Tag: real estate by julia

Hello, its Real Estate by Julia!

Posted on by Julia Robertson

Let me re-introduce myself.

Hello, I’m Julia! Real Estate Broker in Oregon, Washington and Utah.

Julia Robertson Realtor Oregon + Washington

I’ve lived in every state along the West coast and across the Rocky Mountains.

I relocated to Oregon the summer of 2006, where I immersed into the beautiful and weird city of Eugene. My business as a furniture sales rep drove me to every corner of Oregon and Southwest Washington. I found myself in Portland a few years later, where I lived in Happy Valley, Vancouver, Sellwood, and Milwaukie. Meanwhile I began selling Real Estate in late 2012; with my background in sales, marketing, and interior design, this was a natural fit!

Though I spend much of my time in the city, I love exploring the outskirts and eventually found myself specializing selling hobby farms along the Washougal River, Oregon City, and Clackamas. I spent many years renovating a 1930’s Tudor on a large property in Milwaukie, where I poured my heart into creating a beautiful home there. I touched every corner of this home, while managing projects and hiring contractors, I became a self taught project manager.

I’ve helped many clients and friends navigate home renovations, identify home improvements, and make design choices.

realestatebyjulia

I spent the past few years exploring Northern Utah, expanding my design skillset and working with a luxury real estate brokerage in a ski town.

My career has been intertwined with real estate and the home furnishings industry. Listing homes and marketing interiors have become my passion for two decades. Helping people discover design opportunities and preparing a home to sell is what I love. I negotiate fierce and fair on behalf of my clients and pride myself in providing my clients the best experience buying or selling a home.

I’m excited to be back with Living Room Realty where I dedicated 6 years building and growing with our real estate community in Portland Metro and SW Washington.

If you’re looking to explore both sides of the river to buy, sell, invest, or rent– I can help. You’ll find me at our downtown Vancouver office or any of our Portland locations. Stay in touch with me on my instagram @realestatebyjulia, where I’ll be sharing all things real estate, food & fun, and hosting upcoming classes and events.

Cheers,

Julia Robertson, Realtor | Oregon, Washington, & Utah

Living Room Realty

541-505-1111 | @realestatebyjulia

Classic Mid Century Daylight Ranch | Just Listed in Vancouver

Posted on by Julia Robertson

Isn’t she pretty?

There is so much room to LIVE here!

Classic mid-century daylight ranch on a large lot. Light and bright, updated kitchen and bathrooms, picture windows, covered front porch, hardwood floors, built in storage, huge backyard with hobby farm, greenhouse, tool shed, and long side driveway with driveway gate to backyard. Main floor has 3 bedrooms, two bathrooms, master suite has a walk in closet and on suite bathroom, laundry room. Spacious lower level has two bedrooms, entertainment room, walls of built in storage, two large storage rooms, and walks out to a covered patio overlooking a gorgeous and mature backyard. Quick access to the 500 and in between I5 and I205. Minutes to Vancouver Mall, 16 min to PDX, 20 min to downtown Portland. Impossible to find a gem like this! 

4403 NE 39th St, Vancouver WA | MLS 20415052 | 3933 SQFT

3D Tour Here

What I love about this home…

This home is so well cared for! It lives large and is much bigger inside than appears from the street view. The upstairs has tasteful updates to kitchen and bathrooms, while still keeping the charm of a classic mid-century style home. The house would host a great airbnb in the lower level. It has a driveway and parking that goes all the way to the backyard with a separate entrance. The lower level has a huge entertaining space, along with two large cold storage/root cellar rooms. Now let’s talk about this backyard! No one ever realizes from the front of this house, that the backyard is enormous! You can have a full garden or just enjoy it for the natural beauty and mature landscape. You really gotta see this house!

To schedule a private tour or if you have real estate questions, contact Julia Robertson.

Julia Robertson, Broker Licensed in Oregon & Washington

Living Room Realty

541-505-1111 | julia@rebyjulia.com

Real Estate and Working During a Pandemic

Posted on by Julia Robertson

Real Estate & working during a Pandemic.

Real Estate must go on. Needless to say, it is critical to be cautious and considerate during a time like this. I have clients in contract that are buying homes and clients planning to sell in the coming weeks. Whereas business is not as usual, contract deadlines and negotiation are still critical.

My how quickly things have changed…

Two weeks ago I was meeting contractors, scheduling inspections, driving clients around for buyer tours, and running around town. Knowing that the first confirmed case in Oregon was announced, I was already using antibacterial spray after each handshake. I supplied my car with nitrile gloves, lysol wipes, and was introducing myself to contractors and unfamiliar agents with a “virtual” handshake. Call me a germaphobe, but besides this “virus”, I was really avoiding the nasty cold going around.

One week ago while attending an inspection, I had conversations about the virus with inspectors and clients. The common theme was “whats the big deal, it’s just a flu”. Most people were brushing it off. I’m not here to convince anyone otherwise, but I gave my two cents about being careful.

