a day. I tend to want to work when my people need me to and prefer not to set specific working hours. As such, I can find myself in periods where I’ve worked 30 to 60 days in a row without a day off. They sneak up on me. It’s during those times that my regular habit of taking little breaks in nature saves my sanity and allows me to continue to advocate well for my people. A walk in my neighborhood or a park. A drive up the Gorge or one night at the beach become essential to my sanity.
But, when align perfectly, there’s nothing like taking a week off and spending it someplace beautiful. Last week was one of those lucky times where I was able to escape to Orcas Island and the peace and tranquility of one of the most beautiful places in the Northwest because time in nature is essential to my sanity.
Haven amidst the Smoke
The recent smoke filled air and fires sweeping many regions around us have had a notable impact on many this late Summer season. Home has never quite felt so fragile, so challenging, so unstable, so threatened as endless members of our communities face the realities of eviction, foreclosure, and the horrible loss of their homes to the fires. As we all are finding ourselves reeling from the toxic smoke and shuttering inside our homes, I have been avidly dedicated to leaping through every raised hoop to ensure my client Camilla would close on her house this week. Each day bringing new road blocks, I refused to relinquish my determination to overcome the obstacles presented by the smoke and fires. Every member of our local lending, underwriting, and escrow team was forced to either evacuate or had a stay at home/out of the office requirement. Things were looking dark.
I saw some posts from friends on social media that simmering herbs in large pots of water was an excellent way to combat the health impacts from the smoke. I clipped fresh cedar, lavender, rosemary, and sage from my home garden and immediately felt my headache slip away as their soothing scent wafted throughout my home. I breathed in deep and got right back to task. All of the steadfast action paid off and Camilla signed closing documents that came in by the skin of our teeth from underwriting to lender to escrow. While I had selected a custom gift to be made for her weeks earlier, I decided to add to her bounty and create a bouquet of the herbs to help her have a similar smoke free haven at her new house while she moved in over the weekend.
As I was creating her bundle, I decided to go ahead and make one for each of my clients who I had the joy of working with this last year. Everyone deserves to breathe a little easier these days. 32 bundles and 6 hours later, I set out a map across each section of the city, guiding myself to all the homes I had the delight of having transactions with lately. With social distancing in mind, I quietly delivered the herbal bouquets and a hand written card to their front porches and doorsteps, surprising my clients with a text to share the news of their respiratory relief package. Receiving the loving responses and texted photos of kitchen stoves steaming with soothing smells has been as nourishing to my week as my own simmering pot at home.
Congratulations Camilla! It has been a rewarding journey, and I’m honored to have traveled the road to Alberta District success with you. ♥︎
The Ultimate Project
Buying a project home is never easy, and it takes a lot of guts to really give something like this a go. To take this step while buying your first home… now that’s a major power move! I am so excited for my wonderful client, Lia, who just closed on the ultimate project house! Lia has all the vision required for a major overhaul, and I can’t wait to see the before and after photos. I just know she will make the most of this, and really maximize the potential of the space! Congratulations, Lia!
Woodlawn Darling
This darling Woodlawn midcentury is ready for its next chapter. As soon as you step inside you can feel the love that has been put into this home. The new hardwood floors, revamped bathroom, updated kitchen w/new quartz countertops, and fresh paint give a light and airy feel. The updates, visible and not, give a feeling of peace and security – something we can all use these days. The home has existing, approved, plans for converting the garage into a main bedroom and full bathroom, this home is ready to grow with you!
Taking the Long Way Home
Congratulations to Dustin, who is closing on his third real estate purchase in the last year! It’s been so great to reconnect with Dustin, who was a long-lost friend from High School. After trying unsuccessfully to buy a property – unrepresented – last year, Dustin gave me a call and asked, “are you still in real estate?” A month later, we closed on the investment property he had been trying to buy. 3 months later, he and his wife bought another investment property! Fast forward to this summer, and they just purchased a new primary residence, while finding a tenant to begin renting their current home. This most recent transaction wasn’t an easy one, and even involved a lender change during the middle of the transaction! But, with some creativity and brainstorming, we were able to pull it all together and make it happen. The extra hoops we had to jump through just make it that much sweeter to finally close! I’m so thankful for your trust, and am grateful to be a part of building your real estate empire! Looking forward to the next one!
