Congratulations to my good friends, Elena & Chaz! They moved from a super central spot in SE Portland to McMinnville for a change of pace. E came to me a couple of years ago saying that one day they wanted to get a away from the center of it all, and after a few months of actively searching for a home this summer they landed a place in McMinnville for them and the dog, Miss Frank.

Chaz is a damn good woodworker and you should absolutely stop what you’re doing and go peek at his stuff- imagofurniture.com. He now gets to work in a massive shop from his very own property which seems pretty dreamy to me. Elena will have room for an office for her stylish mastery, too.

Here’s a cheers to E, C, & F (because we know the dog worked hard for this too)!

It seems to be the season of love and housing! My last clients are engaged and just bought their first home, and these two just got married and bought their first home about 2 weeks later! Talk about power teams right there. The first time buyer market is HOT right now with these interest rates and I’m glad people are taking advantage of windows of opportunity. These two got lucky and found a house with no competition- which most of you know is a rare occasion these days.

They are now the owners of a very sweet row house in John’s Landing. Close to everything and loaded with 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a garage and bonus space on the main level. They’ll be moving in just in time to cozy up for fall, which is so crazy to me. HOW IS IT ALREADY SEPTEMBER?!

Cheers to C&A, their new home, their cat babies, their love, and our friendship. All the good stuff is in the air today.

I don’t mean to brag but my sweet buyers just snagged the best little bungalow right next to so many attractions! Walk score of 88, bike score of 96, say what?! Ever heard of walkscore.com? If not  and you’re in the home buying game, make sure to give it a look. Lots of helpful information about locations. Now that i’m finished with the walk score plug, let’s move back to our main program tonight- that is congratulating Asiya & Ian.

These two BROUGHT. IT. HOME! As soon as they entered the home buying market they meant business. They had to write a couple offers before we landed the right fit, but every offer they wrote was strong and competitive and I knew from the beginning that they were laser focused. I always tell people it makes sense when you lose a home once you find the replacement option later. Sort of like dating, there are more fish in the sea. That is until you KNOW there is no other fish, aka house. That is what happened here, they were excited as soon as we went inside and they made it happen by jumping through all sorts of competitive terms to shine and their offer was chosen. They had a match.

This place happens to have the perfect basement for their home gym, a rad garage for Ian’s woodworking visions, and more of the good kind of charm than you can imagine.

This is their first home and they are engaged- can’t wait to see what their future holds and feeling lucky and sentimental as ever to know them.

This home was truly epic and I wish I could have snagged it for myself! The level of charm was through the roof. But we’re talking, updated, classic, stylish and functional charm- not the tough kind. We had 8 offers total. Listed for $550,000 and sold for $617,000. Check it out below.

Completely rebuilt in 2012, this custom Bungalow boasts wood floors, a timeless kitchen, tiled bathrooms, and an upper level suite with a loft area and bath. 2 bedrooms on the main floor plus a basement for your visions, bolted and ready to go. Outside you’ll find the perfect studio space with electricity, heat, stylish lighting, and barn doors to enjoy the fresh air. Mature landscaping with lots of edibles, a chicken coop, and a fun tree house are a few more bonuses. Walkscore of 92 and a Bikescore of 100!

Congratulations to my buyers, a wonderful family of three who just purchased this Sellwood Bungalow!

Front porch dreams come to reality in this super convenient Sellwood location just blocks to New Seasons and all of the local gems like the Limelight, Saburo’s, PDX Sliders, a Cena Ristorante, Bible Club, Reverend’s BBQ, and Bertie Lous, just to name a few.

Inside they were met with pristine wood floors and woodworking throughout, some charming pocket doors to separate the living room from the dining room, tall ceilings, picture railings, and just about everything you could think of. Main level bedrooms and upper level bedrooms, a basement with tall as ever ceilings, and the most amazing yard are more of the perks. The seller was a master gardener and no stone was left unturned. Edibles, flowers, grasses, a lovely wall of jasmine, if you have a favorite plant there’s a good chance you’d find it here. Ever seen or read the secret garden? Feels like that. A thanks to that seller for all of the fresh blueberries I got to munch of during the inspections, too!

