Congratulations to my client, Ciaran, who just sold his beautiful cottage in Beaumont/Wilshire. It sits on a beautiful oversized lot with lots of new updates inside. From the modern kitchen with farm sink and marble counters to the inviting patio out back, there’s no shortage of things to love here. The new owners are certainly going to love it here. Ciaran, it was a pleasure to work with you. Thank you to Patrick Krause at Soldera Properties who brought the buyer. Big congrats all around!
Some folks just know what they want and it happens fast! This is definitely true in David and Clara’s case. This fun couple came to our team via my teammate, Jasmine Deatherage. They reached out, ready to start the process. We chatted briefly and I knew we were going to not only help them purchase a home but also have fun in the process! We scheduled our Buyer’s Meeting- a meeting we have with all buyers before we get started. We go over the buying process, what to expect in the current real estate market and how our team works. It’s pretty much a requirement for all of our buyers.
But hey… that meeting didn’t even happen!! Right after we scheduled our Buyer’s meeting, a fantastic home in a fantastic location popped up and they wanted to jumped on the opportunity! Things started rolling along and we just filled in the blanks as we went. David has bought a few homes in his life so he was familiar with the process.
And now, they own this darling home! The home has so many great updates, a fantastic layout and solid bones! Congratulations, David and Clara!! We are so excited to see how the kitchen remodel turns out.
Congrats to David and Clara!
A huge congratulations to Beth and Stephen who are finishing out the week with a closing. Their lovely townhome in the desirable Quimby Townhomes Complex just sold! These folks were the best of clients to work with. They stuck with it for the long run, patiently awaiting a dip in the market and being rewarded when buyers came back out in spades. The home is lovely and open with tons of light while being insulated from the street and noise. Near NW 23rd and 21st, it’s got plenty of culture and charm just outside the door. Congratulations to Beth and Stephen! It was also a pleasure to work with Erica Dagle and Amy Reed at Portland Alternative Realtors. Hurray!
Kyle and Saria are so excited to purchase their first home! Saria is in the design industry which meant they had an infinite amount of ideas as to how the home could look and feel. When we found this gorgeous 1960’s home, it was clear this was the one. The previous owners kept it in incredible shape and it’s a blank slate for them to work with. It was so amazing to work with these two and help them on this part of their journey. Paul Marrs helped them make this dream a reality, and Laurie Evans Mischel from Next Nest Realty was an amazing partner to work with. Congratulations to all!
Experience living in the heart of Mount Tabor just blocks from the park, trails, local shops and neighborhood hot spots like Portland Nursery and Coquine. Nestled in on a quiet dead-end street, you will find this charming 1978 ranch tucked-in and surrounded by greenery. Step inside to a spacious living room that features parquet hardwood flooring and a wood burning fireplace to cozy up to on those colder days. The living room leads to an oversized kitchen with generous storage and skylights for an abundance of natural light. Sliding doors open the kitchen up to a secluded, fully enclosed back deck for private meals alfresco. Down the hallway are two additional bedrooms that share a full bathroom and lead to the primary suite complete with its own full bathroom and sitting area. Sliding doors allow access to a light-filled sunroom. Additional storage can be found off the two-car garage in the mudroom where the laundry is located. Come make this gem your own!
Congratulations to Robert who just sold his beautiful Portland bungalow. The home features gorgeous period details and a charming, luminous interior. There’s no shortage of things to love. Boise-Elliot is an amazing small neighborhood full of character. The new owners will enjoy Irving Park, restaurants, shops, and close access to Downtown! It was a pleasure to work with Robert. Thank you for your trust in our team! Thank you to Melissa Welker at Stellar Realty, it was a pleasure to work with you and your team. Cheers all around!
I’m so happy to close out November on a positive note. My client just sold his amazing townhome in Hillsboro! Located in the highly sought-after Autumn Reserve community, this spot is perfect for the new owner. They’ll enjoy two master suites, central AC, an open kitchen, and fireplace. We worked with Leanne Bennett and Chelsea Ausland at Metro West Realty on this sale. It couldn’t have gone better. Thank you both for such a smooth transaction. It was an honor to be a part of this journey and I wish my client the best of luck going forward. Congratulations all around!
Sarah and Tariq contacted me in early August after being referred to me by one of my favorite lenders. They used to live in Portland, and had moved to Los Angeles for work, and were now being transferred back to Portland. They were moving to Portland in mid-November, so they came to Portland in mid-October to find a home. Before they arrived, we had a flurry of emails back and forth narrowing down homes they wanted to see. They seemed to really hone in on mid-centuries and when we came up with our list of homes to see over the next few days, the majority were mid-centuries. They arrived on a Thursday evening, and we hit the ground running on Friday morning. We saw around 12 houses together over the next couple of days, and they saw even more homes on their own visiting open houses.
They did write on one home, but when that home received another offer that was higher and waived their inspection, Sarah and Tariq decided they didn’t love it enough to go that far. With 2 days left on their clock, they started leaning towards writing an offer on a house they didn’t love, but felt it met their needs and after buying it, they could fix it up to their liking. They wanted to be under contract before they flew back to LA and I think they were ok with settling for a less than perfect house for the sake of being able to leave Portland having a house under contract.
While they mulled that house over, a house came on the market in North Tabor that seemed like it could be the one. We immediately went and saw it and both Sarah and Tariq just beamed and they knew within 20 steps into the house that this was the one. It had a classic living room with fireplace, formal dining room and vintage kitchen that looked almost brand new. Two bedrooms on the main floor and one up plus a semi-finished basement. The house had a tuck under garage as well as an oversized double car garage behind the house. One of the things that was on their must have list was a garage for their motorcycles, and this house had the perfect set-up for their bikes. They loved it and decided on the spot they would take the home as-is and waive the inspection contingency. The home was an estate and prior to going on the market the seller pro-actively replaced the sewer line, did a radon test and had soil samples taken and the tank decommissioned. The home was a well built 1951 classic with a foundation built like a tank, but I could tell that the roof had at least 3 layers including the original wood shingle roof, it needed plumbing updates, both the furnace and water heater were ancient and the chimney had seen better days. I put together a list for Sarah and Tariq with repair estimates for all the issues based off very recent bids for similar work. After going through those numbers, it all felt pretty manageable budget wise. They decided they would go the distance to get this house, and the sooner they could get it under contract the better. 99% of the time I would never advise a first time home buyer to waive the home inspection contingency, but in this case it made sense considering the potential big unknowns, sewer and oil tank, were already taken care of and Sarah and Tariq were dying to get the house.
The house was scheduled to have an open house on Sunday, and Sarah and Tariq wanted to get this house under contract before then. We wrote up a great offer that was over asking, waived the right of revocation, ordered the appraisal on day one, did a 26 day close, released the earnest money upon acceptance by the seller and waived the home inspection contingency. I would never advice a buyer to release their earnest money right away, but they were so sure that this was their house that when they asked what else they could throw in to hopefully get the seller to accept their offer right away, that was the really the only thing left. When we submitted the offer on a Friday night, it was as watertight as could be.
The next day, on Saturday, the listing agent called me and said the seller was so pleased with Sarah and Tariq’s offer, that she decided to accept it right away and they canceled the open house scheduled for Sunday. Sarah and Tariq flew back to LA on Sunday knowing that when they drove back to Portland in November, they had a house waiting for them. Even though they waived the home inspection contingency, they still had the home inspected so they would be able to prioritize repairs and know what they were getting into. Thankfully the home inspected like a dream, and pretty much everything I said would come up in an inspection as an issue, came up, and overall the house was in terrific shape. The house closed on a Thursday, and on Saturday morning Sarah and Tariq arrived in Portland with their pup a rented mini-van full of plants and the glow that comes with having the satisfaction of getting keys to their dream home.
This cheerful doormat greeted me as I retrieved the keys for my buyers on their closing day.
Unfortunately, Claire and Jono are in the process of relocating and weren’t yet in town on Key Day. But we still celebrated!
They asked their dear friends (who are also past clients of mine) to stand in for them on the big day. We did a walk-thru, took lots of pictures, and celebrated long-distance with the new homeowners. But don’t worry, we’ll celebrate all over again when they pull-up in their moving truck. And the door mat will still be there to greet them with “Yay You’re Here” all over again.
Their charming bungalow style home was built in the 1920’s. While it’s not huge, it features the cozy fireplace, hardwood floors, and nicely updated home systems that will make it a wonderful place to settle in and call home.
Congratulations to these new homeowners!
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Interested in making Portland your home?
Call Cheri Harney, at 503-319-4858.
Welp, it happened again folks. I had the privilege of working with fantastic clients and now I want to adopt them! Or, at least have them over for dinner :).
Jessica and Michael were referred to my teammate, Jasmine, and they were such a delight to work with. They came to us looking for a home in inner southeast Portland. They were moving from an area with limited walkability so location was very important to them. We did end up finding a lovely home in a great location but after a hard inspection, we sadly had to move on and look for a different home.
…And I’m so glad we did!
We found the cutest, most special home in Ladd’s Addition for the family! Everything about this purchase was wonderful and full of good vibes! I wish every buyer had the chance to experience a purchase like this one. Jessica and Michael are so head over heels for the neighborhood they have convinced Jessica’s parents to move here to enjoy all the goodness they are experiencing. We are looking forward to working with her parents and hoping for the same kind of magical purchase!
Photo credit for photos of the home: Jack Burnett
Congratulations to Eric and Cobie who just closed on this stunning West Linn home. It has so much space and tons of light making it the ultimate multi-generational home. Coming all the way from Pittsburgh, Eric and Cobie are excited for their life on the West Coast. Parents to three amazing kiddos, quality schools were incredibly important to them, as was a safe neighborhood. Everyone had that magic feeling when we stepped into this home. I’m so excited for this awesome family. Own It Portland’s Jim Scolastico was referred to these two through a friend, and was amazing throughout this process. Thank you to Coldwell Banker Bain’s Deserie Fernbaugh Daniels who was great to work with. Cheers to everyone!
