It’s Always Sunny in Richmond

It’s Always Sunny in Richmond!

2612 SE 31st Avenue, Portland, OR 97202

Offered at $599,900

  3 BEDROOM | 1 BATH |  2,356 SQ FT
MLS #21568173 | TAXES: $4,674

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!

PLEASE SEE LISTING FOR COVID-19 SAFETY PROCEDURES.

WHAT’S AROUND – WANT TO GO FOR A WALK? A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN SOUND FUN? NEED TO GRAB SOME GROCERIES?

  • Tight Tacos
  • Bollywood Theater
  • Beaumont Hardware
  • Eb & Bean
  • Imperial Bottle Shop & Taproom
  • Piccolo City Park
  • Zahara Boutique
  • Flying Cat Coffee
  • Kati Portland
  • Little Otsu
  • Olympia Provisions Public House
  • For Paws
  • Salt & Straw
  • Adorn
  • St. Honoré Bakery
  • Little T Baker
  • Kashiwagi Sushi
  • Lauretta Jean’s Pie
  • Xico
  • Dots

HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS + FEATURES:

  • Adorable 3 bedroom, 1 bath bungalow in the Clinton Arts Neighborhood
  • Beautiful hardwood floors throughout
  • Open and bright living and dining rooms with beautiful built-ins, wood burning fireplace & large windows
  • Brand new countertops, faucet and sink in kitchen
  • Fresh interior paint
  • Full basement with new drywall
  • Updated sewer line
  • Beautifully landscaped yard with a grape arbor in front
  • Excellent location – steps away from Hawthorne, Division + Clinton!
  • Walk score – 96, Bike score – 93

 

 



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.

So many years…

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.

Just Sold: Mid-Century, Cedar Hills Stunner

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!


JUST SOLD

1380 SW Hilldale Ave

Portland, Oregon 97225


SOLD AT: $690,000

3 BEDROOM | 2.1 BATH | 2,133 SQFT
MLS#
21650519 

photo courtesy of Michael Elton with The Hasson Company

Nob Hill Treasures

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.

Back to School: Waste-Free + Healthy Lunches!

For many, it’s back to school time…a time like no other!

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!

Waste-Free + Healthy Lunches!

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:

Want some healthy lunch ideas?
Take a look here for delicious, satisfying, lunches for the whole family!

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.

Pearl District Condo for a First Time Homebuyer

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.

Congratulations Dovina and Leonard!

It was just meant to be!

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!

 

Just Sold: West Portland Park Traditional

4110 SW Huber St
Portland, OR 97219


     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.


3 BEDROOM | 2 BATH | 1579 SQFT

Sold 8/19/2021      $480,000

Wilshire Park from the Porch

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! ❤️

The Family Connection

We are always so honored to have a client refer one of their family members! After helping these clients both sell and buy this year,  we were excited to get a call from a sister and brother in law moving in from out of state.  We love seeing family move closer to each other and we were delighted to be able to use the limited time they had in town to find them a wonderful home in West Beaverton, just a hop, skip and jump from family.  More time for the cousins to play!
Have family or friends moving to the Portland area?  I would love to be of service, give me a call!

Creativity is intelligence having fun!! – Albert Einstein

Congratulations to Justin!!

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!

Modern & Chic Abode with ADU

JUST LISTED – 412 N ALBERTA ST

Offered at $640,000

3 Bed | 3.5 Bath | 1860 SF | MLS# 21483637 | Taxes: $7403

VIDEO TOUR

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!

Condo with a View

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!

Barb and Tom find their fresh start!

Congratulations to Barb and Tom!

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!

SOLD – Montavilla 4 Bedroom

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!

Walkable on the Westside – Multnomah Village

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

 

There comes a time when all the pieces fall into place!!

Congratulations to the Voelkers!!

 

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!

 

 

Another Contingent Offer, Another Success Story

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!


JUST SOLD

6317 SW Bently Ct

Portland, Oregon 97219


LISTED AT: $658,000| SOLD AT: $658,000

4 BEDROOM | 2.1 BATH | 2,316 SQFT
MLS#
21379299 

photo courtesy of Eric Zechenelly of Willamette Equity Brokerage LLC

Second Offer is the Charm in Kenton

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.

It’s Amazing What One Can Do In 10 Days!

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

Sophisticated Cape Cod with Updates Galore

Just Listed: 9029 N Van Houten Ave

Offered at $565,000

9029 N Van Houten Ave, Portland OR 97203

3 Bed | 2 Bath | 2698 SF | MLS# 21229005 | Taxes: $4,594

OPEN HOUSE:  Saturday  7/17 1pm-3pm 

TAKE THE VIDEO TOUR HERE


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!

First time home ownership joy!

Congratulations to Rana!!

 

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!!

 

Finding Perfection in Parkrose

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!

You can’t rush something you want to last forever

Congratulations to Jason & Tonia!!

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!

A Ladd’s Addition Neighborhood Affair

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.

Just Listed: Modern Elegance in the Heart of the Pearl

This beautiful one bedroom/one bath condominium unit is located in the desirable Riverstone building. Quality built with solid wood doors and trim, and energy-efficient Pella double-pane wood window. It features an open floor plan with high ceilings. The kitchen and bath have been recently updated with Quartz counters, new fixtures and high-end appliances. Like-new refinished floors, carpet and paint. The recently resurfaced private balcony has view of trees and city buildings, and more importantly, plenty of room for a bistro table and chairs. Check out our 3D Self Guided Tour and property website for more details.

 

The spacious Master Bedroom is a true separate room and features large windows and a walk-in closet.  There is storage galore in the bathroom and hall, including a laundry closet with a washer and dryer.  There is also deeded and secure storage and parking in the attached garage.

 

The buildings’ center courtyard is lush and peaceful, and provides easy access to the streetcar (on the other side of the building). The Riverstone HOA is expertly managed and the buildings are well maintained.
AND Location, Location Location! This property is smack dab in the middle of all the Pearl has to offer: the best shops, restaurants, parks and Portland’s beautiful riverfront!

Darling Grant Park Bungalow

Just Listed: 1809 NE 32nd Ave

Offered at $565,000

1809 NE 32nd Ave, Portland OR 97212

2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1880 SF | MLS# 21250324  | Taxes: $4,589

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday 7/10 2pm-4pm

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!

Delayed Gratification is a Pain

Congratulations to Emily, Patrick and Elliott!

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.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Interested in making Portland your home?

Call Cheri Harney, at 503-319-4858.

Patience, Grasshopper.

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!

Some things were just meant to be!

Congratulations to Brittany, Ryan & Marcia!!

 

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!

That Time My Buyers Found Their Dream Home In the Perfect Location

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.

Sweet Kenton Cottage

Just Listed: 1816 N Watts St

Offered at $419,000

2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1135 SF | MLS# 21620220| Taxes: $2619 

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday 6/26 10AM-12PM

Video Tour


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!

Gorgeous Green Hills Property

 

Congratulations to Sophie & Patrick!

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. 

 

New Beginnings

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.

Key day and a fresh start for Andrea!

 

 

Bernadette, wishing you lots of love and happiness in your new home!

Congratulations to Bernadette!

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!

Finding the Perfect House in Richmond

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.

Here’s the Start to a Wonderful Adventure!!

Congratulations to Shannon & Cesar!

Yaaaaay!!!

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!

Cheers!!

 

A Five Year Journey to Becoming a Homeowner

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.

 

Multnomah Village Meticulous Townhome

Meticulous Multnomah Village Townhouse

Just Listed: 7438 SW Capitol Hwy

Offered at $525,000

3 Bed | 3.5 Bath | 2091 SF | MLS# 21616366 | Taxes: $7836 | HOA $305 Monthly

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday 6/5 1PM-3PM

 

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!

What does it mean to Waive the Appraisal?

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.

 

Just Listed: All the West Linn Bells & Whistles!

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.

Front of house

Feeling “Whelmed”

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.

The Start of a Beautiful Compound With Friends in Foster Powell

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!

 

It’s time to GET EXCITED!

Congratulations to our Buyers, Don & Jarred!!

No matter what you think of Tony Robbins, I think we can all agree that he’s got some really great quotes and this is the one that made me think of my clients Don & Jerrad, “Stop worrying about what can go wrong and start getting excited about what can go right.” 
 
