Tag: buyers

Market Status: It’s Complicated

Posted on by LeAnn Raschke

The real estate market has picked a direction. And that direction is… sideways.  like the rain today.

And despite everything happening in the broader economy: higher rates, inflation fatigue, general existential dread… people are still moving, buying and selling.

Why? Because housing isn’t optional.  Life keeps happening whether mortgage rates are on board with our retirement goals or not.

People are clearly out here real-estating again across both Portland Metro & SW Washington

Activity is up.  Listings are up.  Sales are up.  That’s the good news!  But prices?  They’ve cooled off, like that 2nd cup of coffee I just had to have.

For my buyers out there:

You have something rare; leverage without chaos.

  • You can negotiate again
  • You can ask for repairs without it being treated as a deeply offensive suggestion
  • You might even get a second showing or some time to sleep on it (but like, short sleep)

So don’t get too comfortable. Inventory is still tight enough that good homes move fast.

For my sellers in the house:

The market is still on your side… just not blindly.

  • Pricing correctly matters more than ever
  • Condition matters more than ever
  • Marketing actually matters again (more than ever)

You’re not competing with no one anymore. You’re competing with the house down the street that actually prepped for market.

Listen, we’re not booming and we’re not crashing.
We’re “re-calibrating”

The market has shifted from irrational urgency to cautious participation.  Honestly, it’s healthier, even if it is less fun.  And basically, the “perfect” moment doesn’t exist, but if you’re looking for a strategic moment, this might quietly be one of the better windows we’ve had in years.

Here are the market highlights:

  • Portland Metro prices are down slightly year-over-year
  • SW Washington prices are still climbing modestly
  • Inventory is hovering around 3 months in both markets
  • Strategy > perfection

In other words, we’re in that awkward middle phase where neither buyers nor sellers feel fully in control.

👇 Here’s the breakdown of the latest RMLS March Market Action Report 👇

Portland Metro

More movement, less (price) momentum.

Buyers are showing up again, but they’re not overpaying just to feel something.  Sellers are still adjusting to the idea that 2021 pricing is not a thing.

  • New listings: +2.7% YoY
  • Pending sales: +5.5% YoY
  • Closed sales: +11.0% YoY
  • Median price: down ~2.8% year-to-date

Inventory at 3.0 months and ~79 days on market means homes are selling, just not instantly.  Pricing strategy matters again.  I know, devastating.

SW Washington

Meanwhile, across the river, SW Washington is doing its usual thing, quietly outperforming.

A healthier growth story than Portland, with continued demand and slightly more upward price pressure.  Clark County continues to benefit from the same equation it always has: relative affordability + tax advantages + proximity to Portland.  Not new, but still working.

  • New listings: +9.7% YoY
  • Pending sales: +6.0% YoY
  • Closed sales: +15.8% YoY
  • Median price: up ~3.8% year-to-date

Inventory is also sitting at 3.0 months, but with a slightly faster pace at 76 days on market.  Not exactly a feeding frenzy, but definitely not Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Tea.

If you’ve been watching from the sidelines and wondering “is now the time?” let’s talk it through. No presh.


Oh and hey, I forgot to tell you I got my braces off in August…. so we can eat salad together again 😬

A New Chapter for Brianna and Ramon!

Posted on by Beccah Lee

Congratulations to Brianna & Ramon on Their New Home!

I met Brianna and Ramon a couple of years ago during a first-time homebuyer class. The goal of that class was simple—give people the tools they needed so they’d be ready whenever the time came. They took that information to heart, even knowing the timing wasn’t right yet, and stayed focused on their long-term dream of homeownership.

From Preparation to Pre-Approval

Fast forward to earlier this year… not only were they pre-approved, but they also qualified for down payment program. Let’s go!!! About a week later, Brianna and I met to learn more about what she and Ramon needed in a home. It didn’t take long to see who they were at their core—hardworking, kind, and completely devoted to their family. They had raised five children and, with their youngest graduating high school in the next year, it was time to consider a home for just the two of them.

The Home Search Begins

These two meant business! Within a week, we were out touring homes. One of my favorite parts of touring is hearing how clients imagine themselves in a space—it tells me so much about how they live and what matters most to them. Between busy work schedules, basketball games and all the things that come with raising a family (seriously—super parents!), we saw a lot of homes… Some were beautiful, some were surprising, and one very memorable one will forever be known as “the urinal house”.

Navigating a Competitive Market

They started their search during the beginning of the year, which also meant a lot of competition from anxious buyers. We wrote multiple offers that didn’t get accepted (and yes, even got ghosted a time or two). It wasn’t easy, but what stood out to me most was their mindset. Brianna would always say, “I guess that wasn’t our house.” And she was right.

The One That Was Meant to Be

Then came Valentine’s Day weekend when Brianna sent me a home they wanted to see. I knew right away it was a strong one—well-priced and in great condition—so we moved quickly and got them in to tour within hours. They toured it and they loved it. They love to entertain family and friends and the open floor plan was perfect for hosting. We put together a competitive offer that benefitted both parties and even included seller-paid closing costs. Then we waited… They tried not to get too attached. I tried to be patient. Then we got the call. OFFER ACCEPTED.

Welcome Home

Yesterday, I had the honor of handing them keys to THEIR home. Watching them walk through the door to see a clean slate ready for their personal touches was such a great feeling. The first thing Brianna said to me was “is this real, is this really happening?”. It sure was! Brianna and Ramon, I am so incredibly happy for you both. It was an honor to be part of your journey. Your patience, positivity, and love for your family made this moment much more meaningful… And I’m looking forward to an invite to that BBQ Ramon mentioned! This home couldn’t have gone to more deserving people. Congratulations you two.

____

I would love to be part of your home ownership journey! Feel free to reach out with any questions!
Instagram: @HomeswithBeccah
Schedule a 30-Minute Chat Here

New Construction Magic in Lake Oswego

Posted on by Sally Tansill

What to Know Before Buying a New Construction Home (Before It’s Built)

My clients had been casually searching for a home that better fit their needs in terms of space, location, and style when they found a nearly completed new construction home in Lake Oswego. It checked all the boxes and felt like the right fit.

While the opportunity was exciting, navigating the new construction buying process can be complex—especially when the home isn’t fully complete. Based on that experience, here are a few key things to keep in mind if you’re considering a similar path.

Choose the Right Builder

Not all builders are created equal, and when you’re buying a home that doesn’t yet exist, the builder becomes one of the most important factors in your decision.

Look for a builder with a strong track record of delivering quality homes on time and standing behind their work. Review past projects, read client testimonials, and, if possible, tour completed homes. A reputable builder will also work with experienced, reliable contractors—something that directly impacts the craftsmanship and long-term durability of your home.

A strong team behind the build means fewer surprises, better communication, and a smoother overall experience.

Understand the Timeline (and Expect Flexibility)

When buying a home that hasn’t been completed, timelines are estimates—not guarantees. Weather delays, supply chain issues, and subcontractor scheduling can all impact the construction schedule.

It’s important to approach the process with flexibility and a clear understanding of how delays will be communicated and handled. Ask upfront about expected timelines and what contingencies are in place if things shift.

Know What You Can (and Can’t) Customize

One of the biggest advantages of new construction is the ability to personalize your home—but the level of customization depends on the stage of construction and the builder’s process.

Early in the build, you may have the option to make structural or layout changes. As construction progresses, choices typically shift toward cosmetic selections like finishes, fixtures, and colors.

Be sure to clarify:

What’s included versus what counts as an upgrade

Deadlines for making selections

Costs associated with changes

Understanding this upfront helps you avoid unexpected expenses and ensures your vision aligns with what’s possible.

Work with a Builder and Contractor Team You Trust

Beyond the builder’s reputation, the quality of their subcontractors matters just as much. Skilled tradespeople—framers, electricians, plumbers, and finish carpenters—play a critical role in how your home comes together.

Don’t hesitate to ask about who the builder works with regularly and how they manage quality control throughout the process.

Review the Contract Carefully

Builder contracts can differ significantly from standard resale agreements. They often include specific terms related to deposits, timelines, change orders, and warranties.

Pay close attention to:

How delays are addressed

The process and pricing for change orders

What’s covered under warranty after closing

Having experienced representation can help you navigate these details and protect your interests along the way.

Think Long-Term

It’s easy to focus on finishes and design selections, but don’t lose sight of long-term value. Consider how the layout functions for your lifestyle, the quality of materials being used, and the overall resale potential.

A thoughtfully built home with strong fundamentals will serve you well for years to come.

Final Thoughts

Buying a new construction home before it’s completed can be an incredibly rewarding experience—especially when you find a property that truly fits your needs. With the right builder, a clear understanding of the process, and thoughtful decision-making throughout, you can approach it with confidence and clarity. Please reach out as I would love to partner with you on this search.

COZY CULLY CUTIE

Posted on by ARYNE + DULCINEA

Step inside this darling mid-century gem and be greeted with light-filled rooms and hardwood floors. This 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom home is complete with sound updates throughout, including new insulation, newer water heater, new slab in the garage with new paint, new parking pad, landscaping updates, and paint updates throughout. Bake a berry pie in your kitchen with new tile backsplash, a new sink and countertop, and new cooktop. Garden to your heart’s content in your large front and back yard, ready for flowers, food, or fun landscaping. Create an art studio, playroom, or home gym in your partially converted garage. Save money on energy costs with installed solar with 11.4 kWh storage capacity. With a 70 bike score and public transport nearby, get to shops, grocery stores, cafes, parks, and around the city with ease.

MLS: 780706482

PRICE: $449,000

2 bedroom• 1 bathroom • Property Taxes: $4,099.15 • SOLAR!

Clear Is Kind: A Different Way to Advocate for Home Buyers

Posted on by Jenelle Etzel

In a real estate world that often rewards speed, optimism, and surface-level answers, Alyssa Isenstein Krueger offers something quieter and far more powerful: clarity.

In this episode of the Open House Podcast, Alyssa joins us to talk about what real client advocacy looks like when it’s grounded in honesty, education, and a deep understanding of houses themselves. Her approach is not flashy. It’s thoughtful, deliberate, and deeply rooted in care for the people she serves.

There’s No Magic House

One of the core ideas Alyssa returns to throughout the conversation is simple but challenging: there is no magic house.

For buyers it’s tempting to believe that the right home will eventually appear if you just wait long enough. Alyssa’s work starts by gently dismantling that myth. Instead, she focuses on helping buyers understand what their budget can realistically support, what tradeoffs may be required, and how to evaluate homes with clear eyes.

That kind of honesty can feel uncomfortable at first, but it ultimately empowers buyers to make decisions with confidence.

Clarity as an Act of Kindness

Alyssa believes that being clear upfront is one of the kindest things an agent can do. Setting expectations early, talking openly about repairs, costs, and limitations, and explaining how the process actually works allows buyers to feel informed rather than overwhelmed.

This clarity doesn’t just improve outcomes. It builds trust.

When buyers understand what they are walking into, they are better equipped to navigate competitive markets, evaluate risk, and choose homes that truly fit their lives.

Advocacy Beyond the Transaction

Because Alyssa works so closely with first-time buyers, she sees patterns others may miss. She understands where systems fall short and where policies don’t quite match reality. That perspective has led her beyond individual transactions and into advocacy at the city level.

Whether lending her voice in conversations about down payment assistance or helping policymakers understand the real costs of homeownership, Alyssa approaches advocacy the same way she approaches client work: grounded in lived experience and a desire to do the right thing for her community.

A Practice Built on Care

Alyssa doesn’t rely on traditional marketing. She doesn’t chase volume. Her business is built on relationships, referrals, and a reputation for showing up fully for her clients.

At the heart of her work is a belief that real estate is not just about buying and selling houses. It’s about helping people make informed decisions that affect their lives for years to come.

Clear is kind. And in this conversation, Alyssa Isenstein Krueger reminds us why that approach still matters.

Listen to the full episode of the Open House Podcast to hear Alyssa’s full perspective on buyer advocacy, education, and what it really takes to help people get home.

Navigating Home Inspections in Portland: Your Ultimate Guide

Posted on by Will Sing

Buying a home is exciting, but inspections can be nerve-wracking. To make sure your investment is sound, understanding the inspection process is essential. This guide breaks down what an inspector does, how to read inspection reports, and how to tell major issues from minor ones. Let’s explore what you need to know to approach your home inspection confidently.

Home Inspections: What to Expect

A home inspection is like a comprehensive health check-up for a property. Most inspections are performed by general inspectors who identify red flags in a home’s structure and systems. If needed, they will suggest that you consult a specialist for further evaluation, such as an electrician or plumber.

Think of your inspector as a general practitioner. They look at everything broadly and point out areas that need more attention. For example, they might notice an issue with plumbing, but only a licensed plumber can evaluate the severity and cost.

Common Types of Inspections and Costs

In the Portland area, buyers often encounter several types of inspections. Here’s what you should know:

  1. General Home Inspection
    • Cost: $400–$600 (depends on property size)
    • Details: This inspection covers the home’s major systems and overall structure.
  2. Sewer Scope
    • Cost: $140–$175
    • Details: A camera inspects the sewer line for proper connection and damage. This test helps prevent surprises with sewer repairs down the line.
  3. Radon Testing
    • Cost: Often included in general inspections or available as an add-on
    • Details: Radon is a naturally occurring gas. It can accumulate, especially in basements. Proper ventilation helps keep radon levels safe.
  4. Oil Tank Inspection
    • Cost: $125–$150
    • Details: Older homes may have underground oil tanks. These need decommissioning to prevent environmental risks.
  5. Septic Inspection
    • Cost: Varies; the seller may cover pumping costs for inspection
    • Details: If a home isn’t connected to city sewage, a septic inspection checks that the system works properly.

Common Issues Found During Inspections

Inspections often reveal issues. Understanding what’s critical versus cosmetic helps you navigate this stage smoothly. Here are common findings:

  1. Mold
    • Mold is typical in the Pacific Northwest due to the wet climate. Professional mold remediation can fix the issue, provided the moisture source is corrected.
  2. Water in the Crawl Space
    • This issue can be resolved with French drains and sump pumps. Water damage is serious, so addressing it promptly is key.
  3. Dry Rot
    • Dry rot weakens wood. Small areas can be managed with targeted repairs. However, extensive dry rot requires immediate attention.
  4. Rodent Infestations
    • Rodent problems are fixable. Sealing entry points and setting traps usually solve the issue. The cost can range from $800 to $1,000 over several months.
  5. Structural Concerns
    • Vertical foundation cracks usually mean normal settling. However, horizontal cracks or diagonal ones around windows and doors may indicate a more serious issue.

Key Systems to Evaluate

During your inspection, certain systems deserve special attention:

  • Plumbing: Inspectors will check copper, PEX, galvanized, and PVC pipes. Galvanized pipes, for example, corrode from the inside out and may need replacement.
  • Electrical: Watch for outdated wiring like knob-and-tube, which poses fire risks. Also, check the electrical panel. Older panels, such as those from Federal Pacific, can have a higher chance of failure.
  • Roof: The most common types are asphalt shingles, metal, and clay tiles. Asphalt roofs last 20–30 years, while metal can last up to 100 years.
  • HVAC System: Make sure to check the age and efficiency of the system. A new HVAC system is a plus, especially during Portland’s hotter months.

Negotiating After the Inspection

Inspections often open the door for negotiations. Major issues, like a damaged roof or significant plumbing problems, can become points for discussion. However, don’t expect sellers to cover cosmetic upgrades or major remodels. Those responsibilities typically fall to the buyer.

Final Takeaways

A home inspection report can be overwhelming, but it’s an invaluable resource for understanding your investment. Prioritize issues based on their urgency and importance. Remember, every home, whether new or old, requires maintenance. Setting aside part of your budget for repairs and upkeep can help you manage these expenses smoothly.

Have questions or need help navigating the home-buying process in Portland? Reach out anytime. I’m here to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible.

For more insights, watch the video: Navigating Your Home Inspection: Key Areas to Focus On

Just Sold: Brentwood-Darlington Cutie

Posted on by Antoinette Berg

7511 SE Crystal Springs Blvd.

Portland, OR 97206

This light-filled, cozy home lives like a single level but with bonus space in the finished attic. Tucked off the street and on a large lot, there is ample space and privacy. The living room sliding-glass door leads out onto the deck of the fully-fenced backyard. The kitchen has been thoughtfully updated with quarts countertops and new flooring runs throughout the home. Located near parks, shopping, and dining, and easy access to I-205.

3 BEDROOM | 1 BATHS |1,226 SQFT

Sold  6/12/2025| $425,000

Just Sold: Roseway Bungalow

Posted on by Antoinette Berg

3316 NE 66th Ave

Portland, OR 97213

The dreamiest 1920’s bungalow in Roseway. Out front is a beautifully-landscaped yard, covered front porch and wood door. The inside maintains 20’s charm but updated for modern living. The main level has hardwood floors, expansive windows, and a spacious, updated kitchen that leads right out to the backyard garden space. A true NE gem!

3 BEDROOM | 3 BATHS |2,287 SQFT

Sold  5/16/2025| $658,000

Just Sold: Villebois Townhome

Posted on by Antoinette Berg

28554 SW Dundee Ln

Wilsonville, OR 97070

Charming townhome in Villebois featuring a front courtyard perfect for a firepit and outdoor seating. The first floor flex space has custom built-ins and a half bathroom. The main level has a balcony, cozy fireplace, and a spacious kitchen with stainless steel appliances, tile countertops, and an island with granite counters. Large windows let in plenty of natural light. Short walk to many community amenities including pools, parks, and pickleball & tennis courts.

2 BEDROOM | 2.5 BATHS |1,319 SQFT

Sold  5/8/2025| $413,000

The #1 Question I Get Asked as a Realtor (And My Honest Answer)

Posted on by Sofia Gallamore

This is hands-down the most common question I get as a realtor:

“So… how’s the market?”

It usually comes up during small talk at a backyard BBQ, in the checkout line, or really anytime someone finds out I’m in real estate. It’s almost always the second question after “What do you do for a living?” And honestly—I get it. It’s such a fair question.

But the real answer? It’s never as simple as “it’s hot” or “it’s slow.”
(Warning: if someone gives you a one-liner answer, you might want to pause and dig deeper…)

So, I thought I’d take a moment to share what I actually think when you ask me how the market is. Because the truth is—it depends. The market shifts based on who you are, what your goals are, and where you are in life.

Let’s Look Back for a Second…

Remember the 2020–2021 market frenzy? Buyers were submitting offer after offer, competing against 15+ others. It wasn’t uncommon to see inspections waived, offers coming in $100K over asking, and buyers covering $25K+ appraisal gaps.

Sure—buyers who locked in at those low interest rates are sitting on gold when it comes to financing. But I’ve also worked with some who’ve had to sell just a year or two later due to life changes. And they’ve definitely felt the sting of what it took to get their foot in the door back then.

The Real Estate Market Isn’t Just One Thing

Think of the market like a farmer’s market (stick with me here):

  • Some people are shopping for produce.

  • Some are selling candles.

  • Others are just strolling to see what’s out there.

So if you ask someone, “How’s the market?” at a farmer’s market, the answer depends—are you buying? Selling? Browsing?

It’s the same in real estate. The market feels totally different depending on your role. That’s why we hear terms like “buyer’s market” or “seller’s market”—because no market is inherently good or bad. It just depends on the opportunities available and who’s stepping into them.