Here we are, and this week I’m reaching out to my clients stressing the pre-cautions we are now taking 1) as a company at Living Room Realty, 2) my own actions, and 3) what does this mean for you, my Dear Clients in your purchase or sale of real estate?

If you are searching for a real estate investment, or have a commercial real estate property for sale I recommend to visit https://www.williampitt.com/search/real-estate-sales/greenwich-ct/, they are experts to identify opportunities, mitigate risks and maximize returns. I’ve talked with new clients that plan to buy and sell real estate in the coming weeks.  I’ve talked some clients off a ledge, considering cancelling their pending sales contract because of the volatile stock market. I met with an appraiser, and gave him my elevator speech about how serious it is to be cautious. I had my nitrile gloves on, advised him to allow me to open doors, switch lights on/off, and that I would be sanitizing any surface he touched. When he realized how serious I was, he appeared both shocked and thankful.

How to do Real Estate in a time like this?

As a company, we at Living Room Realty are having conversations in real time, as the epidemic unfolds daily. We are pleading Brokers to step back for these next few weeks and practice social distancing. Only essential one on one meetings, virtual tours for new listings, and video tours for our buyer clients. Open Houses and Broker tours are… let’s face it, too risky. 

Buying a house?

I highly recommend to people looking to purchase a home, to consider the risks of attending open houses. Overall you may see these activities disappear in the coming weeks. Hire a Real Estate Broker to do the work for you! Lean in to technology and ask your agent to provide virtual tours.

Selling a house?

If you’re selling a home, hire a Real Estate Broker that embraces the advantages of technology- Matterport, virtual tours, “Live Open Houses”, killer professional photography, and digital marketing marketing marketing.

You’ll see in the coming months which Real Estate agents will provide these services and which will not provide at all(Ahem, discount Brokers). I, along with my colleagues at Living Room Realty can provide these advanced services. In fact, we already provided the ‘advanced services’. It’s an investment and we take quality marketing to heart. Everyone will continue house shopping and selling, but in an advanced and pre-cautionary way. Certainly cautious until the Pandemic is no longer a threat.

If you’re curious about buying or selling and want to take advantage of historically low mortgage interest rates, or need a real estate agent that ‘gets it’- contact me! We’ll get through this together and I’m here for you.

Virtual Hugs, Julia

Julia Robertson | Living Room Realty

Broker licensed in Oregon & Washington

541-505-1111 | julia@rebyjulia.com

Sold in Washougal, Washington

Posted on by Julia Robertson

SOLD in Washougal, Washington

Sold! This gorgeous custom log home sold just in time for Christmas. If you’re thinking about selling or buying in Washington- Give me a call! I love helping homeowners navigate the selling process. I assist with prepping and staging the house to sell, marketing to the ideal buyer through direct marketing, and bringing to a successful close.

If you want to discuss your real estate plans- call or email anytime!

Julia Robertson | Broker Licensed in Oregon & Washington

541-505-1111 | julia@rebyjulia.com

Living Room Realty

Do’s and Don’ts of Hiring a Contractor. Part 2

Posted on by Julia Robertson

Decision making on design: 101. Learning from my personal success and failures working with contractors.

Decisions decisions. Being well prepared with plans, a plan B, and your vision for a project will keep the flow going. Often your contractor will bring up questions during a project that only you can decide and you’ll need to be quick on your feet to respond. For example:

Do you want flat or semi-gloss on your walls, trim, and ceilings?

What size and style trim do you want around your window?

What shape do you want on your handrail?

Do you want silicon or grout around the base of your free standing tub?

Where do you want your light switches?

Often a question will catch you off guard and you’ll make a decision that you wish you could take back! Having a plan keeps you on track. Here’s what happened to me for example- the light switch to the closet. There wasn’t a light switch on our plans. The electrician suggested it go on the right side. But after we were all settled in, we realized this light switch should have been inside the closet or on the left side of door. Its an eyesore(for me) having a white light switch on the black accent wall! At the time the electrical was roughed in, I didn’t even think about it. Now, every time I open the door I feel for a light switch on the left- but its not there. If you are in Australia and is looking for a trusted North Brisbane electrical contractors then JTC Electric is a trusted electrician that can provide you such electrician services in and around Brisbane.

It’s hard to imagine knowing everything in advance. We do our best! Living in the space makes it so much easier to visualize how you want everything to be. Here are some tips on preparing your decision making:

  1. Do have a plan. Either blueprints or hand draw a room layout.
  2. Do have a Pinterest board. Pin all your ideas, including color, furniture, light fixtures, and finishes. This may take a while, but when you have all your ideas in one place you can slowly edit your favorites and it will help you stick to your “vision” for the space.
  3. Sometimes you have to say no. You have a lot of ideas on your vision board. You don’t have to do all of them. When it comes to a budget, you may have to say no to the more expensive windows and the skylight.
  4. If you’re making decisions with a partner and disagree- get a third or fourth tie-breaker. Then you can at least blame it on someone else when it doesn’t work out. Ha! No, actually it’s great to have another opinion. They may see something you haven’t considered. Do get a third or fourth opinion.
  5. Not all contractors have “an eye” for design. I always ask my contractors opinion, but refer back to my design inspo on my Pinterest board to remind me of the direction. Do show your contractor your design inspiration. Several of the ideas we had for our master bedroom, the contractor had not done before. He conceptualized it well, but it was because we stuck to our guns about the style we were going for. Both our GC and the flooring guy didn’t like the idea of transitioning the wood floor to hexagon tile. We literally cut out pieces of hexagon on paper and played with them like a puzzle until we found a good pattern. It was a group effort. It turned out great in the end! Sometimes you can’t compromise with style 🙂