The house came on the market at the end of September. She saw the listing, got excited, and called her lender to get pre-approved. But wow, the house went pending immediately.
But the seed had been planted. She loved the idea of owning a home on a good sized piece of land, and being closer to her job in Oregon City. She started having visions of getting chickens — and maybe even a goat.
The house went pending so fast that she never got in to see it. But she did get her loan pre-approval process started.
Fortunately, the stars aligned just right. The day after her lender completed her financing pre-approval, Catherine’s dream house came back on the market. We hustled out to see it within hours. It was competitive. The home received multiple offers again, but Catherine wrote a strong offer and hers was the winner. From there, we moved into the home inspection process and negotiated a brand new roof.
The house sits on almost half an acre with an expansive yard, a kitchen garden, potting shed, space for chickens, covered outdoor patio, and so much more. There’s a big kitchen with huge windows overlooking the back garden. The home has a fireplace and hardwood floors. Admittedly, those floors aren’t in great shape but Catherine has the vision to know they’ll be beautiful once she gets to that project.
Congratulations to Catherine — and good luck with the chickens!
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Interested in making Portland your home?
Call Cheri Harney, at 503-319-4858.
Congratulations to our client Michael who just closed on this stunning condo! Michael came to us with a few very important things he and his son were looking for, and hoped to find something in this area. Luckily, we found this one on the first weekend of searching. It sits in the sought-after Stonewater community in Hillsboro. Immediately, they knew it was right. After submitting an offer, everything came together super smoothly. It’s a true testament to how amazing Michael is as a client. Big thank you to Own It Portland’s Jim Scolastico who led the efforts here. Thanks also to Dani Clark at Redfin! Congratulations to all!
A huge congratulations to my clients, Robin and Cooper. They just closed on a new home in beautiful SW Portland! It’s nestled in the desired Westover neighborhood and is absolutely gorgeous. This 1942 cottage has been updated to with all the benefits of a modern home. From a beautiful light filled interior, an updated kitchen, and an open floor plan, there’s tons of charm here. It’s been a joy to work with these folks. I’m so excited to see how they make this space their own. Many thanks to Janet Rajcich at John L. Scott Real Estate. Congratulations all around!
Join me in congratulating Christina and Scott! They are first time home buyers, and this was their second accepted offer. The first had some challenges, but as it turns out, everything works out for a reason and this home is fantastic. They wanted a home that had plenty of space to entertain during football games, a big kitchen, and a dining room that was large enough to host for Thanksgiving. In addition, it has a backyard for their puppy dog, which was something they really wanted. Huge shoutout to our team’s Jim Scolastico who took the lead on this one. Thanks also to Daniel Fleisher who was a dream seller’s agent to work with! Congratulations!
I’m thrilled to close out the week with this closing. Randy and Ashley are old friends of mine and amazing people. Working with them to find their new home has been a dream. Their new ranch home sits in the beautiful NW PDX neighborhood of Cedar Mills and has tons of room to roam. Conveniently located to shopping, restaurants, and great schools, it’s also super close to highways quickly connecting you to all of Portland’s highlights. I know they’ll especially love the wood-fire and spacious primary suite. Randy and Ashley, congrats on the gorgeous new home, and thank you for your friendship and trust! Hurray!
My buyers Annie and Ben were referred to me by one of the great lenders at Portland Housing Center. They were first time home buyers and during our meeting when we met to discuss their plan and get a feel to see if we would be a good fit to work together, we talked about the ideal house for them. They had a really clear idea of exactly what they were looking for and where they wanted to buy. Ben works in Vancouver and Annie works on the inner east side so their ideal house would be in North Portland in Kenton or near I-5. They also wanted something with vintage charm- preferably mid-century, and in good shape that would be easy to maintain. They also wanted a yard and their budget was $400k tops. They were still interviewing agents when a couple of days after we met, I got an email from my wonderful colleague Martin Cross here at Living Room with info on an open house a great listing of his in Kenton was having the next day. On paper that house seemed to meet all the criteria that Annie and Ben had, so I forwarded the email along to them. They responded that indeed, the house looked like it was great and they could tell I had a really good sense of what they were looking for, and that sealed the deal for us working together.
Annie and Ben stopped by the open house and let me know right afterwards the house was beautiful and perfect for them. I went back to see it with them the next day, and the following day we wrote up a great offer. The sellers accepted and 6 days after we first met they were under contract. We had the inspection and it was going really well, with the exception of the roof which we all suspected was toast. And then we got the bad news. At some point the tub overflow drain line had been disconnected so water had been getting behind the tub for a long, long time. Everything under there including subfloor and floor joists were toast. The rot had worked its way into the wall behind the tub plumbing and had spread out from just under the tub to most of the bathroom. The only real fix was to remove the tub, vanity and toilet, gut the bathroom, and then rebuild the bathroom from the subfloor up. Ouch.
A lot of buyers would have walked at this point, but after a few days of hard thinking, Annie and Ben decided that they still loved the house and felt that if there was a way to have this all fixed before they take possession, they would stick with it. They knew they wanted it fixed, and the last thing they wanted was to get keys to their new house and then have to find somewhere else to live while the only bathroom got rebuilt. The next move was finding a contractor who could do the job within the next month. Between Martin the listing agent and myself, we hunkered down and found a few contractors who could go out there to take a look. The first company to get back to us bid the job at nearly 3 times what the sellers wound up paying for the same scope of work and said it would take 4-6 months before the job could be completed. In the end, a contractor who the seller had personally used for other jobs said they could get the entire job done within a couple of weeks including mold remediation, and indeed they did. My buyers even got to pick out new flooring and a new toilet.
Despite such a huge repair, we wound up closing only one week late. The sellers are doing a 3 week occupancy after close, so on the last day of the weekend before Thanksgiving, I will have the honor and pleasure of meeting my buyers at the house to hand over keys.
I had the pleasure of helping two very kind people buy a lovely home in SW! Janice and Mic were referred to me by a past client, they were looking forward to retiring soon and hoping to find a well-maintained home in a peaceful neighborhood. We found just the place! A lovely home in the Cedar Mill area, perfect for relaxing, close to everything and plenty of space for their cats. So many updates along with an added wing with vaulted ceilings. They couldn’t be happier!
Cheers to Janice and Mic!!
Join me in congratulating my good friends, Will and Nicole! Check out their awesome new home! Situated in the beautiful Markham neighborhood of SW Portland, this home is going to be the perfect place for their next chapter. They’ll enjoy tons of charm, open yard space in the front and back, and plenty of natural light with three skylights! I am so excited whenever we get to work with friends. Will and Nicole, thank you for your trust in my team and me. I can’t wait to come check the place out after you’re all moved in. Congrats!
Walking around the city is a great way to get to know it, revere it, contemplate, and get some great exercise. Take a look at these classic Portland walks here.
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.
4114 SE 14th Ave, Portland, OR 97202
Offered at $799,000
4 Bed | 3 Bath | 2002 SF | MLS# 21169366 | Taxes: $6,644
Gorgeous, remodeled Craftsman with hard-to-find custom woodwork detailing and built-ins, an impressive list of updates and character galore! Approaching the home, you’ll love the lush landscaping, Dutch front door and picture-perfect front porch!
This unique craftsman home has been modernized at almost every turn and it shows! To start, the home features updated cedar siding, beautiful energy-efficient wood windows, and upgraded insulation throughout the home. As you enter, the living and dining rooms are light and bright with gorgeous hardwood floors. The living room glows with a gas fireplace surrounded by a custom mantle and built-in shelving. The dining area touts a sweet corner custom-built wood storage bench with windows that let the light pour in and wrap around you.
The floorplan has great flow, smoothly transitioning you into the stylishly remodeled kitchen with stainless steel appliances, classic tile flooring & backsplash, custom island, quartz countertops, and lots of counter space. Just down the hall from the kitchen is a conveniently located full bathroom with a claw foot tub and bedroom/den/home office across the hall. A large back porch just off the kitchen offers ample space for outdoor living complete with gas hook-up perfect for your outdoor grill.
An exceptionally beautiful wood staircase leads you upstairs to a magical bonus room that you’re going to love! It’s midway up the stairs, just perfect for little ones, furry friends or whatever your heart desires. Moving all the way up to the top level, you’ll find an awesome family room on the landing with built-in speakers and big, beautiful windows. The primary bedroom at the end of the hall is very spacious with vaulted ceilings and double closets with built-in closet organizer. The en suite bathroom features a walk-in shower with double heads and a lovely cedar sauna. Just down the hall is another large bedroom with tons of windows and natural light.
Winding down the stairs, the mudroom surprises you halfway down to the basement and offers a convenient side door off the driveway, just perfect for unloading the groceries. This mudroom is thoughtfully designed with heated tile floors, custom wood benches and wood shelving/hooks. One of the coolest features in this room is a set of built-in dog bowls & a faucet so refilling their water is a cinch!
Making your way down to the basement, you’ll find a spacious room with built-in shelving, bright overhead lighting, and custom blinds. This area could be easily imagined as a private guest suite, media room, home office, or the coveted 4th bedroom. The adjoining room is the ideal utility room with a laundry platform, hanger bar for drying clothes, counter space, built-in shelving and a vintage double utility sink.
The backyard is beautifully hardscaped and connects the home to an oversized one-car garage with lots of additional space. This was custom built as a woodshop with ducting for a ventilation system, skylights, many windows, built-in shelving and a large loft. The sky is the limit for what could be imagined for this space!
You will love this sought-after close-in SE location in the Brooklyn neighborhood, just blocks from Brooklyn School park and Winterhaven School! It’s a fantastic neighborhood for walking and biking. Plus, an easy commute to downtown or to I-5!
Congratulations to Kate and Gareth! They are good friends of mine and I was so happy to assist them to sell their gorgeous piece of land in NW. A blank canvas always carries so much potential. The new buyers will enjoy just that. Its prime location backing up to Forest Park makes this the perfect place for a dream home to stand. Much appreciation to Travis Masaki at Topography Homes who was a dream to work with. Kate and Gareth, thank you for your faith in my team and me. Hurray all around!