They survived a tough round of negotiations and everyone worked together to come up with concessions and find a way to keep things moving. Ah, what a good place it can be if we all communicate and stick together the best we can.

The closing process took about a month and before they knew it, they were moving in and getting ready to enjoy their new neighborhood.

Welcome home, R, S, & H! Thank you for trusting me to help with the job.

Emma & Taylor deserve all the props for tackling homeownership in a competitive as ever market AND during a pandemic. These two hustled hard to make their dreams a reality and finally it all proved itself to be worth it.

They were looking for something on the west side and needed 3 beds, 2 baths, and something that would allow our chef Emma to cook up a storm while Taylor had big visions of backyard hangs. He especially loved the idea of some privacy and a deck to entertain their friends and family.

When we started shopping they had a max budget of $425k. While they were stuck at home during quarantine they managed to cut their living expenses and save a ton of money- bumping their purchase price up significantly and eliminating the need for support on the closing costs, which we all know tend to add up quickly.

We wrote handfuls of offers and I kept reminding them that soon, they would see that these other homes didn’t work out for a good reason. Then we stumbled upon their new home in Beaverton and it all made sense. The layout was exactly what they had hoped for, they ended up super close to Taylor’s family, and they got a big ol’ back yard with room for it all. Not only that, but it needed VERY few VERY minimal repairs. After all of their hustling to make it happen, they were able to wrap their purchase and it was a breeze. We shaved two and a half weeks of the original closing date thanks to their kick as lender at OnPoint, too. Jessica Chestnut handled the mortgage like a champ!

Wishing Emma, Taylor, and their fur babies a life full of happiness and all of the special memories in their abode. I’m so lucky to have gained some great friends out of the deal too. That is something that comes with no price tag.

Congrats to you, E&T!

Mid century bliss! Calling all entertainers, this dialed ranch is loaded with all of the amenities. Big windows for lots of light, freshly refinished wood floors, double fireplaces, and a chef’s kitchen overlooking the backyard are a few of the features to love. Recently updated systems and brand new carpet in the master. The .35 acre lot gives you room for it all! This is the hobbyists dream with the 30 x 12 detached shop in the back plus a newer 632 sqft deck, mature landscaping, and an in ground pool that will be the spotlight of your fun. Storage shed, rv parking, and fenced for Fido! 

3 beds, 3 baths, 2201 sqft

Listed & Sold for $419,900 with 3 offers

HEATHER IS A HOMEOWNER!

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and loving Heather for 10+ years. She is a dear friend to me and we have lived so much life together! Now she trusted me to help her buy her first home and you can say I’m a bit emotional about that. Home ownership is a big deal! Way to go my buddy, I am so proud of you and so thankful that you trusted me to help with the job.

We save, we prep, we search, we work hard to buy homes and lets all take a minute of silence for that…okay now CHEERS for the new homeowner.

She snagged a sweet updated home with 3 beds, 2 baths, a perfect fenced yard for her and the puppy, and an attached garage all for $278,500 in Keizer.

Here is our superstar celebrating her win. I stayed far away for the photo shoot- all sanitized and safe!

Congrats to P&E on their amazing, new to them, mid century beauty queen. This baby was listed right as the pandemic surfaced and the new owners knew they had to have it for themselves as soon as we stepped inside. The home was built in 1960 and has been owned by only one (now two) families to date.

