Tag: Real Estate

The Value Of An Agent – Guiding Clients

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux



The Value of Local Expertise

Expert real estate guidance is essential when you’re learning a new city. You may get to know the city and even understand it well, but it takes time to gain the deep-seated context that a lifetime resident has. The perspective and understanding of a long-time local often come from a broader and deeper well of experience. The same applies to real estate. While we work with people who have varying levels of real estate knowledge, even the most informed clients will encounter unknowns—questions you may not even think to ask unless you’re immersed in the daily flow of research and conversation that comes from being in this business for a long time. In short, there are always things you don’t know that you don’t know.

We want to lead the charge and help you ask the right questions. We want to elevate your questions, dig deeper so you are empowered to make the best decision for you and from a foundation of considering all angles and arriving at a place of clarity and understanding.

Creating a Lasting Connection with Your Home

This is more than a transaction, more than a piece of property, more than an investment. In many cases, this is where you are going to live and create memories. It’s the roof over your head. It’s security. We want to help you protect your investment, but also appreciate how momentous a decision this is and how impacting the right home can be through all the different phases of life. Needs change, but we can help you think through possible trajectories so you can optimize your relationship to your home in the long run.

Celebrating Your Real Estate Journey

Perhaps most importantly, this is FUN. You are approaching a change, a transition, crossing a milestone. We see how huge this is and know it is cause for celebration along the way.

Just Listed | Alberta Arts Eco-Craftsman | $849,000

Posted on by Sean Patrick O'Feery

603 NE Webster St

4 Bedroom 3.1 Bathroom | 2640 Sq feet

MLS# 24264982 | Taxes: $10,300.05 | Lot Size: .07 acres

 

Modern construction, craftsman details and green features all in one house?  It doesn’t get any better than this!  This special home has many great features that make living here a dream.  Main floor has open concept living with a living and family room. Upstairs there is a primary suite with private deck, two additional bedrooms, bathroom and laundry room. Lower level has a guest suite or office with its own bathroom and a tuck under garage with car charger.  In addition, you’ll find character uncommon in newer construction with reclaimed fir floors, craftsman millwork and built ins, timeless black and white kitchen and Rejuvenation fixtures.  Get outside with three decks and a low maintenance, fully fenced yard. Easy on your pocket book and mother earth, this house is equipped with Earth Advantage and Energy Star rated appliances, rainwater collection, recycled content roof and countertops, dual flush toilets, tankless hot water heater and two 95% efficiency furnaces. This dynamite house has a walk score of 94 and a bike score at a perfect 100.  Come see the perfect NE house in the perfect NE location with all the best features.  Buyer’s agent compensation is negotiable.

 

When Can I Move In? Understanding Possession Dates in Real Estate

Posted on by Will Sing

One of the most common questions buyers ask is, “When can I move in?” The answer depends on the possession date in your real estate contract. This date determines when you officially take ownership of your new home and can start moving in. Let’s explore three main scenarios for possession dates, helping you understand what to expect and how to plan your move.

1. Possession on the Closing Date

The most straightforward scenario is when your possession date matches the closing date. On this day, you sign all necessary documents, and the property becomes yours. Once your name registers with the title, you officially own the home and can start moving in immediately. This scenario is ideal for many buyers because it allows you to move in as soon as the deal closes.

2. Possession After the Closing Date

Sometimes, sellers need extra time in the property after the sale is finalized. In these cases, the possession date will be set for a few days or weeks after the closing date. For example, if your closing date is January 15th, you might agree to give the sellers two more weeks to move out. During this period, you own the property, but the sellers remain in the home, often paying you rent until they leave. This arrangement, known as a “rent-back” agreement, is common when sellers need more time to relocate.

3. Early Occupancy Before Closing

A less common scenario involves moving into the property before the closing date. While convenient, this option comes with risks. If the transaction falls through, you may have to move out before the deal completes, causing major inconvenience. Additionally, you will likely need to pay rent to the seller for the time spent in the home before closing. Early occupancy is typically reserved for special circumstances and requires careful consideration.

Planning Your Move-In Day

If your possession date is on the closing date, planning your move carefully is essential. Typically, you can expect to receive the keys to your new home by 3 PM, but it’s safer to aim for a 5 PM move-in. The exact time depends on when the title records. I will keep in close contact with the title company and update you promptly. If there’s a chance to get in earlier, I’ll notify you as soon as possible.

Have Questions? I’m Here to Help!

Understanding possession dates is crucial for a smooth transition into your new home. If you have any questions about buying a home or need more personalized advice, feel free to reach out to me. Connect with me on YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook.

For a more detailed consultation or to get started on your home buying journey, schedule a free strategy session here. You can also access my Free Buyer’s Guide to help you through every step of the process here.

Navigating Real Estate with Tenants? Here’s Why You Need to Know About Estoppels

Posted on by Will Sing

What Is an Estoppel?

If you’re involved in real estate transactions, especially those with multi-family properties or tenants, you’ve likely heard the term “estoppel.” But what exactly is an estoppel, and why is it important in real estate?

An estoppel is a legal document provided by a tenant during a real estate transaction. It outlines key details about the lease agreements, including the tenant’s rights and responsibilities, as well as other relevant information. Think of it as a written confirmation from the tenant that details the terms of the lease, which can be crucial in preventing future disputes.

Key Details Included in an Estoppel

Some key details typically included in an estoppel are:

  • Names of all tenants and occupants in the unit
  • Lease term, including start and end dates
  • Rental payment amount and due dates
  • Security deposit details
  • Responsibility for utilities
  • Ownership of appliances
  • Information about pets
  • Any problems or repairs needed
  • Other agreements made with the landlord

Why Are Estoppels Important?

Estoppels are voluntary, meaning a tenant isn’t required to fill one out. However, they are in the tenant’s best interest because they bring any unwritten rules or expectations to light. This can be particularly important if there are verbal agreements between the tenant and the landlord that aren’t documented in the lease.

For instance, if a tenant has a verbal agreement with the landlord that the landlord will handle lawn maintenance, but the lease doesn’t reflect this, the estoppel provides an opportunity to clarify such arrangements. This helps both the buyer and tenant understand the full scope of their obligations and rights.

The Pros of Using an Estoppel

One of the biggest advantages of using an estoppel is that it helps eliminate potential disputes down the road. By having everything documented, both the buyer and tenant are protected. For the buyer, it’s an added layer of security, ensuring there are no surprises after the deal is closed. It also helps in understanding the tenant’s expectations, which is crucial for maintaining a good landlord-tenant relationship.

Additionally, an estoppel can serve as a defense if a tenant later claims that certain agreements were in place with the previous landlord. With an estoppel in hand, you have written proof of what was agreed upon at the time of purchase.

The Cons of Using an Estoppel

While estoppels offer significant benefits, there are a few potential downsides to consider. First, because they are voluntary, tenants may refuse to fill them out or may delay doing so until after the inspection period. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re trying to finalize the details of your purchase.

Another potential downside is that an estoppel might reveal unfavorable terms or conditions that you weren’t aware of before. While this can be disheartening, it’s better to know these details upfront rather than being blindsided later.

Final Thoughts

In real estate, especially when dealing with properties that have tenants, an estoppel is a valuable tool that can help clarify lease terms and protect both buyers and tenants. While there are some limitations to what an estoppel can accomplish, its ability to document and confirm lease details makes it a crucial element in many transactions.

If you’ve encountered estoppels in your own transactions or have any tips to share, I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below. If you found this post helpful, be sure to check out the full video on my YouTube channel: Avoid These Real Estate Mistakes: The Truth About Estoppel. And, of course, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this content if you think it could help others navigate their real estate journeys!

Connect with me on YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook for more insights into real estate. If you’re looking for personalized advice, feel free to schedule a free strategy session here. Don’t forget to grab your free Homebuyer’s Guide here to make your real estate journey even smoother!

Disclaimer: Please note, I am not a lawyer. The information provided in this blog post is based on my experience as a real estate professional and is intended for educational purposes only. For legal advice, please consult a qualified attorney.

Shakira’s new digs in NE Portland!

Posted on by Nicole Chavira

Our journey began when we first met at one of my open houses where I got the pleasure of meeting Natalie and her pup Shakira! We hit it off and I knew I wanted to become her trusted real estate professional and answer more of her home buying questions.

We kept in touch and she introduced me to her husband Steve when they attended one of my “First Time Home Buyer” classes, co-hosted with Cat Jerger at Guild Mortgage. We gave them education and confidence to take the next steps and applied for a mortgage loan.

Soon after they were pre-approved, we had our one-on-one buyer consult over zoom, set them up on a personalized home search and hit the pavement on a very enjoyable home search!

We even had some time to bring in a few of my trusted contractors to give them remodeling tips and bids to assist them in their decision making.

They found an amazing home to put an offer in on and we got it for $10k under the listing price AND got the seller to agree to pay the full $24k HOA special assessment that was due! The cherry on top is when their appraisal came back above their purchase price!

When I tell you that I continuously hit the jackpot when it comes to having the best clients that turn into friends, they are a prime example!

I have even had the joy of receiving remodeling updates from them since their closing day. I can’t wait for the invite when they are ready to showcase their hard work.

Steve and Natalie, I know you will turn the house into a home with the love you have for one another, the love you are putting into your new pad and the love you give to others.

Thank you for trusting me on your successful path to homeownership!

Also a special shout out to Jessie Hammons at WFG National Title for all her hard work!

“Is this a good time to buy a house?”

Posted on by Yomari Cruz-DeWeese

“Is it a good time to buy a house?”

People always wonder when is the best time to buy a house. Many considerations go into answering this question – for example: 

  • Are mortgage rates favorable? Are they likely to go up or down? 
  • Are house prices likely to go up or down in the area in the near future?
  • How much inventory is on the market in the area where I want to buy?
  • Is the real estate market cyclical in the area where I want to buy?

All of these questions are important, and you can find many discussions of each of these questions with a quick Google search. I’ve put some thoughts below from my perspective as a real estate agent in Portland. 

Where are mortgage rates likely to go?

Mortgage rates have improved since last year’s high of 7.9% (October 2023), and many people seem to think that they will continue falling slowly. Mortgage rates are generally influenced by the Federal Reserve, but also by rates of economic growth and inflation. Beginning in early 2022, with inflation concerns high, the Fed raised the benchmark federal funds rate (basically, the rate at which banks can borrow from each other), partially in an effort to curb inflation. This has contributed to rising mortgage rates. It’s hard for anyone to say exactly where mortgage rates will go in the future, because it depends both on how the economy in general does, and how the Federal Reserve reacts to concerns about inflation. 

It’s helpful to remember that the extremely low mortgage rates we’ve seen since the Great Recession are somewhat of a historical anomaly. In the mid 1990’s, the federal funds rate was around the same level as it is now. Beginning in mid-2000, and continuing after the 9/11 attacks, the Federal Reserve lowered the federal funds rate drastically, culminating in a low of 1% in March 2004, in an effort to boost the economy. As the economy sped back up after that point, partially due to rampant subprime mortgage lending, the Federal Reserve increased the federal funds rate back up to around where it is now, and then after the subprime mortgage bubble collapsed in late 2007, resulting in the “Great Recession,” the Federal Reserve took the unprecedented step of lowering the federal funds rate almost to zero, where it stayed until it gradually began to increase in 2015. 

When COVID hit, the Federal Reserve lowered the rate back down to zero, where it stayed until the Federal Reserve started increasing it in March 2022 in response to inflation concerns. This increase has leveled off at the current rate of 5.33%, and it is unknown where the Federal Reserve will go from here. All of this is really to say that where mortgage rates are going to go is difficult to predict even for financial geniuses. What’s less difficult to predict is the fact that we all need a roof over our heads. Also helpful in thinking about mortgage rates is that, if you get a mortgage, it’s going to stay the same unless you re-finance. So if mortgage rates go lower, you may have the option of taking advantage of those lower rates and re-financing later, and if they go higher, you are insulated from that increase because you already have a mortgage.

What about home prices? 

Home prices are influenced not only by what mortgage rates are doing, but also by the housing inventory levels in your area. It’s a supply and demand thing. Stated simply, if mortgage rates are high and inventory is high, prices may decrease; but prices trend higher when demand increases and supply decreases. The housing inventory in the Portland metropolitan area has recently increased slightly from historically low levels, but is still low. More inventory can mean less competition for houses resulting in a market is more neutral or buyer-friendly, but because people who already have mortgages locked in at the historically low rates of 2020-21 may not yet be incentivized to make a move unless we see further decreases, the inventory has remained low, and prices haven’t seen much decline. 

Is the Portland area real estate market cyclical? 

The short answer is yes. Like everything else, the real estate market tends to lull during the holidays, then begin to ramp back up heading into February. This is especially true in Portland, because people generally don’t like to move here in the rainy season. The Portland market generally reaches its peak around April to June, and stays at a higher volume until August, when it gradually tapers down over the next few months. In the summer, you’ll potentially have more competition but more options. In the winter, you will likely have less competition but fewer home options. I would like to note here that while having more choice and looking at pretty gardens is fun, inspecting basements during the rainy season in Portland is an advantage not many consider, and they should. 

So when should I buy?

While everything I explained above is important, at the end of the day the most important questions are very personal: why do YOU want to buy a house, and when does it make sense for YOU? If you currently have a great mortgage and would like to have a bigger house, maybe it’s not the best time financially, but maybe you have a growing family and you need the space. In that case, you need to decide how much it’s worth to you to get the right house for your family. If you are a cash buyer, now might be a great time to buy a house, because you won’t have so much competition, and you might get a great price on a very desirable house. If you’re looking to move out of a rental and into home ownership, and are financially flexible, it also might make sense to buy now. Because so much of it depends on each individual’s situation, consulting a buyer’s agent is key. 

A buyer’s agent can help educate you so you can make the best decision for you and your family. After speaking with a great agent, you should feel more empowered, because you will understand all of these factors better. If the first thing an agent tells you when you speak to them is that it’s a great time to buy a house, without knowing anything about you, you might want to ask them why it’s a great time for you to buy a house, or find another agent. 

 

If you are thinking about buying a house sometime in the future and are not sure whether to act now or wait for a little while, you can always take steps so you can make sure you’re ready when you feel the time is right. Check out my post about all the steps you can take now to be ready to put an offer on a house when it’s time! 

 

Beaumont-Wilshire Charmer

Posted on by Martin Cross

You’ll just love this beautiful 1938, 4 bedroom 3 bath home is loaded with charming, vintage details, many of which are newer, but crafted to match the era of the home. On the main level you have a large, light filled living room with gorgeous period fireplace with gas insert, updated kitchen and bath that were both redone to uphold the wonderful vintage styling of the home and two bedrooms, both with access to the backyard deck and delightful backyard. 

The upper level features the fantastic primary suite with hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, built ins, skylights and bathroom.

The lower level has access from the main floor or outside which lends to the potential for a lower level ADU. Warm and inviting family or media room, 4th bedroom with egress, laundry facilities and lots of storage. 

The home sits on an oversized 75 x 100 lot which may offer room to build. Comes with an enormous three-car garage with attached garden shed, a lovely fenced backyard with both deck and patio, a rose garden and mature trees. 

Recent updates include, new south side Marvin infinity double hung, lowE2 efficient windows with transferable warranty, new electrical service and panels for both the home (200 amp) and garage (100 amp), attic insulation and new backyard fencing.

The sweet neighborhood is quiet and full of lovely neighbors. It’s situated between the Albert Arts district and up and coming 42nd Ave. And just a short distance from Fremont St and all that has to offer. Plus it’s just short walk to the infamous Kennedy School, Common Grounds and New Seasons grocery. 