Laura is a good friend of my teammate, Jasmine Deatherage’s and I’m so glad I met her! She is so bright & funny! And now, Laura just closed on that house!! It’s a super unique A-Frame with tons of exposed wood and a fantastically updated upper level.
Another great part of Laura’s story is that she was able to use funds from the Portland Housing Center’s IDA program to help pay for her closing costs! I highly recommend that you look into this program to see if you or someone you know might qualify. HERE is the link!
Jasmine and I wish Laura all the best in her wonderful new home!
A big congratulations to Greg and Sarah who just closed on this lovely home in Oregon City! The McLoughlin neighborhood is gorgeous, quiet, and residential. It’s a perfect place to call home. As for their new place, it’s got an awesome open layout with lots of space both inside and out. It features four bedrooms and two bathrooms, perfect for a growing family. Upon entering, they noticed an abundance of natural light and immediately fell in love. They’re especially looking forward to the big, sloping backyard and all of the space it brings. I thank them immensely for their trust in my team and me. Best of luck on this next chapter, Greg and Sarah! Congratulations!
710 SW VIEWMONT DR Portland, OR 97225
Offered at $720,000
5 Bed | 2 Bath | 2896 SF | MLS# 21169366 | Taxes: $7,179
This well-maintained daylight ranch is perched high off the street in the gorgeous West Haven-Sylvan neighborhood! Lovely terraced, mature landscaping and a convenient half circle driveway give this home so much curb appeal.
Entering the foyer, you’re going to love the vaulted entry and abundance of natural light. An open staircase leads you up to the main level with a wonderful open floor plan, hardwood floors throughout and updated double-pane windows all around. The spacious living room has a cozy gas fireplace for those chilly months of the year. In the adjacent formal dining room, French doors deliver you onto an oversized, covered patio terrace overlooking the lush out of doors. This private exterior terrace is an extension of the home and has ample space for both outdoor dining and lounging: a truly wonderful space for entertaining! The formal dining room is conveniently located next to the warm and inviting remodeled kitchen touting stainless steel appliances, plenty of storage, granite countertops and a gas range.
The layout of this 5-bedroom house is an absolute dream with 3 bedrooms on the main with a full bathroom and 2 more bedrooms on the lower level with a full bathroom. Both bathrooms are large & clean, perhaps they could be waiting for your personal touch. Stay comfortable all year with central air conditioning and 2 fireplaces.
Head on down to the stairs and you’ll find charm around every corner! The lower level is a cleverly designed space with optimum livability, featuring a family room with a wood-burning fireplace. This space is easily imagined as a media room, guest quarters, really the possibilities are endless! You’ll appreciate how much storage this home will bring you, with a large utility/storage room, ample closets throughout and an oversized 2-car garage with large hanging shelves to maximize storage.
I’m so impressed with Lily and Jessi! They were great to work with from day one. And, I know you hear me gush about how great my referrals are, a lot! But, hey, it’s true! Jasmine and I were very lucky to have met them and worked with them. They are two of the kindest people I’ve met.
Lily and Jessi were looking for a great starter home as well as something close to Lily’s parent’s house in NE Portland. We weren’t sure if we were going to be able to find something within their price range within blocks of her parent’s house. The market has been nuts and cute, well-maintained houses like this one have been flying off the shelf. On this one, I’m going to say we got it because we had very strong terms plus fantastic communication with the listing agent, right off the bat. And as it goes sometimes, we had big hurdles to overcome during the transaction and again, it was a great communication that kept it all together and pleasant for everyone involved.
I am so happy for Lily and Jessi!! This house is darling and in the perfect location to put down roots.
Cheers!
It’s always the best when you end the week with a Friday closing for some amazing clients. Larry and Linda have worked with just a few months ago to buy a new home. This time, we were lucky enough to work together again to sell this fantastic Pearl District condo. Located in The Casey, this stellar unit has amazing modern details including a gorgeous balcony. I can’t stress enough how amazing these two are to work with. They’ve got an amazing attitude and are always trusting of my team and me. Thanks to Own It Portland’s Jim Scholastico for his help with this one. Special thank you to Jan Carlson who worked the other side; she was an absolute joy. Linda and Larry, thank you again! I can’t wait for the next time.
My team and I are so excited for our client, Jesse, who just closed on this radiant ranch home. Coincidentally enough, Jesse and I have worked together for quite some time. He even was gracious enough to use our team to buy/sell in the past. I consider him a dear friend of mine. In a full circle moment, Jesse was one of Morgan (on Own It Portland’s team) first friends when she moved to Portland 10 years ago! It was such an amazing experience to get to cross paths again and enjoy this blast from the past for all three of us. Jesse, thank you once again for all of your trust in Morgan and me throughout this process. I can’t wait to work together again!
8706 SE 28TH AVE Milwaukie, OR 97222 Offered at $525,000
4 Bed | 1 Bath | 2872 SF | MLS# 21231882 | Taxes: $3,976
Check out this charming Ardenwald bungalow in a truly special pocket of Milwaukie. The home shines with classic detailing and character galore! Perched above the street, you’ll love the charming front porch and lovely front door with sidelights. It’s the perfect place to relax with your morning coffee or just watch the beauty that surrounds you.
An inviting and oversized living room greets you with hardwood floors and 2 beautiful picture windows. The entire home is bathed in bright natural light and cozy vibes. The living room flows seamlessly into the formal dining room which acts as a nice axis point to the kitchen and spacious backyard. The perfect layout for entertaining both inside and out!
Moving through to the kitchen, you’ll notice how large & spacious this space feels. This kitchen features lots of storage, counter space and cabinets as well as dishwasher & breakfast bar.
The layout of this 4 bedroom house is an absolute dream with 2 bedrooms up and 2 on the main level. The full bathroom on the main level is nicely remodeled and centrally located to all bedrooms!!
The low-maintenance backyard is lovely and perfect for outdoor living and entertaining. The yard is fully fenced and includes a large shed for additional, convenient storage for your lawnmower, outdoor furniture, gardening tools, etc… Walk only one block to connect to the Spring Water Corridor! Also, a short walk over the pedestrian bridge brings you swiftly to the MAX SE Tacoma/Johnson Creek park and ride for easy commutes and City fun!
Plus, loads of storage space and laundry in the unfinished basement!
This home has so much character, convenience and appeal that you might just fall head over heels!
4717 N WILLAMETTE BLVD Portland, OR 97203
Offered at $625,000
3 Bed | 3 Bath | 2799 SF | MLS# 21344545 | Taxes: $8,235
What a knockout! Gorgeous, wonderfully preserved classic home with a classic Willamette Boulevard view.
Upon entry, you’ll notice the high level of care shown to this home with gorgeous wood floors, bright sunny spaces, remodeled kitchen, 2 remodeled bathrooms and a wonderful floor plan. The living room is perfect for entertaining with a classic wood fireplace, lovely mantle and large bay windows overlooking the city and river.
The open floorplan flows easily through the formal dining room and updated kitchen featuring plenty of counterspace, stainless steel appliances and classic tile backsplash. The formal dining room is bright and spacious with French doors opening onto the patio.
Moving through to the kitchen toward the back, you’ll find a fantastic informal dining room/sunroom. The space could be a wonderful spot for lounging, the perfect place for all of your house plants or a breakfast nook! This room opens to the very private backyard with breezeway to the oversized 2-car garage.
The layout of the home is ideal, with 2 large bedrooms and a full bathroom on the main level. The second floor offers a lovely primary suite with wood floors, a full bathroom, walk in closet and storage galore on one whole side room.
Winding downstairs to the basement you’ll find a clean basement with great ceiling height. A third bathroom just waiting for a remodel is conveniently located on the lower level. This is a very large space easily imagined as a media room, family room, yoga room… really, the possibilities are endless!
The location is ideal: Great for walking and biking. Check out this gorgeous and inviting home, you might just want it to be yours!
Sam, Josh, and Maylena have an awesome story. They’re all siblings who decided to do an amazing act of care for their parents: they bought them a new home. It’s been a true joy to work with this amazing family and so great to watch as they give back to the folks that brought them into the world. We searched extensively for the right place, but it was immediately clear that this was the one. First of all, it’s big enough to have plenty of visitors over; this is a big happy family. But from the large front and back lawns to the granite detailing in the kitchen, this home checked every box. I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank Morgan Duran on my team for all of her work with this one. She was more than happy to be present for all home tours, inspections, and everything else along the way. Thank you, Morgan! Sam, Josh, and Maylena: thank you all so much for trusting me to help you. I know your parents will love it here. Welcome home!
Jenn and Paul were referred to me by their friends who are my past clients. We met up for a patio happy hour to get to know each other and discuss their wish list for a new home.
We covered the nitty-gritty details of home buying — including the process of identifying homes, touring, writing offers, and navigating home inspections. They hoped to find a house or condo located in walkable proximity to public transit for easy commuting to the South Waterfront, with at least 2 bedrooms, some outdoor space, and a kitchen worthy of someone who cooks professionally.
I set up customized daily Homesearch emails for them and we planned an outing to tour homes together. Then, they mentioned they had just seen a new Open House posting that looked intriguing. It was for a condo listed by one of my Living Room Realty coworkers. Paul and Jenn were excited to make that their first stop on the house hunt.
Well . . . it turns out that was their only stop! They loved it.
Fast forward a month and they have the keys to the cutest condo. And it checks ALL the boxes on their wish list. Congratulations and Welcome Home!
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Interested in making Portland your home?
Call Cheri Harney, at 503-319-4858.
Sweet Bungalow Near Reed
4015 SE 28TH Place, Portland, OR 97202
Offered at $599,000
2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1549 SF | MLS# 21646526 | Taxes: $4,447
Sweet, darling bungalow with updates galore, perfectly situated in the charming Creston-Kenilworth neighborhood. As you approach the home, you’ll first notice the gorgeous landscaping and flagstone patio perfect for an inviting outdoor living area, all under the shade of a lovely maple tree.