Now, that is sound advice for anyone these days! But it made me think of Don and Jerrad because they stuck with it through an especially tricky transaction and they kept their eyes on the prize the whole way. And in the end, their stick-with-it attitude truly paid off because they are now the proud owners of a very cute, brand new townhouse! It’s a great 3 bedroom 2.5 bathroom with tons of natural light and a lovely open floor plan on the main level. I’m so happy for them!
 
Lately, in this crazy market, being a Real Estate Agent has felt even more gratifying and impactful! Things are crazy out there and folks need clear guidance as the market shifts. I know I’m making a difference in people’s lives by helping them become homeowners. I am very invested in all of my clients and nothing makes me happier and feel more fulfilled than giving clients like Don and Jerrad the keys to their new home!

 

I Love It When A Plan Comes Together

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!

 

The Power of Positivity

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!!

 

Durham Dream

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

URBAN LIVE-WORK DREAM!

URBAN LIVE-WORK DREAM!

531 N Cook St.

Offered at $499,000

  3 BEDROOM | 3 BATH |  1,632 SQFT
MLS #  21549786 | TAXES: $6,479

Please see listing for Covid-19 safety procedures.

Versatility Galore!

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.

WHAT’S AROUND – WANT TO GO FOR A WALK? A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN SOUND FUN? NEED TO GRAB SOME GROCERIES?

      • Grand Central Baking
      • Hot Yoga for Life
      • New Seasons Market
      • The Rebuilding Center
      • Mississippi Pizza
      • Eem
      • Brass Tacks Sandwich Shop
      • Boise-Eliot-Humboldt School
      • Por Que No
      • Ruby Jewel Scoops
      • Spin Laundry Lounge
      • Sunlan Lighting
      • Little Big Burger
      • Whole Bowl
      • Life of Pie Pizza
      • Ding Tea
      • Coco Donuts
      • Jinju Patisserie
      • Poa Cafe

HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS + FEATURES:

      • 2013 Construction – Hip townhouse in Mississippi/Williams Corridor
      • 3 bedrooms, 3 full/1 half bath
      • Attached garage
      • Open floor plan on main
      • Gas fireplace
      • Granite countertops & stainless steel appliance
      • Entry level suite and patio perfect for vacation rental
      • Sunny balconies off master suite and living room
      • Lower level suite – perfect for guests, work, art or music studio space

 



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.

Classic Vernon Bungalow with Backyard Oasis

Just Listed: 5936 NE 17th Ave

Offered at $515,000
3 Bed | 1 Bath | 2236 SF | MLS# 21259073  | Taxes: $2,893

OPEN HOUSE SAT 5/15 12:30PM-2:30PM

TAKE THE VIDEO TOUR

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!

MID-CENTURY TIME CAPSULE WITH GREAT BONES!

Mid-Century Time Capsule with Great Bones! 

6345 NE Roselawn Street, Portland, OR 97218

Offered at $399,000

  2 BEDROOM | 2 BATH |  1,876 SQFT
MLS # 21055879| TAXES: $4,090

Please see listing for Covid-19 safety procedures.

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.

WHAT’S AROUND – WANT TO GO FOR A WALK? A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN SOUND FUN? NEED TO GRAB SOME GROCERIES?

      • Khunamokwst Park
      • Sacajawea Dog Park
      • Cully Park
      • Angel Food & Fun
      • Cully Central
      • Prescott Cafe
      • Jump Jump Music
      • Albertsons
      • NEPO42
      • Pizza Jerk
      • Cully Farmers Market
      • The Merry Kitchen
      • Rigler Community Garden
      • Gracewood Studio

HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS + FEATURES:

      • Time capsule mid-century modern teeming with vintage vibes and ready for your updates
      • Formal dining + living rooms with fireplace and great light
      • 2 bedrooms, with ample closet space, and 1 bath on main
      • Spacious lower level includes family room with built-in modern bar, original paneling, bonus room with fireplace, full bath, workshop, storage, and separate entrance – great for parties or an ADU
      • Hardwood floors under carpet
      • Two driveways – 1 at garage and 1 at the entrance to the back yard
      • Large 60 x 103 lot with flower beds in front and covered patio in back

 



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.

Jewelbox Victorian Cottage

Just Listed | Jewelbox Victorian Cottage

55 NE Graham Street, Portland, OR 97212

Offered at $599,900 | MLS#21415128

2 bed | 1 bath | 1,882 sq. ft. | Taxes: $2,331

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.

 

Building a Portfolio

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.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again…and again!

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!”

It Takes A Village to Buy A House

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.

The Right Project House for First Time Buyers

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.

Best Bang For Your Buck

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.

More Than Cosmetics

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.

 

Just Listed: NoPo Bungalow Magic for $735K

NoPo Bungalow Magic

907 N Holland Street, Portland, OR 97217

Offered at $735,000 | MLS# 21418448
5 bed | 3 bath | 3,546 sq. ft. | Taxes: $6,595.76

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.

Open houses this weekend!

Saturday 5/8 from 11am–1pm, Sunday 5/9 from 11am–1pm, & Tuesday 5/11 from 5:30–7:30pm

ALBERTA ARTS BEAUTY OFF THE PARK

Alberta Arts Beauty Off The Park

5423 NE 19th Avenue, Portland, OR 97211

Offered at $569,000

  2 BEDROOM | 2 BATH |  1,806 SQFT
MLS #21280806 | TAXES:$4,262

Please see listing for Covid-19 safety procedures.

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!

WHAT’S AROUND – WANT TO GO FOR A WALK? A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN SOUND FUN? NEED TO GRAB SOME GROCERIES?

      • Alberta Park
      • Handsome Pizza
      • Podnah’s BBQ
      • Little Aviv
      • Hat Yai
      • Tiffin Asha
      • Extracto Coffee
      • Wilder
      • Ichiza Kitchen
      • New Seasons
      • Walgreens
      • Petite Provence
      • Proud Mary Cafe
      • Salt & Straw
      • Bollywood Theatre
      • The People’s Yoga

HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS + FEATURES:

      • Creative and colorful home with delightful updates in the heart of Alberta
      • Open modern flow with great light and bright spaces, and hardwood floors
      • Modern kitchen with chic appliances, wood cabinets, ample storage & laundry
      • 2 bedrooms, 1 bath up, 1 full bath on the main level
      • Bonus space upstairs is the perfect home office, craft room or music studio
      • Large bonus room opens out to back deck and beautifully landscaped backyard
      • Intentionally designed yard and garden with irrigation system and gas fire pit
      • Primary bedroom has balcony overlooking the backyard and garden
      • Newer siding, furnace, water and sewer lines and updated electrical

 



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 BELLE OF THE VICTORIAN BALL

The Belle of the Victorian Ball

3617 NE 6th Avenue, Portland, OR 97212

Offered at $589,000

  3 BEDROOM | 2 BATH |  2,320 SQFT
MLS #21685653 | TAXES:$1,567

Please see listing for Covid-19 safety procedures.

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!

WHAT’S AROUND – WANT TO GO FOR A WALK? A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN SOUND FUN? NEED TO GRAB SOME GROCERIES?

      • Irving Park
      • Whole Foods
      • ReRun
      • Eem Thai BBQ + Cocktails
      • Life of Pie Pizza
      • Kayo’s Ramen Bar
      • Rose City Book Pub
      • Backyard Bird Shop
      • Grain & Gristle
      • Colibri Flowers & Plants
      • New Seasons Market
      • The Box Social
      • North Fremont & Vancouver Food Carts
      • Sushi Hada
      • Hankins Hardware

HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS + FEATURES:

      • Classic Victorian home with enchanting architectural detail
      • Bright + beautiful living/dining room with Merbau floors
      • Large updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops
      • 1 bedroom and 1 full bath on the main floor and 2 bedrooms and 1 full bath upstairs
      • Newer 50 year roof
      • Newer wood siding
      • Decommissioned oil tank
      • Clean open basement perfect for storage, workshop or art studio
      • Excellent outdoor spaces including a big sunny side yard, fully fenced backyard with fire pit and inviting landscaped front yard
      • 87 walk score, 96 bike score, steps from Irving Park and the shops on Fremont

 



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.

Delightfully Mod St. Johns Ranch- SOLD!!!

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.

Dolph Park Colonial-SOLD!!!

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

 

Your House-Pesky Expense Or Silent Wealth Builder?