Portland’s Real Estate Tapestry: Quirky, Green, and Welcoming

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux

Welcome to Portland, where the real estate market is as eclectic as the city itself. In 2024, navigating Portland’s housing scene feels like embarking on a treasure hunt through a maze of coffee shops, food trucks, and indie bookstores. Buckle up – we’re diving deep into the weird and wonderful world of Portland real estate!

Neighborhood Chronicles: Where the Streets Have a Story to Tell

Let’s start our journey in Southeast Portland, where each neighborhood has its own distinct personality. From the bohemian charm of Belmont to the artisanal vibes of Division, every street corner whispers tales of local lore and community spirit. Imagine strolling down Hawthorne Boulevard, where vintage shops rub elbows with craft breweries, and front porches are adorned with succulent gardens that rival the botanical gardens downtown.

Hipster Havens and Hidden Gems

Portland’s real estate scene isn’t just about homes; it’s about lifestyle choices. Want to live in a converted warehouse-turned-loft in the Pearl District? Or perhaps you’re drawn to the tiny house movement flourishing in Kenton? Every corner of Portland offers something unique, whether you’re craving a cozy bungalow in Laurelhurst or a sleek condo overlooking the Willamette River.

The Art of the Deal: Portland Style

In Portland, navigating real estate deals can feel like balancing on a unicycle at a street fair. Bidding wars are still a reality, especially for those charming, well-marketed homes that everyone loves. While some properties linger on the market, politely waiting for a price drop might mean missing out. The key? Partner with a savvy agent who can spot the hidden gems and negotiate before a new price tag sparks a frenzy. It’s not just about making an offer; it’s about crafting a strategy, staying ahead of the curve, and sometimes, acting faster than you can say “locally roasted coffee.”

Sustainability Meets Style

Speaking of sustainability, Portlanders take green living seriously. Homes with solar panels, rainwater collection systems, and edible gardens aren’t just trendy; they’re a testament to Portland’s commitment to eco-friendly living. Want to reduce your carbon footprint? There’s a passive house for that. Prefer to grow your own kale? Welcome to the urban farm movement.

The Portland Promise: Where Community Comes Home

Beyond the quirky cafes and food carts, Portland’s real estate market is a reflection of its vibrant community spirit. Neighborhood associations thrive, fostering a sense of belonging that goes beyond property lines. Whether you’re attending a block party in Sellwood or joining a community garden in Woodstock, buying a home in Portland isn’t just about four walls; it’s about becoming part of a larger narrative.

Finding Your Place in Portland’s Patchwork

As we wrap up our tour of Portland’s real estate scene in 2024, one thing is clear: this city isn’t just a place to live; it’s a place to belong. Whether you’re drawn to its quirky charm, its commitment to sustainability, or its thriving community spirit, Portland offers a home for every dreamer and doer. So, grab your bike, sip on some locally brewed kombucha, and let’s explore what makes Portland the city where weird meets wonderful – and where every house tells a story.

Homeownership: Your Best Hedge Against Inflation

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

Buying a home is the most expensive and important financial transaction most people will ever make. It’s also the strongest tool and best hedge they will have in their portfolio to fight inflation. While money invested in a stock may go down, historically, your home appreciates in value over the long-term. And as you build equity in your home, you increase your overall net worth.

Benefits of Owning Your Home: 

  • A fixed-rate mortgage offers a predictable monthly payment, even with the changes in tax and insurance costs.
  • The interest you pay on your mortgage, insurance premiums and property taxes may
  • be deductible. Consult your tax advisor for more information.
  • You can make any changes and renovations you desire, without asking for your landlord’s permission. 
  • When you have a HELOC (home equity line of credit), you can tap into it for home improvements, renovations or other needs. 

Homeowners in 2022:

  • Gained an average of $34,300 in equity in the third quarter
  • Had an average of $300,000 in total equity. 
  • Sold for a median of $85,000 above the purchase price 

If you, or someone you know, are interested in a more in-depth analysis of how much your home has appreciated since you purchased it, please reach out! I’d be happy to create a report for you.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making an Offer on a House in Portland, Oregon

Posted on by Yomari Cruz-DeWeese

Want to buy a house in Portland, Oregon? Here is your step-by-step guide to making an offer on a house! 

In home buying as in everything else, knowledge is power. The following list of steps is intended as a step-by-step guide to what YOU can do to best prepare yourself for making an offer on a house and making one of the most important purchases for your family and your life.

  1. These first two steps are fun, and you can start doing them and continue as you’re answering the harder questions which follow:
    1. Start perusing online real estate listings as soon as you can, but with the idea that you are not necessarily looking for the house you want to buy, but rather just educating yourself about what’s out there. Look at lots and lots of houses and decide what excites you and what doesn’t. Do you like older houses? New construction? One or two (or more) floors? A finished basement? How important is a yard to you, and what do you want to do in the yard? How many bedrooms and bathrooms? You can also go to open houses. 
    2. Also, start frequenting the neighborhoods you’re interested in. If you want to buy a house in the neighborhood where you already live, you’ll do this naturally, but if, for example, you live on the west side of Portland and are interested in moving to the east, start walking around the eastside and getting to know the various districts, so you can get a feeling for where you might like to put down roots.
  2. Identify the reason you want to buy a house. Is it because you want a place to live and raise a family over the long term? Is it because you want an investment? Do some soul searching, figure out your true objectives in buying a house and let that objective guide you in all the next steps. For example, if you’re looking for a place to raise a family, whether or not a particular house will rapidly appreciate in value (or even appreciate at all) may not be as much of a concern as if you are looking for a house as an investment. 
  3. Identify whether you have any time pressures. Is your lease ending soon? Do you have a good opportunity to sell your current house? What are the current mortgage rates, and how might that affect your ability to get into the house you want? For most people, buying a house is one of the most significant investments of their lives. You should look at tons of houses, all kinds of houses, and really figure out what kind of house you like, so you can make the best of this very important decision.
  4. Identify whether this is the right time to buy a house for you. Answering this question really depends on your particular situation. In a market where interest rates are high, buyers who need to rely on financing for most of their purchase price may want to take a hard look at whether it is really the best time for them. At the same time, since so many people will be thinking the same thing, there may be less competition in a high-rate environment, so it may be easier to compete for the home you really want. And in a high-rate environment, cash buyers sometimes have great opportunities, for the same reason.
  5. Identify whether you need a house that’s in perfect condition and needs no improvements, or whether you have appetite for somewhat of a fixer. If you’re handy, being open to a house that needs some work may open up some possibilities that you might otherwise not have.
  6. Now make a list of wants and needs. Figure out what items are negotiable, and which are not. These may change over time, but it’s helpful to write this stuff down to organize your search. Be sure to share this list with your buyer’s agent!
  7. Now it’s time to talk to a mortgage broker. While some people like to stick with the banking relationship they may have developed over a long period of time and get a mortgage directly from their bank, I generally recommend that people at least talk to a mortgage broker. Banks have the mortgage products they have, and bank employees don’t have much choice but to offer you those products, whatever they may be. In contrast, because mortgage brokers get paid by connecting people with lenders, mortgage brokers have a huge incentive to ferret out the best deals, and the best brokers will really spend some time with you to understand your particular financial situation and real estate objectives and find the best mortgage product for you.
  8. Once you have talked to a mortgage broker, you will understand how much house you can afford, and what your range of purchase prices may be. Keep in mind that the purchase price of a house is only the starting point of how much the house will cost you – there may also be:
    1. Mortgage insurance (usually applicable if you put less than 20% down);
    2. Homeowners insurance;
    3. Property tax; and
    4. Utilities (water, sewer, garbage, gas, electric, etc).
  9. Additional potential expenses: 
    1. Repairs and Maintenance. As you figure out how much house you can afford, keep in mind that you may need to budget for more than just monthly expenses. You should understand how much of a short term budget you have for both routine maintenance and necessary major repairs. What if you end up buying a house that will need a new roof in the next five years? What if the furnace breaks down? Thinking about these potential expenses, and understanding what cash you’ll have available to pay them, will help a lot when you find a house you want to make an offer on.
    2. Other. Some houses have features that are great but cost money. Be aware.
      1. Homeowners Association Fees (can be a major cost);
      2. Pool and hot tub maintenance;
      3. Fireplaces and chimney cleaning;
      4. Etc.
  10. Now it’s time to look at houses FOR YOU, but it’s also time decide whether you want to work with a real estate agent. Buyer’s agents are a dime a dozen on the internet; the trick is to pick the right one. There are many factors to consider, and I will write about this in another post, but, in a nutshell, you should first try to get referrals from friends you respect and who seem to “have it together.” If someone you trust had a great experience with an agent and got a house they love, you probably want to talk to that agent. Remember, this is one of the most significant purchases you may ever make, and you want to find someone who respects that and brings that perspective and sense of importance to helping you. That may not be the person who has spent the most money on making sure they appear first in Google searches. Then you should interview at least three or four agents before deciding. And once you pick one, remember, you’re not locked in to your buyer’s agent. If you hire someone and they’re not working out or you are losing confidence in them, you can almost always terminate the relationship and find someone else. Don’t worry about hurt feelings – we are professionals, and what we want (or should want) is for you to have confidence in the services you’re getting from us. If you don’t have that confidence, you should find someone who you click with better. This is our job, but it’s your life.
  11. Look at houses. Lots of houses! In the beginning, try to cast as wide a net as possible, and look at a ton of different houses in a ton of different neighborhoods. You may think, going into the search, that you know what you want in a house and where you want to live, but you may change your mind after seeing what’s out there. 
  12. DO NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH A HOUSE (it’s easy to do!). This process is going to be full of emotional ups and downs. If you’re in a competitive market (and Portland is very competitive), it’s likely that you will be facing competing offers for the house you decide on. You may lose that competition, and it may happen multiple times. It is so easy to look at a bunch of beautiful house pictures on real estate websites and imagine yourself so happy living in one, and then be so disappointed when it doesn’t happen. But even more importantly, see if you can put some emotional distance between you and your house search process. Now that you’ve done the work of answering questions about what kind of house you want, why you want to buy, why it’s the right time for you to buy, and how much you can afford, you should be somewhat dispassionate about evaluating houses objectively to determine whether they fit your criteria. Honestly, this is a big reason people hire professionals to represent them – the professionals represent YOUR INTERESTS. Lawyers have a saying: “a person who is their own lawyer has a fool for a client” – meaning that it’s extremely helpful to rely on a professional who can bring their expertise to bear for your benefit, without any emotional entanglement or personal interest. The same thing is true for real estate agents.
  13. When you’re looking at houses, remember to find out how much the expenses of that house truly are. What are the monthly taxes and approximate cost of  utilities? Look at the condition of the roof and the basement. Determine whether any major repairs will be due, or if you’re going to have to do some remodeling to have the house you want. A good agent should be able to help you get accurate answers to these types of questions.
  14. When you find a house that you want to buy, figure out what offer you can afford to make that will make the seller choose to accept your offer. Trusting your agent to gauge potential competition, tell you if the home is well priced, and to communicate with the listing agent to help you assess what a strong offer would be, is crucial. Knowing you can listen to your agent’s recommendations to put your best foot forward is how you get the house. Understand that after your offer is accepted, you will have an opportunity to get a professional home inspection done of the house, and if you don’t like what it reveals, you can terminate the transaction and move on, no harm no foul. In fact there are many protections for buyers in the standard Oregon sale agreements I will write about in a future post!
  15. Before you make the offer and do a formal home inspection, there are a few things you can do to “kick the tires,” such as:
    1. Does the house have a basement? Check it out in rainy weather to see if it’s leaking. Also check out the yard to see how it’s draining.
    2. How is the water pressure in the house? How is the water pressure with all of the taps open and the toilet flushing?
    3. Are there trees near the house? I love trees! Trees are great! However! If they are deciduous trees, you could be paying someone each year to clean your gutters. The roots could damage the foundation. And if you currently live in Portland, you’ve seen the damage falling trees can cause in ice storms. Tl/dr: trees = good, but be aware.
    4. Look for squeaky floors; make sure the floors are level.
    5. Look for signs of leaks around water fixtures, sinks, toilets, tubs and showers.
    6. Check out how old and how clean the appliances are. Would you be happy using them for the foreseeable future, or will you want to buy new ones? If so, make sure you understand the cost of what you want to put in.

If you’ve done everything listed above and are satisfied that you would be comfortable assuming ownership of the house, and understand the costs involved, go ahead and make an offer! A great real estate agent can help you get through these steps, will guide you through the transaction once your offer is accepted, and will help you get to the finish line and into your new Living Room. 

Just Listed | Completely Detached Luxury Condo in Hazelwood

Posted on by Sean Patrick O'Feery

1131 NE 106th

$499,000

3 bed | 2.5 bath | 1529 sq. ft.

MLS# 24349587 | Taxes: $5706.46 | HOA dues: $83/mo

Open Houses | Saturday, April 27th 11-1 | Sunday, April 28th from 12-2

Immaculately maintained, almost new home! High-end COMPLETELY DETACHED, single-family style condo built in 2021! This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home is the perfect spot for you and your plant friends to soak up the Portland sun. 

Special Features

  • Home Energy Score is a 9 out of 10 = low cost utilities
  • Luxury primary suite with bathroom and walk in closet
  • Low fee, well run HOA
  • A/C
  • Great floor plan with main floor powder room
  • Oak Laminate throughout
  • Well appointed kitchen with stainless appliances

Welcome!

The perfectly laid out living room has a gas fireplace flanked by a large window and slider that allows light to flood into the space. 

The open floor plan has a great flow between kitchen, dining and living room.

The sleek, high-end kitchen has a powered island prep space, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops and plenty of storage.

The main floor is complete with a tucked away powder room.

Through the slider, you have easy flow between the house and the private, fully fenced patio.

The wide plank oak laminate floors also flow upstairs where you’ll find a luxurious primary suite with coved ceiling, walk in closet, soaking tub and shower. 

Primary en suite bathroom has a shower and soaking tub.

You’ll also find double sinks and a separate toilet room in the en suite bathroom.

Down the hall are two nicely sized bedrooms, a well-appointed hall bathroom and a laundry room. 

The attached, extra deep garage is right off the kitchen for easy access and gives space for storage or a workshop. 

Quiet, tucked away neighborhood with great access to services, the freeway, PDX airport and public transport at Gateway transit.

Come see this luxurious, affordable home today and make it your own. 

 

More photos here!

 

#17: Javier Alomía: It’s Easier To Say Yes

Posted on by Jenelle Etzel

Javier Alomoía joins Jenelle sharing his journey from Ecuador to Portland and the keys to his success in building his business from nothing to the robust success that it is today. As well Javier tells us the why of his immense involvement in the local PDX community and why he generally always says “Yes”.


Other topics of conversation

– How he came to USA

– How he got into real estate

– What influences how he manages his finances.

– Mindset helping budget for the future

– Community service… this feels good.

– Why immigrants come to America and 50% of millionaires in America being immigrants

– Habit’s of success and being intentional every morning

– Selling is more about listening and asking questions

– How he thinks about his sphere – keeping in touch with his community

– Your reality is only what you think it’s going to be

Find Javier here!

Just Listed! Cozy Condo in a Park-Like Setting!

Posted on by The Twin Team

10090 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway #20

Beaverton, Oregon, 97005

OFFERED AT $215,000

1 BED| 1 BATH | 696 SQ. FT.  

MLS# 23666243 | TAXES: $1,595

New Year, New To Do! ~January Home Maintenance

Posted on by Kiersten Frey

New Year, Fresh Checklist!

