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!
Tag: buyers
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.
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!
1031 Exchange To Oregon
We met Anthony and Gracie a year ago to talk about their goals for their home purchase. We received a message from them saying that we needed to put their home search on hold until for the moment. They had a commercial property in California that they needed to sell and spoke with a CPA we referred to talk about the best way for them to get the most out of this sell and purchase. Then we got a message that the stars had aligned and it was time to begin their first investment home purchase using a 1031 Exchange for their first purchase to avoid a tax penalty.
Then we got to work. We found a property right away, which was amazing because the 1031 Exchange timeline was short for locating a property and closing. We were able to negotiate a seller credit to give Anthony and Gracie a cushion for repairs that were needed.
To make things even smoother, Anthony and Gracie had a friend visiting from CA that they were able to get in line to be their renters. Congratulations to you both for such a smooth transaction.
Now we are preparing for their next purchase using the income from this property to help qualify for financing to find Anthony and Gracie their own home sweet home here in OR.
We are so excited you’re part of the Oregon family! We can’t wait to see which home y’all end up choosing as your new home base. On to the next adventure!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
Sexton Mountain Beauty-SOLD!
This great little Beaverton neighborhood is surrounded by parks and walking trails. It’s nicely located for access to both Downtown and the tech corridor. Beautifully updated inside with a lovely back yard outside, this move in ready home makes working from home a dream. If this sounds like the kind of home you’re looking for, or if you have a home in the area to sell, I’d be happy to help.
Veronica Powell
503.936.3475
Veronica@LivingRoomRE.com
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!!!
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!
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!
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.
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
Cooperation for the win!
When all parities cooperate it can be so easy!
These decisive buyers looked at several places with me. They were not afraid to put in offers, but were very calculated about them. When they looked at this home, it was an obvious winner, their reaction was very different than with other homes. This three year old, one owner home was in great condition, but also had some wonderful tech upgrades. The seller works in technology, has great style and had displayed her coding books around the home. The buyer, who also works in tech, was taken by details such as an electronic doggie door, upgraded electronic blinds, beautiful succulent pots out front and the great little caddy to put your keys as you walk in the door.
Cooperation was great throughout, but was highlighted when the buyer found an error on the credit report that required a few days extension but if not removed, would cost them a huge amount over the life of the loan. Sellers were happy to extend for them to fix this error, but in the end they were able to close on time despite this. Another highlight of cooperation was on the day of closing the Air Conditioning went out. So many sellers would just leave it, pretend that it wasn’t their responsibility, but this seller was on it and ready to work to get things back up and running. It is wonderful when people work together with others and treat others as they would like to be treated.
After the inspections were done, the owner invited myself and buyers over for a cocktail and to go through the house together. The buyers were able to join the sellers to celebrate the passing of the home and to share information on all the tech in the home. For icing on the cake, the seller gave them a video in lieu of the traditional operators manual binder for the home.
These two triathletes will now use garage as a bike and work out room including a very nice treadmill the owner passed to them. I couldn’t be happier for them!
Poster Children for Perseverance Prevail in North Portland
My buyers Shay and Mike contacted me in mid-April, about a month into quarantine, and a couple of weeks after my last pre-covid transaction had closed. They were living in a rental, had a 2 year old and were pregnant with their second child. Shay had just started a new job but due to Covid she had never even been into the office of her new company. They figured with the second kid on the way, now was as good a time as any to find a new home. They had just gotten pre-approved in mid-April one month into quarantine. We had no idea what the Portland market was going to do. Everything had come to a stand still in real estate and we as a collective body of real estate agents did not know how long the pause would last. Would it be for a couple of weeks? A couple of months? Forever?
Their ideal house would be in North Portland- in Arbor Lodge, Overlook or Kenton. Their ideal home would have 3 bedrooms. Their ideal home would have more than 1 toilet. Their ideal home would have plenty of room to garden and a real dining room. And their ideal home would have lots of light and a space that could work as a home office/studio.
As soon as Shay and Mike were ready to go by the end of April, I finally met them in person at a house we went to look at. It was smaller then they were hoping- a 2 bedroom 1 bath house, but it had a full basement that could be finished and turned into a home that worked for them. They loved it and decided to write an offer. And that’s when we realized that the market was going bananas. It was a smaller 2 bed 1 bath home over in Concordia, and we knew it was getting multiple offers, so Shay and Mike wrote a little over asking, but didn’t go crazy over. And then we were told it had 7 offers and the sellers accepted an offer for about $25k over list. They got over their heartbreak of losing that house, and we continued on. Over the next 2 months, they wrote on five additional homes, and on all of the homes they wrote for over asking- and some homes they were writing $40k-$50k over asking, offering to make up appraisal differences if the appraisal didn’t come back at sales price, offering rent-back for free to sellers and offering other carrots. But we couldn’t get anything to stick. And this was hard. Really hard for them. And with Shay being pregnant, that just added to the heartbreak that kept compounding with every offer rejection. I kept telling them that every one of my buyers always buys the best house possible in the end, so even though they had been rejected 5 times, it was only because the house they had not yet written on a house meant to be theirs.
About 3 months into the search, several homes came on the market at the same time that seemed like they could work. The first one was a cute little bungalow in the Creston neighborhood in SE. It met most of their needs, and while it wasn’t in a part of town that they had originally wanted to live in, if their offer had been accepted they would have happily moved in and that would have been that. At the same time, another house right in Arbor Lodge came on the market that seemed too good to be true. It was a true 2 story house plus a full partially finished basement with 4 real bedrooms above grade, a large living room, separate dining room and roomy kitchen. It had a full bathroom on the main floor and a half bath in the basement. The basement also had a fantastic room with a fireplace that with a few cosmetic upgrades could be an ideal playroom/family room. And to top it all off, it had a detached garage in great shape. Both the SE home and the N Portland home seemed underpriced, so they felt they had a better chance of getting the SE house given it was priced lower then the No Portland house, and the SE house was looking at offers sooner then the N Portland house. They wrote up a great offer- their 5th- on the SE house and got into back-up position, which felt like progress! In the meantime, that North Portland home beckoned and with a Hail Mary, they threw their all into writing an offer on that house totally not expecting that a house so perfect could be theirs after all they had gone through.
And then I got the best call a buyer’s agent can get- your clients offer was selected! I immediately called Shay and Mike and they just about fell down on the floor. I don’t think they believed me at first. This house where the seller had accepted their offer on was by far and away the best possible house out of all the houses we looked at and they wrote offers on, and now it was going to be theirs. Transaction was smooth and house only needed a couple of repairs which the seller agreed to do, and 30 days later, the transaction closed! Had they not continued to stick with it and keep pounding the pavement, their perfect forever dream house would have eluded them. The seller is spending a week after closing moving out, Shay is due in less than 2 weeks and all is as well as could be in Shay and Mike’s world.
From Seattle to this North Portland Charmer
Some closings are better than others. This one, is one of the good ones. A little over a year since I helped him sell his condo downtown, I got to help my good friend Matt and his partner Libby, on their purchase of this wonderful North Portland Stunner.
If you haven’t gotten the memo, it’s been crazy out there in the Real Estate Market. Matt and Libby started their search in the midst of this Pandemic and right at a time that the limited inventory and pent up Buyer demand came to a head and everyone on the West Coast started to shop for a home in Portland. They made offers on 3 homes prior to this, all multiple offer situations, all ones they lost out on, with the last one coming close and they were offered back-up position. While waiting for that one to sort itself out, they saw this one hit the market and it spoke to them. Stunning updates, amazing back yard, fairly quiet pocket in an area that most people would not have considered. The made the drive down from Seattle to check it out on a long weekend of looking at properties and this was the best of the bunch. Tasteful updating, and a backyard that you felt like you were in your own garden oasis. Another positive, I happened to know the listing broker on this one, one Gabrielle Enfield of Living Room Realty, my colleague who happened to start at LRR at the same time as I did. To date, we had not had an opportunity to do business together, but here was our chance. I can confirm what I already knew, Gab is an extremely hard working professional and a master at her craft. She knows the North Portland market well and I was pleased to have her as my counterpart on this transaction.
Due to the nature of what needs to be offered in the current market, my clients will take possession in early September, so this post will be updated at that time when I can give you their happy faces in front of the home. Until then, enjoy the stunning photos of this lovely property and Congrats to Matt and Libby! I can’t wait to hand you keys!
Making Magic Happen In A Magnificent Mid-Century Dunthorpe Estate
Magnificent Mid-Century Dunthorpe Estate
Welcome back to Portland, Amy & Katie!
A while back, I helped Amy and Katie buy a lovely home in SE Portland. Then I helped them sell that home a few years later for a big and unexpected move to San Francisco. We had become friends and I knew I would miss them! I was honored to be a part of their wedding celebration in 2019. I got to meet their amazing family and I just adore them both so much. They’ve lived all over the place, so I figured we would catch up here and there throughout the years. And, besides it would be a great excuse to visit them in San Francisco!
Fast forward to last month, I had just helped Amy’s sister, Ashley and brother-in-law, Cody buy a cute house in SW Portland to start their new family (woot woot for referrals!). The baby is due in December!
Funny how life happens because the next thing I know Amy and Katie called to say that they really missed Portland, they already found their dream house in Dunthorpe and they were eager to move back to Portland! I did an extensive FaceTime tour with them and we wrote an offer and had an accepted offer within a few short days.
The house itself is beyond stunning: some of the notable features are walls of sliding glass that gracefully blur the line between the outside and in, lush landsacping, a serene courtyard, spa-like master bath, and a gentle stream running through the property which is over a third of an acre. It’s truly a breathtaking home and was recently featured in the Oregonian! A local and very respected architect, Sid Scott of Scott Edwards Architecture and his wife Teresa Scott bought this home about 4 years ago and have been busy with a “down to the studs” renovation of this mid-century home. The incredible transformation of this home and so wonderful to see job design and projects like this happening in Portland.
Here’s to family (weather given or chosen), making everlasting memories and togetherness. Congratulations Amy and Katie!
First Time
After nearly 15 years as a REALTOR®, I still love helping first time home buyers. John and Shannon’s excitement and eagerness to understand the current market was awesome. They took on this competitive market with realistic expectations and an attitude of gratefulness. It’s not easy entering the Portland Market, but it is a privilege, and one they never lost sight of. Way to go!
Jessica
Educator, Advocate, REALTOR®
BUYER FATIGUE + WHY WE DON’T GET IT
We’ve been mentioning that to be a buyer now takes a thick outer shell, and while it’s new to many buyers…it’s not new to us. We have been through a “hot” market before and we have learned how to maintain the stamina. As Buyers, be prepared to write a few offers on homes before you get “the one”. It can be hard to keep your chin up at times, especially when you don’t win out over the competition. But do remember, we are your champions! We don’t tire, and we will keep cheering you on until you have keys in your hand and are opening the door to your new home!
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped over 200 clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
Trust + Perseverance = Magic
Congratulations to our First Time Home Buyers!
