4717 N WILLAMETTE BLVD Portland, OR 97203
Offered at $625,000
3 Bed | 3 Bath | 2799 SF | MLS# 21344545 | Taxes: $8,235
What a knockout! Gorgeous, wonderfully preserved classic home with a classic Willamette Boulevard view.
Upon entry, you’ll notice the high level of care shown to this home with gorgeous wood floors, bright sunny spaces, remodeled kitchen, 2 remodeled bathrooms and a wonderful floor plan. The living room is perfect for entertaining with a classic wood fireplace, lovely mantle and large bay windows overlooking the city and river.
The open floorplan flows easily through the formal dining room and updated kitchen featuring plenty of counterspace, stainless steel appliances and classic tile backsplash. The formal dining room is bright and spacious with French doors opening onto the patio.
Moving through to the kitchen toward the back, you’ll find a fantastic informal dining room/sunroom. The space could be a wonderful spot for lounging, the perfect place for all of your house plants or a breakfast nook! This room opens to the very private backyard with breezeway to the oversized 2-car garage.
The layout of the home is ideal, with 2 large bedrooms and a full bathroom on the main level. The second floor offers a lovely primary suite with wood floors, a full bathroom, walk in closet and storage galore on one whole side room.
Winding downstairs to the basement you’ll find a clean basement with great ceiling height. A third bathroom just waiting for a remodel is conveniently located on the lower level. This is a very large space easily imagined as a media room, family room, yoga room… really, the possibilities are endless!
The location is ideal: Great for walking and biking. Check out this gorgeous and inviting home, you might just want it to be yours!
Today I am reminded of why I truly get fulfillment in my career. Yesterday I had the pleasure of handing over keys to two of the most genuine and deserving people on the close of their very first home. Jen and Matt were referred to my by their lender, and I am so glad he did. Real Estate is a journey, and many times we as agents are as much along for the ride just as our client’s are. We walk each home with them, talk about the pros and cons, envision what a home could be like in the future, savor it when we win the bid, and take the sting when we get beat out on offers. So when you and your client’s get along so well together and seem to be on the same page with the good and the bad of each home they see for themselves, you are exultant when they find the one just right for them.
We started our search seeing 10+ properties a day, weekend after weekend, and threw in some weekdays for fun as well. To say we saw a lot of homes is an understatement. Jen and Matt took it upon themselves to really educate themselves about the market, what seemed like a good deal and what clearly was not. We started looking at condos, but after seeing some of the HOA dues that came with them, we diverted to detached homes and townhouses without HOA’s. We saw so much in their price range, wrote a couple of offers, only to be beat out, and finally ended up in contract on a home in Milwaukie that they felt would right for them. It was flipped prior to the current owners purchasing it, and it had all the trappings of a charming home, with the old bones of a a turn of the century property. We had our inspection, and things started out bad (no sewer cleanup) and ended up worse (inspector pulling me aside to have a very candid conversation about the condition of the crawlspace). After a laundry list of major red flags, Jen and Matt decided to terminate. I remember my words to them: “Sometimes, it is okay to walk away and start again. We will find you the one.”
I headed out of town for a last bit of summer vacation, and we talked about one of the condos they had seen early on in our search. It had just had a major price reduction, and they felt it was finally at a price they could feel comfortable with making an offer on. As soon as I got back into town, we made the offer and after some great dialogue between the listing agent, we were able to craft a deal between both parties that seemed to be a win-win. The condo was located in the Chasselton Condominiums, a converted apartment building in NE Portland originally built in the 1920’s, but recently converted to Condominiums in 2007. This unit was unique in the building, as it is the only one that was 2 units that were combined over different floors. This space would allow Jen and Matt enough space to have a several bedrooms and a bonus room, to have an art studio and game room for their hobbies and more importantly, allowed AC in the space, which their previous apartment did not allow and the major reason why they started their search! So here is a photo of the two East Coast transplants, outside their very first home purchase, after being Renter’s in Portland for over 20 years!
Thanks to Michael Larson at Principal Mortgage Group for his wonderful referral and his excellent work on the financing side for Jen and Matt.
Many thanks to the List Agent, Victoria Jayne of Jayne Realty, LLC for her exceptional work on the other side of this transaction. She was on top of everything on the Seller’s side and her communication and ability to put a deal together was second to none. I truly do hope to cross her path again and work together on another transaction.
Cheers to all parties involved and Congrats Jen and Matt!
Jenn and Paul were referred to me by their friends who are my past clients. We met up for a patio happy hour to get to know each other and discuss their wish list for a new home.
We covered the nitty-gritty details of home buying — including the process of identifying homes, touring, writing offers, and navigating home inspections. They hoped to find a house or condo located in walkable proximity to public transit for easy commuting to the South Waterfront, with at least 2 bedrooms, some outdoor space, and a kitchen worthy of someone who cooks professionally.
I set up customized daily Homesearch emails for them and we planned an outing to tour homes together. Then, they mentioned they had just seen a new Open House posting that looked intriguing. It was for a condo listed by one of my Living Room Realty coworkers. Paul and Jenn were excited to make that their first stop on the house hunt.
Well . . . it turns out that was their only stop! They loved it.
Fast forward a month and they have the keys to the cutest condo. And it checks ALL the boxes on their wish list. Congratulations and Welcome Home!
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Interested in making Portland your home?
Call Cheri Harney, at 503-319-4858.
GUTTERS – DO THEY NEED CLEANING?
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
Stunning Fox Hill home on a fantastic cul-de-sac. Freshly painted interior – light & bright!
Additional updates include refinished hardwood floors, updated bathrooms & laundry room, 50 year roof and finished attic space for extra storage.
The kitchen is remodeled with updated cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, a gas cook top and plenty of storage. Just beyond is the oversized family room with gas fireplace & room to relax.
A nook sits just in between – a perfect spot for casual meals with a slider to the patio.
The formal living room features a wood burning fireplace & large windows beaming with natural light. Next to it, the dining room is a wonderful place for hosting guests.
Upstairs are four bedrooms plus a bonus room/den. The spacious owner’s suite features vaulted ceilings & french doors. A well appointed en-suite bath has double sinks, tiled shower & a free standing tub.
The yard is fully fenced & easy to maintain. There’s a patio for entertaining and level grass space for pets and play!
Location can’t be beat with easy access to I-5, I-205, West Linn/Wilsonville Schools & tons of amenities. The neighborhood has a pathway along the Tualatin River that connects to Brown’s Ferry Park!
Sweet Bungalow Near Reed
4015 SE 28TH Place, Portland, OR 97202
Offered at $599,000
2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1549 SF | MLS# 21646526 | Taxes: $4,447
Sweet, darling bungalow with updates galore, perfectly situated in the charming Creston-Kenilworth neighborhood. As you approach the home, you’ll first notice the gorgeous landscaping and flagstone patio perfect for an inviting outdoor living area, all under the shade of a lovely maple tree.
The front porch welcomes you into the foyer and a spacious living room. The home glows with new hardwood floors and newer, double-pane wood windows for an abundance of natural light. The living room is gorgeous, with a charming gas fireplace for cozy evenings. The open floorplan flows easily through to the formal dining room, breakfast nook and stylishly remodeled kitchen with stainless steel appliances, classic tile flooring, custom cabinetry, granite countertops, and lots of counter space. The breakfast nook could easily flex for a sunny home office, homework area, reading nook, or lounge area off the kitchen.
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The circular layout of this home is ideal, with two bedrooms on the main level. One of the bedrooms has a built-in closet organizer and sliding glass door that leads to the back deck and patio. The large bathroom has a double-headed shower for two, custom porcelain tile, vessel sink, and pocket door. The laundry/storage closet is located on the main level for convenience. Plus, enjoy central air conditioning on those hot summer days!
You’re going to love the bonus basement space with an exterior entry and lovely full bathroom! The lower level is clean and spacious with a kitchenette, and is being sold furnished for a turnkey experience or ready to operate as an income suite. Plus, you’ll find loads of extra storage space in the basement along with a 92%-efficient gas furnace!
The generous yard is fully-fenced with a lovely deck, firepit and patio. There is a long driveway for great off-street parking, with a single-car garage at the end. And a bonus tool shed behind the garage for even more storage options. Also available with an accepted offer is a ready-to-build design for a 2 bd/1.5 bth ADU to replace the garage.
This location of this warm and lovely home is ideal! Situated on a quiet street, and easy walking distance to parks and many shops and restaurants in the neighborhood! There is so much to love in this well-maintained and cheery Creston-Kenilworth Bungalow!
6027 NE 27TH AVE Portland, OR 97211
Offered at $589,000
3 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 1606 SF | MLS# 21095348 | Taxes: $7,459
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday 9/25 1PM-3PM
Gorgeous, newer Craftsman home built for both efficiency and classic beauty with charming open spaces, gorgeous kitchen and hardwood floors throughout!
Located on a lovely street with mature landscaping, mature trees, large front porch and convenient alley access. A cheery dining room and foyer greet you with tasteful built-ins, high ceilings, and big double pane windows to let the sunshine in. It’s possible it will be love at first sight!
Continuing into the heart of the home, you’ll love the fantastic gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, wood cabinetry, gas range, and abundance of counter space with eat bar. The open layout flows nicely through the kitchen into the living room which glows with natural light and a stylish gas fireplace. A sliding glass door leads you to the lush backyard complete with newer shed and custom storage bench with seating.
Wind your way upstairs and you’ll find charm around every corner. The upper level is a cleverly designed space with optimum livability, featuring a picture-perfect primary suite, 2 additional bedrooms and 1 more full bathroom. Also, check out the upgraded wide plank, hardwood flooring and newly carpeted stairs! Enjoy the added convenience of an upper-level laundry room.
The low-maintenance, landscaped backyard is very private and perfect for outdoor living and entertaining. The yard is fully fenced and fido friendly.
This Energy Star Certified home features a high-efficiency furnace, A/C and tankless hot water heater. The home energy score is a 10! Enjoy a lovely walk to McMenamins Kennedy School, New Seasons, Alberta and Fernhill park! Plus, for those who travel, this location offers a swift and convenient commute to the airport. Welcome home!
The conversations surrounding Real Estate in the Portland Metro area these days seem to be centered around the idea that the market is cooling off. While the terms “hot” and “cool” are always relative, I thought it would be prudent to share some statistics to help frame this conversation.
According to the most recent RMLS Market Action Report, new listings and pending sales each decreased by around 4-5% in August. Inventory increased by 10%, and total time on market increased by about 15%. Taken at face value, these stats might lead one to believe that the market is beginning to shift.
However, when we look at the actual statistics for inventory and time on market, we see that we still only had 1 month’s worth of inventory in August, and the average time on market was 23 days. Inventory has been at or below 1 month for the duration of 2021, and the average time on market YTD is 28 days. So, these key indicators of market activity are still very consistent with what we have been seeing all year in the Portland Market.
Something we don’t have hard data for, but that I have noticed through my own experiences as a Realtor, is that there does seem to be a lower number of competing offers when a new listing hits the market. Throughout the Spring and Summer months, it was very common to see 10-15 offers on a new listing during the first weekend on the market. Now, it seems that we are seeing closer to 3-5 offers for a hot new listing.
Competition being a bit less steep is certainly a welcome sight for Buyers, especially those who have been looking for a home all year. With that said, we are still in a heavily favored Seller’s Market, and Buyers should not mistake the decrease in competition for a shift in overall market conditions. If your hope is to wait for the market to turn, you may be waiting quite a while.
To add some perspective, one of the hottest real estate markets I have worked in (besides 2020 and 2021) was during the Spring and Summer of 2016. In August of 2016, we had 1.9 months worth of inventory, and the average time on market was 34 days. So, even if our current inventory numbers doubled, and time on market increased by 48%, we would still have market stats consistent with one of the hottest Sellers’ Markets Portland has ever seen.
In short, if you are thinking about Selling, you didn’t miss your window. If that is still a goal, let’s chat, so we can set up a plan and timeline. If you’re thinking about Buying, but hoping to wait for the market to turn, I’d probably advise against waiting. While the market will surely turn eventually, the amount of inventory needed for a balanced market (6 months worth), is not something we will likely see in the Portland Market in the near future.
Thanks for reading. Call or text anytime, if you’d like to discuss the market.
Fabulously stylish ranch located directly across the street from Normandale Park’s playground. Surrounded by lush yet drought tolerant plantings including fruit trees and berries, this house is dialed and ready to go. With a nod to mid-century style, the kitchen and both bathrooms were updated to the nines with mod tile, cabinets and lighting. The kitchen will lower your jaw to the floor with gorgeous quartz counters, lots of cabinets, and dark bamboo flooring expertly laid out in a herringbone pattern. The primary bedroom has a private bathroom and a slider that opens onto a private deck. From the living room, enjoy people and dog watching in the park. The garage is oversized and a great space for hobbies, storage or parking a car. Schools are Laurelhurst K-8 and Grant High.
My clients offer was accepted! My buyers knew just what they wanted. I showed them one property, made one offer, and prevailed in a multiple offer situation. This is very fortuitous as this is a very special property that was obviously meant for them. They are looking forward to enjoying life in the Mt. Tabor neighborhood with quick access to one of our of the city’s best parks – Mt. Tabor Park and trying out neighborhood favorites including:
Do you have a perfect home in mind? I would love to help you. My experience includes residential, commercial, investment property, and multi-family housing. I specialize in historic and mid-century homes. Smart, personalized client service is key and over 90 percent of my ongoing business is referred from satisfied clients.