The front porch welcomes you into the foyer and a spacious living room. The home glows with new hardwood floors and newer, double-pane wood windows for an abundance of natural light. The living room is gorgeous, with a charming gas fireplace for cozy evenings. The open floorplan flows easily through to the formal dining room, breakfast nook and stylishly remodeled kitchen with stainless steel appliances, classic tile flooring, custom cabinetry, granite countertops, and lots of counter space. The breakfast nook could easily flex for a sunny home office, homework area, reading nook, or lounge area off the kitchen.
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The circular layout of this home is ideal, with two bedrooms on the main level. One of the bedrooms has a built-in closet organizer and sliding glass door that leads to the back deck and patio. The large bathroom has a double-headed shower for two, custom porcelain tile, vessel sink, and pocket door. The laundry/storage closet is located on the main level for convenience. Plus, enjoy central air conditioning on those hot summer days!
You’re going to love the bonus basement space with an exterior entry and lovely full bathroom! The lower level is clean and spacious with a kitchenette, and is being sold furnished for a turnkey experience or ready to operate as an income suite. Plus, you’ll find loads of extra storage space in the basement along with a 92%-efficient gas furnace!
The generous yard is fully-fenced with a lovely deck, firepit and patio. There is a long driveway for great off-street parking, with a single-car garage at the end. And a bonus tool shed behind the garage for even more storage options. Also available with an accepted offer is a ready-to-build design for a 2 bd/1.5 bth ADU to replace the garage.
This location of this warm and lovely home is ideal! Situated on a quiet street, and easy walking distance to parks and many shops and restaurants in the neighborhood! There is so much to love in this well-maintained and cheery Creston-Kenilworth Bungalow!
6027 NE 27TH AVE Portland, OR 97211
Offered at $589,000
3 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 1606 SF | MLS# 21095348 | Taxes: $7,459
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday 9/25 1PM-3PM
Gorgeous, newer Craftsman home built for both efficiency and classic beauty with charming open spaces, gorgeous kitchen and hardwood floors throughout!
Located on a lovely street with mature landscaping, mature trees, large front porch and convenient alley access. A cheery dining room and foyer greet you with tasteful built-ins, high ceilings, and big double pane windows to let the sunshine in. It’s possible it will be love at first sight!
Continuing into the heart of the home, you’ll love the fantastic gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, wood cabinetry, gas range, and abundance of counter space with eat bar. The open layout flows nicely through the kitchen into the living room which glows with natural light and a stylish gas fireplace. A sliding glass door leads you to the lush backyard complete with newer shed and custom storage bench with seating.
Wind your way upstairs and you’ll find charm around every corner. The upper level is a cleverly designed space with optimum livability, featuring a picture-perfect primary suite, 2 additional bedrooms and 1 more full bathroom. Also, check out the upgraded wide plank, hardwood flooring and newly carpeted stairs! Enjoy the added convenience of an upper-level laundry room.
The low-maintenance, landscaped backyard is very private and perfect for outdoor living and entertaining. The yard is fully fenced and fido friendly.
This Energy Star Certified home features a high-efficiency furnace, A/C and tankless hot water heater. The home energy score is a 10! Enjoy a lovely walk to McMenamins Kennedy School, New Seasons, Alberta and Fernhill park! Plus, for those who travel, this location offers a swift and convenient commute to the airport. Welcome home!
Congratulations to Hunter and Kirsten for getting such a great deal on this townhouse! You were incredibly patient and wise with your home purchase. When they saw this prospective home dropped their price, they waisted no time in swooping it up with some additional concessions before getting into contract. We hope that your story gives so many buyers the encouragement they need to become homeowners in this appreciating market. You were not intimidated and made buying a home in Portland, OR look like a breeze!
You both are such a beam of sunshine and we loved working with you both! Thank you for partnering with us to achieve this huge accomplishment. We are honored to be your real estate representatives.
Cheers to you both!
A big Own It Portland congratulations to Andrea and her son Matthew. Andrea is a stellar agent living in California and working at Compass. She and Matthew purchased this home as an investment opportunity and as a place for Matthew to live as he attends college in Portland. In the world of real estate, it’s not often that transactions go as smoothly as this one did. It was an absolute pleasure working with them, and I am so happy to have made a California connection. Thank you to Brian Nagel on my team who was tremendous in making this one close on time and without issue. Richie Metzler of Urban Pacific Real Estate was a delight to work with as well. Hurray! Congrats all around.
Congratulations to Kelah and Ramiro, the brand new owners of this amazing West Linn home. They’ve been the most amazing and patient clients to work with. This gorgeous home came on the market and immediately, they knew this was the one. A funny coincidence: the seller was actually a famous former Portland Trailblazer! Even through the more tense moments of this transaction, Ramiro and Kelah had the best attitude and knew exactly what they wanted. I couldn’t be more proud to welcome them to their new home. Special thank you to Own It Portland’s Morgan Duran who put her heart and soul into this one. You’re a rockstar! Congratulations all around!
Fabulously stylish ranch located directly across the street from Normandale Park’s playground. Surrounded by lush yet drought tolerant plantings including fruit trees and berries, this house is dialed and ready to go. With a nod to mid-century style, the kitchen and both bathrooms were updated to the nines with mod tile, cabinets and lighting. The kitchen will lower your jaw to the floor with gorgeous quartz counters, lots of cabinets, and dark bamboo flooring expertly laid out in a herringbone pattern. The primary bedroom has a private bathroom and a slider that opens onto a private deck. From the living room, enjoy people and dog watching in the park. The garage is oversized and a great space for hobbies, storage or parking a car. Schools are Laurelhurst K-8 and Grant High.
Three cheers for my clients who just purchased this fantastic home in Happy Valley! This custom craftsman in the heart of Happy Valley’s Jackson Hills neighborhood. It features beautiful finishes and a spacious layout. 4 bedrooms, main floor office, large primary suite with huge walk-in closet, and a fully landscaped corner lot, all add up to a gorgeous home. Plus, it’s near Happy Valley park and schools. I’m so excited for these folks to get acquainted to the neighborhood. I know they’ll build a lovely new home for themselves here. Thank you for trusting my team and me to be your guides throughout this process. A special thank you to Own It Portland’s Brian Nagel who was vital to the success of this transaction. Hurray all around!
Four years ago I helped my client Matteo purchase his first home in Portland in Rose City Park after he recently moved to Portland from New Orleans. As an artist and stylist, he has a habit of buying and renovating homes, using his house as a palette for his talents. After four years living in his Rose City Park home, he was ready for a larger home with adequate studio space and further east to be closer to his job as a paintings teacher. He loves mid-centuries and we spent a few months looking at possibilities. He came so close to putting an offer on a home with a pool in Ventura Park, but decided at the last minute that he was basically buying a pool that came with a house, rather than the other way around.
A house that had been sitting on the market for a couple weeks in Cherry Park caught Matteo’s eye. For those who don’t know, Cherry Park is a small area of pristine mid-century homes in the Hazelwood neighborhood in SE Portland. The house was not staged and the kitchen and bathrooms were horribly outdated- pink carpet in the bathroom is never anyone’s cup of tea. It was also mid August when the market seemed to go to sleep this year. We went to see it and Matteo fell in love. It was super bright and had a gigantic window overlooking the large back yard. The tandem garage had been converted into living space and was absolutely perfect for becoming a painting studio. The house reminded him of the house he grew up in so he at once felt he was in familiar and homey surroundings. Not having it staged was a mistake on the sellers part, but lucky for us. And as what almost always happens when a good sleeper house gets discovered, another buyer saw it right after we did and put in an offer. We wrote an offer for just a few thousand over asking, and the sellers accepted it right away. The home was an estate and the sellers had the house pre-inspected and made all necessary repairs before putting it on the market, so the inspection was clear and easy and the lender gave him an appraisal waiver as well and was able to close the transaction in 3.5 weeks.
Knowing what Matteo did to his Rose City Park home, I can only imagine how fabulous this house will be once he begins its transformation.
Welcome home! This stylish contemporary home brilliantly balances modern and traditional elements and is certainly on par with the best that Bull Mountain has to offer.
Mature landscaping and a lovely walkway bring you to the front entry. Once in the foyer, you’ll love the vaulted entry and the wonderful circular floor plan.
Adjacent to the foyer is a voluminous formal living room & dining room with vaulted ceilings, certainly designed with entertaining in mind. To the other side is a spacious den/home office with loads of built-in bookcases.
Making your way from the living room you’ll find yourself in a gorgeous, remodeled kitchen touting polished concrete countertops, Viking professional 6 burner cooktop with downdraft ventilation, double convection ovens, custom walnut cabinets with birch interior and cabinet lighting, extra-large Blanko stainless steel sink, filtered water, and instant hot water. Just off to the side is a darling rounded dining nook with windows overlooking the stunning, landscaped backyard. The kitchen conveniently opens to a family room with lovely wood burning fireplace. A wonderful space for gathering with friends and family. All through the home, double pane windows abound to let the sunshine in.
Moving past the family room, you’ll find a large laundry/mud room with a sink, conveniently connecting to the 2 oversized car garage. The garage has built-in shelving and plenty of extra room for storage.
Making your way up the grand staircase, you’re going to love this layout with all 4 bedrooms upstairs plus an oversized landing. Each bedroom is large with ample closet space. The primary suite is spacious and touts an expansive bathroom with tons of natural light, soaking tub and walk in shower. Continuing through the bathroom you’ll find a generous walk in closet with skylight.
The 4th bedroom is a huge bonus room with wood floors and a coved ceiling- a great flex space!
Let’s talk about the backyard! Beautiful outdoor spaces and garden vignettes throughout this spacious property. Gorgeous, grand deck overlooks the lush landscaping and trees. Fully fenced with a generous hardscaped outdoor dining area and gravel firepit area. Convenient, newer shed for your garden tools and more.
