Congratulations to Jess and Julie on their Home Purchase!
This transaction was a great example of community and team effort! I would like to take this opportunity to give a shout out to the team of preferred professionals that have helped my business grow and thrive over the years. It means so much to me to support the businesses of folks to support me and my clients. I truly believe in that business model and I believe in contributing to my community in that way.
Firstly, Jess and Julie worked with my preferred lender JJ Lee Kwai at Two Rivers Mortgage and she is the definition of a rock star mortgage lender! She walked Jess and Julie through everything and even came to their signing to make sure she was right there in case they had questions or if there was an issue. I know this means a lot to clients and that’s why I love working with her. Time and time again my clients sing her praise and she deserves every ounce of it.
A big shout out to Uli Sommers, my favorite inspector. Working with Jess and Julie on this house, Uli was very thorough in her work and thoughtful in her delivery and advice. Uli had a few recommendations for repairs and once those were complete, she happily came back out to re-inspect and put my client’s minds at ease. I know that everyone who works with her is going to get the best service at the best price.
Mike Reed from First American Home Warranty is my go-to person for home warranties! Jess and Julie are very pleased to have a home warranty from First American. He is very customer service oriented thanks to all the services he gets from companies like Salesforce and it shows!
My assistant, Jasmine, played a huge role in this transaction! She was right there to help Jess and Julie with all aspects of the transaction including showings and inspections. Together we provided a higher level of service than I could have on my own. I genuinely appreciate her hard work, dedication and commitment to my clients!
Jess and Julie have the coolest pup in town, his name is Luigi. They also have a sweet kitty named Oliver and I hear that he’s going to be getting the swankest catio in town!
Nature lovers, hobbyists, this one will pull on the ole’ heart strings. The woodland hideout features wood floors, updates throughout, and unique details like stained glass windows, a wood wrapped skylight, and views from every space. The recently remodeled bathroom is stylish with tile and heated floors. Entertainer’s delight with the house length deck and quiet atmosphere. Get creative in the detached studio and workshop spaces. Home office? ADU? Both inspiring with natural light and ample windows.
2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and 1,124 square feet of bliss!
Listed for $370,000, pending in less than one week with multiple offers, and sold for $375,000.
My clients were calm, cool, and collected throughout the process and it really made a difference for us all. Liz, Kanon, Hunter, and Lucy, you are the dream team. The next little bundle will be so lucky to start their life with you and the next owners of the home on Henderson will be so lucky to pick up where you left off.
Isn’t it sweet to think about the life that homes hold? The history makes me feel so sentimental. I hope this one is full of love for years to come!
Liz & Kanon, thank you for trusting me to help with such an important sale. I know you have many options! Wishing you all of the best on your next adventures.
I think a lot of us can agree that a big part of what we love about Portland is the abundance of high-quality food and amazing restaurants, and I am no exception. As much as I enjoy cooking, I also love dining out and even more than that, I LOVE introducing my favorite people to my favorite restaurants! And for this reason, I am thrilled to have been referred to Jackie and Drew, Portland’s newest foodies!
Originally from the East Coast, Drew and Jackie are relocating to Portland from Europe where they have been living and working for almost a decade. All in all, they were decisive clients and we quickly got them into contract on a well crafted, newer home in NE Portland. On the day of their home inspection, we decided to debrief over lunch at Tamale Boy on Dekum. The meal was amazing (!) and inspired us to start talking about our favorite restaurants and I quickly realized they are definitely moving to the right place!
My favorite restaurants to introduce people to are: Xico, Tusk, Arrosto, Firehouse, Shalom Y’All and Jacqueline. Looking forward to dining out with Jackie and Drew!
When I first sat down to meet Elliot & Jessa we tasted some beers in the SE Living Room office. I stopped at New Seasons and thought I picked some good ones to impress my new, beer brewing and loving clients, but turns out Elliot was not impressed at all. I totally thought I had it! Thankfully he brought some beer he had brewed on his own and saved the day. It was SO GOOD! At least one of us did something right. They managed to look past my poor beer suggestions and here we are, goals accomplished, happy as ever, house in hand.
I learned about their very impressive garden visions, a bit about their families, what they do for work, and of course their home goals. These two have such hearts, let me tell you. We needed 3+ bedrooms with one on the main plus one bath on the main for the moms to stay in down the line- a very top priority. We needed about a quarter acre so they had room for their garden, chickens, and buns. And yes, we all happened to refer to bunnies (some might say rabbits) as buns. I knew right then it would be a good fit. We needed a good kitchen. We needed a space for brewing. We needed privacy!
Drum roll, please!….. We got it all 🙂 Plus two fireplaces, an already established multi unit chicken village, a plumb tree, a nice covered area to enjoy the outdoors year round, some great neighbors, and a big, welcoming front porch. Sometimes the stars align.
Jessa is ready to paint, paint, paint, and I seriously can’t wait to see what they do with the yard. Now I just need to convince them to share the plumbs with me until I get my own tree. And the beer, but forever.
Whimsical, extremely energy efficient 1924 bungalow in a woodsy setting in Ladd’s Addition. The main home has 3 bedrooms 1.5 baths and features renovated to period style kitchen and bathroom. The finished attic is a serene master bedroom with a spacious sitting area and the attached garage-workshop is finished, plumbed and has a secret sleeping loft. Downstairs is a large permitted income producing ADU with 2 bedrooms that sleeps 5. The sprawling over-sized corner lot features meandering stone paths, a straw-bale shed/studio, chicken coop, solar panels and multiple gathering spots. The location is absolute gold: two blocks to the Division New Seasons and two blocks to Abernethy Elementary, with close-in SE and downtown at your fingertips. HES Score: 9 (out of 10!) Walk Score: 91 Bike Score: 99
Here is the effortlessly stylish, close-in Victorian you’ve been waiting for! This charmer sits pretty with a darling front porch, tasteful exterior color palette and lovely, original architectural features- just steps from Division!