I just helped my buyers into a lovely home in the Foster-Powell neighborhood. Working on this transaction reminded me of just how cool this area is. Foster-Powell is bordered on the north by Powell Blvd., 82nd Ave. to the east and Foster Rd. diagonally on the south-west side. Foster-Powell is a great place to find affordable family home with 27 homes currently listed at a median list price of $499,500.
A wonderful family feature of this neighborhood is Essex Park on 79th and Center St. The park has great amenities including:
Another wonderful feature of the Foster-Powell neighborhood is the Portland Mercado. The mercado is an incubator model and economic development initiative of Portland non-profit Hacienda CDC, provides affordable retail space for businesses to launch and grow, and is a hub for Latino culture in Portland.
Four years ago I helped my client Matteo purchase his first home in Portland in Rose City Park after he recently moved to Portland from New Orleans. As an artist and stylist, he has a habit of buying and renovating homes, using his house as a palette for his talents. After four years living in his Rose City Park home, he was ready for a larger home with adequate studio space and further east to be closer to his job as a paintings teacher. He loves mid-centuries and we spent a few months looking at possibilities. He came so close to putting an offer on a home with a pool in Ventura Park, but decided at the last minute that he was basically buying a pool that came with a house, rather than the other way around.
A house that had been sitting on the market for a couple weeks in Cherry Park caught Matteo’s eye. For those who don’t know, Cherry Park is a small area of pristine mid-century homes in the Hazelwood neighborhood in SE Portland. The house was not staged and the kitchen and bathrooms were horribly outdated- pink carpet in the bathroom is never anyone’s cup of tea. It was also mid August when the market seemed to go to sleep this year. We went to see it and Matteo fell in love. It was super bright and had a gigantic window overlooking the large back yard. The tandem garage had been converted into living space and was absolutely perfect for becoming a painting studio. The house reminded him of the house he grew up in so he at once felt he was in familiar and homey surroundings. Not having it staged was a mistake on the sellers part, but lucky for us. And as what almost always happens when a good sleeper house gets discovered, another buyer saw it right after we did and put in an offer. We wrote an offer for just a few thousand over asking, and the sellers accepted it right away. The home was an estate and the sellers had the house pre-inspected and made all necessary repairs before putting it on the market, so the inspection was clear and easy and the lender gave him an appraisal waiver as well and was able to close the transaction in 3.5 weeks.
Knowing what Matteo did to his Rose City Park home, I can only imagine how fabulous this house will be once he begins its transformation.
Welcome home! This stylish contemporary home brilliantly balances modern and traditional elements and is certainly on par with the best that Bull Mountain has to offer.
Mature landscaping and a lovely walkway bring you to the front entry. Once in the foyer, you’ll love the vaulted entry and the wonderful circular floor plan.
Adjacent to the foyer is a voluminous formal living room & dining room with vaulted ceilings, certainly designed with entertaining in mind. To the other side is a spacious den/home office with loads of built-in bookcases.
Making your way from the living room you’ll find yourself in a gorgeous, remodeled kitchen touting polished concrete countertops, Viking professional 6 burner cooktop with downdraft ventilation, double convection ovens, custom walnut cabinets with birch interior and cabinet lighting, extra-large Blanko stainless steel sink, filtered water, and instant hot water. Just off to the side is a darling rounded dining nook with windows overlooking the stunning, landscaped backyard. The kitchen conveniently opens to a family room with lovely wood burning fireplace. A wonderful space for gathering with friends and family. All through the home, double pane windows abound to let the sunshine in.
Moving past the family room, you’ll find a large laundry/mud room with a sink, conveniently connecting to the 2 oversized car garage. The garage has built-in shelving and plenty of extra room for storage.
Making your way up the grand staircase, you’re going to love this layout with all 4 bedrooms upstairs plus an oversized landing. Each bedroom is large with ample closet space. The primary suite is spacious and touts an expansive bathroom with tons of natural light, soaking tub and walk in shower. Continuing through the bathroom you’ll find a generous walk in closet with skylight.
The 4th bedroom is a huge bonus room with wood floors and a coved ceiling- a great flex space!
Let’s talk about the backyard! Beautiful outdoor spaces and garden vignettes throughout this spacious property. Gorgeous, grand deck overlooks the lush landscaping and trees. Fully fenced with a generous hardscaped outdoor dining area and gravel firepit area. Convenient, newer shed for your garden tools and more.
This home is meticulously maintained. Just a few of the most recent elements replaced are the roof, furnace and A/C. Extra clean and dry storage space under the home, currently used as a wine cellar. Plenty of space for RV or boat parking with water and electric hook-up. Welcome home!
This past week I celebrated my 36th birthday, and this time of year is always a time of reflection for me. The way many people feel around New Year’s is how I often feel leading up to my birthday. It gives me a chance to reflect on how far I have come, what I have accomplished and what I am proud of myself for, while also giving me an opportunity to reflect on the areas that I feel I can improve on — how can I continue to be a better person, husband, father, friend and Realtor?
It’s always an energizing time for me, and I am excited to feel the sense of rejuvenation that often comes with this reflection. I am so grateful for all the clients who have trusted me to guide them through the process of buying and/or selling a home, and want each and every one of you to know that I am committed to continuing to grow, and that I am committed to making sure that my efforts, experience and expertise are always improving.
I wouldn’t be where I am today without my friends, family and clientele, and I feel very thankful and blessed for you all!!
I met Bryan and Kathe at an open house. They had moved to Portland three years ago from northern California because the wildfires had limited their options for finding a home. Being this would be their first home, I made it my mission to have fun finding the right house while making the process as smooth as possible.
Making a purchase this big for the first time can be overwhelming with everything you have to take into consideration like the current market atmosphere to the unpermitted half bath in the basement but they were cool, collected and asking the right questions to make an informed decision. Just a few blocks from Kenton Park, Bryan and Kathe closed on a home with a perfect energy score of 10 that checked off much of what they wanted. Congratulations and a big thank you for being awesome clients, I love helping people find the right house while having a great experience!
Part of what I love about my job is the opportunity to meet all kinds of people and help them through the shared goal of homeownership. It’s fascinating what comes up for people, what ideas they arrive with and how those ideas affect their journey. Hannah and Chris brought optimism with them to the home buying process and it made for a very smooth and very fun experience! They were open to ideas and trusted our input. They were a blast to check out houses with!
Hannah and Chris found a gorgeous remodeled home in St. Johns and sailed through the transaction like champs. We ended up running into a very uncommon snag along the way and they were open to creative solutions and ready to roll with the punches. Everything worked out great and I really appreciate their optimism along the way. Cheers!!
Beautifully remodeled 1908 Alberta Arts bungalow w/ attention to period details. 3 bed, 2.1 bath light-filled home! Formal living + dining rooms, gorgeous kitchen + baths, original fir floors + bonus spaces. Basement has ext entrance, studio, family room + office. Situated on a corner lot, perfect for gardening + entertaining. Versatile + rare, this home has a walk score of 87 and a bike score of 82. Enjoy your private oasis and get around the city with ease.
GENERAL FEATURES
ELECTRICAL
PRIMARY SUITE
POWDER ROOM
KITCHEN
SECOND STORY
FRONT PORCH
BACK PORCH
HVAC
WINDOWS
FLOORING
BASEMENT FEATURES
MEDIA
OUTDOOR SPACES
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
This classic 1910 PDX bungalow is teeming with charm and light! Step into formal living and dining rooms with fireplace and built-ins. Bake pastries in your kitchen or grill out back. This home boasts 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bonus space and a large basement. Make wine from your grapes, grow a spaghetti garden, or walk out your door to SE Division and Clinton Streets for a night out. With a walk score of 96 and a bike score of 93, get around the city with ease!
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
57 years ago, the payment for the house was in a paper bag…cash. Cash that was long saved for and painstakingly secured through hours of work. For a house full of promises and safety and love. A stark contrast to the years of the Holocaust that robbed them of their family, friends, hopes and dreams. But this house in Hillsdale would be the respite from that dark past, a fresh start from the years of trauma. And so this cash payment started a new cycle which brought some joy into their lives and growth into the land. And 57 years later, in 2021, a new cash buyer came along who will plant the next set of joyful dreams.
Travis and Lucy were past clients of mine, looking for a new home for their family. They wanted to purchase something, before selling their home, so we had some early conversations about how to structure their financing and be able to make competitive offers on any properties they found interesting.
They needed a layout that worked a bit better for their current needs which includes working from home and homeschooling their son. They desired for it to be situated in a neighborhood that had sidewalks, not directly on a busy road, had a lower maintenance yard AND most importantly, fit their style and aesthetic of an older home, without the deferred maintenance that many came associated with.
We looked at many different neighborhoods situated on the West Side, and when this Cedar Hills Home popped up, just a few minutes away from their current home, they knew they had to compete for this one. As is the norm in this market, this one came up with multiple offers to compete against, but thanks to our earlier conversations and the legwork Travis and Lucy had already done before even starting their search, we were able to craft a compelling offer that beat out the others!
Thanks to Ken Kondziela at NW Premier Mortgage, Inc. for his work on the financing side of things. He was able to get Travis and Lucy qualified with no-hiccups, was great as ever with communication, and we closed right on time.
Cheers Travis, Lucy and Atlas! I hope you are able to create many great memories in your new home!
20 years of books, games, loved possessions…kids’ homework assignments, that “must-have” antique or work of art. Everything gets collected and put in its place. But how do you choose what gets packed and what doesn’t? What goes to storage vs what gets donated? How do you pare back 20 years of living in one house? But they did it! My clients dove in and kept the treasured and donated to where it’s needed most. Each son got his care package of memories, the new flat in Seattle has some of the key treasures, too. And then you say goodbye to your gorgeous sanctuary of 20 years and pass the baton to the next family so they can bring their treasures and find new nooks and crannies.
Everyone who is sending kids back to school, teachers, and school staff are getting ready! Folks are organizing, setting up systems, and asking a lot of questions about health and safety of what it will be like to have kids all go back to the classroom. We wish you the best and dedicate this blog to going back to school and life long learning!
Why so much garbage in that lunch box? Here are some ways to create a garbage free lunch and save money in the long run! There are now so many products that are reusable from containers, silverware, and of course cloth napkins. Take a look a the links below for more info:
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
If there is one part of the Portland market that’s not hot right now, it’s condos downtown and in the Pearl District. The Covid buying frenzy really focused on detached single family homes with yards. Communal living where you have to walk into an enclosed building and then take an elevator to your front door was the exact opposite of what the majority of buyers have wanted over the last year and a half. So for those folks who DO want to own a condo in the Pearl, the neighborhood is a pool full of fat oysters where buyers can take a while to look around be picky about what type of unit they want.
My buyer Gene moved up to Portland from southern California and had been renting an apartment in the Pearl. He loved the neighborhood and how convenient it was to walk to anything and everything, and decided he wanted to purchase a Pearl condo for his first home. Gene loves to get out of town so having a dedicated parking spot was important, as was having as much of an unobstructed view out the window as possible. He was really attracted to the Edge Lofts at NW 14th and Kearney, and the higher the floor the better. We were able to score a fabulous 1 bedroom condo with views for days on the 10th floor. The previous owner spent a fortune upgrading the original blah kitchen into a masterpiece full of counter space and cupboards, all while leaving plenty of space in the living room/dining room/kitchen area. Interest rates are so dirt cheap right now that if you can afford the monthly payment, financially you are better off long term borrowing as much as 95% to get a conventional loan and investing whatever else you planned to use towards a down payment in so many other investments that on average pay greater than 3% annual return. For every $5,000 a buyer borrows, it’s about $21 a month, or equivalent to giving up one coffee a week at a coffee spot. The condo had been sitting on the market for 6 months and had a couple of price reductions. Holding onto as much cash as possible after closing made the most sense to Gene, so instead of asking for another price reduction, we asked for seller paid closing costs, which the sellers were happy to do. Inspection went great, appraisal came in at value and less then a month after we put in the offer, Gene got keys to his very own slice of Pearl paradise.
If you know me, you know that I love helping people make a move. I love my peeps and I’m super committed to getting my clients into the home of their dreams. I will negotiate until my face turns blue and call every contractor in town to get information for my clients. I am committed to making this a great experience but unfortunately, you can’t always control how things go? For instance, I can’t make a seller accept an offer. I just can’t.
So here’s the short version of one of my all-time favorite stories 
Leonard and Dovina really wanted to live in Newberg to be close to their daughter and grandchildren. Last spring and summer, we looked at just about everything that Newberg had to offer. It’s not unusual for the search to take a little longer when you’re looking in a small and popular town, like Newberg. After months of looking, they found a gem, a darling house that is close to downtown with a cute yard and great character! It quickly became competitive and we pulled out all of the stops. Long story short, Len & Dovina’s offer was the highest with exceptional terms, but in the end still beat out by a lower cash offer because they totally waived the inspection period. I just can’t ever recommend that a buyer waive all inspections.