Winter is in full swing, and we know home maintenance can feel daunting, but fear not! Here to
make it easy on your time and wallet, let’s dive into the tasks that need your attention:

 

Holiday Cleanup:

  • Take down those festive lights and prevent tangles by wrapping them around a hanger.
  • Self-clean the oven and wipe the interior with a vinegar-soaked cloth.
  • Dispose of your Christmas tree wisely – compost or use it for midwinter mulching.
    Pro Tip: Consider a one-time cleaning crew, costing around $200-$250.
    Ask your Realtor to recommend a reliable cleaning contact or two.

 

Protect the Pipes:

  • Prevent frozen pipes by wrapping them with heat tape, controllable with a thermostat.
  • If you’re off for a winter vacation, turn off water to outdoor spigots, shut off water valves,
    and drain existing water.
    Pro Tip: Thaw frozen pipes with a heating pad or hairdryer. In case of a burst pipe, shut off the
    main water valve and call a plumber or a water restoration company for cleanup.

 

Check for Storm Damage:

  • Post-winter storms, inspect your roof, siding, gutters, and yard for potential damage.
  • Use binoculars or invest in a drone to spot damage without climbing on the roof.
    Pro Tip: Immediate repairs are crucial. A handyman can handle minor fixes, and
    roofing experts can tackle more serious issues.

 

Remove Hidden Dirt:

  • Clean those often-neglected spots like range hoods, refrigerator coils, and HVAC vents.
  • Let your dishwasher handle metal parts, and toss dirty sponges and dishrags in for a quick clean.

 

Tighten Hardware:

  • Shine and tighten doorknobs, hinges, cabinet pulls, and nobs.
  • Level those cabinet doors for a quick facelift.
    Pro Tip: Clean metal hardware with soapy water and shine with a microfiber
    cloth dipped in vinegar or lemon juice. Brass polish works wonders on solid brass.

 

Deep Dive & Declutter:

  • Channel your inner Marie Kondo and declutter rooms, closets, and drawers.
  • Take it in small steps – tackle one room or corner each day.

 

Think Green:

  • Combat January gloom by planning for spring. Grab seed catalogs and start planning your gardens.
    Pro Tip: Opt for raised-bed or container gardens for low-maintenance greenery. Create weed-free soil with vermiculite, peat moss, and compost.

 

There you go! Your efficient guide to a well-maintained home. Happy New Year!

How to get what you want with a tight budget and a bit of know-how!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Here are my thoughts on how to get what you want with a tight budget. Let’s get creative and be informed.

 

Look at Cosmetic Fixers:

Look past the paint and the details. Is the house filled with junk? Are the photos just bad? See everything on the market. You’ll be surprised! And, I love the hunt for a great diamond in the rough.

 

Fix your credit:

Some lenders are better than others at this. I can help you find a lender who will give you a clear idea of what you need to do to fix your credit and better qualify for a loan.

 

Talk to multiple lenders:

They are not all the same and it’s important you like the lender you work with. Look into first-time homebuyer programs, FHA or VA or Oregon Bond. I can help guide you to lenders who have the loan packages best for you. And, it’s important you feel comfortable talking with them about money and finances. This can feel very personal so you want to work with a lender who is a good fit for you.

 

Look into rate buydowns:

Because interest rates have been high this year, rate buydowns have become pretty common. Sometimes you can even negotiate this with the seller so they pay to buy down your rate. You can also buy down the rate on your own and your lender can walk you through that.

 

Always get an inspection:

This will save money in the long run. No one likes surprises in real estate so I highly recommend every single client has a home inspection done to avoid an expensive surprise after you get the keys. Home inspections cost money but they are worth it! I typically recommend these basic inspections- general home inspection, sewer scope, radon test and an underground storage tank scan.

 

Look for solid big-ticket items already in place:

This one is easy because most sellers are eager to let you know what has been updated recently. But it’s very important when we are crunching the numbers and deciding if the value is there for you.

 

Focus on location and layout:

These are two things you can’t easily change about a house so they are very important to focus on when you’re buying.

 

Be realistic about the renovation lifestyle:

This is a big one because no one wants to spend every single weekend and evening working on their home projects, no matter how much money it saves.  I have a lot of clients who begin their house hunt very certain they can easily renovate a house. Then, they learn more and realize it’s not as simple as it seems. Especially on a budget. I will help you get bids for major renovations or big updates during your inspection period. That way you can make an informed decision about what works for you. This is case by case so I’ll advise according to each buyer’s situation.

 

Research the Market:

I am here to help you understand the local real estate market conditions. Are prices trending up or down? Are there any neighborhoods where prices are more favorable? Knowledge of the market will help you make informed decisions.

 

Look for Motivated Sellers:

Sellers who are motivated to sell quickly may be more willing to negotiate on price. These motivations can include job relocations, divorces, financial difficulties, or properties that have been on the market for an extended period. A big part of my job is to build rapport with other agents to get as much information as possible and find the win-win for everyone!

 

Don’t Lowball:

It’s better to look at the data and make informed offers. Sometimes buyers purchase below the list price but throwing a very low offer price out there just to see what happens is not productive. While you want a good deal, making an unrealistically low offer can turn off sellers and waste time. I work with clients to determine a fair and competitive offer based on market comparables.

 

Be Patient:

This is a big one. The timeline a buyer thinks they need is usually the first thing out the window. Don’t rush into a purchase. Sometimes, waiting for the right opportunity can lead to a better deal. Keep an eye on the market and be prepared to act when the time is right.

 

Backup Offers:

This dovetails with being patient. If a deal falls through for another buyer, having a backup offer ready can put you in a strong position to negotiate with a motivated seller. You’d be surprised how often this happens.

 

Flexibility:

Be open to compromise on non-essential features or repairs. Being flexible can help bridge gaps in negotiations. A lot of times these non-essential repairs feel like a big deal in the moment but they don’t need to be deal breakers.

 

Reach out if you’re interested in talking more about buying or selling a home. I’m here for you! If you’re a first-time home buyer I can set up a new-buyer meeting and go over everything step by step. If you already own a home and you’re ready to sell that one and get the next one, let’s make a plan that works for you.

Bringing authenticity into real estate is my calling- I love to engage with new people and listen carefully to their needs and goals, then throw all my energy into helping to achieve them! I am known for my knowledge of the market and my ability to educate and listen carefully, although my secret superpower is that I remember every house I’ve seen (which is a lot).

Jasmine Deatherage

503-320-0039

Jasminedeatherage@gmail.com

From North Portland to the Westside: A New Neighborhood for Patrick & JoAnne

Posted on by Beth Benner

I am so excited to welcome my clients Patrick & JoAnne home to their beautiful new house in SW Portland!

These clients began with a clear vision, searching for the perfect Westside house that they could call home. The initial excitement led us to some incredible houses, & after a promising start with a house that caught their hearts, reality hit hard when our first offer wasn’t accepted. Undeterred, we continued our search, evolving our criteria & areas of interest to focus on move-in ready one-level homes.

We saw some more great properties & wrote a couple of additional offers but nothing quite compared to that first house. Through it all, these two kept their spirits high & never gave up on the dream of their perfect forever home.

And then, finally, WE FOUND IT! We stumbled upon a property that checked nearly every box on their original list. The excitement was palpable & we knew that we had to act fast to beat the strong competition for a coveted one-level home. While the property had been sitting on the market for a while, it had just had a significant price reduction, so we knew it was an opportunity we couldn’t ignore.

Negotiations began & my team & I worked tirelessly to secure the deal. The outcome was worth every moment of anticipation. Not only did my clients get more home for their investment compared to previous contenders, but they also gained an incredible backyard space with a pool! This home was well worth the wait & Patrick & JoAnne are ready to settle in.

This transaction was a testament to the power of resilience, strategic planning, & teamwork. Consistent communication with the listing agent was crucial, from initial negotiations to repair discussions & wrapping up the final details. We also made sure that we were timely in scheduling showings to ensure that we were some of the first through the door. And when we found the one, we acted fast, gathering info & building our strategy as a team.

I am so honored to be a part of this incredible chapter in Patrick & JoAnne’s lives. Now they just have to wait patiently for summer to come so that they can host their first pool party! Congrats to this amazing couple!

Oregon’s Top 10 Haunted Places

Posted on by Lydia Hallay

Oregon is home to a diverse array of haunted places, each with its own unique spooky stories and paranormal legends. If you’re a fan of the supernatural and looking for some haunted locations to explore, here are 10 haunted places to visit in Oregon:

1. The Shanghai Tunnels, Portland: These underground passages were used in the 19th century to “shanghai” (or, kidnap) unsuspecting individuals into forced labor aboard ships. Visitors have reported ghostly encounters and eerie experiences in these tunnels, and they consistently rank among the most haunted places in Oregon.

2. Pittock Mansion, Portland: This stunning mansion is known for its beautiful architecture and the reported ghostly presence of its original owners, Henry and Georgiana Pittock.

3. Bagdad Theater, Portland: This historic theater is believed to be haunted by a ghost named Nigel. Staff and visitors have reported strange occurrences and unexplained phenomena.

4. Hot Lake Hotel, La Grande: This grand hotel (built in 1864) burned down in a 1990 fire, and was abandoned for over a decade before being revitalized as a hot springs destination. It’s reputed to be haunted by the spirits of former patients from when it served as a sanatorium and hospital.

5. Wolf Creek Inn, Wolf Creek: This historic inn is one of Oregon’s oldest and is rumored to have a few resident ghosts. Guests have reported mysterious happenings and eerie encounters.

6. Geiser Grand Hotel, Baker City: This elegant hotel is known for its luxurious accommodations and for being one of Oregon’s most haunted locations. Guests have reported ghostly apparitions and strange occurrences, including “the lady in blue.”

7. McMenamins Edgefield, Troutdale: This sprawling property is believed to be haunted by multiple spirits, and guests have experienced unexplained events.

8. Powell’s City of Books, Portland: The largest independent bookstore in the world is said to be haunted by the ghost of a former employee. Staff and customers have reported encounters with this friendly spirit.

9. Oregon Vortex, Gold Hill: This roadside attraction is famous for its optical illusions and mysterious gravitational anomalies. It’s said to be a site of strange occurrences and ghostly apparitions.

10. Lone Fir Cemetary, Portland: One of my favorite places to wander, Lone Fir has an eerie beauty about it. The first recorded grave dates back to 1846 (before the land became established as a cemetery in 1855). Within the cemetery’s thirty acres, there are over 25,000 graves-including numerous politicians, mayors, and famous people from Portland’s past.

These haunted places in Oregon offer a mix of historical intrigue and ghostly encounters, making them perfect destinations for those interested in the supernatural. Whether you’re an aficionado of the paranormal or just seeking a thrill, explore these spooky places in Oregon and experience these ghostly tales and haunted history for yourself. Happy ghost hunting!

Just Listed | Sunny Sabin Ranch | $485,000

Posted on by Sean Patrick O'Feery

Sunny Sabin Ranch

$485,000

4231 NE 11th Ave 

Portland, OR 97211

Come see this charming ranch with the perfect open layout.  Large east facing windows flood the living space and kitchen with light in the mornings. Cozy eat in kitchen nook for morning coffee and taking in the neighborhood activity. This home has fresh exterior paint, new heat pump for heating AND cooling, and a new roof. Beautifully renovated kitchen and bath with an eye toward retaining its period charm. Sweet vintage range in excellent condition and countertops made from reclaimed wood from the house. So much has been done on this home and there are a few projects left for you to add your personality. Fully fenced side yard, partial basement with access through garage. Large attached one car garage off kitchen has potential for future expansion. Corner lot has possibilities for adding on or ADU, buyer to do their own due diligence. Excellent location close to Alberta, Mississippi, Williams and Fremont business districts. 

2 bed | 1 bath | 1238 sq. ft.

MLS# 23431614 | Taxes: $2,389.85 | Lot Size: .10 Acre

 

What Makes the St. Johns Neighborhood Special -Part 2- Coffee Shops

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Coffee shops are community!

Every time I head to a new city or even just a new part of town, I make finding a great coffee shop the first order of business because there’s no better starting point for understanding the local community, no matter where you are. When you visit the St. Johns neighborhood, you’ll notice life moves a tad bid slower and that’s a good thing. The coffee shops are alive and bustling with folks working, unwinding, socializing and connecting.

And with the University of Portland just down the street, you’ll find University students regularly taking advantage of these great study spots.

Coffee shops are special because they reflect the atmosphere of the neighborhood and St. Johns is fortunate to have many unique and vibrant coffee shops which makes choosing just one very hard! A good problem to have :)!

Here are a few of my favorites:

Great North Coffee

This café feels like the heart of St. Johns. A popular meet-up spot as well as a great place to work or unwind with a snack. They roast great coffee and have other nice choices like kombucha and teas. The room has high ceilings and plenty of seating which gives it such a lovely and classic café feel. Locally famous for their next-level breakfast sandwich made with chimichurri or romanesco, and can be made vegan. Delicious and addictive! Also, you’ll find the classic pastries, cookies and bagels you expect from a great café. Don’t miss the local art on the walls!

 

Two Stroke Coffee Co.

Two Strokes Coffee is a moto-inspired coffee shop on the main drag of St. Johns, conveniently located next to a cool motorcycle & scooter shop called Sabatino Moto. This is a really fun cafe to visit and a great place to hang out. They serve wonderful coffee, pastries and have great baristas. There are a few motorcycles in the café and some stylish merchandise as well.

 

Sparrow Bakery

Sparrow Bakery is well known for incredible baked goods. They have 2 locations (the other is in Bend Oregon) and do wholesale baking for many other cafés. We are so lucky to have them in St. Johns! Sparrow makes great coffee and fabulous baked goods- I feel like it is a full-time job trying not to eat their pastries every day :). They are perfection! Plus there’s a large food menu making it a great spot for breakfast or lunch.

 

Cathedral Coffee

This one isn’t technically in St. Johns but I just had to add it! It’s officially in the Cathedral Park neighborhood (hence the name), but it’s verrry close to downtown St. Johns. Cathedral Coffee is an eclectic cafe that is always busy but never feels crowded. A beautiful large space with big windows, natural light, tall wood bookshelves & large tables. They roast their own coffee and bake their own sweets & savories, which are fabulous!

I highly recommend the foldovers they make with veggies and cheese (some have meat). They are fantastic and always fresh! And the cinnamon rolls are incredible. Many wonderful baked goods to choose from.

They also have plenty of great outdoor seating!

 

 

What about St. Johns Real Estate?

One more note regarding this current real estate market. St. Johns has seen a steady increase in property values and demand over the past few years with the average home price this August landing at $470,000 (source RMLS). To put that in perspective, the average home price for all of Portland Metro was much higher by the end of this August at $608,300 (source RMLS). 

If you’re considering the St. Johns neighborhood, I’m here to guide you.

I know the ins and outs of this neighborhood having lived here for more than 11 years. And, if you’re interested in other neighborhoods, that works too! I help people buy and sell homes all over Portland. I am known for my knowledge of the market and my ability to educate and listen carefully. You will benefit from my coaching heart and guidance that reduces stress and creates positive outcomes. I want to see you happy and satisfied with your real estate journey.

Read my reviews and bio for a good sense of what to expect from me.

I look forward to helping to make your home purchase pleasant, painless and hopefully even a little fun!

Before you go, here’s a fun fact: Did you know that St. Johns was once its own independent city before it was annexed into the city of Portland? In 1915, St. Johns voted to become part of the city, primarily to access the city’s services and infrastructure. The annexation was officially completed in 1915, and since then, St. Johns has been a neighborhood within the larger city of Portland.

