Tag: queer realtor

New Year, New Home: Homebuying in 2024

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Time to gear up for the holidays (or not, for those who don’t partake) and think of those new year “resolutions”. With the new year looming upon us, what better way to start it than with a new home of your own? Whether you’re a first time buyer or upgrading to the next bigger & better thing, now’s a great time to kickstart a plan for your housing goals!

You’ve likely heard the rumors; mortgage rates are coming down in 2024. Some projections include numbers coming down as low as the high 4-percent range (whoa!). While it’s important to note that these are all predictions, we are likely going to see some sort of positive change with mortgage rates sometime in the new year.

While any sort of drop in rates is most certainly helpful for homebuyers, keep this in mind: lower rates, higher competition. Read that one more time to really let that (likely possibility) sink in. It may not come as a surprise that the housing market starts to heat up once rates come down; it totally makes sense! How can you avoid a potential homebuying frenzy and multiple offer situation, you ask? Get started on your homebuying journey while it’s still seasonably slow! This will also create an opportunity to refinance as soon as you’re able — especially if those rates do fall to some reasonable numbers in the near future.

Want more info? Reach out to me directly, I’d love to assist with your home buying and selling needs!

Saddle Up: Your Guide to Homeownership

Posted on by Living Room Realty

 

PSA: My buyer guides are officially HOT off the iron! While it may be slightly intimidating or even difficult to gauge where exactly to start on your homebuying journey, my homebuyer guides are here to lay out a general timeline of what you can expect when purchasing a home in the Portland metro area. My goal is to ensure you have a great understanding of this exciting yet huge new chapter of your life! What better than to have a guide to refer to plus having the consistent communication from using me as your realtor every step of the way? Representation during your home purchase is vital and I’ll be sure to advocate for you to the best of my ability!

Interested on getting your hands on a guide of your very own? I’d love to give ya one! Either in person, snail mail, or carrier pigeon: email me for more info and let’s get started on your homebuying journey today!

Finding Queer Sanctuary in Portland

Posted on by Living Room Realty

While there is much to be celebrated within the queer community, there is also much to be on edge for; the evergrowing hate for our community speaks volumes and so does the silence of our allies. Finding queer sanctuary is crucial, whether that come in the form of a physical or spiritual space. Queer sanctuary refers to a space where one can be their most authentic selves. Luckily, Portland is no stranger to these sort of spaces nor the queer community.

I’ve had the pleasure and honor to advocate for clients who hailed to Portland to find a queer sanctuary of their own. Whether that be by choice or necessity, it brings complete joy to see fellow queers take up as much space as they (so deservedly) can. Note: Not everyone has the luxury or means to move across the country, uproot their lives elsewhere, etc. A large number of my clients jumped through many obstacles to make their dreams a reality; I commend them for their exhaustive efforts and am so proud.

Finding sanctuary is essential for queer individuals to thrive, feel accepted, and to build a supportive community. Whether that be here in Portland or elsewhere. A reminder that queer sanctuary, whether that be people or places or homes,  are out there waiting to welcome you with open arms.

Happy pride, everyone!

First-Time Homebuyer Tips

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Howdy y’all! Queer realtor Río Palomares here with some tips on how to get into the real estate market as first-time homebuyers. First-time homebuyers make up for the majority of my clientele (fellow queer community as well, hello!). Go ahead and take a gander, will ya?

 

Hot Tips for Homebuying

 

  • Find a realtor

Working with a realtor who will dedicate their time by advocating for you is key. Not all relationships are a good match; the same applies to working with a realtor. Take your time in finding someone that will help guide you in one of the biggest steps of your life! It’s never too early to get the ball rolling; creating a housing plan with your realtor will only prepare you that much more.

  • Saving money for a down payment and other expenses

Savings? Who is she? Saving any money you can towards a down payment will help substantially in the long run. Beyond a down payment, you can expect to pay closing costs (a percentage of what you are financing) and for any inspections conducted in your housing process (such as a general home inspector). So, how can you save? This is a personal big one for me; I know how hard it is to not order takeout or delivery but try to cut down on any excess spending and you will be amazed at how much you can save in just a matter of weeks.