Even within the same category, experiences can vary widely. A first-time buyer using their savings for a down payment is playing a very different game than an empty-nester selling their long-time home and downsizing. Same market, totally different approach.

What I Pay Attention to (Beyond Just Price)

When someone asks me how the market is, here’s what I really look at:

  • Inventory – How many homes are actually available that fit your needs?

  • Days on Market – Are homes flying off the shelf or sitting for weeks?

  • Buyer Demand – Are people showing up to open houses? Making offers?

  • Interest Rates – What impact are they having on affordability and decision-making?

But more than numbers, I think about the real conversations I’m having every day.

Like the couple who didn’t think they could buy this year—until we got creative and made it happen. Or the seller who was nervous their home wasn’t competitive, but with the right prep and pricing, it sold quickly and for a strong price.

So… How Is the Market Right Now?

Here’s what I’ll say:

As of early 2025, the market in Portland (and surrounding areas) is shifting—but not stalling.

  • Well-priced, turn-key homes in desirable locations are still moving quickly—often with multiple offers.

  • Buyers are more intentional and strategic now. (No more wild, FOMO-fueled offers.)

  • Homes that are sitting? Usually those priced with 2021 expectations, where sellers haven’t yet adjusted to today’s more balanced market.

  • Sellers who are prepared, willing to put in a little work to present their home well, and patient with the process—are still winning.

  • There’s real opportunity right now, especially if you’re willing to think creatively about homes that have been sitting a little longer.

But again—it all depends. On your timing. Your budget. Your risk tolerance. Your goals. And what’s happening in your life.

My Real Answer?

When someone asks, “How’s the market?”
I’ll usually respond with: “It depends—what’s got you curious?”

Because I don’t just want to toss out stats and blanket statements. I want to help you understand what the market means for you. And give you real information that actually supports your decision-making.

If you’re even thinking about a move this year—or just curious what your options might look like—let’s talk. No pressure. I’m always happy to be a sounding board, a resource, or a second opinion.

Let’s make the market make sense for you.

Your friend & Realtor,

Sofi

Welcoming Sofia Gallamore to Our Team

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux

Meet Sofia Gallamore

Spring is a time for embracing fresh change and planting seeds. In the world of our team, this has meant a bright new addition, the wonderful Sofi!

Sofi will be our buyer specialist. She is patient and data-driven. Her low pressure guidance, groundedness, and passion for community align perfectly with our team ethos and we know she will add even more strength and insight to the buying process for our clients. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with her and can’t wait for you to meet her!

Our Team: A Collective Force

“Synergy” is a word that gets thrown around a lot in business, and for us, this truly has been one of our wholehearted intentions in building a team that can serve clients at the highest level. We elevate each other and together provide well-rounded and powerful advocacy for our clients.

The team:
  • Jessica LeDoux: Lead Buyer Agent, 19+ years empowering buyers with knowledge, providing real honest advocacy for smart home buying.
  • Jenessa: Buyer Operations Manager, detail-oriented, keeps the process smooth.
  • Sofia Gallamore: Newest addition and buy-side expert.
  • Kim Parmon: Lead Listing Agent, 10+ years nurturing community through real estate, seamless transitions for clients.
  • Andee Zeigler: Listing Team Operations Manager, Portland expert, loves guiding clients by helping them get their home ready for sale by providing design and project management.
  • Karim Alaeddine: Service-driven, keeps the team synergy alive and growing.

Clients come first—always. We are more dedicated than ever to empowering people throughout their home buying and selling journeys. Thank you to our wonderful clients for inspiring us and reminding us why we do what we do. Whatever you need, we’ve got you.

Single-Family Residential Plats vs. Detached Condominiums

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux

For buyers open to both detached condos and single-family residential homes, here is the nitty-gritty on the differences to weigh.

DETACHED CONDOMINIUM

  • Definition: Individual housing units recorded as condominiums but resembling single-family detached homes in appearance.
  • Characteristics:
    • Ownership includes the structure (home) but not the underlying land (the land is often shared in common).
    • Governed by a Condominium Plat:
      • Specifies individual units and shared areas (e.g., streets, landscaping, amenities).
      • Common areas are maintained by a Homeowners’ Association (HOA).
    • Subject to stricter rules and maintenance agreements compared to platted lots.
  • Examples:
    • Detached homes within a planned community, with shared green spaces and common amenities.
    • Homes that look like single-family residences but are part of a condominium development.

Key Differences Between Single-Family Residential Plats and Detached Condominiums

Feature Single-Family Residential Plat Detached Condominium
Ownership Includes both the land and the house Includes only the house; land is shared in common
Legal Plat Type Platted lot with unique boundaries and legal description Condominium Plat with defined units and shared areas
Control Over Property Owners can modify both the house and land (within zoning) Limited by HOA or condominium rules
Common Areas Typically none, unless in HOA subdivision Often includes roads, green spaces, and amenities
Maintenance Responsibility Owner maintains their lot and home HOA maintains shared areas; may include some exterior upkeep of units
Flexibility Greater freedom for modifications and landscaping Restrictions on changes due to shared ownership and HOA rules
Examples A house with a fenced yard in a subdivision A house in a condominium-style community with shared landscaping and sometimes a private yard which is designated as a limited common space.

Other Relevant Platting and Legal Designations

  • Zero Lot Line: Some single-family homes are built close to or on the property boundary to maximize space, but they remain platted lots where the owner controls the land.
  • Cluster Housing: Could include either platted lots or detached condos, but the homes are grouped closely to preserve open spaces.
  • Subdivision: Can include either platted single-family lots or condominiums, depending on the development plan and legal designation.

Closed! Home Together in Foster Powell

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations Austyn + Eddy on purchasing their first home together!

In 2020, I helped Austyn purchase his first home. Since then, he met Eddy, who eventually moved in. They zhuzhed the heck out of that home, but also dreamed of purchasing a home together. 

Their goals were twofold: more space inside and out AND moving closer into the city, into a more walkable neighborhood.

It took a few tries. The first house we offered on was overpriced, so we walked. The second home was CUTE, but with 5 buyers competing, we came up just a tad short.

The third home was more of a fixer. During inspections, it became clear that the house needed more than a facelift, so Austyn and Eddy listened to their gut and let it go.

Despite setbacks, A+E remained steadfast. They knew what they would and wouldn’t compromise on. So when Cora was listed, they pounced. Remodeled, turn-key, fabulous location, updated systems…all the green flags. We were in contract in under 24 hours!

As it usually goes, they ended up in the right home. Boxes checked, no compromises. The seller paid some closing costs AND replaced the knob and tube wiring in the attic. And then we closed a week early!

Due to the early closing, I was out of town when they got their keys. We recreated Key Day with a photoshoot a week later. The house looked like they had been there for years. Color me impressed.

Cheers to Austyn and Eddy (and to Tucker, Oscar, and Selena) for having your cake and eating it too! Welcome to the neighborhood!

Never to late to Congratulate!

Posted on by Nicole Chavira
Never too late to Congratulate M, M & T!
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Another success story of an FHA zero down with DPA (Down Payment Assistance).
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When they found this home that was highly desired. We were up against 5 other offers!
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Our offer was accepted WITH seller 10k credit to the buyers for their closing costs and a seller paid one year home warranty included.
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It takes a team to make the dream!
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Special thank you to their Brian Tovey, their escrow officer Kelsey Schaber, my co-op agent Lauren Goché and my gift basket maker Bri Arias!
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Meowdy! Congratulations to Woodstock Portland’s newest neighbors!

Posted on by Nicole Chavira

Story time about this dynamic duo Jason and Tamara! They began their home search with me in early 2021. They pulled out on a potential purchase that just wasn’t quite right for them that year. They took a break from the home search (this happens on occasion and for good reason). We stayed in touch over the next few years and I was thrilled when they came back around the end of 2023 to update their home search and peek at what the current market had to offer!

We got an offer accepted on a condo that turned out to need more repairs than the HOA had budgeted for, so they terminated. Thank goodness for the many contingencies during the home purchasing process that protected my clients to uncover all they needed to make the educated decision to move on from that one. Although it was a huge disappointment for them, they did not get discouraged or give up on their dreams of home ownership. They jumped right back on the saddle and asked to tour new homes! I was so proud of their trust in my guidance and faith in themselves to get to the finish line.

They found a gorgeous new construction home that offered what is called an SDC exemption (System Development Charge). This is a program that assists developers by reducing their development costs when building affordable residential housing. T & J diligently worked on getting that application in after our offer was accepted, and they were approved for $30k off the sales price AND over $9k in closing costs covered by the seller!

They are now MOTHER F*CKING HOME OWNERS!

Special shoutout to our trusted lender Cat Jerger with Guild Mortgage for her excellent service!

Way to go my friends! It’s been a true pleasure. Wishing you many beloved memories of game nights, play time with your fur baby Ophy and new neighborly friendships in your new home.

Shakira’s new digs in NE Portland!

Posted on by Nicole Chavira

Our journey began when we first met at one of my open houses where I got the pleasure of meeting Natalie and her pup Shakira! We hit it off and I knew I wanted to become her trusted real estate professional and answer more of her home buying questions.

We kept in touch and she introduced me to her husband Steve when they attended one of my “First Time Home Buyer” classes, co-hosted with Cat Jerger at Guild Mortgage. We gave them education and confidence to take the next steps and applied for a mortgage loan.

Soon after they were pre-approved, we had our one-on-one buyer consult over zoom, set them up on a personalized home search and hit the pavement on a very enjoyable home search!

We even had some time to bring in a few of my trusted contractors to give them remodeling tips and bids to assist them in their decision making.

They found an amazing home to put an offer in on and we got it for $10k under the listing price AND got the seller to agree to pay the full $24k HOA special assessment that was due! The cherry on top is when their appraisal came back above their purchase price!

When I tell you that I continuously hit the jackpot when it comes to having the best clients that turn into friends, they are a prime example!

I have even had the joy of receiving remodeling updates from them since their closing day. I can’t wait for the invite when they are ready to showcase their hard work.

Steve and Natalie, I know you will turn the house into a home with the love you have for one another, the love you are putting into your new pad and the love you give to others.

Thank you for trusting me on your successful path to homeownership!

Also a special shout out to Jessie Hammons at WFG National Title for all her hard work!

Celebrating Single Women Homeowners in Oregon

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Did you know more single women than men own homes in Oregon? Yep! According to census data by Axios, 12.2% of homeowners in Oregon are single women compared to 9.4% of homeowners who are single men. So if these women can do it, so can you! Where to start?

Embarking on the journey to purchase a home as a single woman can be an incredibly daunting experience. Where do you begin? How much money should you spend/pay/save? Who should you work with? Where should you buy? Where should you NOT buy? Etc. etc. From financial planning to navigating the real estate market, I’m here to help you overcome these unique challenges. Here are five tips to help you get started.

1. Know Your Budget
Before diving into the house-hunting process, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your budget. Take the time to evaluate your financial situation, including your income, expenses, and savings. Consider consulting a financial advisor to determine how much you can comfortably afford to spend on a home, taking into account factors such as mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, needed repairs, and cosmetic upgrades.

2. Research Your Desired Location
Educate yourself about the hyper-local real estate market to gain insights into current trends and property values. Pay attention to factors like proximity to amenities, safety, and future development plans. Drive your commute route and see if it makes you happy. Commute time can weigh heavily on overall happiness, so while you might be living close to restaurants & shops, it’s important to consider how far away you are from your place of work.

3. Establish Your Priorities
As a single woman homebuyer, it’s essential to prioritize your needs and preferences when searching for a home. Consider factors such as location, size, layout, and amenities that align with your lifestyle and goals. Create a list of “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves” to guide your search and help you focus on properties that meet your criteria. Share this list with your real estate agent.

4. Lean on Your Support Network
While purchasing a home solo can feel daunting at times, remember that you’re not alone. Lean on your support network; whether it’s family or friends, your chosen real estate partner, or lender, guidance & advice is just a phone call or text away. Building your “real estate team” will not only help provide you with a sounding board for ideas but it will further cement the ultimate decisions you make as the right ones.

5. Trust Your Instincts
Finally, trust your instincts and intuition when making decisions about purchasing a home. Pay attention to how you feel when visiting properties and envisioning yourself living there. Don’t rush into a decision out of fear or pressure; take your time to find the right home that feels like the perfect fit for you. This also applies to the people you choose to work with: find a real estate agent and lender that feel like friends and who are professionals you trust. Your gut is rarely wrong; so if you don’t like talking to these people or sharing your hopes & dreams, chances are you won’t like working with them.

Navigating the real estate market as a single woman may present its challenges, but it’s also an opportunity for growth, independence, and empowerment. By taking proactive steps to educate yourself, establish your priorities, and trust your instincts, you can approach the homebuying process with confidence and achieve your homeownership goals. Remember, you have the strength and resilience to take on this challenge, change your life, and start building wealth today.

Contact me today for a free consultation!

Just Listed! Cozy Condo in a Park-Like Setting!

Posted on by The Twin Team

10090 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway #20

Beaverton, Oregon, 97005

OFFERED AT $215,000

1 BED| 1 BATH | 696 SQ. FT.  

MLS# 23666243 | TAXES: $1,595

How To Buy a Home in a Hot Real Estate Market

Posted on by Lily Ray Wyss

All signs are pointing to a hot real estate market in 2024.

With lowering interest rates we are going to see a lot of buyers enter the real estate market. If you are someone who is looking to buy yourself, you will want to be prepared that you may have to compete when it comes to writing an offer on a home.

However, if you are someone who doesn’t have a ton of extra cash, know that you are not SOL. There are many strategies we can employ and tools you can utilize.

In the video above we discuss strategies you can use to have a competitive offer and ideally a winning offer to purchase a home.

Watch the video and then when you are ready, reach out and we can come up with your custom home buying strategy together.

You can contact me below or reach me at lily@lilyrayres.com.

New Year, New To Do! ~January Home Maintenance

Posted on by Kiersten Frey

New Year, Fresh Checklist!

Winter is in full swing, and we know home maintenance can feel daunting, but fear not! Here to
make it easy on your time and wallet, let’s dive into the tasks that need your attention:

 

Holiday Cleanup:

  • Take down those festive lights and prevent tangles by wrapping them around a hanger.
  • Self-clean the oven and wipe the interior with a vinegar-soaked cloth.
  • Dispose of your Christmas tree wisely – compost or use it for midwinter mulching.
    Pro Tip: Consider a one-time cleaning crew, costing around $200-$250.
    Ask your Realtor to recommend a reliable cleaning contact or two.

 

Protect the Pipes:

  • Prevent frozen pipes by wrapping them with heat tape, controllable with a thermostat.
  • If you’re off for a winter vacation, turn off water to outdoor spigots, shut off water valves,
    and drain existing water.
    Pro Tip: Thaw frozen pipes with a heating pad or hairdryer. In case of a burst pipe, shut off the
    main water valve and call a plumber or a water restoration company for cleanup.

 

Check for Storm Damage:

  • Post-winter storms, inspect your roof, siding, gutters, and yard for potential damage.
  • Use binoculars or invest in a drone to spot damage without climbing on the roof.
    Pro Tip: Immediate repairs are crucial. A handyman can handle minor fixes, and
    roofing experts can tackle more serious issues.

 

Remove Hidden Dirt:

  • Clean those often-neglected spots like range hoods, refrigerator coils, and HVAC vents.
  • Let your dishwasher handle metal parts, and toss dirty sponges and dishrags in for a quick clean.

 

Tighten Hardware:

  • Shine and tighten doorknobs, hinges, cabinet pulls, and nobs.
  • Level those cabinet doors for a quick facelift.
    Pro Tip: Clean metal hardware with soapy water and shine with a microfiber
    cloth dipped in vinegar or lemon juice. Brass polish works wonders on solid brass.

 

Deep Dive & Declutter:

  • Channel your inner Marie Kondo and declutter rooms, closets, and drawers.
  • Take it in small steps – tackle one room or corner each day.

 

Think Green:

  • Combat January gloom by planning for spring. Grab seed catalogs and start planning your gardens.
    Pro Tip: Opt for raised-bed or container gardens for low-maintenance greenery. Create weed-free soil with vermiculite, peat moss, and compost.

 

There you go! Your efficient guide to a well-maintained home. Happy New Year!

How to get what you want with a tight budget and a bit of know-how!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Here are my thoughts on how to get what you want with a tight budget. Let’s get creative and be informed.

 

Look at Cosmetic Fixers:

Look past the paint and the details. Is the house filled with junk? Are the photos just bad? See everything on the market. You’ll be surprised! And, I love the hunt for a great diamond in the rough.

 

Fix your credit:

Some lenders are better than others at this. I can help you find a lender who will give you a clear idea of what you need to do to fix your credit and better qualify for a loan.

 

Talk to multiple lenders:

They are not all the same and it’s important you like the lender you work with. Look into first-time homebuyer programs, FHA or VA or Oregon Bond. I can help guide you to lenders who have the loan packages best for you. And, it’s important you feel comfortable talking with them about money and finances. This can feel very personal so you want to work with a lender who is a good fit for you.

 

Look into rate buydowns:

Because interest rates have been high this year, rate buydowns have become pretty common. Sometimes you can even negotiate this with the seller so they pay to buy down your rate. You can also buy down the rate on your own and your lender can walk you through that.

 

Always get an inspection:

This will save money in the long run. No one likes surprises in real estate so I highly recommend every single client has a home inspection done to avoid an expensive surprise after you get the keys. Home inspections cost money but they are worth it! I typically recommend these basic inspections- general home inspection, sewer scope, radon test and an underground storage tank scan.

 

Look for solid big-ticket items already in place:

This one is easy because most sellers are eager to let you know what has been updated recently. But it’s very important when we are crunching the numbers and deciding if the value is there for you.

 

Focus on location and layout:

These are two things you can’t easily change about a house so they are very important to focus on when you’re buying.

 

Be realistic about the renovation lifestyle:

This is a big one because no one wants to spend every single weekend and evening working on their home projects, no matter how much money it saves.  I have a lot of clients who begin their house hunt very certain they can easily renovate a house. Then, they learn more and realize it’s not as simple as it seems. Especially on a budget. I will help you get bids for major renovations or big updates during your inspection period. That way you can make an informed decision about what works for you. This is case by case so I’ll advise according to each buyer’s situation.

 

Research the Market:

I am here to help you understand the local real estate market conditions. Are prices trending up or down? Are there any neighborhoods where prices are more favorable? Knowledge of the market will help you make informed decisions.

 

Look for Motivated Sellers:

Sellers who are motivated to sell quickly may be more willing to negotiate on price. These motivations can include job relocations, divorces, financial difficulties, or properties that have been on the market for an extended period. A big part of my job is to build rapport with other agents to get as much information as possible and find the win-win for everyone!

 

Don’t Lowball:

It’s better to look at the data and make informed offers. Sometimes buyers purchase below the list price but throwing a very low offer price out there just to see what happens is not productive. While you want a good deal, making an unrealistically low offer can turn off sellers and waste time. I work with clients to determine a fair and competitive offer based on market comparables.

 

Be Patient:

This is a big one. The timeline a buyer thinks they need is usually the first thing out the window. Don’t rush into a purchase. Sometimes, waiting for the right opportunity can lead to a better deal. Keep an eye on the market and be prepared to act when the time is right.

 

Backup Offers:

This dovetails with being patient. If a deal falls through for another buyer, having a backup offer ready can put you in a strong position to negotiate with a motivated seller. You’d be surprised how often this happens.

