Tag: PDX Lesbian REALTORS®

How to Buy a Home in Portland, Oregon

Posted on by Bonnie Roseman

Empowerment in a Frenzied Market

If you find the current Portland real estate market overwhelming, you’re not alone. The good news is, new spring listings are popping up every day! Just not as many homes are available as there are buyers for them. Inventory is low and that creates a lot of organic competition, especially for the “best” properties. Homes that have been freshly remodeled, have a lot of style, and/or are in prime locations command attention, premium prices and aggressive terms. Many buyers feel priced-out after being out-bid in multiple-offer situations. Avoid Buyer’s Burn-out!

A Realtor from behind with grey curly hair which is standing on end in front of an orange background. Sweater has a "SOLD" sticker on it - implying how hair-raising the Portland market is.
It can be hair raising!

Fortunately, we’ve been at this a long time, and have assisted clients through every possible market on the spectrum.

 

Tips for nabbing your next home using creative shopping strategies:

  • I am not kidding about this- visit homes with ugly pictures! Beyond all the clutter and poor lighting you may find your treasure, hidden in plain sight and overlooked by most.
  • Consider properties that are showing a bit of wear and take on the project yourself to make it really shine. Sweat equity is real, but be honest with yourself. What resources will you have available to spruce up your new place. Is watching a how-to YouTube enough to help you handle the fixes, or will you need to hire experts? Skip wonky staircases, wacky floor plans and locations near freeways, bus stops, and busy streets. Buy smart!  
  • Look at homes priced well below your budget to give you room to fight and be the winning bidder!
  • Shop slightly above your current price range. Consider properties that have been on the market a while (translation: homes that are likely over-priced). 
  • Explore less expensive locations.
  • Re-evaluate your priorities and consider smaller homes and yards, homes without recent updates, etc.

 

How we can help!

Bonnie Roseman and Trish Sunderland, Realtors at Living Room Realty stand smiling in a staged dining/living room.
Bonnie Roseman and Trish Sunderland, Dynamic Real Estate Duo in Portland, OR

There are a few things we are doing behind the scenes for our buyer clients to help get them to the finish line. We scour Coming-Soon listings on the regular. We hustle to get our buyers into homes as soon as they hit the market. Pro tip: It’s not unheard of to persuade a seller to accept a compelling offer on day one on the market, thus avoiding a bidding war. We review old and expired listings and contact off-market homeowners who might consider selling. We leave no stone unturned to help you find your next home!

What can you do?

Get organized and prepare yourself. Consider your financing options and make a decision early in your journey. Where you will obtain your new mortgage? Your lender is your partner, just like your Realtor, in the homebuying process, so make sure you choose trusted advisors! Submit all of the needed documents and ask your lender to run your file through underwriting. Keep in touch with them and make sure you are crunching numbers using current interest rates and realistic estimates for property taxes and homeowner’s insurance. Don’t fall in love with a home only to discover the cash you need to close the deal, or to carry the monthly payments, are beyond your comfort level –OUCH!

If you have the good fortune to be paying with cash, make sure you have proof of funds at the ready!  

Financial readiness means your documentation is ready to go! 

  • If you are a cash buyer, or have a large down payment, have proof that the funds required for your purchase are in a checking or savings account in your own name. Believe it or not, mutual funds, ETFs, gifts and the like are NOT considered cash!
  • Engage a lender early, then obtain an up to date mortgage pre-approval letter that reflects the current interest rate and the property tax amount for each specific property you are considering. Your lender will also help you crunch the numbers so you know you are comfortable with the amount of cash you will need to close your purchase and cover the monthly carrying costs. If you love your lender- wonderful! If you don’t have one picked out yet, have no fear, we can connect you with a personal referral to a top notch local pro. 

 

On your mark

Drive, bike or walk by exciting new listings the first day on the market. Let your Realtor know right away when a place shows possibility and make yourself available ASAP to get inside. After all that hurrying, be prepared to wait patiently. Many of the most desirable properties will have due dates for offers a while out and you will need to bide your time. 

Understand pricing

Be prepared for newly-listed homes to sell for significantly more than the asking price, sometimes by a wide margin. If the listing has been on the market for 10-20 days it will probably go for right around asking price, and if it has been sitting for more than a month without a recent price reduction, a bigger discount may be in the cards. 

You can stay up-to-date with current market conditions with the weekly Portland report from Altos Research.

Average sales price in Portland, OR

 

Offer Terms- Price is not the only thing that matters to home sellers. Sometimes having the best terms can keep you in the running, or at least get you the opportunity to modify your offer without it being rejected out of hand, even if your offer isn’t the highest bid. Consider including terms that give the seller confidence in choosing you as their buyer.