When it comes to design, it’s hard making decisions. Especially when its for your own space. I really think experience is key! If the decision making gets overwhelming, hire a design consultant. When you’re in a pinch call them and they’ll help you figure out a situation. It may seem simple, but if I had called our designer about the light switch, I bet she would’ve said “put it on the left!”

I’ve said this before, but its worth saying again– Don’t make a final payment to a contractor until you are completely satisfied. I’ve made this mistake twice! Trust me, they’ll never come back to fix those final things if you’ve already paid them.

If you have real estate questions, call me! 

Julia Robertson | Broker Licensed in Oregon & Washington

Living Room Realty

541-505-1111 | julia@rebyjulia.com

Retire in the Couve’ (Vancouver, Washington)

Posted on by Julia Robertson

Making smart investments now, leads to easy living into retirement.

I’m not a financial advisor, but I’ve been witness to some very smart investments over the years.  I’m impressed by this adorable couple purchasing a retirement home in Vancouver, Washington. They decided that the Couve’ is their destination for retirement(Noted as the one of the best places to retire in the US, by Forbes). They flew in from California a month ago and we previewed several homes, fell in love with a great townhome. Vancouver average home price is $291k, has a good economy, and rests on the Columbia river gorge- with breathtaking views and countless activities to do outdoors. The Couve'(Vancouver) has been voted ‘best place to retire‘ many years in a row, on many lists.

After they went into contract, they flew back to California. I’ve attended the inspections on their behalf, coordinated contractors, completed final walkthroughs, communicated all details of the transaction with them- all while they are residing in California. Most people still have to go about their life and work during the real estate process and I love being able to communicate all the details long distance on their behalf! We coordinated the closing details so they could keep their travel plans to Paris. What a relief to know that everything is taken care of while you’re away. The plan is to rent the home for the next 5 years or so, building equity, and watch that nest egg grow! I’m honored to help you through this process. Congrats Anne and Marshall! C’est l’heure de fêter ça!

Anne & Marshall pictured here in Paris- On their closing day!

Making a make to the Pacific Northwest? Give me a call! I’ll plan a tour of both Portland and Vancouver, to help you make smart move.

Julia Robertson | Licensed in Oregon & Washington | Living Room Realty

julia@rebyjulia.com | 541-505-1111

Is this Lake Tahoe? Nope, its Milwaukie!

Posted on by Julia Robertson

Is this Lake Tahoe? Nope, its Milwaukie! You’d be surprised how similar the feeling is driving up to this 1920’s A-frame bungalow in Oak Grove. As you’re driving down the street you catch a glimpse of the Willamette River and feel the crisp air, surrounded by mature evergreens. This craftsman style bungalow has a huge covered porch, carefully crafted rock chimney, and southwest facing deck for a day full of sun. The best part of this house is that the primary living area is on one level. One level living and a bay window seat for the kittens to sun bathe. The plan was to find land to build and she found house plans for a bungalow she loved- but sometimes the stars align and a home with all the right things comes into sight. Instead of starting from scratch, you can find good bones and make it your own. You can feel it when it’s the right move. She has a love for vintage homes and many ideas for this great house. I can’t wait to see it come together!

Congratulations Iris! It is THE BEST to see a friend so excited about finding the right home. I am grateful to have been part of this adventure with you. Enjoy your coffee on your very own covered porch:-) Cheers! #lovewhereyoulive

JULIA ROBERTSON | Broker Licensed in Oregon & Washington

541-505-1111 | julia@rebyjulia.com

Making the move to Oregon

Posted on by Julia Robertson

There’s a lot to love about Oregon, and that is why people make the move here. There’s just something in the air, about the trees, and the overall vibe of the Pacific Northwest. I relocated to Oregon 15 years ago and since I began my career in real estate, most of the people I work with are people I’ve just met. Many of them are relocating to Oregon just like I did. It’s not often I get a call from an old friend out of state planning on making a move to the pacific northwest. I had the pleasure of helping this great family relocating from the bay area to Portland.  Some of things on their list were all the “bonuses” that I had on mine: privacy, trees, nice outdoor living space, a place for an ADU, high ceilings. Well, we found those things and I couldn’t be happier for their new adventure in the Pacific Northwest.

I think most people find their way to Oregon for a little more space, the fresh air, and our beautiful landscape. If you’re thinking about relocating to the Pacific Northwest, let’s connect! I’d love to help you make a move to Oregon or Washington.

JULIA ROBERTSON | Broker licensed in Oregon & Washington

541-505-1111 | julia@rebyjulia.com