 

Flexibility:

Be open to compromise on non-essential features or repairs. Being flexible can help bridge gaps in negotiations. A lot of times these non-essential repairs feel like a big deal in the moment but they don’t need to be deal breakers.

 

Reach out if you’re interested in talking more about buying or selling a home. I’m here for you! If you’re a first-time home buyer I can set up a new-buyer meeting and go over everything step by step. If you already own a home and you’re ready to sell that one and get the next one, let’s make a plan that works for you.

Bringing authenticity into real estate is my calling- I love to engage with new people and listen carefully to their needs and goals, then throw all my energy into helping to achieve them! I am known for my knowledge of the market and my ability to educate and listen carefully, although my secret superpower is that I remember every house I’ve seen (which is a lot).

Jasmine Deatherage

503-320-0039

Jasminedeatherage@gmail.com

From North Portland to the Westside: A New Neighborhood for Patrick & JoAnne

Posted on by Living Room Realty

I am so excited to welcome my clients Patrick & JoAnne home to their beautiful new house in SW Portland!

These clients began with a clear vision, searching for the perfect Westside house that they could call home. The initial excitement led us to some incredible houses, & after a promising start with a house that caught their hearts, reality hit hard when our first offer wasn’t accepted. Undeterred, we continued our search, evolving our criteria & areas of interest to focus on move-in ready one-level homes.

We saw some more great properties & wrote a couple of additional offers but nothing quite compared to that first house. Through it all, these two kept their spirits high & never gave up on the dream of their perfect forever home.

And then, finally, WE FOUND IT! We stumbled upon a property that checked nearly every box on their original list. The excitement was palpable & we knew that we had to act fast to beat the strong competition for a coveted one-level home. While the property had been sitting on the market for a while, it had just had a significant price reduction, so we knew it was an opportunity we couldn’t ignore.

Negotiations began & my team & I worked tirelessly to secure the deal. The outcome was worth every moment of anticipation. Not only did my clients get more home for their investment compared to previous contenders, but they also gained an incredible backyard space with a pool! This home was well worth the wait & Patrick & JoAnne are ready to settle in.

This transaction was a testament to the power of resilience, strategic planning, & teamwork. Consistent communication with the listing agent was crucial, from initial negotiations to repair discussions & wrapping up the final details. We also made sure that we were timely in scheduling showings to ensure that we were some of the first through the door. And when we found the one, we acted fast, gathering info & building our strategy as a team.

I am so honored to be a part of this incredible chapter in Patrick & JoAnne’s lives. Now they just have to wait patiently for summer to come so that they can host their first pool party! Congrats to this amazing couple!

Looking to make a move? I’d love to work with you!

Beth Benner, Broker Licensed in Oregon & Washington

503-819-2885  |  www.bridgetoportland.com  |  beth@bridgetoportland.com

Let us Discuss the POSITIVES of today’s Real Estate Market.

Posted on by Lily Ray Wyss

Current real estate market conditions have made home affordability tough.

But with it always being my goal to provide well-rounded information about current real estate conditions so you can make empowered decisions, let’s talk about the opportunities in today’s market.

Home prices are generally lower:

Just yesterday I got a first-time home buyer under contract on a townhome. Looking at comparable properties, back in May a home with the exact same specs in the same community sold for over 30k more.

Oh, and we also got the buyer a closing credit paid by the seller to temporarily lower his interest rate.

Speaking of which…

Seller-paid closing credits:

On the majority of transactions I have helped buyers with this year, we have been successful in negotiating a large credit paid by the seller to cover a portion of the buyer’s closing costs and or temporarily buy down the buyer’s interest rate.

Contractor response time:

Right now booking inspections and contractor appointments in a timely manner has been highly dependable. With the market being generally slower, inspectors and other contractors have way better availability than super hot markets. This week we got two sets of buyers under contract and I was able to get their inspections scheduled for the next day in both cases.

This might seem like a small benefit, but getting to know the condition of the home you are buying the next day vs waiting a week is a huge stress reliever and allows us more time for fact-finding and negotiating.

Better negotiating power:

With homes sitting on the market for longer periods of time it’s made home sellers more willing to negotiate with home buyers on things like contract terms and repair needs.

You can hold on to your contingencies: In past real estate markets when things got super competitive for home buyers they became pressured to give up certain contingencies in order to win the home.

Look the best time for you to buy a home is when you are ready.

But if you are waiting to buy until interest rates drop, just know that so are 66% of other home buyers according to a US News Survey. So it could be worth us having a conversation about the opportunities in today’s market.

Either way, I am here for you. If you would like to discuss what it would look like to buy a home this winter or in 2024 I am here for you.

What Makes the St. Johns Neighborhood Special -Part 2- Coffee Shops

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Coffee shops are community!

Every time I head to a new city or even just a new part of town, I make finding a great coffee shop the first order of business because there’s no better starting point for understanding the local community, no matter where you are. When you visit the St. Johns neighborhood, you’ll notice life moves a tad bid slower and that’s a good thing. The coffee shops are alive and bustling with folks working, unwinding, socializing and connecting.

And with the University of Portland just down the street, you’ll find University students regularly taking advantage of these great study spots.

Coffee shops are special because they reflect the atmosphere of the neighborhood and St. Johns is fortunate to have many unique and vibrant coffee shops which makes choosing just one very hard! A good problem to have :)!

Here are a few of my favorites:

Great North Coffee

This café feels like the heart of St. Johns. A popular meet-up spot as well as a great place to work or unwind with a snack. They roast great coffee and have other nice choices like kombucha and teas. The room has high ceilings and plenty of seating which gives it such a lovely and classic café feel. Locally famous for their next-level breakfast sandwich made with chimichurri or romanesco, and can be made vegan. Delicious and addictive! Also, you’ll find the classic pastries, cookies and bagels you expect from a great café. Don’t miss the local art on the walls!

 

Two Stroke Coffee Co.

Two Strokes Coffee is a moto-inspired coffee shop on the main drag of St. Johns, conveniently located next to a cool motorcycle & scooter shop called Sabatino Moto. This is a really fun cafe to visit and a great place to hang out. They serve wonderful coffee, pastries and have great baristas. There are a few motorcycles in the café and some stylish merchandise as well.

 

Sparrow Bakery

Sparrow Bakery is well known for incredible baked goods. They have 2 locations (the other is in Bend Oregon) and do wholesale baking for many other cafés. We are so lucky to have them in St. Johns! Sparrow makes great coffee and fabulous baked goods- I feel like it is a full-time job trying not to eat their pastries every day :). They are perfection! Plus there’s a large food menu making it a great spot for breakfast or lunch.

 

Cathedral Coffee

This one isn’t technically in St. Johns but I just had to add it! It’s officially in the Cathedral Park neighborhood (hence the name), but it’s verrry close to downtown St. Johns. Cathedral Coffee is an eclectic cafe that is always busy but never feels crowded. A beautiful large space with big windows, natural light, tall wood bookshelves & large tables. They roast their own coffee and bake their own sweets & savories, which are fabulous!

I highly recommend the foldovers they make with veggies and cheese (some have meat). They are fantastic and always fresh! And the cinnamon rolls are incredible. Many wonderful baked goods to choose from.

They also have plenty of great outdoor seating!

 

 

What about St. Johns Real Estate?

One more note regarding this current real estate market. St. Johns has seen a steady increase in property values and demand over the past few years with the average home price this August landing at $470,000 (source RMLS). To put that in perspective, the average home price for all of Portland Metro was much higher by the end of this August at $608,300 (source RMLS). 

If you’re considering the St. Johns neighborhood, I’m here to guide you.

I know the ins and outs of this neighborhood having lived here for more than 11 years. And, if you’re interested in other neighborhoods, that works too! I help people buy and sell homes all over Portland. I am known for my knowledge of the market and my ability to educate and listen carefully. You will benefit from my coaching heart and guidance that reduces stress and creates positive outcomes. I want to see you happy and satisfied with your real estate journey.

Read my reviews and bio for a good sense of what to expect from me.

I look forward to helping to make your home purchase pleasant, painless and hopefully even a little fun!

Before you go, here’s a fun fact: Did you know that St. Johns was once its own independent city before it was annexed into the city of Portland? In 1915, St. Johns voted to become part of the city, primarily to access the city’s services and infrastructure. The annexation was officially completed in 1915, and since then, St. Johns has been a neighborhood within the larger city of Portland.

Saddle Up: Your Guide to Homeownership

Posted on by Living Room Realty

 

PSA: My buyer guides are officially HOT off the iron! While it may be slightly intimidating or even difficult to gauge where exactly to start on your homebuying journey, my homebuyer guides are here to lay out a general timeline of what you can expect when purchasing a home in the Portland metro area. My goal is to ensure you have a great understanding of this exciting yet huge new chapter of your life! What better than to have a guide to refer to plus having the consistent communication from using me as your realtor every step of the way? Representation during your home purchase is vital and I’ll be sure to advocate for you to the best of my ability!

Interested on getting your hands on a guide of your very own? I’d love to give ya one! Either in person, snail mail, or carrier pigeon: email me for more info and let’s get started on your homebuying journey today!

Just Sold near Peninsula Park! Yay for my first-time home buyers!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations to my clients!

As you may already know, my business is referral based and I love meeting new people. So you can imagine how happy I was when a past client recommended Jane and their partner to me. It was such a joy getting to know them on their house hunt!

Here’s a little rundown of how it went.

We started with a buyer consultation and spent an hour going over the process in general. That’s the best way to get started, going over the current market and setting expectations for everyone. That’s when I ask the most questions about what my clients are looking for and we set the pace for the house hunt.

 

We saw multiple houses every week in various neighborhoods for many weeks until we narrowed it down and found the area that felt like home. The house they chose checked a lot of boxes, it was the perfect size in a great location and it had more than one bathroom plus a garage (bonus!). We saw the house 3 times just to be sure and then successfully got the offer accepted! They did a great job of getting financially ready, approved by a reputable lender, and had all their ducks in a row in that arena. (That truly is the first step!)

 

As we went through the inspection contingency period, I really liked that Jane and her partner asked a lot of questions along the way. One thing that people don’t always lean into when buying a house is making time to dive into research and ask all of the questions, even the dumb ones (and there are no dumb ones). Carving out time for this is so helpful because it’s the meat and potatoes of the whole deal. I’m here to advise and guide you along, but there is a lot to digest and having the time for those conversations and follow-up questions will always feel good.

Here is a general overview of the inspection contingency period. I will advise you while you look over the permit history, have the sewer scoped, the home tested for radon, the property searched for underground storage tanks, plus have a whole property general inspection as well. And that’s not always all, there are more investigations sometimes. It’s a lot and it’s awesome! Because after all of that, clients have a much better understanding of the home with all of its pros and cons.

 

So in this case, some things did come up in the investigations and we negotiated a credit and a price reduction. A couple of weeks later we had fun at the signing and a few days later we wrapped it all in a bow and I gave them keys.

 

Please reach out if you’re interested in talking about buying or selling a home. I’m always here for a check-in about the current market, lender recommendations or anything I can do to help advocate for your homeownership.

 

 

Congratulations Annie and Doug!!

Posted on by Greg Washington

Life doesn’t always go the way you expect it to, but when life sent my clients a curveball, they hit it out of the park. This sweet house, with ADU potential, fills a need that they didn’t anticipate having but are meeting with practicality and even excitement. I’m looking forward to watching the changes to the house and yard, which are already underway! It was an honor to work with you and I wish you the very best of luck as you create your new life in your new neighborhood!

 

Hooray to these FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS!

Posted on by Nicole Chavira

It has been a joy since our very first introduction that was thanks to a lovely past client 2 years ago. (Btw referrals are the biggest compliment and vital to my business so many thanks for all who recommend me🙏🏽) At the time, the housing market was a little coo-coo with those historic interest rates and an extremely competitive market. We got to know each other spending time seeing homes and then they decided to take a pause. A pause that turned out to be a blessing! As V excelled in her career with a promotion and a new little man was added to the mix, they reached back out and they were ready to make moves!

Literally and figuratively 😉

It was our first weekend checking out homes and they quickly found THE ONE! The right school district, space and location! It just felt right!

With 264 days on the market and 90k price reduction, over that span of time, we made an offer that was up against one other at the time. I was able to negotiate a 10k credit to my buyer’s towards their closing costs (this means less cash out of pocket at closing) a BRAND NEW ROOF and some other minor repairs!

When I say that I share the excitement of each and every one of my clients, I mean it! Their gratitude and trust in me as their Real Estate Professional created such a wonderful experience all around.

Thank you so very much for choosing me to go on this journey with you! Even on key day where the oldest boys ran from room to room seeing the home for the first time and leaping for joy, truly warmed my heart. Moments like those are exactly why I passionately advocate and love on my people.

Wishing you all the most beautiful of memories together as you make your new house a home!

You are an inspiration to so many other hard working individuals that the time to buy is when it’s right for YOU! Congratulations my friends 🥂🏡

New Proud Ground Homeowner!

Posted on by Nicole Chavira

🌟 CONGRATULATIONS NEW HOMEOWNER 🌟
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I have to give a big shoutout to my friend and client Earle for achieving his long time goal of home ownership! The cherry on top is this was a Habitat of Humanity condo with Proud Ground. Proud Ground is a non profit providing homes that are permanently affordable for first-time homebuyers.
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Earle went through a lot of hurdles and extended closing with a great attitude and stayed committed to his goals.
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I am so grateful when I get the opportunity to support people through the journey. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to get the job done for you!

Sticking With it Pays Off and My Clients are SO Happy!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations to my sweet clients! 

What a dream working with these dear humans (and their cute kitty)! 

These two began their search just before the pandemic. Back when the market was vastly different and right before the pandemic and low-interest rates had their big effect on the market. I loved working with them, getting to know them and seeing homes together. We looked at a lot of homes over the years, wrote some offers and took a couple of breaks from searching while the market went nuts. Luckily these two had a strong sense of what they wanted and even though they lost out on a few homes along the way, the one they bought in the end, is definitely the BEST one with the best quality for the price! I’m so happy for them!

If you have questions about neighborhoods, the real estate market, buying or selling a house etc, let’s sit down and talk. My aim is to establish trust and serve you with warmth and attentive communication. I love to engage with new people and listen carefully to their needs and goals, then throw all my energy into helping to achieve them!

2022 Was a Very Good Year

Posted on by Alyssa Isenstein Krueger

 I am in the bizzyness of selling houses to good humans in Portland, OR. In 2022 I had the pleasure and privilege of selling 27 magnificent homes to the best buyers and sellers in the world, including a handful of folx who bought and sold, or sold and bought. I work by referral only, and after working as a real estate broker for 15+ years, I have the divine fortune of being able to choose to only work with good people who I adore. For those of you who have worked with me over the past 15 years, and those of you who have referred your friends, family and colleagues, I am thankful beyond belief. Goodness gracious I am one lucky duck.

A Pad in Parkrose for First Time Homebuyers, Tia and Ryan!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Buying your first home is no easy task, but you wouldn’t know it with Tia and Ryan, truly ideal buyers from beginning to end of the buying process. They knew what they wanted and trusted our team to guide them to the finish line on securing a sweet townhouse in pretty Parkrose! It had been sitting on the market within that sweet spot of just enough time – but not too long – and wrote an offer that put them in position to not have to put every last penny into their down payment. Not only were we able to get them a significant seller credit upfront (to save them on paying closing costs) but we also worked closely with their lender, Tristen Hunt of The Tristen Hunt Team to get them a rate buydown that keeps their mortgage payment affordable!

The cherry on top was successfully negotiating an additional credit towards siding repair and a BRAND NEW ROOF as we head into the rainy season in Portland.

This is what taking advantage of this market is all about!

Congratulations, Tia and Ryan (and Shelby and Ollie!), we are so ecstatic for you and we hope you enjoy your new home!

Selling During A Market Shift – A Good Story

Posted on by Living Room Realty

It’s no wonder so many people are nervous to sell in a stabilizing market when we are being bombarded with articles titled: “The Fed is Killing The Housing Market”(CNN), “Here’s How Weird Things Are Getting In The Housing Market”(Bloomberg), and “Mortgage Application Plummets.”(NBC)  But we can assure you there are still good stories out there, and you’re about to hear one.

Veery had the opportunity to work with Leigh a few years ago to sell her home, and we were delighted to get the opportunity to work with them again!

Raymond and Leigh were ready for a change. They had just begun a new chapter in their lives together and part of this new chapter was a new home. They decided to sell their custom-built 2017 home and our team, Current Dwelling Group, had the amazing opportunity to help make this happen.

Raymond + Leigh read the same headlines and articles. We asked if this made them worried going into the preparation of selling their home.

“My main fear was that the house would be sitting throughout winter. If we had not followed the advice from Veery and Jason and did the work to make the house super sellable we might have experienced that, but being well prepared and understanding the market position made a big difference in not being subject to that negativity. And the marketing plan pulled in the right people.” – Raymond

Right away we focused on gathering the right information for Raymond and Leigh to know where their home stood on the market and what was an ideal and attainable goal.

“Jason did a great job at looking at comps to help us optimize our position in the market. That was great! Veery is great at keeping us informed and giving us a heads up on potential wrinkles and making them feel so small. ” – Leigh

We got our plan together on how to make this house shine and emphasize it’s strengths. “We knew the house needed some work, but I didn’t realize that the painting, yard work and touch ups would end up looking this great. I didn’t understand the need for a fence, but you all did and it paid off!” – Raymond

Our greatest joy in listing prep is gaining our client’s trust and then blowing them away with the results.  We have spent decades building up relationships with high quality, reliable vendors. Each and every one of them are incredibly skilled in their craft. Each of our vendors put their special touch on this house to get it ready for market. Not only did they pull it off, they made the home shine the way it should!

 

 

The home went live on October 6 and within a 3 days we had multiple serious and competitive offers. An offer was accepted 5 days after going live and a closing date set in 2 weeks time.

 

There are good sales happening right now during this market shift.

Having successfully sold their home during this shift, we asked Raymond + Leigh what advice they would give someone on their home selling journey:

  • Raymond “find someone you can trust and trust them.” 
  • Leigh “If you don’t have someone. Call Veery!” 

Here’s to you, Raymond + Leigh! Thank you for putting your trust in us and allowing us to serve you. We loved working with you both and hope this new season of life is full of peace and joy.

✨Lake Oswego Idyllic Living

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Idyllic Living In Lake Oswego! 

1451 Greentree Circle, Lake Oswego, Portland OR 97034

Offered at $950,000

4 Bed 3.5 Bath

Portland, OR 97034

VIEW LISTING

OPEN HOUSE Saturday (11/19) FROM 10 am – 12 pm 

1451 Greentree Circle, Lake Oswego, Portland OR 97034

Stunning Home In Desirable Lake Oswego, Beckons You Into This Bright, Spacious Home With Plenty Of Space To Entertain. Remodeled In 2018 And Well Maintained, This Expansive One Level Home Features High Quality Finishes With Designer Touches, Form Following Function, An Open Floor Plan, The Skylights Allow Natural Light To Pour In From Every Angle. Move-In Ready, Newly Painted Inside! 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Bathrooms. The Grand Kitchen Features Quartz Countertops, Stainless Steel Appliances, Built-in Wine Cooler, Deep Set Kitchen Sink, And More. This Large Kitchen Makes This The Ideal Home For Hosting! Primary Ensuite Oasis Has Heated Tiled Floors And Soak Tub. Cozy Up To The Indoor And Outdoor Fireplaces And Hot Tub. Excellent For Entertaining! Peaceful And Private Backyard Includes Large Yard Space, Storage Shed, Extra Parking For Your Boat Or RV. Create Elegant Seating On The Deck To Enjoy The Beauty Of The Pacific Northwest. Option To Join And Walk To The Greentree Community Heated Pool. Easy Access To Downtown Lake Oswego, Lake Oswego Country Club, Lake View Village Shopping Center, Whole Foods, New Seasons, Lake Grove Shopping, Restaurants, And More!

