Tag: relocation

CLOSED & Closer to the Love!

Posted on by Olivia Rush

Nothing like a smooth transaction with a delightful client to kick off 2024! (I’ll be manifesting these the rest of the year.)

Ellen is the mother of some very special past clients of mine. She was ready to make some big life adjustments to be, in her words, “closer to the love.”

Relocating from Redmond to PDX would mean spending a lot more time with her son, his family, and her brother- and sister-in-law.

The day after Christmas, Ellen reached out about a particular condo that happened to be in the same HOA as her in-laws, and just about 25 minutes from her grandkids.

I quickly learned that Ellen is a woman of action. Within 3 days, she was preapproved, writing an offer, and preparing to list her Redmond home in a week. 

Of course, after 60 days on market, another set of cash buyers came out of the woodwork. Ellen kept her eye on the prize. We worked together to craft a compelling offer, communicating overtime with the listing agent.

Ellen prepped herself for a loss, but her well-rounded offer and her story resonated with the sellers. We moved through the due diligence period fairly smoothly, and Ellen even accepted a full-price offer on her home in Redmond before closing on the condo!

Yesterday I handed Ellen the keys. Sister-in-law (and interior designer) Diane was there to celebrate and take measurements. Ellen’s pup Charley was also excited to claim this new home as his own! Within 24 hours, Ellen was already painting the primary. Like I said – a woman of action.

Cheers to getting yourself *closer to the love,* Ellen. I couldn’t be more excited for (and impressed by) you!

Timeline…What Timeline?!

Posted on by Olivia Rush

Congratulations to Chrys & Mo on the purchase of their first home! These first-timers are gonna have to create some new long term goals.

A fellow agent and former-teacher referred C+M to me. Coming from a different market, he wanted to make sure I’d vibe with their blue hair and tattoos. I told him half of us in Portland look like that. I had dreadlocks for 6 years, sir – I’ll take good care of your people!

From the moment I first spoke with C+M, we clicked. They were planners. The original timeframe for their first purchase? 2024/2025. But after an initial visit to Portland where we toured a few homes, they quickly targeted a new move date: fall 2023.

Well, sometimes the right house comes along…and you gotta throw all caution to the wind and ask her to dance. We did just that, scheduling a virtual showing right away and then crafting a stellar offer with strong terms and a quick close to beat out 2 other offers.

Repair negotiations Can a bit tricky, but these were straightforward! In the end, we were able to negotiate a sizable credit to be put toward a number of maintenance items (as well as guaranteeing the removal of a dead rat from the crawlspace prior to close – no one wants uninvited guests!)

As of today, C+M are officially Oregonians! They’re excited for the rain and cooler temps – we’ll see how long that lasts. Cheers, y’all!

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Relocating To Portland? Let’s Make A Plan.

Posted on by Andy Meeks

 

If buying a home is one of the more complex transactions any of us will encounter in our lives, relocating to a new city and buying a home at the same time multiplies that complexity in countless additional ways. There are so many aspects to consider, tasks to juggle, and timelines to coordinate. It’s a big lift any way you look at it. I’m here to say that it can be done, and in a way that feels relatively manageable and controlled, considering all of the moving parts involved.

I have the pleasure of assisting clients in this position every year. In fact, about 15-20% of my business is working with relocating clients. Many of them are in the medical profession, but some are grandparents moving closer to their grandkids and others are working through a major life transition. I’m a highly detail-oriented person and I really enjoy the coordination and planning necessary to make this process as seamless as possible for my clients. I also know it can be a challenging time emotionally, and I bring a compassionate, no-pressure mindset to our working relationship and the process.

Everyone’s situation is different, of course, and there are always layers to consider, but I want to provide some key things to consider in this process:

  • LAUNCH: Establishing a connection, learning about your needs, and establishing a working plan. Fortunately, this part is pretty straightforward and can be done over the course of one or more Zoom calls when we can get to know one another and figure out the best approach for your situation. We’ll leave that call with a clear plan of next steps and I will follow-up with an email full of additional information. I’ll also create custom search in our RMLS that will send you properties matching your criteria every morning. You can start looking through these to passively learn ‘your’ market and help manage expectations around how size, location, condition, age and amenities contribute to list prices and availability. The Portland market, like all west coast cities, is more expensive than many of the places from where people are moving, and re-calibrating expectations early on is an important step.