It just wasn’t meant to be is what we told ourselves. That’s what we have to say sometimes to make sense of things when it doesn’t go the direction we would like. But this one kept nagging at us! We continued to look in Newberg for another year and kept comparing every house to the ‘one that got away’. …And then it came back! Almost exactly a year later it popped back up and wouldn’t you know it, we put it in an offer and got it this time!
Cheers to my lovely friends, Leonard and Dovina! I wish them all the best in their home that was definitely meant to be!
Lovely 1940s traditional charmer boasts original character with tasteful upgrades throughout. This 3bd 2ba features a classic floor plan with plenty of natural light for private and specialized spaces, perfect for hosting Zoom calls. New skylights and carpet, two fireplaces (gas and wood) sustainably sourced bamboo and cork flooring, ample parking with extra RV/boat storage and attached garage. Convenient location, minutes to downtown PDX, Multnomah Village, OHSU and multiple parks.
These charming sellers have an appetite for the immaculate that my clients Casey and Andrew can identify with. As we entered into their arched foyer upon our first visit, we could see their shared love for impeccable design from the custom fireplace screen to their Bertazzoni stove. The amazing listing agent had showcased a list of the work these sellers had conducted over the last decade of their homeownership. Earthquake retrofit, radon mitigation, temp regulated wine cellar, solar panels, skylights, the list was spectacular.
While we were enjoying the array of flowering plants, trees, and shrubs in their sweet backyard garden, two lil hummingbirds came to greet us and play in the water fountain. This house was the ONE! 
From start to finish this was such a dynamic group of people to work with. Thank you Casey and Andrew for your constant ambition and laughter. A huge thank you to Tina, our fantastic listing agent, and your wonderful sellers who were gems to collaborate with. With Wilshire Park at your fingertips and a zip line in the neighbor’s front lawn, I can’t wait to hear how the next few months bring a new experience of homeownership to you two! 
Sometimes I meet clients who have a unique vision searching for a special property. This was definitely the case with Justin! He is an artist and psychologist who strives to bring people together and build community around him. What a gem!
Once we met up and started looking I quickly realized how unique of a property he was looking for and I knew this would take some serious searching and diligence. I was ready to be patient and do whatever it took to make it happen for Justin.
But then wouldn’t you know it, Justin must be connected to the stars because he made it appear! He found a darling house that fits his needs perfectly! It had been on the market for quite a while waiting for the perfect buyer. We were able to get a great offer accepted for Justin and we were off to the races!
I am so happy for Justin and I wish him all the best in his sweet new home!
Offered at $640,000
3 Bed | 3.5 Bath | 1860 SF | MLS# 21483637 | Taxes: $7403
Step into this immaculate, modern attached home with a fantastic layout! Perched high off the street, the first level of the home is easy living. You’re going to love the kitchen: stainless steel appliances, gas range, quartz countertops and breakfast bar. The flow between the kitchen and living room in this open concept layout provides convenient space for entertaining and cozy evenings alike.
Plenty of comfort on the third level with a generous primary en suite and a second large bedroom with full bathroom. You’ll find bright natural light in the bedrooms with the primary suite offering a generous walk-in closet and bathroom with extensive tile work.
The lower level is a spacious ADU for guests, family, or additional earning potential! ADU features a large open living space, a darling kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a full bathroom and a large bedroom. As a short-term rental, this space has generated between $2300-$2500 a month.
The home has an Earth Advantage Platinum rating with central air conditioning, gas forced air heating and double pane windows.
Fantastic location close to shops, parks, cafés and restaurants! Great for walking plus a bike score of 93! Fall in love with this modern, move-in-ready, townhome. It’s waiting for you!
Transitions, changes, moves….that’s what this condo purchase was about. My client was leaving Nashville and heading to Portland so she could be near her son and his brother in Seattle. Having lost her husband several years earlier, she wanted to be close to them and start fresh. This was her first purchase on her own. 100% her decision! We were looking for the right neighborhood where she felt safe walking her pups at night. Where she could walk to coffee shops and restaurants, and where she could get to know the landscape of her new city, Portland! We checked out neighborhoods, looked at condos and townhouses and landed on this beautiful NW condo with panoramic views of Portland. And, now the journey of discovery begins!
Everyone loves a fresh start! My lovely clients, Barb and Tom just made the leap from Florida to Portland and scored a wonderful condo on the SW Waterfront. You wouldn’t believe the gorgeous views of the river and the west hills (swoon!). What a wonderful spot to land.
I met Barb and Tom a few years back when I helped their son buy a home in SE Portland. We hit it off immediately, they are so fun and lively! And as you probably know, moving to be close to family has been a trend with the pandemic. Plus they are retiring and were ready to downsize. We looked at a few lovely homes but in end, a condo made the most sense because of the low-maintenance lifestyle. I’m so excited for them to move in and have fun around the city with their family!
I just want to congratulate my longtime client Linda on the quick sale of her 4 bedroom Montavilla home. This home was a rare find – a true 4 bedroom with commercial mixed use zoning, meaning you can run a small business from the home. Linda is the amazing single mom of triplet college-bound young women, who will be starting the next phase of her life in her new home in Vancouver. As always Linda, I wish you well and look forward to seeing you in your new home!
This one is SOLD! But if living in The Village sounds like what you’re looking for, I’m happy to help you find “the one”. This great close in neighborhood has the charm and character you’re looking for and it’s just minutes to downtown.
If you’re already in the neighborhood and looking to sell, I’d be happy to share my knowledge of today’s market (different that 3 months ago) and how to maximize the return on your investment.
Veronica Powell
503.936.3475
Veronica@LivingRoomRE.com
I’m so thrilled for the Voelkers and their new home!! They exemplify patience and stick-to-itiveness! And now they have keys to a sweet 50’s ranch in a great neighborhood close to their friends.
Everyone knows that things don’t always happen on your timeline. Sometimes you’re rolling with the punches and pivoting more than expected. The Voelkers were always game to try things out and walk away when it wasn’t right. That’s especially hard to do in a seller’s market and there’s no guarantee the next one will be any easier for a buyer. But, again, patience and persistence run deep in this family, and I admire that! Buying a home is no small thing and you should only buy the house that is right for you. This is surely the home that is right for the Voelkers! Cheers!
Dillon and Lindsey came my way via referral and were looking to make a move to Portland from the East Coast. They were transparent about their needs for finding a home, but had to have it contingent on the sale of their home back East to be able to make it work. Contingent offers are never an easy proposition in a Seller’s market, so we had to keep our eyes peeled for the perfect home for themselves and their 4 boys. We came across a home in Ashcreek, sandwiched in between Multnomah Village and Garden Home, that fit the bill for them. On a cul-de-sac, 4 Bedrooms, den, and most importantly, in Portland, where family already was. This home had been on the market longer than the average, so we felt that it might be a good candidate for entertaining a contingent offer.
Dillon and Lindsey were the model of great communication, and after a FaceTime tour of the home, we made an offer. After some finessing of the timing for them to put their home on the market, we were able to get their contingent offer accepted. They navigated their timelines to list their home, get it on the market with their Realtor back East, and quickly accepted an offer and went pending. That began our timelines for their purchase, and we proceeded to conduct inspections, navigate repairs, have appraisal conducted (and it appraised!), and we had their financing ready to go for a timely closing. Thanks to Matt Jolivette at Associated Mortgage Brokers for his work on that side of things.
Cheers Dillon, Lindsey and Family! I hope your new home in Portland brings you the nearness to your family you were hoping for, and some extra set of hands for the boys!
My buyer Clayton was referred to me by some of my favorite past clients ever, so I knew he was going to be great to work with. His ideal home would be in North Portland where he has lived for a long time as a renter, and would have the space and bedroom count to be able to comfortably rent out a room or two to roommates. He lost out on 2 houses, but they were not the best houses for him anyway. And when a great 4 bedroom house (2 beds on the main floor and 2 beds upstairs) came on the market he went to the open house and met the listing agent who was super impressed by how kind Clayton is and how through of a job he did looking at the house (he even went into the crawl space!). He loved the house and we wrote up an offer, and thanks to his letter and the listing agent explaining to her seller how awesome Clayton is, the seller wanted to sell to Clayton, but with another offer on the table that was over $100,000 over list price, the seller went with the crazy high offer.
Within a few days though, that buyer came back through with her mom and came to the realization that she was paying way too much for the house. That buyer tried to renegotiate with the seller to a lower price, but the seller wasn’t pleased at all so the listing agent came back to me to ask if Clayton was willing to add $30k to his initial offer amount, and Clayton was not willing to do that. So back on the market they went, and Clayton went back to another open house there and still loved it. We wrote up another offer which was higher than his first offer, but not as high as the seller had wanted to keep the house from going on the market. We waited for the weekend to be over to see if any more offers came in, and of course on the last day another offer did come in. Thankfully the listing agent was still rooting for Clayton, so they came back to us and asked Clayton if he would revise his offer amount higher by $15k to match the other offer. That seemed entirely reasonable so we upped his offer and the seller accepted.
The inspection went really well, and with the exception of a really bad appraisal that came in slightly low, the transaction was otherwise smooth as could be! When I met Clayton at the house to hand over the keys, he seemed slightly bewildered and in awe that he pulled off buying such a great house, but most importantly, he was super excited.
My latest clients were in a state of distress when they first called me just 2 weeks ago. A house full of furniture, boxes, work product & an adventure seeking feline can do that to a person. Especially when you’re a person on a deadline with a new employer in another part of the country. Yes the road was calling Joanne & Mike and they needed to get on it stat! It was obvious that a “hands-on” approach was needed here.
So we set about helping them coordinate and manage a rigorous cleaning, painting, landscaping, handywork & staging process. Then on to capturing, editing & producing media (one of my favorite steps). 10 furious days later and we hit the market today! Have a look by clicking the image below.
Or by clicking the link here
Better yet, just come on by the Open House this Sunday July 18th from 2pm to 4pm!
In the end, these clients simply believed that partnering up with a good (full-service) broker and getting the house ready for the spotlight will more than pay for itself. And who am I to argue?
Chad Meier
Licensed Oregon Broker
Living Room Realty
503-709-9600
Chad@PortlandHomeBase.com
9029 N Van Houten Ave, Portland OR 97203
3 Bed | 2 Bath | 2698 SF | MLS# 21229005 | Taxes: $4,594
Come see for yourself just how much space, charm and value this house has to offer! With updates galore and a spacious yard, you’re going to fall in love with this sophisticated home!
As you enter, you are greeted by an inviting living room featuring hardwood floors and a big picture window to let the sunshine in.
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Flowing nicely from the living room into a completely remodeled kitchen, you’ll find stainless steel appliances, gas range, quartz counters, classic subway tile and plenty of storage/counter space for the home chef. The open dining area is perfectly situated providing a lovely view of the backyard. Convenient access to backyard off kitchen and dining room.
As you make your way around, you’re going to love the versatility and spaciousness this home offers! The layout of the home is ideal, offering 2 bedrooms and one full bathroom on the main level.
Winding your way upstairs you’ll find the third sizable bedroom with vaulted ceilings. From there, a separate staircase takes you even further up to the unfinished attic room which is ready for the final details! It has great ceiling height, fresh insulation and a new egress window. This special space is just waiting to become whatever you dream it to be!
Making your way to the basement, you’ll find a clean and spacious partially finished, full basement with great ceiling height! 3 bonus rooms plus one more full bath and a big laundry room! These bonus spaces could easily be imagined as a media room, home office, home school room, art room or even another bedroom… really, the possibilities are endless!
The backyard is a dream! Offering beautiful flowering shrubs, established landscaping, a fuji apple tree, strawberries and marionberries. The yard is fully fenced for privacy which makes this a delightful private space for entertaining or enjoying on your own. Also included in the backyard is a walk-in shed with shelving, window, recently replaced roof and a high ceiling.
Features include: Recently replaced roof and exterior paint plus updated double pane windows, electrical panel, water heater, plumbing in home & sewer line.
Located on a quiet, tree lined street in an ideal Portsmouth location close to New Seasons, restaurants and parks!
There are so many things to love about helping folks buy a home! I meet so many different people with many stories about why they want what they do and how they plan to achieve their real estate dreams and goals. But seriously, nothing is more gratifying than helping someone become a homeowner for the very first time! The joy!
It was so wonderful working with Rana to help make that dream a reality. She is a focused and intentional person who powered through the process like a champ. And every time we thought there might be a bump in the road we were able to negotiate on her behalf and smooth everything out. She is the first woman in her family to buy her own home!! Her Grandmother is so proud! This was definitely meant to be and I couldn’t be happier for Rana!!
Sarah and Craig were referred to me by a dear longtime client. They just had a baby and were ready to buy a house to settle into and raise their kid in. When we first spoke this past spring, they had not yet spoken with a lender and didn’t really have an idea of how much they could qualify for. I gave them some names of great lenders I work with including the Portland Housing Center. After meeting with Portland Housing Center’s loan officer, they found out they qualified for a $15k grant if they bought something in the City of Portland, so that sealed the deal for them on which lender to use.
