Tag: Kari McGee & Erika George

Rub-a-Dub-Dub, It’s all about the Tub…

Posted on by Erika George & Kari McGee

It’s our job to figure out what truly excites you when you embark upon a real estate purchase with our team.  We want to know what makes your heart sing and once we find that out, it makes it a whole lot easier to help you find your perfect property!

Rachel and Joe were not only looking for a new Portland home from across states lines from us, they also were looking across states lines from each other!  This definitely was a long-distance real estate purchase times two.  But in spite of some long-distance communication constraints, three things became clear very early on in Joe and Rachel’s search:  1.  Bathtubs were important.  We’re not talking some mamby-pamby, low-to-the-ground, skinny, hemmed-in tub.  We’re talking a big-ass soaking tub with a view and light and privacy all at the same time!

So thank you 1990s for installing some of the biggest, most luxurious soaking tubs out there for that at-home spa experience.  A little dated didn’t matter, it was all about the size and the view.   Which brings us to #2…

2.  Rachel and Joe wanted a lot with a woodsy, private, oasis feel but it couldn’t be dark.  Some sun was a definite must for Rachel and Joe.  Ok, a little trickier for wooded, wet SW Portland but no big deal, we managed to find that too.

Rachel and Joe’s house backs to wooded green-space but the trees head down the hill from their lot so their main-floor view is almost all fluffy green tree canopy and sky.  Their extensive decks plunge into the trees right before the ground slopes gently away from the house, creating a fantastic sense of light, green and breath around the home.  It is truly magical.

And 3.  A spacious garage with room for some serious tinkering.  Again, thank you 1990s for the oversized 2 and 3-car garages, right up front for easy access, that allowed Joe to cross off his one “must-have” for this home purchase!

And given the timing of this purchase and some savvy negotiating, Joe and Rachel were able to take advantage of our transitioning market and negotiate $35,000 off the advertised sales price!

Welcome to Portland Joe and Rachel.  We are so happy to have you here and we can’t wait to see how your life blooms in SW Portland!

 

Don’t Fence Me In…

Posted on by Erika George & Kari McGee

“Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above
Don’t fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don’t fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evenin’ breeze
And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever, but I ask you please
Don’t fence me in…”
See all those big, gorgeous trees?  They are now the beloved property of Chris and Adrianne;  all 5.83 acres of them.  5 ACRES, people!  After living smack dab in the heart of urban bustle on NE 81st and Fremont St in NE Portland for 14 years, Chris and Adrianne were ready for a change.  Chris and Adrianne were ready for a  big change.  They both had grown up in rural areas and were ready to get back to those roots.  Chris wanted land to work, and plant, and manage.  Adrianne wanted peace and tranquility with private space for a hot tub to enjoy not just a nice view, but a panorama.  And after living with 1418 adorable but quirky square feet spread out over three floors, they (and their two pups) wanted some space to spread out in their new home.  They loved the historic charm of their 1924 home for a decade and a half, but it was time for a more modern floor plan.  An open kitchen, great-room floor plan seemed almost too good to be true!
But Adrianne and Chris also wanted to buy and sell at the same time, which meant getting a contingent offer accepted in one of the hottest seller’s markets we’ve ever seen.  We definitely put some miles in looking at properties anywhere between Salem and Vernonia and then Chris and Adrianne saw this Amity property and we knew we were done.
Well, except the part where Adrianne and Chris needed to have their contingent offer accepted by the sellers, and then the part where they needed to get their current NE 81st house on the market within 6 days, and then receive an acceptable offer on NE 81st within another 6 days or all bets were off…
This Amity property had not just 1 acre, but almost 6!  This property had over 3000 square feet, all on one level.  And yes, this property had an open kitchen-dining room greatroom floorplan.  Chris and Adrianne were willing to move mountains to get this home.
So did they do it?  Did it all work out, you ask?  Why yes, it did.  With a ton of work on Adrianne and Chris’ parts, and with the help of their very experienced real estate team who came up with a good plan, and presented that plan in detail to the Sellers. We also analyzed the niche market details right down to the minutes before listing their NE 81st home and adjusted the listing price to ensure a quick sale and multiple offers.  Even with some unexpected hurdles, it all worked out like a beautiful fairy tale happy ending (because what Fairy Tale doesn’t have some serious roadblocks?).
If this all sounds daunting to you, well, it kind of is.  It takes some gumption and serious stamina to buy and sell a house all at the same time, but Chris and Adrianne just plugged away.  They took one step at a time and on the days where they had to take 7 steps at a time, they dug deep and got ‘er done.
Was it all worth it?

