Tag: home sweet home

A Thanksgiving Story

Posted on by Kat Gilpatrick

 

A thanksgiving story — not in a traditional, seasonal holiday sense with turkey and stuffing and finding enough matching place settings for all the folks trundling  your way, but one of some of the dearest clients: maybe-buyers I had the wonderful good fortune to meet in a lovely home I had held open in September, located smack dab in the neighborhood they’ve been rooted in together for years – they’d lived just a block away from there “close enough to get to Salt & Straw very quickly” being one of the qualifiers on location as it would turn out. Meeting these two immediately warmed my heart and enriched my life, setting us on a journey to find a solution together for the challenge they were facing: repair their current home, or search for something new to close a difficult chapter for them and move on from the loss and heartache brought on by a house fire Christmas eve 2021. They lost their cherished home they’d poured so much time and energy into. While they were originally planning to rebuild, they saw the above mentioned home in their neighborhood, OPEN HOUSE sign out front, and somehow that rekindled the sense that they could find something new to love and grow into.

While they didn’t end up getting that home, it was the jumping off point for a relatively quick adventure where we partnered and listed, we toured and talked, Lauren and Rafe, and their sweet chihuahua Ruby with them at times, at times (most times) on their bikes, and so much faith that the right thing was going to be out there for them, that would meet their requirements and also give them space to do what they love so much: woodworking in a wonderful space for Rafe to continue to practice this craft, and a garden in which they could both tend to the gorgeous yard — and get backyard habitat certified!

The Next Chapter

Working excitedly together, we found a contender for the perfect home in the Richmond/SE Portland neighborhood location as they wanted most – a home quite a bit bigger than they thought they might need, and older than they were considering — but with so many creative uses for the space, on the perfect street and situation and just such a solid wonderful house – their hearts and minds were won.  Built in 1899 and so lovingly maintained by a family that had begun their lives there back in 1966.

 

Their soon to be new home had a story – history, and a feeling of permanence and stability.  The home felt right and conveyed the kind of care and earnestness I’d come to know and love about this incredible couple. And of course, the neighborhood makes this area so meaningful for them to live in because of community as well as familiarity. As Lauren described to me: “The night of our house fire we were surrounded by neighbors providing us food, clothes, and support. This is such a caring community, and we want to stay in this area and reciprocate the kindness our neighbors have shown us.”

These two are getting married next year, and hoping to expand their family beyond them and their small dog. I can’t wait to watch them grow and move and thrive and add so much to our already abundant community. So thrilled for them as we say congratulations on their closing this November, and a very very grateful Thanksgiving.

 

Just Sold: White Picket Dreams in SE

Posted on by Living Room Realty

A big congrats to my buyers who just purchased this classic PDX craftsman in Creston-Kenilworth. It’s a picture perfect property with lots of light, space, and cozy comforts. My clients are particularly excited about the roomy living area and the open chef’s kitchen. They’ll also really enjoy getting to sit out on their awesome front porch or the back deck in the upcoming Spring months. Creston-Kenilworth is a vibrant community with tons of shops, local restaurants, and abundant outdoor spaces/parks. It’s been a pleasure working with these folks and I am so excited for them. Congratulations! 

Sweet 3 Bedroom

Posted on by Karim Alaeddine

Sweet 3 Bedroom

7104 SE Nehalem St | Portland, OR 97206

Offered at $350,000 | ML #21210813

3 Bedrooms | 1 Bath | 864 SF + Attached Garage

Sweet three bedroom set on an oversized lot. Wrap around yard with spaces for entertaining, gardening and playing. 1950s one-level features beautiful hardwoods, fireplace, open kitchen/dining with breakfast bar and backyard access for outdoor dining. Attached garage and mudroom/laundry, ample storage, updated windows, new interior & exterior paint. Home sweet home.

PHOTO SLIDESHOW

Just Listed! Classic NW Craftsman in Nob Hill

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Welcome to the lovely Nob Hill Neighborhood! Sitting on a historic NW street, this 1908 Four Square Craftsman oozes character and charm. Inside, find plenty of modern updates while retaining the home’s vintage vibe. Column flanked doorways, picture-rail moldings and wood floors bring calm congruity to the main floor. Find all 5 beds on the upper floors. The updated and spacious kitchen opens directly to the beautiful back deck. It’s a perfect place to spend time with family and friends. The rest of the yard is open and green, your very own secret garden steeped in antiquity. It’s situated in a prime location just steps away from NW 23rd restaurants/shopping with many public transit options nearby. Don’t miss out on this very special home!