A big hooray for my lovely first-time homebuyers, Ashley and Cody who charged ahead with patience and grace in Portland’s competitive real estate market.
Firstly, these are some of the sweetest people I know! They have big hearts, sharp minds and were a joy to work with. And they are expecting their first child later this year!! See the small baby bump?
Over the course of a couple of months, we submitted 4 offers and came in just barely below the winning offer each time. Not easy and super frustrating! But I knew there was magic was in our mutual trust and open communication. We regularly went over strategies for being competitive in a strong seller’s market and they had plenty of determination.
In the end, sticking with it has forever changed their lives because… bada-boom bada-bing, the 5th offer was accepted and are new homeowners for the first time!
The house has a ton of updates and was so well maintained that we enjoyed a smooth transaction. And the huge yard, trees all around and vintage apple tree are the tops!
Empty Nester Plans
Jamie and Wendy are on the precipice of becoming empty nesters. This can be a very emotional time for parents, and this fact is no different for these two, but it can also be exciting! They have been preparing to make it a fun new phase of life and a simpler time. After selling two of their rental properties they were ready to find a new place to call home. The goal was to find a smaller, energy-efficient mid-century home, with livability on one floor and quality extra living space for the kids to come home and visit. Finding all of this while maintaining the same walkability and proximity to friends was not an easy task, but when this home hit the market they simply knew it was the one. The competition was fierce, and what was needed to be the chosen offer was uncomfortable, but thanks to a huge amount of trust and counsel they charged forward and their offer was accepted. We simply love these two, and it was such an honor to help them!
Jessica + Karim
Fierce Real Estate Duo
GET ME TO THE NORTH!
Amber and James came to me back in January stating they were thinking about buying a home. They wanted something ideally in St. John’s but were open to parts of SE, NE, and North Portland. As first time buyers we walked through the steps of finding a lender, getting finances in order, realizing the amount of paperwork and work needed to buy a home. February came around and we saw some homes and I can see the disappointment in their eyes and hear it in their voices that “we’re just not really finding anything we like” but we ventured into the North of Portland. Then Covid hit and since they are both healthcare workers they were needed on the front lines. They told me they had to take a break from looking. The stress was building and was taking its toll on them.
Then May came around. They called me out of the blue and said they were ready and this time “we want to go North”. Maybe it wasn’t that dramatic but we were focusing on N. Portland and found the home of their dreams. Newer construction, solar panels, many upgrades, a price well below budget, and the seller included a multitude of needed equipment to care for the home. Wins all around!
Bullseye
One thing Sahar and Tim were certain about from the start was location. We identified their favorite area of town, the “bullseye,” and built the search with this in mind. Because they were in a highly competitive price point, the houses that met the criteria and lived up to their location dreams were few and far between. As the search continued, they began to stretch their initial neighborhood goals. So, when a home they loved (and did not have to compromise on location for!) hit the market, they jumped and beat out some hefty competition. As we dug into inspections on this home, it became clear that the foundation issues were too great to take on. So, they bravely plunged into the market again. Finally, after many bumps along the way, we truly did find “the one” and in their bullseye no less! They kept a level perspective all the way through, which was such a testament to how wonderful they are as individuals and as a couple. It was a privilege to help them find their home
Family Ties in Portland Heights
The greatest feeling in the world is helping your best friends buy a house. Jon and Courtney were my first friends in Portland. We shared a wall at our townhome complex in NW Portland and became fast friends. Over the years we have enjoyed trips together (my favorite was to Spain for the running of the bulls), celebrated both of our weddings and supported each other as our families grew. This year I was able to be Jon and Courtney’s guide as they purchased a home.
One Sunday while visiting they mentioned a home they had toured during and open house. It was a beautiful home with a lovely yard in Portland Heights. We wrote an offer, but it wasn’t accepted and another buyer went under contract on the home. A month or so later the listing agent called to let me know the buyers had to cancel due to a COVID job loss. I let Jon and Courtney know and a few weeks later they decided to write another offer. It was accepted after a short negotiation and they were on their way to owning this lovely home.
As we learned more about the history of this home there were so many connections to Courtney and her family. We found out that her mom went to pre school at a home next door, her cousin grew up playing with the kids that used to live in the home and one of the sellers grew up in the same small town as Courtney. It truly feels like this house is meant to be a part of their journey.
Thank you for trusting me to be your guide through this big milestone. It was an honor! We’re closed and I couldn’t be happier to see my beautiful friends in a fabulous new home!
‘Twas Meant to Be in Overlook
Josh and Evayn were referred to me by some great past clients of mine. We met for the first time via Zoom and we talked about the current state of the market and what to expect as a home buyer looking to purchase a home in close-in North or Northeast Portland. I explained how despite the pandemic, real estate was as busy as it’s ever been with nearly every good house getting multiple offers and almost always going over asking. Having caught them up to speed on the state of the market they were prepared for the worst, or at least prepared that it might take a while before they found the perfect house and had an offer accepted. We discussed what they were hoping to find, and they mentioned that they had seen a house listed in Overlook that seemed to check all their boxes. It had just gone pending so unfortunately that was off the table as an option. Or was it?
We went through the available listings to select a few homes to see, and pickings were as slim as a dry noodle. They did find a few that seemed worthy of seeing, if only to get a sense of the kinds of houses on the market in their price range. We went on our first house seeking adventure, and they found one house that with a lot of imagination and sweat equity might work. As they were considering that house, lo and behold their dream house that they had told me about came back on the market. We zipped over there and saw it that evening to see it and it was as perfect in person for them as it was online. A sweet little 2 bedroom 1 bath mid-century on a dead-end street just a couple blocks from happenings on Interstate with a great fenced and private yard for their mutt Peabody and a stellar garage that is the perfect set-up for one day converting it into an ADU. The interior sported gleaming hardwood floors, fabulous paint colors in every room, a perfectly intact vintage mid-century kitchen and a huge laundry/storage/utility room.
The first time this house came on the market it had multiple offers and went for slightly over asking. This time around the seller was super motivated to get it back under contract and didn’t want to wait around for a pile of offers to maybe appear. We wrote up a great full price offer, submitted it right away and thankfully the seller was super motivated to get the house back under contract and accepted Josh and Evayn’s offer pretty quickly. The previous buyer had already done the sewer scope, radon test and we had the tank information, so we scheduled the inspection and the house passed with flying colors. Everything else went smooth as butter and six weeks after we first met via Zoom, they had the keys to their new home in hand.
Josh & Karley couldn’t be happier!
Josh & Karley couldn’t be happier!!
Their needs for a first home were simple. A solid, minimum two bedroom, one bath home, in a good neighborhood. One that will have solid resale value in a couple of years when they are ready to move up to their next home.
Josh really doesn’t like the city, especially the Portland, Vancouver area so we set our search further north. Our search eventually landing us Longview. We were able to find them a sweet house, a few blocks from the lake that has a number of recent updates but still room for Josh to add some sweat equity.
With a strong offer, some persistent negotiation, and a good lender we were closed in less than 30 days!
As you can see, Josh & Karley couldn’t be happier.
Community
Paul and Mel are simply some of the most involved, down to earth, lovely people. Wherever they go community follows, whether it be through their locally owned restaurant, teaching at our schools, or volunteering. This level of commitment creates a very full, busy life and they simply needed a larger space for their family to come home to and be able to enjoy during their cherished moments of togetherness. Searching for their dream home was challenging due to COVID, but so much fun. They knew what they wanted, but most importantly they knew what was most important to both of them. Many homes fit only one of their “wishlists” and no time was lost considering it because they knew that “their house” was out there. And it was… I opened the door and toured it solo, instantly knowing this was the one and after Mel and Paul toured as well, this was confirmed. They found their dream home! We are simply ecstatic for your family and cannot wait until we can deliver you the keys!
Jessica
Advocate, Dream Weaver
I’ll tell you what you’re looking for…
Why why why? No no no!
Why does this happen?!?
Ashley and Shea came to me on a second attempt to purchase a home of their own. When I asked them why they didn’t reach out to the agent they were working with before, they said that communication had lagged and they felt that they were being led to buy a house that didn’t suit them.
Let me make it clear how I see my job as your buyers agent:
I’m here to show you homes, inform you of our RE market, point out potential issues or features you may not have noticed, to listen and be a sounding board for the goals you’ve set out for your home.
I am not here to sell you ‘on’ a house, especially if you don’t want it. I’ve never sold anyone a home they didn’t want. I don’t do that.
My job is to listen and when you, as a buyer, get that super excited feeling in your belly and your soul that ‘I could really live here’, then I turn my laser focus and experience toward getting you what you want. It makes for such a great buying experience and that is how I run my business.
It takes patience to honor my clients’ process and I have been known to tell buyers that, ‘if the location, condition and price feel right for you, you should consider making an offer’.
Please know this- I can write an excellent offer!
An offer that protects you as a buyer and you don’t pay too much
An offer that is exciting to the seller.
There are so many meta-messages you can send to the seller, and sometimes equally important to the sellers agent, that this offer will amount to a successful sale.
I have a reputation as both a fierce advocate for my buyers and a cooperative, solutions based negotiator.
Give me a job, I’ll show you how it’s done!
All the Single Ladies, All the Single Ladies
Put your hands up for Jess!
She just bought the perfect townhouse in NE Portland for her and her dog Luigi.
Let’s take a minute to celebrate being single! There is so much strength in creating and appreciating your own space, and Jess is over the moon in this townhouse!
This year I have helped a lot of single ladies buy homes, condos, and townhouses. It’s inspiring to see the commitment they have to themselves and creating their best life.
I love helping all people buy homes and this feeling has amplified in the pandemic. So many people are realizing just how important their home is in relation to working from home, quarantining, homeschooling, etc..
It was an honor to help Jess and her dog Luigi buy a spacious townhouse with a huge garage for not only the car but a motorcycle and a home gym. May their new home be a foundation for love and contentment!
Perfectly Vintage 1910 Creston-Kenilworth Bungalow
Kat was referred to me in mid-May by a former client of mine, about two months into the pandemic. Like a lot of first time home buyers, being home all the time with roommates while also running a business had lost a lot of appeal after two months into Covid. Kat is an artist and has developed a successful business selling dice for role playing games and was looking for a cozy vintage home that also had a large enough space to move her business operations into. She also wanted to live as close-in as possible. We looked at a few houses to give her a feel for what was on the market, and nothing was close to ringing her bell. And then like magic, the perfect little 1910 bungalow with a nice front porch and porch swing on the back porch popped up in Creston-Kenilworth. It is sweet as a bell in the sunshine with high ceilings, a true to period re-done kitchen and bathroom and vintage charm galore. And the basement set up is perfect for running her business out of with an outside entrance that will allow her sweet pooch to run in and out of all day long. Like a lot of houses listed these days, it was unfortunately listed under market. In this frenzied market, even buyers with great down payments, over asking offer amounts and fantastic terms are having to write offers on multiple homes before one sticks. I had prepped Kat for this, and so we wrote up a really strong offer and then just bit our nails while we waited for the seller to review the 7 offers they received. Thankfully they did select Kat’s offer. A home run on the first hit for Kat. The sellers had done all the hard stuff so the inspection went well and a month after her offer was accepted, I got to meet Kat at the house to hand over keys.