Just Listed: All the West Linn Bells & Whistles!

Posted on by Erika George & Kari McGee

Gorgeous updated home tucked away on a private lane that backs to the Tanner Creek Greenbelt.  Soaring great room ceilings, owner’s suite options on both the main and upper levels; updated kitchen with quartz “waterfall” counters, wine fridge, oversized refrigerator with obsidian interior, and large pantry; bright and spacious rumpus room; home office with built-ins; hot tub; and new covered, outdoor kitchen. Rare, level lot and driveway allow for easy garage and home access, and create extra space for fun and games! 1.5 miles to the Willamette Commercial District hotspots, or zip over Arch Bridge to adorable Oregon City!

Offered at:  $1,150,000

ML #21613119

4 Beds + Office | 4.1 Baths | 4208 Square Feet | Attached 3-Car Garage

Check out our 3D Self Guided Tour or Property Website for more details.

Front of house

Three’s Company!!

Posted on by Erika George & Kari McGee

 

You may see one happy new homeowner in this photo, but there are two more to come!  2020 dealt our  lovely clients, Chris and Jamie, and their mother, Shari, some tough blows.  Needing a reset and reconnection with family, they decided to move to Portland from Los Angeles together.  They called us and, almost immediately, we found this darling home in the Overlook neighborhood, which is a perfect fit for the three of them.  In this fast real estate market, the great houses don’t last long, so thankfully, Chris and Jamie were quick learners and took our advice on the various ways they could make their offer most attractive to the sellers.  They ended up beating out 12 other buyers to land the house.  Cut to 30 days later and their swift and decisive efforts paid off.  Shari pulled up with her moving van to collect the keys to their new house.  Chris and Jamie will follow soon and this family will get the fresh start it deserves!!

Congratulations Chris, Jamie and Shari – we know you will enjoy your beautiful new home and Portland life!!

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!

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!

Amazing in July!

Posted on by Erika George & Kari McGee

Derek and Michelle first laid eyes on their lovely Lake Oswego home back in March; March 13th to be exact.  They saw this great house online and given that they lived out of state, wondered if we could “video” it for them.  Property videos are one of our most important tools for our out of area buyers, so with the back drop of school closure announcements due to spreading Covid-19 in our area, I headed down to Lake Oswego to take some fun property videos armed with with tons of hand sanitizer (hard to believe but masks weren’t a thing back then), my phone and my Gimble!  OH, no big deal but it also was just about to start snowing… on March 13th.

As I walked around the incredible 1 acre lot, I recall saying on the video, “well, it’s freezing and gloomy and wet right now, but boy, I bet this place is AMAZING in July”.

Well, it is truly amazing in July.  And while yes, it took a few attempts to get an offer accepted, and yes, Covid-19 made everything harder than it should have been, and yes March 13th seems like a lifetime ago, Derek and Michelle and their three kiddos are moving to Lake Oswego to experience the amazing of Lake Oswego July, in person. 

We truly couldn’t be happier for them.  Not everyone has the grit to make an out of state move during a pandemic but if you are up for it like Derek and Michelle, just let us know!  All you need to get started are some fun, HouseLovePDX property videos (and definitely some gloves, masks and lots of hand sanitizer)!

 

Erika George & Kari McGee,  The HouseLovePDX Team at Living Room Realty