Upon entering through the original front door into a classic, Victorian foyer you’re immediately surrounded by gleaming hardwood floors and a spacious, enchanting interior.
Make your way into the inviting, light-filled living room showcasing the home’s millwork, high ceilings, tall windows and commitment to both elegance and simplicity. A bay window in the living room foreshadows your relaxing weekend mornings unwinding at home.
The living room eases into the dining room which offers enough charm for intimate dinners at home while spacious enough for large gatherings and entertaining.
Flowing nicely from the dining room you’ll enter into a lovely kitchen with modern comforts and classic vintage style. Featuring a gas range, dishwasher and plenty of storage. The breakfast nook is a sweet spot to enjoy your morning coffee.
As you head up the staircase to the second floor you are greeted with more vintage character in the original hardwood stairs, original wood railing and stairwell window. The second floor boasts two lovely bedrooms with tall ceilings, big closets and ample natural light.
This home carries it’s history with pride while touting many updates: electrical, tankless hot water heater, fully insulated exterior and some upgraded double pane, wood windows. Home Energy Score of 8!
The basement has a bonus room perfect for a home office, playroom or gym in addition to an abundance of storage space- PLUS a separate laundry room! An exterior door brings you from the basement to the large back yard, ready for gardening, entertaining or enjoying as you please.
Enjoy a stroll through the coveted Hosford-Abernathy neighborhood to cafe’s, restaurants, grocery stores, shops, bus lines and minutes to downtown! This is home is a bicycler’s paradise with a bike score of 100 and a walk score of 91!
In real estate, there is truly nothing better than a GREAT referral and I am thrilled to have been referred to Whitney and Brad by their friends who are also my wonderful clients!
The first thing we did was set up a buyer meeting with Whitney and Brad to establish what they wanted most: a home with enough room to grow as a family, vintage character, a beautiful yard and a garage. And with that, the search was on!
It turns out that this was not their first rodeo and I could tell, Brad and Whitney were smart buyers. They had a keen eye for potential in fixers and were thrilled when they found a super cute ranch with a Coral door! It checked all their boxes: extensive yard, decent garage and stylish character!
Whitney and Brad are now homeowners and I couldn’t be happier for them!
Living in Kenton is just dreamy and these summer days are just making it better! Kenton has an open urban feel that fulfills your needs without having to leave the neighborhood. Spend your weekends with a walk through one of the many parks, chatting with neighbors strolling by as you work in the yard, or meeting up with friends for some food or drinks at the many awesome coffee shops, restaurants and bars. It’s really a fabulous place to be.
My recent client decided that after 16 years in Overlook she’d fallen for Kenton – so off we went! We looked at houses too large and too small and found the Goldilocks dream home in almost no time at all! A cute as a button 1920s Cape Cod. The homes in Kenton are varied in style and age; there are some incredible time capsules, a quiet basement bar movement, and some seriously intense urban gardens.
If you haven’t been to Kenton for awhile maybe it’s time to check it out!
I love this story and helping buyers as their families grow!
I worked with Cool-as-a-Cucumber-Chad when buying his starter home years ago. Fast forward to today and now he is the luckiest man on earth because he’s married to the Lovely-and-Amazing Libby and they have the cutest one-year-old and are planning for more. Time for a bigger house!
The sale of Chad’s original home was smooth sailing, we negotiated a great rent back so Chad and Libby had some breathing room to begin the big house hunt! It was very important to them that the next house be close to their jobs and big enough that their family could comfortably grow. They didn’t want to move again for quite some time.
The hunt was concise and happily, after just a couple of showings, there was one home that really stood out. They knew they wanted to raise their family in THIS home. It had a huge family room addition with added bedrooms and bathrooms, a huge yard, plus a picture-perfect ADU on the garage for added income or family. This home fits their vision exactly!
This 2 bedroom home on 0.3 acres is a wonderful woodsy retreat. The main house has gorgeous floor-to-ceiling woodwork and windows, and a loft-style master with a custom ensuite bath. Great rental history with permitted detached ADU above garage. Well-maintained new water line and concrete driveway. Oil tank decommissioned 2017. Property has 2 historic tax lots. City says it could be split for development. Buyer to perform due diligence. Home Energy Score 3.
Main House: 2 bed | 2 bath | 2658 sq. ft.
Detached ADU: 1 bed | 1 bath | 394 sp. ft.
We started off munching on authentic tacos at the Portland Mercado, dreamed of a picnic in the lush Mt Scott Park, then to found the quintessential house that Jeff and Caitlin knew they loved from the minute they stepped inside. That feeling was like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!
Jeff and Cait found Kristin and I online. Kristin’s Filipino background was our first connection as Jeff is from a Filipino family. During our first video call we instantly caught good feelings about working together. We just needed to find the right house in time. Jeff and Cait are a sophisticated, cool and a collected pair with a keen eye for a good buy, and dang! Did they get a good buy!
When we came across the right house, I’ll never forget how their faces lit up. There was an excitement in the air. This revived American Foursquare fit their wants and needs very well. The entry room had an inside/outside feel which looked out onto the large front porch. The remaining of the interior, was so beautifully redone that it was hard to pass up.
We are so glad our lives are intertwined and that through this process we’ve each gained two amazingly talented friends. I’d say, we caught the good feels with these two and the house was the cherry on top.