  • TIMING: Not surprisingly, this is by far the most important aspect and one of the first things we need to establish. I find the best way to sketch this out is to work backwards from the date by which you must be in your home. Sometimes this is open-ended, but I find that this date is often related to a hard start date for a new job or the start of the school year. Once an offer has been accepted, it’s typically a 28-30 day transaction period until closing and possession, when you get keys and can officially start moving your belongings. The home search process itself can take 1-2 months, at a minimum, for you to find the perfect house and also have an offer accepted on it. Depending on your current location and proximity to Portland, the ease with scheduling tours can vary, but it’s a commitment to set aside time and funds to make some boots-on-the-ground visits. On these visits, I’m able to coordinate +/- 8 showings/day (a full day!) over the course of a long weekend, or even a long week, if necessary. I want to help you maximize your time here in Portland.
  • SELECTION: Flexibility in timelines is one the strongest assets for a buyer. However, since it’s likely that you’ll only have 1-3 visits to Portland to search homes, your selection of homes will be likewise limited to what’s available on the market when you’re here in town. Of course, I’m able to provide video tours to help give some advance support before you’re able to make it to (or back to) Portland, but most folks won’t want to buy a home until they’ve set foot inside (and I wouldn’t recommend it). There’s no substitute for physically seeing a home in person, getting a feel for size, location, neighborhood, and all of the other tangible and intangible aspects to consider. While it might not be ideal, having a limited set of choices helps clarify things quickly.
  • FINANCING: This is another fundamental first step, and one applies to all buyers. Connecting with a (preferably) local lender to discuss your situation and to learn what you can afford based on your budget, will give you a solid foundation from which to build your home search. Buyers who are also relocating are often dealing with the sale of their current home, and this adds a few layers of complexity around financing and timing, as well as the terms of your offer. These are things we’ll discuss in our first call, but I can also provide introductions to local lenders who can be a resource for you to get that step started. I can also connect with your local real estate broker to best understand your home sale situation.

These are just the first steps, of course, but I wanted to provide a brief roadmap as you consider what this process might look like. I’m always available for a call to chat more about your specific questions and needs. I love helping people make the move to Portland, so please let me know how I might be able to help you do so!

Relocation Reconnaissance

Posted on by Natalie Tracy

When folks are looking to relocate, especially from out of state, it’s common for them to want to connect with a realtor and talk about buying a house right out of the gate. My go-to advice? Explore, explore, explore. And consider renting first.

This was exactly my advice to Karen and Steve, when Karen first contacted me about their planned move. They were about to have a new grandbaby, and wanted to relocate from Massachusetts to be near their family. But they first needed to sell their current home, they weren’t sure whether they wanted to live in Oregon or Washington, and they weren’t very familiar with the area or neighborhoods.

Unless folks are already familiar enough to feel confident about which side of the river they want to live on and which neighborhoods they want to live in, I highly recommend they do one of two things: 1) head out here for a long enough trip to really explore and get a feel for where they want to live, or 2) move into a short-term rental first and give themselves time to explore.

After a couple of strategy sessions by phone to figure out their goals and the best way to achieve them, Karen and Steve were planning to sell their current home and then move into a rental in Vancouver. Then their grandbaby arrived, then their Massachusetts home sold at lightning speed, and then they realized they weren’t finding rental options that really felt like a fit.

So on a moment’s notice, they decided to fly out and explore, explore, explore. They had a mission, and they were on it! I gave them some homework on areas to check out, they went to a few open houses, and they quickly crossed Washington off the list. Another day of exploring, and they realized they loved the idea of being in Gresham, very near their daughter’s family. With the clock ticking on their trip, they honed in on a few houses that seemed to check all of the boxes.

One house stood out, so that’s the one we focused on. And with that mission in mind, I called the listing agent and shared the story of Karen and Steve flying out here and finding the perfect home, on the perfect tree-filled lot, just 8 minutes from their daughter and new grandbaby. The listing agent loved their story just as much as me, and her sellers did too. I got the scoop on what they were hoping for in an offer, and met with Karen and Steve to come up with something that hit all the marks. With other buyers circling, rather than wait and set an offer deadline, the sellers accepted the offer!