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.
Here are a few ways your home can bring you some needed financial relief:
1. Sell it, cash out on your investment and use the money you make to purchase a new property.
2. Get a HELOC, a home equity line of credit is a great way to finance fixing up your home, adding to it’s value.
3. Consider a cash-out refinance, this is a great way to consolidate debt, and pay some or all of it off.
Once you have owned your home for a while, it starts to pay you back. Want to know more? We are happy to help you determine your home’s value or put you in touch with a fantastic lender.

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.

GRAND ROSE CITY CRAFTSMAN

Grand Rose City Craftsman!

2607 NE 62nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97213

Offered at $764,000

  4 BEDROOM | 1.1 BATH |  3,458 SQFT
MLS #21687920 | TAXES:$6,960.13

Please see listing for Covid-19 safety procedures.

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!

WHAT’S AROUND – WANT TO GO FOR A WALK? A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN SOUND FUN? NEED TO GRAB SOME GROCERIES?

      • Rose City Park
      • Ohana Hawaiian Cafe
      • Cha’ba Thai
      • Second Profession Brewing Co.
      • Arrowwood Neighborhood Restaurant
      • Pho’ An
      • Case Study Coffee
      • Cabezon Restaurant
      • Laurelwood Pub
      • Whole Foods
      • Trader Joe’s
      • Hollywood Theatre
      • Ben & Esther’s Vegetarian Jewish Deli
      • Pizzeria Otto

HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS + FEATURES:

      • Light-filled and spacious craftsman home teeming with classic detail and gorgeous woodwork
      • Formal living and dining rooms with wood burning fireplace, wood floors and original built-ins
      • 4 bedrooms + 3 bonus spaces, including enclosed sun porch, finished attic with bedroom and family room, skylights, and newer windows, office/den on main level.
      • Spacious kitchen with eating bar and stainless steel appliances
      • Freshly landscaped front and backyards with lighting and drip irrigation.
      • Front yard features covered front porch, rock wall and vibrant plants.
      • Backyard boasts a deck for entertaining and relaxing plus plenty of space for playing and gardening.
      • Big basement with exterior entrance, seismic retrofit, storage and laundry
      • Newer gas furnace and decommissioned oil tank
      • Newer windows
      • Walk score – 75, Bike score – 79

 



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.

Bespoke Cedar Mill Retreat

Bespoke Cedar Mill Retreat

11015 NW Copeland Street, Portland, OR 97229

Offered at $1,170,000

  3 BEDROOM | 3 BATH |  2,640 SQFT
MLS #21320510 | TAXES:$5,598

Please see listing for Covid-19 safety procedures.

 

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.

WHAT’S AROUND – WANT TO GO FOR A WALK? A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN SOUND FUN? NEED TO GRAB SOME GROCERIES?

      • Forest Park
      • Foege Park
      • Jackie Husen Park
      • Jordan Woods Natural Area
      • Cedar Mills Park & Trailhead
      • Zucari Home & Garden
      • Market of Choice – Cedar Mill
      • Grand Central Bakery
      • Laughing Planet Cafe
      • Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya
      • Great Notion Brewery
      • Sunrise Bagels
      • Skyline Restaurant
      • Sunset Athletic Club

HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS + FEATURES:

GENERAL

      • Originally built in 1942 as a 970 sf two bedroom cottage. Sellers added 1180sf in a 2004-2005 addition for a total of 2150 sf.
      • Addition includes: deluxe gourmet kitchen, primary suite, dining room and library that flows seamlessly into the original house.

CONSTRUCTION

      • 12 inch thick Rastra block on a 15 inch grid
      • The addition’s exterior is a Rastra structure with a felt skin
      • The original house’s exterior is 2” Rastra and stucco

PRIMARY SUITE

      • Walk in closet with skylight and stackable washer and dryer
      • Full bath with double sinks and deluxe tile and glass shower
      • Vaulted ceilings and lead glass windows

KITCHEN

      • Cedar lined pantry/wine storage room with authentic restaurant walk-in door
      • Extra prep sink in island
      • Bar seating at island
      • Stainless steel appliances
      • Double wall ovens
      • 4 burner gas cooktop with beautifully tiled backsplash
      • Quartz and wood countertops

ADU

      • Concrete slab on grade.
      • New flooring is floating interlock water resistant engineered wood with a 6ml waterproof underlayment and cork layer for comfort

CARPORT

      • 2 parking spots undercover on 580 sf pad, attached to 180 sf shed
      • 2 kilowatt Solar Panel Array on roof. Inverter and controls are housed in the carport shed. Array is tied to the grid and sells power back to PGE.

HVAC

      • One gas fueled water heater for sinks, showers and toilets in the house
      • A second gas fueled water heater powers the radiant floor heating system, the gas range and the gas bbq.
      • House – radiant heat is under or in all the floors on the main level.
      • There is a chase to the 2nd floor through the closet under the stairs where a radiator could be routed to service the upstairs bedrooms. The upstairs bedrooms stay warm except in the dead of winter when small space heaters add a little extra comfort as needed.
      • ADU has heating and cooling provided by an energy-efficient Mitsubishi mini-split heat pump
      • Separate water heater for the ADU in utility room behind the kitchen
      • HRV system

WINDOWS

      • Newer Marvin double insulated low-E argon metal clad interior wood windows throughout house.
      • New sections of the house and the ADU feature Velux skylights.
      • Skylights in the bath and laundry/closet are motorized
      • Skylights in the Great Room and ADU are manual

ENERGY UPGRADES

      • Original house – Removed exterior walls down to the studs and installed R-21 insulation or better.
      • All electrical was updated as needed.

ORIGINAL FEATURES

      • The fireplace in the TV room, which still has its original leaded glass windows, plus the matching leaded glass window that was built into the new master bedroom and came from the original stairwell.

FLOORING

      • Addition has concrete floors with radiant heating embedded in the concrete.
      • Original house has Douglas fir floors with radiant heating installed underneath the subfloor and run through copper fins for maximum reflection of heat and super insulated below

FINISHES

      • All of the finishes in the house were chosen because they were green products, eco-friendly, low or no VOC to accommodate the owner’s strong chemical sensitivity and fulfill the desire to build a Healthy Home, following the principles laid out by Paula Laporte in her book.
      • Quartz and wood countertops in kitchen
      • The CVG Fir trim in the house was milled from reclaimed lumber from Jack Daniels distillery buildings that were being dismantled. They were originally built from Oregon old-growth timber. A local Oregon acquaintance learned about the demolition and brought it back to Oregon to mill into new products
      • The white oak trim in the TV room was reclaimed from old pickle barrels.
      • The large rough-sawn Doug fir timbers used for structural members in the new section of the house came from an old barn deconstructed outside of Tacoma in 2003.
      • The large rough-sawn timbers used to frame the outdoor entry with true mortise and tenon timber framing methods (no metal, just oak dowels!) came from a field in Banks, probably an old barn that had fallen over.
      • The bar countertop was milled from Oregon Claro Walnut.
      • The rest of the butcher block counters in the kitchen are maple block with a walnut stain and an eco-friendly Duraseal finish.

MEDIA

      • The house is wired for sound and has separate speaker pairs on independent volume controls for the living room, great room and outdoor patio as well as a full 5.1 surround sound speaker system built into the walls of the TV room.
      • TV and surround sound in-wall speakers as well as other room built-in speakers will convey with the house.

OUTDOOR SPACES

      • The hot tub is a 2019 Hot Springs spa
      • All built-in structures like gazebo, spa surround, raised beds, etc are part of the sale.

 



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.

Dreamy Montavilla Bungalow!

Dreamy Montavilla Bungalow!

8336 NE Holladay Street, Portland, OR 97220

Offered at $369,000

  3 BEDROOM | 1 BATH |  1,872 SQFT
MLS #21605342 | TAXES:$3,227

Please see listing for Covid-19 safety procedures.

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!

WHAT’S AROUND – WANT TO GO FOR A WALK? A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN SOUND FUN? NEED TO GRAB SOME GROCERIES?

