Tag: HouseLove

OPEN THE DOOR TO MT TABOR!

Posted on by Erika George & Kari McGee

Open the Door to this sweet Mt. Tabor Bungalow  

The entry hall and formal living and dining rooms will delight both seasoned and burgeoning entertainers.

Walk through the pretty butler’s pantry to an updated kitchen and family room which opens to a large back deck.

Two bedrooms and a hall bath round out the main floor.  Bathroom with custom barrel vaulted ceiling is a sure conversation starter!  New paint and carpet throughout.

The large unfinished basement has storage galore, with high ceilings and an outside entrance.

The private sprawling back yard is full of potential:  It is fully fenced with a welcoming patio area a long driveway for RV Parking.

Top Notch Location!  Mt. Tabor Park and the revered Coquine are just blocks away, as are the charming shops and restaurants of Montavilla.  Stroll down to the Farmers’ Market on Sundays.  Hop over to PDX when you need to get away.  Only minutes to downtown/easy freeway access.

First Time’s a Charm!

Posted on by Erika George & Kari McGee

When our lovely client Lynda called us about purchasing a house in Portland, we gave her the usual “speech” about steadying and pacing herself for a brutal market for buyers.  We warned her that it was not uncommon for a buyer to make offers on up to 5 different homes before “landing” one.  When we found this lovely home in Lents, she was tickled:  it was just the right size, in wonderful condition and MOST importantly, super close to her grandchildren!  She asked us how she could get her first offer accepted, and then she did everything we advised.  She made concessions on price, appraisal, and inspections AND it worked out!  Now — in the next few weeks ,she will be reunited with her family after shockingly little real estate drama.  This is the result of a perfect combination of beginner’s luck and buyer savvy for sure!!

Congratulations Linda — we can’t wait to watch you make this house your home!

Flipped and Fabulous in Cully!

Posted on by Erika George & Kari McGee

 

Our lovely buyers, Mary and Mikel, just closed on this lovely remodeled home last week.  Sometimes “flipped” homes get a bad rap, but this dialed home in Cully was restored with care and attention to detail.  A great combination of mid-century charm with modern updates.  Check out the beautiful finishes and awesome oversized back yard!

 

Congratulations Mikel and Mary — we know you will be very happy in your new home!

 

 

 

 

“Blue Steel” in SW Portland!

Posted on by Erika George & Kari McGee

Congratulations to Michelle and Thomas who just closed on their first home!  They called us more than a year ago to help them find their starter home.   As it turns out, they weren’t quite ready, financially, to take the plunge.  We were able to put them in contact with a great lender, who helped them develop a “one year plan” in order to save up for closing costs and a down payment.  They were diligent and stuck to their plan.

 

One year later, they contacted us and let us know they were ready to buy.  We were able to narrow down on the homes and neighborhoods that made the most sense for them and were able to pounce when we spotted this create SW Portland condominium.   Great location and Great layout and it came with it’s own AWSOME fire place art, which we quickly dubbed “Blue Steel!”

 

Your path to ownership may not be instantaneous.  It make take some preparation and diligence.  If you are thinking about buying a home, we highly recommend that you reach out to us early so we can connect you with the right people and start giving you an idea of what to expect.  We promise it will be worth the wait!

What’s Up Doc?

Posted on by Erika George & Kari McGee

One of our favorite real estate “niches” is helping new doctors purchase homes when they move to Portland to start their residency.  We usually get a call around March 16th which is the day after “matching day” when fourth year med students learn where they will serve their residency.  After the initial “woo hoos” and high-fives, their attention quickly turns to figuring out how to pack up their life and report to a new town and new job by June 1st.  For the especially savvy, this includes purchasing a home, and that’s where we come in!

 

When Carley and Cory called us to tell us they were moving to Portland for Carley’s residency and wanted to buy house, we got to work right away.  We referred them to several lenders that specialized in home loans for physicians.  We spend time via Zoom discussing the Portland housing market and the home buyer process in general. Then, Cory and Carley came to Portland for an epic weekend tour of homes!   We had done enough preparation in advance that when they found “the one,” they were able to make their offer sweet enough to seal the deal!

 

Tuesday was move in day and it was joyous — hard to believe that it was less than three months from start to finish.  We are so happy for Cory and Carley.  We know their Portland years are going to be special, and Portland will be a better place because they are here!

 

Are you a physician looking to purchase a home in the Portland area?  We can help you even if you’re not physically in Portland.  Call us!