Just Sold near Peninsula Park! Yay for my first-time home buyers!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations to my clients!

As you may already know, my business is referral based and I love meeting new people. So you can imagine how happy I was when a past client recommended Jane and their partner to me. It was such a joy getting to know them on their house hunt!

Here’s a little rundown of how it went.

We started with a buyer consultation and spent an hour going over the process in general. That’s the best way to get started, going over the current market and setting expectations for everyone. That’s when I ask the most questions about what my clients are looking for and we set the pace for the house hunt.

 

We saw multiple houses every week in various neighborhoods for many weeks until we narrowed it down and found the area that felt like home. The house they chose checked a lot of boxes, it was the perfect size in a great location and it had more than one bathroom plus a garage (bonus!). We saw the house 3 times just to be sure and then successfully got the offer accepted! They did a great job of getting financially ready, approved by a reputable lender, and had all their ducks in a row in that arena. (That truly is the first step!)

 

As we went through the inspection contingency period, I really liked that Jane and her partner asked a lot of questions along the way. One thing that people don’t always lean into when buying a house is making time to dive into research and ask all of the questions, even the dumb ones (and there are no dumb ones). Carving out time for this is so helpful because it’s the meat and potatoes of the whole deal. I’m here to advise and guide you along, but there is a lot to digest and having the time for those conversations and follow-up questions will always feel good.

Here is a general overview of the inspection contingency period. I will advise you while you look over the permit history, have the sewer scoped, the home tested for radon, the property searched for underground storage tanks, plus have a whole property general inspection as well. And that’s not always all, there are more investigations sometimes. It’s a lot and it’s awesome! Because after all of that, clients have a much better understanding of the home with all of its pros and cons.

 

So in this case, some things did come up in the investigations and we negotiated a credit and a price reduction. A couple of weeks later we had fun at the signing and a few days later we wrapped it all in a bow and I gave them keys.

 

Please reach out if you’re interested in talking about buying or selling a home. I’m always here for a check-in about the current market, lender recommendations or anything I can do to help advocate for your homeownership.

 

 

Inside Working Magic’s Bag of Tricks: Camping Hack Edition!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

One of the many joys of living in the Pacific Northwest is the access to outdoor recreation and incredible camping in just about any direction. Working Magic loves camping! Forest bathing, friends, campfires (sometimes – be sure to check for fire safety), memory making.

Like many busy folks, getting equipment, food and plans together can be complicated for us, so we thought we’d share some of our favorite camping hacks to make things as easy as possible to get out there.

INCREASE COOLER SPACE & MAKE DINNER EASIER

After a long day of swimming, hiking or laying about the campsite, putting together ingredients to cook in the outdoors can feel like an incredible chore. One of the ways our Client Joy Coordinator, Moira, gets around this is to make and freeze food at home. She recommends doubling batches of soups, stews, chilis and anything you can heat on a stovetop. Add food to a plastic freezer bag and freeze the food flat. When you add these frozen pre-made meals to your cooler, they act as both easy dinners and ice to keep other things cold. Reheating food means you can be eating dinner around the fire in ten minutes or less, and provides lots more time for s’mores.

USE A SHOE ORGANIZER FOR YOUR CAMPING KITCHEN

Hang a shoe organizer from a tree or your camping shade, and fill the pockets with your needed kitchen items – cooking utensils, napkins, utensils, spices, and assorted food prep supplies. You stay organized and keep your kitchen clean. Here’s a great example you can get in a hurry.

USE DORITOS AS KINDLING

If you’re having trouble locating appropriate kindling to light a fire, look no further than your snack bag for Doritos as quick kindling. Apparently, all the delicious starch, oil, and flavorings make ideal conditions for a fire. Corn chips work as well in a pinch!

CARRY BREAKFAST IN A BOTTLE

While there’s nothing better than a delicious breakfast in the outdoors, carrying eggs or throwing together pancake batter can be a hassle in the woods. One way to solve this problem is to plan ahead. Scrambled eggs are much easier to carry when they’re pre-scrambled into a water bottle, no worries about those shells cracking and making a mess. When you’re ready, remove the cap and pour a portion of the eggs into a hot skillet and cook them off. Make sure to carry the bottle in the cooler. If you’re more of a pancake lover, try making the pancake batter at home and then putting the batter into a squeeze bottle. Again, simply squeeze the batter out into a hot pan to cook off the pancakes. You save space, avoid cracked eggs, and have an easy clean-up. Voila!

MAKE A HEADLAMP LANTERN USING WATER JUGS

Two things we always recommend you bring camping are headlamps and water jugs! But did you know that these two things together can create an easy, glowing camping lantern? If you find yourself flintless, out of gas, or in need of an additional light, using the head strap of your head lamp to secure the light against the plastic of a gallon water jug gives you an instant glowing lamp with easy light. Also a great nightlight for the kiddos if they get nervous about no-see-ums.

We hope these tips will help you have an easy and enjoyable camping experience! Off we go for a long weekend – stay tuned to hear about Gab’s adventures in Dosewallips, in the Olympics. More soon!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Til then, high fives! Have fun out there,

Working Magic Group

Article written by Moira Reilly, Client Joy Magician

Don’t Play with House Money: The Perils of Pricing Your Home Like It’s Still 2021

Posted on by Chad Meier

There’s a sage old bit of real estate advice that warns “Don’t let your home price help the competition sell theirs!”

Don't Play With House Money

Or something along those lines.

Selling a home can be an exhilarating and nerve-wracking experience, and one crucial decision that can significantly impact the success of your sale is determining the right price for your home. While it’s tempting to aim for the highest possible asking price, overpricing can lead to a host of problems. The following are just a few of the pitfalls associated with overpricing a home & reasons why setting a realistic price is so crucial.

Limiting Buyer Interest: When you overprice your home, you immediately narrow down the pool of potential buyers. Many buyers search for homes within specific price ranges, and they tend to ignore properties that are overpriced. Consequently, you may receive fewer inquiries and showings, which can result in extended time on the market.

Avoiding Stagnant Listing and Negative Perception: Homes that linger on the market for an extended period often raise suspicion among potential buyers. They may assume that something is wrong with the property, leading to negative perceptions and doubts about its value. In a competitive real estate market, a stagnant listing can be detrimental to the overall perception of your home, making it less desirable to potential buyers.

Missed Opportunities: When you overprice your home, you miss out on potential buyers who are genuinely interested but never even consider your property due to the high price. These buyers may end up purchasing a different property altogether, meaning you lose potential offers and a chance to sell your home.

Price Reductions: If your home is overpriced, you may find yourself compelled to reduce the price over time. However, multiple price reductions can give the impression that your property is undesirable or that there is something wrong with it. Moreover, buyers who have been monitoring the market may be aware of the price reductions and may perceive you as desperate to sell, leading to lower offers.

Appraisal and Financing Challenges: Even if a buyer is interested in your overpriced home, their excitement can quickly diminish during the appraisal process. Lenders rely on appraisals to ensure the property’s value aligns with the loan amount. If the appraiser determines that the home is not worth the inflated asking price, it can create financing difficulties. The buyer may struggle to secure the necessary loan, potentially jeopardizing the sale.

Lost Time and Money: Overpricing your home can result in wasted time and financial losses. The longer your home remains on the market, the more carrying costs you’ll incur, including mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance expenses. Moreover, if you eventually lower the price, you might not recoup the extra expenses incurred while waiting for a buyer.

All that said, it’s natural to want to maximize the return on your home, but just as important to keep in mind that overpricing can lead to a host of pitfalls. Limited buyer interest, negative perceptions, missed opportunities, price reductions, appraisal challenges, and financial losses are all potential outcomes of overpricing a home for sale. By setting a realistic price based on market conditions, comparable sales, and the advice of a qualified real estate professional, you increase your chances of attracting interested buyers, selling your home efficiently, and achieving a satisfactory (or even delightful) outcome!

Selling your home can be an important and sometimes complex process, but having a reliable and skilled real estate broker by your side can make all the difference. A knowledgeable broker will not only guide you through the intricacies of the real estate market but also help you maximize your property’s value. However, finding the right real estate broker requires careful consideration and thorough research. Here are some important factors to keep in mind when interviewing a real estate broker to sell your home.

Experience and Expertise: One of the most critical aspects to consider when interviewing a real estate broker is their experience and expertise. Look for a broker with a proven track record of successful sales in your local market. Consider their years of experience, the number of transactions they’ve handled – more on this below – and whether they specialize in selling homes like yours. An experienced broker will possess a deep understanding of market trends, pricing strategies, and effective marketing techniques.

Marketing Plan: An effective marketing plan is crucial for selling your home quickly and at the best possible price. During the interview process, ask potential brokers about their marketing strategies. Inquire about their online presence, use of professional photography, virtual tours, open houses, and targeted advertising campaigns. A proactive broker will leverage multiple channels to ensure your property receives maximum exposure to potential buyers.

Communication and Availability: Clear and timely communication is essential when working with a real estate broker. Make sure to assess their communication style and responsiveness during the interview. A broker who promptly answers your questions, keeps you informed about the progress of the sale, and addresses any concerns will provide you with peace of mind throughout the process. Additionally, inquire about their availability and whether they have a team to support them during busy periods.

Client References: Don’t hesitate to ask potential brokers for client references or testimonials from previous home sellers they have worked with. Speaking to past clients can provide valuable insights into a broker’s professionalism, negotiation skills, and overall performance. Ask about the overall experience, level of satisfaction, and whether the broker exceeded their expectations. Positive feedback from satisfied clients is a strong indication of a broker’s reliability and ability to deliver results.

Commission and Fees: While it’s important to consider the commission and fees charged by a real estate broker, it should not be the sole determining factor in your decision-making process. Focus on the value they can provide, rather than solely on their charges. A skilled broker with a solid marketing plan and extensive network may be worth the higher commission if they can help you sell your home quickly and at a higher price.

In the end, the importance in choosing wisely the right real estate broker cannot be overstated, whether selling your home or buying a new one. By considering their experience, market knowledge, marketing plan, communication style, client references, and fees, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your goals. Take the time to interview multiple brokers, ask pertinent questions, and trust your instincts. Remember, a competent real estate broker will not only simplify the selling process but also help you achieve the best possible outcome for your most valuable asset: your home.

Pro-Tip of the Day for Real Estate Sellers: When interviewing prospective listing agents, always keep in mind that you aren’t trying to hire a long-term employee; you are a talent scout seeking true proof of performance. Don’t simply look at stats presented in an elevator pitch; inquire about actual batting average percentages. For example: 25 properties sold on 25 listings taken, is much more impressive than 100 properties sold on 125 listings taken (which is actually a terrible win/loss ratio!) Instead, look to increase your odds of achieving a successful result by seeking a broker who lives for the delight of a select (i.e., manageable) number of clients each season!

*The author of this post (Chad Meier of Living Room Realty) is a productive hands-on real estate broker, who occasionally finds time between transactions to write no-nonsense articles like the one above. If you have a challenging issue or would simply like to discuss real estate in general, Chad can be reached at 503-709-9600 -or- dcmeier@gmail.com today.

Settlers Point Beauty | $499,000 | 19446 S Prospector Terrace, Oregon City

Posted on by Sean Patrick O'Feery

Settlers Point Beauty

$499,000

 

19446 S Prospector Terrace

Oregon City, OR 97045

Have you been looking for that house with everything? This one has it!  This modern build three bedroom with a den and two bathrooms is all on one level and has been excellently maintained. Lofted ceiling, open floor plan and corner lot give that spacious, light filled feeling.  The primary suite has a walk in closet and bathroom with dual sinks. One of the bedrooms even has a cool loft!  You’ll also find a gas fireplace, large eat-in kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Easy indoor/outdoor living with a slider to back deck from the kitchen.  Once outside you’ll find a newer covered gazebo on the Trex deck, raised beds, a fully fenced back yard and a private area with a spot for a hot tub (hot tub not included but negotiable).  **Seriously there are so many good things!  Keep going!**  The two car oversized garage is there for all your storage needs.  Recent upgrades include new interior and exterior paint and a new furnace. Choose your own new flooring with a $2500 flooring credit.  This home is on a quiet street in Settlers Point neighborhood close to Hillendale and Wesley Lynn park. If you’re looking for a great spot in Oregon City with its rich history as the first American City to be incorporate west of the Rockies, check this home out. While it’s just 30 min from downtown Portland, it’s a world away.  Downtown Oregon City is adjacent to the Willamette River and is dotted with great restaurants, coffee shops and breweries to explore.

3 bed + Den | 2 bath | 1690 sq. ft.

MLS# 23565668 | Taxes: $4497 | Lot Size: .12 Acre 

Special Features

  • Lofted ceilings
  • Corner Lot
  • Oversized two car garage
  • All on one level
  • New interior and exterior paint
  • New Furnace 
  • Covered gazebo on Trex deck

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for more photos

 

If you’d like to know more about this house or would like to buy or sell a home, give me a call and I’d be happy to help!

 

 

Sean O’Feery

Licensed Broker in Oregon

206-795-0703

sean@livingroomre.com

 

Top (not so) Secret Tool of Portland Real Estate

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Whether buying a house or just doing property research, we all have practical questions around real estate, neighborhoods, and our city and we are sure the answers are out there.  But often times, we’ve got no idea where to look!

As a licensed agent in this beautiful city, I hear a lot of questions on repeat.  To list some of the most frequent:

Did they pull a permit?
How is this property zoned? And what does R5 mean anyway?
What is crime *really* like around here?
Where’s the closest dog park?
What are the schools like?
The list goes on!

For buyers and sellers, Portland Maps can answer all of these questions and *more*.  To begin with, there are also maps of noise complaints, cannabis applications, short-term rental registry, and residential construction permits.

Portland Maps is also one of the greatest resources out there for Portland residents and homeowners.  With an incredible virtual tour of the Crystal Springs running from Johnson Creek Park to Reeds College and a map of Portland Hydro-parks, you might be surprised at what you’ll find.

Want to apply as a Green Street Steward (or find out what that even is)?  Want to browse a Portland tree inventory?  Pop your own address in.  See what you can learn about your biggest and best investment and this city we all call home!

–Patricia LoCascio

Relocation Specialist!

Posted on by Jessica Ward

As an Oregon native I take the responsibility of being friendly, hospitable and well versed in all things Pacific Northwest very seriously. My mother being from the Midwest (Wisconsin to be exact) and my father being from Washington state (by way of Mississippi) I welcome transplants from everywhere with open arms. I have lived many lives in this place I call home and have a wide array of interest that intersects with a multitude of people, places and things.

So I’m sure you can imagine my delight when an out of state client contacts me about relocating to Oregon. Similar to the class president being tasked with showing the new kids around the school I relish in the opportunity.

My latest relocation was the BUSBY family (buyers) coming from Texas. Welcome to The Great NW!

Thank you for choosing me as your agent & enjoy your beautiful new home.

Hooray to these FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS!

Posted on by Nicole Chavira

It has been a joy since our very first introduction that was thanks to a lovely past client 2 years ago. (Btw referrals are the biggest compliment and vital to my business so many thanks for all who recommend me🙏🏽) At the time, the housing market was a little coo-coo with those historic interest rates and an extremely competitive market. We got to know each other spending time seeing homes and then they decided to take a pause. A pause that turned out to be a blessing! As V excelled in her career with a promotion and a new little man was added to the mix, they reached back out and they were ready to make moves!

Literally and figuratively 😉

It was our first weekend checking out homes and they quickly found THE ONE! The right school district, space and location! It just felt right!