When we work with our buyer clients, we discuss many creative ways to strengthen an offer. Two of the key items that can often make a difference are:  

  • Repairs

When it comes to repairs, sellers want to know that they will not be nickel-and-dimed during the inspection process. While most buyers are not in a position to make totally as-is offers, it IS possible to limit the risk to the seller without leaving yourself wide open. One strategy is to commit to accepting responsibility for needed repairs that fall below a certain threshold. This way the seller knows you will only attempt to negotiate if something big comes up. 

  • Appraisals

 As prices increase, it can become very challenging for appraisers to find past home sales (AKA “comps”)  that keep up with current values. This does not mean the value is not there, but rather that the data is not keeping up with rapid increases in market values. When a home appraises for less than the contract price, this is known as an “appraisal gap” because lenders base financing on the appraised value, not the purchase price.

Sellers want to know that you will close the transaction, even if there is an appraisal gap. You can solve this by adding cash to your down payment. Another approach is to keep your loan amount and down payment as planned, but preparing yourself for an adjustment in the Loan-to-Value ratio. This may have a small impact on your monthly payments in some cases. In others, it may have no impact on you at all! 

Here’s an example:

If you are paying $100,000 for a home, putting down $8,000 and borrowing $92,000 (92% Loan-to-Value), but your appraisal comes in at $95,000, you could still borrow $92,000 – it would just be underwritten at a higher Loan-to-Value because the LtV is based on the appraised value. 

100,000 sales price x 92% = $92,000 loan amount.

 

95,000 appraised value x 96.8% loan-to-value = $92,000 loan amount

The down payment is $8,000 either way!

 

 

 

Ready, Set, Go!

We pride ourselves on assisting clients to be selective in their home purchase decisions and writing offers with a high chance of acceptance in order to avoid a roller coaster ride. When you or your peeps are ready to buy – or even just thinking about buying in the future – it is always in your best interest to prepare ahead of time, with a solid team in place for when it’s time to make the leap. Drop us a line us at portland@realtor.com to get on our dance card!  Thank you for trusting us. Your new home awaits and we WILL get you to the finish line!

Bonnie Roseman and Trish Sunderland jumping energetically in a parking lot in front of a brightly painted striped brick wall.

Mid-Century Retreat and Sanctuary

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Listed at $450,000

OPEN SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 11:00 AM -1:00 PM

10909 NE Siskiyou Street Portland, OR 97220

A Mid-Century retreat on almost 1/2 acre in Parkrose Heights with all the important updates done. Classic 1960’s details and charm intact. Open floor plan, hardwoods, big windows, heat pump, double garage, new roof and paint. Sprawling basement with bonus room + bath. Comes with beautiful studio/office next to garden with composting toilet+plumbing+ mini-split. Perfect for working from home. If home is your sanctuary, this house is it!

3 bed | 2 bath | 2616 sq. ft.

MLS# 20112478 | Taxes: $4476 2019/20 | Lot Size: .42 Acre

Picture Perfect Jewel Box in Alberta Arts

Posted on by Living Room Realty
852 NE Roselawn Street
Portland, Oregon 97211
$575,000
Meticulously restored with attention to detail + flawless finishes. Fully updated, eat-in kitchen has granite + subway tile + marmoleum flooring. Formal dining w/fireplace + vintage wainscoting + beautiful built-ins. Three sunny bedrooms upstairs feature large windows, ample closets and built-in floor-to-ceiling bookcases. Sumptuous, high end bath remodels with custom Ann Sacks tiles, Pratt & Larson tile, Rejuvenation and Restoration Hardware fixtures, marble floors and heated tile floors. The space feels light and airy, enhanced by 9′-0′ high ceilings on the main and 8′-3″ ceilings upstairs. Brazilian Cherry hardwoods in the bedrooms, staircase and living and dining rooms are both durable and handsome. The large main floor laundry/mudroom has plentiful storage. Systems updates include seismic retrofit, furnace, AC, tankless water heater, electrical panel, custom retaining wall, custom garage door and shed, to name a few. Covered front porch + low maintenance yard with private back patio + shed. Enjoy the vibrant, walkable neighborhood with world class cafes, bars and shops, all within a few blocks, come home to comfort!
3 bed | 2 bath | 1828 sq. ft. 