What a gem! This sweet century home has an addition that fits right in. The lucky new owners found the perfect blend of old and new, featuring an ensuite bathroom in a king-sized bedroom, one level living with extra storage in the basement and a rare 2 car garage all on an extra wide lot. Back in the 1960’s the lady who owned this property sitting next to an alley that was being used for impromptu motorcycle racing, managed to get the alley incorporated into her yard. Bonus!
Mushroom’s family got their dream home. Tell me about yours!
Step into this immaculate, contemporary townhome with fantastic layout! High off the street, the main level of the home is easy living with an open floor plan, 9ft ceilings, hardwood floors and ample natural light throughout.
The kitchen touts stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, gas range, ample counter space and breakfast bar. The dining room flows easily between the kitchen and living room and provides comfortable space for entertaining and intimate dinners alike.
In the living room, you can relax in front of the gas fireplace with stylish mantle or enjoy lounging in the sun on the private balcony overlooking greenery.
Plenty of comfort on the third level with a generous ensuite master and second large bedroom with full bathroom. Bright natural light in the bedrooms with ceiling fans for comfort and closet organizers for ease of use.
Carve out a place for yourself in the large suite on the lower level with a full bathroom and third bedroom. This level has so many options: private home office, the potential for ADU or separate living quarters for guests. Plus stay comfortable all year with central air conditioning and gas forced air heating.
Great location just minutes to Washington Square Mall, Highway 217 and the Sunset Corridor.
Fall in love with this captivating, move-in ready, townhome. It’s waiting for you!
This special bungalow will make you so happy! Thoughtfully designed remodel with warm and unique cosmetic details including custom wood work and built-ins, modern stained glass, and new windows. Impeccably executed kitchen complete with fir banquette, looks out to the sweet, private deck and backyard. Large, bright master up, with ample closet and 1/2 bath. Finished basement with guest room and cheerful family room. A rare 10 Home Energy Score is the icing on the cake. Systems include Tesla solar panels, high efficiency heat pump and electric mini-split, and energy efficient appliances throughout!
We set out to find a small and stylish affordable home here in Portland area at a starter home price. There are, and were, a few really good options out there, but none of them had that spark the creates the excitement it takes to sign on the bottom line.
UNTIL! She found a home that fit the bill with an ADU for just a little over $100k more then the original price point we were looking in. Now, I know not everyone can do this, but if you can afford to, the rewards are there. Her plan is to live in one and rent the other. If she wants more room at a later time, she can switch from the small house to the larger one. If she wants her family to live with her for a time, they can have her own house. The flexibility is such a huge value and the rental income offset means her payments are significantly less than the mortgage for the home we were looking for when we started out.
I am so proud to help with this purchase, it’s a big step ahead in the financial stability of a good friend.
As the owner of a home and ADU, I want to express the value and flexibility that comes with this form of home ownership. If you can qualify for the purchase, the rewards are enduring.
Call me if you’d like to own a little piece of your own magic!
I recently had a great experience helping one of the coolest ladies in Portland buy her first house! Cissie is sharp, kind, effortlessly cool and plays bass in a band called The Stops. She found a super cute single level ranch on a quiet street in NE Portland’s Hazelwood neighborhood with fruit trees and a big yard.
Also, because Cissie doesn’t drive, this transaction got me thinking about Portlanders who live without a car and are buying a house on a tight budget. Through the process of showing her houses and neighborhoods, I gained a lot of knowledge around which outer neighborhoods are best for car-less commuters. After working with Cissie I’m happy to report there are many great places in a modest price range with great transportation options!
Compared to most, Portland is a wonderful city to have a car-less lifestyle. The commute might be soggy from time to time, but definitely do-able. If you ask most people where a good place to live without a car in Portland might be, you might get an answer like: The Pearl or close in parts of the city. But prices are sometimes steep in those areas and competition is high. What I noticed is that parts of the Eastside as well as parts of North/Northeast Portland are perfect for public transportation and bike commuters and the price point is within reach for a lot of first time home buyers!
This well-maintained and inviting one level Ranch lives large!
Enter this lovely home into a large and inviting living room with wood burning fireplace and hardwood floors. Generous formal dining room is adjacent to the updated kitchen and flows into a private backyard and easy outdoor living.
The kitchen touts stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, ample counter-space, eating bar and a large pantry with washer and dryer.
This home has a great layout which includes a spacious master bedroom with ample closet space, hardwood floors and plenty of light-filled spaces throughout.
Slide open the back doors off dining room to a big back yard, perfect for entertaining. This yard offers established fruit trees, new tuff shed and gardening options galore- just in time for summer!
The oversized garage has plenty of extra room for storage or shop space. This home sits on a quiet street surrounded by trees and greenery with walking trails and parks nearby!
Fall in love with this charming home and enjoy a one-year home warranty for added peace of mind.
Classic storybook charm with super flexible floor plan! Light-filled living room with historic fireplace and leaded pane windows. Formal dining room with beautiful built-in cabinetry and bay windows. Option for master bedroom on main OR second floor, which has large bonus space (nursery, office, craft room, dressing room, etc.). Remodeled bedroom in basement with fireplace is perfect for guests, teenagers or as a media room. Private backyard has a sunny deck, patio and is fully fenced. Plenty of storage in basement laundry room and detached garage. Location can’t be beat – walk to Trader Joe’s, Normandale Park and the Hollywood Farmers Market. Schools = Laurelhurst Elementary and newly remodeled Grant High School, which is reopening this fall!
This turn of the century home welcomes you with inviting updates and panoramic views throughout.
Period details including a grand staircase, leaded glass doors, tall ceilings, period moulding, and a formal living/dining area.
The tastefully updated and open kitchen with panoramic views are not to be beat! Bonus living quarters in the updated basement is perfect for multigenerational living.