      • Montavilla Park & Community Center
      • WinCo Food
      • Bipartisan Cafe
      • The Observatory
      • The Academy Theatre
      • Target
      • Mt. Tabor Park
      • Hungry Heart Bakery
      • Lazy Susan
      • Montavilla Farmers’ Market
      • Blank Slate
      • Bui Natural Tofu
      • Gigantic Brewing Robot Room
      • East Glisan Pizza Lounge
      • Mr. Plywood Building Store

HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS + FEATURES:

      • 3 bed/1 bath dreamy Montavilla bungalow
      • Updates within the last 10 years include – roof, furnace, tankless water heater + windows
      • Beautiful hardwood floors throughout – original oak on the main + bamboo upstairs
      • Open and bright living room + formal dining room
      • Spacious kitchen with laundry nook
      • Large updated bath on the main level
      • Handy cellar style basement for storage
      • Newer sewer line
      • Fantastic front yard garden + courtyard style backyard ready for entertainment + play
      • Near Montavilla Park + Community Center, farmers’ market, restaurant + shops in the heart of the neighborhood

 



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.

Live Like a Parisian in Portland!

Live Like a Parisian in Portland!

2083 NW Johnson Street, Unit #31, Portland, OR 97209

Offered at $339,000

  1 BEDROOM | 1 BATH |  847 SQFT
MLS #21364449 | TAXES:$6,485

Please see listing for Covid-19 safety procedures.

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!

WHAT’S AROUND – WANT TO GO FOR A WALK? A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN SOUND FUN? NEED TO GRAB SOME GROCERIES?

      • Salt & Straw
      • New Seasons
      • Papa Hadyn/Jo Bar
      • Cinema 21
      • The Matador
      • Breakside Brewery
      • Planet Granite
      • Trader Joe’s
      • Batam Tavern
      • Tri-Met Streetcar
      • Zupan’s Market
      • Coffee Time
      • Serratto Restaurant
      • Besaw’s Cafe
      • Savannah Nails
      • Beau Thai
      • Caffe Mingo & Bar Mingo
      • 23 Hoyt
      • Couch Park
      • Russo Lee Gallery
      • MLC
      • Bartini
      • Blue Moon Tavern
      • Good Samaritan Hospital
      • Providence Park – Portland Timbers/Thorns Stadium

HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS + FEATURES:

      • Cosmopolitan Nob Hill 1 bed/1 bath condo with Parisian flair in the classic Ball Parc American building
      • Bay windows + Juliet balcony overlook lush Magnolia trees and courtyard
      • Beautiful hardwood floors throughout
      • Open and bright living and dining rooms with beautiful built-ins, Murphy bed, in-laid mirrors and gorgeous fixtures
      • Updated kitchen with quartz countertops, subway tile backsplash, built-in hutch, laundry and gas appliances
      • Deeded parking space #16 in lot next to building
      • Deeded storage space on entry level
      • Elevator + stair access to unit
      • Active HOA
      • Bike score – 99, Walk score – 97

 



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.

Why is Housing Inventory So Low

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.

 

Selling the Alberta House Off Market

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.

The Little Buyers Who Could

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.

 

Serene and Stylish Mid-Century Ranch

JUST LISTED: 633 NE 151st Ave, Portland OR


Offered at $459,000

4 Bed | 2 Bath | 1784 SF | MLS# 21538388  | Taxes: $4,837

TAKE THE VIDEO TOUR

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.

Just Sold! A New Springtime Start

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.

Third Time’s a Charm!

Try and try again.

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!

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Interested in making Portland your home?

Call Cheri Harney, at 503-319-4858.

Bioswales vs. Dry Wells

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.

Just Listed: Forest Park Treetop Retreat

Forest Park Treetop Retreat

Forest Park Treetop Retreat

10272 NW Alder Grove Lane, Portland, OR 97229

Offered at $365,000 | MLS# 21423474
2 bed | 2 bath | 1,380 sq. ft. | Taxes: $6,145.86

 

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!

OPEN THIS WEEKEND!

Sat 4/10 & Sun 4/11 from 1–3pm

Forest Park Treetop Retreat

Jewel of Woodstock

JUST LISTED

Offered at $449,000
5223 SE Steele St, Portland OR 97206
2 Bed | 1 Bath | 1128 SF | MLS# 21207202 | Taxes: $3,154

This Woodstock charmer is packed with sophisticated updates while holding strong to its classic Bungalow style.
VIDEO TOUR

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!

 

Congratulations to Eddie & Family

Congratulations to Eddie and Family

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.

Uli Sommers Website

Lloyd Neighborhood Portland

Aryne Blumklotz and Dulcinea Myers-Newcomb to receive the Excellence Award

April 1, 2021 – RSVP Today

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.

Grit & Persistence Get Amanda and Iain Where They Want To Be

Congratulations to Amanda and Iain!


 

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.

 

 

Just Sold! White-Picket Wonders

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.

 

I Sold My House! Now Where Do I Go?

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. 

  1. Negotiate a rent-back on your current property — Oftentimes in this market, Buyers are willing to offer any and all terms the Seller is looking for. A question we often get when listing property is, “what do the Sellers need out of the offer?” Negotiating a rent-back would allow you to stay in your current home for an additional 30-60 days after closing on the sale. In some cases, we can negotiate for this period of time to be free of charge. In others, you simply cover the cost of the new owner’s mortgage payment each month. If the Buyer of your home is financing the purchase, their Lender will always have a maximum number of days you are allowed rent the property back from the new owner, so this certainly isn’t a long-term solution. However, it can be an attractive option to at least buy some additional time to begin looking for your next place!
  2. Find a furnished short-term rental home — While you will likely end up paying more per month than you were paying for your mortgage, a furnished short-term rental property is a great way to buy yourself more time to shop for a home. This allows you to sell your current home, get a pre-approval for your next purchase, and have a comfortable place to live for an extended period of time. By renting a furnished home, you can also avoid the dreaded prospect of moving twice — just store your furniture in a storage unit or Pod, and then have it all delivered to your new home once you find it!
  3. Purchase your next home before you sell — this option requires you to be somewhat risk-tolerant, along with also being able to qualify for carrying both mortgages simultaneously (for both your current home and your new home). While the amount of time you carry both mortgages will likely be short in most cases, you will still need to be approved by your Lender for both payments. This is by far the most ideal way to make your transition, but is not an available option for everyone. If you are interested in making a move in this market, I would recommend talking with your Lender first, so you can understand whether this is an option for you. Then, we can discuss what the go-to-market strategy would look like for your current home, to ensure you feel comfortable with that process as well!

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!  

Three’s Company!!

 

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!!

Sold! Peaceful Parkrose Paradise

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

Quintessential Grant Park Bungalow

3328 NE Schuyler ST  | Portland, OR 97212

Offered at $799,900 | ML #21072650

5 Bedrooms | 4 Baths | 3,106 sf

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.

Seller Who Collects Rocks Finds Buyers Who Love Rocks

My buyers Alexandra and Ray are first time home buyers and just scored on a great ranch house in Fo-Wo section of Woodstock- between Foster and Woodstock. They were fantastic to work with because they knew what they wanted and they were prepared to jump head first into this nutball of our early 2021 market where there is 1 house for every 20 buyers. After walking into what would become their house, the first thing they said was- we could be friends with this seller. The seller had quite the display of rocks, gems and minerals and before we got very far into the house, my buyers were ooohhhing and ahhhhing over the sellers collection- admiring and even naming some of the rocks. Once we got past the rocks we explored the house,  a mid-century 900 sf with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom on an oversized lot graced by a front yard tree with a trunk the size of a truck. I could tel as we walked around that this was “the one” for them. They are also woodworkers and one of their strong wants was a home that had a great space to build stuff in, and this house has a newer oversized garage/ shop that is perfect for woodworking.