210 NW 22nd Place, Portland, OR, 97210

Offered at: $870,000

5 beds | 2.5 beds | 2.613 sq ft

MLS no: 21130535 | Taxes: $11,484

Just Sold! Hillsdale Mid-Century Magic

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Greg and Abby have been working with our team for several months now, commuting to Portland from the Oregon Coast. They even moved to Portland proper recently while they began their house hunting. Sometimes, luck strikes quickly. On our first day of searching, the first house we saw was the one. It’s a gorgeous mid-century featuring modern details like a custom kitchen with designer finishes, refinished hardwood floors, and a gorgeous master suite with a huge shower. The backyard is open and roomy with a bonus craft shed! They beat out several other offers to get the home and are so excited to make it their own. What a wonderful story and a huge congratulations. Theirs is truly a unique and lovely home.

Just Sold! Tri-Level Comforts in Murrayhill

Posted on by Living Room Realty

I’m very happy to share that my client, Bryan, closed on the sale of his lovely tri-level home in the Murrayhill/Sexton Mountain neighborhood of Beaverton. Sitting on a quiet street in a prime location, this area is close to fantastic schools, shopping, and parks. Inside, the home’s lovely, open floor plan features 3 beds and 2.5 baths with 1,972 sq ft of space. From the formal living area to the large kitchen, the home feels comfortable and spacious. The new owners will also enjoy a sunny back deck, perfect for entertaining. Congrats to Bryan and the new owners! And shoutout to David Policar of Where Inc. Realty for bringing the buyer!

Just Sold! Classic Comforts in Cozy Kenton

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Some good news is always the best way to begin the week. Congratulations to my client Noah who just sold his beautiful Kenton bungalow. It’s a gorgeous home that embodies the quintessential PNW way of life. It features a wooden-paneled/covered front porch, formal living area with a vintage wood-burning fireplace, and a light-filled and spacious kitchen. The new owners will also enjoy a large backyard with raised plant beds, a lush lawn, and covered patio. Sounds like a great way to enjoy the warming weather. Thank you to Living Room’s own Anna de la Rua Domenech for bringing the buyer! Congrats, Noah and way to start the week off on a positive note!

New Beginnings & Rosy Richmond Retreats

Posted on by Living Room Realty

My clients, Andrew and Erina, currently reside in Seattle and are expecting their first child together soon. They also just closed on this lovely bungalow in SE Portland! Erina is a Portlander by birth and when we found this gorgeous home it was love at first sight for them both. Immediately they were a little overwhelmed with the competitiveness of the market and weren’t quite sure if they could write a competitive offer. Lo and behold, the listing agent followed up with news that for the SAME reason, other prospective buyers hadn’t written offers either! The sellers were left with no offers and encouraged my clients to write.

By the next day they were pending, and now here we are at closing! What a wonderful twist of fate. My clients love it so much, they’re purchasing half the furniture with the home. It helps that the sellers are master woodworkers and made the furniture themselves! Once again, a huge congratulations to Andrew and Erina on their perseverance, patience, and poise throughout this process. I’m so excited for them to begin this new chapter with a beautiful home and family on the horizon. Special thanks to Elizabeth Wren Shiffler at Urban Nest PDX for facilitating the sale! 

Just Listed! Charming Condo in Blooming Beaverton

Posted on by Living Room Realty

This bright and cheery condo in Beaverton’s Five Oaks community is a wonderful place to call home. Enjoy modern touches and an open design, complete with 2 beds and 2.5 baths. The large kitchen with granite counters and a massive island is perfect for cooking on a night in or entertaining. Step out of the sliding glass door onto the beautiful balcony. It’s the perfect place for soaking up some sunshine. The neighborhood is close to the Elmonica MAX station, shopping, and hiking trails. Employment opportunities at Nike and Intel with both HQ’s just a short drive away. Plus it’s only a stone’s throw to downtown Portland. Great for investors–no rental cap! Don’t miss this fantastic, move-in ready unit in a prime spot!

 

1020 SW 170th Ave, Beaverton, OR 97006

Offered at $292,000

2 beds | 2.5 baths | 1,419 sq. ft.

 

 

 

Just Sold! Happy Home in Hillsboro

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations to my client who just closed on an amazing investment opportunity in hospitable Hillsboro. Bright and open, this home comes move-in ready with gorgeous quartz kitchen-countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a marvelous gas fireplace adding a cozy touch to the elegant living area. Tons of space to spare in this charming two-level with a separate and private living area on the upper level. The neighborhood is residential and quiet with shopping and restaurants nearby, plus multiple parks all a quick walk away. Congratulations on this gorgeous home, and best of luck on a wonderful journey ahead.