Once they had their pre-approval in place, they headed into the stinky soup that was the Spring 2021 Portland Housing Market on a quest to find a home that was big enough for their growing family, had character, was near a freeway for Sarah’s job commute to Hillsboro and had a yard big enough that met Craig’s criteria for having as much outdoor space as possible. They picked the most difficult time ever to buy a home, which meant getting caught up in the offer after offer and rejection after rejection loop. I kept reminding them that their house would come along and it would be the best of the bunch, and as frustrating as it all was, they kept their eyes on the prize.
After a couple of months of being in the Twilight Zone of offer, rejection, offer, rejection, a super sweet mid-century in Parkrose came on the market. On paper it hit every mark they were looking for- including not needing any major repairs or work done. Before we went to see it, Sarah had a feeling that it was going to be their house. It was priced really low for what it was- a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with a formal living room and a giant family room with a garage that had been converted into bonus space, hardwood floors, a mid-century vibe, and a backyard that was as lovely as could be. After checking it out, we all felt the vibe that this really was their house. Because it was priced so low, they came in super strong on price, and offered to buy it as-is, barring any major repairs the house may have needed and had a small appraisal gap included in case it didn’t appraise. With eight offers on the table, the sellers decided to accept Sarah and Craig’s offer.
The home had been well maintained and the inspection didn’t turn up anything major and the appraisal came in at value! Everything went smoothly and we were able to close a week early. And I’m pleased as punch that yet again, despite the long and bumpy road to get there, in the end Sarah and Craig came out of their house buying adventure at the top!
Jason and Tonia are two of the sweetest repeat clients I have! We have bought and sold and bought again and each time we work together I am reminded what smart and kind-hearted people they are.
Jason and Tonia worked hard to turn their little bungalow into a little gem and enjoyed a smooth sale. After selling their house, they made the really smart decision to rent until they found their next dream home. I know this isn’t an option for everyone for various reasons, but it really helps if it’s possible. Jason and Tonia could take their time and didn’t feel as much pressure to over-bid or succumb to some of the craziness buyers are feeling in this market. They lost out on a few houses but in the end, being able to wait for this perfect house was totally worth it! They sailed through inspections and are so excited for their next chapter!
I have the best neighbors ever in Ladd’s Addition. We moved into our home 17 years ago, and had our first kid 11 years ago. Within 5 years of us moving in, most of our block turned over from old and aging folks to younger families with small kids. At one point, there were seven families with kids all within a five year range from youngest to oldest on our block. Our kids have grown up together, played together, laughed together, had block parties together, cried together and all the in-betweens. When they were younger, in the ages 4-8ish range, they would spend summer days moving back and forth between houses as a roving gang. Us parents never worried because we knew the kids were at someone’s house on the block. Only 2 families have moved over the last 10 years, and one didn’t move far. Throughout this whole time, the adults on our block have spent countless hours over the years doing impromptu happy hours, block parties and backyard hang outs.
Daniela is one of my longtime neighbors and her parents are getting older and have lived in North Portland for almost 15 years. Daniela’s family is very close, and for several years Daniela and her husband Alex have talked about buying a house near them for her parents to move into. This past spring, Daniela and her parents decided the time was right to make the move. I was thrilled and honored when they asked me to represent them on both listing the North Portland house and representing them for the house purchase. The plan was to sell her parents home and buy a new home for them within 5 minutes walking distance our houses. Daniela was so sure this was going to happen- even the within 5 minutes walking distance part, that I never questioned if we could pull this off.
In late April, Daniela’s parents North Portland house was just about ready to list, and one month later in late May, we put that house on the market. Right before we listed that house, Daniela’s parents flew to Florida to stay with their other daughter for a few months while we worked on selling their longtime North Portland house and finding them a new house within 5 minutes walking distance from Daniela. Meanwhile, just days before her parents house went live, one of our other neighbors shared that a neighbor across the back alley from us was going to be putting their house on the market within the next couple of weeks. It sounded too good to be true, so the next evening Daniela, Alex and I marched over to the across the alley neighbors house and knocked on the front door. These other neighbors opened the door and first words out of my mouth were, “Daniela wants to buy your house.” It took a few minutes for the seller to get what we were saying, but once we explained it, he loved the idea. He said they had already signed a listing contract with an agent and the house was scheduled to go on the market in a couple of weeks, but I could contact his agent for more information. A couple of days after that visit I spoke with the sellers listing agent and the gist of it was the house was going on the market in a couple of weeks, and once it was on the market, we could submit an offer.
Back in North Portland, her parents house received a couple of fantastic over asking offers with great terms, and that house went pending with a great buyer. As it happened, the neighbors listed their house while I was on vacation in Mexico City, so one of my colleagues brought Daniela and her husband to see the house and it really was perfect for her parents. Because it was a cute true 3-bedroom house in Ladd’s Addition, it received multiple offers. We came in strong on price and terms, and because the sellers loved the idea of keeping the house in the Ladd’s Family, they accepted Daniela’s offer. The home inspection turned up some unfortunate issues and thankfully the sellers were understanding and agreed to a price reduction and a significant closing cost credit so Daniela and Alex could get work done on the house after closing. A couple of weeks ago Daniela’s parents house closed right on time, and then a couple of days ago, Daniela closed on the house behind her. The sellers are staying in the house through July, and in early August Daniela and Alex will have work done on the house so by mid-May when Daniela’s parents return to Portland, they can glide right into their new home.
Since Daniela won’t get the keys to the new house for a few weeks, to celebrate, I did what we always do, I threw a little back yard party for Daniela which she hosted in her own yard and most of our neighbors joined in for a toast. Thinking back on it, the plan was so precise, that had I questioned whether or not it would work, I would have lost so much sleep worrying over whether a house would come on the market that met the criteria to make the plan happen. Thankfully I never questioned any of it and just as Daniela predicted, it all worked out just dandy.
Offered at $565,000
1809 NE 32nd Ave, Portland OR 97212
2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1880 SF | MLS# 21250324 | Taxes: $4,589
Welcome to this dreamy Bungalow with character galore, perched perfectly on a corner lot! Located in one of Portland’s most sought-after neighborhoods, you’ll be immediately drawn to the classic front porch, gorgeous landscaping and timeless features.
As you enter the home, you are greeted by an expansive living room and dining room which feature hardwood floors, fireplace and classic millwork. This space is perfect for entertaining or just spending an evening in front of the fire. The large dining area situated at the south end of the living room features a stunning bay window overlooking greenery.
Flowing nicely from the dining area into kitchen you’ll find a gas range, stainless steel appliances, fun & colorful tile and an ample amount of storage. The cute breakfast nook off the kitchen is a wonderful spot for morning coffee!
The layout of the home is ideal, offering 2 bedrooms plus one full bathroom on the main level.
And making your way downstairs you’ll find a clean and spacious finished basement with 2 bonus rooms and one more full bath! So many possibilities with the bonus spaces, one of which includes built-in shelving. Either room could easily be imagined as a media room, home office, schoolroom, art room… really, the possibilities are endless!
Exiting through the south side or through one of the bedrooms on the north, you’ll find a beautiful garden oasis waits for you outside! The backyard is fully fenced providing the perfect blend of privacy and space. Gorgeous, established landscaping surrounds a darling patio and deck- great for entertaining!
A short walk to so many amenities: Grant Park, New Seasons, restaurants, drug store, etc… plus Hollywood shopping district is nearby. Enjoy all this wonderful neighborhood has to offer! So much to love in this well-maintained and inviting Grant Park Bungalow!
Key Day is always a big deal, but these keys in particular were a big hit with little Elliott. With the keys to their new home in her hot little hands she was ready to unlock every door in sight!
Unfortunately, this little family won’t be moving in for a few weeks. One of the terms that helped get their offer accepted was an agreement to allow the seller to occupy the home after the closing date.
That delayed possession can be a little frustrating for excited new homeowners. But in this competitive market a willingness to provide sellers with that flexibility can help get your offer accepted.
I’ll be celebrating with with these happy homeowners again in a few weeks when they take possession of their home and finally get to use those keys on the front door.
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Interested in making Portland your home?
Call Cheri Harney, at 503-319-4858.
Hi, Readers!
How glad are you to be on the other side of that heatwave madness? Zoinks! It seems like we may be edging toward a shift in this white-hot real estate market, too. We’re seeing more inventory come to the surface, and we’ve seen a 3% uptick in homes that have adjusted their listing prices, with more than 26% of the homes on the market decreasing their list price. This means sellers overshot their price and were counting on the inflated prices to hold steady. That also means things are shifting more in favor of buyers. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still very much a sellers market, but it’s nice to see a bit of a shift, albeit slight.
In the case of a recent closing I helped a buyer in Bridlemile on, we kept an eye on a property that at first seemed above my buyer Rebecca’s means — it was listed at her stretch price point. A week went
by, which in today’s market is eternity (most of the “good” stuff is gone the first weekend it’s on the market), and I called the agent to find out what happened. Turns out there was a big bidding war between two buyers that basically spooked each other away, and the house never went under contract. Then it sat – and the more time a home sits in today’s market sends a message to today’s buyers that something must be “wrong” with it. There is a clearly defined target for timing and pricing, that’s why listing in the right zone is critical. In the case of Rebecca, she was able to jump into action and wrap the house up under contract at a price she could afford. Now she’s putting down roots in her beautiful new mid century home.
Morale of the story? If you are on the hunt, look for the properties that have been on the market more than 10 days. Those are the properties that are likely on the verge of a price adjustment, and the more time on market, the more motivated the sellers will be. It also pays to look past funky paint and shag carpet… but we’ll save that for another story.
If you want to hear more about winning ways to make it happen in Portland real estate, give me a call. I’m here to help. 503 388 2788
Till then, high fives!
I had such a lovely time working with Marcia, Brittany & Ryan! They were so very put together and focused throughout the process. We looked at a good number of homes although it wasn’t long before Brittany knew ‘This is the ONE’!
As you know, we are in a Seller’s market and it’s not likely that all issues will be addressed in a home purchase these days. Luckily we were matched up with great Sellers and we were able to negotiate a sizable credit to repair some important issues. Nothing makes me happier than knowing my clients will have a smooth transition into their new home and not have to worry about major repairs.
It’s so important to me that my clients have a great experience and are happy with the whole process and know that I’m there for them every step of the way!
Cheers to Brittany, Ryan and Marcia!
I couldn’t be more excited for my very dear longtime clients Emily and Ben. They outgrew their vintage cream puff bungalow in Foster Powell that I helped them purchase 7 years ago, and despite the horrors of the current market, they were able to sell their very much loved home and get under contract and close on an even better and bigger house that hit nearly every single one of their check-list items before they have to be out of their bungalow.
When we started looking, they knew they wanted to stay in SE, preferably south of Powell and their ideal home would be a south facing mid-century home with all the space they needed with a minimum of 3 bedrooms, a separate space for Emily who works from home, a space for Ben’s music studio and a dedicated area for arts, crafts and sewing. And plenty of room for growing Emily’s beloved flowers. They love mid-centuries and the more original, the better. We looked at a bunch of houses that were of course not quite right, and then we went to go see a super cool mid-century right off Mt. Tabor. We spent quite a bit of time in the house, and they were absolutely in love with it. The house had all the spaces they wanted and a fantastic layout, the yard was perfect, it had a detached studio space and rumpus room in the basement. While it was not south of Powell, at the time we left the house, they felt like they could work with the location because they loved the house so much. There were a couple of things they weren’t crazy about though- mainly that hardwood floors had been replaced with engineered wood floors, and a lot of the mid-century charm had been made a little too slick for their taste- but it was done so well that they were ok with how fancy it felt. The house was at the top of their price range, but they always felt that for the right house, they would be willing to stretch.
A day later, after sleeping on it, with tears in their eyes and hearts, they decided to go with their gut feelings and not put an offer on the house because of the 2 things that weren’t perfect- the location felt too far north for them and they would prefer a less updated and more original mid-century. It took a few days to get over that house, but they did. And then about a week later, a house came on the market south of Woodstock in Eastmoreland Heights and from the photos, it looked really similar to the mid-century house they decided not to write on. We went and saw it and realized that not only did it look like that other house, it was literally the SAME house! Same exact size, same layout on the main floor, a similar but better layout in the basement, same location of closets, and very similar yard. The Mt. Tabor house had the garage in the basement, and this house had a detached double garage which meant more living space in the basement, and with the large garage, a perfect space to turn into a music studio. And even better- this house was still much more original in terms of mid-century charm. One of the things they loved about the Mt. Tabor house was that the sellers on that house took down the wall between the dining room and kitchen for an open layout, and while this new house still had the wall intact, Emily and Ben felt like this was a house where they could take one of the things they loved about that Mt. Tabor house and do the same thing in this house- only they would get to do the kitchen exactly how they wanted.
Before we left the house after seeing it, we knew without a doubt that this was their home- no ifs, ands or buts. We went home, wrote up a fantastic offer and then waited for the weekend to run through it’s course. In the end, there were 6 offers, but we had written up such a good offer in terms of price and terms, and we were the first offer in and I shared the listing on Mt. Tabor with the listing agent to show him how much my buyers wanted this house, that the sellers accepted Emily and Ben’s offer. And to top it all off, the house had a brand new roof, new sewer line, brand spankin’ new central air conditioner, new water line, and a decommissioned oil tank with paperwork so the house is totally move-in ready. Meanwhile, the Mt. Tabor house closed and it turned out that they are spending $170,000 LESS then what Mt. Tabor version of the house sold for. This was the ultimate in finding the right house, in the right spot, at the right price.