Navigating with integrity
When Jill and Chris were offered the opportunity to relocate to Portland for work, they knew one of their goals would be finding a place to call their own. With trusted friends already located in Portland, they were fortunate to have people to lean on as they carved out their first step. Luckily for us, their friends pointed them our way and we began the first time homebuyer hunt, which in a competitive market and price point, can be daunting. Jill and Chris were realistic and driven. This perspective and the willingness to throw down the gauntlet to win, landed them a fantastic home in an incredibly scarce price point inside of 82nd. We made it through some large surprises during inspections, Jill and Chris always keeping in integrity to the terms they wrote to win the home. They are great people that are emerging victorious because of their dedication and openness to counsel in an often challenging market. We are so honored to have helped them and to have them in our amazing network of clients.
Jessica LeDoux
realtor + warrior + advocate
A Smooth & Successful Downsize
Congratulations to CJ on successfully downsizing, and finding a nice compact home, with a HUGE backyard for the doggos to run around in! I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with you, and am happy for you to make this transition! Thank you for trusting me to guide you through the process, and for being willing to really “go for it” to get this great house! Being aggressive with your offer terms can certainly be scary, but in this market, it’s often the only way you will come out the “winner” in multiple offer scenarios.
Epic Win on Wilshire Park Bricker
I helped my buyers Brooke-Lynn and Ivan sell their classic mid-century in Rose City Park back in March. They loved their old 2 bed 1 bath home, but were ready for something bigger and in closer-in NE Portland. When they sold their home they had multiple offers and were able to get a buyer who gave them 2 months of rent-back. Once late May came around, they still had not secured their next dream home, so off they went to stay at friends houses, then AirBnB’s.
In late July what they thought was their dream home came on the market in Overlook, but after a fierce multiple offer battle, they didn’t feel comfortable going as high as the house ultimately sold for. They were sad, but determined to find the next dream house. And then along came a house that had just had a $70k price reduction which put it within their budget. From the outside, for all appearances it was a classic brick one level sprawling mid-century facing Wilshire Park in NE. We went to take a look and inside it was even bigger than it looks on the outside. All of the rooms were huge and airy and one room in the basement was huge with a fireplace, built-ins and 9′ tall ceilings. The house felt 1950’s all over, but the year built was listed as 1920.
While checking out the house we figured out there had been a little 1920 bungalow, but sometime in the 1950’s, someone built a huge mid-century around it on 3 sides. The location across from the park is dreamy, so it’s easy to see why someone built out the house. It wasn’t the perfect house, but by removing a wall between the dining room and kitchen, it was clear that this house could be everything they had been looking for.
The house had originally been listed for $125k more than the new list price, and was now being sold as-is. Brooke-Lynn and Ivan loved it enough to put in an offer knowing that the house needed a lot of work on the systems and mechanics which were all well past their prime. We also knew that it had a terrible looking roof that would need to be replaced and an in-use oil furnace from the 1950’s with an underground oil tank. But even at the list price, it was a great opportunity for someone willing to put the money into it to bring it back. And Brooke-Lynn and Ivan decided they were those people. We wrote up an offer and the sellers accepted it right away.
And then came the inspection. And it wasn’t just the roof and furnace. It was everything- plumbing, electrical, rats, foundation, sewer, an oil tank leak, and more. After sleeping on it, they decided that too much work was needed and to get it up to par would cost in the $60k-$70k range- and that was before any cosmetic work. For the house to work for them, the price would need to be another $75k lower- so $200k under the original list price. We were pretty sure that the sellers wouldn’t go for that, so with a lot of sadness, we terminated the transaction. And then, what do you know, the sellers agent came back to us and asked my buyers what they would be willing to pay for the home. The sellers were older and had health problems, and given the state of the house, they really didn’t want to risk going back on the market. After weighing their options, they decided to come back to us. The listing agent and I scrambled to get bids for everything so my buyers would have an idea of the cost of all the needed repairs. My buyers decided that if the sellers would pay for the roof, do a pest control clean-up and abatement with the help from wildlife control in Houston, and get the leaky oil tank cleaned up and registered with DEQ, that they would be willing to pay $45k under what they had been in contract with. We thought there was no way that the seller would go for it, but go for it they did.