This home is meticulously maintained. Just a few of the most recent elements replaced are the roof, furnace and A/C. Extra clean and dry storage space under the home, currently used as a wine cellar. Plenty of space for RV or boat parking with water and electric hook-up. Welcome home!
Hurray for Dustin and Dawn! They are moving to The Rose City from Texas for a career opportunity with their three children. We looked at several homes during our search, but none of them had the space they were looking for. Whilst in a short term Sellwood rental, this spot came on the market just down the street. It’s got everything going for it: within walking distance to shopping and restaurants, close to school, and plenty of space. We tried to get it under contract, and someone else beat us. When their deal fell through, the Payne’s hopped on it, and this time we were successful. They’re super excited and can’t wait to move in! Congratulations and welcome to Portland!
Part of what I love about my job is the opportunity to meet all kinds of people and help them through the shared goal of homeownership. It’s fascinating what comes up for people, what ideas they arrive with and how those ideas affect their journey. Hannah and Chris brought optimism with them to the home buying process and it made for a very smooth and very fun experience! They were open to ideas and trusted our input. They were a blast to check out houses with!
Hannah and Chris found a gorgeous remodeled home in St. Johns and sailed through the transaction like champs. We ended up running into a very uncommon snag along the way and they were open to creative solutions and ready to roll with the punches. Everything worked out great and I really appreciate their optimism along the way. Cheers!!
A big congratulations to Morgyne and Jason, who just closed on this remarkable bungalow in the beautiful Sellwood/Westmoreland neighborhood. Built in 1900, this home oozes character, history, and charm. These two are moving from the Bay Area and are so excited for a new life, new home, and new city. They bring with them a pup named Bodhi Good Dog, and two cats named Fu and Rogue. Thank you to Own It Portland’s Brian Nagel who was there for the entire course of the transaction. Thanks as well to Alex Page and Dana Cody at Where-Inc who were phenomenal to work with. Morgyne and Jason, let me be the first to welcome you to Portland. Hurray!
Congratulations to Alex and Marina! These two are beautiful Beaverton clients of mine who just sold their lovely townhome. Sitting captivatingly on a corner-lot, the space is open and bright. An inviting entryway leads to the open living area and stone-encased electric fireplace, while handsome hardwoods span the entire main level. Primary suite features a vaulted ceiling and double sinks, alongside two additional bedrooms on the upper level. The new buyers are sure to enjoy the private, fenced backyard with deck. It’s a perfect place to unwind in the afternoon sun. Alex and Marina, thank you for your faith and trust in my team and me during this process. I wish you the very best of luck in the next leg of your journey!
I love closing days for my buyers so much. It’s a start to a whole new beginning and you can always feel the jubilation radiating off of them. Katie and Forrest are currently living in an apartment in Slabtown with their two kids. As is normal with growing kiddos, it came time to have a little more room for everyone to roam! They fell in love with the space right away. Schools, a yard, and plenty of bedrooms were on the “must have” list, and this home fit the bill. It’s surrounded by beautiful trees and ferns with a very private backyard for them to hang out in. Everyone has already picked out their spaces, and Forrest even has a space in the lower level to do some home brewing. They can’t wait to move in! Hurray!
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.
Hurray for my clients Kayla and Steve who just sold their enchanting Beaverton home! This quaint custom craftsman resides in the coveted Grandview Estate community. The open floor plan features high ceilings and natural light throughout. The great room layout adds to the openness on the main level and includes the open kitchen, roomy living area, formal dining, and entry all with stunning hardwood. Out back, a handsome wood deck is the perfect place for summer relaxation. This is an awesome neighborhood near Nike, Intel, schools, and parks. It’s been a pleasure working with these two. I wish them all the best as the begin their next chapter.
Congratulations to Christine and Paul! They’re the new owners of this fantastic home in Wilsonville’s Morrey’s Landing community. Paul and Christine are moving from Southern California to be near their daughter Melisa, her husband Mike and their granddaughter Madison. Melisa and Mike closed on their home earlier this month, and the goal was to be as close to them as possible. We did even better than that: they’re within walking distance! All five of them have been living in an AirBnB, and they’re all excited to move into their new homes. This one has a great backyard for Christine, an avid gardener, and Paul’s dream of a three-car garage came true. I’m so excited for Christine and Paul, as well as their whole family. Welcome to Oregon!
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!
A big congratulations to Libby and Taylor who just sold their beautiful bungalow– a perfect way to close off the week! Their home is warm and welcoming, sitting charmingly on a tree-lined street. The large kitchen features sleek quartz counters while the main level boasts handsome oak floors. With Woodstock shopping and restaurants just a stone’s throw away, this is a fantastic location near schools, parks, and walking trails! I know the buyers will enjoy this place just as much as Libby and Taylor did. I’m so thankful for their trust and hard work during this process. They’re going to thrive on their next adventure. Hurray!
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!
Congratulations to Lincoln and Lauren who just sold this remarkable 2-story craftsman in a prime NE location. High end finishes and details adorn the interior giving this home a lovely open feeling. They loved the primary suite with a freestanding tub and double sinks. This is an incredible neighborhood near parks and schools. It’s also just a quick walk to the wonderful Alberta Street where you’ll find plenty of restaurants, shops, and entertainment! I’m so thankful to Lincoln and Lauren for trusting me to help them and wish all the best on their next chapter. Hurray!
Congratulations to Michael and Melisa! These two just closed on a sumptuous new home in Wilsonville’s Rivergreen Neighborhood. Before Oregon, they lived in Southern California, but are moving to be closer to Michael’s family and his new job. What’s really exciting is that Melisa’s parents are moving up from So. Cal as well! They’re under contract to buy a house just down the street! Michael and Melisa love that moving to Wilsonville means having a nice big yard for gardening, a bigger house for their family to grow into, and being near the river for family picnics. Thanks to Jim Scholastico for his amazing work on this. Hurray for all!
Kevin and Ashley are a dynamic duo with a love of nature and travel. So they decided to make the Pacific North West home and wanted to grow deeper roots. When we set out to hunt for the right home, Kevin and Ashley knew they both wanted a craftsman with good bones in a close in location within Portland.
Something that stood out to us in working with them was how in tuned they both were to each other and how well they were able to communicate as a couple. We couldn’t be more excited for Kev and Ash on accomplishing their goal against the odds in this market. Congratulations to you both on succeeding in this huge accomplishment in home ownership!
Cheers to you both!
Congratulations to my clients Raphael and Lily, the new owners of this charming mid-century modern. Tucked away in the beautiful Maywood Park neighborhood, this home will be a lovely oasis from the big city. They’ll enjoy a gorgeous dining nook and modern kitchen with quartz counters. The home includes updated bath, floors, paint, roof, gutters, furnace, electricity, water heater & more. It was a pleasure being a part of the search for your new home. Thank you for your patience and amazing tenacity throughout this process. Special thank you to Own It Portland’s Brian Nagel who was amazing! Hurray all around!
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!
Hi, Readers!
We’re on the cusp of what I believe to be the best season – autumn. Coming off a hot hot hot summer, this one will be welcome for a few reasons. One big one is that the market is indicating a shift and is starting to feel a little more “normal.”* By that I mean we are seeing properties spending more time on market and price adjustments happening with increased frequency. The fatigued buyer base took a step back, meanwhile sellers took a step forward. I’m seeing more inventory on the Portland market than I have in months. Thank you Baby Jesus! It’ll be interesting to see what the inventory levels report for this month and next.
What’s this mean for the fall market? In short – it’s still going to be nuts. Every July we experience a noticeable market slowdown: vacations happen, families get ready for back to school and people don’t want to move in September — just too much going on. The watercooler talk around my brokerage’s table landed on most of us gearing up for a very busy fall and winter after a short respite. Interest rates continue to be incredible, and chances are there will be some leftover inventory with motivated sellers looking to unload their listing. That gives buyers opportunity to negotiate in price, since that’s most often what’s holding property from selling in the first place.
For you data wonks out there, HERE is a quick real-time look at the Portland market, and HERE is what the RMLS data shows. Reach out if you want to go over anything in greater detail. Here for you!
Till then, high fives,
*The market hasn’t been “normal” as long as I’ve been in real estate.
We have some of the best farmers markets here in Portland! Beautiful produce, dairy, flowers, and more straight from farmers, fresh to you. Want to know where your farmers market is? Visit www.oregonfarmersmarkets.org to find markets near you.
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
Congratulations to my clients Emily and Jerome who just sold this amazing new build in NW Portland. Designed by an AIA Award Winning firm Lever Architecture, this new construction home features an open floor plan with large picturesque windows. A light filled living space anchored by a large sliding glass door leads to the rear patio. High-end finishes & many luxury details. Plus it’s in a premier location only minutes from Downtown. I’m so excited for these two as they start a new journey elsewhere. Thank you for your trust throughout this process. See below for a before and after!
Congratulations to Sophia and Nate who just sold this fabulous mid-century just two blocks from Mt. Tabor Park. The open floor plan is perfect for imbuing the home with your personal charm while retaining plenty of space throughout. You’ll find a lovely wood-burning fireplace in the living room leading to a large kitchen with granite counters, cherry-wood finishings, and a quaint dining nook plus handsome formal dining. Gorgeous private backyard with stamped concrete patio for summer entertaining. So happy for these two and many congratulations!
Congratulations to Tim and Trudy, the new owners of this fantastic cottage in riveting Roseway. They are moving from Boston to be closer to their daughter in Portland. At the beginning of the search, we had a few stipulations we needed to adhere to: Tim is a professional photographer, so we needed a home with lots of wall space for photos. They both wanted an older home with lots of character in Northeast. Immediately after stepping through the front door, it became clear this was the one. Tons of wall space, a beautiful backyard, and an abundance of light were what really stood out. I am so excited for these two as they begin their bicoastal life. Thanks to Jason Watkins at Real Estate Performance Group who represented the seller. Congratulations!