MLS# 20278885 | Taxes: $1,306  (not a typo) | Lot Size: .06 Acre

Sylvan Hills Cape Cod Sweetie Pie

Posted on by Living Room Realty

1800 SW Parkview Court
Portland, Oregon 97221

Offered at $559,000

MLS#20474111 | SQFT: 2346

4 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms

Year Built: 1943| Lot Size: .32 acre

Sylvan Hills Cape Cod with lush landscape + large yard on a cul-de-sac. The living room has refinished hardwoods, wood-burning fireplace + cove ceilings. Family room has cork floors + gas fireplace. Remodeled kitchen has slab granite + maple cabinets. Formal dining w/bay window + new deck. Updated windows + fresh paint. Attached garage. Plenty of storage. Hoyt Arboretum, Portland Zoo, Children’s Museum, Portland Japanese Garden, Washington Park – all nearby! Ainsworth + Lincoln schools.

See Video Here

 

Easy to Love, One Level 1968 Ranch in Milwaukie

Posted on by Living Room Realty

1968 One Level Ranch on 1/4 Acre  $349,000

14881 SE Primrose Ave. Milwaukie, Ore 97267
Easy to Love Ranch with .26 acre yard. One level living. 2 BR + 1 Bath with tub/shower. Original hardwoods in great shape. Bamboo floors in Kitchen + Dining. Central air + gas fireplace + built-ins. Slider to covered patio w/skylights. Huge, fenced backyard w/garden space + trees. New water heater + water main. Attic storage above attached, double garage.
Showing by appointment Saturday and Sunday 10-4.
2 bed | 1 bath | 1008 sq. ft.
MLS# 20161146 | Taxes: $3308 | Lot Size: .26 Acre

Garden Home in Gladstone

Posted on by Living Room Realty

  $349,000

255 E Berkeley Street, Gladstone, Ore 97027
Lush garden home in Gladstone near the river. Wonderfully loved and cared for – this 1950 Cape Cod has original hardwood floors + triple pane windows. Big kitchen + wood cabinets. Updated bathroom features large hex floor tiles + new fixtures. On demand water heater + gas furnace. Fresh interior paint. Covered patio + private, fenced backyard with an astonishing green space habitat. Garden shed. Attached garage. Solid, dependable and updated. Ready to move right in.
3 bed | 1 bath | 1728 sq. ft.
MLS# 220689228 | Taxes: $3932 | Lot Size: .11 Acre

Thanks for a Great Sale During a Tough Time

Posted on by Living Room Realty

I wish every sale could be as pretty in pink as a Dogwood in spring. But you know what’s even better than a pretty picture? A kind advocate on the other side who shares a common goal of doing the best for their client while playing fair.

It took months to close this sale.  M O N T H S.  With all the usual delays and a lot of extra twists and turns. My buyer was purchasing with a 1031 Exchange, adding a ticking clock to the whole scenario. Throw in an estate with unanticipated repairs needed. Right from the beginning it was a “I have my work cut out for me” type of sale. Plus the sellers are a family I know from growing up in the same neighborhood. Why is that important? It created inexplicable nuances and I’m sure another dimension for their agent to navigate. Knowing the sellers as the buyers rep, helped me put a human face on it for my buyer and I think helped close this deal. Anyways, rambling on here, but thank you to Jean and all the other hard-working agents out there who put in the extra time, attention and work to get our clients where they need to be.

Blossoming Cherry Park Ranch

Posted on by Living Room Realty

10414 SE Lincoln Court Portland, Oregon 97216

$439,000

RMLS #20396683
See the Video
This soothing, soulful Cherry Park Ranch is a blossoming masterpiece. Refinished hardwoods + flowing floor plan + curated spaces that nurture and enliven. This homebody haven offers cul-de-sac serenity + lots of one level living. Formal living + dining rooms share the central hearth. Room to dance in the rumpus room. Fresh NEW look + luxuriously tiled bathroom has tub + shower. Updated kitchen has skylight + gas stove + eating area. Powder room + laundry room. Double attached garage. Small, private backyard w/covered patio.
3 beds | 1.1 baths | 1762 sq. ft.
Taxes: $5,200 Lot Size: .16 Acre
Call to schedule a private showing.
Teri Toombs | Principal Broker | 503-522-1691 | ttoombs@livingroomre.com  
Reg Martocci | Broker | 508-340-1456 | reg@livingroomre.com

Perspective

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Taken just a few months ago, this photo shows the wild, steep slopes of Mt. Hood in mid winter. It was a beautiful day to be on the mountain and it makes me pine for the rowdy outdoors of the northwest.

Today we are stay-at-home everythings but my team is still here helping sellers and buyers. It’s a much different world today, but we are learning how to traverse this new landscape. Please reach out if we can inform, reassure and help with all things real estate.

This season will pass, and I hope soon. In the meantime, stay safe and stay home.

Living Room Realty’s Original Agent

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Meet Teri Toombs.

Living Room Realty’s Longest serving agent.

Living Room Realty’s First Managing Principal Broker.

Previous jobs: Loader Operator, Produce Worker, Operations Manager.