With 264 days on the market and 90k price reduction, over that span of time, we made an offer that was up against one other at the time. I was able to negotiate a 10k credit to my buyer’s towards their closing costs (this means less cash out of pocket at closing) a BRAND NEW ROOF and some other minor repairs!

When I say that I share the excitement of each and every one of my clients, I mean it! Their gratitude and trust in me as their Real Estate Professional created such a wonderful experience all around.

Thank you so very much for choosing me to go on this journey with you! Even on key day where the oldest boys ran from room to room seeing the home for the first time and leaping for joy, truly warmed my heart. Moments like those are exactly why I passionately advocate and love on my people.

Wishing you all the most beautiful of memories together as you make your new house a home!

You are an inspiration to so many other hard working individuals that the time to buy is when it’s right for YOU! Congratulations my friends 🥂🏡

New Proud Ground Homeowner!

Posted on by Nicole Chavira

🌟 CONGRATULATIONS NEW HOMEOWNER 🌟
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I have to give a big shoutout to my friend and client Earle for achieving his long time goal of home ownership! The cherry on top is this was a Habitat of Humanity condo with Proud Ground. Proud Ground is a non profit providing homes that are permanently affordable for first-time homebuyers.
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Earle went through a lot of hurdles and extended closing with a great attitude and stayed committed to his goals.
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I am so grateful when I get the opportunity to support people through the journey. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to get the job done for you!

Sticking With it Pays Off and My Clients are SO Happy!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations to my sweet clients! 

What a dream working with these dear humans (and their cute kitty)! 

These two began their search just before the pandemic. Back when the market was vastly different and right before the pandemic and low-interest rates had their big effect on the market. I loved working with them, getting to know them and seeing homes together. We looked at a lot of homes over the years, wrote some offers and took a couple of breaks from searching while the market went nuts. Luckily these two had a strong sense of what they wanted and even though they lost out on a few homes along the way, the one they bought in the end, is definitely the BEST one with the best quality for the price! I’m so happy for them!

If you have questions about neighborhoods, the real estate market, buying or selling a house etc, let’s sit down and talk. My aim is to establish trust and serve you with warmth and attentive communication. I love to engage with new people and listen carefully to their needs and goals, then throw all my energy into helping to achieve them!

2022 Was a Very Good Year

Posted on by Alyssa Isenstein Krueger

 I am in the bizzyness of selling houses to good humans in Portland, OR. In 2022 I had the pleasure and privilege of selling 27 magnificent homes to the best buyers and sellers in the world, including a handful of folx who bought and sold, or sold and bought. I work by referral only, and after working as a real estate broker for 15+ years, I have the divine fortune of being able to choose to only work with good people who I adore. For those of you who have worked with me over the past 15 years, and those of you who have referred your friends, family and colleagues, I am thankful beyond belief. Goodness gracious I am one lucky duck.

Retro Rambling Ranch – Sold!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

This midcentury time capsule ranch had been in our sellers’ family for two generations and almost sixty years! Filled with exquisite original features and charming details throughout, it’s the kind of gem you have to see to believe. A swimming pool, a sunken living room, a lower level with a huge family room and more – this one got snatched up quickly with a great offer from buyers who appreciated its vintage appeal. Although it was bittersweet for our sellers to part with their childhood home, they put trust in our team and knew we would make the transition as seamless as possible for them. We were so honored to help them with the selling process, and are thrilled this special home will be loved by a new family.

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JUST SOLD! PEARL DISTRICT PERFECTION!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

We are so happy to announce our sellers at the prized Metropolitan building downtown has sold their absolutely stunning condo! This layout is completely unique in the building! Right off the bat, you’re met with huge SW facing windows that bring in tons of amazing natural light. Enjoy an extensive 2021 Neil Kelly remodel complete with a new wrap-around chef’s kitchen, quartz counters and island, new wood-floors and carpets plus new paint! Step onto the large private deck with unobstructed views of Mt. Hood, Downtown, West Hills & Jameson Square. We’re thrilled to have gotten to work with fellow Roomie Dill Ward on this one. Thank you to Jim Scolastico on our team for all of his help on this one. Congratulations to all!

Selling During A Market Shift – A Good Story

Posted on by Living Room Realty

It’s no wonder so many people are nervous to sell in a stabilizing market when we are being bombarded with articles titled: “The Fed is Killing The Housing Market”(CNN), “Here’s How Weird Things Are Getting In The Housing Market”(Bloomberg), and “Mortgage Application Plummets.”(NBC)  But we can assure you there are still good stories out there, and you’re about to hear one.

Veery had the opportunity to work with Leigh a few years ago to sell her home, and we were delighted to get the opportunity to work with them again!

Raymond and Leigh were ready for a change. They had just begun a new chapter in their lives together and part of this new chapter was a new home. They decided to sell their custom-built 2017 home and our team, Current Dwelling Group, had the amazing opportunity to help make this happen.

Raymond + Leigh read the same headlines and articles. We asked if this made them worried going into the preparation of selling their home.

“My main fear was that the house would be sitting throughout winter. If we had not followed the advice from Veery and Jason and did the work to make the house super sellable we might have experienced that, but being well prepared and understanding the market position made a big difference in not being subject to that negativity. And the marketing plan pulled in the right people.” – Raymond

Right away we focused on gathering the right information for Raymond and Leigh to know where their home stood on the market and what was an ideal and attainable goal.

“Jason did a great job at looking at comps to help us optimize our position in the market. That was great! Veery is great at keeping us informed and giving us a heads up on potential wrinkles and making them feel so small. ” – Leigh

We got our plan together on how to make this house shine and emphasize it’s strengths. “We knew the house needed some work, but I didn’t realize that the painting, yard work and touch ups would end up looking this great. I didn’t understand the need for a fence, but you all did and it paid off!” – Raymond

Our greatest joy in listing prep is gaining our client’s trust and then blowing them away with the results.  We have spent decades building up relationships with high quality, reliable vendors. Each and every one of them are incredibly skilled in their craft. Each of our vendors put their special touch on this house to get it ready for market. Not only did they pull it off, they made the home shine the way it should!

 

 

The home went live on October 6 and within a 3 days we had multiple serious and competitive offers. An offer was accepted 5 days after going live and a closing date set in 2 weeks time.

 

There are good sales happening right now during this market shift.

Having successfully sold their home during this shift, we asked Raymond + Leigh what advice they would give someone on their home selling journey:

  • Raymond “find someone you can trust and trust them.” 
  • Leigh “If you don’t have someone. Call Veery!” 

Here’s to you, Raymond + Leigh! Thank you for putting your trust in us and allowing us to serve you. We loved working with you both and hope this new season of life is full of peace and joy.

A Thanksgiving Story

Posted on by Kat Gilpatrick

 

A thanksgiving story — not in a traditional, seasonal holiday sense with turkey and stuffing and finding enough matching place settings for all the folks trundling  your way, but one of some of the dearest clients: maybe-buyers I had the wonderful good fortune to meet in a lovely home I had held open in September, located smack dab in the neighborhood they’ve been rooted in together for years – they’d lived just a block away from there “close enough to get to Salt & Straw very quickly” being one of the qualifiers on location as it would turn out. Meeting these two immediately warmed my heart and enriched my life, setting us on a journey to find a solution together for the challenge they were facing: repair their current home, or search for something new to close a difficult chapter for them and move on from the loss and heartache brought on by a house fire Christmas eve 2021. They lost their cherished home they’d poured so much time and energy into. While they were originally planning to rebuild, they saw the above mentioned home in their neighborhood, OPEN HOUSE sign out front, and somehow that rekindled the sense that they could find something new to love and grow into.

While they didn’t end up getting that home, it was the jumping off point for a relatively quick adventure where we partnered and listed, we toured and talked, Lauren and Rafe, and their sweet chihuahua Ruby with them at times, at times (most times) on their bikes, and so much faith that the right thing was going to be out there for them, that would meet their requirements and also give them space to do what they love so much: woodworking in a wonderful space for Rafe to continue to practice this craft, and a garden in which they could both tend to the gorgeous yard — and get backyard habitat certified!

The Next Chapter

Working excitedly together, we found a contender for the perfect home in the Richmond/SE Portland neighborhood location as they wanted most – a home quite a bit bigger than they thought they might need, and older than they were considering — but with so many creative uses for the space, on the perfect street and situation and just such a solid wonderful house – their hearts and minds were won.  Built in 1899 and so lovingly maintained by a family that had begun their lives there back in 1966.

 

Their soon to be new home had a story – history, and a feeling of permanence and stability.  The home felt right and conveyed the kind of care and earnestness I’d come to know and love about this incredible couple. And of course, the neighborhood makes this area so meaningful for them to live in because of community as well as familiarity. As Lauren described to me: “The night of our house fire we were surrounded by neighbors providing us food, clothes, and support. This is such a caring community, and we want to stay in this area and reciprocate the kindness our neighbors have shown us.”

These two are getting married next year, and hoping to expand their family beyond them and their small dog. I can’t wait to watch them grow and move and thrive and add so much to our already abundant community. So thrilled for them as we say congratulations on their closing this November, and a very very grateful Thanksgiving.

 

✨JUST LISTED! Kings Heights, Wine Cellar, Sauna, Panoramic Views!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Kings Heights, Wine Cellar, In-Home Elevator & Panoramic Views!

2817 NW Fairfax Terrace, Portland, OR 97210

Offered at $1,450,000

4 Bed 3.5 Bath

Portland, OR 97210

VIEW LISTING

OPEN HOUSE Saturday (11/19) FROM 10 am – 12 pm 

2817 NW Fairfax Terrace, Portland, OR 97210

With Sweeping Panoramic Views Of The City, Four Mountains, Bridges & The River This Home Inspires Awe From Every Angle! Spacious Living Area, Expansive Windows, And Large Decks Make This Home Ideal For Entertaining And Enjoying The Beauty Oregon Offers. Charming & Elegant, This Beautiful Home Exudes Luxury! Upon Entrance, It’s An Entertainer’s Dream With A Spacious Chef’s Kitchen Open to The Living Room, Dining Room, Office, And More! Soaring Ceilings, More Views, A Primary Suite, Two Bedrooms, And A Family Room Make Up The Private Main Level. Custom Features Include: Wine Cellar, A Custom Sound Protected Bedroom, Sauna & More! In-Home Elevator Makes Moving From Floor To Floor A Breeze! Gated Driveway Provides Privacy And Convenience! Walk to NW 23rd, Pearl District, Uptown Shopping, Easy Access to Rose Garden & Forest Park. Check Out The Extensive Update List!

OPEN HOUSE Saturday (11/19) From 10am – 12pm

OFFERED AT $1,450,000

4 BEDROOM | 3.5 BATH | 4,434 SQFT

2 Attached Garage | Lot Size: 0.16 Acres

MLS# 22193010 | TAXES: $28,679.71 (2021)

Highlights & Features

  • Panoramic Views
  • Freshly Painted
  • New Landscaping
  • Brand New Flooring
  • Newer Roof 2014
  • X-finity Security For Entire Home
  • 5 Nest Smoke Alarms
  • Wine Cellar
  • Sauna
  • In-Home Elevator
  • Gym Space
  • Extra Storage Space

✨Just Listed! Light & Bright Custom Home in Montavilla!!  $675,000

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Light & Bright Custom Home in Montavilla!

7834 SE Taylor St, Portland, OR 97215

Offered at $675,000

4 Bed 3.5 Bath

Portland, OR 97215

VIEW LISTING

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY (10/08) FROM 10 AM – 12 PM
7834 SE Taylor St, Portland, OR 97215
Move-In Ready, Newer Construction with Soaring Ceilings! Built In 2017, This Stunning Contemporary Home Features 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Bathrooms – including en suite! Bright, Spacious Home With Plenty Of Space To Entertain. Living Room, Kitchen Open Floor Concept To Keep Community Together. Natural Light Spills In With Large Windows, Super High Ceilings and Elegant Wood Floors! Stainless Steel Appliances, Washer, Dryer, Granite Kitchen, And Much More! Large Backyard With Plenty Of Space For Raised Garden Beds And Includes Large Storage Shed. Multiple Walk-In Closets With Plenty Of Storage Space! Newly Painted Exterior & Interior, Freshly Landscaped, Attached Garage with Ample Storage & Bonus Detached Garage or Shop, Easy Access To Mt. Tabor Park, The Academy Theater, Grocery Stores, Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Adventist Health Hospital, PCC SE, And More!

OPEN HOUSE Saturday (10/08) From 10am – 12pm

OFFERED AT $675,000

4 BEDROOM | 3.5 BATH | 2,088 SQFT

1 Attached Garage With Adjoining Wood Shop & Detached Garage | Lot Size: 5,250

MLS# 22625615 | TAXES: $9,324 (2021)

Highlights & Features

  • Extra Attached Garage Space For Woodshop With 210 Outlet
  • High-Efficiency Furnace And AC
  • Newly Painted (Interior + Exterior)
  • New Landscaping
  • Detached Garage
  • Built in 2017
  • Extra High Ceilings
  • Tons of Natural Sunlight
  • Brand New Fence In Backyard!

Seller’s Favorite Things About 7834 SE Taylor St.

  • We love how we feel close to everything. Tons of eateries, hardware store, parks & more.
  • We love the natural light and high ceilings and that we have 3.5 baths which makes hosting convenient
  • I love my wood shop attached to our garage and have the option of the detached shop out back.

Just Sold! Heavenly Hayhurst Habitations

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations to our clients Alyssa and Brayden! They’re first time homebuyers having moved here from AZ a year ago. I am so happy these two stuck with it. They weren’t even going to write an offer on this house! Thankfully, Morgan on our team convinced them to go for it! Lo and behold, the seller said she wanted to be the reason they got their first home, and accepted their offer. Morgan, thanks for all your hard work on this one and thank you especially to Alyssa and Brayden for trusting us to help find your first home. Welcome to Portland!

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Just Listed! Entertainer’s Delight w/ Plunge Pool! $680,000

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Entertainer’s Delight In Oregon City With Plunge Pool!

19123 Lot Whitcomb Dr Oregon City, OR 97045

Offered at $680,000

4 Bed 2.5 Bath

Oregon City, OR 97045

VIEW LISTING

Entertainer’s Delight In Oregon City With Plunge Pool!  $680,000

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY  (08/27)  FROM 10AM – 12PM 

 19123 Lot Whitcomb Dr, Oregon City, OR 97045
Move-In Ready, Newly Painted Inside and Out! Cheerful Home In Desirable, Quiet Oregon City Neighborhood. Bright, Spacious Home With Plenty Of Space To Entertain. Open Family Room With Brick Fireplace. Cozy Breakfast Nook To Enjoy. Elegant Granite Counter Tops In Kitchen With Island. Recently Renovated Kitchen. Spacious Primary Bedroom With Walk-In Closet. Extensive Interior And Exterior Amenities Including High Ceilings, Double Oven, Stainless Steel Appliances, Landscaped To Create A Private Backyard Oasis. In-Ground Hot Plunge Pool Can Be Used As A Cool Pool During Summer!  Option To Be Part Of Private Neighborhood Pool. Easy Access To Ainsworth House And Gardens, Hillendale Park, Grocery Stores, Restaurants, Coffee Shops, And More!