Only minutes walk to downtown Portland, PSU and so much more!
Explore near by Portland Japanese Garden, International Rose Test Garden, Zoo, and many more exhibits within Washington Park.
Also close by is Portland’s very own major league soccer team The Portland Timbers at Providence Park.Pioneer Courthouse Square (Portland’s Living room), and an endless number of additional attractions are all within walking distance or a short TriMet ride away.
The Goose Hollow neighborhood allows for a high walk-score of 80 and higher ride-score of 92! This translates to a 5 minute walk to the nearest Max Line, and errands accomplished on foot.
Emily is the coolest! I met her through my assistant, Jasmine, who met her years and years ago while both of them were working hard to grow in their careers and bartending on the side. These days, both have hit their stride professionally and Emily is now an Environmental Engineer and killing it in her field!
Emily is a laid back person, an avid bicyclist and came to us looking for a sweet little house in N Portland. She lived with roommates and loves how financially beneficial that living arrangement can be. Her list of needs was very reasonable, said she could live with any kind of imperfection in a home as long as she had a great bike commute and the house was in move in ready. Easy enough! …And maybe too easy because low and behold the SECOND house we showed her was a true gem! The perfect size, in great condition, a garage for bike repairs and easy access to a bike path! We jumped on the opportunity and now Emily is the proud owner of a lovely home! She might even have enough space for puppy, yay!
Don’t be surprised if you see her cruising around St Johns on her bike with a huge grin on her face!
They say: kind people are the best kind of people to know and and that quote reminds me of Julian. He was referred to me by my fantastic preferred lender and I’m so glad I met him! He was great to work with and I’m thrilled we could get him into the house he had his eye on.
Julians home buying story is a simple one really… Julian saw a house for sale down the street from where he was living and he took a shot at making it his own! First things first, he went out and got pre-approved (everyone should be taking notes here! Ha!) The house was well loved although it had a few quirks. He was a very diligent buyer, kept an open mind through inspections and in the end both sides were able to see eye to eye in order to seal the deal!
The house is super cute, the yard is completely dialed in with lovely landscaping and he will be enjoying blueberries, raspberries and flowers from his garden. I hope Julian and his family have a great summer hanging out in the amazing yard and patio!
The new state Rent Control Bill – Senate Bill 608 – has caused a flurry of confusion for landlords and those property owners considering renting out a house or unit. Add in the fact that the city of Portland already has its own Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance and suddenly there are a lot of new hurdles for landlords to navigate.
After taking classes, doing tons of research, wherein we had to find out more about this accident lawyer in Orlando, FL, and hearing what real estate attorneys have to say about Senate Bill 608, we’ve broken down what these new laws might mean for you. Portland landlords need to understand the requirements and restrictions of both state and city regulations, and how they overlap. Fair warning, in our experience even real estate attorneys disagree as to the application and effects of these new regulations on property ownership in our area!
How does Senate Bill 608 Affect Landlords Who Want to Sell?
Oregon Senate Bill 608 is often referred to as the “Rent Control Bill.” The intent of this bill is to prohibit landlords from terminating month-to-month tenancy without cause after 12 months of occupancy, and to put a limit on large increases in rents.
The big news is that property owners who want to sell a tenant occupied property, in which tenants have lived longer than a year, are no longer able to issue No Cause Eviction notices, unless they meet one of these exceptions:
Owner intends to demolish the dwelling unit or convert the dwelling unit to a use other than residential use within a reasonable time;
Owner intends to undertake repairs or renovations to the dwelling unit within a reasonable time, and at least one of these apply:
The premises is unsafe or unfit for occupancy; or
The dwelling unit will be unsafe or unfit for occupancy during the repairs or renovations.
Owner intends for the owner or a member of the owner’s immediate family to occupy the dwelling unit as a primary residence and the owner does not own a comparable unit in the same building that is available for occupancy at the same time that the tenant receives notice to terminate the tenancy; or
Owner has (A) accepted an offer to purchase the dwelling unit separately from any other dwelling unit from a person who intends in good faith to occupy the dwelling unit as the person’s primary residence; and B) Owner has provided this notice and written evidence of the offer to purchase the dwelling unit to Resident not more than 120 days after accepting the offer to purchase.
*Translation: A landlord may no longer give a no cause 90-day notice to tenants (after one year of tenancy), then fix up the property once they vacate, in order to procure a higher sales price. A landlord may list the property for sale with tenants in place. Only after an offer has been accepted may she give the 90 day notice to vacate, and only for a buyer who plans to live in the property as a primary residence.
SB 608 also requires landlords to pay a relocation assistance of one month’s rent to tenants evicted for Qualifying Landlord Reasons (with some exceptions). The city of Portland, however, already has its own Relocation Assistance Ordinance and this is one of the major areas where the two laws overlap.
Portland’s Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance
On March 7, 2018 the city of Portland made the Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance permanent. This ordinance mandates payments from the landlord to the tenant when either an End of Tenancy notice is served, or an increase notice of 10 percent or higher is served, and the tenant then elects to move.
The Portland City Council met earlier this year to address some of the issues created by SB 608. These fixes were adopted on March 13, 2019, and include:
Reiterating SB 608’s Qualifying Landlord Reason for issuing an End of Tenancy Notice after the first year of occupancy.
Removing a shortened 60-day termination timeline regarding federal mortgage financing for the sale of a property (SB 608 did not make that accommodation).
Clarifying several statements on how certain affordable housing may be exempted.
Limiting the total amount of relocation payment required by state and city laws.
In order to benefit from a reduced relocation payment, the landlord must pay the total relocation payment in full at the time the 90-day End of Tenancy notice is served. The city’s new language allows landlords to deduct the amount of the state relocation from the amount required by the city of Portland.