We had talked extensively about the state of the market, and how every house was getting multiple offers with buyers offering appraisal make-up gaps in case the house does not appraise for purchase price, buyers taking on homes as-is with few if any repairs made by sellers, and with home prices up between 15-20% over January of 2020. The house was priced at what would have been the top of the price-range only a few months ago for a house like this and in this location, which made it really difficult to decide what to offer without going to crazy. But Alexandra and Ray were prepared to go over asking, and with interest rates as low as they are, their monthly payment was still in a comfortable range for them. It takes some true hardiness as a buyer to be able to succeed in getting their offer accepted, and after I spelled out all the potential bells, whistles and deal sweeteners they could use in an offer, Alexandra and Ray put their trust in me and offered well over list, stated in the offer that they would limit repair requests to only bigger issues, offered the seller free rent-back after closing and wrote a letter to the seller mentioning how much they loved his rock collection.  They were also able to offer what has become the number one denominator in winning offers- the ability to make up an appraisal gap if the appraised value came in less then purchase price.  Prices are rising faster then appraisals can keep up with them, and to mitigate the real threat of a low appraisal, buyers who can state in writing that they can bring in a higher downpayment to cover that gap are who are having offers accepted. Alexandra and Ray’s offer was not the highest, but the seller and the listing agent loved their terms and letter enough to come back to me and give them the opportunity to come up just a hair to match the highest offer, which they did. Fortunately the house inspected like a dream- one of the best houses my inspector has seen to date this year. We did run into a slight appraisal issue when the house did not appraise at the purchase price, but Alexandra and Ray were prepared so that was an easy enough hoop for them to crawl through. The seller is holding onto the house for a few weeks after closing while he prepares to move, and I am looking forward to handing the keys to my buyers at the end of the month.

Possum Queen and Brewmaster Find Their Home

It is tough out there for our buyers but these two stellar humans did what it takes and made it happen.

Here it is in Stephanie’s own words:
“WE ARE HOMEOWNERS NOW WTF. What kind of millennial curse did we break and how? I’m in disbelief. Shoutout to Sean Patrick O’Feery and Carly Van Aart for being the best realtors we could have ever hoped for (if any of you need one, we highly recommend). But one detail he (the owner) left out that is of the very most importance:
OUR NEW NEIGHBORS SAID WE HAVE ALL THE TRASH CATS. Raccoons, skunks 😬 (maybe less than excited about that but they’re still cute), and HOLY JEEZ POSSUMS Y’ALL. I’ve got the possum sweats y’all. I’m ready to be their queen in my castle AND CREATE A KINGDOM. Bring it.”
There is some serious possum love here.
Congratulations Jake and Stephanie, well deserved.

If you’re looking for your own home with or without possums, give me a call!

Thirty-Two Days From Start to Finish on a Brooklyn House

Dave used to live across the street from me until about 2 or 3 years ago (who can keep track of time these days?) when he and his partner divorced and he moved into an apartment a few blocks away. His oldest kid and my oldest kid have been besties since before they could walk or talk, and it was Dave and his 2 kids who we had our last out of our family bubble non-socially distanced get together with on March 14th, 2020 at my older son’s 10th birthday party. When we parted ways that day, we didn’t know when we would be able to get together again in such a carefree  way because the following day we all went under lockdown. And nearly a whole entire year later, we are still waiting for that day.

Dave’s plan was to eventually buy another house, and on January 15th of 2021, he texted me to let me know he was ready to start shopping. He had a very narrow list of needs that were absolute musts- including a location within a mile of his kids mom’s place, at least 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a yard and some sort of studio or garage to tinker around on bikes and he had a maximum price that he would be willing to pay and was expecting to pay. He had his pre-approval on hand and so I went through RMLS to send him a list of all of the properties that sort of kind of matched his needs. And there were only 2 properties. And neither was really a decent option. On January 19th, a sweet bungalow in Brooklyn came on the market. As the crow flies, it was less then 8 blocks from his apartment. From what we could tell from the listing,it could not have been more perfect location wise, size wise, bedroom/bathroom count, the detached huge garage and great back yard. We went to see it in person on January 20th and it was as perfect in person as it seemed like it would be from the listing. It took Dave all of 5 minutes to decide this was going to be his house.

The house was listed at what last year would have been a very reasonable price, but since the floodgates opened and the buyers came spilling out, the supply of houses on the market shriveled to next to nothing, we knew it was going to go way over. The house was listed about 15% under what Dave’s maximum was, so he did have room to go up. Dave approached his offer price from a very practical and logical lens. As long as his monthly payment was within his comfort zone, how much he paid for the house wasn’t all that relevant. With interest rates well under 3%, money is cheaper then it’s ever been (a huge reason for the flood of buyers on the market) so a monthly payment on a house priced at $550k today, is about what it would be on a house priced at $600k a year ago. Savvy buyers know that it’s much more about the monthly payment then it is the sales price. Once interest rates start rising well over 3%, then it’s possible we might see prices stabilize, but for now, home prices are out of control. For this Brooklyn house, even though it was well priced, with 12 offers on the table, Dave’s offer won out between a combination of writing 15% over asking, offering a 3 weeks to close, being able to make up an appraisal gap if the appraisal came in lower then the purchase price (which didn’t happen, it appraised fine!), and stating in his offer that he would not ask for repairs under $4,000. This meant that if a larger issue was found during the inspection, my buyer could expect to negotiate it, but for the smaller stuff, Dave was basically saying he would take the house as-is. Thankfully the house breezed through the inspection and nothing needs to be done to the house anytime soon.

Dave’s story is highly unusual in this market because not that many buyers have the ability to and willingness to do what it takes to rise to the top in a heap of offers. As long as a buyer understands the current market and is willing to and has the means to write up an offer with all the deal sweeteners on the table along with the ability to offer well over asking, as Dave was, then it isn’t rocket science to snag a house even with multiple offers. And on February 16th, 32 days after Dave texted me to let me know he was ready to start the home buying process, he got the keys to his perfect house.

 

Is early Spring 2021 the time to list?

For many sellers, a crucial aspect of putting their home on the market is timing. “When is the best time to sell?” is one of the main questions I am asked as a realtor. Understanding demand, market climate, and current lending rates can all be influential factors for when a seller decides to list. While late Spring and Summer historically tend to be the “hot season” for new listings, the early Spring weeks of 2021 might be just the perfect time to put your property up for sale.

As our Living Room Realty community can tell you, we are experiencing record lows of available houses on the market. With interest rates at surprisingly low percentages, new buyers are flooding into the scene hoping to score their first time home. As of this week’s market report, the median price for a home in Portland Oregon is $695,000 with only 535 active listings available. In every Portland neighborhood, prices have increased a significant amount from the start of 2020 to today.

 

So what does all this new data point to? If you are considering making a move this year, these next few weeks might be an exceptional time to bring your home to this hungry buyer community and capitalize on this strong seller’s market. If you are wanting to learn more about your home’s Spring 2021 value, discuss options for listing your house while trying to find the next right place to move into, or want to hear what safety protocols I have developed to prioritize my sellers’ safety during Covid, please reach out to me with an email at jene@livingroomre.com or call me directly at 503-780-6270. I would be delighted to connect and share more details about cultivating a listing strategy that focuses on your best success.

Just Listed | 443 SE 46th Ave | $489,000

Just Listed

Updated Creston-Kenilworth Bungalow

4437 SE 46th Ave Portland OR 97206

 

Updated bungalow with the classic white picket fence. Main floor has a fireplace, dining room with cedar accent walls, bed/bath and updated eat-in kitchen.  Upstairs is a wonderful large bedroom with bonus space for desk/crafts/nursery etc.   Basement has a fully finished living space, bedroom and workshop/laundry room.  Slider in dining room provides great light and easy access to enjoy the hot tub. In summer you will love the mature landscaping and deck. Ample detached garage for cars or projects.

 

3 bed | 1 bath | 2128 sq. ft.
MLS# 21597782 | Taxes: $4166.33 | Lot Size: .11 Acre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the yard in summer!

 

Multi-Generational Living with a Pool!

Vanessa and I met when we were mere ‘babies’ while working in the restaurant industry circa 1998–I really wish I could find pictures!  Over the years we have remained close friends. And I was so thrilled when she contacted me to help her and her new husband to find a house! 

Vanessa and Dan have always been close-in SE Portland people. Location was #1 on their list; and #2 was an opportunity for multi-generational living so Vanessa’s dad could eventually move in with them. Dan was the most stern about location. He did NOT want to go above 60th, North of Burnside or South of Sellwood and it had to be walking distance to a bar, a store and a decent restaurant. We saw a ton of homes but none of them seemed to quite fit the bill, were just outside of their desired area or they were out of budget. 

To my surprise it was Dan that sent me the listing to this house and was excited to go see it. “But, Dan? It’s in Milwaukie!” I said. But he was charmed by the ample amount of space, the pool and the built-in bar. Talk about having a bar within walking distance! Vanessa was charmed by the absolutely incredible plants in the sunroom giving this house so much light and unique interest. 

The beautiful Monsterra in their sunroom has been there for decades.

