Tag: Katherine Millan

Sanctuary: Portland Japanese Garden

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Located in the SW Hills by Washington Park is Portland’s Japanese Garden. When I walk this garden, my eyes are often drawn to the details of the paths and the material used, specifically stone and bamboo. What I love about the Portland Japanese Garden is the intentionality of calm and serenity created by the layout and design, sanctuary. We get stuck in our heads most days about what we’ve gotten done, what has yet to be done and what is happening tomorrow. Going to one of Portland’s many urban gardens provides you with that space and moment to be present taking in your surroundings and gratitude for today. Enjoy looking at the koi or the beautiful view of Portland! Flowers and gardens are proven to have a mental and emotional impact on your brain. I strongly recommend getting a membership to enjoy the garden through all the seasons. Memberships start at $70 and if you go 4 times in one year, you’ve already gotten a return on it.

For a list of active listings in this area click here!

Good neighbors matter a lot!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

When my husband and I moved into our second home 4 1/2 years ago, one of the first neighbors we met were Chris and Terrie.

My neighborhood has many homes where the families have lived there for three or more decades. Our own new home, we are the second owners of a 1962 custom split-level. It has been a nonstop job updating it from a new water main, new paint/fixtures/flooring to a lovely new owner’s bathroom.

Last year, we got a new puppy and we needed to enclose the backyard. The layout of our property was tricky due to a large leaf maple where our property meets Chris and Terrie’s. We wanted our contractor to build a gate on the north side and Chris wanted to make a joint project to which I was very happy. He was using a white picket panel and wire fencing to enclose his big boy, Beau. The white picket panel made it a tad difficult for me to visit on their back patio but thankfully I have long legs LOL!

Our contractor, Brian Newman of Custom Cut Remodeling, took my husband’s idea for a fence/gate and beautifully designed it to end at the maple. Now when I want to visit my neighbors, I just have to open both of our gates! When the weather is better, we’re putting a nice sealer/finish on and maybe some solar lighting on the posts.

If you are looking to buy a home, walk the neighborhood in the evening and weekend; talk to neighbors and make sure that’s where you want to be!

 

Sanctuary: Rhododendron Garden

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden (https://www.crystalspringsgardenpdx.org) is in SE Portland near Reed College. Part of Portland Parks & Rec, membership starts at $40/yr with over 2,500 species of rhododendrons and azaleas plus the garden is fed by 13 actual springs pumping 6,000 gallons of water per minute. Every year there is a bald eagle couple that builds a nest and have their babies. The best viewing spot is late spring at the north end of the parking lot with binoculars. Being a member I can see the garden in all four seasons change. It’s ADA and dog friendly (leashed and behaved). The garden is occupied by lots of wildlife: squirrels, nutria, beaver, and lots of ducks and geese. On a lucky day, you may see a heron. Don’t miss the annual rhododendron sale where you can purchase some limited quantity varieties for your own garden. This place is perfect for weddings and large events.  I come here when I need a pause in my day or week. There are many benches to sit with your thoughts and that’s why this garden is one of my many mental sanctuaries!

If you want to live near this garden click here!

Sanctuary: Lan Su Chinese Garden

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Lan Su Chinese Garden is one of many urban gardens in Portland that I love to frequent when I need a little respite from life and my mind, sanctuary. Located in NW Portland, I moved to Portland over 21 years ago when they opened their doors. The majority of the work was spent putting in the mosaic stone paths as the walls came over pre-fab. The smell of many gardenias are my favorite (winter daphne in photo also bursting with aroma)! Every year there is a duck family for visitors to enjoy along with the many koi swimming. The second floor of the tea house is a great spot to have a light bite where I can look over the entire garden.  The New Year festivities in early February are definitely worth catching.  Basic membership is $60/yr and well worth it to have year round access to see the garden change with the seasons.

If you want to live near this garden click here!

White Countertops?

Posted on by Living Room Realty

I was not entirely sure about getting white quartz countertops when my designer recommended it. I was worried about staining and keeping the beautiful clean shine that made it look fit for a magazine. One day cleaning my filtered water spout per the dealer’s instructions using Soft Scrub, I decided to try it on my countertops. There are so many products out there that make promises and I’ve been disappointed but Soft Scrub delivered and my countertops look great!

A New Baby and a New Chapter!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations to Adam, Emily and Otto. Little did I know the journey we would have when Lisa Avena asked me to cover for her on vacation in November 2021. From a sale fail with Zillow in December to a baby born in January, we had tons of fun looking at some awesome houses until finding the right house for this new family to start a new chapter in. 

Adam and Emily were ready to upgrade by selling their first home with Lisa in North Portland. We looked all over the North/Northeast Portland, Beaverton, even Forest Grove before finding this cute, ready to move-in ranch in Argay Terrace. They will have all the free time to play with Otto and enjoy their lovely new home! Time and patience was all we needed and they were so great to work with!

If you are looking for a new place to call home, I’d love to go house shopping with you!

 

A perfect 10!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

I met Bryan and Kathe at an open house. They had moved to Portland three years ago from northern California because the wildfires had limited their options for finding a home. Being this would be their first home, I made it my mission to have fun finding the right house while making the process as smooth as possible. 

Making a purchase this big for the first time can be overwhelming with everything you have to take into consideration like the current market atmosphere to the unpermitted half bath in the basement but they were cool, collected and asking the right questions to make an informed decision. Just  a few blocks from Kenton Park, Bryan and Kathe closed on a home with a perfect energy score of 10 that checked off much of what they wanted. Congratulations and a big thank you for being awesome clients, I love helping people find the right house while having a great experience! 

He wanted curb appeal!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Moisés and his wife, Delia, were eager to move out of their investment property after starting their family and realized they needed more room for their two kids to have room to play. On Father’s Day we saw two homes; one that was new to the market and staged for multiple offers and the other was vacant with no staging and had been on the market for over a week after a buyer backed out with cold feet. After missing out on the staged-to-sell house, we wrote on the second house. The best part was we got in $10,000 under asking price, 100% financing, no appraisal gap and we did not waive any inspections. LP siding almost ended the deal but in the end we got the repair done and they are moving into the home that checked off needs and wants on both of their lists. He wanted curb appeal and plenty of parking for family gatherings and she wanted two living areas and a soaking tub. Bonus is they got the yard they wanted for their growing family!  I’m so happy to have such chill and savvy friends closer to my neck of the woods too. Win-win!  

Yes it can be done and I’m happy to help you too. If you are looking to buy in this market, let’s connect!