As you may already know, my business is referral based and I love meeting new people. So you can imagine how happy I was when a past client recommended Jane and their partner to me. It was such a joy getting to know them on their house hunt!
Here’s a little rundown of how it went.
We started with a buyer consultation and spent an hour going over the process in general. That’s the best way to get started, going over the current market and setting expectations for everyone. That’s when I ask the most questions about what my clients are looking for and we set the pace for the house hunt.
We saw multiple houses every week in various neighborhoods for many weeks until we narrowed it down and found the area that felt like home. The house they chose checked a lot of boxes, it was the perfect size in a great location and it had more than one bathroom plus a garage (bonus!). We saw the house 3 times just to be sure and then successfully got the offer accepted! They did a great job of getting financially ready, approved by a reputable lender, and had all their ducks in a row in that arena. (That truly is the first step!)
As we went through the inspection contingency period, I really liked that Jane and her partner asked a lot of questions along the way. One thing that people don’t always lean into when buying a house is making time to dive into research and ask all of the questions, even the dumb ones (and there are no dumb ones). Carving out time for this is so helpful because it’s the meat and potatoes of the whole deal. I’m here to advise and guide you along, but there is a lot to digest and having the time for those conversations and follow-up questions will always feel good.
Here is a general overview of the inspection contingency period. I will advise you while you look over the permit history, have the sewer scoped, the home tested for radon, the property searched for underground storage tanks, plus have a whole property general inspection as well. And that’s not always all, there are more investigations sometimes. It’s a lot and it’s awesome! Because after all of that, clients have a much better understanding of the home with all of its pros and cons.
So in this case, some things did come up in the investigations and we negotiated a credit and a price reduction. A couple of weeks later we had fun at the signing and a few days later we wrapped it all in a bow and I gave them keys.
Please reach out if you’re interested in talking about buying or selling a home. I’m always here for a check-in about the current market, lender recommendations or anything I can do to help advocate for your homeownership.
Gorgeous Craftsman Bungalow, perched up from the street w/awesome yard & improvements throughout. Airy master suite w/skylights. Open concept kitchen/dining w/stone counters, stainless appliances, mud porch & backyard access. Finished basement features 3rd bath, 4th bed, storage & family rooms. Bungalow charm & modern updates on every floor; hardwoods, fireplace, woodwork, tile. Private, fenced yard w/party deck & patio, open lawn for games, gardens & beds all around. Blocks from Peninsula Park.
Vintage character, modern amenities. Built in 1932, this gorgeous Piedmont English boasts cathedral ceilings, hardwoods, built-ins, ironwork & leaded glass detailing. Recent renovations include gourmet kitchen (custom counters, tiling & top-end appliances), remodeled bathroom & systems upgrades. Unfinished basement with tall ceilings & oversized garage. Established native landscaping all around this beautiful corner lot two blocks from Peninsula Park
Portland, OR has been known as the City of Roses since 1888. Portland, OR is ideal for growing roses outdoors due to its location within the marine west coast climate region. This region gives us warm, dry summers and rainy but mild winters. Peninsula Park became the city’s first public rose garden in 1909. The garden was designed by Emanuel L Mische, and has over 8,900 plantings featuring 65 rose varieties. The Madame Caroline Testout, the official rose of Portland, was grown at Peninsula Park.
The Madame Caroline Testout
If you’re planning to grow some of these iconic petaled beauties in your yard, here are some tips!
Find the Right Location – Rose bushes enjoy receiving 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. They do best when they are protected from the hot afternoon sun, so placing them in a spot with morning light is best.
Choose the Right Soil – Roses thrive best in well draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Be sure to mix in compost, peat moss, and other organic matter to improve drainage.
Time It Right – The best time to plant roses is either in the spring after the last frost, or in the fall at least 6 weeks before the first frost. Also, plant your roses on a mild weather day – planting on a hot sunny day can stress the plant.
Dig Deep – When planting roses dig a deep, wide hole that allows for proper drainage and leaves room for root growth. If planting multiple roses, space them at least 3 feet apart to allow for growth.
Out with the Old – Roses do best when you cut off the old growth (some would say it’s a metaphor for life.) To prune, remove all dead and damaged canes (any that look brown.) Then cut back a third to a half of the previous year’s growth until you find healthy, white centers inside the cane. In Portland, it’s best to do a major prune in the early spring, and then lightly prune throughout the year.
Classic North Portland bungalow awaits your vision with a Bike Score of 100! Inviting hardwood floors throughout the living and dining spaces with huge picture windows spilling in natural light, welcoming you as enter the home. Elegant light fixtures, mid century themed kitchen with classic avocado green sink and original built-ins provide vintage charm. Stay comfortable all year long with central air and a smart thermostat with phone control. Outdoors, the stylish cedar fence allows for tons of privacy enclosing a blooming yard awaiting a gardener’s touch. Clean detached garage perfect for storage or parking spot. A short jaunt to Peninsula Park, spend your summer evenings exploring this beautiful neighborhood. Eat at renown Sweedeedees, grocery shop at local and community respected grocer, Cherry Sprout. Minutes to downtown PDX, a plethora of eateries coffee shops, pubs on Mississippi Ave, PCC, Bus Lines, MAX station, I-5 & more! Walk Score 89! Transit Score 57!
This charming Piedmont 1940’s bungalow is a well preserved gem. With two bedrooms on the main floor and a third on the second, along with a spacious family/guest room on the lower level, this home is perfect for most. An updated kitchen, formal dining room, and a lovely backyard and garden are ideal for entertaining family and friends. Wood floors under carpet, and lots of storage, as well as close proximity to shopping, entertainment, parks, and public transportation, round out this quintessential home.
Artistic craftsman bungalow with a large, dreamy front porch, the perfect place to spend evenings taking in the trees that surround you on this historic Old Portland street. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout with unique craftsman built-ins and a bright sunroom. Move-in ready, this house is waiting for your personal touches. The close-in location is minutes to trendy restaurants, bars, and Peninsula Park.
