Finding Your Perfect Portland Neighborhood

Setting out on the homebuying journey is a bit like diving into a new adventure. It’s exciting, a little nerve-wracking, but ultimately, it’s about discovering that special place you’ll call home. When it comes to finding your spot in Portland, the neighborhood you pick is a huge part of your story. Let’s walk through the real factors that’ll help you find that perfect Portland neighborhood that just feels right.

Planning Your Future Think about where you see yourself in the next 5 to 10 years. Most folks stay in their homes for about 8 years, so it’s not just about today, but where you’ll be down the road. Will the neighborhood grow with you, offering the right schools and community vibes for your future self?

Neighborhood Feel Portland’s neighborhoods each have their own unique flavor. Do you see yourself in the lively streets of the east side, buzzing with cafes and culture? Or maybe in a quieter, leafy suburb where you’ve got room to breathe and grow? Take a walk, soak it all in, and find the place that feels like it’s singing your tune.

Getting Around Your daily commute matters. Whether it’s a slow grind from Vancouver to Hillsboro or a quick zip to the office, think about how each trip will fit into your life. A smooth commute can turn a good day into a great one.

Schools and Learning Great schools are the heart of a strong community. Whether you’ve got kiddos or are thinking about resale value, dive into the school scene. Sites like greatschools.org and Niche.com can be helpful to get a better idea of the school districts, but take them with a grain of salt and consider how they score schools.

Feeling Safe and Sound Everyone wants to feel safe and cozy in their neighborhood. Use tools like Neighborhood Scout and Portland Maps to get the lay of the land on safety. It’s about finding that secure spot where you can relax and be yourself.

What’s Nearby? Life’s easier when you’ve got what you need close by. Think about how close you want to be to groceries, parks, hospitals, or even your family and friends. It’s all about crafting that perfect blend of convenience and comfort.

Peeking into the Future What’s on the horizon for your potential neighborhood? That open lot might turn into a park, or a new cafe might be brewing up. Keep an eye on what’s coming – it can add a whole new layer of awesome to your home.

In Summary, Consider:

  • Long-Term Plans: Will the neighborhood fit your future?
  • Neighborhood Vibe: Does it match your lifestyle and energy?
  • Commute: How will traveling to work or places you love fit into your life?
  • Schools: What’s the quality of local education?
  • Safety: Do you feel secure and comfortable?
  • Amenities: Are the conveniences and joys of life within reach?
  • Future Developments: What changes might be on the way?

For more insights on finding your ideal neighborhood, check out the full video here.

Thinking about turning the page on this exciting chapter? I’m just a call or an email away. Reach out at 503-303-0822 or hello@agentlivinginpdx.com, and let’s start this journey together. Your ideal Portland neighborhood is out there, ready to be the setting for many happy chapters ahead.

4 Weeks from Hair Cut to Closing: Congrats Makayla and Chancelor!

Recently, I was getting my hair cut, listening to a story my hair stylist had been telling me for a couple years: she LOVES her neighborhood.  She owns a home with her husband that is a bit small, but they can’t imagine leaving the area and felt priced out. On this day, she was even talking about consulting an architect to build a second level onto their single story house.

Just three days later, my hair whisperer called to say they were on their way to an open house, “to check it out”.  It was love at first step.  The 117 year old home had original leaded glass, wood floors, remodeled bathrooms and kitchen, and a front porch with roses creeping over the railing.  I looked through the listing details and spoke with the listing agent to determine what offer terms would be meaningful to the sellers.  I also put together a report of recently sold comparable homes to determine price, and worked with my buyers’ lender to be sure we were putting together a plan to succeed. My buyers weren’t the only ones who loved the house: by Sunday afternoon there was an offer deadline, and we ultimately competed against three other offers.

Less than 36 hours after the open house, I made a phone call a bit past my own bedtime to share the good news that the offer had been accepted! With a short timeline to closing, we got to work on inspections–which are no joke with a vintage house–and spent the week meeting with additional specialists and obtaining assessments and estimates.

I had the good fortune to be working with my skilled colleague Kim Parmon as the listing agent on this home purchase.  It’s gratifying as an agent to work with someone equally skilled and committed on the other side. This helped us quickly find solutions that satisfied both the buyers and the sellers. In addition, our team at Root Mortgage and First American Title went the extra mile to bring everything together, including overcoming last minute challenges.

Today, exactly four weeks after my hair cut, we closed on their ‘dream house’.  On this rainy fall evening, my buyers unlocked the door for the first time to begin a new era in the neighborhood they love, with the bigger, character-filled home they didn’t think was within reach.

Congratulations, Makayla and Chancelor!!