Offered at $419,000
2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1135 SF | MLS# 21620220| Taxes: $2619
Check out this cutie pie in the heart of Kenton! Filled with charm and character plus a huge yard, just steps from downtown Kenton!
A sweet front porch and lush landscaping will catch your eye upon arrival. As you enter you’ll find a lovely living and dining room- perfect for entertaining or just spending an evening in front of the gas fireplace. Tons of natural light, classic woodwork, hardwood floors.
So much original character and the darling kitchen is very efficient and bright. Enjoy the dedicated dining area with a large picture window and hardwood floors.
The layout is perfect for a home of this size, there are 2 light-filled bedrooms on the main level and a large bonus room in the basement with 2 large egress windows and full bathroom. This could be a 3rd bedroom, office, media room, home school room, yoga room… really, the possibilities are endless!
Backyard oasis feels very private and is brimming with beauty!
Well maintained with so many updates including triple pane vinyl windows, blown-in insulation in the floor, walls and ceiling, tankless gas hot water heater, earthquake straps, updated electrical panel and 95+ furnace. This house received a 10 on the Home Energy Assessment!
This location is absolutely ideal! Situated on a quiet street with light traffic flow just steps to downtown Kenton, the farmers market, restaurants, shops and the MAX yellow line. Convenient access to I-5 and a bike score 96!
I’m not sure if many of you know this about me, but my first love was actually Architecture. I studied at Iowa State University and worked as an Architect for over 6 years before making the switch to Real Estate in 2004. It really comes in handy to understand engineering and materials when I’m helping just about all of my clients. Although in this in this situation it really came in handy that I have a degree in Architecture because Sophie and Patrick were interested in finding as much land as possible, as close in as possible to build their dream home. They found a gorgeous acre in the Green Hills neighborhood! And we were able to talk shop and confirm it’s a great spot for their next big chapter.
I’m so thrilled to be able to help them and I’d love to work with anyone you know who might need my expertise.
I met Andrea at an open house and we immediately connected. Recently divorced, she was looking for a fresh start and a new condo to go along with her new lifestyle. She wanted to have enough room for herself and her two small dogs, some outdoor space and to keep the price reasonable so she could get back to what she loves–travel! We thought it would be a breeze because the condo market isn’t as tight as the single-family home market so we went out on our search with lots of hope!
The very first listing we saw she was in love. It was a nice stylish condo with some lovely updates. But there were so many offers! We found another one in the same complex, and again so many offers. A third… so many offers. The listing agent told us there was someone buying up all of these units with cash and renting them out because there was no rental cap. Ah-hah! Well, that explains why we were running into so much competition! We decided to move on from that complex.
Andrea went to an open house a couple weeks later and really liked the home but it was a studio and not quite big enough. Then, when a one-bedroom came on the market just next door she called me immediately and we jumped on it. We walked in and she knew this was it. The high ceilings made it feel so spacious! She was drawn to the modern finishes, appliances, quartz countertops and the openness of the living area and kitchen. The location was perfect in Beaverton: close to her job, close proximity to Nike, Cedar Hills entertainment, Beaverton Town Center, accessibility to the freeway and even right next to an aquatic center! The complex had so much to offer as well: clubhouse, pool, gym and jacuzzi.
We went all in and our offer was accepted. Now Andrea has a home she loves! She is investing in herself, trusting her gut and will have money left over for the things that are important to her. She said it best: “I try not to plan my life around someone else because when I focus on what I want and follow my instincts, things tend to work out for me.” Way to go, sister! What an honor it is to be a part of this experience with you.
I’m so happy to give keys to my best friend, Bernadette! We found her a great house in a wonderful location. I just know that she’s going love living there! It’s a cute 3 bedroom with a great yard and tons of light! I wish her all the best! -Cheers!
Congratulations to my buyer Brooke on beating out 10 other offers to snag this perfect home in the Richmond neighborhood. Brooke found me because her sister’s kids attend the same school as my kids in SE Portland, and they were looking for an agent familiar with the area. Brooke is from Seattle and recently went through a divorce and sold her longtime home in Seattle with the intention of moving to Portland to be closer to her sister. Brooke has a daughter that has some disabilities and is mobility challenged, so the home she knew she wanted to purchase would ideally be near her sister, and have the right set-up for her daughter to be able to get around on the ground floor, and have a flat backyard. We spent a good 2+ months on the hunt, which meant nearly every weekend for 2 months Brooke drove down to Portland from Seattle to check out houses. She wrote offers on 3 homes and while it was brutal to go through rejection after rejection, in the end it was all good because like most buyers, the best house was the last house we saw and she wrote on.
The Richmond house is only 7 blocks from her sister, has the perfect layout on the main floor for her daughter to get around in, has a gorgeous bedroom suite upstairs that feels like a sanctuary with light and views of trees for days and bookshelves to fill. The whole house also has the kind of charm that Brooke was looking for. When we toured it, Brooke just kept saying, “this is my house!” And at one point she found the laundry shoot in the downstairs bathroom and squealed with joy. Like a lot of great homes, the home was clearly listed far too low, and while it was hard to stomach writing an offer for 30% over list price, Brooke was ok with it because this was clearly her house. Because the house was listed so far under value, it received 11 offers- with most of those offers well over 20% over list. But this was Brooke’s house and thankfully the seller understood and accepted Brooke’s offer. We did a quick close, no repairs and while the process of finding the right house and getting under contract felt like it took forever, once her offer was accepted on the Richmond house, it was a lightning fast process to close.
We just helped some very special people buy a very special house! Cesar and Shannon were amazing clients. They did everything necessary to jump into a crazy housing market and succeed! We looked at quite a few houses and only lost out on one along the way. It turns out that Cesar and Shannon are quick learners. So after losing that one, we were soon back on the saddle! With their feet now wet they were ready to put together a sharp offer on the next property. And they got it!
I wish them all the best in their new house! It has a lovely yard in the front and the back. Plus a really cute updated kitchen. Cesar loves to cook, so I know they’ll have a great time in that kitchen!
My super special buyer Ta’ Neshia contacted me in early April to see if I could help her complete her long journey of buying her first home. This single mom had spent the past five years working with the Portland Housing Center to build up her credit, save for a downpayment, and get educated about the home buying process. She finally reached mortgage ready status, and as a veteran, qualified for a VA loan. Once she started the process with getting pre-approved, she found out she qualified for a $90,000 N/NE Housing Strategy Preference Policygrant as well as a $15,000 down payment grant through the local land trust non-profit Proud Ground because she is a veteran. So between her N/NE preference policy grant, her Proud Ground grant, her matched savings from Portland Housing Center, and her VA loan, she was able to string all of it together to be able to have the funds to finally buy a home.
Even with the Preference Policy Grant, her budget was on the very low end for Portland- under $400,000, and making matters more difficult, she had to buy a home within the Interstate Urban Renewal Area- which over the last 10 years homes have easily doubled or tripled in some cases in value. Ta’ Neshia said from the first time I met her that she was going to trust in the universe and felt strongly that despite her challenges on paper, it was going to all work out. Her kids are in middle school and really needed their own rooms, so finding a 3 bedroom home was a must. We looked at one townhouse that she could afford and she was willing to go for it, until she started thinking about actually living in the less then ideal space. A week later, a townhouse in the Bridgeton neighborhood right off Marine Drive and the Columbia River came on the market. We went to see it and I could tell she was in love. It had a great layout- 3 bedrooms plus a bonus space upstairs and a great kitchen, dining room, living room and garage that could easily be turned into living space on the ground level. The seller had purchased the unit from a contractor who had re-done the builder basic kitchen into a beautifully functional kitchen, and the seller added her own chic touches everywhere.
It was the second home we saw together and we both felt that this was meant to be her house after we spent time there. We wrote up an offer that same evening and crossed our fingers. Thankfully, my wonderful Living Room Realty colleague Virginia Barden was the listing agent, and I was able to convey to her that while Ta’ Neshia’s offer on paper probably didn’t look as “good” as an offer from another buyer between her down payment assistance grants, VA loan and the need for a 45 day minimum closing, that we could at least offer over asking, no repairs and a small cushion for an appraisal gap. The seller received three compelling offers and Virginia was able to give her seller the full picture on Ta’ Neshia and how hard she had worked to get to this point and how committed she was to this purchase. Thankfully the seller was moved by Ta’ Neshia’s story and decided to put her money where her mouth was and accepted Ta’ Neshia’s offer.
It was such a pleasure and honor to be able to help Ta’ Neshia round out all her hard work and hand over keys. When it was all finished, Ta’ Neshia said one of the best things any buyer has ever said to me- Thank you for being the best advocate I didn’t even know I needed.
Offered at $525,000
3 Bed | 3.5 Bath | 2091 SF | MLS# 21616366 | Taxes: $7836 | HOA $305 Monthly
This well-maintained townhome in the heart of Multnomah Village has a great layout and wonderful updates!
Upon arrival, a lush garden invites you in. Entering the main floor, you’re greeted by high ceilings, hardwood floors and a flood of natural light. The spacious living room and dining room offer a wonderful place to relax and entertain. Rounding out the room is an oversized bay window and a lovely gas fireplace.
The main level layout is ideal with a kitchen, family room and a nice half bath on the main level. You’ll love all the kitchen has to offer: stainless steel appliances, ample countertops, a gas range, plenty of storage and a breakfast bar. Just off the kitchen is a large balcony deck overlooking the treetops. A lovely spot to sip your morning coffee or relax in the evening with friends.
The upper level has an ideal layout with two primary suites. They both offer big windows, vaulted ceilings and closet organizers. Plus, the home has a convenient central vacuum system for ease of use.
Carve out a place for yourself on the lower level with a full bathroom and third bedroom. This flexible space has many options beyond a bedroom: private home office, guest quarters, media room etc.
Just down the hall on the lower level is a large 2 car tandem garage with very high ceilings. A great space for storage with room for bikes, kayaks or more. Plus, extra storage in the stairwell closets as well.
This is a meticulously maintained home with newer: A/C 2019, furnace 2018 and exterior paint 2020.
You’ll love the fantastic location in the heart of Multnomah Village! Just steps to shops, restaurants, parks and all the neighborhood has to offer! Plus, convenient I-5 access.
Fall in love with this captivating, move-in-ready, townhome. It’s waiting for you!
If you know anyone who has bought or sold property in Portland within the last year, you have likely heard stories about needing to “waive the appraisal” to be the winning bid on a home. While this strategy has been in play for a number of years, it now seems to have become a staple of nearly every winning offer in competitive multiple-offer-situations. But, what exactly does it mean to waive the appraisal?
To understand this concept better, let’s start by looking at the normal process for an appraisal during a real estate transaction.
When a Buyer finances the purchase of a home, the Lender requires a third-party Appraiser to inspect the property, and provide an opinion of value for the home. In order for the home to qualify for financing, the appraisal has to come in at or above the agreed upon purchase price, and also be free of any conditions or required repairs (more on that later). If the appraisal comes in below the agreed upon purchase price, then the home does not qualify for financing at that price, and the Lender will only provide financing that is based on the appraised value.
For example, if you are under contract to purchase a property for $600,000 with 10% down, your Loan-to-Value ratio would be 90%, meaning the Lender is financing 90% of the purchase, or in this example, $540,000. If the appraisal came back with an opinion of value of $575,000 for the home, the Lender would then only agree to provide financing for 90% of that amount. In this case, $517,500.
In this event, neither party (Buyer or Seller) is obligated to move forward with the transaction. However, if both parties would like the transaction to move forward, the appraisal shortfall is then typically negotiated between both Buyer and Seller. Either the Seller lowers the price to the appraised value, the Buyer brings more cash to the table to cover the difference, or they split the difference in some agreed-upon fashion.
In today’s market, however, many Buyers are pre-negotiating a potential appraisal shortfall, and either guaranteeing to make up the entire difference in cash, or, offering to bring a predetermined amount of additional cash to closing — on top of whatever the appraised value is. While this is certainly an aggressive strategy (requiring additional cash reserves on hand), it is also effective, as it makes the offer far more attractive to a Seller, who now has more of an upfront guarantee on what their final selling price will be.
One of the obvious concerns with this strategy as a Buyer, is that you will overpay for a home, and give up some of the immediate equity that you might expect to have in the property upon purchasing it. While this is certainly a valid concern, in the Portland Market it has become a question, in many cases, of whether you would rather leverage some of your immediate equity, or perhaps not get into a new home at all. As a prospective Buyer, it’s important to make your offer as attractive as possible, when the Seller is selecting from a pool of 10-15 offers, so in most cases at least one of those offers will include this type of term. If you are not willing or able to, I totally get it. But, it may make for an uphill battle in terms of purchasing a home in the current market.
It’s also important to understand that with prices trending upwards as quickly as they are, the data available for appraisers to use in their valuations is not necessarily completely up-to-date. With the typical escrow period being around 30-days, the most recent data for sold homes that appraisers are able to use, is typically already close to a month old by the time your transaction closes. So, there is some lag time between the value that can be statistically supported by an appraisal, in comparison to what the market will actually bear. As prices continue to rise in Portland, the most relevant data is what is happening in real time, rather than what happened 3-6 months ago, or even last month. So appraisals aren’t always able to keep up with the market.