P & E wrote a compelling offer, gave it their all, and we managed to beat out offers priced higher than ours because of the connection we established through communication and sharing of life stories. These two are talented artists and the sellers spent a lot of time doing art in the home over the years so they were excited to hear it was a priority to the next in line. The original charm of the home was something that P & E appreciated and wanted to honor, which is always nice for sellers to hear especially when they have cared for the home so well over the years. When I say original we’re talking gleaming hardwoods, two epic wood burning fireplaces, and believe it or not, original cabinets and kitchen appliances that are still in the most pristine condition. I’m talking mid century crack and we were not alone in the swooning. Yep, I said it, mid century crack and I think it’s a real thing.

In real estate the phrase “charming” can go a couple of ways. A.) truly charming but ready to go, or, B.) “charming” in that we are lacking no quirk. This time we got to skip the quirk and keep the charm.

Real estate goes on, but things have definitely been different since COVID-19 came into play. There was a seller living in the basement so we wanted to be super sensitive about access to the home. We wanted to keep the seller safe as well as everyone else involved! P & E were so wonderful to work with and honestly some of the most considerate buyers I have yet to experience. We had it inspected and stayed off site to help limit the bodies (and potential germs) spreading through the space. We negotiated by phone and email. We communicated. We got through it! And I could not thank them enough for trusting me and believing in this process.

The sale closed today and they are now the very official second owners of the home, but they wont get keys for about another 60 days as they have allowed the seller some time to rent back and sort out their next steps. I feel so grateful for the level of grace involved in this transaction and I want to repeat it again and again. We can’t celebrate in person today, but you best believe we will be having a cheers to all of their hard work and I will be hugging the hell out of them whenever we are safe to do so again.

Here are P & E practicing safe signing of the loan documents before closing as well as some photos of the digs they will soon get to enjoy. This life is so sweet.

Niki & Ryan have had enough of the worry about the fires in southern CA and they are ready for some of our lush Oregon greenery. If you haven’t dealt with it before, can you imagine having your power shut off in worry of electric fires time and time again? Not only that, but their water system goes down when the power goes out so they have had to buy emergency water, fill up tubs in extreme situations, and feel like they are constantly on the lookout come summertime. Having been through a house fire, I truly can’t imagine worrying every day if it would come for me again. Home is supposed to be our safe space, you know?

When we first talked we discussed lots of light, a good kitchen, a yard for the dogs, and a nice, updated, and move-in ready space so they could step inside and chill. I think we hit them all! This summer they can plan on power, water, and a safe life at home and that is something that really can’t be taken for granted.

Buying and selling houses, soon to be married, and moving to a new state- all some major life experiences to tackle but they are doing it with ease.

A big congrats to Niki, Ryan, mama Joni, and the 5 dog babies: Stout, Lady, Pudge, Thug, & Darla. That’s right- 5 of em! And they wouldn’t have it any other way. Looking forward to helping you get settled in Salem and after the sellers are finished with the rent back period, we will surely be celebrating your victory.

I love this job, I love my clients, and, well, you know I love all the dogs. House pics and the dog squad can be peeped below!

Life is funny. We work so hard to create these worlds for ourselves and then they change, and change again without our control. Tina, my dear client and now friend, was born and raised in Oregon. She found love and ended up moving around for some years until settling again in Arizona. Eventually her three adult children all found their way back here, true lovers of the Pacific Northwest. She has a brand new grand baby in Portland and after years of traveling back and forth, she’s decided to make Oregon home again. Her family is everything to her so though she wasn’t sure she was ready to leave the full time sun in AZ, she was certain she was ready to be home with them for all of life’s moments, the holidays, and a few of her favorite OR perks- the best wine, biker friendly roads, and lush hikes.

We talked on the phone and kept an eye on the market for a couple of months, eventually meeting just two days before Christmas while she was here for a visit. I had the best time showing her around and hearing more about her background, and we eventually found that we share quite a few interests as well. I feel like the universe aligns me with the very best clients that almost always end up becoming good friends of mine and for that I am so thankful.

She’s moving home for good in June and we are looking forward to tasting some grapes together. Can’t wait to take her to an Oregon winery- hello pacific northwest! She will keep busy with courses at community colleges and bike rides as she will be freshly retired and with all sorts of time to kill. Not to mention her very important babysitting duties that will happen a couple times a week. Happy feels all around.

