Welp, we are back in the game; after a pandemic induced ass kicking on our last project on N Sumner we took some time off to reflect and see where the market was headed. Turns out there is less supply than ever and still robust demand, so we are back at it!
Im really excited to breathe some life into this place. Every home we have ever renovated has been completely trashed by the former owners. So you show up, and its just disgusting and disturbing and I end up feeling angry. Angry that this beautiful home got shat on, angry that these people just get to walk away and leave us their trash, and angry that they still get top dollar.
This home has been lovingly maintained and cared for. With tons of cute and lovable little touches. John is going to think Im crazy with all the things that I want to keep! Stay tuned!
A good flipper can see a house with good bones – even when it’s buried in debris. These design and function masterminds can lay down cash for a dwelling deemed unlivable, then remodel, restore, and remake it into a property a new buyer will pay a bundle for – or so they hope.
Designer Stewart Horner of Penny Black Interiors bought this 1896 house in the Southwest Hills and remodeled it into a chic contemporary masterpiece.
A two-story house in the Montavilla neighborhood was built in 2010 as an exact replica of the haunted mansion from the 1960s television show “The Munsters.” In 2017 new owners took this home from spooky to suburban, trading gargoyles for gardens.
A 1931 English farmhouse in the Woodlawn neighborhood was represented by Living Room brokers Tony Le and Jake Goodson. It sold for $365,000 in January 2019, and with “new systems throughout including all new electrical, new furnace/heat pump, new water heater and new roof, windows and gutters,” it sold for $615,000 in May 2019.
For more fabulous flips, check out the Oregon Live article HERE.
There’s no house I’d rather renovate than one that’s been in the same family for years. When a house is turned over from one family to the next, with each family comes new ideas, styles, and a new set of renovations. Over time there is often little of the original character left, and what is there is masked by designs from each decade and each new owner.
So when we discovered this 1945 ranch had been owned by the same family since about 1950 and they did not do updates every ten years, we jumped on it. Added bonus- it was a solid house and the family maintained it well over all of those years. Here it is: 8603 NE Dyer St, Portland, OR 97220
And here is what we did. Starting from the outside, we knew the roof needed to be replaced, but weren’t anticipating having to remove three layers first. We replaced the roof, and removed the large drop arm awnings and dated barred glass door. Any time I see bars over window and door and large awnings, I always remove them. This is a safe neighborhood, and there was a great solid wood door behind those bars which you really couldn’t see. The awnings, while they kept out some of the heat, they also kept out light which now comes shining through these great midcentury windows.
The living room had rare wooden vaulted ceilings for this era of house. We freshened up the space, replaced the carpet, got rid of the wood paneling from the walls, and added a large, new modern light fixture. This room now feels completely inviting, and one you want to hang out in.
The dining room was centered in what I would consider the walkway from the front door. We removed the chandelier, added a flush mount modern light fixture, and moved the dining area in front of the window which overlooks Rocky Butte. Under this carpet we discovered white oak hardwood floors. With some sanding and a few coats of polyurethane, they turned out better than new. What you see here is the natural color of the wood. No stain needed.
Oh this kitchen…while cute (and who can resist that horse rocker), it lacked functional space. The refrigerator was in front of the sliding glass door, and kitchen overall needed more storage. We swapped the fridge location and the coffee bar (and built a smaller one), and made room for a new large pantry. We kept and restored the solid wood cabinets and added butcher block counter tops to warm it up. With new appliances and the benefit of a dishwasher, this kitchen functions much better.
The master bedrooms, and all the bedrooms for that matter, are gleaming with the new refinished floors and a fresh coat of paint. These light fixtures were original and in good shape, so of course we kept them. You may notice wall cadet heaters were in all of the rooms. That’s how the house was heated. We opted for a major upgrade with all new ducting and a high efficient furnace. No more electric heat.
The bathroom layout worked, but it felt small and was dark. We brightened it up with white walls and wall tile, added a large mirror and some stylish, bold blue floor tile.
The exterior is one of the highlights of the house. It sits on almost a double lot, with a spacious front, side and back yard. There’s even RV parking for the adventurous spirits. The patio is inviting, and neighborhood is pretty quiet for how busy Portland has become these past several years. This house is solid and beautiful, and ready for the next family. No renovations needed.
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