Parkrose grad and U of O School of Architecture student.

Built and lived in a cabin in the woods for 7 years.

Spent youth skiing the mountains and rivers of Oregon.

Lifelong love of swimming continues to current day.

Soft-hearted boot strapper.

Fierce client advocate.

Fair negotiator.

Well-versed in multi-offer markets.

Focused on building and growing generational wealth.

Committed to home ownership for all.

Born in Portland, knows Portland.

Serving buyers and sellers since 2003.

Lives in a Ladd’s Addition ranchalow with long time love Persephone and best dog Devo.

Wallpaper Wonderland Wants Fresh Start

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Side-By-Side Duplex Fixer in Vernon 

$589,000

5714 & 5716 NE 14th Avenue Portland, Ore 97211
CASH BUYERS here is your  O P P O R T U N I T Y  in Vernon. Monster sized units could be an awesome owner occupied with a rental  OR family compound OR Vacant units allow for placing your own tenants in both sides. Hardwoods and fireplaces. Gas furnaces and newer water heaters. Tuck under garages. Kitchens are demo’ed and ready for a fresh start. Seller has architectural plans for 3 bedroom/2 bath units. Lots of potential, amazing location just blocks from Alberta Arts, Dekum triangle, Woodlawn, Alberta Park. HES=1 DEQ Certificates
2 bed | 1 bath | 2010 sq. ft. EACH UNIT buyer to confirm sq ft.

MLS# 20226686 | Taxes: $3114 | Lot Size: .11 Acre

What’s the Deal with Appraisals?

Posted on by Living Room Realty

What is an appraisal?

They are performed for the benefit of your lender by a third party (the appraiser) and paid by for you. For most buyers, they are a requirement of your loan. The purpose of an appraisal is to analyze the home and reassure the bank that the value and condition warrant giving you a loan at the agreed upon sales price. In other words, it’s worth what you’re paying.

Here is a lending scenario to help understand the effect a low appraisal can have on a buyer:

You are approved for a 20% down payment loan. For a $500,000 purchase, here is the math:

$500,000 purchase price
$100,000 total down payment
$400,000 loan amount

IF the appraisal comes in at $475,000 then the math changes:
$95,000 total down payment
$380,000 loan amount

But wait, your bid was $500,000.

In this case, the lender will still only lend you 80% ($380,000)of the appraised value ($475,000).

$500,000 purchase price
$380,000 total loan amount
$120,000 down payment needed to qualify for the loan

Let’s back up again. The sales contract states that both the buyer and the home must qualify for the loan. The appraisal is how your home qualifies for the loan. The appraisal falls under the financing contingency and therefore your earnest money deposit is protected, should you need to terminate the sale due to no longer qualifying for the loan. In the event of low appraisal, any of these things can happen:
-neither buyer nor seller are obligated to move forward with the sale. Either/or both buyer and seller can terminate the transaction and buyers earnest money is returned
-seller can lower the sales price to match the appraised price
-buyer can bridge the gap between sales price and appraised price, in this case bringing an additional $20,000 cash to closing.
-buyer and seller can meet somewhere in the middle with sales price

In multiple offers, where the sales price gets bid up, one of the things the seller is looking for is a buyer that has some cash to pad the deal if needed. There can be concerns about the price going too high to appraise. If a buyer does not (or cannot) provide assurance to the seller that an appraiser will bless the offering price, it may not make sense to take the highest offer, if appraisal does not come in at the sales price and the buyer cannot get the loan. The deal falls apart. This is why sellers will take a lower offer, with a bigger down payment. They don’t believe the higher price will appraise. This is why sellers love cash buyers – there is no appraisal requirement because there is no bank. In the event of multiple offers, some buyers have the cash to bring the extra down payment, or they might qualify to get a lower down payment loan.

You should know that in any multiple offer situation, I am gauging not only where the price will go, but also assessing how appraisal will go and what might come up.  There are a lot of factors I am constantly assessing when showing homes and writing offers. It is all a balancing act  of buyer comfort, market demand and of course, the appraiser!

Are your eyes glazed over, is your thought bubble saying “Who even thinks about these things?!!” I do. That’s why you need me. I’m the one who thinks about these things. Because, why fight so hard to get into first position, only to have appraisal issues in the home stretch?

Tempting in Tabor

Posted on by Natalie Tracy

1302 SE 49th Ave

Portland, OR 97215

This stunning Mt. Tabor craftsman is the kind of home you dream about! Light and bright, with high ceilings and windows galore. Enjoy morning coffee on the huge front porch, before heading out in one of Portland’s hottest walkable neighborhoods. Freshly refinished fir floors, open layout, and exposed beams in the second story bedroom. New electrical panel, central air, and fresh paint inside and out. The fully fenced yard rounds out a picture perfect place to call home!