Portland Relocation Assistance is awarded as follows:
$2,900 – Studio or single room occupancy (SRO)
$3,300 – One bedroom dwelling unit
$4,200 – Two bedroom dwelling unit
$4,500 – Three bedroom or larger dwelling unit
Our take on these new regulations is that once the dust settles, professional landlords whose goal it is to rent out their properties long term, and who understand the benefit of long tenancies, will be less impacted by these regulations.
For those of you who are considering a short term rental period or want to have a large amount of flexibility in terms of when and how you sell or improve your property, our advice is to seek legal counsel before you make any decisions to rent out your property. Renting your primary residence for a few years while you make decisions regarding your next real estate steps has gotten a lot more complicated than it used to be.
We advise you to perform serious due diligence on this issue. Don’t hesitate to call us if you need resources to help you make decisions about renting your property!
Back in mid-March my buyer Valerie called me in somewhat of a panic because the new construction condo she had been in contract to purchase was a steaming pile of mess and the lender eventually pulled the plug on getting a loan for it. Turned out that the condo she had been in contract to purchase for months was part of a brand new complex and only 1 other condo out of twenty had sold since they officially went on the market 5 months prior. When there are that few sales on a new condo project, most lenders are going to deny a loan because the risk to the buyer of the whole stack of cards falling down is pretty real. If the rest of the complex winds up turning into rental apartments because the developer could not sell them as condos, it then it makes the units purchased by unfortunate buyers almost impossible to sell down the line- and that’s not a risk worth taking.
Valerie and her daughter April are first time homebuyers and with retirement on the horizon for Valerie, (distant but still definitely there) they were super motivated to find something decent in their price range in a location they liked and would be easy to maintain. They had been working with the Portland Housing Center for two years and had completed the matched savings program (IDA) so they had money in that account to pay for inspections and closing costs, and then they worked with Portland Housing Center and Home Street Bank to do what’s called a MAP 80- which is a loan where you get 20% of the purchase price from Portland Housing Center, and then 80% from Home Street using the below market rate program the Oregon Bond. The benefit to the buyer is low interest rates and no mortgage insurance.
Once Valerie explained the situation to me, I sent her all of the active listings in East Portland that fit their criteria. Included was an attached home (not a condo!) just a couple of blocks from a MAX station that was priced very well and looked great from the photos. We went to see it right away, and the minute we walked in I could feel Valerie and April just relax. The space was perfect for them, in tip top shape and had a nice sized private backyard with a reasonable amount of a well mowed lawn. By the time we left, there was no hesitation at all from Valerie and April that this was the home for them. We wrote an offer, had it accepted, sailed through inspections and closed on time. And yesterday I had the honor of giving Valerie and April the keys to their very own home, with their very own grass. In so many ways this home is better for them than the condo they had planned on buying- this home cost less, no HOA fees, and it’s own private back yard. Since the home didn’t come on the market until after Valerie and April found out that the condo was a no-go, it’s like it was just waiting for them to be ready to meet their home match.
Beautiful Old PDX style duplex with character and updates.
2 Units, Perched above the road with SW views from large second floor windows, hardwood floors, storage, yard, spacious basement with storage rooms, updated electrical panel, attached 2 car garage, large covered porch.
How charming! This lovely, classic Cottage is a real gem! Solidly built and well maintained, it offers tall ceilings, big bright double pane windows, beautiful warm wood floors, generous kitchen, formal dining room and plenty of storage. French doors open onto the oversized, covered deck overlooking the treetops and lush landscaping. The outdoor living room is dreamy.
Upper level bestows a full bathroom and two bedrooms with generous closets and ample natural light. Gorgeous custom vertical grain Douglas fir built-in shelving in Master bedroom. View of the West Hills!
The basement has high ceilings, and oversized windows bringing in plentiful natural light. The three rooms include a full bathroom, a great space for family room, media room, home office or future ADU. Lastly there is a large laundry room with work space, ample storage, and a ground level entrance.
The backyard offers beautiful flowering shrubs, established landscaping and fruit trees galore: apple, pear, Japanese pear, fig & persimmon. Patio under the deck is surrounded by greenery and ready for lounging in the shade on hot summer days. The yard is fully fenced for privacy which makes this a delightful space for entertaining or enjoying on your own.
Features include: brand new water heater, updated plumbing, newer sewer line, recently finished deck, newer Tuff shed & updated windows.
Located on a quiet tree lined street in an ideal close-in SE location. Just one block from Trader Joe’s and bus line. Close to the heart of Woodstock, Reed College, restaurants, shopping (New Seasons) and easy access to all the city has to offer.
Congratulations to our delightful first time home buyers!
Emmalisa and Zack were great clients- pragmatic, researched, smart cookies and avid cat lovers. I didn’t think anyone loved cats more than I did! Zack even advised Jasmine on the perrrrfect cat for her daughter who has a history of cat allergies. What a dream to work with!
We looked at many houses in the Hillsboro/Beaverton area. There were some great houses that went pending before we could even get in the door and some not so great houses that we walked away from. At last, a 4 bedroom gem-of-a-house pulled at their heartstrings and became ‘the one’. It felt like home right away!
A quick, smooth, and friendly transaction made their dreams come true and I wish them all the best in their new home!
Open House Sun 5/5 1pm-3pm & Broker Open Tue 5/7 11:30-1:30pm
A rare find! Beautiful Old PDX style modern home, built both for efficiency and classic beauty. Perched up off the street this home offers light filled open spaces, gourmet kitchen, custom details and so much more.