So about 2 weeks after we fell out of contract, we went back under contract, and 2 weeks after that, we closed. During the second transaction my buyers were able to line up all the contractors for the plumbing, sewer replacement, furnace replacement, electrical work, and the sellers pre-paid for the new roof and gutters. My buyers had a fantastic lender- Jake Planton with 2 Rivers Mortgage, who was able to get them an appraisal waiver and revive the dead transaction under the original lock and loan terms. I have never had a transaction where my buyers terminated and we were able to get back on track with terms that were acceptable to my buyers. My buyers had been so discouraged after they terminated on the house, that they were literally a few hours away from making the decision to move away from Portland for the time being. Once my buyers get the house back into great condition by dealing with all the systems upgrades and deferred maintenance, they can move on to the fun stuff including taking down a wall and re-doing the kitchen. I can’t wait to see magic they in store for the house!
It takes a village…
When Michele set out to find her new home, it was clear one of her top priorities was community. Having moved to Portland five years ago with her sister and Mom, her sense of familial connection was strong. She had been living with her sister and wanted a home that would support this daily support system and allow her to stay integrated in her nephew Bruno’s life. Moving into her own space separate from this cherished family dynamic was a bitter sweet prospect, until we came across a condo mere blocks from her family! Michele was able to embrace the excitement of having her own space, all within walking distance to those she loves. The village will remain intact! We have such admiration for their powerful family unit and couldn’t be happier for them.
Multifamily Houses in Portland
Today I talked with Kara from Afternoon Live about multifamily houses in Portland. To see the full 7 minute video, click here
Here’s an example of a duplex that was for sale in Portland that I thought was a great long term investment.
- 1950s side by side 2 BR/1 BA multifamily (duplex) with Tuck-under garages.
- It was already vacant and in extreme disrepair when we bought it.
- NE Portland- Alberta Arts area.
- Current 2 Bedroom rentals are roughly $1600-$2200
- Current 3 Bedroom rentals are roughly $2500-$3000/month.
- We decided to finish the lower level, adding additional bath, bedroom, and bonus living space. Each unit will now be 3 BR/ 2 BA.
- Better use of space (more people can live in the property)
- By adding this additional finished space, it will bring in more rental income to cover the cost of the renovation work
- That extra monthly income will pay for the additional renovation work over 8-10 years.
- By updating everything, there will be few if any large maintenance expenses within the first 7 years. This makes profit and loss a little more predictable.
Not in the buying market or interested in multifamily, but thinking of selling your home? Check out my tips here.
It Only Takes One!
Big congratulations to S&V for purchasing their first home together! This was one of those rare moments, where the first house they saw ended up being the one! Props to the both of them for being decisive, and taking action — in this market, decisiveness is key, and it really paid off.
In my experience, it’s hard for many buyers to get over the idea of there being “something better” out there that hasn’t hit the market yet — especially for first time buyers. I have also learned that often times there isn’t’ something better, and many clients have missed out on great homes, because they aren’t able to be decisive.
Many of my clients have heard me remind them to look for that 85% perfect home, and when it comes along, be ready to take action! In some cases, it’s the first house you see, like this one was for S&V. Congrats to you both again, it was a pleasure working with you!
Financeable Fixer
Alexis and Donny. You are the best! I received a text from them saying “we’re ready to start looking again”. I was very excited as Alexis and Donny are some of my favorite people to work with. Together we bought a home, sold that home, and now we’ve done it again. They came to me with the following parameters: A slight fixer, something we can do some of the work on, and still get some great value out of it. They also said they wanted to be in a great neighborhood as they will be living in the home and then possibly adding it to their real estate empire in a few years. We found this home, realized the value, as well as a large amount of work, that was included.
This home was marketed as a “financeable fixer”. “It’s just been lived in” is how we all felt once walking in. Old carpet, worn walls, outdated kitchen, a falling down fence, etc. All “fixable” with a little hard work. Working with the seller and her agent was nice and relaxed and definitely a breath of fresh air. It was a conversation that was empathetic to the needs of both parties. My clients were decisive and quick to respond as well open to making it work. In this market this is what’s necessary and as you can see it worked out for the best. Congrats to all!!!
Hi! I’m Julia and this is home
Hello. I don’t think we’ve met yet.
I’m Julia a local REALTOR®. I help people buy and sell homes in Portland and Vancouver. I enjoy getting homes ready to list and sell. The listing preparation process is an art. Helping people find room to live is exciting! Marketing and negotiation is my jam. I have 20 years of sales, management, and marketing experience.