Enter: Appraisal gap coverage with cash.
As a potential Buyer in this market, I feel it is important to understand this concept upfront, because it changes the amount of cash that may be needed to successfully purchase a property. While the vast majority of transactions I have closed with appraisal gap guarantees ended up actually appraising at the agreed-upon purchase price (meaning no additional cash was required from the Buyer), it is important for Buyers to understand that the risk is always there. So, they should feel comfortable with bringing the additional cash to closing, in the event the appraisal does come in low.
So, how do you know how much cash over the appraisal to offer, or whether it makes sense to include this in an offer at all? Well, I can’t give away all the secrets, but whenever my clients are planning to submit an offer, the first thing I do is research the recently closed comparable homes in the neighborhood to get a sense for the value I feel an appraisal would come in at. From there, we strategize on the offer amount, appraisal gap coverage amount to offer and overall terms. This is also where we ensure that the verbiage used to address how an appraisal shortfall will be handled is specific, and doesn’t leave the Buyer on the hook for any of those potential conditions or repairs that may be required by the Appraiser.
If you’re thinking of buying a home, or have questions about covering a shortfall on an appraisal, please feel free to call or email me anytime! I love discussing Real Estate, and look forward to catching up with you all soon.
Gorgeous updated home tucked away on a private lane that backs to the Tanner Creek Greenbelt. Soaring great room ceilings, owner’s suite options on both the main and upper levels; updated kitchen with quartz “waterfall” counters, wine fridge, oversized refrigerator with obsidian interior, and large pantry; bright and spacious rumpus room; home office with built-ins; hot tub; and new covered, outdoor kitchen. Rare, level lot and driveway allow for easy garage and home access, and create extra space for fun and games! 1.5 miles to the Willamette Commercial District hotspots, or zip over Arch Bridge to adorable Oregon City!
Offered at: $1,150,000
ML #21613119
4 Beds + Office | 4.1 Baths | 4208 Square Feet | Attached 3-Car Garage
Check out our 3D Self Guided Tour or Property Website for more details.
You know you’re doing something right in your career when a former realtor who no longer works in the industry trusts you to help her and her family find their first home to purchase. Munir used to work for the same company as my brother, who is a commercial broker here in Portland. So when it came time for she and her wife Lori to purchase their first home, she reached out to me to help them.
The journey wasn’t all roses and butterflies as we submitted offers on and didn’t get several homes that they thought were “the one.” Lucky for me these buyers remained patient, optimistic and good humored. At one point Lori told me she was feeling “whelmed.” Not overwhelmed or underwhelmed – just “whelmed.”
In the end, they are soooo happy with how it all turned out. They got a great house for themselves and their teenage daughter. It’s an adorable bungalow with a fantastic back yard with a fire pit for many fun nights with friends to come.
If you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell a home in the Portland area, please contact Amanda Haworth at 503-453-7698.
My buyer Alison got in touch with me over 3 years ago after she was referred to me by her close friends, who are old clients of mine. Alison thought she wanted to purchase a condo at a complex in the Brooklyn neighborhood because she had a friend who lived there, and the idea of easy maintenance seemed appealing to her at the time. For what turned out to be a blessing in disguise, none of those units came on the market while she was looking. She then decided to go to grad school and put her house hunt on hold while she went through school and figured out the next phase of her life.
We kept in touch as she made her way through grad school, and then last month, she called me because the house directly behind her best friends house- the same friends who referred her to me, who she had been podding with throughout Covid, had just come on the market. They were able to see it and Alison called me from the house to let me know about it, and that she was interested in purchasing it. She just finished grad school and was about to start a new job at the same organization she had been working at for years, and was finally in a more stable situation where buying a house made sense. I made an appointment and met her the next day at the house- and it was cute as could be. A granny ranch with the vintage pink bathroom and the vintage kitchen complete with pink stove still intact. The house had an almost identical layout to her friends house behind this one, so walking into it felt very familiar. The house was an estate and a little rough around the edges, but we could tell it wouldn’t take much to get it cleaned up and ready to go by getting the wood floors refinished, painting the rooms, removing or painting over some unfortunate 1970’s fake wood paneling and deep cleaning the kitchen, basement and bathroom.
Alison had been on the path to becoming a home owner for over 3 years and now that she was finally ready, and the perfect house presented itself to her, the reality of actually writing an offer on a house was an internal hump she needed to process. The seller had a couple of offers and the deadline was approaching. Alison decided to jump in and we wrote up a great offer 10% over list. Thankfully the sellers accepted her offer and off to inspections we went. Her friends behind this house had already planned where the gate between their backyards was going to go and thankfully her friends are super handy and could help out with minor repairs. The inspection went much better then I thought it would, with the exception of a complicated sewer situation involving a blockage near where the sewer line for the house met the City lateral and it involved a ton of pooling in the line. I was able to negotiate a credit for that repair- though it took almost the entire transaction to sort it all out. And less then five weeks after she called me, I had the distinct pleasure of handing her keys!
Back in November of 2018, Kelley and Satomi were referred to my by one of the lenders I work with. They had just been given notice that they needed to be out of their rental home soon, and they were in a bit of a pickle. I met them for coffee and I think within 48 hours later they had an offer accepted on a skinny house over in Mill Park. When they bought that house, they were using the Oregon Bond, and they were literally the last buyers to lock in a low rate- within an hour or two of the lender locking them, the Oregon Bond rate went up enough so they would not have been able to afford to purchase the home. They loved their home, but when their daughter was accepted into a magnet school in Portland Public Schools, they decided they needed to move to a house within PPS district, so we started planning to get their home ready to list.
Meanwhile, some good friends of theirs who owned a home in Madison South got word that the house directly behind them was going to be hitting the market soon. That home was a more contemporary version of the skinny house Kelley and Satomi already owned, but this home had a much larger yard and far more upgraded finishes. We tried to see if Kelley and Satomi could buy it off market, but the seller really wanted to put it on the open market. In the meantime, we listed Kelley and Satomi’s house in Mill Park, and 4 days later they had an accepted offer on their home and were free to look for a home without writing a contingent offer. As luck would have it, one day after Kelley and Satomi’s house went under contract, the Madison South contemporary came on the market. We went to look at it immediately and it was perfect. We wrote up an over asking offer that evening hoping the seller would accept right away. The seller decided to keep it on the market at least through the weekend, and at the end of the weekend, we were the only offer.
The seller accepted Kelley and Satomi’s offer, and thirty days later it was key day!
As a prospective home buyer, navigating the roller coaster of emotions that is the Portland real estate market these days can be exhausting. It’s easy to get down on yourself after falling in love with a home and writing an amazing offer, only to find out that 17 other people also wrote amazing offers, and yours just wasn’t quite amazing enough.
When that happens 5-6 times, it starts feeling like maybe you’ll never find a home.
My clients who recently closed on a home though, are a perfect example of how a thick skin and positive attitude can play a vital role in helping to accomplish the goal of buying a home in this market.
With a max budget of $400k, the options available for my clients were already very slim. Not to mention, everything selling in this price point would have at least 10 offers within a day or two of hitting the market.
We looked at properties every week for a few months, and nearly every week we submitted an offer on a home. Time and time again, I would have to deliver the bad news that someone else had written an offer higher than ours, or someone else had put more money down, or someone else waived inspections.
Each time, the Buyers shook it off, and said “ok, thanks for your work, Kevin. On to the next.”
We must have written 8-10 offers on homes they didn’t get. And each time, they responded with the same positivity and good natured attitude. Until finally, with a little bit of magic, they had their offer accepted!
They closed today, and I couldn’t be happier to see such positive people realize their goal in such a challenging and competitive environment. Where many people might give up or lose hope, they stayed positive and persisted, until it paid off. Huge congratulations to you!!
Landing a property in this market means thinking outside of the box. That was our strategy for these amazing buyers (after competing with 30 other offers on our last try) and it worked!!!
Bonus was the amazing private patio, perfect for relaxing morning coffees (and evening Pinot) all Summer long.
If you need some help landing a property, I’d be happy to discuss strategies with you .
Veronica Powell
503.936.3475
Veronica@LivingRoomRE.com
Live, work, and play from home! This 3 bed, 3.1 bath townhome is loaded with light and efficiency! 531 N Cook hosts an open kitchen with stainless appliances, living and dining room with gas fireplace. Lower bedroom suite leads to a private patio perfect for guests, or working from home. Primary bedroom suite opens to a large south facing balcony ready for your next container garden. With a 78 walk score and 86 bike score, stroll to Mississippi and Williams avenue for groceries, wellness, shopping or a night out and get around the city with ease.
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
OPEN HOUSE SAT 5/15 12:30PM-2:30PM
Come for the location, stay for the updates and charm! This classic Vernon Bungalow sits proud with timeless architectural features, formal dining room with vintage built-ins, light-filled rooms and a detached bonus space with vaulted ceiling.
A sweet front porch and fresh exterior paint will catch your eye upon arrival. Entering into the living room, you’ll feel the love: with gleaming hardwood floors, classic woodwork and a charming wood-burning fireplace.
While this home retains much of its original character, the updated kitchen boasts updates including gorgeous quartz countertops, stylish hardware, tile backsplash and plenty of extra storage in the pantry. The kitchen flows into the formal dining room. It’s just perfect for big dinner parties and intimate dinners alike.
The layout of the home is ideal, with 2 bedrooms and a bathroom on the main level. The second floor offers a lovely third bedroom with wonderful natural light and room for a spacious home office.
Moving through the kitchen you’ll find your backyard oasis! This fully fenced sanctuary feels very private and is brimming with beauty. You’re going to love this converted garage! A clean and spacious room with raw wood beams, this could be an office, detached living space, home school room, yoga room… really, the possibilities are endless!
The full, unfinished basement with an exterior entrance is clean and ready for projects and lots of storage. Complete with newer 96% efficiency furnace! Plus a great shed in the backyard for bike storage.
This location is absolutely ideal! Situated on a quiet street, easy walking distance to Alberta Park, the Alberta Arts district and so many restaurants & shops on Killingsworth!
So much to love in this well-maintained and inviting classic Vernon Bungalow!
Here’s an amazing opportunity to roll up your sleeves and renovate this mid-century home teeming with vintage vibes! Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two driveways! Large basement, bonus spaces and an extra fireplace. Entertain in your large back yard with covered patio. Cozy up to a fire in the fireplace in the spacious living room. This Cully hot spot is a biker’s paradise close to all the neighborhood has to offer and easy access to NE Portland and downtown.
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
This Victorian gem sits on a rare 7500 sq ft lot in a very walkable neighborhood with close proximity to all the good stuff on Williams including a New Seasons Market. Tall ceilings, bay window, lots of light, updated bath and kitchen, wood floors and a great basement… This large lot has development potential or plenty of room for your Airstream AND a huge garden.
Congratulations to my clients, D&Y, for purchasing their 4th property in 2 years! I truly enjoy being a part of helping my clients build up a real estate portfolio, and helping them utilize real estate as part of their wealth building strategy. It’s something that I believe in personally, so it’s great to connect with friends and clients who feel the same way.
My clients were expecting their 2nd child and already had a toddler to chase…missing out in Portland’s brisk seller’s market wasn’t an option! So, we pulled up our boot straps and got down to it!
With the precision of an air traffic controller, I carefully planned our afternoon of showings like a mosaic across town. I found the perfect options that checked all the boxes. Bam…we got a hit on day one! A well-crafted offer was submitted and we excitedly awaited the outcome. It was a “no”.
Brush it off, get back up and do it again…and again. 7 more times, actually. Don’t lose faith, stay in the game and keep going. Maybe it’s the 3rd time, or in this case, the 8th, it will happen. House buying karma will be in your favor, too! You will soon be handed the keys to your new home and say, “This is so worth it! I’m so glad we hung in there!”
Back in 2015 I helped one of my very favorite people Tiana purchase a home in Cully on a large lot with her then wife. Back then, the market was competitive, but not so competitive that a buyer with only a small down payment couldn’t get a house on the first offer they wrote. Two and a half years ago life circumstances changed and Tiana and her ex-wife broke up and I helped them sell the house. At that time in late 2019, the market had pretty much flat-lined, and when we sold that house, it did take a few weeks to go pending. Ever since then, Tiana has talked about getting back in the market to buy another home.
And then in January of this year, Tiana and her now partner Mallory hit the “go” button and were ready to start shopping. Which is pretty much exactly the same time everyone else in Portland decided they needed to buy a house. Within only 5% down and not having the ability to make up a gap in case the appraised value came in lower then the purchase price, Tiana got caught in theloop of writing offer after offer after offer. Each offer she wrote was easily $25k-$60k over asking, and every single time, she was either outbid or someone else had better terms. And then on the 7th try, we found a home in Brentwood Darlington that was perfect in just about every way. It was super cute, mid-century ranch with 3 bedrooms, a large kitchen, sunny windows and a huge yard. And like every other house she wrote on, this one also had multiple offers. But this time, Tiana’s lender, the one and only Jennifer Leon at Umpqua Bank who I work with all the time, happened to also be chummy with the listing agent. Jennifer called the listing agent and expounded on just how wonderful a person Tiana is, and how much both Jennifer and myself have invested in seeing Tiana become a homeowner. And it worked!!! The sellers decided to sell to Tiana even though there was a couple of offers that were higher and presumably had better terms.
