A Portland native, Alyssa started her real estate career in the chaotic market of 2005, and quickly realized she reveled in matching particular clients with their perfect home, no matter how unusual.

She then began specializing in mid-century properties – both Modern and Modest. More recently, she has included what she calls “Period-Perfect” homes to her repertoire. Her goal in this is to seek out those hard-to-find, unremodeled original homes of all eras.

When I started in real estate, I realized there was a market for ranch homes, from Mid-Century Modern to the more modest Daylight Ranch, but few REALTORS® willing to service it.

I started highlighting these ‘Picks of the Week’ on my website, introducing enthusiasts to the full gamut of midcentury houses of Portland. In 2006, I founded the Mid-Century Modern League in order to educate the public about the importance of preserving these gems.

Today I continue to focus on Mid-Mod, but have added vintage, mostly unremodeled houses of earlier eras, which I call ‘Period-Perfect’, because they have interest to clients and are under-serviced too. Frankly, I enjoy seeking out any unusual or original elements a client might be interested in, it’s a challenge to rise to.”

As Founder of the Mid-century Modern League, Alyssa is considered an authority in the local mid-century architecture scene, and is especially proud to include the Editors of Atomic Ranch Magazine in her past-client list. Often quoted in news and radio, she has been able to bring additional interest to her business, listings, and client’s homes – many of which have been featured in magazines such as Atomic Ranch, Oregon Home, The Oregonian and also included on several local home tours. With a background in marketing, and an eye for the unique, Alyssa really enjoys buying and selling properties whose interesting features may be overlooked by other realtors, even (or especially) if those features aren’t mentioned in the listing.

As a hobby, Alyssa has issued herself a challenge to walk every residential street of Portland proper and document the best architecture specimens of each neighborhood. There are about 3500 square miles of Portland, and it’s a big feat. By the time she finishes, she will have seen every house in Portland with her own eyes! You can follow her walks on her blog Portland-by-Foot. http://portlandbyfoot.blogspot.com/

When off duty, you can find Alyssa at estate sales, honky tonks, her friend’s cattle ranch, or seeking out ghost towns, roadtripping to the Oregon high-desert. A music fanatic and semi-retired booker/manager, Alyssa is heavily immersed in the western swing, old-school country, and rockabilly music scene, and you’ll often find her out at shows, dancing, maybe even sharing her favorites on the radio.

Alyssa Starelli
alyssa@livingroomre.com
503-888-1362
www.aly-star.com

Alyssa's Testimonials

If you want a midcentury mod home this is the gal you need to talk to. When I interviewed her on the Cocktail Nation radio show I knew straight away that this gal is an expert.

Koop,  www.cocktailnation.net

Alyssa Starelli helped me with a home purchase last year. She is the best kind of agent. She listened to my needs and wasted none of my time looking at properties that were out of my price range. And I was looking for cheap! In a certain area. Agents work on a commission, so this was not a lucrative sale, however she treated me as if I were her best client. Every time a new listing became available with potential she took me to see it. And it took awhile, but she hung there. She used her extensive knowledge in neighborhoods and architecture to guide me towards a good investment. She pointed out things that could become a problem. It took almost a year, so at times I felt pretty discouraged that we would succeed, but we found it! I am now living in a home with the size, area, quality and price I was hoping to find.

Kathy H.

Alyssa's Articles

1905 Porch-Gable Bungalow in the heart of Sellwood

Alyssa Starelli

Ever stroll down 13th avenue in historic Sellwood and think “I’d sure love to live here”?...

Living Large in Cully!

Alyssa Starelli

Let me introduce you to this incredibly RARE one-level ranch, which sits on a very private...

Energy Efficient Roselawn Bungalow

Alyssa Starelli

JUST LISTED: Darling updated 1913 Roselawn Annex bungalow with an energy score of 9(!!) totally ready...

Frances Changed My Life

Alyssa Starelli

As a Realtor, it has been one of my great joys to get to know clients’...

Shopping for ADA accessible homes

Alyssa Starelli

Shopping for a home is an exciting but often overwhelming process, especially for persons with disabilities....

Food Bank Fun!

Alyssa Starelli

I usually don’t like the idea of promoting one’s volunteerism, it feels braggy somehow,  but the...

Alyssa’s Travel Planning Tips

Alyssa Starelli

After a busy busy year, and with winter looming, it’s time to start planning winter travel!...

Just Listed: Meticulously Renovated Laurelhurst MCM

Alyssa Starelli

A decade ago, this rare Laurelhurst flat-roofed “mid-century modern” was a neglected short-sale with a large...

Spacious 1961 Mid-century with Kidney Bean Pool!

Alyssa Starelli

Need space? Love original mid-century features? This incredibly spacious and super original mid-century ranch boasts an...

Greener Thumbs

Alyssa Starelli

Embracing one’s inner-gardener (or sourdough baker) might have become an institution during the ongoing pandemic, but...