  • Find a lender to get pre-approved

Chat with a few lenders to shop for the best rate. While you’re doing this, it is great to ask any questions you may have in regards to the financial aspects of this journey (they are the experts after all!). If you’re looking for lender recommendations, your realtor will typically have a few local lenders to refer you to.

  • Credit score

Yeah, that one number that just won’t seem to go away is indeed a key factor in this process as well. If you suspect you have any credit score issues or need to raise your score, working with a lender sooner than later is vital. A lender can help advise you towards the right path for success.

  • Ask all the questions. Seriously.

Please, ask away! Whether it’s your realtor, lender or vendor, we would much rather you ask any questions to ensure you have a complete grasp of this process. It is your potential new home and we want you to feel good about this moving forward! Makes sense, right?

These are just some base steps to take as you gear up for getting into the homebuying journey. Homebuying is much more thorough and dialed in to your specific needs once you’re fully invested in it. If you’re feeling ready to dive in, connect with a realtor (like me!) sooner than later. Best of luck y’all, you’ve GOT this!

Gifting to Trans Youth in Need

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Howdy y’all! Please consider donating or gifting to trans youth this holiday season through Transanta! Transanta is a community organization who delivers gifts to trans youth both safely and anonymously. Queer & trans people have been at the center of hate in more ways than one — whether that be direct tragic attacks or anti-trans legislation being proposed across the country. It isn’t difficult to see or understand how this negatively impacts our community deeply, especially BIPOC trans youth. While there is a plethora of work to do and many conversations to have; focusing on giving to trans youth is more important than ever. If you have the means to donate, please do and help bring some joy to trans youth. Being queer and trans is beautiful; let’s do our best to support trans youth and that notion. Happy holidays to you and yours! Wishing you all warmth and safety.

You can donate on the Transanta website or if you’re looking to gift directly, check out the wishlists on their Instagram.

Queer Representation and Why it Matters

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Queer Representation and Why it Matters

A multitude of identities exist in this world; I should know — being a queer, non-binary, & transmasculine person of color myself. I am so grateful to live in a city like Portland where these attributes tend to be typically embraced and honored. Partaking in queer commerce comes naturally to me in both my personal and work life. As a licensed broker, I aspire to represent individuals of any and all marginalized communities; especially those that identify on the queer spectrum.

This is why queer representation matters. Being able to guide those who live similar lives and ultimately being in community with one another. We see each other in more ways than one; a deep understanding that transcends words even. I cannot begin to describe the deep bond my queer clients and I share in their homebuying journeys. Knowing I have their trust as not only their real estate agent but as their queer confidant means the world to me. I am grateful to have had many recent experiences with fellow queer people who saw a bit of themselves in me. How harmonious it is to not only guide them in one of the biggest investments of their lives but to also contribute to creating a safe sanctuary; especially in a system that wasn’t initially meant for us to succeed in.

My name is Río Palomares. I am your proud, queer realtor. Let’s make community together!

The 10 Best — and Cheapest — Cities for LGBTQ Homebuyers in 2022

Posted on by Ali Livolsi

Portland, OR

Median home list price: $550,000

“Portland has a huge queer population, so it isn’t surprising to me that it made the top,” says Rio Palomares, a real estate broker with Living Room Realty in Portland. “Portland has a small-town feel with a big focus on community—not just queer bars, but lots of different social groups. It holds space for lots of different identities.”

There is no shortage of gay bars with something for everyone—from laid-back Crush bar to the Eagle, a leather bar, home to the Oregon Bears. Portland also abounds with LGBTQ-friendly sports and recreation opportunities, including the Varsity Gay League, which organizes activities throughout the year such as kickball, soccer, yoga, strength training, and, yes, the occasional Mario Kart tournament.

Portland may be the most expensive city on our list, but home prices here are still substantially lower than other big cities on the coast—such as Seattle, with a median price tag of $850,000. That might explain why Palomares is working with many queer people looking to move to Portland from out of state.