Now we just need to get her home in Tuscon sold! Anyone?

The new digs below, and wine tasting photos of my buddy and I to follow.

CONGRATULATIONS, JAKE!! You bought a home and that is something to celebrate. Do your victory dance and if you don’t have one, make one. Strut strong and stand tall. You have so much to be proud of!

For everyone who’s reading- here’s our champ doing the final step along the way, signing loan and closing documents at the escrow office. Let’s all take a minute and give him a nice virtual cheers. He bought his first home!

About the digs:

Mid century 1950’s living with 3 beds, 1 bath, a garage that refuses to be missed (hello, creative visions), and a not so little lot coming in at a grand 0.17 acres. I’d say he did well! The property is in a growing neighborhood where it’s safe expect some appreciation over the years and that’s always a nice bonus.

The scoop:

The transaction was possible because of pleasant people all around. In real estate we are all working together, not against each other, to make our goals a reality. This means communication on all levels, cooperation, and sometimes patience. We had made it (almost) all the way to the end of the transaction when we got the news some appraisal related touch ups needed to happen. Not easy news when you think it’s almost time for the keys! Instead of panicking we worked together to get some contractors lined up and make our way to closing. After a small extension, some combining of powers, and a helpful crew, the seller got to pass the torch to the new buyer and everyone got what they needed. I LOVE A GOOD WIN-WIN!

As always, I’m over here feeling as lucky and thankful as ever. Thank you for trusting me and all the congratulations to you.

No tricks, just treats! Closed and happy, we are. Christine purchased this condo for her and her family to use over the years and there was no fright about it. Her sister, Melanie, will live there first, then their mother, then Christine. Nothing quite like having a solid, long term family plan. The buyers were wonderful, the sellers were quick to get it all done, and I got to work with one of my favorite agents on the other side. Win, win, win.

Happy Fall, y’all!

Wrapping up this week with a happy, savvy home buyer win. My client, Chris just bought his second property but his first home. His first investment was a duplex and I really can’t get over how impressed I am with that. No, not a duplex for him to live in, just an investment. I, know, I know…savvy.

Well, this round is a little different because he and the cat are moving IN! Hey! I met Chris when I helped his mom buy a home last year. He shopped with us and got excited about buying his own home here, and now, just about a year later, here we are. Have I mentioned how sweet it is to get to work with different family members? It’s the sweetest.

The plan is for this to be the first of several homes for him, he will live there, love it up, and then move on and provide rental housing for someone who needs it. Of course in life our plans can change, but I am so excited to see where the years and the homes take him.

Chris swooped up a groovy 1970’s split level with 3 beds, 2 full baths, and SPACE! Inside and out, he has some room to play with. It’s sweet, it’s cozy, and it’s his.

Congratulations, Chris! And thank you for keeping me the happiest REALTOR® of 2019.

This one is so much more than a “SOLD” post. For these two, we are talking otherworldly appreciation. Not only did they trust me to help sell their property in Salem, they also trust me to help with their family and friends’ real estate needs and that is the greatest compliment I could ever receive.

That’s a lot, you say? Oh wait, there’s more! They also got me and my fiance into a new lil rental while we do some renovations at home (to put it short), and let me tell you what, I will never forget it.

When you’ve got friends like this to help build you up, life feels good. Ashli & Brandon, I promise you this- If you EVER need me I will stand strong in your corner just the same. Here’s to doing life with people that shine, and share that shine with you. ❤️💜

You had a goal and a deadline, we set a plan, and we crushed it. Cheers to you! Cheers to life!

Do you see them? Yep, those are my friends. Doing big things!