OPEN HOUSE Saturday (8/27) From 10am – 12pm

OFFERED AT $680,000

4 BEDROOM | 2.5 BATH | 2227 SQFT

MLS# 22459822| TAXES: $6,390.20 (2021)

Optional HOA Fees: $50 Monthly (Includes Access to Community Pool)

Highlights & Features 

  • Move-In Ready!
  • Easy Access To Ainsworth House & Gardens
  • Repainted Interior
  • New Trim In Downstairs (2022)
  • New Carpets (2022)
  • Newly Painted Exterior and Doors (2022)
  • New Vapor Barrier In Crawlspace (2022)
  • New Furnace (2022)
  • Newer Water Heater (2016)
  • In-ground Sprinkler Installed
  • Plunge Pool! – In Ground Hot Tub Can Be Used As A Cool Pool During Summer
  • Private Neighborhood Pool ($50/Month – Optional)
  • Added Back Patio
  • Recently Renovated Kitchen (2019)
  • Newer Stainless Steel Appliances: Refrigerator, Range, Stovetop, Double Oven, Microwave & Dishwasher.
  • Granite Kitchen Countertops
  • Refinished Cabinets
  • Tile Backsplash

Seller’s Favorite Things About 19123 Lot Whitcomb Dr 

  • Private Backyard Oasis!
  • Quiet Neighborhood.
  • Great Community!
  • The Neighborhood Was Built Around Ainsworth Home & Gardens. Our Neighbors Host An Occasional Get Together At Ainsworth Home & Garden To Help Keep The Community Connected.

Just Listed! Move-In Ready In Bethany!  $585,000

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Move-In Ready In Bethany! 

16894 NW Desert Canyon Dr, Beaverton, OR 97006

Offered at $585,000

3 Bed 2.5 Bath

Beaverton, OR 97006

VIEW LISTING

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY  (08/13)  FROM 10 AM – 12 PM 

16894 NW Desert Canyon Dr, Beaverton, OR 97006

Move-In Ready! Lovely, Spacious Bethany Home In A Quiet Neighborhood. Nearby Parks, Trails, And Shopping Combine Convenience And Nature All Around. A Home To Enjoy Every Space From. Great Room With Cozy Gas Fireplace, Wood Laminate Floors. Large Primary Bedroom Features Walk-In Closet And En-Suite Bathroom.  Head On Back To Your Level Backyard With Privacy Trees, Concrete Patio Perfect For Summer BBQs And Social Gatherings. Kitchen Flow Includes Granite Countertops, Breakfast Bar, and Stainless Steel Appliances. Newer AC Unit, Water Heater, Carpet, New  Interior Paint & More. Easy Access To Highly Rated Schools, Hwy 26, Tanasbourne Towncenter, Kaiser, Claremont Golf Course, & Parks. Close to Intel, Nike & More!

OPEN HOUSE Saturday (8/13) From 10am – 12pm

OFFERED AT $585,000

3 BEDROOM | 2.5 BATH | 1582 SQFT

MLS# 222465647 | TAXES: $3,493.24 (2021)

HOA Fees: $362 Annually $255 Semi-Annually

Highlights & Features 

  • Move-In Ready!
  • Repainted Interior
  • Repainted Kitchen & Bathroom Cabinets
  • New John’s Waterproofing System In Crawl Space
  • Professionally Cleaned Carpets & House
  • Exterior Pressure Wash
  • Replaced/Updated Toilets
  • Stainless Steel Appliances: Refrigerator, Range, Microwave & Dishwasher.
  • Brand New Garbage Disposal
  • AC Unit Maintenance Completed
  • Laminate Flooring On Main
  • Granite Kitchen Countertops

Seller’s Favorite Things About 16894 NW Desert Canyon Dr. 

  • Friendly Neighbors! Lovely Community.
  • A Quiet Neighborhood.
  • Parks With Playgrounds + Basketball Courts Are Within Walking Distance.
  • Nearby Trails
  • Close To Highway 26, Intel + Nike
  • Easy Access To Tanasbourne Village For Shopping/Groceries.

7 Investment Properties In 4 Years!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Maria and James came to America with a big dream, to build generational wealth. They began their graduate studies and started learning about the powerful role real estate plays in building wealth.

If you get the pleasure of meeting Maria and James, one thing you will know immediately is that they both value excellence. It’s no surprise they applied their standard of excellence to their real estate education by pouring over free courses, podcasts, reading blogs, and books, and talking to other investors and homeowners. They actively went out and sought education and this year, they made their 7th investment property purchase in the last 4 years!

Crypto, S&P 500, and Index Funds, this is probably what you think of when it comes to investing. Why real estate?

“We feel that real estate is less volatile than the stock market. We also feel that we understand Real Estate investing more easily than active stock investing and it’s important to understand what you are investing in!” – Maria & James

As local and long-distance investors they understand the importance of creating a solid screening system. They screen their properties and their real estate agents. This is key in building a solid team.

“Before we are active, we build a system to do our screenings more effectively. We have two major criteria we focus on: Macro – the broader local economy, employment, population growth, landlords, etc. and the micro-neighborhood numbers, down payments, etc.” – Maria & James

All these factors they consider when they plan on investing in a property. Now, to choose the right realtors for the job.

Building a good team with clear communication is pivotal in real estate. Maria and James had a list of qualities they look for when it comes to choosing a Real Estate Agent who would help make this dream a reality.

“My friend was talking about her experience in purchasing her first property. She bought her first home with Kristin and Jason. She shared the entire process and I could see Kristin was a good realtor. My other friend said they want to buy a home and I recommended Kristin to them even without meeting her.

I have worked with multiple agents throughout my 7+ transactions. Kristin and Jason are the VERY BEST Real Estate Agents among them. They are on top of things. I don’t have to keep track of my realtor. One thing I feel they are very strong about is communication. Communicating with us and negotiating with the seller is so important.” – Maria & James

This project was especially important for Maria and James as it would become their primary residence.

This newly built community checked all their boxes: close to parks for their family outings and bike riding, multiple entrances for house hacking, a shift in their portfolio, and they got to take part in the design process!

Having an adorable, young son, they are already thinking and planning on how to include him in the investing process and stretch his vision for his life.

“We learned that we need to make money work for us instead of us working for money.  Encouraging Casey in the investing process is a priority. Talking about our strategies with him, ask for his involvement and thoughts, and explain to him our thinking process, these are some ways we are teaching him and will continue to teach him. Having a mentor would have been great for us, and we will be a mentor for him.”

– Maria & James

If you have any interest in investing like Maria + James have this is their advice to you:

“Bigger Pocket podcast. Start listening to the podcast. Dig into their website. They have some real estate investing books. Most impactful  for us – long-distance real estate investing. That book helped us with our investing strategy. Look for agents who have these good qualities that you will read about in these books.”

– Maria & James

When asked what they would do differently if they could start their whole investing journey over again with the knowledge they now have, they responded

“Real estate and investing are very relational. You need a good team. Now, we have learned to pick good team members – agents, lenders, etc When choosing a good realtor look for someone who communicates, listens to you, and does things correctly.”

– Maria & James

Maria + James, thank you for choosing us as your real estate bodyguards and for giving us the honor of being part of your journey in investing. We have loved getting to know you and your beautiful family. May this new home provide you with joy, quality family time, and even more growth. You are a powerful family and we can’t wait to see what you build! Thank you for being an inspiration, not just to us, but to all those who know you! 

My 3 P’s for a Changing Market

Posted on by Robin Hakeman

As we head into a shifting market the conversations I’m having with my clients are taking on a new tone once again. Interest rates are up, buying power is down and some homes are staying on the market longer than 5 days (gasp!). Last summer the brokerage asked us if we could tell Buyers & Sellers one thing, what would it be?

My answer: be PREPARED, PATIENT & PERSEVERANT.

be PREPARED: 

It’s important to work with an agent who is keeping up with the changing market. Have a plan before you start shopping for homes or listing your home on the market. Get an pre-approval with current rates to fully understand your buying power. If you are gearing up to sell this summer, spend extra time discussing pricing strategy with your agent. Past sales data is a great starting place but understanding the nuances of the changing market is also extremely important right now. Take your agent’s advice on how to get your home ready for the market – buyers are soon going to have more choices & will not feel as rushed into selecting a home. Make sure your home stands out!

be PATIENT: 

Make sure to go over expectations with your agent before listing your home. In 2022, market time has decreased by 21% compared to 2021 however that is expected to change. Especially as we head into the summer months where things typically slow down a bit. If you are heading out to start home shopping, know that fewer listings may be coming on the market in July & August. Take your time if you can!

be PERSEVERANT: 

These next few months (maybe years) are going to look a lot different than what we are used to. If you find yourself with a home staying on the market longer than a weekend, it’s going to be ok. Have a plan and communicate with your agent regularly. Buyers who have been fighting the good fight, writing offer after offer may start to find some relief with less competition. If increased rates have lowered your buying power, talk to a lender about creative options that may work for you. Don’t give up!

See the full instagram post here!

Nice Knowing You Quarter 2 of 2022

Posted on by Alyssa Isenstein Krueger
My seller’s homes!

Between March 1st and June 30th of 2022, the real estate market here in Portland saw appreciation rise at a rate not seen since, well, ever. Over 20% year over year. Despite the challenges of the market, particularly being a buyer,  I had 10 buyers and 5 sellers successfully close on homes- all on the east side in the City of Portland. Of those buyers and sellers- 2 sellers were able to buy first and closed in March, and then sold their homes April and May. Another of my sellers was able to sell their home and buy their next one within a couple of weeks in June.  Six of my buyers were first time home buyers, and 1 of my sets of buyers purchased the home they had been renting directly from their landlord off-market. Lucky ducks. Of my 10 buyers, 7 got the first home they wrote an offer on, 2 got the second house they wrote on and 1 set got the third and best house they wrote on. The total number of homes I wrote a total of 14 offers. The youngest house I sold was a 1960 rancher in Parkrose Heights, and the oldest was a bungalow in the Richmond neighborhood built in 1912. Three of the houses got new roofs, 2 got new sewer lines, and 2 had leaking oil tanks- all of which were taken care of by the seller.

My 5 sellers did really well. Four of my sellers received multiple offers, and the fifth set of sellers accepted the first offer they received which was well over asking and submitted less than 24 hours after we went on the market. Of the 5 homes I listed, 4 were ones I had originally sold to the sellers. Bringing it full circle. Of my five sellers, 3 bought new and larger homes in Portland, and 2 moved out of state.  The youngest house I sold was a condo built in 1972 on Jantzen Beach. All the other homes were built between 1906 and 1953. None of my sellers made any repairs, and only 2 gave closing cost credits/concessions for needed repairs. I sure know and love old houses.

My buyers homes!

Everyone of my clients was either a past client of mine, or a referral from another previous client, a friend or lenders I partner with.  Fifteen transactions in 3 months is a lot for little old me who doesn’t have an assistant and doesn’t want one. Those are probably at least half the  number of transactions I’ll have the honor of working on for the entire year. So much joy and happiness to be surrounded by.

Just Sold! Delightful Downtown Dreams

Posted on by Living Room Realty

A huge congratulations to Rachel, Chris, and their awesome kids. This awesome family just scored a breathtaking Downtown home! They’re coming from North Carolina, but Portland was always on their minds. When we found this spectacular 25th floor unit with beautiful views, they knew it was the one. At the time we made the offer, the family was actually in Romania volunteering to help build an orphanage. 

Talk about some rad folks! With the magic of technology, we did the whole thing over the internet AND managed to make the building VA loan certified!Of course we wouldn’t have gotten here without the tireless work of our team’s Jim Scolastico and the amazing selling agent, William Gilliland of Windermere. Just like the Beardens here, I know I’m certainly jumping for joy! Congratulations to this wonderful family and welcome to Portland! 

Beating Out 20 Other Offers!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

2021 and 2022 have been strong seller’s markets. Some Buyers might feel like they would have to look way outside of Portland if they had a budget. But that’s not the case. Although many homes have been selling for 100K+ over the listing price, there are gems throughout this city and in prime locations that can fit a first-time homeowner’s budget.

Brian and Kristin wanted a home close to SE Portland. It’s a great location and highly sought after. Many buyers were finding it difficult to find a home in this neighborhood unless they wanted to spend over 500K.

Brian and Kristin took this investment and decision seriously. We got to work culling through possible homes they could call their own. It took almost a year to find the right home for them. It can be a tough fight to win out on a home. The competition is fierce and sometimes you might not get the first home you put an offer on. That happened in this case. We sought hard, fought hard, and even though Brian and Kristin were beaten out a few times, they had persistence and positivity on their side.

One home came up that created a lot of completion. 20 offers were submitted on this home.  Brian and Kristin were not intimidated and gave it they’re all.

We got selected as the backup offer and when the 1st position buyer pulled out (due to the inspections report) we got bumped up to the first place. We negotiated to get the inspection reports right away; this is where real estate’s teamwork shines. We are so grateful to have a powerhouse of contractors we have developed relationships. We were able to get estimates on all the repairs very quickly so that we could negotiate for a buyer’s credit that would strongly benefit Brian and Kristin.

With a sizeable credit that allowed Brian and Kristin to not only get the home they want but also repair it to top standards, they walked away champions!

Brian and Kristin, we are so impressed with your positivity, enthusiasm, and cleverness in handling this journey. You were a joy to work with and we are honored to have been chosen to be your real estate bodyguards in this market.

Cheers to you both!

Will My Contingent Offer be Accepted?

Posted on by Living Room Realty

This past weekend, I hosted an Open House at a well-maintained Milwaukie home. The home boasted a superb location, single story layout and thoughtful upgrades. To say there was good turnout from buyers is an understatement!

To my amazement, most of the home shoppers were looking for their next home without having sold (or listed) their current home first. When you put in an offer on a home that hinges on you successfully selling your current home, it is called a contingent offer.

The insanity that was the 2021 Portland housing market meant that buyers making contingent offers on homes were consistently turned down over non-contingent offers. With fewer moving parts and less risk for the sellers, non-contingent offers were favored in an extreme seller’s market.

Fast forward to today – there is some shifting in the market, and there’s a *small* amount of wiggle room for contingent offers. Still, it’s important to remember how crucial strong financing is in getting your offer accepted.

Seller’s agents are looking out for their clients by asking for proof of funds from buyers offering cash or large down payments and pre-approvals from lenders to minimize the risk for their sellers. If a contingent offer is accepted, they will most likely require you to list your home by a certain date (if you haven’t already), place you in “Bumpable” status (meaning the seller can accept a different offer if one comes in), and even put a deadline for when you need to accept an offer on your current home.

If you plan on making a contingent offer on your next home, I suggest you have a solid marketing plan for your current home already in place. Start working with a real estate agent now, so you can hit the ground running if your offer is accepted!

The Battle For the Hidden Jewel

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Fixer-uppers, many tv shows today make these types of homes seem extremely attractive. But it takes a very specific type of person to commit to these hidden jewels. Chris and Kelsey were growing their family. They needed more space, a yard for the kids to play in within Portland, and a home with a little extra love needed so they can put their creative spin on it.

They had a set budget and list of desires. There aren’t many homes coming onto the market, so when one comes available it usually gets multiple offers rather quickly. This can cause the price to jump dramatically. When we are representing Buyers, we fight to keep the price point very close to their budget.

The goal was a “diamond in the rough” type of home. Diamond = central location, great yard space, good schools, etc. Rough = the home needs a bit of love to be at its prime.

They wanted to be a part of building and designing the home. Adding their special touch to the property where they would be raising their adorable children.


Mortgage rates also were going up, this has buyers in a frenzy trying to find the right home while still taking advantage of the currently low rates. Each home we saw ended up with multiple bidders and running up the price a little (or quite a bit) too much.

During this process, they sent us a listing that looked very familiar.  We ended up knowing the seller and the home very well and knew this was the jewel they were searching for. We jumped at the opportunity to put in a great offer with good terms.  This can sometimes make the deal even more attractive than a larger number as the price point.