 

Vanessa and Dan have run into some hard times over the last few years dealing with tragedy and heartbreak. They had gotten engaged before the pandemic and decided that they still wanted to get married despite it all. They had a small and beautiful family ceremony in upstate New York in October. All of their difficult experiences have led them to the conclusion that this moment is all you have and you have to go for what you want. I’m so proud of them and honored to call them friends.

One of the main reasons I got into this business was to help people follow their dreams. Vanessa and Dan can now start building wealth and a future for their family and more importantly a home for their entire family… and a place where I can go swimming in the summer! Congratulations friends! You did it.

 

What a Knockout! Classy St. Johns Craftsman

Just Listed: 9525 N Kellogg St, Portland OR 97203

Offered at $579,000

MLS #20176058 |  Taxes $5,398 |  SF 2551 | 3Bed | 2 Bath

VIDEO TOUR


What a knockout! Gorgeous, wonderfully preserved Craftsman Bungalow with hard-to-find classic woodwork details, an impressive list of updates and character galore. Situated perfectly on a quiet street you’ll notice the lovely architectural details that include deep soffits, cedar lap siding and an inviting, pillared front porch.

Entering into the home, you will find a sought-after layout with over 1000 square feet on the main floor containing multiple flex spaces for a home office, homeschooling, media, or extra family space, plus 3 bedrooms and 1 full bath upstairs!

The living room is open and inviting with original hardwood floors and a beautiful picture window. This home has great natural lighting with so many windows and custom blinds from Smith & Noble!

The formal dining area is lovely with classic built-ins and ample room for hosting large dinner parties. Around the corner, you’ll find a darling dining nook with a barrel-vault ceiling, a big picture window and leaded glass built-ins!

Moving through to the kitchen you’ll see the fantastic updates including a newer gas range, dishwasher and refrigerator plus storage, counter space and cabinets.

Just off the kitchen, you’ll also find an office with high ceilings and a deep storage closet. And on the other side of the living room is a lovely bright den, easily imagined as a media room, home school room, office or flex space.

An exceptionally wide and beautiful staircase leads you to a perfectly laid out upper level with 3 bedrooms plus a full bathroom and large closets. The primary bedroom is very spacious with closets on one side and a dressing room with closets on the other. Again, gorgeous custom blinds are a perfect touch to these spaces as windows abound.

Winding downstairs to the basement you’ll find a clean unfinished space with great ceiling height. It’s great as-is or has so much potential for being finished out.

To the side of the home, next to the driveway, is a perfectly placed mudroom with ample space, convenient for daily use and storage.

Back patio has flagstone tile and a firepit ready for outdoor entertaining. The driveway offers lots of off-street parking and leads you towards the back of the property to the oversized garage.

This home touts a newer roof, furnace, air conditioner, water heater, gas range, dishwasher and refrigerator. Not to mention, so many wonderful built-in closets and nooks, you’ll have fun finding them all!

Convenient walk to Downtown St. Johns shops and restaurants, Pier Park, disc golf course, outdoor public pool, and Cathedral Park.

Check out this gorgeous and inviting home, you will want it to be yours!

Living Room Realty’s “State Of The Nation”

Attended our company’s “State Of The Nation” (annual year in review & look ahead) address this past Tuesday morning, and I won’t lie, I left this zoom feeling pretty d@mn proud of our group of humans!
Press the PLAY icon for a glimpse of the fun.

 

Also, champagne ;^]

Same House Different Clients Four Years Later

Who doesn’t love getting an email from new buyers letting you know they want to work with you because you could be their dream agent. And that’s exactly what my buyers Liz and Alex wrote to me when they first got in touch. After we had a Zoom meeting, I could tell they were going to be dream buyers. Liz and Alex were looking for a home where they could start a family, live as close-in as possible on the east side, and wanted vintage charm out the wazoo.

We started off by seeing a few homes that at least on paper looked like they checked the boxes, but when we went to see them in person, I pointed out all sorts of flaws with foundations, layouts, and other not so fun stuff. After our first foray into seeing what was on the market- which wasn’t much, it really helped them hone in on what was important to so they put together a needs and wants list that was super helpful for both of us in narrowing down their search.

A few days after they put together their magic lists, Liz sent me a listing that had just popped up on the market in NE in the Rose City Park/Laurelhurst neighborhood. This house hit all the marks.  The address sounded familiar, and after looking at the photos, I realized that I had listed this very same house back in the summer of 2016! It had belonged to some dear friends of mine that I met when our kids were born around the same time back in 2010, and it was a house that I had spent many hours in. When I sold it in 2016, the buyers had a great agent, and thankfully that same agent was now representing the same folks, this time as sellers. Because I had a really good idea of what Liz and Alex wanted, I was able to tell them with confidence that I thought this might be the perfect house for them. I even let my past sellers know that I now had buyers interested in their old house, which tickled them to no end.

As I had predicted, Liz and Alex loved the house. The worst part about the house when my sellers sold it was the very dated kitchen. The current owners had re-done the kitchen so it was super efficient and stylish. I shared with Liz and Alex all the good times and warm memories that I had in this house and what my sellers had done to the house, along with what was new since I sold it. I called the listing agent to let her know my buyers were really interested. We both remarked how strange but exciting it would be to work together again, on the same house. Liz and Alex wrote up an offer a hair over asking, and that was enough to get the sellers to joyfully accept our offer. Right after we finished up repair negotiations, a tree in the backyard fell over. Alex is an arborist and the sellers asked us for a recommendation for who they should call to have the tree removed, and Alex volunteered to do it himself on the next Saturday, his day off, which the sellers greatly appreciated. Good vibes all around.

When my sellers sold the house in 2016, the roof was nearing the end of it’s life, but still had a good 3-5 years left. This g0-around, our inspector noted that the roof was past due for replacing. The sellers were on it and with only a couple days to spare, the sellers had the roof replaced and we closed on time. I’ve been selling homes since 2007, and this was the first time I’ve sold the same exact home twice- once on each end. The sellers are remaining in the home for 30 days after closing, but I can’t wait to meet Liz and Alex next month to hand them keys!

 

 

 

Quick to the Draw wins SW Mid-Century Stunner!

Congratulations to Tom and Kari for closing on this beautifully updated midcentury house in Vermont Hills.

Tom and Kari have been looking to move “back” to Portland for some time to be closer to family and to take advantage of the natural beauty of the Northwest. This home fit the bill on all fronts with an option for one-level living, amazing mid-century elements (two corner fireplaces), great neighborhood trails and streets for daily strolls, and serene forest-like views from almost every window.

 

Tom and Kari recognized that this was a special house right away and didn’t mess around when they realized it was going to be competitive to land this house. They were the first offer that the seller received, and they made their terms so compelling that the seller was motivated to act quickly on it. For that reason, while there was some competition from other buyers, it didn’t feel like the “feeding frenzy” that can be so disheartening for buyers. Kudos to Tom and Kari for quickly recognizing that the home was a winner AND for being willing to quickly take action to make it their reality!

Kari and Erika have many tips and strategies to make this sellers’ market work for our buyers. Please call us if you are looking to make a move!

Kismet in Ladd’s Addition for My Sister

My sister Jamie moved from our hometown of Portland to New York City to pursue a career in visual arts in 1999, before Y2K, before 9/11, and during the last year of the Clinton era. Along the way she met my now brother-in-law Paul, bought a townhouse in Brooklyn during the height of the recession for a rock bottom price, had my now 8 year old niece and adopted the sweetest little mutt who they named Zucchini- an homage to our childhood dog Squash. For the past 21+ years Jamie, and then Jamie and family, have spent extended amounts of time in Portland, usually at least a couple of months over the summer. They had vague plans of moving to Portland “some day” but no super motivating factor to do the hard work of packing up, figuring out where to live in Portland, and all that goes along with moving across the country. Then 2020 came and like millions of other folks, they re-evaluated where they lived, and the motivation to live closer to family (us) and to get out of the suffocating humdrum of life in New York during the pandemic became stronger with each passing month. We had fantasies of them buying a house in my neighborhood, Ladd’s Addition, and being walking distance from each other so our kids could easily go back and forth between houses.