OFFERED AT $499,000

3 BEDROOM | 1 BATH | 2528 Sq Ft

Charming in Tabor

Posted on by Natalie Tracy

2318 SE 72nd Ave

Portland, OR 97215

This adorable Mt. Tabor bungalow has it all! The retro updated eat-in kitchen, wood floors, sun porch, mud room, and large lot are just the beginning. With mature trees, generous garden space, and room for an ADU or shop, this could be your urban oasis! Plenty of potential in the unfinished basement, plus a newer electrical panel and water heater. All appliances included. Perfectly located for transit access, just 1/4 mile from Mt. Tabor trails, and 1/2 mile from local coffee and cafes!

OFFERED AT $395,000

3 BEDROOM | 1 BATH | 1640 Sq Ft

Hip Happening FoPo

Posted on by Natalie Tracy

The Foster-Powell neighborhood has been a hot commodity for a while now. But with the Foster Transportation and Streetscape Project finally complete, this inner southeast neighborhood is transforming into an even more desirable location for Portlanders. The streetscape project created a bike and pedestrian corridor that makes Foster-Powell an urban commuter’s dream. Easy access to major bus lines, and increased walkability and bikeability. Multiple parks and a great rec center nearby. Local hot spots like the Portland Mercado, Speedboat Coffee, Assembly Brewing, Carnelian Coffee, Pieper Cafe, and many others. This neighborhood already has so much going on. And with the streetscape rolled out, more restaurants and retail will follow. If you’re looking for a great walkable neighborhood to put down roots in Southeast, add Foster-Powell to your list!

Fresh Contemporary Tri-Level Open This Weekend

Posted on by Living Room Realty

9504 SW 54th Ave. Portland, OR 97219

   $469,000

OPEN HOUSES:
Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 11:00 am – 3:00 pm 
Sunday, February 16, 2020 at 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Cool space + Clean Lines. Fireplace + Skylight + Central Kitchen
Master suite has walk-in closet + big shower
Family room has adjacent half bath + laundry and it’s big enough for home office space too! Slider off family room leads to deck and terraced backyard
Vaulted Great room
Bamboo floors
Gas furnace + Central air 2016
Double garage + level driveway Quiet, dead end lane
3 bed | 2.1 bath | 1724 sq. ft.
Taxes: $7411 Lot Size: .11 Acre
MLS# 20551123

Buying a House on a Busy Street: A Secret Road to Homeownership

Posted on by Natalie Tracy

Okay, it’s not a secret road, it’s a busy road. But the secret is that you might get A LOT more house for your money by buying on a busy street.

Why? Because your feeling that a busy street lowers the value of a house is 100% accurate.

So, then, why would you want to buy one? Because it might just get you a house and neighborhood you may not otherwise be able to afford. But if it lowers the value of the house, doesn’t that make it a bad investment? Not necessarily. Here’s the trick – make sure what you pay for the house reflects the busy street, and make sure the busy street is not so undesirable that resale will be an uphill battle.

Case in point – I recently worked with a lovely first time buyer couple with very specific ideas of what they wanted in a house and neighborhood. The challenge was that their budget didn’t quite match what they wanted. The solution? We found a fantastic house in the neighborhood they wanted, on a slightly busy street.

Notice I said slightly busy. Not a major thoroughfare that makes it impossible to enjoy your home, or to pull out of your driveway safely. If we had taken this same house and plunked it a block or two into the neighborhood, it would easily have sold for $25,000 more. By being willing to compromise on the street, they got the house and neighborhood they really wanted. And as evidence that the street alone did not make the house undesirable, their adorable home received multiple offers. With expert market knowledge and negotiation skills, I was able to guide them toward a competitive winning offer. But even still, I ensured the busy street was part of the property valuation – after all, it will come into play again when they sell the house.

Just like so many other aspects of home buying, it comes down to priorities. What will make you the happiest with your home purchase? If, like so many home buyers, your budget doesn’t quite fit everything you want in your ideal home, what are your flex points? Is a slightly busy street a consideration? Or would you rather a home that needs some work, or a house a little farther out?

Finding an agent you trust to guide you through the home buying process is key – are you looking for the right fit for your home search? Drop me a text or email, and let’s grab coffee!

What’s it like to work with an iBuyer?

Posted on by Natalie Tracy

Helping a family find their first home is always such a joy. But when an iBuyer is on the other side of the transaction, does that change the process at all? As I found out in my recent first transaction with an iBuyer, the answer is yes!