Just Sold! Pristine Perfection in the Pearl

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Just Sold! Ranch-Style Respite in Southeast

Posted on by Living Room Realty

What a wonderful way to begin the weekend! Congratulations to my client who just sold and closed on this beautiful ranch home in the heart of SE Portland. Featuring 3 beds, 2 baths, and tons of flexible space, this home is quite a gem indeed. The new owners will enjoy a sunken living area with a gorgeous fireplace, two sheds, and an amazing backyard with a bug lawn and plant beds. I’m so happy for my client on this closing and best of luck on their new chapter. Thank you to Shannon Miller at Portland Proper Real Estate for bringing the buyer!

Just Sold! A New Springtime Start

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Gabrielle and Bobby are recent newlyweds (congrats!) and just closed on their first home together. They met when Gabrielle was visiting a friend for a weekend (she’s from the Chicago area) and it was love at first sight. Fast forward, and these two are now the proud new owners of this beautiful ranch-style home. They love the abundance of natural light throughout, the kitchen, and especially the backyard which is private and spacious. This will be a perfect house to raise a family in, as Gabrielle and Bobby plan to do. Along with their cute 2 year-old pup, they’re so excited to start their life here. Congratulations to you both, and here’s to a bright future in your lovely new place.

Just Sold! Delightful Downtown Dreams

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Laura and Howard are from Austin, TX, and have always had an eye on the Rose City. This year they decided to take the plunge and move! Located in Downtown’s beautiful South Waterfront district,  they’ll will be right at home in this bright and elegant condo. It boasts a beautiful, renovated interior complete with new wood flooring, cabinetry, and countertops. High up on the fifteenth floor, they’ll have unbeatable views of the mighty Willamette and Ross Island from their floor-to-ceiling windows. To top it all off, they can take in the view and plenty of fresh air from their private terrace with East-facing views. As self-proclaimed foodies, they’ll be right by Zupan’s market. They’re also conveniently close to parks, highways, and shops. Congratulations! What a great find!

Just Listed- Sweet & Serene Scenes in SE

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Kick back and relax in this wonderfully open home in Brentwood/Darlington. Once inside, you’re greeted with a warm and charming feel right away. Enjoy high vaulted ceilings and beautiful oak floors in the bedrooms and Brazilian cherry in the main areas. Lovely large living room adjacent to quaint kitchen and dining area. Grand master-suite plus 2 spacious bedrooms, 2 baths round out the 1,849 sq ft floor plan. The private fenced backyard has a gorgeous patio and plenty of room to roam with greenspace and designated garden area. Last year, the current owner grew gallons of fresh fruit right from home. The neighborhood is quiet and residential, perfect for a sunny stroll on a warm spring day. Don’t miss this beautiful SE gem!

Just Listed! Tri-Level Comforts in Murrayhill

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Relax and unwind in this beautiful Beaverton property. This is a prime location sitting snug in the highly desirable Murrayhill/Sexton Mountain neighborhood. You’ll be right at home on this quiet and residential street. The home has a wonderful, open floor plan. Inside, the home boasts 3 beds and 2.5 baths. Main living area houses a gorgeous fireplace. Enjoy an open kitchen with a large island. Bonus room downstairs can be used as a game or a TV room. The lovely back patio offers plenty of room to entertain. Single garage. Close to fantastic schools, shopping, and neighborhood parks.

Just Listed- Vintage Vibes with Modern Marvels

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Welcome to this radiant 19th-Century Victorian home. It sits in the vivacious Buckman neighborhood in the heart of SE Portland. Over the years, many modern touches have been added to enhance that old Portland charm. 3 beds and 2 baths on 1,951 square feet of space. Large master suite upstairs features a huge walk-in closet. Enjoy an adorable living area with beautiful picture windows. The spacious kitchen boasts granite countertops and plenty of storage. Providing easy access, it seamlessly opens to the spacious back deck with built-in seating. It’s a magnificent place to host with family/friends, or relax on a night in. Yard itself has a large lawn and room for plant beds/a garden. Tons of storage in the basement and working garage. This is a beautiful, historic home with modern appeal close to restaurants, parks, and Downtown! Don’t miss out!