Open plan living room, dining room and kitchen features soaring ceilings, wide-plank hardwood floors, big bright windows and a lovely gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, gas range and island.
Main level bonus office with timeless built-ins.
Second level features hard to find hardwood floors and 3 bedrooms with treetop views, including a lovely master ensuite with generous bathroom and walk-in closet.
Spacious 3rd floor walk-up with spectacular city views is great for family or media room.
Lower level offers private bedroom and full bathroom. Plenty of storage and extra deep garage with more opportunity for storage and/or shop.
Gorgeous, landscaped yard perfect for gatherings and dinner on the deck. Plus huge, inviting front porch overlooking a quiet street. Walk to Clinton shops, restaurants and parks! This is perfection!
Classic Mississippi bungalow sits up above the street with timeless architectural features, formal dining room, open plan and light filled rooms. While retaining it’s original character this home features many upgrades including: 90+ furnace, AC, gas fireplace, upgraded foundation & seismic, upgraded electrical panel, pex plumbing, clawfoot tub, skylights and recently added half bath on the first floor.
Living room features elegantly updated mantle and a gas fireplace. Original wood floors and unpainted classic woodwork warm the home.
Chef’s kitchen, recently remodeled, features quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, gas range with hood, original fir floors & beautiful tile to the ceiling.
Formal dining room with built-ins is perfect for entertaining, flowing into the open concept kitchen.
There are 2 light filled bedrooms upstairs with full closets. Stylishly updated, full bathroom upstairs with refinished clawfoot tub and skylights.
Large unfinished basement with exterior entrance ready for storage and projects.
Step outside into your garden deck oasis! Petite and powerful garden which requires limited maintenance is brimming with beauty. Exterior storage with access at the rear of the house.
Situated on a quiet street with light traffic flow and street parking. Walk score 87 & Bike score 90!
This beautiful 4 bedroom, 3.1 bath home is chock-full of modern amenities. The main floor features gorgeous Acacia hardwood floors, formal entry, open living room, gourmet kitchen with island, light-filled formal dining room, powder room, and den with french doors and custom built-ins. The upstairs master suite is a peaceful retreat with tall coved ceilings, gas fireplace, large walk-in closet and deluxe bathroom. You’ll find two additional bedrooms upstairs next to an ample bathroom with two sinks for easy sharing, and a cheerful laundry room just where you need it! The finished basement boasts a guest suite and great room, which is plumbed for a second kitchen for great ADU potential. This bonus space has uncommonly high ceilings and will accommodate a wide variety of rumpus room needs! The inviting back deck is perfect for outdoor dining, with steps down to the fully fenced and beautifully landscaped yard and pool for outdoor living at its best. Mere blocks to Beaumont Village, Wilshire Park and Alberta Arts District. High home energy score of 7.
OPEN SATURDAY, May 11, from 1 – 4 p.m.
OFFERED AT: $959,900
4 bed | 3.1 bath | 3,434 sf
MLS# 19381740 | 5,280 SF Lot | Garage: 1 attached, oversized | Taxes: $8,111
Bruce and Julie just bought a beautiful home in Grant Park! I had the pleasure of meeting them through my lovely neighbors and nothing makes me happier than a GREAT referral! We worked together to sell their family home of 47 years, then purchase this darling Grant Park home which is much closer to their Daughter and Grandchildren. Julie brings her grandchildren to and from school everyday and now that transition is even easier. I am honored to have helped them into the next phase of their life!
This is the unit you’ve been waiting for – at an improved price! Two real bedrooms and two full baths in an elevator building. Lovely, partial river view and peaceful grounds with water features and verdant gardens. Living-dining great room flows to spacious balcony for all weather river views. One deeded parking spot. Walk to south waterfront and catch the street car downtown or stay in the neighborhood for fun cafes and Willamette Park. Railroad is used on summer weekends for charming Lake Oswego Trolley. List agent is related to seller.
Gorgeous Mt Tabor Tudor on a quiet tree lined street, stylishly updated while retaining its original character and charm.
Featuring new updates: remodeled kitchen with SS appliances, high efficiency furnace, hot water heater, energy efficient double pane windows, fiber cement siding, exterior insulation, new electrical & plumbing throughout and partial finished basement with half bath.
Beautifully refinished, original Red Oak hardwood floors.
Big bright windows the light flood in this elegant home. Walk to stores, cafes and restaurants. This home truly has it all!
Highlights and Updates Completed in 2018
New Roof
New Energy Efficient Windows
New Fiber Cement Siding & Exterior Insulation
New High Efficiency Furnace
New Water Heater
New Plumbing
New Electrical Service and Wiring
New Kitchen w/Stainless Appliances
New Light Fixtures
Gas Service Installed
Refinish Original Red Oak Floors
Original Interior Doors and Glass Knobs
Original Cove Ceilings, Picture Moldings, Classic Arches
Rare affordable bungalow in South Tabor! This cutie features beautiful laminate flooring, newly remodeled bathroom and energy efficient vinyl windows letting in tons of natural light.
Imagine the possibilities in an expansive fenced yard ready for gardening, fun and possible ADU potential. Bike score 97! This incredible inner SE neighborhood offers easy access to many amenities, restaurants, cafes, shops and Mt Tabor park.
Newly proposed zoning changes could make this property a diamond. Buyer to do their own due diligence.
Ashlee and Thomas were basically my perfect clients. Practical and pragmatic, they were level headed, listened to my advice. Let me tell you, having clients with such a great attitude was an absolute delight for me!
Ashlee and Thomas were ready to move in together and needed a little more elbow room than she had in her previous 600 sq/ft bachelorette pad. They knew they wanted a quiet home in a sweet neighborhood in a great school district. We looked at a lot of gems but none of them spoke to Ashlee more than this delightful home on Lancaster. With plenty of green space surrounding and a view of the woods, they knew it was the one. Ashlee would have room for her kitties and Thomas had a great space to paint.