And the rest is history and family memories in the making. Karen and Steve are headed out to settle into their beautiful new home, and enjoy being grandparents. I can’t wait to see the pictures!

Finally…Relaxing in Raleigh Hills!

Posted on by Olivia Rush

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!

Sometimes Everything Changes

Posted on by Shannon Dooley

My clients loved their California home for decades, they made a lifetime of memories there. They enjoyed amazing friends and neighbors, being close to the beach, and weather that many people just dream about. Their kids were grown, living in Portland, which gave them  every opportunity to visit their second favorite city often. There had been talk of a small vacation home in Portland, but they never imagined they would leave their home. Fourteen months ago everything changed. The pandemic caused a lot of people to reevaluate their priorities and for my clients the importance of being geographically close to their kids was clear.

We spent a lot of time touring homes in search of just the right place. When moving to a new city it can take some time to figure out the right neighborhoods and architectural styles to suit you – so we explored. After narrowing down their ideal neighborhoods and really solidifying what they needed in a home we started making offers. It took a couple of times in this fierce market, but when we found their new home we got competitive and it felt like the stars had aligned. Their son and daughter in-law had lived near this home when they first moved to Portland and affectionately called this “the banjo lady house,” because one of the owners was often out front playing her banjo on the porch when they would walk by.

As we moved through our transaction we learned that the sellers and my buyers had a very similar story. Both were leaving their long time homes to be closer to family. Both were artistic and musical, “old hippies,” as they described themselves. Everything about this transition felt right. Soon this home will be the, “flute guy house,” and I just can’t wait to hear the music float through the neighborhood!

 

 

 

Ashland Acreage to Lake Life

Posted on by Olivia Rush

I’m a firm believer of, “If it’s meant to be, it will be.” Though I will say, this is much easier said in hindsight.

Yahya and Rod are parents of dear friends of mine. After our journey together, they are now also dear friends! Over the last 30 years, they have cultivated and loved a 22-acre parcel in Southern Oregon. It was time for a complete 180. Move back to the Big City to be closer to family (aka hopefully grandchildren in the near future)!

We were looking for something special, something *magical.* One of the most important criteria was daily sun exposure. Yahya and Rod weren’t going to be farming 22 acres, but they did want a solid patch where they could grow their own food.

Long story short, we ended up in contract – went through inspections – negotiated – and ultimately terminated on TWO other properties. Needless to say, were were tiiiired. The mental and emotional exhaustion – not to mention the price tag of flying up to Portland weekend after weekend – was starting to stack up.

Now – most people would be in a dark pit of despair, and rightfully so. Yahya and Rod are not your average humans. They embodied a Keep Calm and Carry On mentality throughout the countless back and forth, ups and downs. The unicorn was out there, and we would find it.

When we had our third offer accepted over two others, it was a tenuous celebration…we had been here before. Twice. We moved cautiously through inspections/negotiations and held our breath as we wrote our repair addendum. When the Sellers agreed to our ask, we breathed a collective exhale.

Since closing earlier this week, the relief has morphed into excitement. Yahya and Rod will arrive at their new home overlooking Lakewood Bay in a few weeks. They have already planned their first [outdoor] shindig at the new home – Rod’s birthday is coming up!

Not the easiest journey or straightest path. But it was meant to be. CHEERS to the happy new homeowners!

Buying Nearly New + Sight Unseen!

Posted on by Olivia Rush

Congratulations to John and Fei for closing on their nearly new construction in Gresham. Built in 2018 by the Sellers themselves, this house was dialed. So dialed that my clients felt confident making an offer on it sight unseen!

John and Fei were referred to me by their friends who bought a house with me last spring. Those clients relocated from Southern California and purchased a home in Damascus on five acres. After nearly a year of hearing tales of Oregon life, John and Fei made the decision to follow in their friends’ footsteps.

Once we connected and honed their search, the hunt was on. The catch: John and Fei were house shopping from 1000+ miles away. Many of my friends could not believe that people would make an offer, go through inspections, and close on a home without ever having stepped foot in it. But with their opposite job schedules and needing to prep their own home for sale, it was our only option.

Fortunately, virtual showings are kinda my thing. I love them for several reasons. 1, I can squeeze in showings without needing to coordinate with clients’ busy schedules. 2, buyers can review the videos at a time that works for them. 3, buyers have a visual record (in the form of ten to twenty 1-2 minute videos I text them) of the house they can watch and rewatch. 4, they get to hear me ramble on about this adorable breakfast nook or that killer natural light.