OPEN HOUSE Saturday (11/19) From 10am – 12pm

OFFERED AT $950,000

4 BEDROOM | 3.5 BATH | 2,328 SQFT

2 Attached Garage | Lot Size: 0.26 Acres

MLS# 22197451 | TAXES: $8,133.47 (2021)

Highlights & Features

  • Freshly Painted
  • New Landscaping
  • Brand New Carpets
  • Gourmet Kitchen
  • Mud room laundry room
  • Built-in Wine Fridge
  • Two Sided Fireplace In The Kitchen
  • House Is Pre-wired For Cat 5 Wiring
  • Remote Controlled Window Treatment
  • Kitchen Faucet With Touch Technology
  • Heated Tile Floors in Primary Ensuite
  • Smart Thermostat
  • Newer Roof 2018
  • Private Outdoor Space
  • Shed In Back
  • RV parking
  • Exterior Hot and Cold Water Spigot
  • Fresh Landscaping
  • Outdoor Fireplace
  • Hot Tub
  • Epoxy Finished Floors In Garage
  • WiFi Enabled Garage Door
  • 6-Setting Shower Head In Primary Suite Under Heated Tile Floors

What it takes to make the dream come true!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Hello!

I am pleased to say, I have had the privilege of helping the most amazing clients this year and I love my time with them. One thing folks don’t always consider when they are getting started, when either buying or selling a home, is how many people it takes to make a great experience in real estate. I am here as the dedicated advisor and through the years I have met many great inspectors and contractors. 

I am happy to connect my clients with as many contractors and specialists as needed, along the way. 

For example, I love working with a steadfast, smart, and grounded home inspector like Uli Sommers with Sommers Home Inspections. And my go-to Escrow officer, Steve Skare my go-to Escrow officer at First American Title. 

Now, here is the eye candy; a few of the cute houses I’ve helped my clients buy and sell this year.

 

 

Don’t Sleep on this Condo! Mid-Century Condo in the Heart of NE Portland

Posted on by Sally Tansill

In this changing market of rising mortgage rates, rents, inflation, and uncertain inventory numbers it is the perfect time to be looking at condos, specifically, 611 NE Church Street, Unit 6 in NE Portland. This condo is located in Walnut Park and is part of an 8-unit complex just off MLK Blvd. The space has great bones, a new roof, a well-run HoA, and dedicated parking and storage. If you have a buyer client who feels skittish about entering the single-family home market this is a perfect match. The unit has two large bedrooms, one bathroom, a generous living area, a large dining room and a cook-friendly kitchen. The hardwood floors shine and the many windows reflect the care and construction of the structure.

From the kitchen, there is a dedicated stairway to the shared basement space for bike storage which leads to a dedicated storage room. The kitchen also has a door that leads directly to the parking space for the unit which is behind a security gate to the street. The shared spaces are maintained by the unit owners with care. Don’t sleep on this condo, it is a diamond in the rough and could be a great fit for many buyers out there navigating this uncertain market. Reach out to me for more details.

7 Investment Properties In 4 Years!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Maria and James came to America with a big dream, to build generational wealth. They began their graduate studies and started learning about the powerful role real estate plays in building wealth.

If you get the pleasure of meeting Maria and James, one thing you will know immediately is that they both value excellence. It’s no surprise they applied their standard of excellence to their real estate education by pouring over free courses, podcasts, reading blogs, and books, and talking to other investors and homeowners. They actively went out and sought education and this year, they made their 7th investment property purchase in the last 4 years!

Crypto, S&P 500, and Index Funds, this is probably what you think of when it comes to investing. Why real estate?

“We feel that real estate is less volatile than the stock market. We also feel that we understand Real Estate investing more easily than active stock investing and it’s important to understand what you are investing in!” – Maria & James

As local and long-distance investors they understand the importance of creating a solid screening system. They screen their properties and their real estate agents. This is key in building a solid team.

“Before we are active, we build a system to do our screenings more effectively. We have two major criteria we focus on: Macro – the broader local economy, employment, population growth, landlords, etc. and the micro-neighborhood numbers, down payments, etc.” – Maria & James

All these factors they consider when they plan on investing in a property. Now, to choose the right realtors for the job.

Building a good team with clear communication is pivotal in real estate. Maria and James had a list of qualities they look for when it comes to choosing a Real Estate Agent who would help make this dream a reality.

“My friend was talking about her experience in purchasing her first property. She bought her first home with Kristin and Jason. She shared the entire process and I could see Kristin was a good realtor. My other friend said they want to buy a home and I recommended Kristin to them even without meeting her.

I have worked with multiple agents throughout my 7+ transactions. Kristin and Jason are the VERY BEST Real Estate Agents among them. They are on top of things. I don’t have to keep track of my realtor. One thing I feel they are very strong about is communication. Communicating with us and negotiating with the seller is so important.” – Maria & James

This project was especially important for Maria and James as it would become their primary residence.

This newly built community checked all their boxes: close to parks for their family outings and bike riding, multiple entrances for house hacking, a shift in their portfolio, and they got to take part in the design process!

Having an adorable, young son, they are already thinking and planning on how to include him in the investing process and stretch his vision for his life.

“We learned that we need to make money work for us instead of us working for money.  Encouraging Casey in the investing process is a priority. Talking about our strategies with him, ask for his involvement and thoughts, and explain to him our thinking process, these are some ways we are teaching him and will continue to teach him. Having a mentor would have been great for us, and we will be a mentor for him.”

– Maria & James

If you have any interest in investing like Maria + James have this is their advice to you:

“Bigger Pocket podcast. Start listening to the podcast. Dig into their website. They have some real estate investing books. Most impactful  for us – long-distance real estate investing. That book helped us with our investing strategy. Look for agents who have these good qualities that you will read about in these books.”

– Maria & James

When asked what they would do differently if they could start their whole investing journey over again with the knowledge they now have, they responded

“Real estate and investing are very relational. You need a good team. Now, we have learned to pick good team members – agents, lenders, etc When choosing a good realtor look for someone who communicates, listens to you, and does things correctly.”

– Maria & James

Maria + James, thank you for choosing us as your real estate bodyguards and for giving us the honor of being part of your journey in investing. We have loved getting to know you and your beautiful family. May this new home provide you with joy, quality family time, and even more growth. You are a powerful family and we can’t wait to see what you build! Thank you for being an inspiration, not just to us, but to all those who know you! 

Nice Knowing You Quarter 2 of 2022

Posted on by Alyssa Isenstein Krueger

My seller’s homes!

Between March 1st and June 30th of 2022, the real estate market here in Portland saw appreciation rise at a rate not seen since, well, ever. Over 20% year over year. Despite the challenges of the market, particularly being a buyer,  I had 10 buyers and 5 sellers successfully close on homes- all on the east side in the City of Portland. Of those buyers and sellers- 2 sellers were able to buy first and closed in March, and then sold their homes April and May. Another of my sellers was able to sell their home and buy their next one within a couple of weeks in June.  Six of my buyers were first time home buyers, and 1 of my sets of buyers purchased the home they had been renting directly from their landlord off-market. Lucky ducks. Of my 10 buyers, 7 got the first home they wrote an offer on, 2 got the second house they wrote on and 1 set got the third and best house they wrote on. The total number of homes I wrote a total of 14 offers. The youngest house I sold was a 1960 rancher in Parkrose Heights, and the oldest was a bungalow in the Richmond neighborhood built in 1912. Three of the houses got new roofs, 2 got new sewer lines, and 2 had leaking oil tanks- all of which were taken care of by the seller.

My 5 sellers did really well. Four of my sellers received multiple offers, and the fifth set of sellers accepted the first offer they received which was well over asking and submitted less than 24 hours after we went on the market. Of the 5 homes I listed, 4 were ones I had originally sold to the sellers. Bringing it full circle. Of my five sellers, 3 bought new and larger homes in Portland, and 2 moved out of state.  The youngest house I sold was a condo built in 1972 on Jantzen Beach. All the other homes were built between 1906 and 1953. None of my sellers made any repairs, and only 2 gave closing cost credits/concessions for needed repairs. I sure know and love old houses.

My buyers homes!

Everyone of my clients was either a past client of mine, or a referral from another previous client, a friend or lenders I partner with.  Fifteen transactions in 3 months is a lot for little old me who doesn’t have an assistant and doesn’t want one. Those are probably at least half the  number of transactions I’ll have the honor of working on for the entire year. So much joy and happiness to be surrounded by.

Just Right in FoPo!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Step aside bears…this Goldilocks has found his house! Last year, Devin told me he would be in touch with me soon about buying a house. His epic rental in NE had been the home of countless gatherings and parties, but he felt it was time to make the move to SE, where the majority of his community lived.

Having grown up helping his parents fix up homes, Devin wasn’t afraid of a fixer. He also was a sucker for classic charm and vintage details, so we found ourself looking at a wide variety of homes.

House 1 was a beautifully remodeled farmhouse with a cute backyard in Lents. Devin loved it and went back for a second viewing, bringing friends with him to share in his excitement. This was at the very beginning of the spring selling season, and about 20 other buyers also loved this turnkey home…so his first offer was beat out.

Next up, another Lents home, but make it major fixer on a huge lot. We had to fight and claw our way to this one as second backup, but we finally got our offer accepted. After inspections, however, it became clear why the other two buyers had terminated. In addition to some bigger known repairs, there were also too many unknowns that made taking on this project too risky. Sadly and a little deflated, Devin had to terminate.

For a minute, Devin took a break from the search. Riding the real estate roller coaster can be an emotionally exhausting process. But he kept one eye peeled, and when the *just right* cosmetic fixer in FOPO (his secret dream neighborhood) hit the market, we were ready.

Just 1 block away from some of his besties, this structurally-sound, plain-jane home was the perfect amount of project. This time Devin was determined, and We just barely beat out 4 other offers with some key strategic terms.

Fast forward to closing day. Devin has a list of to-dos and a neighborhood full of friends (including me!) welcoming to his new home. I couldn’t be happier for him and excited to see him work his magic to make this house a home.

Cheers Devin! Welcome to homeownership and to the neighborhood.

Beating Out 20 Other Offers!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

2021 and 2022 have been strong seller’s markets. Some Buyers might feel like they would have to look way outside of Portland if they had a budget. But that’s not the case. Although many homes have been selling for 100K+ over the listing price, there are gems throughout this city and in prime locations that can fit a first-time homeowner’s budget.

Brian and Kristin wanted a home close to SE Portland. It’s a great location and highly sought after. Many buyers were finding it difficult to find a home in this neighborhood unless they wanted to spend over 500K.

Brian and Kristin took this investment and decision seriously. We got to work culling through possible homes they could call their own. It took almost a year to find the right home for them. It can be a tough fight to win out on a home. The competition is fierce and sometimes you might not get the first home you put an offer on. That happened in this case. We sought hard, fought hard, and even though Brian and Kristin were beaten out a few times, they had persistence and positivity on their side.

One home came up that created a lot of completion. 20 offers were submitted on this home.  Brian and Kristin were not intimidated and gave it they’re all.

We got selected as the backup offer and when the 1st position buyer pulled out (due to the inspections report) we got bumped up to the first place. We negotiated to get the inspection reports right away; this is where real estate’s teamwork shines. We are so grateful to have a powerhouse of contractors we have developed relationships. We were able to get estimates on all the repairs very quickly so that we could negotiate for a buyer’s credit that would strongly benefit Brian and Kristin.

With a sizeable credit that allowed Brian and Kristin to not only get the home they want but also repair it to top standards, they walked away champions!

Brian and Kristin, we are so impressed with your positivity, enthusiasm, and cleverness in handling this journey. You were a joy to work with and we are honored to have been chosen to be your real estate bodyguards in this market.

Cheers to you both!

Just Listed: Turnkey + Room to Grow in Lents!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

This cheerful, well-maintained home is 100% move-in ready as is. It also offers plenty of space for all your hobbies and opportunities to expand and grow your equity!

This entertainer’s dream features a massive open living room that flows into the kitchen and dining space, with treetop views and ample natural light pouring through the windows. Tons of storage and a large island make this kitchen a functional dream for the chef in your life. Enjoy your morning coffee or an after-work brewski on the covered back deck, directly through the sliding door off the dining area.

The large primary bedroom features a dreamy walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom, with two more large bedrooms, full bathroom, and dedicated laundry space rounding out the upstairs. Below, an oversized 4-car garage + 400 sq ft space with electrical, drywall, and dirt floor = unlimited potential. Build an ADU or massive workshop or expand the main house downstairs?

A sliding door from the kitchen to a private back deck increases your living space even more. Down the back steps, relax and enjoy the sunshine in this peaceful gardener’s backyard. Brand new roof in April 2022! Minutes to transit, highways, and the best of Lents + SE.

3 bed | 2 bath | 1402 sqft | 4 car garage + 690 sf unfinished space | 0.11 acres

10328 SE Ramona St, Portland, OR 97266

Offered at $439,000

A New Baby and a New Chapter!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations to Adam, Emily and Otto. Little did I know the journey we would have when Lisa Avena asked me to cover for her on vacation in November 2021. From a sale fail with Zillow in December to a baby born in January, we had tons of fun looking at some awesome houses until finding the right house for this new family to start a new chapter in. 

Adam and Emily were ready to upgrade by selling their first home with Lisa in North Portland. We looked all over the North/Northeast Portland, Beaverton, even Forest Grove before finding this cute, ready to move-in ranch in Argay Terrace. They will have all the free time to play with Otto and enjoy their lovely new home! Time and patience was all we needed and they were so great to work with!

If you are looking for a new place to call home, I’d love to go house shopping with you!

 

Just Listed: Ainsworth Bungalow with ADU & Endless Opportunities!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

This versatile, charming, and income-generating bungalow offers countless living options! Perched above the Ainsworth park blocks, vintage charm is preserved in the details: the hobbit door, coved and tray ceilings, original hardwoods, and penny tile floors.

The kitchen features a gas stove, large dining space with picture window maximizing natural lighting, wooden cabinets, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and newer light fixtures. The kitchen and dining space open to an ample living room, the focal point of the home. Curl up with a book or host game night here, enjoying the cozy warmth of the wood-burning fireplace. 

Continue on to 2 bedrooms (one accommodating a king size bed and the other with a custom Murphy bed) and darling shared bathroom. The basement features a large flex space with kitchenette, bedroom with egress window, a full bathroom, and separate utility room with laundry. With direct access from the main house and additional exterior entry to the basement, the options are endless. Entertaining, work from home, guest space, or a potential second ADU? You choose!

The large 2-car garage was completed in 2020. Above it is a design-forward 400sqft ADU with all the goodies: custom woodworking, engineered maple hardwoods, quartz counters, Ikea cabinets with semi-handmade faces, Fisher Paykel refrigerator, dish drawer, and gas stove + Bosch washer and dryer, subway tile in shower, instant hot water heater (gas), double paned wood windows, and air-sourced heat pump for heating and cooling for year-round comfort.

The fenced backyard features raised beds and a newer paver patio for summer evenings under the stars. A wide gate provides direct alley access. Oh, and did I mention there’s a sauna? Come fall in love!

3 bed | 3 bath | 2 car garage + ADU | 2298 total sq ft | 0.11 acres | built 1928

702 NE Ainsworth St, Portland, OR 97211 | MLS#: 22221306

Offered at $725,000 | Click for more photos!

The Battle For the Hidden Jewel

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Fixer-uppers, many tv shows today make these types of homes seem extremely attractive. But it takes a very specific type of person to commit to these hidden jewels. Chris and Kelsey were growing their family. They needed more space, a yard for the kids to play in within Portland, and a home with a little extra love needed so they can put their creative spin on it.

They had a set budget and list of desires. There aren’t many homes coming onto the market, so when one comes available it usually gets multiple offers rather quickly. This can cause the price to jump dramatically. When we are representing Buyers, we fight to keep the price point very close to their budget.

The goal was a “diamond in the rough” type of home. Diamond = central location, great yard space, good schools, etc. Rough = the home needs a bit of love to be at its prime.

They wanted to be a part of building and designing the home. Adding their special touch to the property where they would be raising their adorable children.


Mortgage rates also were going up, this has buyers in a frenzy trying to find the right home while still taking advantage of the currently low rates. Each home we saw ended up with multiple bidders and running up the price a little (or quite a bit) too much.

During this process, they sent us a listing that looked very familiar.  We ended up knowing the seller and the home very well and knew this was the jewel they were searching for. We jumped at the opportunity to put in a great offer with good terms.  This can sometimes make the deal even more attractive than a larger number as the price point.

And we got that call all home buyers want to get, “Your offer has been ACCEPTED!” This call is one of the best parts of the process. Buying a home can be an emotionally stressful time. This beautiful family treated each interaction with kindness and clarity and for that we are truly grateful.


Chris and Kelsey expected the inspections to turn out a whole list of work needed on the home. But, it turned out a much smaller list than was expected which was a HUGE win! We love to see you win!

We loved working with Chris and Kelsey who are wise and kind people. They were curious about the process and trusted that we would provide them with the best resources and find the perfect home together.

Congratulations Chris and Kelsey! We are so grateful to have been part of this journey with you! We hope this home provides your family with the perfect space to build many joyful memories. Cheers!

How to stay safe and be successful in a market that demands so much of buyers

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux

The reputation of Portland’s real estate market often precedes itself. In many ways, the market is as it appears – we have historically low inventory (if no new homes were listed, our inventory would be depleted within two weeks), housing prices are rising, and there is a large buyer pool fueling an overall competitive environment. All of this can land as fear in the heart of a hopeful buyer and spur reasonable questions:

 

Will I be forced to take uncomfortable risks in order to have my offer accepted?

If I buy in this market am I at risk of paying over market value?

Will I be able to compete?

Is now still a good time to buy?

What should I expect from real estate representation?

 

The answers can be nuanced and unique to each individual person, but one thing we aim to inspire in all buyers is empowerment around choice, rather than a “when the competition says jump, you say how high,” mentality.

Will I be forced to take uncomfortable risks in order to have my offer accepted?

It’s true that there will likely be scenarios where competition is fierce and what it takes to win a home may stretch a buyer’s comfort. But this should always be viewed as a question mark (Is this the home to fight for?), rather than a demand. We want to nurture a foundation of security by way of education, supporting buyers in honing in on and prioritizing goals, and setting clear expectations so when “the one to fight for” does come around, buyers can respond with less reactivity and instead can feel rooted in their well-rounded understanding of the market and commitment to their own individual needs. Our ultimate goal is aiding buyers in honoring the right decision for them.

If I buy in this market am I at risk of paying over market value?