 

Leap of Faith!

Posted on by Erika George & Kari McGee

 

KUDOS to Bill and Sara for closing on this property with HUGE potential.  Bill was on his way to pick up his son from golf lessons when he stumbled across three adjoining properties for sale.  Bill immediately saw the potential and called his wife Sara.  Well, actually first he called us, and then he called his wife, Sara, but he sounds like a much better husband the first way.  We were able to help him get an offer accepted right away (despite multiple offers from other buyers — beginners’ luck!).

 

Bill is “two thumbs up” excited!  Sara?  Maybe a tepid one thumbs up, but she is taking a leap of faith and believes in Bill’s vision.  We know that this property will shine when they have completed their vision.  We are looking forward to seeing the end results.  Does this all sound a little vague and mysterious?  Well, that’s because the first rule of rehab club is . . . . Well, you know!

 

Are you looking for inspiration?  Have dared to let yourself dream about investment opportunities?  We want to help make your most daring dreams come true.  Call us!

Quick to the Draw wins SW Mid-Century Stunner!

Posted on by Erika George & Kari McGee

Congratulations to Tom and Kari for closing on this beautifully updated midcentury house in Vermont Hills.

Tom and Kari have been looking to move “back” to Portland for some time to be closer to family and to take advantage of the natural beauty of the Northwest. This home fit the bill on all fronts with an option for one-level living, amazing mid-century elements (two corner fireplaces), great neighborhood trails and streets for daily strolls, and serene forest-like views from almost every window.

 

Tom and Kari recognized that this was a special house right away and didn’t mess around when they realized it was going to be competitive to land this house. They were the first offer that the seller received, and they made their terms so compelling that the seller was motivated to act quickly on it. For that reason, while there was some competition from other buyers, it didn’t feel like the “feeding frenzy” that can be so disheartening for buyers. Kudos to Tom and Kari for quickly recognizing that the home was a winner AND for being willing to quickly take action to make it their reality!

Kari and Erika have many tips and strategies to make this sellers’ market work for our buyers. Please call us if you are looking to make a move!

Another WIN for First Time Homebuyers!

Posted on by Erika George & Kari McGee

Congratulations to David and Mireille who closed on their first home on Monday. This is the ninth time (insert Ferris Bueller joke here!) we have helped first time homebuyers purchase a home in the last 4 months! Yes — low inventory and low interest rates makes this a sellers’ market, BUT the low interest rates work in our buyers’ favor too — they can afford to pay more for a house while keeping payments at a comfortable level. Moreover, first time homebuyers usually have an edge over competition as they don’t have a home to sell. They have good flexibility when it come to when they can close and take possession.

David and Mireille were flexible when it came to location, which is another hallmark of many of our successful first time homebuyers. Because they chose to consider homes in a broad swath of Southeast Portland, they found a cute and well maintained home in Brentwood Darlington that checked most of their boxes: three bedrooms, open concept living and dining, updated systems, and lovely outdoor spaces. It even has a a fun dining room peninsula from which their beloved cats can slink, play and pounce!

We know David and Mireille (and their kitties!) will have many happy years in their new home. Are you considering purchasing a home for the first time? Now is a great time to explore your options — Call us!

It’s all about the VIEW!

Posted on by Erika George & Kari McGee

Last summer, our client, Rick, decided to leave the city behind in search for more land and beautiful views!  Within weeks he found the perfect Corbett home, with stunning views of the Columbia Gorge.

Of course, there was a slight catch — he had to sell his house first.  We weren’t sure the sellers were going to accept his contingent offer given that they had other non-contingent offers in hand.  However, good communication and flexibility won the day and the sellers accepted his offer.  Luckily, his darling Rose City Park house sold in a flash, and, last week, during the most heinous smoky air conditions the greater Portland area has ever experienced, he closed on the Corbett house.

Normally, handing clients the keys to their new house is the best part of our day.  Well, in this case, it was still exciting but there was a little “Wah Wah” about it, as this is the view to which we were greeted.

Luckily, Rick’s spirits were not dampened, and he reported last weekend that, once the smoke cleared, he was treated to the most wonderful view sipping his coffee on Sunday morning.

Congratulations Rick for taking action to make your Corbett dreams come true!  We know you are going love you new home and will undoubtably enjoy many more cups of coffee enjoying the natural beauty of the Columbia Gorge!