I’ve been inside 100’s of homes. I help clients imagine a home that they can settle down in. Working with sellers, I create an environment that attracts buyers to write competitive offers. I’ve also spent the last 5 years designing and renovating my own home, a 1930’s tudor.
In this rare intimate moment, I thought I’d share a glimpse into my own home. I thought it was only fair since so many people have opened up their homes to me. Here’s a peek into the Robertson-Bogart home. Meet my husband Austin, son Logan, dog Sir Waffles, and crested gecko Gretch.
Nice to meet you. I hope to hear from you if you need to buy or sell a home. Give me a call, shoot me a text, lets zoom, or even better- let’s meet in real life. I look forward to meet you in person!
Cheers, Julia
If you’re thinking about making a move, give me a call. I’d love to help you with your real estate plans.
Julia Robertson | Licensed Broker in Oregon & Washington
541-505-1111 | julia@rebyjulia.com
Instagram @realestatebyjulia
Most things can be fixed, even if they are dead!
With time, patience, and a little (or a lot of) money, most things can be fixed. Question is, should you have to?
John is a young tradesmen eager to buy his first home. John was willing to take almost any home, in an ok neighborhood, that feels strong in its bones. 33 your old rusty water heater? No worry, my brother does that for a living. New roof? No problem, I’ve got a buddy. Dead animals in the crawlspace? No problem, I have a friend who will do that for a six pack of beer. Garage walls are a little bowed? Not to worry, with the installation of wall corner protectors and a few more foundation fixes, my brothers and I can fix that over a weekend.
His eagerness and enthusiasm were sometimes infectious but I had to slow him down many times on what condition issues were reasonable to accept from a seller. He was so excited to move into a new house, he was willing to take on most problems if the seller wouldn’t.
The seller was a “contractor“ who was really only interested in doing the minimum amount possible in the quickest way. Needless to say, this is rarely the path to a good resolution. It took many attempts at repair lists, many re-inspections and many considerations to get through the repair contingency period but eventually we negotiated for money instead to move on to the next phase.
But, even all through all that, when it was all said and done, John was moving into his new house exactly 4 weeks after our offer was accepted.
Second chance Bungalow
Patrick and Quang were out-of-state buyers who jumped into the market initially via a real estate app. In our quick market, the allure of convenience that these apps offer can be enticing. However, big business brokerages with alternative service models are often juggling overwhelming volume and are not always able to provide personalized service to their buyers. Such was the experience of Patrick and Quang and when they toured the perfect Irvington bungalow and made an offer, they were not armed with the leverage of information and strategy in presenting their terms and lost out to the competition. Some Portland friends sent them our way and we were grateful for the opportunity to offer them more engaged representation. As luck would have it, the bungalow they had been after came back on the market and we were able to present an informed, competitive offer that was just what the seller was looking for. We are so glad Patrick and Quang got a second chance at the home they loved!
In their own words!
Normally we use this blog to tell our clients’ stories. Our buyer clients Jody and Kevin just closed on their SE Portland home. Just before closing, they emailed us a thank you note, recapping their story in their own words. Simply put, it is so touching and authentic, there is no way Kari and I could tell their story any better than they already have. So here is Jody and Kevin’s story, in their own words:
“Kevin and I are incredibly lucky to be able to work with both of you. Thank you very much for all that you do for us to make this dream come true. This means the world to not only us, but also our families, friends, and the many doctors in Washington D.C.
Four years ago, we moved to Washington D.C. for Kevin to attend The George Washington University School of Nursing. After nursing school we decided to stay in D.C. to get work experiences (Kevin in healthcare and mine in teaching). We bought a small house (similar to this Reedway property). Things were going amazingly but sadly my health declined. I was on life support for 10 days and remained in the hospital in D.C. for 2 months.
Ever since December 2018, I have been in various recovery programs in D.C. working with 9 different teams of specialists at the hospital. The progress that I have made so far is incredible. We thought I would need to be on oxygen for the rest of my life. Thankful I got to return the oxygen supplies back in April (perfect timing with COVID).
Somehow we were able to continue to do work on the house while I recovered. Surprisingly we were able to complete many major projects by the time we sold it.
Often people move because of kids or jobs. In our case it was my health. While making decisions to return to Oregon, COVID arrived. With my health dealing with respiratory issues and Kevin working in the ER, we knew that we had to live in separate homes. At the same time we sold our house while having to live apart. We continue to do this while closing on this Reedway house.