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!
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.
Congratulations to my clients Josh and Stacy who just closed on this amazing new build in Troutdale. It was just recently completed, so they will be the very first occupants in what I’m sure will be an amazing place to call home. They have been utterly amazing, patient clients. I can’t think of two people who deserve this triumph more than them. It’s been an honor to help you find and realize the home of your dreams. Thanks for your trust! I can’t wait to see how you both make this new space your own. Congrats!
9029 N Van Houten Ave, Portland OR 97203
3 Bed | 2 Bath | 2698 SF | MLS# 21229005 | Taxes: $4,594
Come see for yourself just how much space, charm and value this house has to offer! With updates galore and a spacious yard, you’re going to fall in love with this sophisticated home!
As you enter, you are greeted by an inviting living room featuring hardwood floors and a big picture window to let the sunshine in.
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Flowing nicely from the living room into a completely remodeled kitchen, you’ll find stainless steel appliances, gas range, quartz counters, classic subway tile and plenty of storage/counter space for the home chef. The open dining area is perfectly situated providing a lovely view of the backyard. Convenient access to backyard off kitchen and dining room.
As you make your way around, you’re going to love the versatility and spaciousness this home offers! The layout of the home is ideal, offering 2 bedrooms and one full bathroom on the main level.
Winding your way upstairs you’ll find the third sizable bedroom with vaulted ceilings. From there, a separate staircase takes you even further up to the unfinished attic room which is ready for the final details! It has great ceiling height, fresh insulation and a new egress window. This special space is just waiting to become whatever you dream it to be!
Making your way to the basement, you’ll find a clean and spacious partially finished, full basement with great ceiling height! 3 bonus rooms plus one more full bath and a big laundry room! These bonus spaces could easily be imagined as a media room, home office, home school room, art room or even another bedroom… really, the possibilities are endless!
The backyard is a dream! Offering beautiful flowering shrubs, established landscaping, a fuji apple tree, strawberries and marionberries. The yard is fully fenced for privacy which makes this a delightful private space for entertaining or enjoying on your own. Also included in the backyard is a walk-in shed with shelving, window, recently replaced roof and a high ceiling.
Features include: Recently replaced roof and exterior paint plus updated double pane windows, electrical panel, water heater, plumbing in home & sewer line.
Located on a quiet, tree lined street in an ideal Portsmouth location close to New Seasons, restaurants and parks!
Congratulations to my client, Joey, who just closed on this amazing NW Hills home. Nestled amongst the trees, this is city living without feeling like the city. Instead, Joey will enjoy an open floor plan with tons of room to roam. A vaulted living room with a wall of windows and exposed beams brings a sense of refinement set against the fecund forest outside. The back deck is your very own canopy overlooking the picturesque scenery. Thank you very much to Brian Nagel on Own It Portland’s team who supervised this transaction for Joey. Thank you as well to Beverly Moser at John L. Scott who represented the seller. Congrats all around!
There are so many things to love about helping folks buy a home! I meet so many different people with many stories about why they want what they do and how they plan to achieve their real estate dreams and goals. But seriously, nothing is more gratifying than helping someone become a homeowner for the very first time! The joy!
It was so wonderful working with Rana to help make that dream a reality. She is a focused and intentional person who powered through the process like a champ. And every time we thought there might be a bump in the road we were able to negotiate on her behalf and smooth everything out. She is the first woman in her family to buy her own home!! Her Grandmother is so proud! This was definitely meant to be and I couldn’t be happier for Rana!!
Sarah and Craig were referred to me by a dear longtime client. They just had a baby and were ready to buy a house to settle into and raise their kid in. When we first spoke this past spring, they had not yet spoken with a lender and didn’t really have an idea of how much they could qualify for. I gave them some names of great lenders I work with including the Portland Housing Center. After meeting with Portland Housing Center’s loan officer, they found out they qualified for a $15k grant if they bought something in the City of Portland, so that sealed the deal for them on which lender to use.
Once they had their pre-approval in place, they headed into the stinky soup that was the Spring 2021 Portland Housing Market on a quest to find a home that was big enough for their growing family, had character, was near a freeway for Sarah’s job commute to Hillsboro and had a yard big enough that met Craig’s criteria for having as much outdoor space as possible. They picked the most difficult time ever to buy a home, which meant getting caught up in the offer after offer and rejection after rejection loop. I kept reminding them that their house would come along and it would be the best of the bunch, and as frustrating as it all was, they kept their eyes on the prize.
After a couple of months of being in the Twilight Zone of offer, rejection, offer, rejection, a super sweet mid-century in Parkrose came on the market. On paper it hit every mark they were looking for- including not needing any major repairs or work done. Before we went to see it, Sarah had a feeling that it was going to be their house. It was priced really low for what it was- a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with a formal living room and a giant family room with a garage that had been converted into bonus space, hardwood floors, a mid-century vibe, and a backyard that was as lovely as could be. After checking it out, we all felt the vibe that this really was their house. Because it was priced so low, they came in super strong on price, and offered to buy it as-is, barring any major repairs the house may have needed and had a small appraisal gap included in case it didn’t appraise. With eight offers on the table, the sellers decided to accept Sarah and Craig’s offer.
The home had been well maintained and the inspection didn’t turn up anything major and the appraisal came in at value! Everything went smoothly and we were able to close a week early. And I’m pleased as punch that yet again, despite the long and bumpy road to get there, in the end Sarah and Craig came out of their house buying adventure at the top!
Jason and Tonia are two of the sweetest repeat clients I have! We have bought and sold and bought again and each time we work together I am reminded what smart and kind-hearted people they are.
Jason and Tonia worked hard to turn their little bungalow into a little gem and enjoyed a smooth sale. After selling their house, they made the really smart decision to rent until they found their next dream home. I know this isn’t an option for everyone for various reasons, but it really helps if it’s possible. Jason and Tonia could take their time and didn’t feel as much pressure to over-bid or succumb to some of the craziness buyers are feeling in this market. They lost out on a few houses but in the end, being able to wait for this perfect house was totally worth it! They sailed through inspections and are so excited for their next chapter!
Congratulations to my clients, Tyler and Angie! They are the new owners of this fantastic Daylight Ranch home in Arnold Creek. My team and I were fortunate enough to work with Tyler when we sold his home in Brentwood-Darlington in SE Portland earlier this year. I am so happy that he and Angie have a wonderful new place of their own together. They will enjoy .7 acres all to themselves while being just minutes from Downtown and Lake Oswego. The home has a beautiful open floor plan with tons of living space, 3 fireplaces, and multiple decks with great views. I know Tyler and Angie will create a beautiful life here for themselves and I am so grateful for their trust throughout this process. Shoutout to Sarah Lile at Windermere Realty Trust for her work representing the seller!
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.
I’m so happy for my clients, Dave and Sidney who just sold their splendid, split-level MidCentury-Modern oasis perched in the verdant Portland Heights hills. Floor to ceiling windows illuminate the smart formal living area, complete with a warm, wood-burning fireplace. Step right out onto the oversized, elevated wrap-around porch with great views. Follow the porch to a private and scenic backyard, perfect for entertaining groups of all sizes. I especially love the outdoor pond and waterfall that adds a sense of tranquility out back. Thank you to Daniel Fagan at Windermere for bringing the buyer. Congrats all around!
Offered at $565,000
1809 NE 32nd Ave, Portland OR 97212
2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1880 SF | MLS# 21250324 | Taxes: $4,589
Welcome to this dreamy Bungalow with character galore, perched perfectly on a corner lot! Located in one of Portland’s most sought-after neighborhoods, you’ll be immediately drawn to the classic front porch, gorgeous landscaping and timeless features.
As you enter the home, you are greeted by an expansive living room and dining room which feature hardwood floors, fireplace and classic millwork. This space is perfect for entertaining or just spending an evening in front of the fire. The large dining area situated at the south end of the living room features a stunning bay window overlooking greenery.
Flowing nicely from the dining area into kitchen you’ll find a gas range, stainless steel appliances, fun & colorful tile and an ample amount of storage. The cute breakfast nook off the kitchen is a wonderful spot for morning coffee!
The layout of the home is ideal, offering 2 bedrooms plus one full bathroom on the main level.
And making your way downstairs you’ll find a clean and spacious finished basement with 2 bonus rooms and one more full bath! So many possibilities with the bonus spaces, one of which includes built-in shelving. Either room could easily be imagined as a media room, home office, schoolroom, art room… really, the possibilities are endless!
Exiting through the south side or through one of the bedrooms on the north, you’ll find a beautiful garden oasis waits for you outside! The backyard is fully fenced providing the perfect blend of privacy and space. Gorgeous, established landscaping surrounds a darling patio and deck- great for entertaining!
A short walk to so many amenities: Grant Park, New Seasons, restaurants, drug store, etc… plus Hollywood shopping district is nearby. Enjoy all this wonderful neighborhood has to offer! So much to love in this well-maintained and inviting Grant Park Bungalow!
For Gary and Rose, the biggest priority was moving to be closer to their son, Steve, in Portland. They are retired and until now, had been spending their time in Eugene. We’d looked into a few different 55+ communities but when we found this house, it was everything they wanted. In fact, during the first tour we couldn’t find Gary! Turns out he’d already been across the street making friends with the neighbors. He and Rose will enjoy a lovely home with a wall of windows in the living room, several golf courses for Gary within driving distance, and plenty of walking paths. Congratulations to these two and I wish them the very best as they start a new chapter!
Meet Ana and Miguel, moving to Portland from Denver! They are a husband and wife research team moving to work for OHSU. They have two young daughters who will be making the move with them, along with their entire laboratory. During their search, Ana and Miguel knew they wanted something near great schools that also allowed for Miguel to ride his bike to work. Luckily, we came across this fabulous home in Lake Oswego that checks all of the boxes. They’ll even be just up the street from a wide array of walking/hiking trails. Ana and Miguel are thrilled to raise their girls here and call this home for years to come. Congratulations!
