Just Listed! Newly Constructed Multifamily in Vancouver!

6017 NE 45th Court

Vancouver, Washington, 98661



OFFERED AT $798,000

6 BED| 3.5 BATH | 2,745 SQ. FT.  HOME

MLS# 24162322 | TAXES: $1,414

Launchpad For Year Round Outdoor Fun!

Tucked in at the base of the Mt. Hood National Forest in Estacada, this beautiful Thomas Heights home provides the perfect balance of open space, desirable amenities, and access to nature.

Open Living Area

The main floor greets you with an incredible great room illuminated by numerous windows that bring a sense of tranquility as they seemingly allow the trees to envelop you. Soaking in that feeling as you warm yourself by the gas fireplace on a cold rainy day is an experience that gives the word home a new meaning. Simply enjoying your coffee or unwinding from your day on the covered deck can make you feel like you’re at a getaway in the woods. The balance between nature and home is palpable here.

You’ll be ready to for cozy weekend brunch or hosting large gatherings with the chef’s kitchen featuring gas appliances, a sizable island, quartz countertops, farmhouse sink, tiled backsplash, and pantry. Before we leave the main floor we can’t overlook the full bathroom and a bedroom that could easily flex as an ample office space.

Upstairs three well appointed bedrooms share a full bathroom and a separate family room gives plenty of space for everyone in the home. The primary suite is filled with light, has a spa-like en suite bathroom with soaking tub, double sinks, and a walk-in tiled shower. From there you enter the expensive walk-in closet with direct access to the laundry room. The design details in this home create a flow of functionality that many builders and architects overlook.

This community has the vibe of modern Scandinavian farmhouse meets Pacific Northwest Mountainscape, a truly flattering combination. The development is made of up 33 homes and has given priority to preserving the natural areas, retaining over 7 acres of green space within the community. Greentown homes is known for designing energy efficient homes with luxury amenities, using sustainable materials, and thoughtful finishes, as their standard.

MLS# 22375707 | Taxes: $5179 | Lot Size: .18 Acre

Header Photo by Dale Nibbe on Unsplash

Just Sold: Woodburn New Construction for First Time Homebuyers

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!

 

Rockin Richmond Bungalow

Updated Bungalow in the highly sought after Richmond neighborhood!

Living room & dining space with gas fireplace & original built-ins. 2 bedrooms on the main floor with ceiling fans and full closets. Kitchen features granite tile, stainless appliances and a breakfast bar.

Finished basement with family room, bedroom or office, full bathroom & laundry room with sink. All new! Huge storage space in attic.

The perfect hang out backyard with newer composite deck, covered patio & pavers – fully fenced. Detached 1 car garage + finished studio space with slider to backyard.

Close to all things Division & Clinton: dining, shopping & more – walk score 87!

Dunthorpe Tudor Delight

Once upon a time there was a house in the hills of Portland. It was a grand Tudor style home with expansive windows and a view of the trees and mountains. The home was impeccably cared for with high end remodeling in the kitchen and owner’s suite. Behind a gorgeous wood paneled wall in the living room was a secret door that revealed a spiral staircase down to a wine cellar. The backyard was like a park with pathways winding over a waterfall down to a Japanese style tea house and  zen garden. It all felt so magical!

One day a very special family decided they wanted to make this house their home. They waited patiently for the power to come back on and trees to be cleared after one of the most destructive storms in Portland history. When they were finally able to visit the home they were in awe. The space is perfect for their family with room to grow. The grounds will be a place of adventure for their young daughter. They were fortunate to have their offer accepted by the seller & have big plans for their future in this storybook home!

Just Sold! Brand New Build in Bethany!

I wish it was possible to bottle-up the ecstatic feeling that buying your first home brings. My clients Stephane and Kim just found out exactly what that feels like! Portland was on their radar for its proximity to nature. They’re from San Francisco, work in tech, and now are proud home-owning Portlanders. Situated in the Bethany area, their home is newly built this year. Its modern farmhouse floorplan gives the space a delightful openness with amenities galore. Kitchen features caesarstone counters, full-length cabinetry, and a huge island. Bedrooms and storage on all levels, with handsome oak floors/stairs throughout. My clients plan on embracing their love of nature and climbing. They’ll find parks and hiking trails aplenty near their new home, and they look forward to frequent trips to Smith Rock. What an amazing first home for this couple. Congratulations to you both! 