“My clients have specifically shared with me that they are seeking a more welcoming and overall safer city to express themselves freely. Portland appears to fit the bill,” Palomares says.

Read up on the other cities included in the Realtor.com roundup HERE.

KEEPING THE ALBERTA ARTS ARTISTIC

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Keeping The Alberta Arts Artistic

Chaz wearing the most fabulous outfit accompanied by a fancy champagne bottle in front of his new house on Keys Day™️
Now this is how you show up to keys day!

I knew this home was special when I laid eyes on her; a stunning red Craftsman beauty whose walls have more stories to tell than I ever possibly could — eager and waiting to be lovingly restored. I am so glad this home landed into the illustrative and loving hands of the very talented tattoo artist, Chaz Vitale. If there is anyone with the proper eye and admiration of architectural design, it is Chaz. The amount of queer magic and love being poured into this home is absolutely immeasurable and I am beyond ecstatic to have had any part of it. We connected in more ways than one, coming from the same marginalized communities of being queer and trans people. I deeply believe this made our experience feel more bonded and emotional at that. Chaz, thank you for bringing your necessary artistic flair to the Alberta Arts District. You are needed here and I am so dang proud of you!

I can only aspire to continue to build connections with more BIPOC, queer, non-binary, trans, etc. clients in the future. Curating connections in our communities is vital to both my business and, well…my soul. My role in real estate is to advocate for all of my clients but especially those that come from similar backgrounds and share familiar life experiences. I am so grateful to have the trust of my clients in an industry that hasn’t always held our best interests; rest assured, I, Río Palomares will advocate to the best of my ability and ensure you get the representation you not only seek but deserve.

 

Follow me on Instagram!

The Chapel

Posted on by Jamis Minnis

I got a call while driving to the office one day in Pre-Covid times. It was a voice that felt familiar, though we hadn’t met before. Matta introduced themself. We quickly traced circles and connected our paths through mutual friends. They had just returned to the PNW to start their quest to settle in a home and grow roots. Matta had sought me out. We both shared queer identities, preferred they pronouns, loved older homes, and really good coffee. We saw ourselves in each other. Something I was really hoping to bring to Real Estate when I started. We checked out a few homes that Matta liked, but it wasn’t until we saw what I refer to as “THE CHAPEL” when Matta got “the look”. Equipped with pews, a skylight in the bathroom, beautiful woodwork, and church like exterior, the home really resonated with Matta. You see, Matta is a Pastor and how could a pastors house not have a pew. Okay, maybe it was more like a kitchen nook bench, but whatever. Just let us have the moment!

So, Congrats on being a New Home Owner Matta!
Can’t wait to see what you’ve done to the place.

Covid Doesn’t Care About Your Birthday!

Posted on by Jamis Minnis

But luckily I DO!

This past week I pulled off a somewhat cool birthday for my partner. We usually take a vacation for each of our birthdays respectively, but not this year! Covid has shut our household down! My partner is strict, you hear me?
No restaurants, no social distanced hangouts, NO NOTHING. I had to get creative. And so, I bring you a list of creative Covid celebrations that just might work for you!

1. Camping in your backyard. Add a kiddie pool, a bbq, a tent, a fire, s’mores, and cornhole and you’ve got yourself a PAAARRRRRTTTTAYYY!*Bonus if you can add a projector to screen a movie too.

2. A Great Scavenger Hunt. Hide clues around the house to lead the special birthday person to several small gifts, or one big one.

3. A large family ZOOM in which stories are shared about the special birthday person.

4. A food themed day. Make several amuse bouches (bite-sized hors d’oeuvres)to eat throughout the day. And then make a multiple course dinner if you please. Make sure to have The Great British Baking Show on in the background.  So you can feel fancy.

5. Day drinking. I mean, in these times. Yes! You can have a drink mixing competition. Set up a wine tasting station.For my partner’s birthday I made a dry gin, limoncello, and flamed lavender cocktail.That’s right! It was good too!