This transaction was a great example of both sides working together so that everything could come together seamlessly.
Portland Monthly has named Kari McGee, principal broker of the HouseLovePDX Team, a Five Star REALTOR®! Kari has received this award annually for seven years, making her a seven-time winner. Less than five percent of Portland REALTORS® receive this award.
Portland Monthly compiles a list of top REALTORS® each year to help consumers find the best local professionals. Criteria includes client feedback, and surveys of industry peers and professionals. This process helps ensure only the best REALTORS® make the list.
Kari has helped clients successfully navigate the evolving Portland real estate market since 2005. Kari originally hails from Salem, Oregon. After a globetrotting career focused on music and acting, she returned to Oregon in 2004. Her personal experience with relocating galvanized her belief that wherever you go, it’s crucial to connect in meaningful ways to a new home and new community. In 2005 she started her own business as a realtor, with the goal of helping people transition successfully to new neighborhoods and start their next chapter on solid ground.
In 2011 Kari joined the brokerage Living Room Realty and further developed her role as a relocation specialist who helps families get connected to Portland’s community and culture. As Kari’s business grew, she looked to her cousin and attorney, Erika George, to help meet the needs of her clients. Together, Kari and Erika formed HouseLovePDX, a REALTOR® team that draws on Erika’s 20 years of experience as a lawyer and Kari’s expertise in real estate.
To learn more about how Kari and Erika can help your goals become a reality, reach them for a free consultation and market analysis at karianderika@livingroomre.com or 971-322-6612.
At a bustling open house that was fresh out the oven I had the privileged of meeting Becky who quickly introduced me to her spunky twin Star. Not soon after meeting them we realized that they were our kind of people. They proceeded to let us know that they were looking for the right home for their folks, Frances & Harold, who were moving from out of state for years at this point. After we introduced ourselves over the phone, we knew we were going to be working and getting to know some very classy people. After our call we were stunned that at the amount of trust that Frances & Harold had in their twin daughters to pick out their home.
One weekend we were knee deep in snow and sledding with our daughter at Government Camp, when we got the call from Star & Becky that they found the house! At this point Frances & Harold had their home on the market in Arizona, so the sale would be contingent. We all worked together and put together an offer that would entice the seller to take it off the market after only 4 days on market. We soon found out that this would be a double contingency since the seller was also in contract on another home. Thankfully we were working with fantastic people on the other end (Jen Meyers w/ EXP Realty you are fantastic to work with!) and the deal came together.
Now the whirlwind began to swirl as Frances & Harold had to pack up their life in Arizona in the hopes that the wind would land them safely in their new life with Star, Becky & the rest of the family in Portland.
After inspections & bids ensued for items that were the most important to Frances & Harold to address, we were able to negotiate a substantial credit to help Frances & Harold move forward with the transaction and make this beautiful home their own home sweet home.
Our favorite thing about working with Frances & Harold is the way they expressed so much life and color through their every fiber. Frances & Harold are professional photographers and Frances has recently published her new book Unapologetic Beauty. We can’t wait to read it!
Frances, Harold, Becky & Star you all were such a pleasure to work with, and we’re excited to have many more adventures together! Cheers to your new home sweet home Frances & Harold!
Adorable one-level living bungalow with charming and spacious garden lot. Large, cheerful kitchen, basement laundry area, and tons of outdoor living space. Walk to Berrydale Park and Montavilla shops, restaurants and Farmer’s Market. Easy freeway access gets you out and about in a snap.
1,255 sq. ft. Lot is 3,970 sq. ft.
Offered at: $240,000.
Address: 8524 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97216
Open House: Saturday, March 2, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 3, 1 – 3 p.m.
Located on one of Laurelhurst’s prettiest streets, this light-filled, historic home has been meticulously updated. Owner improvements include new kitchen, bathrooms, windows, roof, paint, plumbing, tankless water heater, furnace, AC, panel, water & electric service, refinished hardwoods, and more! Excellent floor plan boasts three bedrooms upstairs and a legal ADU in the basement for additional living space or rental income. Lovely private back yard. Easy walk to schools, parks, coffee shops and Portland’s Restaurant Row.
4 bed, 3 bath.
2,384 sq ft. Lot is 4,792 sq ft.
Offered at: $850,000.
Address: 4200 NE Flanders St, Portland, OR 97213
Open House: Saturday March 2 and Sunday March 3, 2 – 4 p.m.
Amazing downtown location with PSU, art museum, theater, music, shopping, coffee & food in a 6 block radius. True 1 bedroom condo with super livable layout and no unit below or adjacent. Rare covered balcony with front gate & park views overlooks private courtyard with trees alight at night & relaxing fountain. A walker’s paradise with Portland’s best at your fingertips!
After four long years, the Portland real estate market is now right for those homeowners who want to buy a house, but need to sell their current home as well. In real estate lingo, they’re called “contingent buyers.” If you’re considering how to sell and buy a house, we’ve outlined four options to help you make the move. We’ve helped many Portlanders sell their current home and move into their dream house.
Why is 2019 a great time for contingent buyers? The Portland real estate market has changed, and we’ve entered a balanced market for the first time in four years. That means buyers have more leverage, including contingent buyers. (We do a deep dive into 2019 buyer trends in our post Is 2019 The Right Time to Buy a House?)
Before we outline your four options, remember that the HouseLovePDX Team provides free consultations and market analysis. Don’t hesitate to give us a call and arrange a time to go over your options in person or over the phone!