Just Sold! Perfect Potential for a New Property

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Every new home begins with a lot of land and potential. My latest clients are setting out to do exactly that. This beautiful half-acre lot is nestled in the trees along a lovely quiet drive in West-Sylvan. My clients are working with Renaissance Builders to construct a beautiful home that will beautifully compliment the lot. Upon arrival, enjoy your own private concrete/steel bridge for driveway access. This lot is an unbeatable find in the Portland metro area, offering the best of both worlds with quick city access and quiet serenity one home. I can’t wait to see how my clients construct their dream home. What an amazing reminder that all progress in life begins with an idea and dream. Congratulations, and thank you for believing with me.

Just Sold! Cute, Quaint Quarters in Cully

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Sitting on a gorgeous oversized lot, this charming Cully home just closed for my clients! Theirs is a rare find with great amenities and an unbeatable NE Portland location. Courtney and Trace are new parents to beautiful Harper, who was born last April. They’re so excited to raise her here. They’ll enjoy tons of space with this 2,963 square foot floor-plan featuring 5 bedrooms (3 beds ensuite-style) and 4.5 baths. Their big backyard will be perfect as Harper grows up, and for the two pups to run around in. Plus, there’s room for Courtney’s parents to move in and enjoy daily playtimes with Harper. I can’t think of a better home for this amazing couple, and I wish them all the best on this journey ahead. 

Just Sold- Gorgeous Gresham Getaway

Posted on by Living Room Realty

I’m thrilled to share this amazing North Central Gresham home purchased by my client!  Thomas is a recent college graduate and a first time home buyer. We started looking for homes a few months ago, and as soon as he saw this one, he knew it was the one. He was the president of the Real Estate Club at his university, so he knew what he wanted and was very engaged in the process. Thomas will enjoy a lovely open floor plan split on two levels with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. Not to mention, new flooring and appliances! This is an outdoor entertainer’s dream with a fantastic covered patio that opens to a huge backyard. He’s plans to become a carpenter and will set up shop in his spacious new garage. There are plenty of projects around the house for him to work on. Congrats on such a big purchase, Thomas! I’m so excited to see how you make the space yours.

Just Listed! Light and Bright Rose City Bungalow

Posted on by Living Room Realty

6348 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97211

Welcome to this cozy NE Portland bungalow! Centrally located in the beautiful Concordia neighborhood, the house seamlessly blends functionality and charm. The entire home gets tons of natural light. The kitchen is perfect for home-cooking, with plenty of storage and counterspace. Two oversized bedrooms and one bath offer an oasis away from common areas. The large living room leads to a formal dining area opposite french-doors that open to the yard. Enclosed back deck makes an incredible outdoor entertaining space. Huge, well maintained yard is perfect for pets. Attached one-car garage. Walking distance to McMenamins Kennedy School, parks, schools, and grocery!

Just Sold! Brand New Build in Bethany!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

I wish it was possible to bottle-up the ecstatic feeling that buying your first home brings. My clients Stephane and Kim just found out exactly what that feels like! Portland was on their radar for its proximity to nature. They’re from San Francisco, work in tech, and now are proud home-owning Portlanders. Situated in the Bethany area, their home is newly built this year. Its modern farmhouse floorplan gives the space a delightful openness with amenities galore. Kitchen features caesarstone counters, full-length cabinetry, and a huge island. Bedrooms and storage on all levels, with handsome oak floors/stairs throughout. My clients plan on embracing their love of nature and climbing. They’ll find parks and hiking trails aplenty near their new home, and they look forward to frequent trips to Smith Rock. What an amazing first home for this couple. Congratulations to you both! 

Multnomah Village

Posted on by Karim Alaeddine

Multnomah Village Retreat

5822 SW Multnomah Blvd | Portland, OR 97219 

Offered at $375,000 | MLS #20509864

3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 10,000 SF Lot

Contemporary one-level home, located a mile from Multnomah Village. Amazing lot, just shy of a 1/4 acre, w/established flora & entertainer’s deck, private and spacious. Vaulted ceilings, great flow and light throughout. Remodeled kitchen w/breakfast bar, fireplace, Master bedroom en suite, ample storage. Updated systems; electrical, roof, windows, A/C. Private setting, move-in ready and a mile from shops, dining & cafes. Home sweet home.

Photo Slideshow

Hollywood has a lot of Heart

Posted on by Jené DeSpain

As it has been said so often it’s become the market’s mantra, “location, location, location” can be the essential pillar of any buyers’ search for a new home. In Portland, this quest for the ideal location can feel like trying to choose your favorite coffee shop, because the truth of the matter is the coffee here tends to be pretty darn delicious almost anywhere you go. The neighborhoods in this beautiful city are pretty spectacular, and while I may be seeing things through my local rose-colored glasses, I think you could chat with most folks who live here and hear a similar take on Bridgetown.