Often market value is conflated with appraised value. In short, market value is determined by how the market responds to a home. This is the amount buyers in the market are willing to pay. Appraised value is a bank’s assessment of risk. There are times when these two numbers are farther apart, which is often the case coming out of winter when early spring sales have not yet closed and the less fervent winter market is providing the bulk of the comparable sale stats for appraisers. This can also be the state of things when an influx of buyers outpaces rising home values – or in other words, population growth and demand are moving at such a clip that appraised values seem to be one step behind. Consequently, we are seeing appraisal gap coverage (the willingness to pay the difference between the appraised value and offered price) become increasingly commonplace within offer terms. When a buyer is bridging an appraisal gap, they are paying the same price they offered for the home, but are taking out a lower principal loan. In essence, the cash to close is higher and the loan amount is less.

Will I be able to compete?

We never want to squash dreams, but we try to arm buyers with realistic expectations. The fact is that aggressive offer terms do exist in the marketplace: variations on partial or full appraisal waivers, inspection waivers or limitations, earnest money releases, etc. These decisions are at each buyer’s discretion and if one or all of these terms do not feel comfortable, it is still important to know what you could be up against. It is also important to keep in mind that even in a highly competitive market, there is still opportunity and often buyers end up purchasing homes in scenarios that are compatible with their level of willingness to compete.

Is now a good time to buy?

It can be heartbreaking when a buyer feels as though they are chasing the market. The reality is that rising housing costs have priced some first time homebuyers out. Often, buyers that have stepped away and are now returning to the market are faced with the question: Do I adjust my expectations around what kind of house I can buy with the money I have or do I no longer want to be a buyer in this market? We want to counsel buyers away from the experience of chasing a unicorn only to emerge disappointed months later. For many buyers, kicking the door down, getting into their first home, and beginning to build equity will take precedence and expectations will adjust. Others will determine that stepping away from the market serves them more. Both are valid choices and both decisions come with their own risks. Investing in real estate has always carried some uncertainty and although many signs point to continued value increases for Portland’s homes, the bottom line is we cannot predict the future and the weight of investment risk is not one size fits all.

What should I expect from real estate representation?

Counsel – No matter the archetype of the buyer, this is an important and emotional process. Finding an agent that hears your needs and adds value to your process is imperative.

Honesty – Your agent cannot pick your home for you, but they can frame realistic expectations on what type of home you should be targeting for success. This process should be educational and interactive. No matter what we hear at the water cooler or from trusted sources, there is NO better way to understand than to be directly and actively involved in a process focused on your needs.

Negotiation – Getting an offer accepted is not based on price alone. There are many components to an offer that add strength. Having an agent who understands this and can educate you is critical in this seller’s market. Our team spends a lot of time preparing and educating you on the process so that you are ready to act fast and have had time to evaluate what tools are safely at your disposal.

Presentation – Crafting the right offer is complex, but the presentation is just as critical as the terms offered. Our team has a stellar reputation in the Portland marketplace, and we have earned this by working at a high level of integrity and with respect for the co-brokers we get to work with. The presentation of your offer sets the tone for the entire process and we want the first impression of your team to be as leaders of the industry.

The Conjuring Of A Mid-Century House With A Pool In Happy Valley

Posted on by Alyssa Isenstein Krueger

 Back in 2011 I met one of my very favorite buyers ever, Mel.  She worked with the Portland Housing Center and had $9,000 to from a matched savings account through Portland Housing Center. She used that $9,000 for a 5% downpayment on an oh so very vintage 760 sf 1920’s bungalow in Arbor Lodge that she bought for $180,000.

Fast forward to 2021. Mel is now married to Ryan and they are resource parents for kids in need and through the processes, have adopted 2 amazing kids with a third in the works. And all 5 of them plus a pup and a kitty were living in the oh so very vintage 760sf vintage 1920’s bungalow in Arbor Lodge. To say they were busting at the seams goes without saying, and yet they were able to take advantage of every nook and cranny to make the most of their tiny space. They contacted me to formally declare that it was time to move and buy a bigger house. At first they thought they needed to sell first then buy because they didn’t have a lot of cash on hand for a down payment on their next house, but they sure had a heck ton of equity in their little bungalow. I visited the house last fall and after seeing how packed the house was- packed but tidy and clean!- I told them I there was no way they could  think they could sell first then buy. They needed to move out to make the little bungalow shine.  Mel’s little house that she put $9,000 down on had more than doubled in value since she purchased it 11 years ago. Their best option was to get an interest only HELOC (home equity line of credit) on their bungalow and pull out as much cash as possible and use that for the down payment on the next house, then sell the Arbor Lodge bungalow. And because Mel bought the house so long ago for so little, their current mortgage payment was less than rent on most studio apartments in Portland. It took a few months, but by the end of January, the HELOC was funded and they had a pre-approval letter on hand.

After living in North Portland so long, Mel and Ryan longed for a big house with an even bigger yard for their young family to grow and spread and run and live.  They knew that to get what they wanted on their budget, they most likely would need to move to the suburbs. A day or so after all the financing pieces came together, Mel and I met up at a house in Happy Valley to begin the search. From the photos, she wanted to love the house, but after visiting the house, it was clear that this was definitely not the one. After I locked up the front door we stood around on the street in front of the weird house and talked for a quite a while. We talked about their ideal house- which would be a mid-century, room for a hot tub, big enough for bedrooms for everyone plus a separate kid play area from an adult living room and home offices/art studios for both Ryan and Mel. And to really hit the mark, if it had a swimming pool- that would be divine. We decided that we would conjure this house and it would appear. Because that’s the way the universe works when you are Mel.

I got home and lo and behold mere hours after that conversation a house popped up on the market that fit the bill EXACTLY and it had a pool. The conjuring worked full stop. I made an appointment to see it that same evening, and this time Ryan was able to join us. The mid-1970’s split level house had street presence perched up on a hill with a large and tasteful fountain beckoning at the bottom of the stairs up to the house. We went inside and these two were LIT UP with excitement. It was literally perfect for them and had a gorgeous view of the west hills and the all important pool. The sellers weren’t looking at offers for another 5 days, so that gave Mel and Ryan time to think about how badly they wanted the house and how much they would be willing to fight for it. To rule out any other areas, Mel and I went to a couple of houses in Beaverton, but after seeing the Happy Valley pool house, any other house was a disappointment. On  Saturday, 5 days after the pool house came on the market, they went back to the house for the open house and took the kids. After that visit, there was no question in anyone’s mind that this was THEIR house. There was some intense last minute negotiations including bumping up their offer twice to beat out other buyers, their well presented and solid as a rock offer was accepted by the sellers- and it wasn’t the highest of 6 offers on the table.  The house inspected like a dream, closed on time and Mel and Ryan are planning out their future in the dream house with the pool.

We Sold a Firehouse!

Posted on by Sean Patrick O'Feery
My wonderful clients Abby and Everett found their unicorn of a home in the form of a firehouse! They had been looking for something specific for quite some time now and found it in this converted firehouse. Everett uses a wheelchair for mobility and loves cars so a big home all on one level with a spacious garage is the dream!
I helped Everett and Abby to find their Alberta Arts bungalow in 2017. They have retrofitted and styled out their home and it was perfect until they had twins!! With a family of four, their beautiful bungalow started to seem small and then came COVID and finding space for a home office too.
One afternoon, I got the call that there was something interesting that came onto the market. A big part of this profession is to be ready when opportunity arises! The three of us got out right away to see this converted firehouse and made a strong offer, beating out two other offers, one by terms the other by price.
The house is not perfect yet, but I’m certain that with the design and style that Everett and Abby bring to their homes, it will soon be amazing AND a perfect fit for who they are as a family.
Congratulations! It is an honor to be your Realtor of choice and I’m looking forward to the sale of your Alberta Arts  home this spring.
If you’re looking for a responsive agent that can tailor service to your specific needs, I would be happy to be a resource for you. Let’s go find your UNICORN!!

 

JUST LISTED: Arbor Lodge Beauty

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

JUST LISTED

6947 N ATLANTIC AVE, Portland, OR 97217

Offered at $775,000

4 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 2,430 SF | MLS# 22124079  | Taxes: $6,203 | 0.23 Acres

OPEN HOUSES:
Friday 2/11,   4 PM – 6 PM & Saturday 2/12,   9 AM – 11 AM

VIDEO TOUR

Come see for yourself just how much space, charm, and value this house has to offer! Brimming with updates and charm, plus an oversized yard, you’re going to fall in love with this gorgeous home! Upon arrival, a roomy front porch, beautiful garden beds, and mature landscaping greet you.
As you enter the living room, you’ll find a flood of natural light coming from the large front-facing windows, lovely classic wood molding, high coved ceilings, and the ideal open floor plan. The adjacent dining room boasts lovely leaded glass windows and box beams, a true vintage dream. While this home maintains much of its original character, the updated kitchen has a Wolf gas range, stainless steel refrigerator, disposal, dishwasher, and granite counters. And the far end of the kitchen opens nicely into a light-filled breakfast nook – perfect for enjoying your morning coffee! 
Just off the main level living area and tucked to the side you’ll find a darling bedroom that looks out onto the backyard, along with a full bathroom with walk-in shower.
The layout on the second level is ideal, with a charming light-filled primary bedroom, big east-facing windows, two skylights, a ceiling fan, and a large walk-in closet with closet organizers. A spacious second bedroom sits adjacent to the primary bedroom with great natural light from south-facing windows, plus a ceiling fan and closet. And rounding it off is the roomy full bathroom with a large soaking tub, two adorable pedestal sinks, huge stand-up shower, pretty blue tiling, and charming vintage windows with leaded glass. A perfect space to relax! 
Make your way back downstairs and just off the kitchen you’ll find a mudroom area with exterior entry to the backyard. A staircase leads down into the large finished basement, where the flex space provides so much opportunity. Easily imagined as a guest bedroom, a TV/family room, an artist studio, a reading den – there are endless options! Don’t miss the permitted half-bathroom and laundry area, and of course, tons of storage space! 
Head out the backdoor and check out how much space there is to play and roam! The yard is huge, the landscaping is mature and includes a gorgeous Deodar cedar tree, plus an adorable lean-to shed with an additional covered area and plenty of patio space so you can enjoy the outdoors in any kind of weather. 

Don’t miss the fabulous enclosed hot tub and oversized garage with attic storage and work space.

There is plenty of space for RV or boat parking!

This gorgeous and inviting bungalow offers an abundance of living space, plus so many delightful features! The home is close to many parks, cafes, shops, and grocery stores. Welcome home!

Putting Down Roots in SE

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations to my clients Saidullah, Solimah, and their three children on the purchase of their first home!

Saidullah and Solimah were introduced to me by my past clients, Yusuf and Misrah. They are all refugees from Myanmar and have worked tirelessly to save up to purchase homes for their families.

Saidullah, Solimah, and their three children needed a place with enough bedrooms, a backyard for the kids to play in, and somewhere close enough to public transit and their Mosque. We found it (and well below their max budget, too) on SE 142nd Ave.

We beat out 4 other offers with creative terms and a competitive price. Another win came when we were able to negotiate a full credit for roof and sewer repairs. The whole family is so excited to be moving in before the new year.

Cheers to Saidullah and Solimah, and their faithful advocates, Yusuf and Misrah, who were with them at every step of the way. Here’s to many more years of love and laughter in your new family home!

 

A New Home for the New Year!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations to my friends and clients, Parmeet and Vinisha! After a relentless search of countless homes, they couldn’t be happier with their brand new home!

I met Parmeet when we were both new to the real estate game. He is licensed across the river in WA, so I was happy to help him purchase a home large enough for his multi-generational family.

Our search took us to every quadrant of the city, and out to Beaverton as well. Parmeet, Vinisha, and his parents had specific layout needs, and the price needed to be just right. We probably toured 60 homes, primarily on the West side, before this NoPo custom construction caught our eye.

Just off Willamette Blvd in Arbor Lodge, this house had everything they were looking for – including a 2-car garage, a flat yard, and a view across the river from the primary suite. Within moments of arriving, we were discussing offer terms and price. The house had only been on the market 5 days. The listing agent said there were a few other interested parties, but after some careful questioning, we were able to determine that neither of those other buyers were serious.

Knowing the Seller wanted a quick sale, we offered a hassle-free, quick transaction and were able to negotiate $60K off the list price! We conducted inspections (ALWAYS do an inspection, even on new construction) and bided our time while we waited for closing. Not a moment too soon – the family moved in 12/22/21 and are hastily decorating for Christmas in the new home!

Here’s to many more holidays celebrated in this beautiful home. Cheers Parmeet and Vinisha!

 

Clarity of vision

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux

Like so many folks, Emily and Alex’s work shifted dramatically during the pandemic. With their physical location being less of a priority, they opened up their minds to the possibility of relocating. Having visited Emily’s cousin in Portland and loved it, it was top of the list. Emily and Alex are both people that make things happen and they decided to get the ball rolling by planning a trip to get into a few homes and explore the city. On their trip we toured a home that was quite simply, just what they were looking for. They acted with clarity and decisiveness in presenting an offer and found a delayed possession plan that worked for all involved. We are so excited to welcome them to the city and their new home!

Renovations Done Right

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux
Jon loves to restore older homes to their original glory, with modern amenities. He is a true craftsman.  He called a few months ago saying he was ready for another project and the search led him to a great home to restore.  His projects are a labor of love that allow him to share his skillset in retirement, and he would commonly say he needed a project to get him out of the house and keep him busy.  We cannot wait to see what Jon transforms this house into.
Jessica + Karim

Moving closer to grandkids and family! Yay!

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

Congratulations to Mark and Mary Jo!!

I just had the privilege of helping Mark and Mary Jo buy a wonderful condo! I met them because their son, Chad, is one of my dearest clients and Mark and Mary Jo wanted to be closer to Chad, Libby and the Grandkids. This is truly one of the best parts of my job- helping families stay connected or become closer. 

We were able to find Mark and Mary Jo a wonderful single-level condo in a sweet Hillsboro location and it checks all the boxes! It was a great transaction and I would like to take this opportunity to point out that when we help clients buy condos we highly recommend they do a review of the HOA docs with an attorney. As real estate agents, we cannot give legal advice so an attorney is integral to deciphering all of the HOA documents, rules, budget etc. In this case, we used Janet Grayson from Grason Law because we have worked with her many times and we know that she is thorough. This was such a big help to Mark and Mary Jo, as it is for all of our clients buying a home within an HOA. Thank you to Janet!

Congratulations and Cheers to Mark and Mary Jo! Here’s to building new memories with your sweet grandkiddos!

Brooklyn Blue Bungalow

Posted on by Alyssa Isenstein Krueger

My buyer Theo wins the award for the single most expensive repair I have negotiated for a buyer. Theo was a first time buyer who was referred to me by a past client of mine who they work with. We met up on a chilly fall evening to talk about what they were looking for in a house and get the process started. Within a couple of days, Theo had their pre-approval letter in hand and we were ready to go. I sent them all of the available homes within the geographic boundaries, price range and features they were looking for. The list wasn’t very long and out of all of them, only 2 houses piqued their interest. We went to see one in NE, and that was a no-go.  The second house we saw was bright blue 1920’s bungalow in the Brooklyn neighborhood. It had been on the market for about a month and had one sale fail. The home was lovely with a gigantic newly remodeled kitchen and a large upstairs bedroom with room to add a bathroom. The basement was decent enough with lots of windows and good ceiling height- a great candidate for future finishing. Theo slept on it and the next morning let me know they wanted to write on it. We put together a great offer and boom- got it accepted.

Most of the systems had been upgraded so I wasn’t too worried about the inspection. However, during the inspection our inspector did a few pokes at the foundation walls and the foundation just crumbled into sand. In the 1920’s during the huge housing building boom there were two concrete companies operating in Portland and those two companies provided all of the concrete for  house foundations built during that time. One company had a better concrete formula and many of those foundations are still in reasonable shape. But the second company didn’t quite know how to mix concrete very well, and those foundations are showing their age as they reach the end of their useful life as seen in the crumbling foundation walls. This basement had been skim coated on the interior at some point, but in areas like behind a built in workshop and under the stairs, the tell tale signs of a rapidly deteriorating foundation were all there. For most buyers, that would have been the end of that and they would have terminated. But Theo really loved the house and location, so they took the next step and hired a structural engineer to come out to take a look so they could make a decision to either move forward with the transaction or terminate. I had a great conversation with the listing agent about the issue, and thankfully the sellers understood this wasn’t a repair they could put off if they wanted to sell the home.  Thankfully the engineer was able to come out and made the determination that the foundation really was on its last legs. She told us there were 2 ways to approach a new foundation- one way was to lift the house and pour a brand new concrete foundation. This route is prohibitively expensive- costing in the $80k-$100k range. The other option is to have an engineered wood wall built. With this method, an engineer designs a wood wall that is built in the basement up against the old concrete foundation and embedded in a new interior concrete footing and attached to the framing of the house. As long as the engineered wood walls are kept dry, which involves rubber matting between the old concrete foundation and the new wood one and making sure the drainage system around the home is effectively channeling water away from the house, the new wood foundation can last indefinitely. And because it’s wood, it has give so also provides better seismic protection than old concrete foundations. The old concrete foundation stays in place, but it no longer functions as a support for the house. And the new foundation gives the basement an almost finished look.

We wound up doing 5 inspection extensions to get the engineer to have the drawings ready before closing, and to get a firm bid from a contractor to do the work after closing. Closing was delayed by 10 days- but we did it! Due to the whole supply chain, dearth of availability of contractors, etc., the work can’t be done for a while, but that’s ok because the contractor has already been paid and stated that they will complete the repair within the next year for the stated bid amount. The cost for something like this obviously depends on the total linear feet and some other factors, but in general, this type of repair will cost in the $35,000-$60,000 including drainage, which is a whole lot of money, but about half of what it would cost to replace the foundation with concrete.

Just Sold: Woodburn New Construction for First Time Homebuyers

Posted on by Living Room Realty

JUST SOLD

1070 Kennedy St, Woodburn, OR 97071

LISTED AT: $399,000 | SOLD AT: $400,000

3 BEDROOM | 2 BATH | 1,302 SQFT
MLS# 21573099 

Persistence pays off! I first met Marcus when he choose to intern at my previous brokerage. He had recently graduated college and wanted to explore some career paths for himself. He was an incredibly bright young man at the time with the world in front of him. He opted not to go into real estate, and decided to pursue a career with a finance company.

Fast forward to the fall of 2020, in the midst of the pandemic,  when he approached me about finding a home for himself and his family. He was now married, and the father of a young daughter. They wanted to find a place for their family to grow and call their own, but desired to keep their budget to under $400k. We began their search in the Portland Metro area, but ran into limited inventory, questionably habitable homes, or Townhomes which had HOA amounts or special assessments that made their price point lower in order to keep they monthly payments the same as a detached home. We wrote offer after after, only to lose out over and over.

Still Marcus and his wife, Maddeighy, remained undaunted. We keep looking, slowly expanding our search out to Hillsboro and Beyond, Newberg, deep East Portland, and finally South towards Woodburn. What you got as you went out was not much better, but at least there were more options. We keep searching through the Winter, Spring, and into the Summer, when they informed me that they were expecting their 2nd child and really did need space for 4. They were due in November, so we hoped to be in contract on something before their new daughter came. They hunt progressed.