Modern Living in Lake Oswego

This modern new construction home in Lake Oswego is perfect for my client. Over 4,000 square feet of open spaces, soaring ceilings and floor to ceiling windows. The owner’s suite and everything you need for everyday life sits on the main floor including a large office. One of the highlights is the elongated fireplace and stone hearth. It frames the great room perfectly and creates a warm inviting atmosphere.

I am so in love with this kitchen I now need to move myself! It features a 6 burner gas range from Italy, two full size sinks, two dishwashers, two ovens and a built in subzero refrigerator…plus cabinets for days. Next to the great room is also a wet bar area complete with a wine and beverage fridge & additional cabinetry for those special pieces.

The master suite is so spacious you could get lost in there. The bathroom features a large walk-in shower, heated tile floors, an oversized soaking tub & a closet as big as my current home office. Do you know how long I would linger getting ready on heated floors?!

Downstairs is like an entirely separate house, minus the kitchen. A second family room area with an equally impressive fireplace is set into gorgeous warm wood paneling. It’s modern without feeling too cold & I love that feel. There is a second master suite plus two additional bedrooms & a huge slider out to the deck.

Oh and there is a view. And a yard – which are normally two things that do not live at the same property unless you are in the country. Siiiiggggghhhh… one day I’ll be as cool as my clients. Right now I will just be happy for them.

Moving On Up to Mt. Tabor

A little over 4 years ago a most fabulous lady named Claire contacted me to help her purchase her first home. At the time, she was working for a non-profit and while she didn’t have a lot of funds or a high paying job, she did have fierce determination to buy a home. It took a while, and included several grants and first time home buyer programs, but she wound up purchasing the most adorable condo ever that I was listing. My seller on the condo had purchased the condo a couple of years before, and then met the love of her life and they sold the condo to buy a bigger home. Claire wound up buying the condo after a break-up with a former partner. Fast forward 3 years and Claire contacted me again because she had met the love of her life Timothy. Claire had moved out of the condo into a larger apartment with Timothy, and she was ready to sell the condo. I listed the condo and within a couple of weeks got a great offer and a month later she closed on the condo and that chapter of her life. Timothy is a veteran and eligible for a VA loan. I hooked them up with Jennifer Leon over at Umpqua who is fabulous with VA loans and they got pre-approved for a nice sized loan. Off we went to go look at good sized detached houses with 3 and 4 bedrooms in great parts of town.

We spent a solid weekend looking at 10+ houses, and as often happens, they fell in love with the first house we saw. It’s a brand new 4 bedroom home with a legal ADU that sits on the edge of Mt Tabor and has a lovely west facing view. With both of them working from home, this house has plenty of space for a home office and future bedrooms for their hopefully expanded family. And with the ADU on the bottom floor, it provides a great space for a renter or as a space for family to come stay for longer visits once a baby comes on board. After they decided that this was the house they wanted to buy, they got back in touch with Jennifer for a pre-approval letter to go along with their offer, and found at that the interest rate was only 2.5%. TWO POINT FIVE PERCENT! Whut?!?  Claire and Timothy had a monthly budget and at that low of a rate, it meant that they could do 100% financing and still pay several hundred less a month then what they had budgeted for. We all had to slap ourselves silly when we found out how low their monthly payments would be- even with zero down.

We wrote up the offer, had it accepted, went through inspections and with the exception of a very unexpected find of an abandoned oil tank on a property with new construction, (that thankfully had not leaked) sailed through the transaction. A little more then 3 years after I handed Claire her first set of keys to her very first home, I had the privilege of handing over the second set of keys to an even bigger and better home.

Tiny Home, Big Heart

We met Carli & her beautiful sidekick Claudia back around in 2015 and were looking for land at that time in the Portland Metro Area for her to build her own tiny home. Carli comes from a family of doers, makers and earth shakers. Her parents have built their own homes so Carli’s standards for her home were very high, plus she is a minimalist and knew she didn’t need a big home to make her happy. Since nothing was coming up that fit what she had envisioned she took a break for a few years. We kept each other in our lives and celebrated personal victories along the way. The thing that we began to see more and more in Carli was a warrior’s spirit in a sweet and caring capsule.

When she wasn’t making beautiful jewelry and hanging with her friends and Claudia she was fighting animal abuse and standing up for what she is so passionate about, raising awareness about animal injustice all over the world.

Then last year Carli reached out and mentioned that her housing situation may be changing and that she would like to start looking again at what was on the market, and then sent me this beauty:

A new construction tiny home within the Portland Metro Area!

When we went to tour it, it checked so many of the boxes of what Carli mentioned would be essential to her and Claudia, but there was also a lot of details to this project that were not smoothed out from the seller. So, we found ourselves in limbo for many months and trying to piece together the answers to the many questions we had about this home to make sure it was in deed a good fit and investment for Carli and Claudia.