Moving mom next door?
The rental next door to their secluded little oasis had been empty for quite awhile. Curiosity set in; were they planning to sell it? Could they buy it? So many questions, but they were not comfortable approaching the owner so they called us. We gladly did some digging and found that the seller was not looking to sell. Bummer, but the idea of moving Mom into their current home and moving to a home with more space and a garage was born. Congratulations Rachelann and Paul!
Fresh Beaumont Craftsman
JUST LISTED
3606 NE 43rd Ave, Portland OR 97213
The health and safety of the community is our top priority. Please be sure to see and share this virtual tour to get a feel for the home prior to showing. Please follow posted COVID protocols and contact Tracey with questions. Thank you!
Offered at $899,000
4 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 3112 SF
MLS# 20173576 | Taxes: $8,568
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday 7/4 12-2pm
VIRTUAL TOUR
Light abounds in this Beautiful Craftsman home, built both for efficiency and classic beauty! Perched up off the street this home offers charming open spaces, chef’s kitchen, custom details and so much more.
It’s possible you’ll fall in love with this home even before entering! Fresh coat of paint inside and out plus a dreamy oversized porch greet you upon arrival. Entering this lovely home you will find a formal entry with built-ins!
Continue through the main floor featuring soaring ceilings, hardwood floors, big bright windows and a lovely gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, custom cabinetry, gas range and beautiful island. Ample dining room is perfect for both intimate dinners and entertaining. The living room glows with big corner windows and a stylish fireplace with mantle for cozy evenings.
The second level features a gorgeous master en suite with 2 additional bedrooms, ample closets and classic woodworking throughout.
Spacious 3rd floor walk-up with spectacular tree-top views and generous ceiling height is great for family or media room.
Lower level offers plenty of storage and extra deep 2 car garage with more opportunity for storage and shop.
This Energy Star Certified home features a high-efficiency furnace and A/C and tankless hot water heater.
Gorgeous, low maintenance landscaped back yard perfect for gatherings and dinner on the deck. A lovely walk to Fremont shops, restaurants and parks! Great schools, biking score and public transportation! Welcome home!
When you decide to buy a house together
Sometimes buying a house together is just a breeze. This was one of those times. Kara and Nicole are one of those couples that works well together and were on the same page while shopping. Looking to move out a little further for some more space, inside and outside, these two were open to a lot of options. They settled on outer lents in a delightful little pocket neighborhood.
Kara was my very first client in 2013 and it has been great to watch her grow both personally and professionally and continue developing our friendship along the way. These two caring, giving nurses brought masks to us and special treats specifically for me as I dealt with some health concerns. It’s great to see them settle in a house that will allow for them to build their future family together. It has been very rewarding to be part of that process. I can’t to see what the future holds for them!
When Should a New Homeowner Remodel, Now or Later?
We got the house!!
Now what??
Gabe and Alana are wonderful thoughtful folks and new homeowners! Their new home is not new, in fact it is a beautiful 1915 craftsman. The home is truly wonderful, just steps to Multnomah Village with a beautiful yard and has been lovingly cared for and maintained. Here is the rub, the last remodel was just before the previous owners moved in… 30 years ago. They can, and want to, remodel but a question has been posed:
Do we move in and live in the home and let our plans for a remodel develop as we grow and know the home?
Or
Do we get started with the remodel based on design concepts and our known goals?
We’ve had a fair amount of discussion on the subject and for them, the jury is still out for the time being.
Here are the sticking points:
- The issues of living in a home and living through the remodel with a young family
- The idea of getting to know how the house lives and what becomes your priorities after being there for some time. Does that knowledge and insight outweigh the inconvenience of living through a remodel?
I have only ever done significant remodel work on home before we moved in because I can’t stand drywall dust, I repeat, I loath drywall dust.
I’m landing at – live in the house, make plans as they develop, plan for the work to be done with a trusted contractor and take a vacation or rent while it is being done.
Ha! If only we had a budget like that!!
Congratulations on your new home and I’m super excited to see what you make of it!!
Tennessee to Portland
Jenny’s Mom lives in Tennessee with her brother. Jenny has often said they should move to Portland… but Mom shut that conversation down every time until COVID-19. The way COVID was being handled in Tennessee was simply not acceptable to them and they felt Mom was at risk. Within a day or two of this conversation, a cute little bungalow hit the market just around the corner from Jenny. This felt like fate, so Jenny called and we headed out to see the home that day and they wrote an offer that was accepted. Wow, Mom is on her way to Portland now!!
Community
In 2019, Priya and Sujata planned to move Mom and Dad and sell their home with Karim in February of this year. Priya was living with her parents and did not know yet what her next step would be until the idea of buying the home next to Sujata was born. They often helped their neighbor and knew she needed to move to a retirement community because the care and upkeep of the home was simply too much for her. Her need to sell was overwhelming her, and she discussed this with Sujata, which lead to the idea of buying her home so that Priya could live next door. But how could this work, putting their parents home on the market in December was not the best idea? Well, when everyone’s best interest is at the forefront, plans seem to come together. The path was not easy, and there were many uncontrollable bumps along the way, but the love and respect in their little community was strong and everybody worked to help one another when needed… 6 months later they now own the home next door and after the seller gets settled in her new community, Priya will move in and become part of her sister’s neighborhood!
1,2, PAUSE, 3, and Bam!
Dharam and Susanne had found a home and we were about to submit an addendum after inspections when the floodgates opened around COVID-19. The uncertainty our times brought them caused them to terminate and wait a bit to see how everything would unfold. Fast forward to April and they fortunately had strong employment still and felt comfortable starting to look again. Almost immediately their home hit the market. It was perfect… Great area, great street, and an amazing home on a large lot with chickens to boot! During these times of uncertainty and hardship it is great to see something all work out for the better. We are simply ecstatic for them!
Jessica
Advocate, REALTOR®
The Texas Two Step
Another quarantine close for the books! Imagine moving the middle of a pandemic. Well that’s exactly what my buyers had to do, moving back to Portland all the way from Austin, Texas! But I’ve never been more thankful for all my experience in the industry and for technology that allows us to communicate closely and consistently in such an uncertain time. My buyers enjoyed a smooth transaction process and are now moving into this stunning Lake Oswego Remodel—4 bedrooms, 4 bath, complete with Brazilian teak floors and gorgeous high-end features including a chef’s kitchen.
What a score! We were able to close quickly on this home despite the long-distance and pandemic measures. Even with all of the uncertainty of COVID, I’ve been finding that the real estate process hasn’t been affected too much. It’s very possible to conduct the search for your future home safely and quickly. Great communication and an experienced agent are key! A huge congrats to my clients on their beautiful new home!
Buying a Home Remotely
I’ve never met Vijay and Pooja in person, they live in Boston and bought their new SW Portland home 100% remotely. Today we are closing on their new home in Hayhurst and I’m reflecting on my time working with them. They found me online almost a year ago. Since we started we have been completely virtual, connecting over phone, text, email and video.
A year ago Vijay called me and told me he was interested in a specific home. I gave him some information and learned he and Pooja lived in Boston. I offered to do a FaceTime tour or send a video of the home he was interested in. I started taking videos of homes they were interested in and texting him a few minutes of video at a time. “This is the front” I’d say as I showed them the sidewalk, the street, driveway and front porch. I’d send that short video and then start filming the next one by going through the front door… “And here’s the entrance…” “Now we’re going into the living room…” “look at these amaaaazing hardwood floors (I said while kneeling down to get a good shot of the pretty floors)…”
Over the past year of off and on home shopping with them, I’ve refined my skills as a videographer. Since I started, my short video clips via text have evolved. Now I provide longer video tours posted to youtube with a private link for my buyers. I invested in a gimbal, a tool which stabilizes my camera, so I can take better footage and focus on showing off the home. I’ve helped many other remote buyers too! About 30% of the clients I helped buy homes last year were partially or completely remote during the time we worked together.
All this working and filming remotely has seriously paid off. I am grateful for the experience I gained helping Pooja & Vijay, and my other remote clients. With the pandemic going on, my ability to address the unique needs of a remote client has helped me pivot and grow my business during this time of hardship. I now offer my buyers who can’t meet in person the option of a video tour or a live virtual tour with me on FaceTime, Skype, Hangouts, Zoom, Facebook and more! I also host live virtual open houses on my Facebook Page for many Living Room Realty listings.
Vijay and Pooja will be receiving the keys to their new home via Fedex tomorrow and will travel out here to see it for the first time in a few weeks. I am thrilled to be finally meeting them in person but bummed I won’t be able to give them a big hug or round of high fives just yet. I know they are excited too, and we’ll find a way to celebrate together, distantly.
Congrats again Pooja and Vijay!
In spite of COVID-19
In spite of coming into the market at the beginning of quarantine, closure of businesses, and the complete unknown, Emma and Gabe conquered all! They navigated the new normal with grace, understanding, and trust. Their dream home hit the market and offers had to be written “subject to interior inspection.” This requirement is not for the faint of heart, but the house seemed perfect, no wait… it was perfect and after much counsel about what it’s like to offer on a home BEFORE even seeing it, they took the leap and threw down a very competitive no-nonsense offer. They narrowly missed the deadline to even have it considered, but their offer made it in to the agent in time and was accepted!!! Holy moly, they were dumbfounded and in shock. We were in the house the next day and it was more than they had dreamed for… pure joy was on both of their faces! Such a dream story for amazing people… they kicked COVID’s butt!
Jessica
The stars aligned…
Quarantine had begun and Audra’s business was in danger, but she is not one to just let something happen without trying everything first. She was able to quickly restructure her business model and provide online classes that her community responded well to. The business was saved, now she had to solve the problem of homeownership… Her lease was up and she feared not having shelter, but we connected her with our property management department to help her understand her rights as a tenant, which solved the immediate problem! Now it was time to shop… Audra is a strong, independent woman and knows what she wants and the stars aligned and HER home appeared. Light throughout, yard space to garden, bedrooms for her kiddos, and in a great neighborhood. Audra, we are so excited for you!
Educator, Negotiator, Advocate
Jessica LeDoux
So many options…
When you have clients like Mike and Amy there are so many possibilities because they are open to all ideas. We spent a few months learning about the different investment potential properties provide and weighed this against the need for a solid place to live. The only thing that delayed us was the need for a specific school district, but after much counsel and research the boundaries of our search opened and we found a home with unlimited potential and a view! They are already ripping out walls… we can’t wait to see the transformation.