We finally came across some new homes that were under construction in the Woodburn area. Marcus works in Wilsonville, so the commute was not that bad in comparison to some of the deeper east and west areas we had looked at. There were 3 properties all under construction, all for sale, with 1 of them pending. They pounced and we wrote an offer, in the hopes that the home would be as envisioned when they were all complete. This was a leap they had to take, as there was no flooring, countertops, appliances, concrete outside, or landscaping done when we viewed it. They decided it was better than most other things they had seen, and after a few negotiations with the listing brokers on the minutiae of the sale, we were in contract.

New construction is an exercise in patience, and despite writing our closing for 45 days (we were told they thought they would be done in 30 days), nothing is ever as planned. At 45 days, we were told the final building inspection by the county still needed to be completed, and no Certificate of Occupancy would be ready, so we pushed out a week. 1 week lead to 2. 2 weeks turned into 3. We hoped no more delays would occur, and thankfully, the day before  Thanksgiving we were given word that the Final Inspection had occurred, the building permit had been signed off on, and Certificate of Occupancy had been issued. The day had arrived, and despite the hope that they would have a home ready to move into before their 2nd daughter arrived, they would be now have a home for her and her sister to grow up in and call their own.

Cheers Marcus, Maddeighy and Family, I hope that you make many lovely and wonderful memories in your new home!

 

When you know what you want, the rest just falls into place!

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

Congratulations to David and Clara!!

Some folks just know what they want and it happens fast! This is definitely true in David and Clara’s case. This fun couple came to our team via my teammate, Jasmine Deatherage. They reached out, ready to start the process. We chatted briefly and I knew we were going to not only help them purchase a home but also have fun in the process! We scheduled our Buyer’s Meeting- a meeting we have with all buyers before we get started. We go over the buying process, what to expect in the current real estate market and how our team works. It’s pretty much a requirement for all of our buyers. 

But hey… that meeting didn’t even happen!! Right after we scheduled our Buyer’s meeting, a fantastic home in a fantastic location popped up and they wanted to jumped on the opportunity! Things started rolling along and we just filled in the blanks as we went. David has bought a few homes in his life so he was familiar with the process. 

And now, they own this darling home! The home has so many great updates, a fantastic layout and solid bones! Congratulations, David and Clara!! We are so excited to see how the kitchen remodel turns out.

Congrats to David and Clara!

How to Get An Offer Accepted Before An Open House

Posted on by Alyssa Isenstein Krueger

Sarah and Tariq contacted me in early August after being referred to me by one of my favorite lenders. They used to live in Portland, and had moved to Los Angeles for work, and were now being transferred back to Portland. They were moving to Portland in mid-November, so they came to Portland in mid-October to find a home. Before they arrived, we had a flurry of emails back and forth narrowing down homes they wanted to see.  They seemed to really hone in on mid-centuries and when we came up with our list of homes to see over the next few days, the majority were mid-centuries.  They arrived on a Thursday evening, and we hit the ground running on Friday morning. We saw around 12 houses together over the next couple of days, and they saw even more homes on their own visiting open houses.

They did write on one home, but when that home received another offer that was higher and waived their inspection, Sarah and Tariq decided they didn’t love it enough to go that far. With 2 days left on their clock, they started leaning towards writing an offer on a house they didn’t love, but felt it met their needs and after buying it, they could fix it up to their liking. They wanted to be under contract before they flew back to LA and I think they were ok with settling for a less than perfect house for the sake of being able to leave Portland having a house under contract.

While they mulled that house over, a house came on the market in North Tabor that seemed like it could be the one. We immediately went and saw it and both Sarah and Tariq just beamed and they knew within 20 steps into the house that this was the one. It had a classic living room with fireplace, formal dining room and vintage kitchen that looked almost brand new. Two bedrooms on the main floor and one up plus a semi-finished basement. The house had a tuck under garage as well as an oversized double car garage behind the house. One of the things that was on their must have list was a garage for their motorcycles, and this house had the perfect set-up for their bikes. They loved it and decided on the spot they would take the home as-is and waive the inspection contingency. The home was an estate and prior to going on the market the seller pro-actively replaced the sewer line, did a radon test and had soil samples taken and the tank decommissioned. The home was a well built 1951 classic with a foundation built like a tank, but I could tell that the roof had at least 3 layers including the original wood shingle roof, it needed plumbing updates, both the furnace and water heater were ancient and the chimney had seen better days. I put together a list for Sarah and Tariq with repair estimates for all the issues based off very recent bids for similar work. After going through those numbers, it all felt pretty manageable budget wise.  They decided they would go the distance to get this house, and the sooner they could get it under contract the better. 99% of the time I would never advise a first time home buyer to waive the home inspection contingency, but in this case it made sense considering the potential big unknowns, sewer and oil tank, were already taken care of and Sarah and Tariq were dying to get the house.

The house was scheduled to have an open house on Sunday, and Sarah and Tariq wanted to get this house under contract before then. We wrote up a great offer that was over asking, waived the right of revocation, ordered the appraisal on day one, did a 26 day close, released the earnest money upon acceptance by the seller and waived the home inspection contingency.  I would never advice a buyer to release their earnest money right away, but they were so sure that this was their house that when they asked what else they could throw in to hopefully get the seller to accept their offer right away, that was the really the only thing left. When we submitted the offer on a Friday night, it was as watertight as could be.

The next day, on Saturday, the listing agent called me and said the seller was so pleased with Sarah and Tariq’s offer, that she decided to accept it  right away and they canceled the open house scheduled for Sunday. Sarah and Tariq flew back to LA on Sunday knowing that when they drove back to Portland in November, they had a house waiting for them. Even though they waived the home inspection contingency, they still had the home inspected so they would be able to prioritize repairs and know what they were getting into. Thankfully the home inspected like a dream, and pretty much everything I said would come up in an inspection as an issue, came up, and overall the house was in terrific shape. The house closed on a Thursday, and on Saturday morning Sarah and Tariq arrived in Portland with their pup a rented mini-van full of plants and the glow that comes with having the satisfaction of getting keys to their dream home.

 

This party is just getting started!!

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

A big congratulations to Jessica, Michael & Family!

Welp, it happened again folks. I had the privilege of working with fantastic clients and now I want to adopt them! Or, at least have them over for dinner :).

Jessica and Michael were referred to my teammate, Jasmine, and they were such a delight to work with. They came to us looking for a home in inner southeast Portland. They were moving from an area with limited walkability so location was very important to them. We did end up finding a lovely home in a great location but after a hard inspection, we sadly had to move on and look for a different home.

…And I’m so glad we did!

We found the cutest, most special home in Ladd’s Addition for the family! Everything about this purchase was wonderful and full of good vibes! I wish every buyer had the chance to experience a purchase like this one. Jessica and Michael are so head over heels for the neighborhood they have convinced Jessica’s parents to move here to enjoy all the goodness they are experiencing. We are looking forward to working with her parents and hoping for the same kind of magical purchase!

 

 

 

 

Photo credit for photos of the home: Jack Burnett

Embracing what’s tangible

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux
Rebecca and Nate were in the market for their first home and knew they wanted to live in N or NE Portland – aside from this criteria, they went in with open minds, willing to investigate homes in varying conditions in their price range. As they honed in on what works for them, it became clear that size was not a priority. Minimalists by nature, they felt drawn to smaller spaces with some charm. This flexibility was hugely advantageous as they looked in a highly competitive price range. With commitment and realistic expectations on their side, the right house emerged and to top it all off, they got it UNDER LIST. We are simply thrilled for them.

Remembering what buyers go through…

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux

Even real estate agents have to be buyers in this competitive market. My husband and I toured on a Monday afternoon and upon entry knew this was the perfect house that we had been waiting for. We drove away and I was hopeful that it would be a late season non-competitive situation… That hope quickly faded when I checked in with the agent.  She was already expecting about six offers and had set a deadline only hours away for all offers to be submitted. I quickly went to work and delivered a competitive offer, but learned only a little bit later that she had received 21 offers in full. We had little to no hope left, but did still amend our offer to try and make it stronger.
The stars aligned and we got the call at 8 PM that night that our offer was accepted! It was a good reminder of how slow the minutes pass as you await news! Never give up because it’s not always the sales price it’s the whole package… Terms matter!

Congrats on Your First Home!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congratulations to my first-time buyer clients, Dennis and Sam, for closing on their new home! I am excited to see you settle into your new place, and look forward to seeing you make improvements to make the home yours! Thank you so much for your trust and support to guide you through this process.

Yes, the market is competitive

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux
We set out to find Emma and Kushal their new home in NE Portland almost a year ago.  We toured many homes, many were ruled out, but a handful were a great fit.  Their first offer was financed with a large down payment and very competitive terms, but they were edged out by a higher cash offer.  This story repeated itself a few more times and a backup position was offered on all.  After continuing to lose to cash they decided to convert to cash as well.  Confidence was reset and we moved forward weathering the lack of inventory and limited options that fit their needs. They were ready to compete when the right one hit the market, only to find that this price point was flooded with cash and buyers willing to pay well over market value.  We lost a couple more times and the heartbreak was setting in, but we kept the candle lit and patiently waited for it to be their turn.  This long hard journey led them to an amazing home with features NO other home had offered, in a spectacular location.  I am so happy for them and know they are going to LOVE their new home.  Patience and perseverance does pay off!
Jessica
Keeping the hope alive.

Setting the groundwork for success

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux

The buying process is different for everyone – some folks have spent large swaths of time researching the market or have lived in Portland for decades, and so have clear perspectives on what areas of town will work well for them. Others are making the leap from miles away, maybe even buying a home sight unseen. What’s most important from our perspective, is that we are working within the parameters that are right for each individual buyer. For Zsofi and Eddy, they began their search after just moving to town and did not have a chance to let their sense of the city and what works for them develop before diving into the deep end. We met them after they nailed down a short term rental and so were able to proceed with less urgency and a keen eye toward what would make sense for them long term. As soon as they were allowed the space to solidify their priorities, they found the house they had been seeking. We always want buyers to travel at their own pace and embrace the process that is right for them as they make the jump toward this exciting milestone.

Apparently cats approach buying a farm very differently.

Posted on by Martin Cross

Buying or selling a home in normal conditions is one of the most stressful things a person can do. Right up there with getting married or moving across the country. Selling one home while trying to buy another one contingent upon the sale of the first takes the stress level up 10 notches. If you run into any friction along the way such as complicated repairs or negotiations, stress levels go through the roof!!

But with experienced, cooperative agents on both sides, level heads on the part of both buyers and sellers and holding onto the idea that everyone wants the same thing, which is to close the deal, we can usually make it to the finish line!

This is exactly what happened to Zippy & Spark. They were selling their North Portland home while also in contract to buy a farm in Washington when extensive and complicated repairs were discovered in the inspection process. Getting bids from contractors and finding one with the available time to start the work quickly raises the level of stress and possibly increases the time it can take to close the deal. Thus, possibly putting at risk their ability to close on the farm purchase.

But with my extensive list of contractors to call, cooperation from the other broker who kept her buyers hopes up and especially with encouragement, expert advice and consultation from mine and my sellers friend and Realtor Dale Schiff, along with tenacity on the part of my sellers who dug in and contributed time and effort to get the job done, we were able to get the repairs negotiated and completed in less than two weeks so we could close of the sale on their home and the purchase of their new home could be completed.

Apparently, cats approach buying a farm very differently.

Mid-Century Delight for Delightful Buyers In Kenton!

Posted on by Alyssa Isenstein Krueger

My buyers Annie and Ben were referred to me by one of the great lenders at Portland Housing Center. They were first time home buyers and during our meeting when we met to discuss their plan and get a feel to see if we would be a good fit to work together, we talked about the ideal house for them. They had a really clear idea of exactly what they were looking for and where they wanted to buy. Ben works in Vancouver and Annie works on the inner east side so their ideal house would be in North Portland in Kenton or near I-5. They also wanted something with vintage charm- preferably mid-century, and in good shape that would be easy to maintain. They also wanted a yard and their budget was $400k tops. They were still interviewing agents when a couple of days after we met, I got an email from my wonderful colleague Martin Cross here at Living Room with info on an open house a great listing of his in Kenton was having the next day.  On paper that house seemed to meet all the criteria that Annie and Ben had, so I forwarded the email along to them. They responded that indeed, the house looked like it was great and they could tell I had a really good sense of what they were looking for, and that sealed the deal for us working together.

Annie and Ben stopped by the open house and let me know right afterwards the house was beautiful and perfect for them. I went back to see it with them the next day, and the following day we wrote up a great offer. The sellers accepted and 6 days after we first met they were under contract. We had the inspection and it was going really well, with the exception of the roof which we all suspected was toast. And then we got the bad news. At some point the tub overflow drain line had been disconnected so water had been getting behind the tub for a long, long time. Everything under there including subfloor and floor joists were toast. The rot had worked its way into the wall behind the tub plumbing and had spread out from just under the tub to most of the bathroom. The only real fix was to remove the tub, vanity and toilet, gut the bathroom, and then rebuild the bathroom from the subfloor up. Ouch.

A lot of buyers would have walked at this point, but after a few days of hard thinking, Annie and Ben decided that they still loved the house and felt that if there was a way to have this all fixed before they take possession, they would stick with it. They knew they wanted it fixed, and the last thing they wanted was to get keys to their new house and then have to find somewhere else to live while the only bathroom got rebuilt. The next move was finding a contractor who could do the job within the next month. Between Martin the listing agent and myself, we hunkered down and found a few contractors who could go out there to take a look. The first  company to get back to us bid the job at nearly 3 times what the sellers wound up paying for the same scope of work and said it would take  4-6 months before the job could be completed. In the end, a contractor who the seller had personally used for other jobs said they could get the entire job done within a couple of weeks including mold remediation, and indeed they did. My buyers even got to pick out new flooring and a new toilet.

Despite such a huge repair, we wound up closing only one week late. The sellers are doing a 3 week occupancy after close, so on the last day of the weekend before Thanksgiving, I will have the honor and pleasure of meeting my buyers at the house to hand over keys.

 

What a cute house!

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

Congratulations to Janice and Mic!

I had the pleasure of helping two very kind people buy a lovely home in SW! Janice and Mic were referred to me by a past client, they were looking forward to retiring soon and hoping to find a well-maintained home in a peaceful neighborhood. We found just the place! A lovely home in the Cedar Mill area, perfect for relaxing, close to everything and plenty of space for their cats. So many updates along with an added wing with vaulted ceilings. They couldn’t be happier! 

Cheers to Janice and Mic!!

Celebrating co-agent collaboration in 2021

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux
We all have conditioned associations with realtors. My personal (admittedly somewhat negative) realtor stereotype word bank used to look like this: aggressive, relentless, power suit, unyielding, manipulative, sales driven at all costs. It has been a genuine privilege to enter this industry in a city and at a company that defies these stereotypes. I can say honestly that more commonly I experience care as the foundational motivation of the realtors I look forward to working with.
It cannot be overstated what a difference having a great agent on the other side of a transaction makes. Providing loyal representation to clients and establishing a quality working relationship with fellow agents are not mutually exclusive drivers. When there is mutual respect, quality of communication, and a collaborative spirit between agents, it is felt by all parties, even if so much of this relationship exists in the shadows of the transaction. A small note of thanks to the realtors driven by service and connection – you are such a big part of what makes this job meaningful and fun.

JUST LISTED: Exceptionally Renovated Classic Craftsman

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

JUST LISTED

 

Exceptionally Renovated Classic Craftsman

4114 SE 14th Ave, Portland, OR 97202 

Offered at $799,000

4 Bed | 3 Bath | 2002 SF | MLS#  21169366  | Taxes: $6,644

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, October 30th 11AM-1PM

Video Tour

Gorgeous, remodeled Craftsman with hard-to-find custom woodwork detailing and built-ins, an impressive list of updates and character galore! Approaching the home, you’ll love the lush landscaping, Dutch front door and picture-perfect front porch!

This unique craftsman home has been modernized at almost every turn and it shows! To start, the home features updated cedar siding, beautiful energy-efficient wood windows, and upgraded insulation throughout the home. As you enter, the living and dining rooms are light and bright with gorgeous hardwood floors. The living room glows with a gas fireplace surrounded by a custom mantle and built-in shelving. The dining area touts a sweet corner custom-built wood storage bench with windows that let the light pour in and wrap around you.

The floorplan has great flow, smoothly transitioning you into the stylishly remodeled kitchen with stainless steel appliances, classic tile flooring & backsplash, custom island, quartz countertops, and lots of counter space. Just down the hall from the kitchen is a conveniently located full bathroom with a claw foot tub and bedroom/den/home office across the hall.  A large back porch just off the kitchen offers ample space for outdoor living complete with gas hook-up perfect for your outdoor grill.

An exceptionally beautiful wood staircase leads you upstairs to a magical bonus room that you’re going to love! It’s midway up the stairs, just perfect for little ones, furry friends or whatever your heart desires. Moving all the way up to the top level, you’ll find an awesome family room on the landing with built-in speakers and big, beautiful windows. The primary bedroom at the end of the hall is very spacious with vaulted ceilings and double closets with built-in closet organizer. The en suite bathroom features a walk-in shower with double heads and a lovely cedar sauna. Just down the hall is another large bedroom with tons of windows and natural light.

Winding down the stairs, the mudroom surprises you halfway down to the basement and offers a convenient side door off the driveway, just perfect for unloading the groceries. This mudroom is thoughtfully designed with heated tile floors, custom wood benches and wood shelving/hooks. One of the coolest features in this room is a set of built-in dog bowls & a faucet so refilling their water is a cinch!

Making your way down to the basement, you’ll find a spacious room with built-in shelving, bright overhead lighting, and custom blinds.  This area could be easily imagined as a private guest suite, media room, home office, or the coveted 4th bedroom. The adjoining room is the ideal utility room with a laundry platform, hanger bar for drying clothes, counter space, built-in shelving and a vintage double utility sink.

The backyard is beautifully hardscaped and connects the home to an oversized one-car garage with lots of additional space. This was custom built as a woodshop with ducting for a ventilation system, skylights, many windows, built-in shelving and a large loft. The sky is the limit for what could be imagined for this space!

You will love this sought-after close-in SE location in the Brooklyn neighborhood, just blocks from Brooklyn School park and Winterhaven School! It’s a fantastic neighborhood for walking and biking. Plus, an easy commute to downtown or to I-5!

 

 

Updates and Features

  • A/C (2017)
  • Foundation with earthquake protection (2006)
  • New basement slab (2006)
  • Plumbing updated with pex and copper throughout (2007)
  • Electrical panels and wiring updated throughout (2007)
  • Double pane wood windows (2007)
  • Roof with architectural shingles (2007)
  • Upgraded insulation throughout with spray foam (2007)
  • Dry wells each corner of house (2006)
  • Radon mitigation system (2014)
  • Garage has an electrical subpanel with meter
  • Garage is plumbed for dust collection system

Finally…Relaxing in Raleigh Hills!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Congrats to Bryce + Lindsey on closing on their new home in one of my FAVORITE neighborhoods in Raleigh Hills, SW PDX. This was an effort that began in Cali and lasted the better part of 2021.

Lindsey found me – of all places – on instagram!? After our first few conversations (ranging from the Portland market to vaccination stuff to the US education system) I absolutely adored her. While her husband Bryce was remodeling their house in LA, she and their two young boys were staying in Arizona with her family. They were looking forward to being all back together again in Portland after the LA house sold.

Sell it did – quickly and beyond their wildest dreams. The day after escrow closed on their CA home, they started driving north to Oregon. I first met them in person at a midcentury home on half an acre in West Linn. It was especially fun working with Bryce and Lindsey because their preferred house and design styles matched mine!

