The Living Room Blog

Just Listed! Period Details, Perfect Location

280 NE 60th Ave. #22 Portland, Oregon, 97213 Welcome to The View Condos—tucked into the heart of North Tabor, this well-loved and well-managed community offers a peaceful, convenient lifestyle in one of Portland’s most connected neighborhoods. This second-floor unit feels like a quiet retreat, with no shared walls, beautiful natural light from both east and west-facing windows, and incredible sunset views. Inside, you’ll find thoughtful updates like new windows, a stylish bathroom refresh, Bosch washer/dryer, new dishwasher, and custom built-ins in the dining room. The hardwood floors add warmth, and the cozy radiant heat (included in the HOA dues!) makes it feel like home year-round. The kitchen blends charm and function with a gas range, vintage marmoleum flooring, and tiled counters. You’ll love the spacious layout, with two generous bedrooms, great closet space, and bonus storage in the basement. Window AC units are included, and your deeded parking spot is just steps away. Enjoy the lush, shared courtyard with its shady trees, fountain, and lounge chairs—a true community gathering space. With a 79 walk score and 78 bike score, you’re blocks from groceries, coffee shops, restaurants, and just minutes to both Laurelhurst and Mt. Tabor Parks. Plus, you’re only 8 blocks from Providence Portland Medical Center and 3 blocks from I-84—location really doesn’t get more central. OFFERED AT $274,900 2 BED | 1 BATH | 807  SQ. FT.  MLS# 622468723 | TAXES: $4,382.11

The 85% Rule: Your Key to Overcoming Analysis Paralysis in Home Buying

Hey future homeowners! Ever find yourself stuck in a loop, analyzing every little detail while hunting for your dream home? Well, I’ve got a golden rule to share with you that might just be your game-changer: The 85% Rule. Let’s dive into it! What is the 85% Rule? In the home-buying journey, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlpool of options and details, leading to what we call ‘analysis paralysis’. This is where the 85% rule comes into play. It’s a simple yet fantastic rule to guide you in making decisive actions. How Does it Work? The rule is pretty straightforward. When you’re looking at potential homes, aim for one that meets about 85% of your criteria. Yes, it doesn’t have to tick every single box on your list. Why 85% and Not 100%? Here’s the thing, finding a home that has 100% of what you’re looking for is like finding a unicorn – it’s a beautiful thought but nearly impossible. Even those who have had their homes custom-built find themselves wishing for changes five or ten years down the line. Embrace the Imperfections Remember, it’s absolutely okay for a home not to be perfect. What matters is that it’s perfect for you at this moment in your life. The small imperfections? They are opportunities for you to add your personal touch down the line. Conclusion So, the next time you find yourself stuck in the home-buying process, remember the 85% rule. It’s not about settling for less; it’s about embracing a home that meets most of your needs and holds the potential for you to make it truly yours over time. Reach out to talk further now! 📞 Call Me – (503) 303-0822 ✉️ Email Me – hello@agentlivinginpdx.com

When Waters Rise, So Should We: A Closing Day Reflection

When Waters Rise, So Should We: A Closing Day Reflection— by Zoë Spring Tomorrow, I’ll place a set of keys into the hands of two people starting a new chapter.A moment that should feel like a simple transaction — but rarely does. Even in joy, we can feel the weight of the world — the headlines, the hush beneath them, the invisible threads that bind our stories to those unraveling elsewhere. Far from here, the water has risen fast. Not just the kind that rushes into streets and lingers in basements, but the kind that swells quietly — in the form of lost time, broken systems, and the aching weight of lives left behind.You can feel it if you pause long enough. That tug of collective grief. The tension of a world tipping sideways. And yet, even in the darkest moments — the ones that steal sleep and shatter routines — people still search for home.Not just a house. But a refuge. A place where the air softens, where the walls remember your laughter, and the light lands just right on days when everything else feels wrong. To lose a home is to lose a language — one spoken in footsteps and dinner tables and the hum of safety.It’s a kind of mourning we rarely know how to name. But I believe in something quietly radical:The idea that when people lose the shape of their world, others can help trace it again.Not in perfection. Not in haste. But through the shared work of reaching for one another — until wholeness begins to take shape again.That’s how community begins to mend — by being the voice that answers when someone calls into the dark.By being the one who shows up when it’s inconvenient.By giving what you can, even when your own hands are tired. So tomorrow, while I celebrate a new beginning, I’m also holding space for the endings happening elsewhere.For the silent battles, the heavy hearts, and the homes that now exist only in memory. And I’m asking, gently:If you have light, share it.If you have shelter, extend it.If you have faith — in goodness, in people, in tomorrow — hold it high so others can see it too. The world is weary.But we are still here. Still reaching. Still rising.Because even when the waters come, we are not powerless.We are the patchwork. The bridge. The rebuilders. And somewhere in the quiet after the storm,we will meet each other again —not just as strangers,but as neighbors. — Zoë donation resources https://cftexashillcountry.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4201 https://texsar.networkforgood.com/projects/254910-responding-to-the-july-4-texas-floods?fbclid=IwY2xjawLWSV9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFLM0g0MlJ2OFBNNkVmSUFSAR6gXCX9A5Qywv5AsNa_zAkbR17lH893hGuqVTGMRxjrLTo65rgxp7ojXjOrDA_aem_3cb4WaDPlYOOe56jww2s5w  

What’s happening in the Portland Real Estate Market?

What we discuss: • There being a good amount of inventory. • The high levels of opportunity for home buyers. • How sellers can still be successful in this changing market. Inventory Is High—and That Means Choice Portland currently has more homes on the market than we’ve seen in years. Compared to last June, inventory is up about 18%, and nearly 70% higher than two years ago, peaking at post-pandemic highs for this time of year. That’s a huge deal—for the first time in a while, buyers aren’t just looking at a handful of homes. They’ve got selection, from fixer-uppers to move-in-ready. Buyers Have Real Leverage Right Now More inventory means fewer lines. For buyers, that translates into: Ability to negotiate on price or ask for concessions, Less competition in bidding wars (in many pockets), Time to think—homes are staying on the market longer (about 50 days on average, up from under 40 last year). Bottom line? With the right guidance, buyers can avoid overpaying and shop smart. It’s Still a Seller-Friendly Market—When You Know How Yes, seller’s market? Technically. Homes in prime spots are still moving. But the strategy has shifted: Price strategically from day one—homes priced right are still selling fast. Stage and style smartly—professional photos and presentation matter more than ever. Be ready to adjust—market-responsive sellers are far more likely to close quickly. A beautifully told, well-priced home? That’s how you still win. A stale listing hoping for “just one off-market buyer”? Not so much. Future Outlook: Mildly Buyer-Leaning, More Balanced Looking ahead into summer: Inventory should stay elevated thanks to seasonality. Buyer traffic may ease a bit—especially if rates hold steady. That setup points to more contract flexibility, a gentler pace, and fewer last-second bidding wars. It’s shaping up to be a balanced market—not a crash, not a frenzy. If you are looking to make a move this Summer or beyond, I would love to chat. Just have a question? I am here for that too.