Jessica
Educator, Advocate, Portland Native
The kiddos are what matters…
Sometimes life takes us in directions we had not planned, but what does hopefully stay the same is parents’ love for their kids. This was 100% Jeff’s main concern when searching for a home. He wanted to stay within a walkable distance to Mom’s house and all their friends. In addition, he wanted to maintain their style of living, which is focused around connection with each other. These were not easy things to find within the tight map boundaries, but with patience and a clear vision, we found the right house! I cannot wait to hear how excited the kids are to claim their space and enjoy hanging with Dad in their new home.
Jessica
Advocate, Eagle Eye, REALTOR®
Cookie Gets Her Own Yard in Mill Park
Cindy and Oscar got in touch with me in what feels like a lifetime ago- mid January of 2020. They were eager to become homeowners, and after having gone through the process of trying to buy a home last year only to have it implode with a very low appraisal, they were ready for a fresh start. New agent (me), new lender (Umpqua) and a new year. They love mid-century homes and were looking for a home that wasn’t in perfect cosmetic condition. They love to garden and were looking forward to having a yard for their beloved pup Cookie. In late February we looked at a a 1960 tri-level in a picture perfect mid-century block in Mill Park. The home hit most of their marks- it was in good enough shape to move into, had hardwood floors, mid-century charm, and a beautiful yard. They also wanted a home that would work for multiple generations for parents to move into eventually and kids in the future, and with the tri-level layout, it had the perfect floor plan for being able to do so. It also needed a face-lift, something Oscar and Cindy actually wanted to do on a home. It had been on the market for almost 2 months, and while it was priced lower than what neighboring homes had recently sold for, it definitely needed some vision and felt overpriced considering how much work it needed. They decided to keep looking and found another great mid-century home in Milwaukie that they loved and decided to put an offer in on. That home had multiple offers and went for way over listing price, so they did not get that house. But all the while, the sweet tri-level in Mill Park kept calling to them. So a little over a week after they first saw it, we wrote up an offer for $25k under list price. The sellers countered back with $20k under list and my buyers accepted.
The following week everything in the world was still “normal” and we had our home inspection. The inspection turned up a few unexpected things and a lot of expected things. The house needed a new roof, a new electric panel and other assorted repairs and upgrades. Even though my buyers were under contract to purchase the home for $90k less than the house 2 doors down that went on the market and went pending in 2 days after my buyer’s offer had been accepted, we were able to negotiate a credit for a new roof and the seller replaced the panel. By the time we were at the end or our repair negotiations, the quarantine order was in place, and thankfully everything went smoothly and Cindy, Oscar and their pup Cookie were able to close on time.
The Modern Confectionery
From the first time we met, I knew I would love spending time with Kristyn and Shoe. They are a smart, creative and hardworking couple who have traveled extensively and were looking to move back to a more urban lifestyle they embraced during stints in Paris and beyond. After reinventing their extremely rare mid-century perched on the Overlook ridge they were ready for condo living.
While Kristyn was pursuing her PhD, they lived in several large European cities. During that time without a car they fully embraced city life, shopping for groceries at small markets and having various restaurants and shops within steps of their home. After years on the bluff they started to miss the accessibility and ease of city life, and realized they were ready to fully embrace downtown living, so the Pearl called.
We set out to find a condo in the Pearl District with notable outdoor space and unique interior finishes. I had mentioned early on in the process that there was one building I thought would be perfect for them, the Modern Confectionery Lofts. My mention of the building came with a quick disclaimer that it’s a smaller building and the 7 units (only 3 rooftop) rarely come up for sale. As luck would have it, just a month or so after we started our search, the best unit in the building hit the market. Shoe and Kristyn had a connection to the space immediately and we were under contract 24 hours later.
It has been an absolute blast helping Shoe and Kristyn find the perfect condo for this next phase in their life. I am anxiously anticipating how they will personalize the space with their incredible taste and will be front and center in the coming weeks as their MCM hits the market!
Grit, Grace and the Good Stuff
Congratulations to our First Time Home Buyers!
I met Megan and Natasha at one of my open houses last fall. They stopped by with their adorable daughter, Paloma, and as we started chatting I felt a connection with them right away. We learned they were in town from Santa Cruz to check out houses in the Portland market and after a few days checking out the city and going to open houses, were feeling really good about making the move! We made the plan to keep in touch and, as all Portlanders do, we recommended some of our favorite restaurants to check out while they were in town.
Through emails and conference calls, we were able to get to know each other surprisingly well, and by the time they arrived for their first in-person visit to tour homes together, we were ready to hit the ground running. We toured a lot of homes in many different styles and vintages, all the while going over the benefits and drawbacks of each. Megan and Natasha are thoughtful, research-oriented and very good at asking questions, and those qualities that make them a great match for us! So with an accelerated home buying education, they decided that new construction was the best choice for their young family.
We found the sweetest new construction home in the fantastic Woodstock neighborhood on a picture-perfect street. Given we are all staying home to be safe for now, these buyers will be moving up to Portland as soon as this whole Covid-19 thing settles down. Welcome home!
A Sweet House for Smart Cookies
A Sweet House for Smart Cookies
My assistant, Jasmine, was referred to a lovely young family in the market to buy a new home in SE Portland. I’ve seen quite of few of these new construction townhouse style homes around town over the past 5 years and I’m a big fan. First of all, they are obviously gorgeous but so much of their goodness comes from being Earth Advantage certified, required to be at least 15% more efficient and with better overall performance than a house built to code. Plus they have all the bells and whistles to boot! Needless to say, it was very easy to get on board and support these clients through their home purchase. We are over the moon and excited for our internet-private-type clients to make this house a home.
We Love Referrals!
10 Important Things to Do Before Moving Day
Your offer has been accepted—congratulations! But hold on: before you schedule the movers for the very day you get the keys to your new place, there are several new home to-dos that it makes sense to tackle before you begin to unload boxes. Some of these you can tackle yourself; for others, it might make sense to hire a professional. You can read this article if you need professional help with your moving and as always, I can help you to find reputable service professionals for a wide variety of home maintenance tasks.
Before you move in, be sure to:
- Tackle paperwork. Yeah, I get it. Not nearly as much fun as mentally arranging furniture in your new digs, right? But you need to get homeowners insurance for your new home in order (in fact, you often can close on your new house without proof of insurance). And while you’re at it, go ahead and file your change-of-address form with the post office. You’ll still need to change your address with various entities after you move, but filing this form will ensure that important mail is automatically forwarded to your new address in the meantime.
- Change the locks. Secure your new home from the very first day you own it. This is especially important if you’re not going to immediately occupy the space but will be storing belongings. A City Locksmith noted that you must get a locksmith to change the locks on every exterior door, including those that provide access to the basement or garage. It’s worth the peace of mind—and you’ll be able to get the precise number of keys you need at the time the locks are changed.
- Change smoke detector and carbon monoxide batteries. Let’s continue with our safety theme: don’t spend a single night in your new home without first addressing this item! State law says that sellers need to replace old smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors prior to closing, but it’s best to double check it was actually done. While experts recommend putting fresh batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors twice a year—typically when the time changes in the fall and spring—you should also ensure that your new home has fresh batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors before you move in. After all, you have no idea how long it has been since the previous owner tackled this task. Pro tip: add a note in your phone that lists the number of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and the type of batteries each requires, then set recurring reminders in your calendar to replace the batteries every six months.
- Complete dreaded maintenance tasks. Harness the excitement of moving into a new home and use some of that energy to tackle tasks that you might normally dread. Why? Well, it’s much easier to clean behind and beneath the refrigerator and the washer and dryer when they’re empty and when the space around the appliances is clear. While you’re at it, replace the furnace filter, and locate the breaker box, making sure the switches are properly labeled. There’s a benefit to doing all of this just before you move in: you’ll have an easy-to-remember date for when you last did these chores. Feel like you might be forgetting something? Go back to that home inspection report and comb through it for recommendations for items you might wish to address before move-in.
- Paint. Whether the entire interior needs a fresh paint job, or merely a room here and there, it’s SO. MUCH. EASIER. to paint inside your home when the rooms are still empty. And it’s worth it to spend a little extra time (and money) to do it right: paint ceilings, trim, molding, baseboards, doors, walls—all of it. You can tackle the job yourself, or hire a professional painter. You’ll save money with DIY painting, but a professional will be able to do the job quickly, meaning you’ll be able to move in faster. You might even save money in hiring a professional if they paint while the house is empty of furniture.
- Clean the windows. Outside and inside, top to bottom, make your new home should sparkle! Hire a window cleaner to wash the windows inside and out, and to clean the window tracks and screens. This often-overlooked chore goes a long way in making your house feel like home—just wait until the first morning that you sip coffee as the sun shines in the freshly washed windows!
- Wipe down cabinets and closets. While the window cleaner is up on the ladder, arm yourself with a bucket of hot, soapy water and a rag, and wipe down closet shelves and the insides of cabinets. Take a vacuum to the insides of closets, too. When you finally begin to move your belongings into the house, you’ll know that you’re putting your things away in freshly cleaned spaces.
- Clean floors. Rent equipment or hire a professional: whatever you do, don’t move into your new house without getting the carpets shampooed and hardwood/tile floors steam cleaned. Here’s the thing: people are gross. Pets are even more gross. It’s worth getting every inch of your home—especially the floors—as clean as you possibly can.
- Replace toilet seats (or the entire toilet). Okay. I’m now revealing myself as a slight germ-o-phobe. But I know I’m not the only one! Maybe replacing the toilet seats (or the toilet) isn’t something you’ve thought about before, but I can almost guarantee you won’t be sorry. Plus, you can seize the opportunity to install a high-efficiency, water-saving toilet!
- Stock the house with day-of-move essentials. Bring over a bin containing everything you’ll need on moving day: paper towels, hand soap, garbage bags, bottled water or soda, snacks, pain reliever, a tape measure, a phone charger, and anything else you might want on hand without having to go through boxes to find.
With the help of professional moving companies, like professional removalists Sydney, now you’re ready to start unpacking boxes, placing furniture, and hanging art—all the fun things that will make your new house your new home. And when you’re all settled, don’t forget to invite me to your housewarming party!
Our First Date, REALTOR® Edition: 4 Tips for Making Our First REALTOR®-Client Meeting a Success
You’ve googled me. We’ve texted. Maybe we’ve even spoken by phone. (Full disclosure: I tend to call you more than I text you. I’m old-fashioned that way!) We’ve arranged our first date (er—meeting!). Casual: coffee, maybe lunch. We both want to make a good impression.
But hey! You can relax! We’re going to be hanging out together—a lot—over the coming weeks. And we’re going to have fun. I already like you. And I promise you’re going to like me, too.
While you don’t have to dress up or go out of your way to impress me, there are a few things you can do to make our initial meeting productive so we can begin making progress toward finding your next home!