I was helping the sweetest family, referred to me by a dear friend and vendor. We were on the hunt for their first home for them, their two little girls, and their dog. All the usual suspects came into play – they had definite ideas about style of house, schools, and a desire for parks and shopping nearby. After a few neighborhood tours, we honed in on a couple of westside neighborhoods that really called to them.

Inventory was quite low, so we initially didn’t find much to look at. After a couple of weekends of homes that didn’t hit the mark, they were wondering if they needed to rethink their “must have” list. And wouldn’t you know it, the very next day a house that checked every box came on the market.

It was listed by an iBuyer that had recently entered the Portland market, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Getting their offer submitted was perfunctory and lacking in human interaction, everything was through a web portal. Neither the listing agent, nor anyone in customer service, seemed to know anything about the home. Not too surprising, as they were all located out of state and had never actually been to the house. The same held true for the inspection negotiations. The listing agent was not available to discuss the details, so we basically asked for everything, and flexed just a little. It all felt like we either fit their algorithm or not. Like the offer and the repair requests were entered into their system, and the computer decided whether or not to agree.

All in all, the process felt quite mechanical. I worked extra hard to keep my clients informed and engaged, and provided more reassurance than usual, to make up for the lack of communication from the other side. There was nothing overtly negative about the transaction, but there was so much missing. Human insight, market expertise, engagement, and support are all vital to a successful and positive real estate transaction. The homeowners who sold to this iBuyer were deprived of all of these elements, in addition to selling their house under market value. So, if nothing else, my first iBuyer transaction highlighted what great REALTORS® do best. We build relationships, foster trust, facilitate smooth transactions, negotiate fiercely on behalf of our clients, and help our clients achieve their highest goals, all while providing that all important human touch.

Come Home to Comfort

Posted on by Living Room Realty

OPEN Sunday, February 9, 2020,  2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

$379,000

705 NE Jackson St. Hillsboro, OR 97134

An enduring classic updated and upgraded for lasting enjoyment. The living room has a gas fireplace + high ceilings + surround sound.
Kitchen + Dining has an eating bar + walk-in pantry + dishwasher. High end appliances and Hunter blinds included.
Two vaulted suites upstairs + washer/dryer.
Newer exterior paint + central air. Corner lot across from green space. Fenced backyard has covered space + low maintenance pavers + detached garage.
2 bed | 2.1 bath | 1586 sq. ft.
Taxes: $3449 Lot Size: .07 Acre
MLS# 20010664

Country Living In The City

Posted on by Living Room Realty

4525 SE Malden Drive, Portland, ORE 97206 

$349,000

 
Farm + retreat in the city. Unique home offers something special for buyers on a budget. Adorable nest has kitchen w/gas range, maple cabinets + concrete counters, bathroom with skylight, cozy master upstairs w/balcony overlooking this urban farm. High eff mini-split + water heater 2017. Garden shed, raised beds, covered patio, pizza oven, chicken coop, + new fence. Woodstock at your fingertips. Come See!

OPEN SATURDAY + SUNDAY 12-2 

2 bed | 1 bath | 867 sq. ft.
MLS# 19238228 | Taxes: $2,056.95, 2018 | Lot Size: .11 Acre

ICONIC 1957 SIX PLEX IN WORLD FAMOUS KENTON 

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Don’t Delay, Call Today

$895,000

3015 North Willis Blvd. Portland, Ore 97217
Sweet one bedroom units on the bus line + MAX line + near the park + downtown Kenton.
New Roof + gutters coming this week.
Updated flooring, tile counters, fresh fixtures. Newer double-pane vinyl windows.
Parking repaved + new boiler 2011.
Professionally managed. Turnkey rental in hot North PDX location.
One unit vacates 11/30/19, creating owner occupied possibility.
Please DND tenants.
CAP RATE: 5.46     
GROSS RENT MULTIPLIER: 11.57

MLS# 19440969
Taxes: $7828 | Lot Size: .26 Acre

Mid-Century Ranch in Cully is Elevated by a Perfect Blend of Updates + Restoration

Posted on by Living Room Realty

OPEN HOUSES:

SATURDAY 9/21/19, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

SUNDAY, 9/22/19, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

$429,000

5428 NE 54TH
WHAT to say first? The seamless hardwoods throughout the main floor? The restored original woodwork doors and built-ins? Vintage exterior brick detailing? It’s HARD to say what I love more. I DO LOVE the attention to details. Honoring vintage with lighting reproductions comes to mind. Speaking of light, this home really leaves the impression it has been LIGHTLY LIVED IN and LOVED IMMENSELY.
My DREAM KITCHEN has hardwoods + quartz counters + farmhouse sink + gas range + hood + stainless steel appliances + baker’s station.That’s right. A place for the pastry chef in your life to create.
The bathroom on the main could not be cuter w/fish scale tiled shower surround + small hex floor tiles. All fixtures have been replaced.
Downstairs, find the 3rd non-conforming bedroom + full bath + laundry/office + family room.
The BIG Cully yard has a restored covered patio + raised beds + lush, mature plantings + shed.
Attached garage, newer, high efficiency gas furnace, AC. HES=7.
3 bed | 2 bath | 1720 sq. ft.
Taxes: $4106 Lot Size: .16 Acre
MLS# 19670041

And the Oscar For BEST HOME Goes to….