Congratulations to Abby & Alex, who just bought their first home together! They’ll be shacking up in St Johns in a newer, stylish, and move in ready home boasting wood floors, lots of natural light, a no BS kitchen (to say the least, bring on that gas cooking), nice sized bedrooms, and the sweetest patio area complete with a family of birds (babies included) plus some mature landscaping. Okay, that was a mouthful but clearly I’m excited over here. Low maintenance but room to play and make things their own! The perfect combo.

Wishing these beer drinking, pizza eating, nature loving, dog and cat parents all of the happiness in their new casa of love. May joy surround you, nature keep you nurtured and refueled, and may the pizza man (the real MVP) always greet you with quickness and hot cheese.

Cheers to you, my people!

I love my job! Have I said that before? Alright, I know you’ve probably heard enough of it but REALLY! SOMEONE PINCH ME!!!

This time I had the sweet treat of helping Clayton & Nicole buy their first home. I’ve known Clayton since we were itty bitty knuckleheads in school. If you would have asked either of us then we would have said we were grown up, responsible, civilized humans…but really we were in high school so you can catch my drift. Even the best and most well behaved of us were full of it.

He and his wonderful, motivated, ultra organized, floor plan drawing, home buying master of a wife trusted me to reconnect for some business years later and let me tell you, the pleasure was mine. They were full of energy, the process was exciting, and we got the job done all while having some real fun. Many laughs were had and when things needed to be serious, we focused and found a way to get from point a to point b.

Education in real estate is something I’m super passionate about. How can you buy or sell a multi hundred thousand dollar asset without knowing what you’re doing? Without really understanding what was happening along the way? Without knowing the why’s and when’s, the how to’s and what not to do’s? We talked through the details and these two nailed it all- they listened, they learned, they acted and jumped when it was right, they bent when bending was worthy, and they stood strong on the items they needed to. They ended up scoring a beautiful, recently remodeled bungalow in a fun location for a below market price and even got some concessions from the seller. Happy buyers, happy sellers, and happy REALTORS®.

To Nicole (queen of the castle), Clayton (who has agreed to mow the lawn for life), Reggie girl (dogter), Cleo, and Seagar (kitty babes), WELCOME HOME! My friends, my clients, my people! This is a good life.

Big reveal below! I know this place will be the best decorated and most loved.

When you know, you know. These two knew right away that they wanted to make an offer of the place that is now their new home. The humble abode, their launch pad, the groovy digs, you know, whatever home is to you, they found it. The place where you rest, recharge, and refuel. They caught some feels, wrote a nice offer (at a reasonably  discounted price), and just moved in after a super seamless transaction. Light, bright, and their very own.

P.S. Have you ever heard of seller paid closing costs? As a buyer, been told those were a thing of the past? Well it’s false. We can play ball! If a little bit of closing assistance is going to help make this possible for you, most often sellers are willing to roll things around to help save you some out of pocket cash. We got lucky with this one and the seller agreed to let the buyers increase the sale amount by $5,000, but then credited that same amount back to them through their closing costs, taxes, title, and prepaid expenses. Of course this is best in non competitive situations, but there are options! Know that!

I know it can seem like buying a home is just…so. dang. much. But I want you to know we can get through it, and we can do so with ease! If you are curious about how it works, let’s sit down and chat.

This time, I had the pleasure of extending some family business when a couple of my clients connected me with their mom, Loa. She had decided to move to Gresham to be closer to the family and especially her grandson, Dominic, who is actually too cute to handle. Like a real life, cheeky, sweet as pie little babe, who is about to live every grandkid’s dream life with grandparents only blocks away. Also a super sappy note, I got to help mom & dad find a place when Dominic was still known as “Sprout.” Now, years later, I get to help grandma and grandpa do the same. I know, pulling on the ole’ heartstrings.

We got everything we needed on Loa’s checklist including the perfect sewing room and plenty of space for the railroading hobby. The yard is big enough to keep that grandbaby busy for years to come. What’s that? There’s more? Not only was the transaction as smooth as butter, the seller and the buyer instantly found friendship in each other and have plans to keep in touch in the future. Sometimes things just make perfect sense.