The inspection turned up a few issues that need addressing, and because of the multiple offers the sellers were understandably not willing to give my buyer a credit or do any repairs, but all of the issues are fixable. And then the piece we had all been dreading came to pass. The house appraised for $27k under purchase price. Big ouch. Tiana did have some funds to make up a tiny portion of the difference, but not enough to even get close to the purchase price. We submitted a reconsideration of value and the appraiser did come up a bit, so between what the appraiser came up with and the small amount of additional down payment Tiana was able to bring in, the sellers agreed to sell to Tiana at a price still under the agreed upon purchase price.
When the listing agent let Tiana, myself and Jennifer know that the sellers were ok moving forward at the lower price, all three of us were in tears. Happy tears. And all was well in the world at that moment.
Right now, when it feels like there is 1 house for every 10 buyers out there, many buyers are having to adjust their expectation in a house. And if they see something they think will meet their needs, they are often writing an offer. Interestingly many of these buyers may have started off with a laundry list of what their needs are. As their offers have been rejected, they have boiled that list down to what their true needs are. In doing that, some buyers are considering houses that have the prime elements they are looking for, and then rely on the future renovation projects they will do to get it the rest of the way there.
Here are my thoughts on what projects new buyers should focus on. Buy something you can move right into (or move in within 60 days). Most traditional loans require buyers move in within 2 months, so find something that is livable. When it comes to projects to take on, consider the things that traditionally increase the value of the house. The kitchen and baths are a great start.
If you’re willing to do more updates, consider something that doesn’t need structural changes, or changes that will require an architect. Pulling in an architect increases costs exponentially. It also usually means city building permits are necessary in order to make those improvements. Many cities are back-logged right now, and might not even be able to look at those plans for 3 months. Stick to surface updates like paint, flooring, and lighting. For a handy person, those are even things you can do yourself. Thoughtfully updating these, along with the kitchen and baths, will typically bring back a high return for what you investment.
While I recommend generally staying away from houses with structural issues, making updates to the electrical can be easy enough, and is one of the most important upgrades to make when it comes to safety. Do yourself a favor though and hire a licensed electrician. If you find a home you love that has 2 prong outlets, no GFCI protection in kitchen or baths, or has an unsafe electric panel, these are prime for upgrading. Not only will it be safer, it adds modern conveniences. You will need these kinds of upgrades later down the road anyway to make further improvements in the house that you really want. While this electric project could average between $7,500 – $10,000 or more, if you’re buying in a market where the average cost of a house is over $500,000, that doesn’t feel like too much.
Looking for more of a project? Here are some tips for something more extensive: Click Here.
Come home to this beautiful bungalow nestled in a magical garden! Established landscaping and a massive front porch add curb appeal, with stunning period details throughout the home. Entertain in style in the formal dining room and renovated modern kitchen, complete with breakfast nook. Take the party outside to the large patio with its own built-in tv perfect for movie nights, or enjoy the gorgeous Japanese-style garden with fruit trees and a gorgeous wisteria-covered pergola. A stand-alone studio offers boundless possibilities, while the old chicken coop is just waiting to be refurbished and filled with new tenants! With three bedrooms on the upper floor, one on the main, and one in the fully finished basement, this home offers flexibility and opportunity! Nearby to freeway access, abundant shopping, and local parks.
Live in the heart of Alberta! Keep the rainy days at bay in this colorful home with an open, modern flow, great light and bright spaces. 2 bedroom, 2 bathrooms complete with delightful updates, a large bonus room that looks out to new landscaping in the backyard, and vaulted ceilings upstairs. With an 86 walk score, and 77 bike score, walk to shops, cafes, parks and get around the city with ease!
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
Enchanting architectural detail welcomes you to this classic Victorian home. Cozy up in your formal living/dining room or enjoy cooking in your large kitchen. Light-filled with spacious rooms, old world charm and modern updates, this 3 bedroom, 2 full bathroom home has bonus space both upstairs and in the basement. Entertain in your backyard, or play at Irving Park. With an 87 walk score, and 96 bike score, get around the city with ease and enjoy the heart of NE PDX!
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
This cocktail ready 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom mid-century in St. Johns was listed at $470,000. After 4 days on the market my sellers received 5 above asking offers all with great terms, and the home just sold for $575,000.
This one is SOLD!!!
…..but if you’re shopping in the area or live in this lovely little pocket of a neighborhood and are thinking of selling, I would be happy to offer some insight into the current market conditions.
This one received multiple offers and Closed at: $1,078,000, $128K over asking. If you’re thinking of selling, now is the time! Offers are compelling. Terms are strong. Sales are smooth.
Give me a call if you’d like to chat!
Veronica Powell
503.936.3475
Veronica@LivingRoomRE.com
It isn’t cheap to own a home, and maintaining it can be expensive. So yeah, it can come across as a pesky expense periodically. But silently and lovingly, your house is building you wealth. It is an asset that, if taken care of, can pay dividends.
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
Come home to this light-filled and spacious craftsman teeming with classic detail and woodwork throughout. Formal living room and dining room with fireplace and original built-ins. Cook in your large kitchen, or entertain in your backyard with deck and landscaped spaces. This home boasts 4 bedrooms plus 3 bonus spaces, including an enclosed sun porch, finished attic, office space, plus a large open basement. With a walk score of 75 and bike score of 79, get around the city with ease!
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
One-of-a-kind property lovingly crafted with thoughtful design and energy efficient elements throughout. Private and wooded, the 3 bed/2 bath home features wood floors, cozy fireplace in den, wine cellar, and large separate 1 bed/1 bath ADU. As a healthy house, it boasts reclaimed materials, Rastra construction, and low to no VOC paint. Gather in your spacious chef’s kitchen with friends and family. Host an event in your parklike yard with vineyard vibes. Live, work, play and enjoy year round this bespoke Cedar Mill retreat.
GENERAL
CONSTRUCTION
PRIMARY SUITE
KITCHEN
ADU
CARPORT
HVAC
WINDOWS
ENERGY UPGRADES
ORIGINAL FEATURES
FLOORING
FINISHES
MEDIA
OUTDOOR SPACES
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
Comfort and charm abound in this 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom Montavilla sweetheart! Light-filled with wood floors throughout, large living room and dining room with spacious kitchen. Handy cellar style basement for storage, bonus space upstairs for yoga or home office. Hangout in your porch swing and gaze at your garden out front or entertain in your courtyard style backyard. With an 80 walk score and a 98 bike score, it’s a biker’s paradise! This dreamy home is ready for you!
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
Stroll out of this classic 1 bedroom condo to explore galleries, cafes, parks & more. Stop by the bakery for fresh pastries, & enjoy coffee on the balcony with friends. This unit is complete with a Murphy bed in the living room, hardwood floors throughout, built-ins in kitchen & dining room, vintage tile in bathroom, storage, & a parking spot. Light-filled, spacious & wedged between Slabtown & NW 23rd, this condo beckons you to enjoy the best of Portland!
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
The Portland Real Estate Market has strongly favored Sellers for the greater part of 7 years now, and this has largely been driven by a shortage of supply, coupled with low mortgage interest rates. There are many motivated Buyers, looking to lock in a home purchase at a great rate, but just not enough supply to meet the demand, which has caused the high level of competition we are seeing for Buyers.
But why is that? What is causing this seemingly never-ending cycle of low inventory in our region? Below are my thoughts on some of the main contributing factors.
1. Lack of New Construction:
According to Portland Alliance, despite historic economic expansion, our region has produced the fewest housing units over any 10-year period since World War II.
With the number of new households in the area exceeding the number of new homes being built, we have a situation where demand for housing cannot be met at current building rates. In order to balance the market, there needs to be a larger supply of new construction to keep up with the growth in our region.
This is a particularly complex issue, which dates back to the Recession in 2008-2012. Residential new construction hit all time lows during that time period, and it simply hasn’t ever fully recovered.
Additionally, the cost to build is significantly higher now, and I am sure many of us are aware that the price of lumber has skyrocketed during the pandemic — nearly quadrupling in price.
2. Hesitation to Enter the Market
Another issue that contributes to the lack of inventory, is a hesitancy from current homeowners to trade-up or downsize in the current market climate. I have spoken with a number of clients in the last year, and discussed the pros and cons of making a move in this market. There are many people who would love to take advantage of this opportunity to sell their current home, but the prospect of then entering the market as a buyer, is not all that appealing.
Buying and selling a home in the same market will always favor one side of this coin, but in the current climate, it so strongly favors sellers, that it intimidates some from even attempting to make the transition.
3. Duration of Homeownership
Another interesting factor contributing to the lack of housing supply, is that people are staying in their homes for longer periods of time. According to the US Census Bureau, the average tenure for homeownership in the United States is just over 8 years. In comparison, the average tenure was only 4 years between 2000-2007.
We can certainly speculate as to why this might be, but there doesn’t seem to be any overwhelmingly compelling evidence that points to exactly why people are staying put longer.
In any event, the solution to the lack of housing inventory is massively complex, and it will likely be a slow moving process to reach a point where there is enough housing supply in our region to meet the demand.
In the meantime, there are definitely still ways to make a transition in this market (see my previous blog post), and there are also ways to be strategic with your offer structure to help ensure you win in multiple offer scenarios. As always, I am more than happy to set up a time to meet, and discuss market conditions in further detail, so you can see how all of these moving parts affect your own personal sutuiaton.
Some friends of mine purchased their first home, a sturdy 1910 bungalow right off Alberta street nearly 20 years ago. Seven years ago and 2 kids later, they outgrew their Alberta house and I helped them purchase a larger home in NE where they still live. They loved their Alberta house, and even though they had moved out, they weren’t ready to part ways, so they held onto it as a rental. They have had a great run of tenants and their current tenant has been there for over a year. My sellers have talked about selling the house over the years, but were also quite happy to keep it as a rental. And then almost on a whim, my sellers purchased a dream property on the Washington side of the Gorge as a vacation property. They weren’t sure they really wanted to own 3 homes, and with the market as on fire as it is, now seemed like a great time to consider selling their rental.
The next door neighbors are close with the tenant who lives in the Alberta house, and when the neighbors found out my sellers were considering selling the house, they took the bull by the horns and went for it. The neighbors didn’t want to lose the tenant as a neighbor, so last month they sent my sellers an offer to purchase the home and keep the tenant. My sellers weren’t quite sure they were ready at that moment to sell, but with a tenant in place, the idea of selling it to the neighbors started to become more attractive. We discussed all the pros and cons of putting the house on the market vs selling it off market, and in the end, the pros outweighed the cons. Had their not been a tenant in the home, their decision may have been different, but they really respected their tenant and wanted to do right by him. The offer the neighbors sent over wasn’t quite high enough, so we countered back at a higher price and selling the house as-is with no repairs. The neighbors accepted and we went under contract. The transaction went really smoothly and we just closed. Selling a home off-market is not necessarily the in the best interest of a seller in such a strong sellers market, but with a tenant in place, in this case, selling it off market turned into a win-win-win for my sellers, the neighbors and the tenant.
When I say this market is tough on buyers, that may be an understatement for what Andrea and Amar (and sweet 1-year-old daughter Maeve) have been through. When we first met they were coming out of the process of getting bids for their current home to expand it to fit their growing family. They decided it would be easier to just purchase something else instead. Little did they know the challenges that lay ahead.
After a few weeks of searching, we finally found their “dream home.” We put in a stellar offer, and although the listing agent told us ours was the strongest, the sellers picked another offer based on the buyer letter. Crushing. And, frankly, unethical. So Andrea and Amar took a little time off from the hunt and regrouped.
A few weeks of looking later, a home popped up that looked promising. It had the big yard they had dreamed of, it was a “granny ranch” with great bones and a ton of potential to make it into exactly what they want. The problem was, we would have to fight for it. There was a ton of competition for this home, including a cash offer that was very appealing to the sellers.
Insert super lender Jen Bell into the mix. She said she could get us a 10 day closing to compete with the cash buyer. So we put our best foot forward and I had a lot of heart-to-hearts with the listing agent. When she finally called to tell us we got it, she said, “I feel like we’re old friends at this point!”
Needless to say, Andrea and Amar are THRILLED with how things panned out. And so am I! I can’t wait to see how their amazing remodel will turn out. They have a great eye for design and I just know they are going to have the coolest house when this is all done! So happy for them!
If you, or anyone you know, are looking to buy or sell a home in the greater Portland area, please contact Amanda Haworth at 503-453-7698 or amanda@livingroomre.com.
This is the Mid-Century Ranch you’ve been looking for! Picture perfect, this 1950’s classic is located on a peaceful, quiet street in a mature neighborhood, and is surrounded by gorgeous landscaping, majestic fir trees, and graceful Japanese maples. A lovely entrance with a generous foyer draws you into the heart of the home– a warm and inviting living room with rich wood paneling, classic brick fireplace, and a huge picture window with a view out to the park-like backyard. Hardwood floors, beautiful millwork, and modern lighting create a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for cozying up with a good book or playing a rousing board game by the fire.