The situation at OHSU hospital is much better than the hospital in Washington D.C. Buying this Reedway home will mean that we will finally be able to live in the same home again. We are super excited! Everyone has been counting down the days with us. We plan to live in this house for a very long time. It is going to be surrounded by families and friends. Hopefully things will be safe to celebrate with many people who have been waiting for this moment with us.
It is not yet the final day but we would like to give many thanks to the two of you for making this dream possible. Being alive and able to continue to share a life with Kevin is more than I could possibly ask for. But being able to have a house in Portland will be beyond our world. Although the teams of doctors in D.C. no longer work with me, they continue to check on weekly bases. They know about this Reedway house. This is beyond what they could have imagined. They truly believed that we made the right decision to return to Portland.
Thanks a million for all your hard work and for sharing this journey with us. The two of you are an amazing team!“
Thank you Jody and Kevin for sharing your story — it means the world to us and is an inspiration to all! Stay safe and healthy — we know you can expect years of happiness and good fortune in your new home!!
Kari & Erika
They Finally Got One!
Congratulations to D&A on finding a great home in Thompson Woods! After a couple of tries in competitive situations, I am so happy to see you find such a great home for you and your boys! The home was built just 2 years ago in 2018, and features an open floor plan with beautiful high-end finishes, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and tons of natural light! The Thompson Woods neighborhood features newer construction homes built by Arbor Homes, West Hills Homes and Toll Brothers. This particular home was built by Arbor Homes, and features all of the upgrades and detail that Buyers have come to expect from this builder — large open kitchen, beautiful built-ins, high-end finishes and spacious bedrooms. It even has a Smart Refrigerator with a huge touch screen! I am excited to see you settle into your new place, and look forward to seeing your little ones grow up in a beautiful home!
Dream street
When first coming to Portland years ago, Jacq drove down a beautiful NW Portland street, lined with historic homes, and imagined living there one day. As we began touring with Jacq and Charles, there were many homes that seemed like potential options for their family, but when they walked into the gorgeously restored 1906 home on this very street, their excitement jumped to a whole new level. They anticipated finding a place that would work well for them, but the real possibility of inhabiting a house they were ecstatic about was eye-opening and they moved with surety on what is now their new home. Helping Jacq and Charles live their dream was a true honor and pleasure. They are warm, generous hearted people and we couldn’t be happier for them.
First Time Buyers and a Piedmont Cutie
Lisa and Matt and their 4 year old son had been renting an apartment in Irvington and were ready to branch out and buy their own home. Their needs were pretty simple- at least 2 bedrooms, cute/vintage, reasonable condition, a yard to play and garden in and relatively close to where they had been renting in inner North/Northeast. And a basement would be the cherry on the top. We looked at a few homes and even a condo that was a condo conversion from a 1960’s complex that was similar to what they had been renting. We found a great home that met all their needs within a few days. A house that had been sitting on the market with no action for nearly 3 weeks. We wrote up a great, full priced offer, and what do you know- someone else decided that day to put in an offer as well. The house seemed to have some condition issues and the other buyers offered a 2-week close, meaning it would be nearly impossible to negotiate repairs, let alone have any repairs done, prior to closing. So when Lisa and Matt’s offer was not accepted, there was a little heartbreak which was quickly dealt with via some condolence vermouth. But then, the very next day, a cuter-then-a-cupcake circa 1940 bungalow came on the market in Piedmont. We went to see it and I could tell my buyers were in love. Given it was cute, well priced, and in a fabulous location, it did receive multiple offers and Lisa and Matt were able to beat the other offers with a super clean offer and a small escalation clause. The inspection revealed a few issues including the need for a new roof, furnace and other old house stuff that was past it’s useful life. Thankfully the sellers were great and we were able to negotiate a fair credit amount and a small price reduction to account for the work needed. And then my favorite day in the whole transaction arrived- closing and key day!
Stunning Mt. Tabor Detached Condo for these great Clients
The detached home market in Portland continues to remain hot and competitive. Flying under the radar are some incredible new construction homes that remain on the market, with some of these are being detached condos that live exactly like their traditional residential counterparts, and in some circumstances, better.