A HUGE congratulations to my friends Kat and Melissa who just bought their very own home in St. John’s. It’s a rare 1903 farmhouse with a great vintage vibe. I’ve known these amazing women for years as Kat and her interior design company Copeland + Co are my go to in the Portland area. Their new home has 2 beds and 2 baths with a gorgeous private backyard. They can’t wait to restore it to its original charm and character. Kat has already redesigned the entire front room in her mind! These are some great people so it makes me very happy to have been their guide on this journey. Many congratulations to you both! Thanks to Jennifer Johnston who was an exceptional listing agent throughout this process!
Meet Larry and Linda! They are currently in the Pearl District and split their time between Portland and Las Vegas. This means they get to see their adult kids and beautiful grandchild quite frequently. They really love their place in the Pearl, but needed some greenspace as the little one to play in. After searching a few areas, the fell in love with the Villebois neighborhood of Wilsonville. Their new townhome is a beautiful end-unit with tons of space and charm, featuring 3 beds and 3.5 baths. There’s a park just outside the door, a pool, clubhouse (with gym!), and lots of walking paths. It’ll be a wonderful place to have family over and enjoy time outdoors. Congratulations!
Key Day is always a big deal, but these keys in particular were a big hit with little Elliott. With the keys to their new home in her hot little hands she was ready to unlock every door in sight!
Unfortunately, this little family won’t be moving in for a few weeks. One of the terms that helped get their offer accepted was an agreement to allow the seller to occupy the home after the closing date.
That delayed possession can be a little frustrating for excited new homeowners. But in this competitive market a willingness to provide sellers with that flexibility can help get your offer accepted.
I’ll be celebrating with with these happy homeowners again in a few weeks when they take possession of their home and finally get to use those keys on the front door.
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Interested in making Portland your home?
Call Cheri Harney, at 503-319-4858.
So many of us are planning work on our homes right now. Ensuring you make the right contractor hiring decision is essential right now. And if you think it’s just about making sure they do quality work, that is only part of it. I shared some tips. with Kara Mack from Afternoon Live about what to consider and look out for. See the full 7 minute interview here
** Bad contractors tend talk about themselves more than others talk about them
** Bad contractors aren’t great at following through on the basics
** Bad contractors have a blanket approach based on what they usually do
One more tip: The clearer you are on the scope of work, and confidence you present that the project WILL be happen, the more interested contractors will be in working with you.
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!
3 cheers for JD and Emily, the proud new owners of this charming ranch home in Raleigh Hills/West Slope. JD is a retired navy helicopter pilot and they two of them currently live in San Diego. They are quite excited to start a new life in Portland. We’d worked with Emily’s sister, Lindsay, earlier this year and she was kind enough to refer us when it was time for the move. We were ready for a long, tough bidding process but luckily were successful in the first try on this home. It has an amazing private backyard that will be perfect when Lindsay and her kids come over. A big shoutout to Dill Ward at Living Room who repped the seller; it was great to have an all “Living Room” transaction. Congrats all around!
Enjoy stunning panoramic views in this gorgeous west-facing Eliot Tower condo. This is a fantastic and contemporary luxury building in Downtown’s Portland Cultural District. A roomy living area with floor-to-ceiling windows brings tons of natural light into the open floor plan. Beautiful king bedroom with handsome shoji doors offers a private retreat from the main area. Step out to the private deck for some fresh air and gorgeous city views! Eliot Tower residents enjoy a fitness center, an outdoor sundeck with barbecues, bicycle storage, 24-hour concierge service, a deeded parking space, and high level security. This is a charming and walkable area close to restaurants, shopping, and public transit. Definitely not one to miss!
Congratulations to Bryce and Katherine, new owners of this wonderful ranch-home in Canby! They’re moving from S Oregon to be closer to their kids. They very much wanted to join the Canby Community and were set on the ranch home. We saw this home the first day it hit the market. Bryce and Katherine knew immediately it was the one. We then put together a strong strategy to beat out six other offers! The home features 3 beds, a lovely kitchen, and an awesome fenced yard with tons of space. Katherine, an avid gardener, is already planning to transform the backyard into her own private sanctuary. As big Portland Timbers fans, they’re excited to attend more games now that they’re closer. I’m thrilled to have helped them find this place and wish them all the best as they make it their very own. Hurray!
I couldn’t be more excited for my very dear longtime clients Emily and Ben. They outgrew their vintage cream puff bungalow in Foster Powell that I helped them purchase 7 years ago, and despite the horrors of the current market, they were able to sell their very much loved home and get under contract and close on an even better and bigger house that hit nearly every single one of their check-list items before they have to be out of their bungalow.
When we started looking, they knew they wanted to stay in SE, preferably south of Powell and their ideal home would be a south facing mid-century home with all the space they needed with a minimum of 3 bedrooms, a separate space for Emily who works from home, a space for Ben’s music studio and a dedicated area for arts, crafts and sewing. And plenty of room for growing Emily’s beloved flowers. They love mid-centuries and the more original, the better. We looked at a bunch of houses that were of course not quite right, and then we went to go see a super cool mid-century right off Mt. Tabor. We spent quite a bit of time in the house, and they were absolutely in love with it. The house had all the spaces they wanted and a fantastic layout, the yard was perfect, it had a detached studio space and rumpus room in the basement. While it was not south of Powell, at the time we left the house, they felt like they could work with the location because they loved the house so much. There were a couple of things they weren’t crazy about though- mainly that hardwood floors had been replaced with engineered wood floors, and a lot of the mid-century charm had been made a little too slick for their taste- but it was done so well that they were ok with how fancy it felt. The house was at the top of their price range, but they always felt that for the right house, they would be willing to stretch.
A day later, after sleeping on it, with tears in their eyes and hearts, they decided to go with their gut feelings and not put an offer on the house because of the 2 things that weren’t perfect- the location felt too far north for them and they would prefer a less updated and more original mid-century. It took a few days to get over that house, but they did. And then about a week later, a house came on the market south of Woodstock in Eastmoreland Heights and from the photos, it looked really similar to the mid-century house they decided not to write on. We went and saw it and realized that not only did it look like that other house, it was literally the SAME house! Same exact size, same layout on the main floor, a similar but better layout in the basement, same location of closets, and very similar yard. The Mt. Tabor house had the garage in the basement, and this house had a detached double garage which meant more living space in the basement, and with the large garage, a perfect space to turn into a music studio. And even better- this house was still much more original in terms of mid-century charm. One of the things they loved about the Mt. Tabor house was that the sellers on that house took down the wall between the dining room and kitchen for an open layout, and while this new house still had the wall intact, Emily and Ben felt like this was a house where they could take one of the things they loved about that Mt. Tabor house and do the same thing in this house- only they would get to do the kitchen exactly how they wanted.
Before we left the house after seeing it, we knew without a doubt that this was their home- no ifs, ands or buts. We went home, wrote up a fantastic offer and then waited for the weekend to run through it’s course. In the end, there were 6 offers, but we had written up such a good offer in terms of price and terms, and we were the first offer in and I shared the listing on Mt. Tabor with the listing agent to show him how much my buyers wanted this house, that the sellers accepted Emily and Ben’s offer. And to top it all off, the house had a brand new roof, new sewer line, brand spankin’ new central air conditioner, new water line, and a decommissioned oil tank with paperwork so the house is totally move-in ready. Meanwhile, the Mt. Tabor house closed and it turned out that they are spending $170,000 LESS then what Mt. Tabor version of the house sold for. This was the ultimate in finding the right house, in the right spot, at the right price.
Offered at $419,000
2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1135 SF | MLS# 21620220| Taxes: $2619
Check out this cutie pie in the heart of Kenton! Filled with charm and character plus a huge yard, just steps from downtown Kenton!
A sweet front porch and lush landscaping will catch your eye upon arrival. As you enter you’ll find a lovely living and dining room- perfect for entertaining or just spending an evening in front of the gas fireplace. Tons of natural light, classic woodwork, hardwood floors.
So much original character and the darling kitchen is very efficient and bright. Enjoy the dedicated dining area with a large picture window and hardwood floors.
The layout is perfect for a home of this size, there are 2 light-filled bedrooms on the main level and a large bonus room in the basement with 2 large egress windows and full bathroom. This could be a 3rd bedroom, office, media room, home school room, yoga room… really, the possibilities are endless!
Backyard oasis feels very private and is brimming with beauty!
Well maintained with so many updates including triple pane vinyl windows, blown-in insulation in the floor, walls and ceiling, tankless gas hot water heater, earthquake straps, updated electrical panel and 95+ furnace. This house received a 10 on the Home Energy Assessment!
This location is absolutely ideal! Situated on a quiet street with light traffic flow just steps to downtown Kenton, the farmers market, restaurants, shops and the MAX yellow line. Convenient access to I-5 and a bike score 96!
Meet Regina and Alexandria. They’re a dynamic mom/daughter duo, and today they closed on this lovely, modern, 3 story detached condo! Alexandria had previously lived in a Downtown condo, but she immediately fell in love with this one for its backyard space. She owns a lovely pooch and was lacking the outdoor space Downtown. After a full tour of the place, we realized things only got better from there.
This is a brand new development, and Alexandria will be one of the very first residents! I’ll never forget when we walked into the kitchen and she said “I can’t believe this is going to be mine.” Well, it is yours, Alexandria! Congratulations! I’m so excited to have worked with you to find this perfect place for you. Special thanks to Nancy Westermeijer at Real Estate Performance Group who repped the seller and made this transaction happen. She was a wonderful partner to work with. Congratulations to all!
They say there’s nothing like helping those you love. In this case, I want to send a big congratulations out to my very own mother. She just sold this lovely condo in the ever so charming Nob Hill! This is a lovely location close to the amazing opportunities of Downtown. NW 23rd is just a quick walk away, the Pearl is also close by. This is truly a place to be enmeshed in quintessential Portland culture. A big congratulations to my mom again, happy to have been with you for this journey. Hurray!