The dining room is open to both the living room and kitchen and has period built-ins. A large, floor-to-ceiling window opens to the backyard and patio, creating a year-round experience of “outdoor dining.” A convenient breakfast bar separates the eating area and the kitchen, providing space for informal meals or laying a spread when it’s your turn to host. This is a wonderful space for entertaining and also perfect for intimate dinners.
The remodeled kitchen has a great layout plus many updates, including quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, newer dishwasher, custom tile work, classic Marmoleum flooring, and ample, well-lit counter space. Just off the kitchen is a large master bedroom with a full bathroom. This space has great potential for a home office, family room, or home gym.
Away from the kitchen toward the other end of the home, you’ll find three quiet, light-filled bedrooms with beautiful millwork, warm wood floors, and ample closets. A roomy modern bathroom with double sinks and stylish updates accommodates everyone during the morning rush, or in the evening allows a relaxing soak in the tub before bed.
The fully fenced backyard is gorgeously landscaped. Ample patio space ringed by mature Japanese maples and a stand of large fir trees creates a private northwest retreat, perfect for entertaining on a warm summer evening, or for relaxing with a hot cup of coffee and a crossword on a sunny morning. The charming garden shed enhances the park-like atmosphere and keeps all your tools and toys tastefully out of sight. A large mudroom complete with laundry and storage allows entry from the backyard and provides a convenient spot to slip off muddy boots after gardening or playing.
Lovingly cared for this home has professionally landscaped yards with built-in watering systems, newer double pane windows, updated plumbing, a recent water main replacement, and newer central A/C.
Located away from the hustle and bustle but with easy access to shopping and hwys I-84 & I-205. Close proximity to Glendoveer Golf Course and walking trails, and a short walk to the MAX line serving the greater metro area, including downtown and PDX airport. Enjoy your own private park and quiet, one-level living while still experiencing all the benefits of city life.
Gabrielle and Bobby are recent newlyweds (congrats!) and just closed on their first home together. They met when Gabrielle was visiting a friend for a weekend (she’s from the Chicago area) and it was love at first sight. Fast forward, and these two are now the proud new owners of this beautiful ranch-style home. They love the abundance of natural light throughout, the kitchen, and especially the backyard which is private and spacious. This will be a perfect house to raise a family in, as Gabrielle and Bobby plan to do. Along with their cute 2 year-old pup, they’re so excited to start their life here. Congratulations to you both, and here’s to a bright future in your lovely new place.
Home-buying is competitive lately, but newlyweds, Eamon and Pam were successful with the 3rd offer they submitted. We went in strong with an offer at 5% over the listing price and they included a commitment to move forward with the purchase as long as the home appraised for at least the listing price. That did the trick. Inspections took place during the chaos of the February ice and snow. Despite the crazy weather we got the job done and negotiated seller credit to cover some important repairs for the home.
The South Tabor home has been owned by the same family for 90+ years, since it was built in 1930. There’s a nice big yard that overlooks another neighbor’s even larger yard. The setting almost feels like it backs up to a park. Rarely do we find a small home with grand house features like this one. The living room has charming leaded glass windows and a fabulous fireplace. Built-in cabinets add old-world charm. The bathroom is spacious with cool vintage tile and hardwood floors run throughout the main floor. Clearly the house has been lovingly cared for by it’s original owners, but there’s great potential for the buyers to invest some sweat equity and polish things up a bit. Maybe someday they’ll finish off the basement. But for now they are picking out paint colors, planning a garden and settling in nicely to the South Tabor neighborhood. Congratulations to my favorite pandemic newlyweds!
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Interested in making Portland your home?
Call Cheri Harney, at 503-319-4858.
Water! We have lots of it here in Portland. The moment it hits your roof, drops down into your gutters and into your downspouts, that water has to go somewhere. Let’s begin by saying that poorly mitigated water runoff can wreak havoc on your foundations and crawl spaces causing very expensive repairs to your home down the road. Keeping your gutters clean and water runoff at least 6 feet away from your home will help to prevent these costly issues.
If your downspouts are not connected to the sewer-where is the water going? First look at the slope of the ground around your home. It should slope AWAY from your home. Second, if your downspout is dumping water at the corners of your house, consider installing a dry well which is a buried tank in your yard that water is funneled to, or maybe your landscaping could accommodate a bioswale. Bioswales are channels designed to collect and move water runoff while also cleaning the water as it slowly returns to the ground. Click HERE to see examples of bioswales and how they can help keep water away from your home while looking amazing, too!
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped over 200 clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
Nestled in the treetops of Forest Park, this stunning townhouse is the perfect place to call home! High ceilings and lots of windows bring the outside in, while a fireplace anchors and adds warmth and comfort. The second floor features an open-concept layout, modern kitchen with SS appliances, gorgeous bamboo flooring, guest bedroom & bathroom, plus a beautiful private patio off the living room. The upper level features a large primary bedroom suite with a luxurious bathroom with both a shower and a tub, plus a bonus office nook. The garage is on the entry-level and is extra deep and outfitted with lots of shelving for storage.
Located in the heart of Forest Heights, this home has easy access to highways, is a short drive to downtown Portland, and allows you to enjoy the shops and restaurants of the nearby Forest Heights Village Center. Hiking trails and a pond with picnic areas, located just steps from your front door allow you to play in nature anytime!
Upon arrival, you’ll notice the high level of care and attention given to this home. A lovely landscaped front yard welcomes you with well-designed cedar fencing, fresh exterior paint and newer double-pane windows!
Once inside this south-facing home, you’ll enjoy wonderful natural light, gorgeous wood floors, tasteful updates and classic details. The living room is stylish with a beautiful picture window, wood moldings and gorgeous, recently installed white oak, hardwood floors.
Take in the character of the home as you make your way seamlessly from the living room into the kitchen with tasteful modern updates and timeless period finishes. A picture-perfect dining nook rounds out the kitchen. Updates include newer integrated dishwasher, fridge, gas range with range hood, wood floors, solid wood cabinets and countertops, sink and white oak hardwood floors. Through the hall you’ll find 2 lovely bedrooms with tall windows. The well-maintained bathroom features a claw-foot tub with shower.
Step out into the beautiful, ample backyard which feels very private. The space is highlighted by a custom brick patio, custom cedar fencing and lush green landscaping. The oversized garage, with alley access, could be used for so many things! Currently, owners are using the garage as a woodshop, but it is ready for your imagination, possibly an ADU? The backyard boasts plenty of room for entertaining, a firepit, gardening or playing with furry friends! Clean, unfinished partial basement has great ceiling height and plenty of room for storage and laundry area.
Lucky you because this house is located in the sweet spot! Just blocks from Woodstock town center, Woodstock park and the wonderful shops and restaurants the neighborhood has to offer.
So much to love in this darling home! It is ready for you to move in and enjoy so come check it out! This is one level living at its best!
I helped Eddie buy a house about 5 years ago and was so happy to work with him again. If you know me, you know that I love homes and helping my clients make life transitions. I love being a real estate agent for so many reasons! And, I’ve got to tell you, there was a little sparkle in this story for me because Eddie purchased this condo so his parents could live closer to him and his daughter, Viv! It really is so fun to help families to be closer to one another.
The single-family home market is definitely experiencing a very competitive seller’s market and a lack of inventory. However, on the condo side of things, there are a lot more units available so if you are considering a condo, it’s a great time to buy. Eddie and his Mom found a sweet 2 bedroom condo with a view in the Lloyd Center neighborhood for a very reasonable price!
And one more thing! Speaking of lovely people to work with people- a big shout out to Uli Sommers, my favorite home inspector. I know that everyone who works with her is going to get the best service at the best price and she did a great job for Eddie and his parents as well.
Aryne + Dulcinea are full-service, high-producing agents, who understand how to navigate the unique challenges facing the Portland real estate market. The secret to their success is in their professionalism and complementary skill sets. In 2012, Aryne + Dulcinea saw an opportunity to combine their creative and technical wisdom to create a values-driven, full-service agency unlike any other. Expert negotiators and project management mavens with a strong background in creative marketing, Aryne + Dulcinea serve as fierce advocates for their clients.
Their passion for real estate relates closely to their commitment to the Portland way of life, which entails a dedication to sustainability and appreciation for all things local. As Earth Advantage Brokers and ADU Certified Specialists, Aryne + Dulcinea are savvy in all aspects of alternative living practices—from versatile housing additions, green building practices, and revenue-generating strategies. Join us to learn how that has manifested in their business and given them close ties with their community as well as how they have created harmony in their partnership to give them both balance in their lives.
The Excellence Award is given to those in our industry and within our greater community, who demonstrate leadership, excellence, and a spirit of generosity. Our recipients share their story at a one-hour award presentation and drop pearls of wisdom they have learned along the way navigating their success. The event is not formal, and conversation and Q&A are encouraged!
The award will be presented at noon, with a Q&A session to follow. The event will be held via Zoom Meeting.
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped over 200 clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
This transaction was a great example of sticking with it until you get what you want! Amanda and Iain are whip-smart and tenacious, which are the best qualities a buyer could have in this current market.
Jasmine and I love working with first-time home buyers and homeownership is something we want to see for everyone who is interested. We pride ourselves on our initial buyer’s meeting setting up reasonable expectations to empower our clients. By breaking the process into manageable pieces the whole thing makes sense, flows nicely and clients know they will get the home they want.
I appreciate so much how Iain and Amanda kept their eyes on the prize, they didn’t let disappointments slow their roll and, in the end, they made their dream come true! They bought a gorgeous home!
And, as we all know, in real estate, there is truly nothing better than a GREAT referral and I am thrilled that Jasmine was referred to Amanda and Iain by their mutual friends! They are fun and wonderful people and I’m so happy to have worked with them.
Congratulations to my clients Sam and Brie who just closed on a lovely Queen Anne-style cottage in Oregon City. Looking straight out of a gingerbread kit, this charming home has 2 beds and 1 bath with plenty of space in between. Sam and Brie are newly married after 7 years of dating and are looking forward to starting a life together here. They fell in love with the classic details of the home and intend to preserve it just as the previous owners have. It was the perfect place to allow them to commute into the city and come back to a relaxing and quiet home. Catch them sunbathing in their light-drenched living room with their cute pup, Stella, a French Bulldog. Best of luck to you guys, and thank you for trusting me to help you find your new home.
One of the biggest challenges for would-be Sellers in the Portland real estate market, is what to do after you have sold your home. With this quite possibly being the hottest Seller’s Market we have ever seen, it often feels like selling your home is a forgone conclusion — it’s just a matter of how many offers you will get, and how high over your asking price those offers will be. While this isn’t always the case, it certainly stands true that if you price your home appropriately, and you have a solid product to offer, there will be a line of Buyers ready and willing to offer you the moon for your home. But, what do you do next?
Knowing that the market is extremely competitive and challenging for Buyers, many people are nervous about the prospect of selling their current home, simply because they don’t know where they will live once it’s sold. They would love to take advantage of the current market on the selling side, but don’t relish the prospect of having a ticking clock on when they need to find their next home. So, here are three tips for how to make that transition, without feeling the stress of needing to make a major life decision, with a finite amount of time to make it.
Whichever route you end up choosing, there will be a certain level of discomfort involved, so it’s wise to spend some time strategizing and preparing, prior to embarking on the journey of selling and buying in this market. This will allow you to feel well-prepared and open to making short-term sacrifices, which will ultimately help you accomplish your goal of finding your next home!
You may see one happy new homeowner in this photo, but there are two more to come! 2020 dealt our lovely clients, Chris and Jamie, and their mother, Shari, some tough blows. Needing a reset and reconnection with family, they decided to move to Portland from Los Angeles together. They called us and, almost immediately, we found this darling home in the Overlook neighborhood, which is a perfect fit for the three of them. In this fast real estate market, the great houses don’t last long, so thankfully, Chris and Jamie were quick learners and took our advice on the various ways they could make their offer most attractive to the sellers. They ended up beating out 12 other buyers to land the house. Cut to 30 days later and their swift and decisive efforts paid off. Shari pulled up with her moving van to collect the keys to their new house. Chris and Jamie will follow soon and this family will get the fresh start it deserves!!
Congratulations Chris, Jamie and Shari – we know you will enjoy your beautiful new home and Portland life!!
This lovely home in Parkrose just found new owners! The spacious floor plan offers four bedrooms and three baths with tons of charm. The new owners will enjoy panoramic views from their living room, or step outside to the gorgeous raised deck and enjoy the fresh air. The fenced backyard sports lush foliage with privacy and shade. Attached two car garage, large driveway and additional side-yard parking. Neighborhood is quiet and residential near grocery shopping, public transit and great schools. I’ve so enjoyed working with my clients Chuck and Melissa who sold this home. Congratulations to all and best of luck on the next journey!
Quintessential Grant Park bungalow completely remodeled to the studs in 2018. Open floor plan with marvelous kitchen that will delight your guests. Practical main level living and separate living quarters in the basement with independent exterior entrance, a second master and bonus area in the attic. Lovely covered patio and easy maintenance yard ready to enjoy this spring. Convenient location close to New Seasons, restaurants, Grant Park amenities, library and BCS/Grant schools.