The market for single family homes in Brooklyn, and especially those with a driveway for off-street parking, a private back-yard and a renovated home like Jamie and Paul’s house, exploded. Just as they timed buying their home at the right time during the bottom of the market, they couldn’t have timed listing their home better. Within a week, they had 8 offers, all over asking. New York real estate sales take at least two to three times as long as Oregon transactions, which take about 30 days, so even though their house was pending, it would still be at least 2-3 months before they made the journey west. Once their house was under contract, my sister started seriously looking at listings in Portland. She sent me a listing of a house in my neighborhood, Ladd’s Addition, that was very intriguing. It was a gorgeous 1905 home with tons of original unpainted woodwork and leaded glass windows everywhere. But the thing that really stuck out for her was that it had an attic that looked like a 1950’s A-frame cabin with floor to ceiling windows facing west and a detached extra large 2 car garage. My brother-in-law is a composer so the 2 things that were most important to them besides price and location, was being able to have 2 studios- one for my sister’s visual art and one that could be turned into a soundproof music studio for my brother-in-law. This house in Ladd’s had both. They were still a couple months off from closing on their New York house, but I told her I would keep an eye on it.

In early December, they found out that their buyers were a sure thing and that their house in NY should close within a month. My sister asked me again about the house in Ladd’s, so the next day I did a 2+ hour FaceTime tour with Jamie and Paul. The house had had a front-porch make-over in the 1950’s, so it looked a little funky in the front, the kitchen is small and dated, and it didn’t have much in the way of upgrades to systems. It had been sitting on the market for 2 months, and despite that, it was reasonably priced. The entire time I toured the home with them on my phone, around every corner was another detail worth oooohhhing and ahhhhhing over. Once I was up on the third floor, in the third floor A-frame space, we were struck that the practically floor to ceiling windows revealed an amazing view of downtown Portland and the west hills. The ceilings peaked at over 12′ and the walls were covered in this beautifully textured mid-century plywood. After spending time up there, we realized that for my sister, there was never going to be another art studio attached to a house that was as inspiring, spacious and convenient as this space. In New York, my sister’s art studio was in a basement with low ceilings and little natural light, so having a studio with such an incredible city view was a dream come true. After we toured the house, we looked at the garage. It was built in 1978 and seemed super sturdy and about 500 sf- a huge garage for inner-city Portland standards. By the time I left, it was clear that they had found their dream home.

We wrote up an offer that evening, and had it accepted the next day. We FaceTimed again for the inspection wrap up, which confirmed that the house had great bones, but was sorely in need of electrical, plumbing, and a couple of small structural corrections- all issues that I could tell by just walking through. The sellers were adamant about selling it as-is, which was pretty disappointing. All of the issues were easily fixable, but really started to add up. After overthinking it and overthinking it, Jamie and Paul couldn’t imagine finding a more perfect house that had the location they wanted, in their price range, and already had both of their ideal studio spaces, so they decided to continue onward with the purchase. Throughout all of the transaction, my sister kept wondering why such a great house had been sitting on the market for so long as 2 months in this market is an eternity. After helping folks buy and sells homes in Portland for 14 years, I truly believe that some houses pick their owners, and this one was just waiting for Jamie and Paul.

 

Just Listed: Light & Bright Hillsboro Ranch

JUST LISTED: 2457 NE GRANT ST


Offered at $399,900
3 Bed | 2 Bath |  SF 1414 | MLS# 20106662  | Taxes: $2860
2457 NE Grant St, Hillsboro OR 97124

This well-maintained and inviting one level Ranch is the one! You’re going to love the fantastic layout, comfortable features and wonderful location!

Entering the foyer and into the living room, you are immediately greeted with vaulted ceilings and wonderful natural light. Open to the living room is a large dining room with plenty of room for relaxation and gatherings alike!

Make your way through the heart of the home and you’ll find an open concept kitchen with an eating bar that flows nicely into a family room. Big windows overlooking the backyard and a wood fireplace make this space feel both spacious and inviting.

The layout and flow throughout the home is easy to navigate and absolutely ideal for a home of this size. Through the hall, you’ll find a full bathroom and 2 bedrooms filled with great natural light. A lovely primary suite with two large closets and a lovely mirrored barn door to the bathroom.

This home has been carefully maintained with a newer furnace, A/C and double pane vinyl windows! Rounding out the home is a nice sized laundry room and 2-car garage with plenty of storage.

Step outside into a beautiful, oversized backyard! Established landscaping and greenery surround a patio ready for entertaining or lounging on hot summer days. Plus, you’ll love what bounty the warmer weather brings including roses, lilacs & mature fruit trees: apple, Asian pear, plums and grapevines. The yard is fully fenced for privacy which makes this a delightful space for entertaining and Fido-friendly too! Located in a quiet neighborhood walking distance to MAX, Shopping Center and Shadywood Park with trails and a playground. Easy commute to Intel, Nike and HWY 26. This is a wonderful place to call home!

More Information

Listing Your Home? Prep Tips from a Listing Agent

Are you planning to sell and wondering where to start and what is important to focus on?  I love listing homes and over the course of my career, I have seen the following tips help with a smooth transition to market and a successful selling experience. These tips are simple basics that every seller can and should take on before listing their home.

1. Clean, clean, and clean some more.
This seems like a no brainer, but there may be small things you forget or miss as you’re picking up around the house. This could include: cleaning air returns, dusting off fan blades, and polishing faucets. If you find yourself too busy to tend to these tasks, you can hire a cleaning service (I have referrals if you need one!)

2. Clear out any clutter.
When a potential buyer walks into your home, we want them to envision themselves living in the space and how it would look. If you have clutter or mess around the house, this will make the vision much more difficult for potential buyers. Ultimately, you could lose out on the sale over this detail. Keep your space open with minimal decor. Also, I have stagers who can help, hit me up for a referral!

3. Remove personal items lying around the house.
This ties into tip #2, the potential buyer wants to envision themselves living in the space, not you. If you have any photographs of you and your family or personal items to your children, remove these, and keep the space neutral for the buyer.

4. Make good use of plants and nature.
If you have certain areas of the home you want to emphasize and bring attention to, try placing a potted plant or decorated vase in that space.

5. Curb appeal
A buyer’s home tour starts the minute they pull up to the curb. Make sure the yard is clean, mulched and the entry is bright and inviting. A color pop on the door when appropriate makes a big impact on photos and in-person.

There are so many small details that many homeowners may not realize has a huge effect on whether the home will sell or not. These could make or break a sale, so make sure you keep all this in mind as you prepare your home for market.

If you are getting ready to buy or sell, get in touch with me today! I would love to help. Over the past decade plus, I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge on everything in Portland Metro. When I work with a client to achieve their real estate needs, they get step by step expert guidance by me, as well as access to my carefully selected list vendors that I work with.

 

Marisa Swenson – Specializing in Modern Home Sales
971-285-7955
modernhomesportland.com

I Love My Clients!

These fine folks, Abby and Andy, contacted me after our mutual friends
 Aaron and Mallory (and their Hillbilly Hilton as seen below)
talked me up to Abby and Andy when they said they were thinking about buying their own home. Turns out I love the friends of our friends. Andy and Abby are great people and wonderful clients.
It’s a short story-
We found them their dream house in SW Hills.
We had to compete but got the house.
We had fun doing it!
And tonight, we drink champagne together at their new home!
Let me know if you’ve got goals to buy a home for the first time or the tenth, I’m happy to help and fun to work with.

Dancing Into Homeownership

I met Dianne and Luke through our mutual friend, Angie. The three of them are part of the Lindy Hop community, and met when they were all living on the east coast. Lindy Hop is a form of dance that became popular in Black communities in the 1920s. The dance has continued to rise in popularity in no small part because of the uplifting and fun form. According to one website, “The spirit of Lindy Hop today is about inclusivity, creativity, and improvisation.”

This beautiful couple decided to transplant to the west coast and we started their search over a year ago, but due to issues with the sale of their home back east, they ended up waiting to purchase until the end of 2020. Though not without some challenges, we finally found them a beautiful bungalow sandwiched between the Mississippi and Vancouver/Williams corridor neighborhoods. This home is spectacular! Original details and updates where needed.

I hope Dianne and Luke are happy in this home for many years to come.

If you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell a home, please contact Amanda Haworth at 503-453-7698 or amanda@livingroomre.com.