I’m not sure if many of you know this about me, but my first love was actually Architecture. I studied at Iowa State University and worked as an Architect for over 6 years before making the switch to Real Estate in 2004. It really comes in handy to understand engineering and materials when I’m helping just about all of my clients. Although in this in this situation it really came in handy that I have a degree in Architecture because Sophie and Patrick were interested in finding as much land as possible, as close in as possible to build their dream home. They found a gorgeous acre in the Green Hills neighborhood! And we were able to talk shop and confirm it’s a great spot for their next big chapter.
I’m so thrilled to be able to help them and I’d love to work with anyone you know who might need my expertise.
I’m so excited for my friends Rosie and Michael, the new owners of this roomy ranch-style home in Parkrose Heights. We go back all the way to my days in NYC, but they are recent Portlanders! Tired of renting, small apartments, and some particularly hard days in the early days of 2020, they decided it was time to try the West Coast. They scored this lovely abode with plenty of room, gorgeous wood floors, natural light, and an amazing back yard. The best part? It’s right down the street from some of their close friends. I love it when things just work for fantastic people. Congratulations to Rosie and Michael, and welcome to the Rose City!
I’m so happy to give keys to my best friend, Bernadette! We found her a great house in a wonderful location. I just know that she’s going love living there! It’s a cute 3 bedroom with a great yard and tons of light! I wish her all the best! -Cheers!
Congratulations to my buyer Brooke on beating out 10 other offers to snag this perfect home in the Richmond neighborhood. Brooke found me because her sister’s kids attend the same school as my kids in SE Portland, and they were looking for an agent familiar with the area. Brooke is from Seattle and recently went through a divorce and sold her longtime home in Seattle with the intention of moving to Portland to be closer to her sister. Brooke has a daughter that has some disabilities and is mobility challenged, so the home she knew she wanted to purchase would ideally be near her sister, and have the right set-up for her daughter to be able to get around on the ground floor, and have a flat backyard. We spent a good 2+ months on the hunt, which meant nearly every weekend for 2 months Brooke drove down to Portland from Seattle to check out houses. She wrote offers on 3 homes and while it was brutal to go through rejection after rejection, in the end it was all good because like most buyers, the best house was the last house we saw and she wrote on.
The Richmond house is only 7 blocks from her sister, has the perfect layout on the main floor for her daughter to get around in, has a gorgeous bedroom suite upstairs that feels like a sanctuary with light and views of trees for days and bookshelves to fill. The whole house also has the kind of charm that Brooke was looking for. When we toured it, Brooke just kept saying, “this is my house!” And at one point she found the laundry shoot in the downstairs bathroom and squealed with joy. Like a lot of great homes, the home was clearly listed far too low, and while it was hard to stomach writing an offer for 30% over list price, Brooke was ok with it because this was clearly her house. Because the house was listed so far under value, it received 11 offers- with most of those offers well over 20% over list. But this was Brooke’s house and thankfully the seller understood and accepted Brooke’s offer. We did a quick close, no repairs and while the process of finding the right house and getting under contract felt like it took forever, once her offer was accepted on the Richmond house, it was a lightning fast process to close.
Congratulations to my client, Daniel! He’s a first time home-buyer who just closed on this beauty in Mt. Tabor. The corner lot features tons of lovely details! He came to us seeking something specific and was wonderful at articulating what he wanted. Originally, he thought he was sure only a townhome or condo was in his future, but with some time we discovered he could swing a single-family home! We found this beautiful home with a single offer on it and put together a winning strategy to secure it. Now, he will enjoy a lovely SE Portland cottage with 4 beds, 2 baths, and 2,300 sq ft. The fenced backyard is the perfect place to host a summertime gathering with family or friends. This is a lovely home in a lovely neighborhood, and I am so happy that Daniel will get to enjoy it all.
We just helped some very special people buy a very special house! Cesar and Shannon were amazing clients. They did everything necessary to jump into a crazy housing market and succeed! We looked at quite a few houses and only lost out on one along the way. It turns out that Cesar and Shannon are quick learners. So after losing that one, we were soon back on the saddle! With their feet now wet they were ready to put together a sharp offer on the next property. And they got it!
I wish them all the best in their new house! It has a lovely yard in the front and the back. Plus a really cute updated kitchen. Cesar loves to cook, so I know they’ll have a great time in that kitchen!
My super special buyer Ta’ Neshia contacted me in early April to see if I could help her complete her long journey of buying her first home. This single mom had spent the past five years working with the Portland Housing Center to build up her credit, save for a downpayment, and get educated about the home buying process. She finally reached mortgage ready status, and as a veteran, qualified for a VA loan. Once she started the process with getting pre-approved, she found out she qualified for a $90,000 N/NE Housing Strategy Preference Policygrant as well as a $15,000 down payment grant through the local land trust non-profit Proud Ground because she is a veteran. So between her N/NE preference policy grant, her Proud Ground grant, her matched savings from Portland Housing Center, and her VA loan, she was able to string all of it together to be able to have the funds to finally buy a home.
Even with the Preference Policy Grant, her budget was on the very low end for Portland- under $400,000, and making matters more difficult, she had to buy a home within the Interstate Urban Renewal Area- which over the last 10 years homes have easily doubled or tripled in some cases in value. Ta’ Neshia said from the first time I met her that she was going to trust in the universe and felt strongly that despite her challenges on paper, it was going to all work out. Her kids are in middle school and really needed their own rooms, so finding a 3 bedroom home was a must. We looked at one townhouse that she could afford and she was willing to go for it, until she started thinking about actually living in the less then ideal space. A week later, a townhouse in the Bridgeton neighborhood right off Marine Drive and the Columbia River came on the market. We went to see it and I could tell she was in love. It had a great layout- 3 bedrooms plus a bonus space upstairs and a great kitchen, dining room, living room and garage that could easily be turned into living space on the ground level. The seller had purchased the unit from a contractor who had re-done the builder basic kitchen into a beautifully functional kitchen, and the seller added her own chic touches everywhere.
It was the second home we saw together and we both felt that this was meant to be her house after we spent time there. We wrote up an offer that same evening and crossed our fingers. Thankfully, my wonderful Living Room Realty colleague Virginia Barden was the listing agent, and I was able to convey to her that while Ta’ Neshia’s offer on paper probably didn’t look as “good” as an offer from another buyer between her down payment assistance grants, VA loan and the need for a 45 day minimum closing, that we could at least offer over asking, no repairs and a small cushion for an appraisal gap. The seller received three compelling offers and Virginia was able to give her seller the full picture on Ta’ Neshia and how hard she had worked to get to this point and how committed she was to this purchase. Thankfully the seller was moved by Ta’ Neshia’s story and decided to put her money where her mouth was and accepted Ta’ Neshia’s offer.
It was such a pleasure and honor to be able to help Ta’ Neshia round out all her hard work and hand over keys. When it was all finished, Ta’ Neshia said one of the best things any buyer has ever said to me- Thank you for being the best advocate I didn’t even know I needed.
A big congratulations to Tim, Lisa, and their son Cooper who now will be calling this lovely home theirs. They live in NE Portland and are making the journey across the river to the Westside to get a little change of pace, and be close to great schools for Cooper. During our search, they found themselves beat out on some homes they’d loved, we ended up finding the perfect one for them. Everything happens for a reason! It’s a gorgeous open home with tons of space. It also backs up to beautiful woods with hiking trails that Tim and Cooper already plan to explore together. I couldn’t be more happy for Tim, Lisa, and Cooper as they begin this amazing new journey. Special shoutout to Breylan Deal-Erikson who represented the seller!
Three cheers for my clients Edward and Jennifer who just closed on this fantastic craftsman home. It sits on a private and tree-lined street with tons of character and charm in the lovely West Sylvan. Large kitchen with granite counters, big island, and stainless steel appliances add a modern flair. The floor plan is roomy and open, with tons of potential and flexibility. Master suite houses a soaking tub and fireplace. The covered deck with privacy screens is perfect for some fresh air. I’m thrilled for Jennifer and Edwin as they begin this new chapter in such a great home. Congratulations!! Thank you to Janet Strader at Windermere Trust for facilitating the sale!
Offered at $525,000
3 Bed | 3.5 Bath | 2091 SF | MLS# 21616366 | Taxes: $7836 | HOA $305 Monthly
This well-maintained townhome in the heart of Multnomah Village has a great layout and wonderful updates!
Upon arrival, a lush garden invites you in. Entering the main floor, you’re greeted by high ceilings, hardwood floors and a flood of natural light. The spacious living room and dining room offer a wonderful place to relax and entertain. Rounding out the room is an oversized bay window and a lovely gas fireplace.
The main level layout is ideal with a kitchen, family room and a nice half bath on the main level. You’ll love all the kitchen has to offer: stainless steel appliances, ample countertops, a gas range, plenty of storage and a breakfast bar. Just off the kitchen is a large balcony deck overlooking the treetops. A lovely spot to sip your morning coffee or relax in the evening with friends.
The upper level has an ideal layout with two primary suites. They both offer big windows, vaulted ceilings and closet organizers. Plus, the home has a convenient central vacuum system for ease of use.
Carve out a place for yourself on the lower level with a full bathroom and third bedroom. This flexible space has many options beyond a bedroom: private home office, guest quarters, media room etc.
Just down the hall on the lower level is a large 2 car tandem garage with very high ceilings. A great space for storage with room for bikes, kayaks or more. Plus, extra storage in the stairwell closets as well.
This is a meticulously maintained home with newer: A/C 2019, furnace 2018 and exterior paint 2020.
You’ll love the fantastic location in the heart of Multnomah Village! Just steps to shops, restaurants, parks and all the neighborhood has to offer! Plus, convenient I-5 access.
Fall in love with this captivating, move-in-ready, townhome. It’s waiting for you!
If you decide to remodel your current home, check out some tips on Hiring Great Contractors