Posted on by Living Room Realty

This lovely Hollywood Old Portland.

2515 NE 42nd Ave.  $719,000

3 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, 2305 sf

1911 built and well maintained.

RMLS #19498775

Set up from the street, with a well-designed floor plan, this beauty features a true foyer for arriving, while maximizing square footage. The living room has high ceilings, a gas fireplace, walnut floors. Formal dining has period built-ins. The tiled kitchen has fresh paint, dishwasher, disposal, and a stainless steel fridge. Off the kitchen you’ll find a tiled mudroom + powder room.

The bedrooms are upstairs. Sweet as honey fir floors, large closets + storage. The bathroom has a clawfoot tub, wall sconce lighting and vintage perfect cabinetry.

The full, finished basement features a wet bar, wine fridge, travertine tiles and outside entrance, as well as a custom tile shower in the full bath and laundry with washer and dryer.

Updated windows, newer water service + pex plumbing. Hi-efficiency gas furnace. Sewer 2011, radon mitigation 2014. No tank found.

Covered porch, fenced backyard + patio. Rebuilt garage w/roof trusses, 506 sf.

Schools: Beverly Cleary K-8, Grant High.

Central location in Hollywood, near Beaumont Village and Grant Park. Tree-lined avenue with high transit/walk/bike scores. R-38 ceiling insulation. HES = 7.

OPEN SATURDAY, September 7th, 12:00-4:00pm
OPEN SUNDAY, September 8th, 1:00-4:00pm

Never Have I Ever…

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Mary Ann came to me as a referral from one of my favorite clients to date, I already knew I would love her based on that. As we toured her home for the pre-listing walk through, I began to jot down my regular notes: take down posters, narrow down decorations, put away unnecessary kitchen counter top appliances, yadda yadda. She was clearly making mental notes as well, and I could see she was up for the challenge. We cruised through her (incredible!) theatre toward her master bedroom, her sweet pup- Phinn, trailing close behind. Mary Ann watched me closely as I peeked into each closet accessing its future. As I reached the master bedroom I saw her grin and mumble “uhhh open that one slowly… I have kind of a shoe thing…”. You guys. I’ve never seen so many shoes in all of my life! Nordstrom has nothing on Mary Ann! She had neatly lined each pair up row after row after row, after row… after row. I closed my gaping mouth, gave her my punch list and prayed to all of the listening shoe Gods. I returned a week later to finalize the listing and almost fell over dead, SHE DID IT! Mary Ann did every single thing I asked! Talk about dream client!! All of the hard work paid off 7 days later when she got her offer and we sailed into a smooth closing. Congratulations Mary Ann! Thank you for trusting me and letting me participate in your move to the next chapter!

Got Cabin Fever? We Can Help!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

We’ve sold a cabin or two, and we’ve seen a whole lot more! Do you share our passion for the woodsy architecture found in the shadow of Mt. Hood? Then give us a call. We just toured this old timer up the Historic Columbia River Highway and what a riverfront beauty. Summer time swims and snowy time romps await you in what could be an amazing second (or even first) home. Flannel not included.

When a Tornado Touches Down at Your Listing

Posted on by Living Room Realty

“There have been 5 recorded tornadoes within Portland City Limits.” -National Weather Service.

They say you learn something new every day, and nowhere is that phrase more true than in real estate. Even after 16 years of selling homes, I’ve yet to encounter a tornado. Until now. Rain? Water? Monsoon? Seen that. Wind? Sure. But not funneling wind. EEK. This is Portland Oregon, not Kansas.

The sale had already gone through the ups and downs, the twists and turns of any regular deal. I had a feeling it would be exciting right up to the finish and my spidey sense was right. It was the night before the signing day. My mantra: just get to signing, just get to signing.

Awake to the text, then the photo evidence. Tornado!

Cut to the chase, the sale closed.

Odds are you’ll never have a tornado issue while buying or selling a home in Portland, Oregon. But if you do, you know who to call.

 

 

Mt Tabor Offers Urban Respite

Posted on by Living Room Realty

One of the things I love about Portland is how much green space we have right at our fingertips. In less than 5 minutes by car, from my home in SE Portland, I can be atop Mt. Tabor. Looking out over the city, and walking around the sparkling blue waters of the reservoir is one of my favorite places for a quick trip to nature. Trees, dogs and water. And lots of green, green grass.