Option 1: Shop – Buy – Sell
This is a classic contingent offer:
Shop for your new dream home
Make a “contingent offer” to the seller – the offer is contingent on the sale of your current house
Seller accepts the offer
Sell your current house
Move into your new home
Sellers may be wary of contingent offers because there is more risk compared to a traditional offer. (If for whatever reason you don’t sell your current house, then the deal is off.) Some sellers won’t accept a contingent offer. In the past, sellers had more leverage than buyers in the Portland real estate market, and they tended to reject contingent offers. Happily that’s not the case in the current market.
When you’ve made a contingent offer, it’s crucial to sell your house as soon as possible. You don’t want to be sitting on the market for two or three months. Preparing ahead to sell your house will make your contingent offer as appealing as possible to sellers.
How to Prepare Ahead for a Contingent Offer
Preparing ahead for a contingent offer is similar to preparing to sell your house in general.
Free Consultation and Market Analysis
We provide a free consultation, including a professional marketing analysis of your current property. We’ll establish your house’s price point, and how much you can expect to get in terms of your net proceeds. This will give you a price range when you’re house hunting for a new home.
Recommended home improvement projects
We’ll provide a list of prioritized home improvement projects to help increase the value of your home. Not everyone can – or wants to – invest in home improvement projects. That’s not a problem! What’s important is pricing your house right to sell it after you make a contingent offer on a new home.
Create Marketing Plan and Stage Photography
We will create a marketing plan and stage photography that will show your house in the best light.
When you find your new dream home and make a contingent offer, we show the seller your marketing strategy, pricing strategy and beautiful photos. This assures the seller we’re ready to sell you house, and can provide the confidence needed for a seller to accept your contingent offer.
As soon as the seller accepts your offer, we’re ready to get your house on the market within 24 to 48 hours!
Option 2: Sell – Shop – Buy (Or Plan B)
We call this the “Plan B Option” because you must have a plan B arranged in case you don’t sell your house in time:
Sell your house
Shop for your new home
Either buy your new home or move temporarily into your plan B option
Plan B can be an apartment, or living with your parents or in-laws.
You’re already under contract to sell your current house, so you’re in a great position when shopping for your dream home. However, it’s important to do some research and make sure there is enough real estate inventory to choose from, i.e. other houses for sale within your price range and with the characteristics you’re looking for. You will need to shop for a new home relatively quickly.
The risk in this situation is that if you haven’t closed on your new house in time, you have to move into your plan B temporary housing.
Although it’s crucial to have a doable plan B arranged, so far we’ve always managed to get our clients into new homes before they’ve had to move to their plan B. (Moving back in with your parents seems to be a very motivating factor!)
Option 3: Bridge Loan
A bridge loan provides financing for a downpayment on a new house. That means you don’t need to sell your current home in order to purchase a new one. Like all loans, bridge loans are based on several factors, including your income and credit, and loan-to-value ratio. We can put you in touch with excellent loan officers who can provide detailed information on your unique circumstances. (Erika used a bridge loan to buy her last house, so she can speak from personal experience as well.)
If you qualify for a bridge loan you can:
Shop for your new dream home
Make an offer on a new house, financed with the bridge loan
Move into your new house
Prepare your old house for sale
Sell your old house
The major benefit of this option is you can wait to sell your house until after you’ve moved out. You don’t need to worry about moving into temporary housing and then moving again. If moving twice is something you want to avoid (think: children, pets, home businesses, lots and lots of packing) then a bridge loan may be a great option for you.
However, from a financial point of view, you will need to be able to pay two mortgages until your sell your old house. Not everyone has to make double mortgage payments, but you need to be able to afford it for the time it takes to sell your old house. Additionally, the selling price of your old house isn’t set in stone, so there’s some financial uncertainty.
In a best case scenario, you sell your current house quickly and avoid paying double mortgage. On the other hand, you may not be able to sell your house for six months, ten months or more, depending on the market. In our free consultation and market analysis, we talk to prospective clients about what they can realistically expect. If you are considering a bridge loan, you want to be confident that your property will sell quickly.
We understand that no one wants to pay two mortgages, so we will work with you to get your house sold quickly.
Option 4: Sell – Rent – Buy
This is a great option for people who want total financial security and don’t mind moving twice. If you want to make sure you have the money in the bank from your house sale, and you want plenty of time to shop around for your dream home, then this is a great option for you.
This option is straightforward:
Sell your current house
Move into temporary housing
Shop for your new dream home
Buy your new house
Kari went this route when she made her last move. This option gave her time to shop for the right house. There was no rush to buy a new house quickly.
There are pros and cons to each of these options. We’re happy to discuss your specific circumstances in detail. There’s no reason to wait – it’s time to move into the right house for you and your family! Call us for a free consultation at 971-322-6612 or email us at karianderika@livingroomre.com.
Back in mid-March my buyer Valerie called me in somewhat of a panic because the new construction condo she had been in contract to purchase was a steaming pile of mess and the lender eventually pulled the plug on getting a loan for it. Turned out that the condo she had been in contract to purchase for months was part of a brand new complex and only 1 other condo out of twenty had sold since they officially went on the market 5 months prior. When there are that few sales on a new condo project, most lenders are going to deny a loan because the risk to the buyer of the whole stack of cards falling down is pretty real. If the rest of the complex winds up turning into rental apartments because the developer could not sell them as condos, it then it makes the units purchased by unfortunate buyers almost impossible to sell down the line- and that’s not a risk worth taking.
A rare find! Beautiful Old PDX style modern home, built both for efficiency and classic beauty. Perched up off the street this home offers light filled open spaces, gourmet kitchen, custom details and so much more.
Portland Monthly