- Know Your Budget. The best way to do this is to get pre-approved for a home loan. Meet with a lender. Meet with several lenders. Get an idea of down payment options, interest rates, and the maximum amount of money for which you’re approved. Note: the maximum amount you’re approved for might not be the same as your actual maximum budget! If you haven’t gone through the pre-approval process yet or if you need a referral to a reputable lender, no problem! I can help to connect you with someone great so that you’re ready when it’s time to make an offer.
- Know Your Neighborhoods. One of the first questions I’ll ask you is what neighborhoods you’re interested in. If you already live in the area, you may have a good sense of where you want to concentrate your search for your next home. If you’re moving from out-of-town or out-of-state, it might take a little longer to narrow your focus. In this instance, it’s helpful for me to know what’s important to you. Is it walkability? Proximity to transit? Do you love the idea of living near greenspace? You can do some homework ahead of our first meeting by researching local neighborhoods and taking the time to explore and drive the areas you’re drawn to.
- Make Your List. You might already have a vision of your dream home in your mind. Or, you might think that you’ll “know it when you see it.” Either way, it’s a great idea to make a list of your criteria. In fact, make several lists: a “must-have” list, a “nice-to-have” list, and a “deal-breaker” list. Are you a gourmet chef who insists on having a gas range? List that in your “must-haves.” Would you like to have a powder room for guests, but you can probably live without it? List that in your “nice-to-haves.” Is a split-level a hard no in your book? List that in your “deal-breakers.” Remember: your “dream” home might not exist among the homes currently on the market—so you’ll need to either be prepared to wait for that home to come along, or be aware of where you can and cannot make concessions.
- Know Your Timeline. A lot of factors influence your timeline for moving. Perhaps you need to sell your current home before you can move. Perhaps you’ve already sold your current home and need to find a new place ASAP. Or perhaps you’ve secured a new job in the area and want to find a new place in advance of your move from out-of-state. Whatever your situation, it’s good for me to understand your urgency (or lack thereof).
As you arrive at our first meeting, know this: you are important to me. Over the years, many of my clients have become dear friends. Whatever your budget, criteria, and timeline, I’m dedicated to helping you to find your next ideal home. I can’t wait to begin this relationship!
So You Want to Be a Homeowner: 5 Tips to Get Ready to Buy Your First House
A lack of affordable homes in urban areas. High student loan debt. Difficulty qualifying for a loan. These are just a few of the reasons millennials aren’t buying homes at the same rate as Generation Xers and baby boomers before them. However, experts believe it’s not that millennials don’t want to buy homes. It’s just that they’re taking a little longer to do so. In fact, millennials are poised to become the fastest-growing group of new homeowners.
If you’re thinking about buying your first home (or hey! even if you’re thinking about buying your fourth home!) make sure you know how to get a cell tower on your property to prevent issues with the reception.
Here are some essential tips to prepare for this important (and exciting) step:
- Get your debt under control. Student loans, car loans, credit card debt. Whatever debt you have, make a concerted effort to pay down as much debt as you can before you consider buying a home. There are a variety of strategies for how to approach paying off debt. Research and consider which approach makes the most sense for your situation. Then make a plan, and stick to it! Remember: decreasing your debt increases the likelihood that you’ll qualify for a favorable home loan. Plus, the process of paying off debt improves your overall credit score—which also helps in your loan application process.
- Strive for steady employment. As a group, millennials are more likely to be entrepreneurs. Millennials are also more likely to move between jobs than older generations. However, when it comes to qualifying for a home loan, lenders like to see that you have a steady and reliable source of income. If homeownership is your goal, be aware that sticking with one employer for a period of time could prove beneficial.
- Squirrel away savings. At this point, you might be thinking, “Yikes. So I’m supposed to pay off debt AND save at the same time?!” Well, yes. And that can be hard to do. I get it. But there are a lot of reasons to build a nest egg. For starters, the process of buying a home requires some up-front cash. You’ll need to have funds available for escrow. You’ll need to pay for a home inspection (money that is very well spent!). You’ll need a down payment; the precise amount depends on the type of loan you get, and if you intend to purchase private mortgage insurance. And, you want to be prepared for the myriad expenses that come with home ownership. You might need to purchase a lawnmower. You might need to purchase a new water heater. At some point, you might be faced with a bigger purchase, like a new roof. A healthy savings account gives you a level of security and comfort as you take this next big step toward owning a home.
- Be ready to settle down. No, buying a home doesn’t mean that you surrender your sense of adventure! You’re still the same fun-loving, adventurous person you’ve always been. But in financial terms, if you’re going to buy a home, try to think ahead a few years. Do you see yourself being happy in the same neighborhood in the same city for at least 2–3 years?
- Balance what you want with what is realistic. When you think you’re ready to take the leap, start to gather information needed to make an informed decision. Get pre-approved for a mortgage so you know what you can afford. (Hint: the highest number you qualify for isn’t necessarily the same as your maximum budget. Think about what is truly affordable!) Research the neighborhoods you love the most. How’s the commute? Are the types of homes you like in the areas you like within your budget? What concessions might you need to make?
And finally: it’s important to have a team you trust to walk with you through the home-buying process. If you think you’re ready to make the step toward homeownership, let’s chat! From connecting you with reputable lenders to making an offer to handing you the keys to your new home, I’m here to work with you every step of the way. Here’s my cell phone – 503-701-1000.
Just listed – Charming Richmond Townhome
2409 SE 51st Ave #2
Portland, Oregon, 97206
Beautiful post-war townhome located in one of Portland’s hippest neighborhoods. Some of the best restaurants, shopping, music venues, coffee shops and parks in town are within blocks. The home features beautiful hardwood floors, updated kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances and cherry cabinets. Upstairs you’ll find a large master bedroom and second room or office plus tiled bathroom. Also comes with a large storage unit with washer/dryer and a deeded, secured parking space.
OFFERED AT $325,000
2 BEDROOM | 1 BATH | 948 SQFT
MLS #20137290 | TAXES: $3,874
A house years in the making
I helped Rhett and Jen move to Portland a couple of years ago, when they arrived in the middle of winter with a two month old son and needed a rental home. We were able to find them a sweet little two bedroom house in SE Portland, and they settled into it and started raising their family and finding their place in Portland. I’ve been in touch with them since, and through several starts and stops, they were finally ready to look start looking in earnest to purchase their first house.
We met and set up the parameters for their search. We talked about their must-haves and wishlists for what their dream home would look like. We went on a couple tours, and Jen added a house that was floating above their top end price point because it was just a couple blocks away from where we finished. The house had it all. A big yard, garage, family room for the kids, and extra space for their offices– in a great neighborhood to boot. We kept an eye on it, and after a couple of weeks they were planning on submitting an offer below asking. Simultaneously the sellers dropped the price right as we submitted their offer. It was a fortuitous moment, and with a strong explanation of their love of the house, the sellers accepted it right away.
My buyers were thrilled, and as anticipated the house was in excellent condition for the age of the home. We had a great team working on their behalf, from the lender to their escrow agent, and solid communication with the listing agent. We were able to get the most important items addressed from their inspections, and it was a true win-win for everyone.
It’s been a long road from that initial time of helping Rhett and Jen find their rental, but I’m so honored and thrilled to have helped guide them to closing on their first new home today!
Turnkey Craftsman Bungalow: Perfectly Portland
2845 NE 49th Avenue, Portland, OR 97213
OFFERED AT $685,000
3 BEDS | 2 BATH | 2006 SF | Separate Studio | 0.11 ACRE
ML: #19019852| TAXES: $6,096
Light-infused, turnkey Craftsman Bungalow, steps to Alameda Ridge in a great school district! Not far from Beaumont Village shops and restaurants, as well as the Hollywood District.
Two large bedrooms and bath downstairs. Upstairs Master Suite complete with full bath and skylights. Separate, finished studio perfect for home office or potential rental. Basement with high ceilings and potential to finish. Updated kitchen opens to a fully fenced-in backyard. This entire home has been beautifully remodeled and upgraded, while keeping period character in tact. Corner lot provides lots of yard space!
For a video of the space head here.
OPEN HOUSE:
March 7, 2020: 12pm – 2pm
March 8, 2020: 12pm – 2pm
You Know it’s “The One” When You Want to Throw Up
I met Molly at my coworker Bonnie’s open house. Bonnie had been working with Molly and her husband David to find the perfect home for their family, who had outgrown their small two bedroom apartment.
While at the open Bonnie turned to me and said, “Do you have buyers for this listing?” and when I replied that I didn’t she introduced me to Molly. Molly and I then walked around the home, where she let me know she liked the home so much it was making her feel nauseated. 🙂 So I tried my best to ease her nerves while we waited for David to show up.
Luckily, David approved and we were able to move easily through the offer and inspection process. Now they are the proud owners of a beautiful home with enough space for the whole family.
If you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell a home in the Portland area, please contact Amanda Haworth at 503-453-7698 or amanda@livingroomre.com.
Beautiful Gated Townhouse for 1st Time Home Buyers
Adam and Mikey were first-time buyers ready to shift into investing, instead of spending money on rent every month. They contacted Living Room and were passed to me as a resident condo expert. We toured a number of condos around town but as so often happens, they kept coming back to this one, again and again, deliberating whether it suited their needs. In the end, this private townhouse won them over with the right price, 2 bedrooms and small private outdoor space. We were able to negotiate their closing costs to be paid by the seller along with a long closing so the current tenants could move out.
Built in 2008, this gated townhouse features beautiful hardwood floors and vaulted ceilings, tile and granite countertops and a fenced deck. Easy access to East Portland amenities, MAX and freeway access, bike paths, shopping, dining and parks made this the perfect transition for these first time home buyers.
A big congratulations to Adam and Mikey on their gorgeous new home!
Listed by Sam Crawford • Keller Williams-PDX Central
Listed by Emily Hetrick • Keller Williams-PDX Central
Time Capsule
The listing photos were dull, but the home was still intriguing and the property itself was perfect, so we headed out to see this fixer. Upon opening the door we quickly realized this was NOT a fixer but an amazing time capsule. A solid home that was well maintained and loved. It was like walking back to the 70’s with the period details and shag carpet in a variety of colors. It was simply inspiring and ideas on how to bring this home to life flooded in. We are so excited to see this space transform with the Colombo’s vision and know they can look forward to many wonderful years raising their family in this beautiful home.
Petite Perfection In A Newly Built Affordable Home In Kenton
Molly and her son have been renting a below market rate home owned by a non-profit in NE Portland for years. With her rent about to rise, Molly made it her mission to buy a home to provide her and her son much needed stability. Through luck, timing and meeting the right qualifications, Molly qualified for a $90k down payment assistance loan through the Portland Housing Bureau. The loan is actually a silent second, which means there are no payments made on the loan, it accrues no interest and is forgivable after a certain number of years living in the home. Concurrently, Portland Housing Center’s LIFT program was unveiled and Molly was able to snatch up one of their $20k grants. With $110k in down payment assistance, Molly was able to buy a fabulously adorable new construction home on a quiet street in the heart of the Kenton neighborhood. The 2 bed 1.5 bath was built in what was an oversized yard of a house, and though only 800 sf, this home is a great example of how to use a small footprint to create a home that lives much larger than what you would expect with a home with less than 1/2 the square feet than your average new construction home. And with the smaller footprint, it kept the cost down and created an affordable option for home ownership in the thriving Kenton area. The transaction itself was smooth as butter with an awesome listing agent, Daniel Silvey with Knipe Realty, who also happened to own the home, a fabulous lender- Jennifer Leon at Umpqua, terrific escrow officer Mariah Yee with Ticor Title and lots of help and guidance of folks at both the Portland Housing Bureau and the Portland Housing Center.