Tips for Buying a Multi-Family Home

Purchasing a multi-family home offers a unique set of challenges, when compared to buying a single family residence — especially if you plan on occupying one or more of the units in the multiplex. Given the impact of the global pandemic, there are some additional challenges that buyers will face as well. Outlined below is a (non-exhaustive) list of things to consider and prepare for, if you would like to buy a multi-family home:

 

  1. You will likely have to write an offer before seeing the interior If the multiplex is currently leased, there is a strong chance that all offers will need to be written “subject to interior inspection.” Meaning, you have to submit an offer (and have it accepted) prior to setting foot inside any of the units. This isn’t quite as scary as it sounds, though. If you walk through the units, and are not satisfied with what you see, you can attempt to renegotiate the terms of the offer, or simply terminate the agreement altogether. This type of requirement is usually in place to protect the tenants from having to vacate the premises over and over again for showings. Requiring all prospective buyers to submit an offer (and have it accepted) prior to viewing the interior, helps ensure that only the most serious buyers are being shown the property.
  2. Occupancy may have some challenges — If the current tenants are signed to long-term leases, any new owner of the property will be required to let those leases run their course. If you plan on occupying one or more of the units, this can provide some significant challenges, as most Lenders will require that you move into at least one of the units within 60-90 days of closing — otherwise they will consider it a purchase of an investment property. If the tenants are on month-to-month leases, they will still have to be given 90-days notice for a move-out date, so it’s important to negotiate all of these terms as part of the initial offer for the property.
  3. Inspection and Repair Considerations — When it comes time to inspect a multi-family property, there are a few additional things to consider. a) The inspection will likely take much longer than an inspection of a single-family home, and will also cost more. Both of these will of course depend on the number of units in the multiplex. b) The tenants are not required to move their furniture or personal belongings (nor can we make them) for the inspection. This might mean certain areas are not able to be inspected as thoroughly as we might like. c) The tenants are not required to leave for the inspection (nor can we make them), so there is always a chance that they are present for the duration of inspections. d) If repairs are needed, it may be easiest for all parties if these are handled through a credit or price reduction. Coordinating repairs, providing proper notice to tenants and working out access for contractors — that also fits with the tenants’ schedules — can prove quite difficult, so handling these items monetarily is often the most effective method.
  4. Seek guidance from a Real Estate Attorney — As a Realtor, I specialize in helping my clients buy and sell property. And while I have a loose grasp on a number of the laws regarding tenant’s rights, I am simply not qualified to provide legal advice on those matters. I strongly encourage my clients to speak with a Real Estate Attorney early on in the process, so as to ensure all rules and regulations are properly followed — especially when it comes to taking responsibility for vacating a tenant. It’s 100% worth the financial and time investment to do so. Trying to navigate these topics on your own is just not worth the risk in my opinion.
  5. The Pandemic Effect — Throughout the last year, there have been a number of eviction moratoriums and temporary rule changes when it comes to tenant’s rights. Having an understanding of which laws apply to the property you are interested in will prove critical for a successful purchase. Again, here is where I would defer to an Attorney to provide the proper guidance, which only underscores the importance of having a solid Real Estate Attorney on your team for this venture.

 While this list is certainly not exhaustive of all the things to consider when buying a multi-family home in the Portland area, it’s a good start towards preparing yourself for this type of investment!

 

Keep the Faith People: A Success Story of a Zero Down Payment, First Time Home Buyer Experience

A Zero Downpayment in this market?- Yes!
Under $400k?- Yes!
Cute house in SE?- Yes!
The loan is ‘Just for Starters’ from OnPoint Community Credit Union
Our Rock Star loan officer is Adam Rousse @ Adam.Rousse@onpointcu.com
 
Keep the faith people-
It took four offers on four homes in four consecutive weeks but my wonderful first time home buyers with an eye for ‘cute’ and attention to detail found a wonderful home to call their own. They took possession of their new home two days before Christmas and it was a joy to play a part in helping these two find their first home.
 
My buyers contacted me this fall out of the blue. 98% of my clients come to me by referral, whether it is from past clients, friends, an office referral or a lender referral, but there is almost always some kind of context. When the buyer called me and said that they had chosen to interview with me based on information they had found online, I was really surprised, but thrilled. 
 
Thank you to all of you who have left a review! Your kind words are finding their way!
 
These buyers agreed to a meeting in which we go through the process of a purchasing and I take notes on their goals. This conversation usually ends with the ‘with what?’ question, which is one way to say; what is your budget and what is the down payment? 
When these buyers let me know we’d be under $400k, ideally closer to $350k with a zero down payment loan… I took a deep breath. I know this market and I know very well that there are more buyers than there are sellers. We had ourselves a bit of a challenge, challenge accepted!
 
Right away we got out and started to tour homes. We saw some great ones, terrible ones, underpriced ones and some clearly overpriced. We made three great offers and got beat out very clearly on two. The third we landed a back up offer and the fourth we got acceptance!
 
The inspections went well overall but there were a few items that any buyer would ask for so we made a good case for needed repairs, requests were presented with bids from trusted contractors. The sellers signed off on all requested repairs in the form of $4500 credit to the buyers closing costs!
 
When the appraisal came back $4000 over the negotiated sales price we were clear for landing. These really wonderful buyers had been able to leverage a great loan option to their advantage and scored a great home for their first home together.
 
It’s my honor to work hard and get great results for my clients. I work with both buyers and sellers and love the work that I do.  I, of course, couldn’t do it without my team.  Thank you Nieka and Carly! 
 

The Perfect Little House in the Shadow of Mt Tabor

My clients Elizabeth and Tom contacted me in early October. They were getting all their ducks in a row to start the home buying process within the first 6 months of 2021. After we spoke, Elizabeth got in touch with a great lender and it was after she spoke with the lender that they realized they were actually a lot closer to making home ownership a reality then they had anticipated. Once pre-approved, they realized that with rates below 3%, buying a home sooner then later to take advantage of the low low low rates was within their reach. Besides staying within their budget, location was the most important feature, and they knew they wanted to be as close-in as possible, preferably west of 82nd and within walking distance of places you would want to walk to and near transit so once the pandemic ends Elizabeth could easily get downtown to her job at Mercy Corps.

On our first outing to see homes, we saw a few homes and found a couple that they really liked. One in particular, in Madison South just a few spits east of 82nd seemed to check all the boxes. It was a home that has just been flipped, so from what I could see when we saw the house in person, it looked ok. There are always 2 parts of a house that I can’t see during a showing, and it’s those 2 parts that tend to have the most issues. The crawl space and attic. I always warn my clients up front that the crawl space and attic will make or break a house. Armed with the knowledge that the house was a flip and that I could not see the attic or crawl space, they decided to take their chances and write up an offer. For a house listed under $400k that looked to be in decent shape on the interior and had a nice floor plan, surprisingly it only had one offer. This is usually a sign of not great things, but hey- it meant no competition and since it had just been listed, they wrote their offer at just list price and not over asking. Their offer was accepted and we scheduled the inspection to happen within a couple of days. When we arrived at the house to go over the report with the inspector, I could tell by the look on my inspectors face that the house was a dud and all my concerns about it just having been flipped were validated. The crawl space and attic were total wrecks. Rats had chewed through a ton of the wiring, had made nests everywhere, even in the house ductwork. Rodent feces was out the wahoo and all the other terrible things that happen when rats move in were present. It was so bad that our inspector wasn’t able to inspect the whole crawl space or attic. We were all incredulous that the flippers who listed this house didn’t even bother to do any clean up or even try to cover it up. And it just added more fodder for my hesitancy in recommending recently flipped houses to first time buyers. My buyers terminated that very afternoon.

A couple of days later a cupcake little mid-century ranchalow just west of 82nd on the east side of Mt. Tabor in the SE part of Montavilla came on the market. Painted a perfect light blue/teal with scalloped siding frosting the front of the house, the curb appeal was delicious. This one hit all the same boxes as the Montavilla house, and this one felt even more warm and cozy. This house was not a flip and had been well taken care of by the previous owners. After sleeping on it, and before they even had their earnest money back in their pockets after terminating on the first house they had been in transaction with, they decided to go for it. This house did receive multiple offers and Elizabeth and Tom were able to rise to the top with a small escalation clause. For the second time in a week, they had an offer accepted on a great house. This house sailed through the inspection, and with just a couple of needed repairs that we were able to negotiate, the transaction was smooth from start to finish.