And we got that call all home buyers want to get, “Your offer has been ACCEPTED!” This call is one of the best parts of the process. Buying a home can be an emotionally stressful time. This beautiful family treated each interaction with kindness and clarity and for that we are truly grateful.


Chris and Kelsey expected the inspections to turn out a whole list of work needed on the home. But, it turned out a much smaller list than was expected which was a HUGE win! We love to see you win!

We loved working with Chris and Kelsey who are wise and kind people. They were curious about the process and trusted that we would provide them with the best resources and find the perfect home together.

Congratulations Chris and Kelsey! We are so grateful to have been part of this journey with you! We hope this home provides your family with the perfect space to build many joyful memories. Cheers!

Just Listed! Architectural Modern Masterpiece

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

JUST LISTED

4120 SW Altadena Ave, Portland, OR 97239

Offered at $1,995,000

4 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,680 SF | MLS# 22691078 | Taxes: $10,868

VIDEO TOUR

Prepare to be wowed by this stunning Southwest Hills home. Designed by Fieldwork Design & Architecture, the ‘Tripod House’ is a demonstration of elegant ingenuity, combining technology and artistic vision to produce a unique living experience. As you make your way through this South-facing home, you’ll find it is brimming with many sleek and desirable features. You will undoubtedly notice the natural light illuminating the home and spectacular views through the floor-to-ceiling, frameless Sky-Frame windows and doors! The feeling of being connected to the natural and lush surroundings when inside this home is outstanding.

Radiant heat concrete floors offer comfort and energy efficiency, while recessed LED lighting exquisitely illuminates the home at night. Integrated curtains and screens throughout the home are another feature that makes this house stand above most. Don’t miss the hidden media center and plethora of storage around every corner.

Connected by dramatic glass links, the Tripod House’s three pods flow into one another with ease. The sophisticated kitchen boasts all Miele appliances, monolithic marble slab, floor-to-ceiling pantry and oversized island.

All three bathrooms incorporate floor-to-ceiling marble slabs, rain showers, Vola fixtures, and mirrored, hidden cabinet storage. There is also a private guest suite separate from the other bedrooms!

Outside you will find a charming courtyard with a 30-year-old sculptural specimen pine tree! Enjoy year-round privacy with a beautiful established evergreen garden and territorial views. Additionally, there is a two-car garage with separate storage room where garage doors can be added if desired.

This modern marvel is in a fabulous location close to Council Crest Park, hiking trails and Hillsdale amenities: groceries, cafes, and restaurants.

Additionally, there is a gorgeous custom furniture package included. Please inquire. Check out two articles recently featuring the Tripod House in Architizer and ArchDaily.

This masterpiece is not to be missed!

Just Listed | 5264 N Amherst St | Perfect University Park English | $579,000

Posted on by Sean Patrick O'Feery

5264 N. Amherst St.

This delightful English Cottage in University Park is the one you have been waiting for. This spacious four bedroom home has a long list of thoughtful upgrades and improvements that nestle in seamlessly with the period charm. Improvements include new plumbing, new quartz countertops, newer roof, refinished wood floors, upgraded panel, new windows and NEW AC. Numerous built-ins and don’t miss the nook! Large lot with mature landscaping is Certified Backyard Habitat and includes greenhouse, studio, hot tub and private covered patio.

Open House | Saturday April 2 from 12 – 2 | Sunday April 3 from 11 – 1

4 bed | 1.1 bath | 2480 sq. ft.
MLS# 22285611 | Taxes: $5390.73

The Conjuring Of A Mid-Century House With A Pool In Happy Valley

Posted on by Alyssa Isenstein Krueger

 Back in 2011 I met one of my very favorite buyers ever, Mel.  She worked with the Portland Housing Center and had $9,000 to from a matched savings account through Portland Housing Center. She used that $9,000 for a 5% downpayment on an oh so very vintage 760 sf 1920’s bungalow in Arbor Lodge that she bought for $180,000.

Fast forward to 2021. Mel is now married to Ryan and they are resource parents for kids in need and through the processes, have adopted 2 amazing kids with a third in the works. And all 5 of them plus a pup and a kitty were living in the oh so very vintage 760sf vintage 1920’s bungalow in Arbor Lodge. To say they were busting at the seams goes without saying, and yet they were able to take advantage of every nook and cranny to make the most of their tiny space. They contacted me to formally declare that it was time to move and buy a bigger house. At first they thought they needed to sell first then buy because they didn’t have a lot of cash on hand for a down payment on their next house, but they sure had a heck ton of equity in their little bungalow. I visited the house last fall and after seeing how packed the house was- packed but tidy and clean!- I told them I there was no way they could  think they could sell first then buy. They needed to move out to make the little bungalow shine.  Mel’s little house that she put $9,000 down on had more than doubled in value since she purchased it 11 years ago. Their best option was to get an interest only HELOC (home equity line of credit) on their bungalow and pull out as much cash as possible and use that for the down payment on the next house, then sell the Arbor Lodge bungalow. And because Mel bought the house so long ago for so little, their current mortgage payment was less than rent on most studio apartments in Portland. It took a few months, but by the end of January, the HELOC was funded and they had a pre-approval letter on hand.

After living in North Portland so long, Mel and Ryan longed for a big house with an even bigger yard for their young family to grow and spread and run and live.  They knew that to get what they wanted on their budget, they most likely would need to move to the suburbs. A day or so after all the financing pieces came together, Mel and I met up at a house in Happy Valley to begin the search. From the photos, she wanted to love the house, but after visiting the house, it was clear that this was definitely not the one. After I locked up the front door we stood around on the street in front of the weird house and talked for a quite a while. We talked about their ideal house- which would be a mid-century, room for a hot tub, big enough for bedrooms for everyone plus a separate kid play area from an adult living room and home offices/art studios for both Ryan and Mel. And to really hit the mark, if it had a swimming pool- that would be divine. We decided that we would conjure this house and it would appear. Because that’s the way the universe works when you are Mel.

I got home and lo and behold mere hours after that conversation a house popped up on the market that fit the bill EXACTLY and it had a pool. The conjuring worked full stop. I made an appointment to see it that same evening, and this time Ryan was able to join us. The mid-1970’s split level house had street presence perched up on a hill with a large and tasteful fountain beckoning at the bottom of the stairs up to the house. We went inside and these two were LIT UP with excitement. It was literally perfect for them and had a gorgeous view of the west hills and the all important pool. The sellers weren’t looking at offers for another 5 days, so that gave Mel and Ryan time to think about how badly they wanted the house and how much they would be willing to fight for it. To rule out any other areas, Mel and I went to a couple of houses in Beaverton, but after seeing the Happy Valley pool house, any other house was a disappointment. On  Saturday, 5 days after the pool house came on the market, they went back to the house for the open house and took the kids. After that visit, there was no question in anyone’s mind that this was THEIR house. There was some intense last minute negotiations including bumping up their offer twice to beat out other buyers, their well presented and solid as a rock offer was accepted by the sellers- and it wasn’t the highest of 6 offers on the table.  The house inspected like a dream, closed on time and Mel and Ryan are planning out their future in the dream house with the pool.

Darling condo with lake views!

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

JUST LISTED

224 Ridgeway Road, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97034

Offered at $325,000

1 Bed | 1 Bath | 756 SF | MLS# 22698273 | Taxes: $3,455

VIDEO TOUR

Welcome home to your peaceful perch overlooking the lake! This darling Lake Oswego condo is full of classic charm and beautiful views amid a tranquil setting.

Located on an upper floor, the unit has a lakeside, covered balcony that will make your heart beat faster. It’s the perfect spot to have your morning coffee and take in the gorgeous lake and forest views. As you enter, you’ll notice the beautiful hardwood floors throughout the living and dining areas. The cozy dining room has a large window that looks out on the park-like grounds and the living room is spacious enough for both leisure and work-from-home purposes.

Large double-pane windows let in plenty of natural light throughout the unit and a recently installed          mini-split is the perfect enhancement to the heating and cooling for this sweet sanctuary.

 

The galley kitchen has electric appliances plus substantial storage & counter space. You will find the washer and dryer tucked away here, too.

 

 

The bedroom boasts hardwood floors, as well as a ceiling fan and a full-length mirrored closet door. Bonus, there is a good-sized storage unit included! Close to parks and downtown Lake Oswego, you’re just a quick drive from all the area has to offer!

 

 

 

 

Great location for car-free living! A pleasant five-minute walk takes you to the grocery store, bank, restaurants, movie theater, gym, Lakewood Center for the Performing Arts and other amenities. The Willamette River and Old River Road walk/bikeway are 10 minutes away on foot, less by bike. Safe neighborhood for biking, close to Tryon Creek Park trail and a 10-mile bike ride into downtown mostly on car-free trails.

Don’t miss this one – it’s the spot you’ve been looking for on a budget!

New Listing! Midcentury Daylight Ranch in Lake Oswego

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

JUST LISTED

1004 Cumberland Place, Lake Oswego, OR 97034

Offered at $1,100,000

5 Bed | 2 Bath | 3,313 SF | MLS# 22501754 | Taxes: $7,629

VIDEO TOUR

Welcome home to your wooded getaway in Lake Oswego! This midcentury daylight ranch is perfectly situated in the First Addition neighborhood. Truly a one-of-a-kind gem with many unique features and remarkable upgrades.

Located on a quiet dead end street, the property features professionally landscaped gardens, mature trees, and garden planters galore. Space abounds on both front porch and decks to lounge and enjoy nature all around. 


The open living room with stunning vaulted wood ceiling + exposed beams awes and inspires when you step inside. A massive central brick chimney grounds the space, complete with green enameled gas fireplace. Original hardwood floors run throughout the first floor, and storage is ample.

Around the corner, a second wood burning fireplace in the open kitchen/ dining area is perfect for creating ambiance for intimate dinners (under an iconic George Nelson pendant light globe!). A sliding glass door leads to a generous back deck.

The spacious kitchen is filled with charming detail – check out the beautifully restored antique Chambers gas range! Loads of counter and cabinet space, kitchen garden window and skylight make cooking and entertaining a joy. Off the kitchen is a laundry room/pantry and door to the attached double-car garage. Don’t miss the shop area tucked around the corner at the back of the garage!

The remodeled main floor bathroom features a glorious updated shower with Italian mosaic tile complementing the original midcentury green vintage tile. The bathroom flows into an enchanting primary bedroom where breathtaking forest views through floor-to-ceiling windows delight the eye. Warm vaulted wood ceilings and wood-paneled walls make you feel like you’re in your very own mountain retreat! Generous separated closet cabinets feature custom built-in storage. Enjoy your morning coffee amongst the trees on the attached deck! A second bedroom on the main floor has ample closet space and looks out on a giant heritage maple.

In the fully finished walk-out basement you’ll find a family room with another wood burning fireplace. The exterior entrance and layout present so many options; think separate living area. Adjacent to the family room is a huge storage area. Make your way down the hall and you’ll find three additional bedrooms with new carpeting! The downstairs bathroom has been fully remodeled with new shower and high-end tile. All plumbing throughout the house has been replaced, including the water line.

This stunning home is ideally located right next door to a cherished state park/natural area, and is only a short walk to both wooded trails and to downtown Lake Oswego and the lake itself. You’ll fall in love with this special beauty – don’t miss it!

JUST LISTED: Arbor Lodge Beauty

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

JUST LISTED

6947 N ATLANTIC AVE, Portland, OR 97217

Offered at $775,000

4 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 2,430 SF | MLS# 22124079  | Taxes: $6,203 | 0.23 Acres

OPEN HOUSES:
Friday 2/11,   4 PM – 6 PM & Saturday 2/12,   9 AM – 11 AM

VIDEO TOUR

Come see for yourself just how much space, charm, and value this house has to offer! Brimming with updates and charm, plus an oversized yard, you’re going to fall in love with this gorgeous home! Upon arrival, a roomy front porch, beautiful garden beds, and mature landscaping greet you.
As you enter the living room, you’ll find a flood of natural light coming from the large front-facing windows, lovely classic wood molding, high coved ceilings, and the ideal open floor plan. The adjacent dining room boasts lovely leaded glass windows and box beams, a true vintage dream. While this home maintains much of its original character, the updated kitchen has a Wolf gas range, stainless steel refrigerator, disposal, dishwasher, and granite counters. And the far end of the kitchen opens nicely into a light-filled breakfast nook – perfect for enjoying your morning coffee! 
Just off the main level living area and tucked to the side you’ll find a darling bedroom that looks out onto the backyard, along with a full bathroom with walk-in shower.
The layout on the second level is ideal, with a charming light-filled primary bedroom, big east-facing windows, two skylights, a ceiling fan, and a large walk-in closet with closet organizers. A spacious second bedroom sits adjacent to the primary bedroom with great natural light from south-facing windows, plus a ceiling fan and closet. And rounding it off is the roomy full bathroom with a large soaking tub, two adorable pedestal sinks, huge stand-up shower, pretty blue tiling, and charming vintage windows with leaded glass. A perfect space to relax! 
Make your way back downstairs and just off the kitchen you’ll find a mudroom area with exterior entry to the backyard. A staircase leads down into the large finished basement, where the flex space provides so much opportunity. Easily imagined as a guest bedroom, a TV/family room, an artist studio, a reading den – there are endless options! Don’t miss the permitted half-bathroom and laundry area, and of course, tons of storage space! 
Head out the backdoor and check out how much space there is to play and roam! The yard is huge, the landscaping is mature and includes a gorgeous Deodar cedar tree, plus an adorable lean-to shed with an additional covered area and plenty of patio space so you can enjoy the outdoors in any kind of weather. 

Don’t miss the fabulous enclosed hot tub and oversized garage with attic storage and work space.

There is plenty of space for RV or boat parking!

This gorgeous and inviting bungalow offers an abundance of living space, plus so many delightful features! The home is close to many parks, cafes, shops, and grocery stores. Welcome home!

Just Sold! Optimism in Oregon City

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations to Scott who just closed on this darling Oregon City bungalow! This is Scott’s second deal with our team in the last week – we’re so grateful for all of his trust in us. There is so much to enjoy in this new spot! The space is open and bright with tons of natural light coming in from the myriad of windows. There’s plenty of room to roam in here from the two bedrooms, the large kitchen, and the open backyard with raised beds. Oregon City is an amazing retreat from the hubbub of Portland proper while maintaining culture and charm. Scott, thank you so much for all of your trust in our team. Congratulations!

Just Sold! Palatial Pearl-District Paradise

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations to Scott are definitely in order today. He just sold this one-of-a-kind penthouse in the Pearl District! It’s on the top floor of the coveted Henry condominium building. Floor-to-ceiling windows open to gorgeously expansive city and North Cascade views and natural light. The private terrace wraps around the entire condo which allows for tons of space for entertaining. This is a fantastic 2-bedroom layout with tons of living space which is a rare find in the Pearl. Scott, thank you for trusting our team to help you through this process. Hurray!

Check out the virtual tour link here!

Just Sold! Optimal Old Town Opportunities

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations are most certainly in order for our team’s client, Michael. He’d come to us looking for the perfect place to call home in Portland. After some potential prospects, we found this place. Sitting along the Willamette, this apartment offers amazing views and an awesome Downtown location. This sale was going to be fast as it was, but we managed to get it done on day three of the transaction. That’s a record for our team! Thank you to everyone involved, but especially Morgan Duran on our team who worked tirelessly to see this through. Thanks also to Kelli Jung who was a fabulous agent to work with. Congrats, Michael!