I was introduced to Sean and Shannon by way of company referral. We initially began their search looking at condos in the Pearl District and Slabtown/NW PDX and expanded to inner SE Portland for proximity to Sean’s work. Originally from California, Sean has lived in Portland for several years, coming here for work. Shannon was still based down in California and spending part of her time in Portland. We needed a property that worked for both of them, that was clean, had modern aesthetics, and needed the ability for two home offices. What we discovered was many new construction homes on the east side were priced similarly to condos in the Pearl, but had a lot of bells and whistles that you did not have with some of the older properties we had started looking at. We had interest in several of these homes and wrote on a few, right as COVID-19 began making its presence known in the states. We wrote offers on 2 places prior to the home they found, each having been on the market for a bit, and each having much optimism for what they could sell for. We also discovered the wide range of what builders constituted an ADU and what they felt that was worth. (Hint: Putting a mini-fridge in a lower level room and an exterior door in there, while trying to call it a full ADU is going to hurt you when competing against a fully plumbed kitchenette, separate entrance, bathroom and washer/dryer area )…just in case there are any builders or brokers out there wondering what should I do here on my next project.
I was blessed by Sean’s no-nonsense approach to offers, and Shannon’s meticulous attention to detail, but when things did not pan out on properties 1 and 2, we found this wonderful property at the Tabor Terraces Condominiums, built by Ethan Beck Homes and listed by Eric Hagstette with Inhabit Real Estate. It was under $1M, stunning and functional interior, 3 Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and Laundry on the top level, Kitchen, Living Spaces, Bonus Bedroom/Office on the 2nd level with access to 2 outdoor decks, and a full bedroom and bath + recreation room on the entry level. You could walk up SE Yamhill and head off the trails into Mt. Tabor Park, or head down and cut across a walking path and be on SE Belmont. Eric’s easy going approach to the Sale Agreement was a refreshing change from what we had encountered in the past, and we had the opportunity to meet the builder and walk the property with them, discuss some options built into our offer, and as with many new construction homes, we had the opportunity to do a walk through with the Project Super and get any items that cropped up on the inspection taken care of. I tell some of my clients, the longest repair addendum I had ever written was on a New Construction property. This was primarily because the home was not ready for us, and we had to call out many things just for the sake of completion. This inspection was anything but that, and perhaps the cleanest one I had ever had. This speaks a lot to the builder, the quality of construction and the diligence that his team takes in following up on items. If you are curious, they still have one left for sale and I would love to get into it! Here is a link to the project for those who are curious as to what the project looks like: http://www.taborterrace.com/
I have to thank Bill Dolan with Guild Mortgage, who jumped through a lot of hurdles in making this happen with the financing side of things and competing against the Builder’s preferred Lender. Bill has always been extremely great in communication and updates, and it was well appreciated and needed for the successful on time closing of our transaction.
Cheers and welcome home Sean and Shannon! I truly hope you enjoy your place here in Portland.
Light-filled Belmont Bungalow
Light-filled Belmont Bungalow
718 SE 32nd Ave | Portland, OR 97214
Offered at $585,000 | ML #20262880
3+ Bedrooms | 1 Bathroom | 2,607 SF
Winter is coming! What better way to beat the Oregon grays than with a home filled with windows and light? Perfectly situated within blocks of Laurelhurst Park, Sunnyside Environmental School, H-Mart, Stumptown Coffee, The Liquor Store and some of the city’s best dining and shopping, this west-facing charmer sits high up off the street and features a covered front porch, hardwood floors and period built-ins. A light and bright living room with wood burning fireplace flows to a formal dining room with a built-in window bench with storage, which in turn opens up to the beautifully updated kitchen, finally transitioning to the back yard via french doors with a large deck and patio area for outdoor dinners and grassy area for kiddos and pets. Large hedges provide privacy galore. Working from home? There is a large upstairs workspace perfectly appointed for your home office needs. Basement has loads of potential with a workshop space and room for an ADU or anything you can dream up.
Click here for Virtual Tour
The ‘Cam-pound’
What is a Cam-pound? It is a dream of a compound for Cameron, Annie and little Shea and the name they gave it when we looked at the home.
Cameron and Annie reached out to me to help with the sale of their St John’s home when they decided they wanted a home with a bit more room inside and outside.
Cameron and Annie were referred to me by their good friends Sean and Caitlin Badders who I also helped move recently.
I do love referrals from awesome clients!