When Pete and Carley started thinking about where they wanted to live, there were a handful of neighborhoods that met many of their hopes. We saw some really lovely options in North Portland with gorgeous views of Forest Park and the river. Then we peeked at a few places around Alberta and Kenton, and went out to Roseway to visit a noteworthy bungalow. Once we saw the classic English Tudor in Hollywood, they knew they had found their home. Right around the corner from Carley’s work, an easy commute for Pete, and the best dog park in NE where their pup could run free – this plucked at every heart chord. Congratulations to these incredible clients! It’s been SO rewarding to help make this dream come true with you two. 🖤

Pass the Butter Please

Posted on by Jené DeSpain

Secure bike storage, a space for a bike workshop, and a kitchen with room for a 36 inch stove, somewhere close-in around the Hawthorne neighborhood so Todd could bike to work comfortably everyday. These were the small requests of what Ashley and Todd were asking to find in their purchase of their first Portland home. No problem, I thought. Six months, endless laughs, a few “almost winners”,  and over one hundred homes later, we found it! I couldn’t be more happy to have these two wonderful people as clients and now friends. The night after closing, I brought over a bottle of champagne to celebrate, and I saw this super sweet lil butter dish on the counter, the only kitchen item currently in their brand new home. I asked about it, and they shared this butter dish has been a meaningful part of every single one of their homes together, and it’s the first thing Todd asked Ashley to make sure to bring the day they got the keys to their home. To all of the incredible meals to be made in this befitting home and all of the bikes to be wrenched on in that expansive basement, I raise my glass with so much excitement and joy for you two. Happy 2020 Todd and Ashley!

Nothing says “Home for the Holidays” like the smell of Cookies

Posted on by Jené DeSpain

As far back as I can remember, my parents have been passionate about hosting. From the color scheme of the table setting to the guest list to the dessert platters, my parents love to throw a party. The epitome of their annual events was always the Cookie Party my Mother threw every December on the evening of the 2nd Saturday of the month. She would carefully select 11 of her friends, have each one of them submit a cookie recipe for her pre-approval, and host everyone over for a festive exchange of all of the spectacular cookies. Each guest had to bring 13 dozen of their home baked, special cookie on holiday plates, 12 to be given to each of the guests and then a 13th to be sampled by everyone at the party. After the evening, the 11 bakers would go home with a dozen of each of the cookies, bringing their holiday sugar haul to a total of 144 cookies to be gifted and devoured over the next few weeks. The exchange was well known and loved by my parents’ social circle, and was a highlight of the season though out my childhood. My two sisters and I would savor the evening’s arrival every early December. As it’s been quite some time since I’ve been home to indulge in this celebration, the memories of this annual festivity remain at the core of my experience of this beloved time of year. I’ve attempted to re-create the magic of my Mother’s cookies each December in my own homes, focusing more on the delights of decorating them rather than their taste. While I don’t have the baker’s touch of my Momma, I’ve discovered the powerful thrill of mixing my own frosting colors and the intricacies of sprinkles application.

If you’re feeling like rolling out some cookie dough and filling your home with the smell of childhood holidays, give this recipe a try:

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/10402/the-best-rolled-sugar-cookies/

While they might not be as decadent as a 3 layer meyer lemon bar w lavender icing, these cuties will bring you hours of creative unwinding in your kitchen. I recommend the Nina Simone/Nat King Cole holiday mix on Spotify for your background tunes. Happy Holidays!

As Sweet as Ice Cream

Posted on by Living Room Realty

One of our favorite memories of Jae’s home sweet home purchase was how it all began. We got a message from Jae saying the house that he had fallen in love with was on the market. We called the agent and found out that there were already offers on the home and that the seller had to make their decision that day. We knew things were moving fast but if Jae wanted this home we had to boogie. So boogie we did!

Jae & Issac met Kristin at the house and quickly realized that this was the one. Kristin asked if they had time to write the offer then but wanted to do it in style so they all went down to Sugar Pine Drive In which was close by, one of her favorite stops.  At an outdoor picnic area by the sandy river eating delicious food we went to work crafting their offer while Jason gathered the dug into the comparable properties and gathered more info on the home and seller to make sure our offer was number 1.

 

By the time lunch and ice cream was finished up the offer had been submitted and we told them that we would be in touch as soon as we heard back. Which was sooner than expected. By the end of the day we were celebrating together again.

Jae we are so excited for you and hope this dream home is as sweet as the ice cream we ate the day  you got into contract! Congratulations our friend.