 

After we placed together a few essential pieces of information we needed Carli took the plunge and reserved the unit to put her in first position once the home officially was registered with the state, still knowing that it was still uncertain that she would be able to be the owner of the property.  When the state finally recognized the home, there were 2 other buyers that bid over what Carli had reserved the unit for and were trying to bump her out of 1st position. We put our heads together and fought back without overbidding to ensure that she didn’t loose this spot and in the end Carli prevailed over her competitors.

We found ourselves officially in contract and began our inspections and though there was definitely a lot of back and forth with the seller over the items that needed to get corrected, Carli again prevailed and the journey of getting her dream home finally became a reality today. After 15 years of dreaming of her very own tiny home, I was so honored to be able to deliver her the keys to her very own tiny home.

Carli, I can’t tell you how impressed and proud of you I am for standing your ground and achieving this dream.  I can’t wait to see the special touch your put on this beauty and am looking forward to our many adventures to come.

Leaps of Faith

Hi Readers!

By now, you probably realize I really enjoy writing and sharing the stories of my client partners. In this case, I’m going to let

THIS VIDEO do the talking.

My first time buyer August is smart, diligent, stubborn, fun and funny. Basically, dream client. And, I promised them I’d go skydiving, since they took a leap of faith with me. More on that one later.

Congrats on your beautiful new home, August. It’s been one helluva fun ride.

Till next time, high fives,

 

High School Sweet Hearts With VA Benefits

When we first met with Elan and Paula they were quite excited to jumpstart the process. Elan is Marine and wanted to use his VA benefit for the first time. Then we learned that they were high school sweethearts and have been inseparable since then. They dreamed of finding a home that they could make their own and start that journey together.

The initial options to choose from were a little slim but Elan and Paula pushed on. At first we found home with a floor plan they thought worked very well but the location was pushing the envelope. 

Low and behold, after some digging they found a brand new construction that had been sitting for a while. It tends to look bad when a decent home sits on the market but in this case, the home was priced a little high and they used that to their benefit to get an amazing deal.  They were able to bring the price down and as a team we negotiated top of the line appliances and custom blinds. This concession paired with their benefit was a deal they couldn’t pass up. 

During inspections we put the builder to work to make sure all repairs pointed out were met. The builders did a great job of getting this done.

We celebrated their closing day with bubble tea & keys in hand. We are so excited for you both and know the love you have built around you will continue to blossom in your new home. Congratulations Elan & Paula!

The newest new home!

We started looking for a new home for the Greenes in early 2019. I’ve worked with many families to help find or build their dream homes and I always learn a little something along the way. Each situation and in this case, builder, is a little different. After the Greenes decided they’d really like a brand new construction home, we got to work, looking for the right community and builder to suit their needs and wants for their family. They just closed on their beautiful Holt Homes house this November and I asked them to share some of their thoughts on what they’ve learned through the process.
Here’s the list they came up with:
  1. Spend time in the neighborhood and try to connect with any new neighbors. We were lucky to have been the 4th home to be built in our cul de sac and even more fortunate to have connected early with the other three families. They shared important insights with us throughout the process!
  2. Ask about the plans for the full street or neighborhood. We did not think about parking when we started building our home because there were literally only a few other houses under construction at the time.
  3. If you are buying a home after seeing a “model home” – make sure you understand all the items within the house that would be considered an upgrade. Having this understanding, with costs listed, in writing is extremely important.
  4. Get every conversation in writing.
  5. Ask for access to the design options before you have your design meeting. We were surprised by the process at our “design center meeting” and had wished we’d had time to research options prior to the meeting.
  6. Understand the exterior masterplan for the street and ask for all of your options.
  7. If you’re interested in upgrades that include things like “hot tub prewiring” make sure you are also aware of the city codes/regulations that could affect the placement on your property.
  8. Look at and understand all the tiny details. Here are some things we did not think to ask about or look into: light switch placement, closet shelf paint, cabinet color next to trim color (ie: dove white cabinets next to pure white trim), countertop height in all bathrooms, and under-sink plumbing finishes.
  9. Ask for the exact placement of how your house will not only be placed on your lot but also how your house will align with any neighbors.
  10. The most important thing we learned is that it is beyond critical to have a trusted real estate professional by your side every step of the way who will advise you and be your champion throughout the process. Beth was able to share insights about what was normal and should be expected as well as hunt down answers for us and in a few cases, go to bat for us. Buying a home is stressful, Beth made it so much better for us and her expertise was invaluable in mansy situations throughout the process.

