By Kim Parmon, January 12, 2021
Cass and Kevin loved almost everything about their current house. They loved the layout, the light, and the style. What they didn’t love was the lack of outdoor space, and they wanted to be walking distance from fun things to do. “If we could just pick up our house and move it, we would,” they said.
Their home was a newer-built beauty with a huge owner’s suite and tall ceilings. So when Cass and Kevin started to fall in love with an early 1900s home in Laurelhurst, I had some concerns. Part of what I do as an agent is make sure my clients are staying on track to meet their goals. When someone tells me what they want and then they veer well off course, I address it. It’s not my search in the end and it’s not unusual for my clients to change direction after they start looking. But I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t address it! I pointed out some features of the home that are common in older homes:
- Older homes may not be as well insulated as newer construction
- The layout was significantly less open than they were used to
- While some plumbing and electrical was updated, it’s hard to know what’s happening in the walls. There may be old wiring or pipes to deal with down the line
- The basement may not be as water tight as their current basement
Cass and Kevin decided to write an offer on this house, knowing full well that it was outside the box for them. They did not end up getting their offer accepted and were initially pretty disappointed, but I knew that things always work out the way they are supposed to.
Two weeks later, one of my fantastic colleagues at Living Room sent out an email about her new listing. It was built in 2019, had the contemporary style that they both loved, and was the size they needed. It was also located in a fantastic neighborhood, and even had an ADU that they could rent out to offset their mortgage. I knew right away that this house was everything Cass and Kevin had been looking for! I sent the listing over to them and they asked to tour it that evening. They absolutely adored the home! They couldn’t believe their luck. We wrote a strong offer right away and the sellers accepted!
I know that it can be very hard when your offer isn’t accepted. It can be demoralizing. But time and again I see that there is a reason! If it doesn’t work out, something better is out there for you. You just have to keep the faith!
Kim Parmon
Principal Broker | Earth Advantage Certified | OR
She/Her
Kim Parmon Principal Broker Lead Listing Agent Earth Advantage Certified | OR kim@livingroomre.com Oregon is the fifth state that Kim has called home in her life, and this one is sticking! After moving multiple times in her childhood, Kim fully understands how empowering homeownership and having roots is...
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- T: 503-438-5101
- kim@livingroomre.com