A Confluence of Factors
Congratulations to Sarah, Scottie and Piggers! Thanks to impeccable timing they were able to get $35k in down payment grants through the LIFT program and University of Portland’s down payment program designed to help full time employees buy their first home near the UofP. Within a week of having the LIFT reservation in hand, we found a great rancher in University Park that checked all the boxes including what we thought would be a difficult to find huge detached garage for Scottie’s blossoming contractor business. This was the week before Christmas, and knowing that the LIFT funds expired in 2 months, and that most likely they were not going to see a house that checked this many boxes in their price range anytime soon, I suggested they offer just a few hairs over asking in hopes that the seller would accept their offer prior to the weekend, and it worked! Three days before Christmas they had their offer accepted, which was just 2 days before I left town on vacation for 2 weeks. Thanks to my excellent colleague Lisa Avena at Living Room who took great care of them and handled their home inspection, I was able to enjoy my vacation knowing Sarah and Scottie were being well taken care of. The inspection turned up a few unexpected surprises in the crawl space, but having a contractor buying a house always makes me feel better when a house is going to need some work. Even though the seller (who was also the listing agent) wasn’t happy, we were able to get him to agree to fix the big stuff. And then the appraiser called out some dry rot on the garage. Grrrr. By this time we were in mid-January and the market had clearly turned a sharp corner. In the 4 weeks from when their offer was accepted to the time the appraisal came back, the market shifted strongly into a sellers market with little inventory and a ton of buyers out shopping. The seller was very aware of this, and reminded me a couple of times that he had someone waiting in the wings who wanted the house badly enough because of it’s huge garage, that this supposed buyer would have taken the property as-is. So when I told him that the appraiser had called out that the garage needed to be repaired before the lender would loan on the property, he refused to the garage repaired. This would have been the end for most buyers, but Sarah and Scottie were not daunted. Scottie knew he could take care of the issue himself in less than a day’s work, so we got the seller’s permission for Scottie to fix the issue and Scottie got to work. Between the 35k in funds, finding the right property at the exact right time, and having the literal skills and ability to fix a problem, this family of three were able to close on the perfect house for them.
Giving Back to My Community
My oldest daughter attends our neighborhood school of Scott Elementary in the Cully neighborhood. We have been so fortunate to be a part of this community, which has been made even better with the award winning PTA at the school.
In the past 4 years since we’ve been a part of the school, I’ve seen it change by leaps and bounds. This is in no small part due to the efforts of the PTA.
In an article written for pdxparent.com, Denise Castañon writes “Scott is one of the most diverse schools in Portland Public Schools. The school is home to a dual-language Spanish immersion program, and Latinx students make up 41 percent of the school’s population. Black students account for 18 percent of the population; Asian and Pacific Islanders account for 4 percent of the students; Native students make up 2 percent of the population; 7 percent of Scott students are multiracial; white students are just under 30 percent of the population. It’s also a high-poverty, Title 1 school with more than 95 percent of students on free and reduced lunch. In addition to Spanish and English, Vietnamese and Somali are spoken by Scott families.”
Castañon credits recruiting bilingual parent leaders as being crucial in bridging the divide between the different communities that make up the school. She also notes that PTA president Kristen Hoffman has been tireless in her efforts to bring our community together. And I concur! Kristen is not only a client whom I helped find a house for she and her family last year, but a powerhouse in our community.
This year I have decided to give back to my community by donating 1% of all of my commissions through the end of the 2019/2020 school year to the Scott School PTA. I believe in giving back to my community and I believe in the great work the Scott School PTA is doing to improve the lives of the children who go there.
If you or anyone you know would like to buy or sell a home in the Portland Metro area, and support a great cause, please have them contact Amanda Haworth at amanda@livingroomre.com or 503-453-7698.
Serene Sherwood Contemporary
JUST LISTED: 17770 SW Nels Dr
3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1686 SF | MLS# 20485972 | Taxes: $4,348 | HOA $120 Yr
17770 SW Nels Dr., Sherwood OR 97140
Offered at $439,000
OPEN HOUSE: Sunday 2/23 11pm-1pm
Gorgeous, contemporary single level home backing up to a serene wooded area. Only a handful of properties in this sought-after neighborhood offer such a gorgeous green backdrop! Situated perfectly in the Oregon Trail neighborhood with a play park, schools nearby and all Sherwood has to offer!
Upon entering you’ll notice vaulted ceilings and wonderful natural light. The floor plan flows easily into the formal dining room and formal living room, wonderful for entertaining and intimate dinners alike. You’ll love how the living room shines with an oversized picture window and soaring ceilings. Making your way into the heart of the home is the beautifully updated kitchen featuring ample counter space, storage galore and soaring ceilings. A dining nook and breakfast bar help to make this space feel both spacious and inviting.
Opening up off the kitchen you’ll find the large family room with many great features including a stunning mantle with a gas fireplace, custom cabinetry, pantry and a closet. Plus, custom wood blinds throughout the home!
Through the hall is a very large master bedroom with lofty ceilings and a wonderful en suite bathroom with double sinks. The adjacent bedrooms filled with natural light and provide ample closet space.
Rounding out the home is a nice sized laundry room and 2 car garage equipped with an electric car charger and plenty of storage. And don’t forget the newly updated furnace, hot water heater and dryer! The beautiful backyard is just perfectly private and spacious. The yard is fully fenced which makes this yard Fido friendly and a delightful space for gathering or enjoying on your own. Plus, soon to come, The Cedar Creek Trail with access points near the property!
VIDEO TOUR
Offer Wars ~ Winning Bids!
How do you get the seller to pick your offer?
Winning Multiple Offer Strategies
You just walked in to a house that feels like home right off the bat. You love the filtered light and would have chosen the finishes yourself. It seems too good to be true… Okay, maybe it is not totally perfect, but it is by far the very best place you have seen within your budget. Now what?!
The trouble is that lots of people like similar places and if your heart is throbbing for this gem of a property, in all likelihood you will have competitors. How do you fight to win?
Let’s be honest, nearly every seller is moved by the bottom line, but there is often more to the story. This is not to say you can overcome the obstacle of an offer with a significantly bigger price tag, or someone with a pile of cash when you have worked hard to save up a modest down payment.
There are, however, lots of things that can sweeten the deal enough that if your offer is neck and neck with another, or maybe even a bit lower, might make all the difference and get you the house you want so badly.
Here goes:
1. Show your finances are solid by including your pre-approval letter from a local lender that is well respected in the community and if you have a large down payment include proof of funds (don’t share your account number).
2. Write a sincere, authentic and heartfelt letter to the seller. Make it short and sweet. Express your appreciation for the homeowners and their property, share a few details about yourself that show who you are and include a fun pic or two (kiddos- canine, feline and human, or other species, make great subjects).
3. Work with a great buyer’s agent in that frequently does business in the area where you are shopping. Relationships in the industry can be critical. You are relying on your agent to communicate well with the sellers’s agent and be someone they are eager to work with. Visit prospective agent’s Zillow, Nextdoor, or other profile pages online to see their recent activity. Check agents out on Peer Reputation to see how colleagues view them, as well as reading reviews from consumers online.
4. Get advice from your agent about the myriad details that can make a difference. Consider some examples-
- Tighten up your inspection contingency by shortening the time frame, etc.
- If you’ve received the Seller’s Property Disclosure you can elect to waive the associated contingency if you are confident about your purchase.
- Increase the dollar amount of your initial earnest money deposit.
- Find out the seller’s ideal closing and possession dates and give them what they want.
- Can you let go of the requirement for the property to appraise for the sales price?
- There are many tweaks that can make a big difference…
5. Get creative! What can you bring to the table that others cannot?
Have questions? Let’s talk!
The Highs! The Lows. Then LIFT!
With some buyers the journey towards home ownership takes a few more twists and turns then planned. My buyer Sydney had a few bumps in the road along the way, but through luck and good timing, reaped the reward of the perfect house for her.
Sydney was a Portland Housing Center client and enrolled in their matching savings program, and was in the know about the upcoming LIFT program that gives home buyers under a certain income $20,000 towards a down payment and/or closing costs. Registration for getting a coveted LIFT appointment was planned for the week before Thanksgiving, and on the morning of registration opening, so many home buyers were trying to get a golden ticket that within 90 seconds of the system opening, all reservations were gone. Sydney had really been hoping she would get a reservation, but sadly (or so we thought) she missed out. The second chance to snag a reservation was Dec. 13th, but once Sydney missed out on the first round, she decided she was going to put LIFT out of her mind and start looking for a home right away.
The week after Thanksgiving we went out and saw a few homes in her price range. One of those homes was a large 3 bedroom 2 bathroom mid-century right off Rose City Golf Course that had been sitting on the market for a couple of months. It did retain some basic mid-century charm- lovely hardwood floors, a couple of nice fireplaces, a great layout, and a large unfinished basement with high ceilings. To Sydney’s benefit, the previous owner didn’t have the greatest taste and had altered a lot of the rooms to suit a very specific taste- one bedroom was painted bright pink and had textured walls reminiscent of a frosted wedding cake, another bedroom had the ugliest wallpaper ever and someone had the brilliant idea of turning it into a true master with ensuite bathroom by blocking off the hallway entrance to the bathroom and cutting out an entry space maybe 18″ wide between the wall of the bedroom and bathroom so one wouldn’t have to walk around to the hallway to get into the bathroom via a proper door. Most buyers can’t see past the projects, but Sydney saw an achievable challenge and an opportunity for true sweat equity.
Sydney is a woman of vision and she was able to see past all of that wackiness and envision a mid-century marvel. For most first time home buyers, I would not necessarily recommend purchasing a house that needs as much work as this one clearly needed, but Sydney’s resources include her own handiness and handy contractor friends. The bones of the house seemed fine, but clearly work beyond just cosmetics were needed, so we wrote an offer for $10k under list price knowing that most likely the repair list was going to be long, and hoped for the best.