Buying New Construction – Things to Look For

Recently, I helped first time homebuyers purchase a terrific new construction townhome in Concordia (btw, love Concordia). CONGRATS, Cory and Taylor!! Thought I’d share my impressions of what to look for from the builder/seller side of the fence, as this one was a great experience and one that I thought set the bar high.

  • Access to Q&A with the builder: In this case, the builder met the buyers onsite once their offer was accepted to do an initial walk through to answer questions about the design, finishes and in general. Ceanne, from Caliber Homes, also did a thorough “pre-blue tape” walk through to see what kinds of dings and damage happened in the finishing touches of construction, creating a thorough log of repairs to complete, in addition to those that turned up in the inspection (which were few).
  • Incentives: Don’t be shy about asking for any missing appliances or “extras”. Builders get great deals on appliances and if it means closing the deal, they’ll often install. In this recent case, I was able to negotiate the installation of an AC, washer dryer and a new fridge AND closing cost credit. Boom.
  • Warranty: Most new construction comes with a builder’s warranty. Be sure to get a good understanding of what is covered, in addition to any home warranty coverage you should always ask for that is layered on top as part of the sale.
  • After move in walk through: This was also a pleasant surprise – Caliber offered a walk through after the buyers moved in, so they could repair any paint, scuffs or other cosmetic dings that often occur at move in
  • One year walk through: Caliber also will be performing a one year walk through to make sure all systems are operational. Pretty thorough service, if you ask me.

New construction definitely has its appeal – you are getting all new systems and appliances. And depending on the builder, great quality. What can be lacking is the soul and architecture of old Portland.

At any rate, if you’re thinking of buying new construction, give me a shout – we can walk through in more detail.

Till then, high fives!

 

It’s all about the backsplash…

A long awaited welcome home to Stewy, Danielle and their two girls! Many months ago we toured a beautiful model home at DR Horton’s Westmont community in Beaverton.  We found a floor plan with a full basement, and Stewy and Danielle knew this was the one for them: they could see themselves here long term, the girls playing in the basement with their friends.

After getting an accepted offer, the next step was to visit the design center and choose their finishes…. the fun part! Cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting, appliances, fixtures…and backsplash!

Then they wait.  And wait.  And wait.

And 7 months later, the big reveal!  How did it all come together??

Better than expected – they love it! Especially the backsplash.

Just Listed: Butler’s Encore

3919 NE 35th Place

Portland, OR 97212

An encore to Butler Redevelopment’s record setting sale on 36th, this grand modern home is situated just half a block from Wilshire Park. Playing off the fit and finish that the market loved in 2018, Butler has made some subtle changes to the cosmetics and a few simple tweaks to the bedroom layouts. Standing tall on one of Beaumont-Wilshire’s quietest streets, this newly built home is thoughtfully laid out across three gracious floors.

The main floor boasts an open living room and dining room with tall ceilings, tons of natural light and a main floor study or guest room tucked nicely in the SE corner. You can enter the great room / kitchen via a central hallway or through the open dining room where oak hardwoods are paired with rift white oak cabinetry and classic surface treatments. Cedar and Moss lighting, built-in bookshelves, and Ann Sacks swiss cross tiling on the fireplace speak to some of the high end finishes that compliment one of the finest kitchen / great rooms you will see on the Eastside. Rounding out the main floor is a full bathroom and easy access to the covered back porch through an expansive three panel door.

The second floor features an incredible master suite with dueling closets, a third light filled walk-in closet with oak built ins and a stunning en suite bathroom. The bathroom features a herringbone tiled shower pan, free standing tub and custom double vanity. Like the master bedroom, the three other bedrooms have been outfitted with sand in place oak hardwoods, smooth coat sheetrock and Schoolhouse lighting.  An additional full bathroom and laundry room round out the second floor which features gorgeous peek-a-boo views of the surrounding neighborhood and Wilshire Park.

Heading downstairs, the finished basement provides the perfect entertaining space and guest quarters. A wet bar and expansive family room run the entire length of the home, while a large fifth bedroom and fourth bathroom provide ample space for a large family or visiting guests. In addition to the finished spaces in the basement is an attached, tuck under garage with storage closet and direct access to the lower level.

This rare 4000 plus square foot modern home has a sought after Beaumont-Wilshire location at the southern foot of the park, just blocks to Beaumont shops and the community’s favorite restaurant – Tacovore. Whether taking in a book on the covered back porch, a basecamp for family and friends, or entertaining in the amazing great room, this home offers seemingly endless opportunities!