2B2B in Prime Arleta-Woodstock Location

Alyssa Starelli

Ever dreamed of having your very own bathroom, despite living in a 2 bedroom home? Picture...

Just Listed – North Gresham Ranch – $364,900

Alyssa Starelli

Darling North Gresham 3 bed, 1 bath ranch. This home has been beautifully updated with a...

Argay Terrace Mid-century Masterpiece

Alyssa Starelli

JUST LISTED: Stunningly updated Argay Terrace tri-level. Impeccably updated with a modernist eye while maintaining classic...

Hacienda of many Colors!

Alyssa Starelli

Congratulations to Tyler and Allison on their purchase of this very colorful “mood-enhancing” hacienda-style mid-century ranch...

Parkrose Proud

Alyssa Starelli

To say this market has been a bit of a challenge would be an understatement, but...

Swanky South Tabor Mid-century Ranchalow

Alyssa Starelli

Swanky South Tabor Mid-Century “Ranchalow”  —  $585,000 2721 SE 64th Ave, Portland OR 97206 Darling 1952...

Shopping with Sally

Alyssa Starelli

It was the middle of Covid 19, Year 2021 — both our faces covered by masks...

$499K in Laurelhurst School District

Alyssa Starelli

Just Listed – Darling 3 bedroom, 2 bath 1913 bungalow in Laurelhurst School District for just...

Historic 1907 Westmoreland Bungalow with Rooms Galore!

Alyssa Starelli

In these trying times, many people have sought a change. They want elbow room –  rooms...

Coastal Dreamin’

Alyssa Starelli

In these days of Covid-19 and lockdowns, shut downs, work-from-home, and the big social D, it’s...

Seeking Garage with Attached House.

Alyssa Starelli

I have a group of friends, in fact the majority of my friends, and some of...

The Cutest Cape Cod

Alyssa Starelli

So cute they moved it! Purportedly moved to its current site in 1950, this circa 1930-40’s...

1910 Farmhouse Meets Modernist Dream

Alyssa Starelli

1910 Farmhouse meets modernist’s open-plan dream! It lives like a sprawling ranch home — boasting a...

Trendy Tudor in Rockin’ Richmond

Alyssa Starelli

Imagine living or working in the heart of it all: cafes, restaurants, bars, shops, parks, books,...

Sought and Secured

Alyssa Starelli

Seeking a light, open, creative space in a mid-century aesthetic turned out to be a challenge...

A bridge across a Steiner

Alyssa Starelli

This Fall, I was able to help clients buy their dream home, a magical log home...

Fun with Vintage Flooring

Alyssa Starelli

Ever climbed into an attic room and found an original true linoleum “art rug” preserved for...

Mill Park Mid-Century with 2 Garages!!

Alyssa Starelli

Roomy Mill Park ranch on even roomier .21 acre lot with 2 garages! 1104 SE 120th...

A fine ballet; Or selling to buy new construction.

Alyssa Starelli

Past clients, Yoni and MJ called me up this summer after having decided they wanted to...

Homesteader’s Milwaukie Dream

Alyssa Starelli

Have you ever wanted to tenderly care for a bevy of bees, a clutch of chicks,...

Downsizing to the Two-Door on Tudor

Alyssa Starelli

You’d think downsizing would be simple, wouldn’t you? It is, and it isn’t. Ideally, a downsizer...

Mary’s Dream

Alyssa Starelli

Congratulations to Mary, her son Kevin and Mary’s parents on their new home! In this large home,...

Sold: The dreamiest Mid-Mod in DEEP East PDX

Alyssa Starelli

SOLD!! Excluded from the RMLS, this swanky 60’s  mid-century modern charmer was sold by word of...

Just Listed: 1941 Brentwood Beauty with Energy Score of 7!

Alyssa Starelli

Up for sale is this darling 3 bed 1 bath 1762 sq ft English Cottage style...

Goldilocks and the “Just Right” Mid-Century Mod

Alyssa Starelli

Once upon a time, many many years ago, when I was yet a young thing —...

Time Capsule Dream Home

Alyssa Starelli

It’s always a great privilege when keen and educated mid-century enthusiasts find me and ask me...

It’s Kismet

Alyssa Starelli

It’s one of the first hot days of May and I’m wandering around Portland Nursery with...

Retirees – Oregon Dreaming.

Alyssa Starelli

As we exchanged keys and perused their new Oregon home, Judith told me that her adult...

I got to pick my own neighbors!!

Alyssa Starelli

Even as a REALTOR® it’s a rare occasion that one can choose their own neighbors. It’s...

Gal on a Cold Thatched Roof!

Alyssa Starelli

Dorset England is home to 12% of thatched-roof houses in England, a fairly significant concentration, so...

Well-Suited In SO MANY WAYS!

Alyssa Starelli

Sometimes a referral client just fits, fits so well you thank the stars for the referrer...

Contact Alyssa