The seller was represented by a court appointed conservator, and accepted the offer and we moved onto inspections. I knew stuff would come up in the inspection, but I had no idea the extent of what needed to be done. After the inspection, the repair list included: sewer line needed replacing, oil tank needed to be decommissioned, electric panel and service line needed replacing, roof needed a full replacement, both bathrooms underlayments were so moisture damaged that one of them needs to be completely gutted down to the studs and support structure, and the other bathroom need the drains to work and the toilet to be re-attached to the floor, much of the wiring was dangerous and most of the plumbing was at the end of it’s life. Given the seller was being represented by a court ordered conservator, we had no idea where we would end up. Sydney was more than prepared to take on the cosmetic stuff and a few repairs on her own, but the totality of what else needed to be done was way beyond her scope both financially and logistically. Thankfully the listing agent was a true gem and understood that all of the repairs we were asking for were repairs that any buyer would ask for and was able to convey that to the seller’s representative.
Meanwhile, while we were in the midst of repair negotiations, Sydney found out through her contact at Portland Housing Center that not all of the LIFT funds had been reserved, and Portland Housing Center had a few more grants available they were releasing to their clients who were already under contract. Sydney registered online immediately and actually snagged one of the very last LIFT grants giving her $20k towards her down payment. This significantly changed the stakes because it meant that while we still needed the seller to do most of the repairs, it meant Sydney could use $20k that she had planned on putting towards her downpayment aside so she can get those bathrooms working and stylish. And with the exception of fixing the bathrooms- they gave her a small price concession instead, the sellers representative agreed to have all the necessary repairs done prior to closing.
So with the grant in hand, she was able to accept the seller’s counter on the repairs and we moved forward. Nearly 2 months after her offer was accepted, I handed Sydney the keys to her very own house. We couldn’t have planned it better with Sydney getting into contract before the unleashing of all of the other LIFT buyers, and then actually getting the $20k LIFT grant if we had tried.
The Best Little Farmhouse in Tigard
When Amy first contacted me about a move to Portland from Colorado, I knew we were going to hit it off. We both had 4-year-old girls and a wicked sense of humor. I liked her immediately.
We then had a series of whirlwind house hunting trips when she came out to Portland for a few days at a time. I think we saw around 20-30 houses, all told. We wrote several offers that ended up in back up position, due to the fact that Amy still needed to sell her house in Colorado. One of those back up offers was the home that was to become theirs.
When we first saw this home on a quiet street in Tigard, we fell in love. With that classic farmhouse style and huge wraparound porch, how could we resist? Once inside we saw that the kitchen and living room had been beautifully remodeled. Not to mention that the yard felt like it needed its own zip code it was so big. The perfect play zone for their daughter. Amy knew it was the one.
I can just picture them spending summers out on that beautiful porch, or enjoying the yard. I can’t wait to see photos of them all settled into their new home! Congrats Amy, Travis and Faye!
If you or anyone you know are looking to buy or sell a home in the Portland area, please contact Amanda Haworth at 503-453-7698 or amanda@livingroomre.com.
CHAOS CONTAINED
Two days before closing the seller received new information from the city that additional steps were needed to close a permit…this required a 30 day extension. Occurrences like this can sink a sale if you don’t have the right team. Although stressful, the lender and the agents found a path forward thanks to great clients. Both the sellers and the buyers handled this speed bump with understanding and willingness. It is amazing how any hurdle can be jumped when you have fantastic people all working toward a shared goal.
Jessica
Realtor, Advisor, Advocate
Light and Bright in Sherwood
JUST LISTED: Light & Bright in Sherwood
3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1497 SF | $4,222 Tax | MLS #20213123 | HOA $120/Yr
Offered at: $399,000
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday 1/18 12pm – 2pm
20759 SW Santa Fe Ter, Sherwood OR 97140
Welcome home! Step into this gorgeous, contemporary single level with a fantastic open floor plan!
Entering the foyer you are immediately greeted with vaulted ceilings, ample natural light and gleaming wood accents and millwork. A few steps further you’ll find a large den/office with a big picture window and plenty of versatile space. Easily imagined as the media room as well!
Make your way into the heart of the home and you’ll enjoy an open concept kitchen, dining and living room. Soaring ceilings, skylight and big windows overlooking the backyard make this space feel both spacious and inviting.
The kitchen is a generous size with a great layout and touts a gas range, ample counter space and an eating bar. The dining room flows easily between the kitchen and living room providing a wonderful space for entertaining and intimate dinners alike.
Make yourself comfortable in the living room in front of the gas fireplace. Plenty of room here for relaxation and gatherings.
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 bedrooms filled with natural light plus a very large master suite with vaulted ceilings.
Rounding out the home is a nice sized laundry room and 2 car garage with plenty of storage.
A beautiful backyard offers flowering shrubs, established landscaping and a large patio surrounded by greenery, ready for lounging in the shade on hot summer days. The yard is fully fenced for privacy which makes this a delightful space for entertaining or enjoying on your own. Located in the coveted Oregon Trail neighborhood with a play park, close to schools and all the area has to offer!
VIDEO TOUR
New Home and New Adventures in Portland!
Welcome to Portland, Josh!
A big warm welcome and congratulations to Josh! He was referred to Jasmine and I through a friend of hers and we are so pleased to have helped him buy a gorgeous home!
We connected Josh with our preferred lender, JJ Lee Kwai at Two Rivers Mortgage, and just like that we were on our way to a smooth transaction!
Josh is moving from Maryland ready for his next adventure in life! He has family here and is looking forward to living close to them again. We applaud his decision and know he’ll be happy in this fabulous home! Cheers!
Stacey and Graeme buy a real Stunner!
Congratulations to Stacey, Graeme & Roen!
I am so thrilled to have worked with Graeme and Stacey to purchase this beautiful home. I’ve known Stacey a very long time now. Before she was married and had the cutest son on earth, she was my roommate. That was back when Bernadette and I felt that having a roommate made paying the bills and our mortgage a bit easier.
A lot has changed over the last 10 years although Stacey and I have kept in touch! She met Graeme and they are, hands down, one of the most well-matched and adorable couples out there! I was honored to attend their fantastically gorgeous wedding about 5 years ago. Since then, they have moved to Canada for work and back, had their son Roen and decided to move back to Portland. Yay!!
Stacey and Graeme have some of my favorite character traits- optimism, realism, curiosity and humor. What great traits to work with when shopping for real estate! They were in the market for a comfortable home in a beautiful setting, not too far out in the country and not too close-in to the city, with a master on the main. As first time home buyers who are research-driven, we naturally looked at a lot of houses. And it was a blast! In the end, there was one that they just couldn’t get out of there mind and every home was then being compared to ‘the one’.
We wrote a very competitive offer and were soon in contract! The transaction went smoothly and they are now the proud owners of this gorgeous home! Cheers to Stacey, Graeme and Roen!
When An Attached Home is the Answer
First time homebuyers Justin and Steve were pretty clear about what they did want- a 3 bedroom 2 bath home with little to no yard, spacious, something that didn’t need any work and was easy to maintain, located near a bus line in SW that travels downtown regularly and not a condo. In their minds, they were picturing themselves in a detached home, but given their budget, they weren’t sure if what they wanted even existed in their price range.
We sat down to meet in early September to talk about expectations, what they were looking for in a home and what they could reasonably expect. I mentioned that an attached home/ townhouse that’s not part of a condominium association might hit all of their wants and needs. At first they looked at me like I had a third eye, but within a few minutes I could see the wheels and gears churning in their heads. We talked about it some more and the more we talked about it, I think the more they realized that a townhouse really could be a great option for them.
Once they were ready to start shopping, I sent them a bunch of listings in their price range that at least met most of what they wanted which included a few townhouses. The first place we went to see was blocks from Multnomah Village. It was a townhouse built in 2015 the builder had built to rent out for a few years, then put on the market, so by the time it came on the market, it had been refreshed and was practically brand new. They immediately took a liking to it. It met every single item on their list, but given the higher property taxes, it was slightly over their budget. We then went and saw another town home in the area, and that one didn’t light a single sparkle in their eyes. After that we checked out a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom detached house in their price range, but compared to the first townhouse we saw, the detached one didn’t hold a candle and everything about it needed updating. When we finished our short but sweet tour, I could tell that they had fallen in love with the first place we saw.
The home had been on the market since February with only a fraction of a price reduction that whole time, so of course my buyers want to know what’s wrong with it, or what the issue is. When I spoke with the listing agent he said it came down to a seller who had drawn his line in the sand, and wasn’t going to accept anything below that line, despite what the market was repeatedly telling him. They had received other offers over the 9 months it had been on the market, but since the seller wasn’t moving the needle, it never went pending. Since it had been sitting vacant for so long, the seller was finally motivated to sell. Justin and Steve had their own line in the sand in terms of how much they were willing to pay for a monthly payment, and at it’s list price, it was $25,000 over what they were comfortable spending. We wrote up an offer, went through a couple of counters, and finally arrived at a combination of credits and price reductions that came in just three dollars under Justin and Steve’s bottom line. Thankfully the home was in terrific shape so we asked the seller to only fix a few tiny punch-list/blue tape items, which they agreed to do, and we closed on time. And when we met so I could hand over the keys, they seemed a shell shocked in a delightful way. They couldn’t believe it had been so easy, and for an agent, that’s the best response a buyer, particularly a first time buyer, can have.
“Let the right one in”
Kathleen and Sarah knew they would find their new Portland home… eventually. With time on their side, their plan was to avoid urgency and to hit the ground running come spring. But when a spectacular, completely remodeled Craftsman popped up in a great up-and-coming neighborhood, they knew this one was worth jumping into the market for. Everything about the home was lovingly cared for and updated, complete with a fully finished basement, and aesthetically, it felt like theirs. To put it simply, they knew this was, “the one.” As is often the case with gorgeous houses, the competition was fierce, but they were right – they put their best foot forward, and they can now call this beautiful space, home. Congratulations Kathleen and Sarah – here’s to following your gut!
There‘s No Place Like Home… Except Grandma‘s
Congratulations to Robin!
As you may know, My business is nearly 100% referral based and this year has been full of wonderful referrals. And Robin was no exception!
I met Robin through her daughter, Joanna. I helped Joanna and her husband buy a wonderful home a couple of years ago to start a family. Fast forward to today, Joanna (and her husband Brendan) had their first child, Robin is a proud Grandma and she spends a lot of time with her Grandson. Another Grandchild is on the way any day now so Robin will help Joanna, even more, when the new baby arrives. It makes sense for Robin to live closer to Joanna and the family. She was looking for a nice, low maintenance home with as few stairs as possible and enough room for the kids to play.
Of course, one of the first things we suggest to Robin is to speak with a skilled lender and here’s my favorite part of this story- I referred Robin to one of our rock star preferred lenders, JJ Lee Kwai. It turns out JJ had originally referred me to Joanna as they knew each other growing up in Humbolt County. JJ was friends with Robin’s family as a teen in Northern California. In those days, Robin and JJ’s mom had been walking buddies. What a small world!
Jasmine and I worked closely with Robin to find the perfect home in the best location. We looked at many houses and after touring this one, she knew it was right! We loved working with her and excited for her cute new house!