Congrats, Loa! And thanks so much to my clients, C&B, for trusting me with their referrals. Adds the sweetest touch to real estate and I am full of gratitude.

This 2 bedroom, 1  bath, 1,238 square foot cute to boot bungalow gets to go to a new family! Rocking some beautiful wood floors, upgraded lighting, fresh interior paint, and classic details like hallway built-ins and a clawfoot tub. Take a trip to tangerine town in the fun, retro kitchen overlooking the backyard and oversized detached garage. Plus a bonus space and plenty of storage in the basement! Ideal location close to Green Zebra, New Seasons, and more.

The seller took great care of his place and we hope the buyers get to love it for many years to come!

All of this? Listed for $355,000 and SOLD with multiple offers just over a month later.

We cleaned, we cleared, we conquered. See how some fresh interior paint, new light fixtures, and professional staging helped the seller get the most bang for his buck. The costs were minimal and made a big difference.

BEFORE:

AFTER, TA-DA!

Want to talk about steps to improve your home for resale? Contact me to today! I’ve got the ideas and the resources to help get the job done seamlessly.

And as always, a big appreciation to my wonderful client and friend for trusting me to help with the job.

The fireplace is ready and this family is about to cozy up and settle down. This updated yet charming bungalow with built-ins, wood floors, lots of natural light (hello, plant lovers), and a finished space for Grandma has been, and will continue to be so very loved over the years. Bring on the winter gatherings!

Located in the heart of Montavilla and I know this group will be enjoying some oysters at Observatory, eating pizza at Flying Pie, and hitting the theater like true Montavillians do. Country cat, are you ready?

All the love and congrats to K, A, and O. Welcome home!

Do you ever hear your friends, family, or colleagues talk about tough real estate transactions? I’m sure. Well, big surprise, it doesn’t have to be that way! Sure, you’ll need to put a little effort into things, for example gathering your life supply of documents to provide to your mortgage lender, hustling to get through inspections and earnest money in the first couple days of a transaction, and then all the glory of moving from one place to another…but the rest really can be smooth sailing and simple. And we can have a good time along the way!

For this sale we were all so lucky! A wonderful, easy going and focused buyer. A happy and beyond helpful, extremely generous seller. Even us REALTORS® got to be chummy. Life can be a happy place if you let it 🙂

Anna moved from a version of my dream life, living on a sail boat for a while on Hayden Island, to this spacious, 3 bedroom condo with two baths, a cozy fireplace, and a bird haven just outside the living room window. The seller even left her a bunch of furniture to help with the transition. Enough space to welcome some roommates and she gets to keep the sailboat for times where she wants her partial escape from the busy life of 2018.

Cheers to a happy buyer, a happy seller, and a very sweet listing agent who I had the pleasure of working with.

Have I said it before? I LOVE my job. So. Damn. Much. I could cry!

This time I had the pleasure of helping the very wonderful Erik purchase a place in Portland with enough space for him and his ladies to make some quality memories. A park up the road for the little one, a very commutable location with public transportation nearby for the older one, and, drum roll….HIS OWN BATHROOM! Ahhh such a sigh of relief.

This is the perfect example of how you can get what you’re looking for if you really keep your head in the game. We searched high and low for the right place and in the end, managed to find a pretty perfect fit. About 1,000 square feet, 3 beds, 1.5 baths, a nice garage, space in the backyard, curb appeal, close to work, and all under budget. Badabing! Oh, and how about some seller paid closing costs and a mean steal of an interest rate? No problem, thanks to the VA loan program.

Vets! Don’t forget to look into VA financing when you are thinking about buying a home. In a market where rates are creeping up this can make a huge difference. You earned the discount, now go get it! Also, a huge thank you for your service 🙂

Erik, I hope you enjoy your new digs! Thanks so much for trusting me to help with the job.