6. Arts and crafts and DIY all day. My favorite is turning old toys and household items into plants!

7. Treat Yo Self or rather the birthday person to a home spa day. Make coupons for a massage, pedicure, and or manicure. Set up a comfy spot, oils, lotions, and aroma for ambiannnnce. YASSSS. Don’t forget the eye cucumbers.

8. Dress yourself up fancy. Create and invite the birthday person to Dinner & a Dance Party. Choose a theme and make a playlist in advance!  Get cute. YOLO!

9. The infamous karaoke party. I’ve also just seen an online karaoke option that allows you to sing with folks via computer. How hype is this!

10. If you’re trying to WIN at a cool birthday option, hire a band that will come play in your driveway and keep very far away from YOU. No horn section I guess?

See, so many ways to celebrate a special person.

You’re Welcome!

An Afternoon in the Cape

Posted on by Living Room Realty

One of the dangers of being a REALTOR®, at least for me, is the temptation we come across in the form of houses – every. single. day. I love houses, I want to love on them, fix them, and let them shine. So sometimes this job is a struggle.

This house brought back memories of the first house I owned in Portland, a Cape Cod in St. John’s with plenty of room for my little family, a great yard, and an awesome basement. This one is even better, with its ample kitchen, beautiful built-ins, large garage/shop, and covered composite deck. Not to mention the extra living opportunities a basement renovation would bring.

I’ve wanted to buy it since the first time my clients gave me a tour of it. But I shouldn’t – it’s not the right time. So do me a favor, buy this house. Save me from moving again, I really hate moving.

6715 NE 22nd

3br/1ba

$499,000

MLS #19340360

 

 

If She Comes Back, It‘s Meant To Be.

Posted on by Living Room Realty

This one is a tale of heartbreak with a happy ending.  I had the honor of working with my sweet friends, Mary and Gene, on the purchase of their first home.  Having just had twins, they had outgrown their rental and were ready to settle into a house of their own.

Very quickly into our house hunting, we found their dream home on Mason.  It sits up high away from the street with a giant wrap around porch.  Mary was in love before we even opened the door.  She was picturing iced tea/momtails on the porch in the summer with hanging plants and the kids and dog running about.  Gene was anxious to get dwonstairs in the basement to plan their crossfit gym.  There really is that feeling that comes over you when you’re looking at houses and you’ve found the one.

The house blew us all away.  It had been so tastefully remodeled that their wasn’t really any detail that they were talking about changing.  It has 5 bedrooms and 2 baths, plenty of room for future kids/guests.  It’s super centrally located, in a good school district, and no reason to move ever again.  It’s one of those houses that makes me start questioning my own house and making me itchy for something bigger and nicer.

We were the first to get our offer in and everything was looking good.  At the 11th hour, a cash offer came in and we were told we needed to come up significantly in price if we wanted it.  Since that wasn’t really an option, we amended some terms and made it an AS IS sale, and gave the sellers a free 2 month rent back.  Still, at the end of the day, cash is king and we lost out.  We were all so bummed.

From there we set out several more times and saw everything on the market, some really beautiful homes.  But at the end of every showing, the same sentence was uttered “the house is nice, but it’s no Mason.”

About 2 weeks later my phone rings while I’m driving from a number I don’t recognize.  The guy introduces himself and I still don’t recognize him.  Then he says “Andrew, from the house on Mason”, and my heart stopped.  I pulled over and let him explain that the cash buyer suddenly got cold feet and had terminated.  Since we were in backup position the house was ours if we still wanted it.  I screamed a million Oh My God’s at him, thanked him profusely and hung up to call Mary.  It was the best moment in real estate I’ve had in a while.

The house inspected near perfect, it was a rather uneventful deal after this, aside from the sellers needing some extra rent back time, but since it didn’t really matter to Mary and Gene, I was able to negotiate some furniture for them.  We sailed happily to closing and my dudes are the proud owners of their dream home.  I couldn’t be happier for them.  Congrats you guys!!!