A Real Tiny House For a Cat Lady’s Dream Life
I start
ed in real estate back in the wonder year of 2007 when I got a job at a non-profit home builder HOST Development. My background was in community development and affordable housing, and my new job at HOST was to do community outreach and sell homes built by the non-profit builder to first time buyers who made at or below the area’s median family income. When I started working at HOST, I was eased into my job by our most fabulous office/computer/everything wrangler Holly. Holly had purchased a HOST home herself, and liked the company so much she was hired as our office manager. Fast forward a couple of years and the Great Recession hit, and being the smart and savvy person she is, Holly jumped the HOST ship when the writing was on the wall, and found a job working for the State of Oregon. I rode that ship out until the last lifeboat left in 2009, and while it was sort of traumatic to lose a salaried job in the height of the recession, the biggest gift that job gave me was the realization of how much I love working one on one with buyers and sellers.
It’s been over 10 years since HOST closed their doors, and Holly is now a fancy tech person doing what she loves at a company that aligns with her values and skills. A few years ago Holly sold her old HOST home and rented apartments around town with her 2 cats. But once you’ve owned your own home, it can be hard to make that transition to being a renter in a building with other people who don’t share your wake/sleep hours, as well as being at the whim of a landlord in terms of what you are going to pay for your housing. So the itch for homeownership grew stronger and a few months ago Holly reached out to me because she had some questions about a few houses that had caught her eye. I gave her the skinny and she decided to pass. And then a sweet little cupcake of a bungalow came on the market that was sadly too underpriced. It was definitely swoon worthy and gave Holly butterflies, but unfortunately for Holly, lots of folks who were willing to pay more for it also had butterflies, so that ship sailed. Holly seemed to feel that was her last chance at a cute house closer-in under $300k, so she declared that she had closed the book on house hunting. I knew she would be back at it, and since Holly is such a fabulous person, even her cat sitter was on the lookout for the perfect Holly house. In late October she texted me a link to a tiny house- only 520 sf in the Roseway neighborhood that her cat sitter had sent her and by the time we tried to go look at it, it had gone pending. But then as luck would have it, that sale failed and it came back on the market.
While it was teeny tiny, the listing photos made it look quite spacious, so we went to see it and lo and behold, it was even lovelier in person. A few years back someone had bought it, gutted it, re-built half the house and created the most efficient, cute and warm 1 bedroom 520 sf house ever. The house had zero inches of wasted space, built-in’s everywhere, decent sized kitchen and bedroom, windows galore, and enough of a yard that Holly can flex her gardening prowess. We wrote up the offer, went through a small counter, and had a smooth transaction. Holly had considered buying a tiny-house on wheels but as cute and efficient as those homes are, they are not that efficient in providing a permanent spot to plant roots as they are considered mobile homes, and it’s hard to find a spot to legally park them where you are guaranteed to stay in one place for the long term. This house in Roseway is only slightly bigger than the tiny homes we all think of, but it sits on it’s own lot on a real foundation and isn’t going anywhere, and for the foreseeable future, neither are Holly and her cats.
A Bit of Parkrose Heaven
Congratulations Veronica & James!
First of all, hooray for great referrals!! Veronica and James were referred to me through past clients and I’m so thankful I met these bright and fun folks. We had so much fun checking out properties together! They knew what they wanted, got pre-approved with our preferred lender and bada-bing! they were in contract on this darling ranch.
Second of all, let’s hear it for Parkrose! So many cute ranches in this cozy area! Parkrose is perfectly located near Hwy 84 & Hwy 205, so commuting isn’t crazy (which they needed). Plus, this area tends to be with-in reach financially for more people. A total win-win!!
I love helping first time home buyers make their dreams come true! Yaay for Veronica and James!
Quintessential Concordia Cutie
Congratulations Amy and Lori!
Amy and Lori were referred to me by our very recent buyers, Jess and Julie who also transplanted to PDX and bought a home a little while back. Amy and Jess work together and I’m so happy to have met them! They moved here recently from the Bay Area knowing they wanted to buy a house, but as first time home buyers, they weren’t ready to pull the trigger right away. They decided to rent for a while to get a feel for the area before buying (which is something I have recommended to many clients when possible). They rented a home in NE Portland and after months of feeling it out, decided they loved the area and were ready for the next step. Jasmine and I set up a buyers meeting to go over the details of the home buying process with them and we all immediately hit it off!
After a few rounds of touring properties together, they found a cutie in Concordia- what a gem! The house is so well maintained and pretty, and I can’t say enough great things about Concordia! So many fantastic destinations within walking distance: Fernhill Park, Extracto Coffee Roasters, The Kennedy School, New Seasons, Dame and Expatriate- just to name a few. I’m so happy for Amy and Lori to start putting down roots in this awesome house and in this wonderful neighborhood!
Cheers!
Rock Out Butte
I couldn’t have been luckier than to have helped Davey buy his first home. From the beginning he was informed, inquisitive and knew what he was looking for. My favorite kind of client!
We found him a great little house at the base of Rocky Butte, and he is STOKED! He can’t wait to set up a practice space for his band, Dry Wedding (facebook.com/drywedding), in the garage. In fact, during the repair negotiation process he was in the studio recording their new album!
It was an absolute delight to work with Davey, and I hope he’s happy in his new home for many years to come.
If you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell a home in the Portland area, please contact Amanda Haworth at 503-453-7698 or amanda@livingroomre.com.
Holy @#$! Can we make this happen?
Sam and Pera visited an open house up the street from them and as they walked around they started to envision themselves living there. After going home they continued to chat about whether they could actually make this happen. Until this home, they had not truly considering moving… After a couple of weeks passed the home was still available and they were still talking about the potential. They decided to pick up the phone and connect with their lender and learned it was possible. Things were getting real and it was now time to call their agents. Our team went to work and after many strategy conversations we presented their offer, negotiated successfully with the listing agent, and listed their home one week after getting an accepted offer. Three days later their home was sale pending and we were well on the way to making this happen. Congratulations Sam and Pera…you are amazing people. Thank you for trusting our team.
Jessica + Karim
Dream Weavers, Fierce Negotiators, REALTORS®
Thanksgiving Turkey: Where to buy in Portland?
Ah, the Portland turkey. An integral part of any Thanksgiving meal in Oregon. And if you’re anything like the typical Portlander, you care where it comes from, who is raising it, and what it’s eating. You may even want to visit the farm.
Here are a few favorite places to grab your turkey in Portland, Oregon:
Gartner’s: Order the smoked turkey. Do it now, you won’t be disappointed. This place is old school in the BEST way and the butcher’s are incredibly friendly.
Green Zebra Grocery: Order ahead for the $10 off $50 coupon to use in the story. They’re carrying uncooked turkeys from Mary’s Family Farm, rated #1 by Cook’s Illustrated Magazine. Both organic and non-organic options, and all of them are non-GMO.
Nicky Farms: Nicky USA is the premier wholesale butcher and purveyor of high quality meats and specialty game in the Northwest. Open to the public with a minimum order of $125.
New Seasons: Reserve online and receive $15 off your order. Choose from a range of Diestel turkeys, all thoughtfully raised.
Halal Meat & Mediterranean: Longtime halal butcher shop offering beef, lamb and goat, as well as Mediterranean foods. You can also find turkeys here when the time is right.
Western Meat Market: For fresh turkeys, order ahead. And make sure to grab some jalapeno dip for an app.
Cason’s Fine Meats: Want to add something a bit different to the standard turkey set up? Swing by Cason’s for some ribs or smoked turkey tails or drumsticks.
Claiming security
Tabatha and Michael had become well acquainted with the pitfalls of renting over the years. It seemed the stability of their current long term rental was always in question and it was time for them to take charge and step out into the Portland housing market. They came to us with a strong capacity for home improvement, so we went out in search of a great home for their family (with plenty of yard space for their animal family!) and did not shy away from homes they could put love into over time. They will soon be closing on just the family ranch with a large lot they were waiting for!
So Cal to OC (Oregon’s Coast)
John had recently sold his house in sunny Southern California and was making the move to Portland. After viewing several homes he decided to take a look at the coast…and that’s where I step in. His Portland broker called and let me know John had been looking in Portland but wasn’t finding the perfect house. He saw a couple of homes on the beach and decided to take a look. That afternoon we met at the coast to view a few properties.
John really liked one house that was a fixer. The location and the vibe of the area reminded him of the once small ocean side town in Southern California that he grew up in. It was a quick decision and he made an offer. However, it wasn’t so easy to get him into the house. He had a seller that didn’t really want to sell and a tenant that REALLY didn’t want the owner to sell. With this combination, it made for an interesting transaction to say the least. He was a trooper through all of the ups and downs and was able to close!
John saw the potential of the home and plans to renovate the interior and the exterior to make it his own…and I hear his family and friends from So Cal can’t wait to visit! Welcome to the Oregon Coast John!
Five Tips for Buying a Home Sight-Unseen
When my first-time home buyer clients called, they were on a (quick) mission: find a house in the Wilson High School zone that has 3+ bedrooms, 2+ bathrooms and is under $500k. Something move in ready, with a yard, a cute neighborhood, and preferably walkable. Extra bonus: a basement that could eventually be turned into a rental, or a place for their in-laws to stay when in town.
The caveat? They wouldn’t be here to tour any of the houses and likely wouldn’t be here until possession day. And they needed it to close in the next two months.
Here are five tools that got us through tours, an accepted offer, inspections and closing:
1. Facetime and YouTube:
When we toured homes we used Facetime so that they could see it live because as we all know, photos often don’t do it justice (or in some cases do it too much justice). When they weren’t able to see it in person, I video’d the home and loaded up the videos to You Tube so they could take a look when their schedules allowed.
2. Magic Plan App:
As tough as photos can be to gauge a house from, it’s equally tricky to understand the layout if the listing agent hasn’t provided a floor plan. Enter the Magic Plan App. For homes my clients were really interested in, I created a floor plan using the app so that they had a good understanding of room dimensions, ceiling heights and the overall layout.
3. A digital timeline:
I use a digital timeline with all clients, but in this case it was particularly helpful. The timeline I use auto populates my clients calendar with critical dates: earnest money deposit due date, inspection dates, inspection deadlines, etc. It’s helpful for keeping everyone on the same page.
4. An amazing Mortgage Broker:
Enter Rayko Diaz from Guild Mortgage. Rayko was in constant communication with the group, both as a whole and separately. He sent status updates weekly to let people know what was needed of them and when. Also: he’s a great guy.
5. An agent you trust:
This is a critical factor in buying something sight unseen. You want to know that the agent you use has style and tools to help you understand what you’re buying. Equally important is their access to phenomenal inspectors and sub contractors who can give you a really clear understanding of the home’s condition and the cost of any associated repairs that need to be done so you can adequately negotiate prior to the inspection contingency expiring.
I’m so excited for my clients as they enter the next chapter of their life! This house is a beauty, it’s in such a cute neighborhood and all the updates were in keeping with the mid-century charm.
Now comes the fun part: handing them the keys when they see it for the first time in person!
Want to talk Portland Real Estate? Reach out!