We were confident they’d be able to find what they were looking for – a house with space for their boys to play inside and out, for Bryce’s home office, and for grandparents to stay when visiting. Not too much to ask for…right?

Our first few offer scenarios had a sobering effect on their optimism. While Bryce and Lindsey were able to write strong offers, they remained practical. We were beat out a few times by competing offers at prices that seemed absolutely ludicrous.

And then, there are those unicorn homes that for some unbeknownst reason to me, agent will throw on the RMLS without professional photos or staging…and that is where we found our in. There were two other offers to contend with, but after having met the Sellers at the open house, Lindsey and Bryce knew they were ready to go *all in.*

This was definitely a situation of, “Aren’t you glad your previous offers weren’t accepted?!” The house is absolutely perfect for them, and is SO much better in person than the online photos suggest. After living out of suitcases since August in three AirBnbs with two children under five, they can finally relax in their new Portland home.

The only downside to handing Lindsey and Bryce their keys is not seeing them every weekend moving forward – but I will certainly be inviting myself over soon enough. Cheers!

We Don’t Want To Waste Your Time

Posted on by Living Room Realty

After 8 years in the real estate industry, I have heard it all. As a Realtor, I am often exposed to the most stressed-out version of each of my clients at one point or another throughout the process. And, since everyone’s timeline, financial situation and overall tolerance of risk is so different, I end up helping my clients work through a variety of different questions, fears, obstacles and decisions. These are the moments that can make or break a Realtor’s level of expertise in my opinion, and are a huge part of why I enjoy what I do. 

I get to be a trusted Advisor for my clients during huge moments of their lives. 

But back to the point. One of the most common phrases I have noticed over the years comes from my Buyer clients, when they tell me they “don’t want to waste my time.” So, I wanted to address that phrase in this blog installment.

Most commonly, I hear this phrase when someone is in the early stages of their home search, and they are still figuring out which locations to target and what budget they want to stay within. The other times I have heard this, is after weeks or months of looking at properties, without finding the right one. 

What I find interesting about both of these scenarios, is that it seems as though people have been conditioned to believe that they shouldn’t call their Realtor, until they are ready to make an offer on a home. Or, that there is a finite period of time that they should be finding their home within. Otherwise, they might be wasting my time. 

This couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Having sold nearly 200 homes in my time as a Realtor, I can confidently say that everyone’s timeframe for finding the right property is different. I have had people buy the very first house I showed them, and I have had people take a year or more to find “the one.” Neither instance is right, and neither is wrong. The goal remains the same — finding a property that you connect with and want to purchase!

Sometimes the best way to accomplish this goal, is to see as many homes as possible in person, which can provide super valuable information as to what will or won’t work for you in the property that you purchase. And I LOVE being a part of this process! The better understanding that I have for what your dream home is, or what your goals are for that particular property, the better I can serve you. Being involved in this part of the process also allows me to add my experience and expertise into the mix as well, and hopefully offer some valuable insight that you may not have thought about. 

Either way, the bottom line is that working with you all is an absolute pleasure, and as your trusted real estate advisor, I love being involved in your process for buying or selling a home from start to finish! 

Oh, and it never feels anything close to being a waste of time. 

 

Thank you for being a friend!

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

Congratulations to Laura & Her Kiddos!!

Laura is a good friend of my teammate, Jasmine Deatherage’s and I’m so glad I met her! She is so bright & funny!  And now, Laura just closed on that house!! It’s a super unique A-Frame with tons of exposed wood and a fantastically updated upper level.

Another great part of Laura’s story is that she was able to use funds from the Portland Housing Center’s IDA program to help pay for her closing costs! I highly recommend that you look into this program to see if you or someone you know might qualify. HERE is the link!

Jasmine and I wish Laura all the best in her wonderful new home!

 

Shifting priorities

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux

With a new teaching job to look forward to, Julie wanted to buy a home in a neighborhood that would be an easy commute to her school and afford her the space to invite her mom to move in with her. Equally important was the long term investment potential and rentability of the new place down the road. We began the search focused on detached homes within the budget and found that with location as the priority, compromising on condition felt inevitable. Once we expanded the radius of the search AND opened up to the possibility of attached homes, the options became exciting and Julie landed on an attached move-in ready home that will not come with the stress of needing to renovate immediately upon moving in. We are so glad to have been a part of finding the home that will work for Julie’s life.

Just Listed! EASTMORELAND ENCHANTMENT

Posted on by Bonnie Roseman

7506 SE 36th Avenue

Portland, Oregon, 97202

Stroll and roll through verdant streets with classic homes and lush landscaping, tucked under an array of trees. This well-loved original sits proudly on the corner, dappled with leaf-filtered sunlight. Original French paned windows, hardwood floors and arched fireplace beckon. Intimate dining room with corner built-in just off the kitchen. The bathroom features a high-quality original tub and hex tile floor. Spread out into the bonus room in the front dormer and the open space of the untapped potential of the basement. Portland-perfect year round outdoor solarium-style enclosed deck. Modern furnace, water heater and electrical panel, so you can focus on the fun stuff — put your designer touch on this sweet abode. Sought after residential neighborhood surrounded by the greenery of Reed College, Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, the Eastmoreland Golf Course, plus easy access to the Springwater Corridor 40-Mile Loop. Just a hop, skip and a jump to 2 elementary schools!

OFFERED AT $599,000

4 BEDROOM | 1 BATH | 2,553 SQFT

MLS# 21285896

 

I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying

Posted on by Living Room Realty

One of the best things about being a Realtor, is getting to be part of such a momentous occasion in people’s lives. For many, purchasing a home is a goal they have had for many years, prior to actually being in a position to do so. Then, when it actually all comes together, the gratitude my clients express to me for guiding and advising them through the process, is truly humbling. 

On many occasions, I end up becoming great friends with my clients, through the shared adversity, excitement and joy that can come from purchasing a home. When the deal closes, and the stress melts away, the friendship and bond that has been built doesn’t. Being able to work with clients who I genuinely enjoy and care for as people, is what gives me that extra level of passion for what I do. 

Thank you all for always trusting me as your resource for all things Real Estate. I am forever grateful! 

 

JUST LISTED: Classy Sylvan Daylight Ranch

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

JUST LISTED

710 SW VIEWMONT DR Portland, OR 97225

Offered at $720,000

5 Bed | 2 Bath | 2896 SF | MLS# 21169366  | Taxes: $7,179

OPEN HOUSES: Sat 10/9 10AM-12PM & Sun 10/10 11AM-1PM

VIDEO TOUR

This well-maintained daylight ranch is perched high off the street in the gorgeous West Haven-Sylvan neighborhood! Lovely terraced, mature landscaping and a convenient half circle driveway give this home so much curb appeal.

Entering the foyer, you’re going to love the vaulted entry and abundance of natural light. An open staircase leads you up to the main level with a wonderful open floor plan, hardwood floors throughout and updated double-pane windows all around. The spacious living room has a cozy gas fireplace for those chilly months of the year. In the adjacent formal dining room, French doors deliver you onto an oversized, covered patio terrace overlooking the lush out of doors. This private exterior terrace is an extension of the home and has ample space for both outdoor dining and lounging: a truly wonderful space for entertaining! The formal dining room is conveniently located next to the warm and inviting remodeled kitchen touting stainless steel appliances, plenty of storage, granite countertops and a gas range.

The layout of this 5-bedroom house is an absolute dream with 3 bedrooms on the main with a full bathroom and 2 more bedrooms on the lower level with a full bathroom. Both bathrooms are large & clean, perhaps they could be waiting for your personal touch. Stay comfortable all year with central air conditioning and 2 fireplaces.

Head on down to the stairs and you’ll find charm around every corner! The lower level is a cleverly designed space with optimum livability, featuring a family room with a wood-burning fireplace. This space is easily imagined as a media room, guest quarters, really the possibilities are endless! You’ll appreciate how much storage this home will bring you, with a large utility/storage room, ample closets throughout and an oversized 2-car garage with large hanging shelves to maximize storage.

Congratulations Jessi and Lily!!

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

First-Time Home Buyers!! Making it Happen!!

Processed with VSCO with c6 preset

I’m so impressed with Lily and Jessi! They were great to work with from day one. And, I know you hear me gush about how great my referrals are, a lot! But, hey, it’s true! Jasmine and I were very lucky to have met them and worked with them. They are two of the kindest people I’ve met.

Lily and Jessi were looking for a great starter home as well as something close to Lily’s parent’s house in NE Portland. We weren’t sure if we were going to be able to find something within their price range within blocks of her parent’s house. The market has been nuts and cute, well-maintained houses like this one have been flying off the shelf. On this one, I’m going to say we got it because we had very strong terms plus fantastic communication with the listing agent, right off the bat. And as it goes sometimes, we had big hurdles to overcome during the transaction and again, it was a great communication that kept it all together and pleasant for everyone involved. 

I am so happy for Lily and Jessi!! This house is darling and in the perfect location to put down roots. 

Cheers!

JUST LISTED: Awesome Ardenwald Bungalow

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

JUST LISTED

8706 SE 28TH AVE Milwaukie, OR 97222 

Offered at $525,000

4 Bed | 1 Bath | 2872 SF | MLS# 21231882  | Taxes: $3,976

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday 10/2 12PM-2PM

VIDEO TOUR

Check out this charming Ardenwald bungalow in a truly special pocket of Milwaukie. The home shines with classic detailing and character galore! Perched above the street, you’ll love the charming front porch and lovely front door with sidelights. It’s the perfect place to relax with your morning coffee or just watch the beauty that surrounds you.

An inviting and oversized living room greets you with hardwood floors and 2 beautiful picture windows. The entire home is bathed in bright natural light and cozy vibes. The living room flows seamlessly into the formal dining room which acts as a nice axis point to the kitchen and spacious backyard. The perfect layout for entertaining both inside and out!

Moving through to the kitchen, you’ll notice how large & spacious this space feels. This kitchen features lots of storage, counter space and cabinets as well as dishwasher & breakfast bar.

The layout of this 4 bedroom house is an absolute dream with 2 bedrooms up and 2 on the main level.  The full bathroom on the main level is nicely remodeled and centrally located to all bedrooms!!

The low-maintenance backyard is lovely and perfect for outdoor living and entertaining. The yard is fully fenced and includes a large shed for additional, convenient storage for your lawnmower, outdoor furniture, gardening tools, etc… Walk only one block to connect to the Spring Water Corridor! Also, a short walk over the pedestrian bridge brings you swiftly to the MAX SE Tacoma/Johnson Creek park and ride for easy commutes and City fun!

Plus, loads of storage space and laundry in the unfinished basement!

This home has so much character, convenience and appeal that you might just fall head over heels!

Congratulations Zoe and Jonathan!

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

Congratulation!

I met Zoe and Jonathan through my teammate Jasmine Deatherage! GO TEAM!

Jasmine and I are a tight-knit duo and it’s been awesome meeting the clients that she brings to the fold. Zoe and Jonathan were wonderful to work with! They found the cutest townhouse in NE Portland and it’s the BEST unit in the building. They lucked out! It’s so well maintained and in a very walkable neighborhood.

I wish them all the best!

Distinctive University Park With A View

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

Just Listed!

VIDEO TOUR

4717 N WILLAMETTE BLVD Portland, OR 97203

Offered at $625,000

3 Bed | 3 Bath | 2799 SF | MLS# 21344545 | Taxes: $8,235

TWILIGHT OPEN HOUSE: Thursday 9/30 5:30 PM-7:30 PM

What a knockout! Gorgeous, wonderfully preserved classic home with a classic Willamette Boulevard view.

Upon entry, you’ll notice the high level of care shown to this home with gorgeous wood floors, bright sunny spaces, remodeled kitchen, 2 remodeled bathrooms and a wonderful floor plan. The living room is perfect for entertaining with a classic wood fireplace, lovely mantle and large bay windows overlooking the city and river.

The open floorplan flows easily through the formal dining room and updated kitchen featuring plenty of counterspace, stainless steel appliances and classic tile backsplash. The formal dining room is bright and spacious with French doors opening onto the patio.

Moving through to the kitchen toward the back, you’ll find a fantastic informal dining room/sunroom. The space could be a wonderful spot for lounging, the perfect place for all of your house plants or a breakfast nook! This room opens to the very private backyard with breezeway to the oversized 2-car garage.

The layout of the home is ideal, with 2 large bedrooms and a full bathroom on the main level. The second floor offers a lovely primary suite with wood floors, a full bathroom, walk in closet and storage galore on one whole side room.

Winding downstairs to the basement you’ll find a clean basement with great ceiling height. A third bathroom just waiting for a remodel is conveniently located on the lower level. This is a very large space easily imagined as a media room, family room, yoga room… really, the possibilities are endless!

The location is ideal: Great for walking and biking. Check out this gorgeous and inviting home, you might just want it to be yours!

Chasselton Charm for these First Time Homebuyers

Posted on by Living Room Realty

JUST SOLD

The Chasselton Condominiums
701 NE 28th Ave #31
Portland, Oregon 97232

SOLD AT: $427,500

2 BEDROOM | 2 BATH | 1,344 SQFT
MLS# 21427447 

Today I am reminded of why I truly get fulfillment in my career. Yesterday I had the pleasure of handing over keys to two of the most genuine and deserving people on the close of their very first home. Jen and Matt were referred to my by their lender, and I am so glad he did. Real Estate is a journey, and many times we as agents are as much along for the ride just as our client’s are. We walk each home with them, talk about the pros and cons, envision what a home could be like in the future, savor it when we win the bid, and take the sting when we get beat out on offers. So when you and your client’s get along so well together and seem to be on the same page with the good and the bad of each home they see for themselves, you are exultant when they find the one just right for them.

We started our search seeing 10+ properties a day, weekend after weekend, and threw in some weekdays for fun as well. To say we saw a lot of homes is an understatement. Jen and Matt took it upon themselves to really educate themselves about the market, what seemed like a good deal and what clearly was not. We started looking at condos, but after seeing some of the HOA dues that came with them, we diverted to detached homes and townhouses without HOA’s. We saw so much in their price range, wrote a couple of offers, only to be beat out, and finally ended up in contract on a home in Milwaukie that they felt would right for them. It was flipped prior to the current owners purchasing it, and it had all the trappings of a charming home, with the old bones of a a turn of the century property. We had our inspection, and things started out bad (no sewer cleanup) and ended up worse (inspector pulling me aside to have a very candid conversation about the condition of the crawlspace). After a laundry list of major red flags, Jen and Matt decided to terminate. I remember my words to them: “Sometimes, it is okay to walk away and start again. We will find you the one.”

I headed out of town for a last bit of summer vacation, and we talked about one of the condos they had seen early on in our search. It had just had a major price reduction, and they felt it was finally at a price they could feel comfortable with making an offer on. As soon as I got back into town, we made the offer and after some great dialogue between the listing agent, we were able to craft a deal between both parties that seemed to be a win-win. The condo was located in the Chasselton Condominiums, a converted apartment building in NE Portland originally built in the 1920’s, but recently converted to Condominiums in 2007. This unit was unique in the building, as it is the only one that was 2 units that were combined over different floors. This space would allow Jen and Matt enough space to have a several bedrooms and a bonus room, to have an art studio and game room for their hobbies and more importantly, allowed AC in the space, which their previous apartment did not allow and the major reason why they started their search! So here is a photo of the two East Coast transplants, outside their very first home purchase, after being Renter’s in Portland for over 20 years!

Thanks to Michael Larson at Principal Mortgage Group for his wonderful referral and his excellent work on the financing side for Jen and Matt.

Many thanks to the List Agent, Victoria Jayne of Jayne Realty, LLC for her exceptional work on the other side of this transaction. She was on top of everything on the Seller’s side and her communication and ability to put a deal together was second to none. I truly do hope to cross her path again and work together on another transaction.

Cheers to all parties involved and Congrats Jen and Matt!

JUST LISTED: Sweet Bungalow Near Reed College

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

Just Listed!

Sweet Bungalow Near Reed  

4015 SE 28TH Place, Portland, OR 97202

Offered at $599,000

2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1549 SF | MLS# 21646526  | Taxes: $4,447

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday 9/25 1PM-3PM & Sunday 9/26 12PM-2PM

VIDEO TOUR

Sweet, darling bungalow with updates galore, perfectly situated in the charming Creston-Kenilworth neighborhood. As you approach the home, you’ll first notice the gorgeous landscaping and flagstone patio perfect for an inviting outdoor living area, all under the shade of a lovely maple tree.

The front porch welcomes you into the foyer and a spacious living room. The home glows with new hardwood floors and newer, double-pane wood windows for an abundance of natural light. The living room is gorgeous, with a charming gas fireplace for cozy evenings. The open floorplan flows easily through to the formal dining room, breakfast nook and stylishly remodeled kitchen with stainless steel appliances, classic tile flooring, custom cabinetry, granite countertops, and lots of counter space. The breakfast nook could easily flex for a sunny home office, homework area, reading nook, or lounge area off the kitchen.

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The circular layout of this home is ideal, with two bedrooms on the main level. One of the bedrooms has a built-in closet organizer and sliding glass door that leads to the back deck and patio. The large bathroom has a double-headed shower for two, custom porcelain tile, vessel sink, and pocket door. The laundry/storage closet is located on the main level for convenience. Plus, enjoy central air conditioning on those hot summer days!

You’re going to love the bonus basement space with an exterior entry and lovely full bathroom! The lower level is clean and spacious with a kitchenette, and is being sold furnished for a turnkey experience or ready to operate as an income suite. Plus, you’ll find loads of extra storage space in the basement along with a 92%-efficient gas furnace!

The generous yard is fully-fenced with a lovely deck, firepit and patio. There is a long driveway for great off-street parking, with a single-car garage at the end. And a bonus tool shed behind the garage for even more storage options. Also available with an accepted offer is a ready-to-build design for a 2 bd/1.5 bth ADU to replace the garage.

This location of this warm and lovely home is ideal! Situated on a quiet street, and easy walking distance to parks and many shops and restaurants in the neighborhood! There is so much to love in this well-maintained and cheery Creston-Kenilworth Bungalow!

 

JUST LISTED: Immaculate & Energy Efficient Craftsman

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

JUST LISTED!

6027 NE 27TH AVE Portland, OR 97211

Offered at $589,000

3 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 1606 SF | MLS# 21095348 | Taxes: $7,459

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday 9/25 1PM-3PM

VIDEO TOUR

Gorgeous, newer Craftsman home built for both efficiency and classic beauty with charming open spaces, gorgeous kitchen and hardwood floors throughout!

Located on a lovely street with mature landscaping, mature trees, large front porch and convenient alley access. A cheery dining room and foyer greet you with tasteful built-ins, high ceilings, and big double pane windows to let the sunshine in. It’s possible it will be love at first sight!

Continuing into the heart of the home, you’ll love the fantastic gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, wood cabinetry, gas range, and abundance of counter space with eat bar. The open layout flows nicely through the kitchen into the living room which glows with natural light and a stylish gas fireplace. A sliding glass door leads you to the lush backyard complete with newer shed and custom storage bench with seating.

Wind your way upstairs and you’ll find charm around every corner. The upper level is a cleverly designed space with optimum livability, featuring a picture-perfect primary suite, 2 additional bedrooms and 1 more full bathroom. Also, check out the upgraded wide plank, hardwood flooring and newly carpeted stairs! Enjoy the added convenience of an upper-level laundry room.

