By Olivia Rush, April 26, 2021
What a way to start the weekend! Congratulations to Hannah on purchasing her first home in SE Portland! If you know me, you know I go kookoo for independent women purchasing their own homes. It was a major turning point in my own life, and I couldn’t be happier to welcome Hannah to the club!
I met Hannah through her mom, Beth – we used to teach together at Marysville. Beth clearly knew what she was doing, because we were instant friends. Hannah’s home search looked similar to that of nearly every other first-time home buyer in Portland: under $400K, not falling apart, and at least a little cute or charming.
We found a lot of houses that fit the bill…as did everyone else. Wary of buyer burnout (it’s real), Hannah and I quickly formed a strategic and communicative partnership. She often did drive-bys of the house prior to scheduling a showing, which ruled out about half of the homes we could have seen. She also capitalized on open houses, and even sent her mom to scope a few. She looked at homes listed well under the top of her budget. I taught her to take off her “staging goggles” to consider plainer, unstated homes for their *potential* cuteness.
If a house seemed like a real candidate, I would keep in close communication with the listing agent. Often, once we had a good idea of the offer landscape (oh, there are 14 offers already?), Hannah was confidently able to “sit this one out.” And most importantly, we kept going back to her non-negotiables. Space for a [small] dining table. A decent, fenced yard for Jojo, her newly adopted pup. Natural light. Storage (garage or basement). Not teensy, but also not more space than she needed. And of course, good vibes.
Overall, Hannah submitted 4 offers, and even had one accepted, before going pending on a house just 9 blocks from her sister in Foster Powell. She included some amazing terms and a heartfelt letter, which helped her secure the house over 2 higher-priced offers. Inspections and appraisal were both relatively stress-free processes, and lender/title made the closing process a breeze. SE Portland was in full bloom for key day, making for a very happy Hannah.
Selfishly, I’m happy she held out for this cutie. We are both a little sad that the process is over, but have to remind ourselves we can hang out as just FRIENDS now. It’s about a 7 minute walk for either of us to meet for drinks and burgers at Thunderbird or Slingshot. So cheers to home ownership, independent women, and happy hours all summer long!
Olivia Rush
Broker | OR
She/Her
As your trusted guide through the buying or selling process, you can expect me to customize my services to your specific goals and preferences, much like I did for my students during my ten years as an educator.
My clients’ goals vary. A couple retiring to the Big City after 30 years on 22 acres. A woman purchasing her first home independently. A couple upsizing to support a growing family. Two friends pooling their resources to make their first investment possible. A couple navigating a divorce and the sale of their home. A refugee family with limited English setting down roots in this country. Deaf investors looking to maximize profit on their flip. A couple selling the home of their daughter who has lost her battle to cancer. A family relocating from across the country and buying sight-unseen.
These situations all require unique, dynamic, and holistic approaches. Everyone has different needs, and it is my top priority to meet my clients where they are. For me, real estate is not transactional. It is deeply personal and inevitably life-changing.
While each client requires a tailored strategy, my work ethic is unwavering. With me you can always expect organization, tenacity, responsiveness, dedication, and hustle. A gatherer of resources, a communicator of all options and possible outcomes. As your advocate, I will be brutally honest so you know what to expect. A skilled negotiator, I’ll consider every angle with your dreams and goals in mind.
My clients often end up feeling like family. I am honored they trust me enough to return to me as their needs change and refer me to their friends, family, and communities.
What are your real estate goals and dreams? Call or text me so we can meet to discuss your vision.
Curious about the home-buying process in Portland? Click here to sign up for one of my free The How To Buy A House Class™ classes!
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- T: 207-240-8837
- oliviarushpdx@gmail.com