OFFERED AT $1,450,000

5 BEDROOM | 4 BATH | 4100+ SQ FT | WEBSITE

Eastside Modern Living!

5260 NE 38th Avenue

Portland, OR 97211


Butler Development’s latest project! Tucked nicely just blocks from NE 42nd shops and New Seasons, this stunning modern dwelling utilizes numerous attributes of Butler’s record breaking 2018 Wilshire build, while embracing the popular dynamics of open and efficient living spaces. The main floor features an expansive great room kitchen which boasts rift white oak cabinetry, epoxy for table tops, Cedar and Moss lighting and high end appliances which include a Wolf range. Smooth coat sheet rock, sand in place oak hardwoods and high end fixtures set Butler’s finish palette apart from his competition.

Rounding out the main floor is a dining area, powder room and signature covered patio with hardscape and cable railing. The upstairs is home to a rare three bedroom layout which includes a grand master suite which features dual vanities, custom cabinetry and hard surfaces along with a large walk-in closet. The basement was designed with flexible living arrangements in mind. A separate entrance coupled with a wet bar, full bathroom and bonus room allow for entertaining, hosting guests or embracing the spaces for hobbies. With a sought after Concordia location, a noteworthy design and some of Butler’s most signature finishes, this property is one to take note of.


OFFERED AT $699,900

4 BEDROOMS | 3.5 BATH | 2,473 SQFT

Celebrate Love

Valentine’s Day is will be here soon, and there’s a whole lot of love going around. How do you celebrate love? How do you feel loved? At Pringle Creek Community, we think love starts with you and self care, and a big part of your life is usually spent at home.  Why not choose to live in a community that promotes health and well-being? The new Net Zero home is a sustainably built and innovative home that is now available in our community.

celebrate love
Inside the Net Zero home

This beautiful home has a spacious open plan positioned to let the morning sun spill into your kitchen, living room, and even the master on the main. It allows for you to breath easy by using healthy materials that have low to no VOCs. The home encourages indoor-outdoor living and extends out into the courtyard, which is great for outdoor barbeques and entertaining.

Take a jaunt around your community, where there is fresh honey from our honey bees and farm fresh eggs from Cluckingham Palace. Want to start a club on something you’re passionate about? Perfect. We also have the first LEEDPlatinum certified community center and events space that’s a resident amenity.  There are so many wonderful and sustainable amenities offered at Pringle Creek Community.

celebrate love
Inside the Net Zero home: Master on the main

The Net Zero home is one of a kind, just like Pringle Creek Community. It’s made with sustainable materials like ICF (insulated concrete forms) that help make it highly energy efficient—so efficient and healthful that the home was just awarded with a LEED Platinum certification, the most stringent and highest green certification available for homes. So, not only is it gorgeous and healthy, but it will also save you money in the long run on energy costs. If you’re curious, contact us to take a tour or come by one of our open houses, and see what living sustainably looks like . Spring is around the corner, love is in the air, and this home might just take your breath away. Come see it before someone falls in love with this stunning home.

Open House: Sunday, February 10th, from 11 – 2:00pm

Love Every Day

Start 2019 off right in a home that you love. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to think about love at a whole other level. Living in the beautiful and energy efficient Net Zero home could bring you love every day of the year. With an open plan that let’s in plenty of light and a master on the main, this could be your dream home. You’ll also love the courtyard and patio that is great for entertaining, too.
Step inside the Net Zero home

Pringle Creek Community is also an extension of the Net Zero home, and a great way to feel connected with nature and neighbors. Your dream home extends into the orchards, the green houses, and the babbling creek. It doesn’t stop there, there’s also Painters Hall, the community center and events space. This is a resident amenity, where you could join in on the fun of finding your inner peace with yoga or perhaps finding kinship at the book club, where books are optional and the conversation is lively.

Relax in an comfortable open plan and take in the sunshine.

Wander into the historic Lord and Burnham greenhouses and say, “Hello,” to expert Urban Farmer, Colleen Owen. The community has a 25 share CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) that you could join, and a farm stand to boot. You might find yourself at Cluckingham Palace. Yes, just like the name, it’s a chicken coop filled with chickens that are held to the highest regard being fed organic produce to make the farm fresh eggs even yummier and nutritious.

The Net Zero home is a home to fall in love with, and it’s in a place to live a happy and healthy life. Curious about what the Net Zero home looks like? Experience it for yourself. There’s an open house happening this Saturday, February 2, from 11:00 – 2:00pm. See what living sustainably looks like.

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, February 2, 11:00am – 2:00pm