Another Reason to Love Ladd’s Addition

Posted on by Living Room Realty

With four rose gardens and a fifth garden brimming with rhododendrons, there is no more quintessential Portland place than the Ladd’s Addition neighborhood. Find a bench and soak up the rays, read a book, smell the roses. If you are looking to buy or sell and want a local expert, give me a call. I’ve been living in Ladd’s Addition since 2006, buying and selling homes in all of the Portland metro area since 2003.

One Level Love in the Heart of Cully

Posted on by Living Room Realty

OFFERED AT $249,900

OPEN SATURDAY, 5/18 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

OPEN SUNDAY, 5/19, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

4512 NE KILLINGSWORTH
Mid-century condo in the heart of Cully. Sensible floor plan, in end unit. In-home laundry + private back yard. Original hardwoods + double paned windows. Tiled kitchen w/freshly painted cabinets + dishwasher + farmhouse sink. All appliances stay. One deeded parking space. 1/2 block off street, down driveway. Exterior renovation complete and beautiful. Solid purchase.  Great opportunity for home ownership.
2 beds |1 bath | 806 sq. ft.
Taxes: $2357 Monthly HOA’s: $275 ($340 at end of July)
MLS# 19197960

Small Footprint Living in Woodstock with Income Stream

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Brought to you for the low, low price of $379,000

OPEN SATURDAY 5/18 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

         OPEN SUNDAY 5/19 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

6117 SE STEELE STREET  PORTLAND, OR 97206
Separate laundry in each unit.
Sweet yard w/garden shed, covered porch, driveway parking.
1925 cottage is updated and renewed throuout including crawlspace repair in 2015 by Western Construction. Bamboo floors, granite counters, tiled bathroom with tub and shower. Bedroom with slider and trex deck. Forced air gas furnace 2010. Water heater 2013.
Detached ADU new in 2017. Full kitchen with built-in microwave, stainless appliances, engineered wood floors. Tiled bath w/radiant floor heat + tub + shower.
All this and Woodstock too!

2 bed | 2 bath | 1008 sq. ft.
Taxes: $3875 Lot Size: .10 Acre
MLS# 19082838

Vintage Character Looking for Love in North Tabor

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Offered at $369,000

OPEN HOUSE Saturday and Sunday 5/18 & 5/19 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
350 NE 73rd Ave. Portland, OR 97213
This North Tabor English bungalow has vintage style & substance. Truly a charming character with good bones, just ready for some love. Nice hardwood floors, fireplace, unique cove ceilings, picture rails. Formal dining. 2 BR + bonus room up. High ceiling + dry basement. Big, private deck + backyard. Gas furnace. Attached garage. Plenty of storage. Sweet central location near Montavilla Park, Mt Tabor, shopping & dining.
2 bed + bonus room up | 1 bath | 1564 sq. ft.
Taxes: $4260 Lot Size: .14 Acre
MLS# 19440298

Pool Party in Milwaukie

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Offered at $549,000

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

12366 SE Guilford Drive Milwaukie, OR 97222
Spacious, gorgeous, mid-century with stylish updates + original character. New roof, paint, furnace. Remodeled kitchen and bathrooms. Airy, light and bright main floor, lower level family room with fireplace and original bar + private guest room. Vintage flavor intat. Spacious yard w/gorgeous in ground pool. Will not disappoint.
3 bed | 2.1 bath | 3000 sq. ft.
Taxes: $5724 Lot Size: .30 Acre
MLS# 18475451

Adorable and Affordable in Mt. Scott

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Adorable & Affordable in Mt. Scott     $339,000

OPEN SATURDAY  April 20, 2019, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

5103 SE 64th Ave. Portland, OR 97206
Well cared-for farmhouse just a hop, skip and jump from FoPo and Woodstock. New paint inside and out, refinished hardwoods and fresh landscaping. 2015 updates include new roof, water heater, furnace, elcetrical panel and remodeled bath. Come see and discover how affordable home ownership can be.
3 bed | 1 bath | 1438 sq. ft.
Taxes: $2,839 Lot Size: .09 Acre
MLS# 19435509

Blast From the Past: Happy Moments in Home Selling

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Springtime cherry blossoms. remind me this sweetest home Lil Cupcake. I mean, look at this photo, you can’t help but feel good. Anchoring the Dekum/Piedmont neighborhood, and garnering immediate attention in the marketplace, this nest went quick.

List price: $349,000

Sold price: $378,500

Pending in 3 days

Closed June 6, 2017

Looking for great results in a home sale or purchase? Let’s connect!