Oh hey! They did it! This round I got to help a fun, pinball and Portland Pickles loving couple purchase their first home. They wanted some good bones, an office space big enough for both of them (tech and education pros), and some gardening space. No prob, Bob. They were ready to do a bit of work to make a place shine and instead got lucky enough to skip much of the laundry list here. Throw in a huge yard, a garage, a very fun shed, and you’ve got their first (new to them) very nice digs.

I had a great experience working with these two and wishing them all the best in their home ownership days.

Also, public service announcement: go Pickles! Steve and Kasey are big fans and I got the pleasure of going to a few games last season. We’ve got a while to wait but when the time comes, check out a game at Walker’s Stadium on SE 92nd. Good prices and fun for everyone. Snacks, drinks, actual pickles, and pickles baseball. Not too shabby.

Bought a home before? Then you know it can be a bit occupying- you’re a little distracted from life as you accomplish this major victory. Ever been married? Then you also know planning a wedding is a big deal. Details, details, cake, furnaces, ahhhh! Now lets picture this….there you are, spending your weekends figuring out center pieces, driving to houses after solid work days all week long, trying to think about love and investments, all at one, very busy, slightly overwhelming time. Phew! Take a deep breath, you made it.

That was the life of two incredible people, Ariel & Addison, for the last couple of months. Let’s just say the made it out alive, married, and ready to live happily ever after… all while starting out right in the heart of their favorite Portland area- the Pearl District.

Ariel & Addison are so smart- constantly trying to think about their investments and still balancing the quality of the life that they love. Their goal is to end up with a few rental properties down the line and they both really enjoy the lifestyle and feel the Pearl has to offer. How about the perfect meeting of the minds? Both ideas lined up nicely when we found this cheery condo. Gives them everything they want right now, plus the opportunity to rent the unit out later- when this sweet thing we call life takes them in another direction.

The wedding happened just a few weekends before the closing date and these two successfully accomplished a couple of wonderful life events all at once. Looking forward to seeing what they do next, and feeling so thankful that they chose me to be a part of their wild ride.

Cheers to you, Mr. & Mrs. Pang!

Wowie. Hi! Hello! We were a little shocked when we found this one.

That Victorian glamour from the curb! That artsy style! That location! That home! T & K really seem to love this property and I think it’s easy to see why.

K has the eye for design and has exciting things in mind for the place– and let’s not forget her future garden. They’ll do some things to make it more their own (some paint and kitchen remodeling in the works) all while enjoying some of the best attractions in FoPo within walking distance. Ever had off the waffle? Try it.

Welcome Home!

About the Hazelwood “hood”:

Ever heard of the Hazelwood neighborhood? Well, now you have. This East Portland neighborhood has much to offer when it comes to quality of life. A quick trip to many hot Pdx attractions, Mall 205, Glendoveer Golf Course, and boasting about 800 businesses within the neighborhood boundaries. Not to mention the good sized lots, the many parks (Cherry Park, Cherry Blossom Park, East Holladay Park, Lincoln Park, North Powellhurst Park, Ventura Park, Hazelwood HydroPark and Community Garden, the Stark Street Triangle, and two new parks being developed: 3-acre Gateway Park at NE 106th & Halsey, and the 25-acre Gateway Green off-road bike park between I-84 & I-205), and the ample numbers of rad ranch style homes. Hot damn! Lots to offer? I think so.

Along with all of that hoo-rah, you can easily hop on the Max Green or Blue lines and head through the city car and worry free.

The neighborhood boundaries are NE Halsey on the north; NE/SE 148th Ave on the east; SE Division on the south and the I-205 freeway on the west. For more info, check out the association’s website.  http://www.eastportland.org/hazelwood

“And if you don’t know, now you know”

On a similar note, a special shout out to Helena & William, a wonderful, cheery couple, who just landed this move-in-ready, cute to boot, single level home in the Hazelwood neighborhood, which apparently has relation to the many Hazelnut trees growing throughout the area. Check it out! Helena and William, thanks so much for trusting me to help with the job.