Just Sold! Luxury in Lake O

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations to Jason and Leah who are the proud new owners of the Lake Oswego estate. There are gorgeous details abound here from high ceilings, a fully stocked chef’s kitchen, and a temperature controlled wine cellar. Jason and Leigh are Californians who are looking to have another home up north for them to come relax in. They will most certainly enjoy all of Portland’s charm and the Atherton Heights neighborhood. I feel lucky to have been the one this amazing couple trusted with finding their new PDX home. Big thank you to Jim Scolastico on our team for all of his tremendous work on this one. Thanks also to Alyssa Foster with The Kelly Group who was amazing to work with. Congrats all around! 

Just Sold! Wondrous in Woodburn

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Patrick and Cory have been my star January clients. They are amazing homeowners, taking a distinct pride in the space which they call home. Earlier in the month, we worked on getting their home in Gladstone ready for the market. It flew, receiving multiple offers on the first day of listing. Today, we celebrate their second transaction with my team this month. I’m proud to say Patrick and Cory are the new owners of this amazing Woodburn home. This turn of the century home is full of charm, space, and character (and a sauna!). It’s been a pleasure to work with these folks. Patrick and Cory: thank you for your trust. Thank you also to Morgan Duran on our team for all her help on this one. Congratulations all around! 

Just Sold! Pristine Pearl District Paradise

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Today I am so excited to share that my clients, Patsy and Steve, have sold their amazing condo in The Elizabeth! Their home features wood floors, tons of natural light, and all the luxury you can get. It’s modern, open, and boasts amazing views of Portland. In addition, the new owners will enjoy a vast array of amenities available in the building including a concierge and outdoor spaces complete with barbecues. These folks were nothing short of spectacular to work with. I thank them both for their efforts and perseverance as we embarked on this journey. Congratulations all around! 

Just Sold! Adorable Arbor Crossing Abode

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations to my clients Josie and Mark who just closed on this beautiful end-unit condo in Beaverton’s Arbor Crossing! This is a super desirable neighborhood in an awesome area of town. They will enjoy lots of natural light, a great layout, and great amenities in the neighborhood including a pool! Josie and Mark are excited to have an investment property in town. They plan to lease to their son who lives and works in PDX! I am so thankful to these folks for being stellar to work with. This was such a smooth and quick transaction! Thanks to Morgan Duran on our team for all of her work. Thanks also to Shelly Brown at ELEETE for all of her help. Congrats all around! 

Just Sold! Splendid South Portland Sale

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations to Barry and Barbara! They just closed on their new home on the South Waterfront! They’re are the parents of a dear friend of mine, and I was honored to help them in their search for a perfect PDX home. Living on the OR coast, they’d been looking for the right condo for their return to Porltand. This one hit all of the marks. There’s lots of space, an extra bedroom, a gorgeous terrace, and lots of great walking paths for their pup. I’m thankful to them for making this a smooth transaction. Thanks also to Jim Scolastico on my team for being so wonderful. Big congrats to you and yours, Barry and Barbara. Hurray!

Just Sold! Gorgeous Gladstone Bungalow

Posted on by Living Room Realty

A huge congratulations are in order for my clients Patrick and Cory for closing on their adorable home in Gladstone today! They’d been hoping to sell and move somewhere a bit larger for a while now. They found a home in Woodburn that had accepted their offer but it meant we had to list this home and fast! Luckily, they’ve taken such good care of it that it received 3 offers the day it was listed. From there to here, these folks have been amazing. What an awesome way to start the New Year off! I’m so thankful to you, Patrick and Cory. Thanks for your support and trust. Congratulations!

Just Sold! Nifty & Neighborly in Nob Hill

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Errol and Louise are amazing folks. Now Hawaiian residents, they spent a lot of time in The Rose City before moving. Today, they just sold their awesome condo in beautiful Nob Hill. The home features a great open floor plan and sits at the top floor of a historic building. Throughout this transaction we went through both mellow periods and lots of interest at other times until the right buyers found it. I am so thankful to them for their trust in our team and patience to see this through until the end. Errol and Louise, I hope we can sip a mai tai in celebration the next time I am in Hawaii. For now, congratulations and aloha! 

Just Sold! South Tabor Splendor

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Peter and Courtney are starting their 2022 on a high note: they just purchased this awesome new home! It’s an amazing find in beautiful South Tabor. Three separate living spaces make this an extra roomy place to live. Peter and Courtney knew this was the spot for them as soon as they saw it. It’s an exciting way to phase into the New Year. Thank you to Morgan Duran on our team for being instrumental on this one. Hurray and Happy New Year to everyone! 

New Memories to Make in St. Johns

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

Congratulations to Kelsey and Maddie!

Kelsey and Maddie really wanted a home in the St. Johns neighborhood and found a few gems that they were super excited about. As these things go sometimes with first-time home buyers, they were in backup position twice on great homes. However, they soon found their footing in this competitive market and learned how to put in an unbeatable offer by following our advice. They stuck with it and finally got their dream St. Johns home: a fantastic one-level corner home with beautiful updates and a big backyard.

Kelsey and Maddie persevered in a tricky market and were rewarded for their efforts with a stunner of a house! Congratulations Kelsey and Maddie, we are thrilled for you! And thanks to my team member, Jasmine Deatherage for bringing these lovely buyers to our team experience.

Just Sold! Noble in Northwest

Posted on by Living Room Realty

A big congratulations to my clients Matt and Tsilli who just sold their charming townhome in NW Portland! They’ve been fantastic clients to work with throughout this whole process. We saw a bit of a cool down there towards Thanksgiving but these sellers persevered. Now, we have the perfect buyer who is going to love this place. Located just a block from NW 23rd, there’s so much to love about the home and area. Matt and Tsilli, thank you for sticking through this one until the end. Your trust in our team and optimistic attitudes were so appreciated. Hurray!

Just Sold! Magnificent Maplewood Majesty

Posted on by Living Room Realty

I’m so happy for my clients, Kendra and Tim today! Their beautiful split-level in Maplewood just sold, just in time for the Holidays. This home is going to be adored by its new owners. It features tons of natural light throughout with a large living area and gorgeous kitchen. This is a fantastic area of Portland. Kendra and Tim: thank you for all of your trust in our team throughout this process. Much appreciation to Kim Hayworth at Windermere who was a delight to work with. Congrats to all!      

A Perfect Pearl District Paradise

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Personally speaking, the Pearl District is one of the most beautiful parts of Portland. I love the quaint shops, great restaurants, and modern vibe of this area. Today, I couldn’t be more excited to celebrate the close of my clients’ sale in their beautiful new condo in the Streetcar Lofts. Tons of natural light spill in from the floor-to-ceiling windows leading out to a Juliette balcony. They are so excited to make this place their own. Many thanks to my clients for their trust in me during this process. I know you’ll have many happy memories here. Congrats!

Just Sold! Pleasant Valley Perfection

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations are in order for Kaitlin and Steven! They’re the new owners of this gorgeous home in SE Portland. These two are from California and are moving here with their 12 year old daughter. They’re stoked to be relocating to Portland. Kaitlin is excited to start a new job in the Rose City as well! This home was everything they were looking for: lots of space, modern touches, and plenty of room for their family to grow. They knew this would be the perfect place for the new baby on the way to be born. This is a fantastic family and I am so grateful for them choosing our team to help with their new adventure. Morgan Duran on our team was imperative to making this one work. Kaitlin and Steven, I wish you all the best on this new chapter. Congratulations! 

 

Bikable, in Need of TLC

Posted on by Bobby Curtis

Josh and Kevin closed on this quaint Victorian in need of some TLC just before Thanksgiving. When they originally reached out, they came prepared. They had a list of questions and expectations. I like that. While they had a broad list of houses they were willing to consider, a close-in Portland location was not something they would compromise on. I also like that. It’s important to know what you need, compared to what you want. And quite honestly, sometimes that changes in the course of looking for the right one. It didn’t for them, and it actually helped us narrow in on this one in Northeast Portland.

This Victorian had all the right elements for them, and just the right amount of work for them to make it their own.

Moving from out of state? These guys left their jobs and lives back in Chicago, and did that too. Read more here

Moving closer to grandkids and family! Yay!

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

Congratulations to Mark and Mary Jo!!

I just had the privilege of helping Mark and Mary Jo buy a wonderful condo! I met them because their son, Chad, is one of my dearest clients and Mark and Mary Jo wanted to be closer to Chad, Libby and the Grandkids. This is truly one of the best parts of my job- helping families stay connected or become closer. 

We were able to find Mark and Mary Jo a wonderful single-level condo in a sweet Hillsboro location and it checks all the boxes! It was a great transaction and I would like to take this opportunity to point out that when we help clients buy condos we highly recommend they do a review of the HOA docs with an attorney. As real estate agents, we cannot give legal advice so an attorney is integral to deciphering all of the HOA documents, rules, budget etc. In this case, we used Janet Grayson from Grason Law because we have worked with her many times and we know that she is thorough. This was such a big help to Mark and Mary Jo, as it is for all of our clients buying a home within an HOA. Thank you to Janet!

Congratulations and Cheers to Mark and Mary Jo! Here’s to building new memories with your sweet grandkiddos!

Brooklyn Blue Bungalow

Posted on by Alyssa Isenstein Krueger

My buyer Theo wins the award for the single most expensive repair I have negotiated for a buyer. Theo was a first time buyer who was referred to me by a past client of mine who they work with. We met up on a chilly fall evening to talk about what they were looking for in a house and get the process started. Within a couple of days, Theo had their pre-approval letter in hand and we were ready to go. I sent them all of the available homes within the geographic boundaries, price range and features they were looking for. The list wasn’t very long and out of all of them, only 2 houses piqued their interest. We went to see one in NE, and that was a no-go.  The second house we saw was bright blue 1920’s bungalow in the Brooklyn neighborhood. It had been on the market for about a month and had one sale fail. The home was lovely with a gigantic newly remodeled kitchen and a large upstairs bedroom with room to add a bathroom. The basement was decent enough with lots of windows and good ceiling height- a great candidate for future finishing. Theo slept on it and the next morning let me know they wanted to write on it. We put together a great offer and boom- got it accepted.

Most of the systems had been upgraded so I wasn’t too worried about the inspection. However, during the inspection our inspector did a few pokes at the foundation walls and the foundation just crumbled into sand. In the 1920’s during the huge housing building boom there were two concrete companies operating in Portland and those two companies provided all of the concrete for  house foundations built during that time. One company had a better concrete formula and many of those foundations are still in reasonable shape. But the second company didn’t quite know how to mix concrete very well, and those foundations are showing their age as they reach the end of their useful life as seen in the crumbling foundation walls. This basement had been skim coated on the interior at some point, but in areas like behind a built in workshop and under the stairs, the tell tale signs of a rapidly deteriorating foundation were all there. For most buyers, that would have been the end of that and they would have terminated. But Theo really loved the house and location, so they took the next step and hired a structural engineer to come out to take a look so they could make a decision to either move forward with the transaction or terminate. I had a great conversation with the listing agent about the issue, and thankfully the sellers understood this wasn’t a repair they could put off if they wanted to sell the home.  Thankfully the engineer was able to come out and made the determination that the foundation really was on its last legs. She told us there were 2 ways to approach a new foundation- one way was to lift the house and pour a brand new concrete foundation. This route is prohibitively expensive- costing in the $80k-$100k range. The other option is to have an engineered wood wall built. With this method, an engineer designs a wood wall that is built in the basement up against the old concrete foundation and embedded in a new interior concrete footing and attached to the framing of the house. As long as the engineered wood walls are kept dry, which involves rubber matting between the old concrete foundation and the new wood one and making sure the drainage system around the home is effectively channeling water away from the house, the new wood foundation can last indefinitely. And because it’s wood, it has give so also provides better seismic protection than old concrete foundations. The old concrete foundation stays in place, but it no longer functions as a support for the house. And the new foundation gives the basement an almost finished look.

We wound up doing 5 inspection extensions to get the engineer to have the drawings ready before closing, and to get a firm bid from a contractor to do the work after closing. Closing was delayed by 10 days- but we did it! Due to the whole supply chain, dearth of availability of contractors, etc., the work can’t be done for a while, but that’s ok because the contractor has already been paid and stated that they will complete the repair within the next year for the stated bid amount. The cost for something like this obviously depends on the total linear feet and some other factors, but in general, this type of repair will cost in the $35,000-$60,000 including drainage, which is a whole lot of money, but about half of what it would cost to replace the foundation with concrete.

Just Sold! Bright and Beautiful in Beaumont-Wilshire

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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!

When you know what you want, the rest just falls into place!

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

Congratulations to David and Clara!!

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!

Just Sold! Tranquil & Timeless NW Townhome

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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!

Just Sold! Mill Park Marvels

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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!

Just Sold! Bountiful Boise-Eliot Bungalow!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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!

Just Sold! Sweet & Serene in Summerset

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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!

How to Get An Offer Accepted Before An Open House

Posted on by Alyssa Isenstein Krueger

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.

 

Yay You’re Here!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Getting keys from afar.

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!

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Interested in making Portland your home?

Call Cheri Harney, at 503-319-4858.

This party is just getting started!!

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

A big congratulations to Jessica, Michael & Family!

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

Just Sold! Wonders in West Linn!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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! 

Just Sold! Hillsboro Happiness!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just Sold! Wondrous Whimsies in Westover

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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! 

Just Sold! Spectacular St. Johns Celebrations

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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! 

Just Sold! Celebrations in Cedar Mills

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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!

Mid-Century Delight for Delightful Buyers In Kenton!

Posted on by Alyssa Isenstein Krueger

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.

 

Just Sold! Magic Markham Marvels!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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!

Just Sold! New Beginnings in Northwest!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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!

Thank you for being a friend!

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

Congratulations to Laura & Her Kiddos!!

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!

 

Just Sold! Outstanding Oregon City Abode!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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!

JUST LISTED: Classy Sylvan Daylight Ranch

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

JUST LISTED

710 SW VIEWMONT DR Portland, OR 97225

Offered at $720,000

5 Bed | 2 Bath | 2896 SF | MLS# 21169366  | Taxes: $7,179

OPEN HOUSES: Sat 10/9 10AM-12PM & Sun 10/10 11AM-1PM

VIDEO TOUR

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.

Just Sold! Prolific Pearl District Premises

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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.

Just Sold! Magic Moments in Milwaukie Heights

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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!

Distinctive University Park With A View

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

Just Listed!

VIDEO TOUR

4717 N WILLAMETTE BLVD Portland, OR 97203

Offered at $625,000

3 Bed | 3 Bath | 2799 SF | MLS# 21344545 | Taxes: $8,235

TWILIGHT OPEN HOUSE: Thursday 9/30 5:30 PM-7:30 PM

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!

Just Sold! Bright and Bold in Boring!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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!

 

JUST LISTED: Immaculate & Energy Efficient Craftsman

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

JUST LISTED!

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

VIDEO TOUR

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!

Just Sold! Upbeat & Urban in University Park!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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.

Just Sold! Wondrous and Welcoming in West Linn

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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!

JUST LISTED: Rose City Park Ranch Masterpiece

Posted on by Alyssa Isenstein Krueger

Rose City Park Ranch Masterpiece

1253 NE 55th Ave | Portland, OR 97213

Offered at $545,000 | ML # 21612307

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,118 SF

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.

Click Here For Full Listing

 

Just Sold! Happy Homeowners in Happy Valley

Posted on by Living Room Realty

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! 

 

Just Listed: Bull Mountain Beauty

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

Just Listed

16117 SW 146TH Ave Tigard, OR 97224

Offered at $699,900

4 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 2893 SF | MLS# 21562518  | Taxes: $6,942

OPEN HOUSE: Sunday 9/19 11AM-1PM

VIDEO TOUR

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!