By Living Room Realty, November 1, 2018
Lucy and Nick were newly engaged, first time home buyers. They wanted a home that had the potential for a short-term rental, so a walkable neighborhood was key in attracting guests. And like so many other first time buyers, their budget was capped at $500k.
Did I mention that Lucy started taking care of my daughter when she was three months old? And that she’s also the kindest person on the face of the planet? So yeah, it was important for me to find her and Nick that perfect home that also helped them generate income as they embarked on this exciting next chapter.
We looked at a lot of homes in a lot of great neighborhoods. Here are three of my favorites (note: there are others!) for first time home buyers looking for a good buy in Portland:
Arbor Lodge:
Located in North Portland, Arbor Lodge is flanked by I-5 and the Max line, which provides easy access to downtown and other Portland neighborhoods. Boutiques, bike shops, restaurants, and coffee shops offer great walkability, and tree-lined, quiet streets make for a close-knit community feel.
Kenton:
Also in North Portland, Kenton is up-and-coming, and still has that old Portland feel. On the Max line and home to some great restaurants and coffee shops, it’s one of my favorite spots to pick up one-of-a-kind vintage goods.
Woodstock:
Woodstock is an inner Southeast neighborhood that is family-friendly with great parks and Portland staples like New Seasons recently added. It’s also a commuter’s dream, close to downtown and a quick drive to Milwaukee and Clackamas.
Eventually, we beat out multiple offers on a 4 bedroom, 3 bath home in Arbor Lodge. It has a basement perfect for Airbnb guests that want to experience authentic Portland. And it was all theirs for under $500k, plus a generous credit that was negotiated during repairs. Arbor Lodge is so lucky to have them!
Interested in buying or selling in Portland? Reach out to Sophia: 503.936.7499. Or learn more about her background and experience here.