Do you, too, want to live in the Hazelwood neighborhood? Thought so! Call me to help 🙂

When you know, you know.

Searching for a home is a big deal.  As a buyer it requires your time and commitment, your dedication, and sometimes your patience. In the spring and early summer market, for instance, it sometimes requires revising your wish list and compromising here or there. Not for Tara! She got lucky and found the perfect home very early on in her search. Before we got to the house we talked about how it might be the one. Once we arrived it was clear as day that THIS ONE was indeed THE ONE. No hesitations, no box on the wish list left unchecked.

This otherworldly, sweet yet hip, perfectly maintained dream home has so much to offer. Beautiful wood floors, a functional floor plan, an insanely stylish kitchen, a basement with potential, and, wait for it, the most magical garden. Not to mention the separate bonus space out back.

This home gets bonus points because on top of being perfect, it’s situated about a block away from some lifelong friends of the buyers and right next to Farragut Park.

Fun detail: next to the bed in photo 8, just above the light, is a door that opens up access for none other than the cat tube. Should your cat decide to travel the tube, they’d end up in the studio space as seen in photos 10 & 11 below.

Thinking of having an ADU installed on your property? If you have been hoping for a short-term rental unit, this info is for you!

In early May, the Portland City Council provided another boost to homeowners seeking to derive income from their residential properties by permanently waiving development fees on new accessory dwelling units (ADUs) serving as long-term rental units. The temporary waiver of system development charges (SDCs), the fees charged on all new development to pay for the cost of improvements to sewers, streets and parks as a result of new development, dramatically lowered the cost of new ADUs by roughly $15,000 per unit and has encouraged the development of thousands of new housing units.

To be eligible for the waiver, homeowners must commit to not using the ADU as a short-term rental for 10 years. For homeowners seeking additional space for a relative or long-term rental income from their property, the permanent waiver is a significant benefit that ensures that new ADUs will remain accessible even for those with limited budgets.

However, homeowners seeking the flexibility of utilizing the ADU as a short-term rental without paying the additional $15,000 in fees have a short window to apply under the current policy. All complete permit applications submitted by July 31, 2018 are eligible for the SDC waiver regardless of the intended use of the ADU. Beginning August 1^st, property owners who take advantage of the waiver and then rent their ADUs on a short-term rental platform must repay the required SDCs plus a 50% penalty.

If you wish to maintain the flexibility of renting your ADU on either the short or long-term rental market, Dweller is uniquely positioned to help you meet the July 31^st deadline. Dweller’s standard unit is pre-approved by the State of Oregon and has been successfully permitted by the City of Portland on multiple occasions.  Even if you aren’t ready to start site work immediately, a permit application allows for up to 11 months to complete construction.

The clock is ticking so please don’t wait! We can help you determine if your property is suited for a Dweller ADU and ensure that you have the flexibility to use the ADU to meet your needs.

Feel free to reach out to 1-800-Dweller or Stephanief@livingroomre.com for more info.

www.Dweller.com

Following your dreams is so important. Don’t ever forget this one main lecture: YOU CAN DO IT! Make the leap for the life you’ve been dreaming of, whatever that means for you. For this dreamboat family of three, it meant a move from Tennessee to the wonderful state of Oregon. I might be biased about Oregon, but it seems they agree and decided to land permanently in Portland. A leap of faith and thankfully a sweet ride along the way.

They wanted a charming neighborhood and a simple home they could turn into their own- and that is just what they got. Their savvy skills will be put to use with some personalized touches to the property over the years, but the space has everything they need in a home, and the city has everything they need in a community.

Wishing them an abundance of love, happy days gardening, memory making galore, and way too many vegan restaurant options to keep those taste buds satisfied. WELCOME HOME!

Kissable…are we talkin’ about the home or the kitty, miss Ruby? The answer: BOTH!