The low-maintenance, landscaped backyard is very private and perfect for outdoor living and entertaining. The yard is fully fenced and fido friendly.

This Energy Star Certified home features a high-efficiency furnace, A/C and tankless hot water heater. The home energy score is a 10! Enjoy a lovely walk to McMenamins Kennedy School, New Seasons, Alberta and Fernhill park! Plus, for those who travel, this location offers a swift and convenient commute to the airport. Welcome home!

Is the Market Cooling Off?

Posted on by Living Room Realty

The conversations surrounding Real Estate in the Portland Metro area these days seem to be centered around the idea that the market is cooling off. While the terms “hot” and “cool” are always relative, I thought it would be prudent to share some statistics to help frame this conversation. 

According to the most recent RMLS Market Action Report, new listings and pending sales each decreased by around 4-5% in August. Inventory increased by 10%, and total time on market increased by about 15%. Taken at face value, these stats might lead one to believe that the market is beginning to shift. 

However, when we look at the actual statistics for inventory and time on market, we see that we still only had 1 month’s worth of inventory in August, and the average time on market was 23 days. Inventory has been at or below 1 month for the duration of 2021, and the average time on market YTD is 28 days. So, these key indicators of market activity are still very consistent with what we have been seeing all year in the Portland Market. 

Something we don’t have hard data for, but that I have noticed through my own experiences as a Realtor,  is that there does seem to be a lower number of competing offers when a new listing hits the market. Throughout the Spring and Summer months, it was very common to see 10-15 offers on a new listing during the first weekend on the market. Now, it seems that we are seeing closer to 3-5 offers for a hot new listing. 

Competition being a bit less steep is certainly a welcome sight for Buyers, especially those who have been looking for a home all year. With that said, we are still in a heavily favored Seller’s Market, and Buyers should not mistake the decrease in competition for a shift in overall market conditions. If your hope is to wait for the market to turn, you may be waiting quite a while. 

To add some perspective, one of the hottest real estate markets I have worked in (besides 2020 and 2021) was during the Spring and Summer of 2016. In August of 2016, we had 1.9 months worth of inventory, and the average time on market was 34 days. So, even if our current inventory numbers doubled, and time on market increased by 48%, we would still have market stats consistent with one of the hottest Sellers’ Markets Portland has ever seen.

In short, if you are thinking about Selling, you didn’t miss your window. If that is still a goal, let’s chat, so we can set up a plan and timeline. If you’re thinking about Buying, but hoping to wait for the market to turn, I’d probably advise against waiting. While the market will surely turn eventually, the amount of inventory needed for a balanced market (6 months worth), is not something we will likely see in the Portland Market in the near future. 

Thanks for reading. Call or text anytime, if you’d like to discuss the market.

 

When it rains…

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux

Ayumi and Brent entered the market knowing they wanted a home in their current neighborhood, which they love. They also knew they wanted a newer home with more space for their family. Sometimes when you go into the search with pinpoint focus, it is all about the waiting game. When a great home in their preferred price range surfaced, we were thrilled and Ayumi and Brent took a swing, only to be offered the back-up position. To our delight the first place buyers backed out and they were offered an opportunity at the home they had fought for. That very day another promising candidate at an even better price point popped up on the market and they knew that in order to move on this new home, they would have to risk losing out on the other property. They took a big risk to great reward – they wrote their best offer and had it accepted within the day. We are so glad they followed their intuition and ended up in the best possible scenario for their family.

Mid-Century Dream in Cherry Park

Posted on by Alyssa Isenstein Krueger

Four years ago I helped my client Matteo purchase his first home in Portland in Rose City Park after he recently moved to Portland from New Orleans. As an artist and stylist, he has a habit of buying and renovating homes, using his house as a palette for his talents. After four years living in his Rose City Park home, he was ready for a larger home with adequate studio space and further east to be closer to his job as a paintings teacher. He loves mid-centuries and we spent a few months looking at possibilities. He came so close to putting an offer on a home with a pool in Ventura Park, but decided at the last minute that he was basically buying a pool that came with a house, rather than the other way around.

A house that had been sitting on the market for a couple weeks in Cherry Park caught Matteo’s eye. For those who don’t know, Cherry Park is a small area of pristine mid-century homes in the Hazelwood neighborhood in SE Portland. The house was not staged and the kitchen and bathrooms were horribly outdated- pink carpet in the bathroom is never anyone’s cup of tea. It was also mid August when the market seemed to go to sleep this year. We went to see it and Matteo fell in love. It was super bright and had a gigantic window overlooking the large back yard. The tandem garage had been converted into living space and was absolutely perfect for becoming a painting studio.  The house reminded him of the house he grew up in so he at once felt he was in familiar and homey surroundings. Not having it staged was a mistake on the sellers part, but lucky for us. And as what almost always happens when a good sleeper house gets discovered, another buyer saw it right after we did and put in an offer. We wrote an offer for just a few thousand over asking, and the sellers accepted it right away. The home was an estate and the sellers had the house pre-inspected and made all necessary repairs before putting it on the market, so the inspection was clear and easy and the lender gave him an appraisal waiver as well and was able to close the transaction in 3.5 weeks.

Knowing what Matteo did to his Rose City Park home, I can only imagine how fabulous this house will be once he begins its transformation.

Just Listed: Bull Mountain Beauty

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

Just Listed

16117 SW 146TH Ave Tigard, OR 97224

Offered at $699,900

4 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 2893 SF | MLS# 21562518  | Taxes: $6,942

OPEN HOUSE: Sunday 9/19 11AM-1PM

VIDEO TOUR

Welcome home! This stylish contemporary home brilliantly balances modern and traditional elements and is certainly on par with the best that Bull Mountain has to offer.
Mature landscaping and a lovely walkway bring you to the front entry. Once in the foyer, you’ll love the vaulted entry and the wonderful circular floor plan.


Adjacent to the foyer is a voluminous formal living room & dining room with vaulted ceilings, certainly designed with entertaining in mind. To the other side is a spacious den/home office with loads of built-in bookcases.


Making your way from the living room you’ll find yourself in a gorgeous, remodeled kitchen touting polished concrete countertops, Viking professional 6 burner cooktop with downdraft ventilation, double convection ovens, custom walnut cabinets with birch interior and cabinet lighting, extra-large Blanko stainless steel sink, filtered water, and instant hot water. Just off to the side is a darling rounded dining nook with windows overlooking the stunning, landscaped backyard. The kitchen conveniently opens to a family room with lovely wood burning fireplace. A wonderful space for gathering with friends and family. All through the home, double pane windows abound to let the sunshine in.

Moving past the family room, you’ll find a large laundry/mud room with a sink, conveniently connecting to the 2 oversized car garage. The garage has built-in shelving and plenty of extra room for storage.
Making your way up the grand staircase, you’re going to love this layout with all 4 bedrooms upstairs plus an oversized landing. Each bedroom is large with ample closet space. The primary suite is spacious and touts an expansive bathroom with tons of natural light, soaking tub and walk in shower. Continuing through the bathroom you’ll find a generous walk in closet with skylight.

The 4th bedroom is a huge bonus room with wood floors and a coved ceiling- a great flex space!


Let’s talk about the backyard! Beautiful outdoor spaces and garden vignettes throughout this spacious property. Gorgeous, grand deck overlooks the lush landscaping and trees. Fully fenced with a generous hardscaped outdoor dining area and gravel firepit area. Convenient, newer shed for your garden tools and more.

This home is meticulously maintained. Just a few of the most recent elements replaced are the roof, furnace and A/C. Extra clean and dry storage space under the home, currently used as a wine cellar. Plenty of space for RV or boat parking with water and electric hook-up. Welcome home!

A Time of Gratitude

Posted on by Living Room Realty

This past week I celebrated my 36th birthday, and this time of year is always a time of reflection for me. The way many people feel around New Year’s is how I often feel leading up to my birthday. It gives me a chance to reflect on how far I have come, what I have accomplished and what I am proud of myself for, while also giving me an opportunity to reflect on the areas that I feel I can improve on — how can I continue to be a better person, husband, father, friend and Realtor?

It’s always an energizing time for me, and I am excited to feel the sense of rejuvenation that often comes with this reflection. I am so grateful for all the clients who have trusted me to guide them through the process of buying and/or selling a home, and want each and every one of you to know that I am committed to continuing to grow, and that I am committed to making sure that my efforts, experience and expertise are always improving. 

I wouldn’t be where I am today without my friends, family and clientele, and I feel very thankful and blessed for you all!!

 

A perfect 10!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

I met Bryan and Kathe at an open house. They had moved to Portland three years ago from northern California because the wildfires had limited their options for finding a home. Being this would be their first home, I made it my mission to have fun finding the right house while making the process as smooth as possible. 

Making a purchase this big for the first time can be overwhelming with everything you have to take into consideration like the current market atmosphere to the unpermitted half bath in the basement but they were cool, collected and asking the right questions to make an informed decision. Just  a few blocks from Kenton Park, Bryan and Kathe closed on a home with a perfect energy score of 10 that checked off much of what they wanted. Congratulations and a big thank you for being awesome clients, I love helping people find the right house while having a great experience! 

Optimism Leads to Achievement!

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

Congratulations to Chris and Hannah!

Part of what I love about my job is the opportunity to meet all kinds of people and help them through the shared goal of homeownership. It’s fascinating what comes up for people, what ideas they arrive with and how those ideas affect their journey. Hannah and Chris brought optimism with them to the home buying process and it made for a very smooth and very fun experience! They were open to ideas and trusted our input. They were a blast to check out houses with!

Hannah and Chris found a gorgeous remodeled home in St. Johns and sailed through the transaction like champs. We ended up running into a very uncommon snag along the way and they were open to creative solutions and ready to roll with the punches. Everything worked out great and I really appreciate their optimism along the way. Cheers!!

 

Under asking!

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux

In this market it is hard to negotiate an under asking offer whether it is warranted or not.  Getting past the sellers expectations that every home receives multiple offers and sells well above the asking price is one of the largest challenges.  We toured this home and could not figure out why the home was not going crazy?  The finishes were great, the floor plan was ideal, the area lovely, so why?  There was no glaring reason except market timing.  The summer surge winding down, people going out of town for their end of summer vacations, and families preparing for in-person school to start were the only plausible reasons.  Entering the market with perfect timing and finding value without compromise is Mackenzie and Cory’s story.  Inspections were very clean, appraisal came in above the sales price… everything lined up and they are now the proud owners of their new home. Congratulations!!

Just Sold: Mid-Century, Cedar Hills Stunner

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Travis and Lucy were past clients of mine, looking for a new home for their family. They wanted to purchase something, before selling their home, so we had some early conversations about how to structure their financing and be able to make competitive offers on any properties they found interesting.

They needed a layout that worked a bit better for their current needs which includes working from home and homeschooling their son. They desired for it to be situated in a neighborhood that had sidewalks, not directly on a busy road, had a lower maintenance yard AND most importantly, fit their style and aesthetic of an older home, without the deferred maintenance that many came associated with.

We looked at many different neighborhoods situated on the West Side, and when this Cedar Hills Home popped up, just a few minutes away from their current home, they knew they had to compete for this one. As is the norm in this market, this one came up with multiple offers to compete against, but thanks to our earlier conversations and the legwork Travis and Lucy had already done before even starting their search, we were able to craft a compelling offer that beat out the others!

Thanks to Ken Kondziela at NW Premier Mortgage, Inc. for his work on the financing side of things. He was able to get Travis and Lucy qualified with no-hiccups, was great as ever with communication, and we closed right on time.

Cheers Travis, Lucy and Atlas! I hope you are able to create many great memories in your new home!

JUST SOLD

1380 SW Hilldale Ave

Portland, Oregon 97225

SOLD AT: $690,000

3 BEDROOM | 2.1 BATH | 2,133 SQFT
MLS# 21650519 

photo courtesy of Michael Elton with The Hasson Company

15+ months

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux

Adrienne and Spencer set out to find a parcel of land to farm and raise their two sons.  They started the search 15 months before they needed to be settled for their oldest to enroll in school.  We definitely felt that was plenty of time, but it was barely enough.  Limited inventory, preferred school restrictions, commute times, and trying to find quality land for them to farm proved to make this journey feel almost impossible, to say the least.  They were open to all ideas and angles to make this happen, but settling on those major points was not one of them.  Many properties we considered had some major concessions, and the ones that worked were fiercely competitive.  Time had run out and hope was almost lost until they found an interim school that their son could attend to give them more time – I was so happy for them to have found an option to take the pressure off, but it is funny how things work out because once the school pressure was solved another home hit the market.  The land was perfect and the house would work.  They fought hard for it and came out victorious – now they are about to get the keys and finally put this chapter behind them and move into a new chapter for their family.  Every second of helping them has been a joy!

New Orleans to Portland

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux

Now that retirement was on the horizon, the time had come to consider living closer to their daughter and leaving behind the hurricanes and destruction they had dealt with over the decades.  After a few exploratory trips and counsel, the idea of building a home transitioned into finding a beautiful condo.  The amazing views, easy-care, and walkability became very seductive, so when they came to town again with the goal of finding their next home, we visited many great options, but the first unit we toured was breathtaking and no other home we saw came close – the decision was clear.  We are so excited to have been a part of this journey with Stephen and Janice – Congratulations!

Pearl District Condo for a First Time Homebuyer

Posted on by Alyssa Isenstein Krueger

If there is one part of the Portland market that’s not hot right now, it’s condos downtown and in the Pearl District. The Covid buying frenzy really focused on detached single family homes with yards. Communal living where you have to walk into an enclosed building and then take an elevator to your front door was the exact opposite of what the majority of buyers have wanted over the last year and a half. So for those folks who DO want to own a condo in the Pearl, the neighborhood is a pool full of fat oysters where buyers can take a while to look around be picky about what type of unit they want.

My buyer Gene moved up to Portland from southern California and had been renting an apartment in the Pearl. He loved  the neighborhood and how convenient it was to walk to anything and everything, and decided he wanted to purchase a Pearl condo for his first home. Gene loves to get out of town so having a dedicated parking spot was important, as was having as much of an unobstructed view out the window as possible. He was really attracted to the Edge Lofts at NW 14th and Kearney, and the higher the floor the better. We were able to score a fabulous 1 bedroom condo with views for days on the 10th floor. The previous owner spent a fortune upgrading the original blah kitchen into a masterpiece full of counter space and cupboards, all while leaving plenty of space in the living room/dining room/kitchen area. Interest rates are so dirt cheap right now that if you can afford the monthly payment, financially you are better off long term borrowing as much as 95% to get a conventional loan and investing whatever else you planned to use towards a down payment in so many other investments that on average pay greater than 3% annual return. For every $5,000 a buyer borrows, it’s about $21 a month, or equivalent to giving up one coffee a week at a coffee spot. The condo had been sitting on the market for 6 months and had a couple of price reductions. Holding onto as much cash as possible after closing made the most sense to Gene, so instead of asking for another price reduction, we asked for seller paid closing costs, which the sellers were happy to do. Inspection went great, appraisal came in at value and less then a month after we put in the offer, Gene got keys to his very own slice of Pearl paradise.

Congratulations Dovina and Leonard!

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

It was just meant to be!

If you know me, you know that I love helping people make a move. I love my peeps and I’m super committed to getting my clients into the home of their dreams. I will negotiate until my face turns blue and call every contractor in town to get information for my clients. I am committed to making this a great experience but unfortunately, you can’t always control how things go? For instance, I can’t make a seller accept an offer. I just can’t.

So here’s the short version of one of my all-time favorite stories 🙂

Leonard and Dovina really wanted to live in Newberg to be close to their daughter and grandchildren. Last spring and summer, we looked at just about everything that Newberg had to offer. It’s not unusual for the search to take a little longer when you’re looking in a small and popular town, like Newberg. After months of looking, they found a gem, a darling house that is close to downtown with a cute yard and great character! It quickly became competitive and we pulled out all of the stops. Long story short, Len & Dovina’s offer was the highest with exceptional terms, but in the end still beat out by a lower cash offer because they totally waived the inspection period. I just can’t ever recommend that a buyer waive all inspections.

It just wasn’t meant to be is what we told ourselves. That’s what we have to say sometimes to make sense of things when it doesn’t go the direction we would like. But this one kept nagging at us! We continued to look in Newberg for another year and kept comparing every house to the ‘one that got away’.  …And then it came back! Almost exactly a year later it popped back up and wouldn’t you know it, we put it in an offer and got it this time!

Cheers to my lovely friends, Leonard and Dovina! I wish them all the best in their home that was definitely meant to be!

 

The Bluest Blue House in Portsmouth

Posted on by Alyssa Isenstein Krueger

Congratulations to my clients Rachael and Zak who just closed on  closed on this blue mod skinny in Portsmouth! From the outside it appears to have a similar interior layout as the other 1,000 skinnies, but what sets this one apart is the nearly 20 foot tall ceilings in the living room. The design on this house has the 3 bedrooms upstairs, but the living room is opened up so that the upstairs hallway overlooks the living room. Because of this design, the light in this house is incredible. Rachael and Zak knew they wanted a house that didn’t need any work and had at least a small private yard, and this house is all that and more.

These two were so easy and fun to work with, and our house hunting search consisted of seeing 2 houses, one of which was a definite nope, and the other this blue house. With the slowing market, they only had to compete with one other offer on the blue house. With a nearly perfect inspection, this house is everything they had hoped for.  We even closed a day early.  My only regret is that I didn’t get to spend too much time with Rachael and Zak because everything went so quickly and smoothly.

 

Family Ties

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux

What an honor to help this family once again! When Nicky and Noah reached out and mentioned the family they were a part of I was once again honored and super excited at another opportunity to help. Every person in their family radiates kindness, grace, and excitement to become a homeowner and it has been such a pleasure to help each and every time.  Nicky and Noah were no exception, my only selfish regret is the search was so short because an amazing home had a price reduction in the first week of their search and became an option for them.  We toured the home and could not believe that it satisfied every one of their needs and wants.  Amazing things happen to amazing people, period!

Look at that view

Posted on by Jessica LeDoux

Wow, when entering this amazing home it was hard to look past the amazing view, but once our eyes peeled away from the windows the house wowed Danish as well.  He knew this house was meant to be his.  In a very competitive scenario, Danish showed up and came out victorious on his first offer.  Today he gets the keys to a great home with secondary living quarters for family and friends to stay in when they come to visit him in his new home!  Congratulations Danish, we are very excited for you!

When your “New Normal” is…. freaking awesome!!

Posted on by Tracey Henkels

Congratulations to Jake and Nicole!

I think you can all relate when I say- what a year!!  The pandemic really threw a wrench in things (to put it very mildly) and we are seeing a lot of folks making changes in the aftermath. My clients, Jake and Nicole, exemplify this and are making a big change! They own a darling home in Overlook and loved it when they bought it. Working from home, through the pandemic, they realized that owning an older home (no matter how cute it is) can be a lot of work! They were feeling overwhelmed with the tasks required of them and realized that yard work was not for them. They felt inspired to look for a low-maintenance place with modern conveniences and a modern design. What they found was perfect! A lovely newer townhome in Hillsdale with clear grain cedar exterior, floor to ceiling triple glazed European windows & doors, white oak hardwood floors, wool carpet, quartz countertops, marble master bathroom, stainless steel appliances. I’m so happy for them! Congratulations!