Once we got the sale of their home in St Johns well underway, we turned our attention to their next home. The goal was a blend of not too far out of town with plenty of room to play, run and grow. We looked out in deep OC, nice house but too far. We looked in West Linn, close enough but not enough space. When we found the triple lot home in Brentwood-Darlington it was 100% but it was competitive. We were offered back up and, holy Moses we were all so excited when I got the call that the buyer had not been able complete the sale. Taking the back up offer and being patient worked!! The sale was a sweetheart deal and the buyers and sellers met this last weekend to walk through some of the specifics of the home. Namely the chickens, the gardens, the home and the bee hive.
Cameron and Annie are really living the Portland dream with their new urban farm. This home has a huge yard, is well appointed and is 7 miles/20 min from the heart of downtown Portland.
Sound good?
Look good?
I’d love to help you find your own piece of the Portland Dream. Give me a call and I’ll get right to work!!
JUST LISTED: Darling Lents Ranch
JUST LISTED: 6134 SE 102ND AVE
6134 SE 102ND AVE, Portland OR 97266
Offered at $319,000
3 Bed | 1 Bath | 943 SF | MLS# 20344559 | Taxes: $3319
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday 8/15 11am-1pm
VIDEO TOUR
Wow! This well-maintained and inviting one level Ranch is cute as a button and lives large! Situated on an oversized lot with a large front and back yard you’ll notice the open feel right away. This home has been carefully maintained with the added bonus of a newer roof, furnace, hot water heater, and double pane vinyl windows!
Entering into the heart of the home is an airy living room with classic hardwood floors, plenty of natural light and a wood-burning fireplace for cozy evenings. Nestled between the living room and kitchen is an excellent dining area, perfect for entertaining and intimate dinners at home.
Flowing easily into a freshly updated kitchen touting new countertops, eating bar, stainless steel appliances, ample counter space, vinyl flooring, new light fixtures, fresh paint, and a lovely garden window.
The layout and flow throughout the home is absolutely ideal for a home of this size. Through the hall, you’ll find three bedrooms filled with natural light and ample closets. Also, a roomy bathroom with double sinks and stylish updates.
There are a generous laundry room and mudroom in the garage for your convenience.
Rounding out the home is a huge, fully fenced backyard with plenty of room to roam and tons of potential! A great space for gardening and outdoor entertaining. And, Fido-friendly too!
The garage offers room for storage and with two full driveways, you’ll have the extra space you need for RV or boat.
This home sits on a quiet street close to multiple parks and offers easy access to HWY 205 and all the shopping the heart of Lents offers.
Willamette Heights Architectural Treehouse
Great lines, great location, great light. This was the one!
Located just a short walk from the Leif Erikson trailhead and Forest Park, this treehouse has oversized windows to take advantage of hill top views and a few mountains too!
Walkable to everything in the Alphabet District this is urban living at it’s finest.
If you’re in search for a modern oasis like this one, reach out! I’d be happy to help.
Veronica Powell
503.936.3475
Veronica@LivingRoomRE.com
UNICORN FOR UNICORN
I am one of those rare folks who grew up in Portland. Some people call us unicorns. Certainly, I love unicorns, but we aren’t as rare as all that.
Being a 4th generation Portlander brings many advantages. One advantage is that you can drive around in the deep green hills and BAM! A long-lost memory from when you were 5 years old, flying between trees on a zip line comes rushing in. Or is that a liability? At any rate …
With respect to real estate, it’s especially meaningful when you are asked to help dear lifelong, likeminded unicorn friends with their real estate needs. In this case, I was asked to scope condos in the Goose Hollow area of town. A pleasure!
The Portland condo market is not super hot right now, but certain buildings, such as the Legends Condominiums are doing just fine. Units in this building go pending as fast as they hit the market. And this corner unit was perfect for my client.
We get to pick this time!
I had the privilege of helping Kristin’s parents find her a condominium close to her school in Oregon in 2012. The family arrived from Green Bay, MI, and Mom and Dad knew what type of home they were looking for as an investment in their daughter’s future as she entered her last four years to get her master’s degree. Four years later Kristin graduated and Mom and Dad called to get the condo sold. It was a complete success for Kristin and her parents’ investment. In school, Kristin met her husband and they moved into the home Van’s parents picked out for him. Two families with amazing support, connection, and love helped these two arrive at this spot and they are so grateful, but now eight years later it is time to sell the home Van’s parents picked and buy a home THEY picked out! A home with many rooms to fill as they both work from home and plan to start a family. Say goodbye to Mom and Dad’s picks and say hello to the home you can envision growing your family in and making roots in the community you chose!
Jessica
Your REALTOR® for Life