It also helps to have some other eyes and ears on the ground. Fortunately for John and Fei, their friends (my former clients) live about 15 minutes from this house. Neighbor-friends attended the inspections and gave John and Fei their own feedback, which was thumbs way up. And when our nit-picky inspector delivered a squeaky clean report, that didn’t hurt either.

On Wednesday morning, John and Fei signed their closing documents in SoCal. Then they loaded up the car with their two kitties and headed north. Thursday evening, they pulled into their new driveway, where they met both their house and their realtor face to face for the first time. Air hugs were exchanged and then, the moment of truth…

Yeah, they liked it. Really, really liked it. Buying a house from afar isn’t for everyone, but John, Fei, and kitties feel like they won the lottery. Cheers and welcome home!

Want to get pre-qualified during the times of Covid-19..?

Posted on by Living Room Realty

There are a few tips  I would like to leave current Portland, Oregon residents  who are ready to buy or sell their homes, during the times of Covid-19.

 

Best 7 Questions to ask your Lender :

  1. Are you a direct lender ?

      2. Are you a correspondent lender or broker?

     *Please note, in my opinion, direct lender is usually best.

      3. Are you a local lender?

      4. Is the loan going to be fully underwritten?

      5. What are the current interest rates and can I lock in my rate?

     6. If my parter is affected by COVID-19, could I still qualify?

     7. Be honest, disclose your current working / employment situation with lender. Ask if it is better for you to pre-qualify for the loan individually?

     **The lenders are the experts who will give you the most realistic feedback regarding your ability to pre-qualify.

This video is created by Steph Noble, an amazing local lender here in Portland.

There are some mind- shift changes occurring within the current Real Estate Market during the time of Covid-19.

See link below for the full Video from Steph Noble, Local Portland Lender, Guild Mortgage.

 

 

Stability of interest rates, April 2020

The Feds interest right now is to solely  stabilize the mortgage baked securities for interest rates.

The Feds will increase and decrease their buying based off what is needed to keep the interest rates stable.

Their commitment is to keep rates stable.

The buying of mortgage backed securities is so powerful right now , it is out impacting any other economic factors.

Typically, when we have good or bad economic news, there is an impact to interest rates, the Feds buying mortgage backed securities is out-weighting any of those other economic factories regarding interest rates.

–You may have heard that the Feds are pulling back on what they are buying ?

Even with them pulling back as needed, to keep rates stable,  currently, the feds are buying back double what is being produced.

 

If you have any more questions or comments please reach out to me or Steph Noble directly!

https://www.livingroomre.com/agents/meline-khachatourian/

 

 

New York to New Home!

Posted on by Aryne + Dulcinea

Relocating from the east coast is no easy task, but when you want to live near your daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter… the long haul is worth the journey. For our savvy buyer, an important piece of the purchasing puzzle was a really thorough home inspection. After we guided her through her due diligence and helped her investigate aspects of the home that were question marks, she knew she had a solid home that she could get cozy in fast. This home’s floor plan allows for her entrepreneurial spirit and love of art. Besides working from home, she’ll be able to host her family and provide a sweet space for her grand daughter when she visits. Another sale = another great success for our client!

 

About Us:
Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped over 200 clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.

Downsizing Texas to Portland

Posted on by Mel Marzahl

Everything is bigger in Texas, right?

Well that definitely includes beautiful big homes! Making the move from TX to PDX, Gary is downsizing his home and “up-sizing” his time with family.

This month, I had the pleasure of working with Gary from Texas and his kids. Together we found a beautiful home for him here in Gresham. Relocating from Houston, he was ready to make a move and the Portland area was an easy choice. In his sweet 50’s ranch with mature trees and landscaping, Gary will be close to friends and family. Zack, Sarah, and Jeremy, his son, daughter and her husband, all live less than 25 minutes from his new home. He also has ties to Tualatin, Lake Oswego, and more cities with friends and relatives throughout the PNW!

Buying a home sight unseen is a big deal.

Gary had his family here to be his “eyes on the ground” who knew what he’d like. I toured homes with them, and took lots of detailed video tours before we found this house. I knew it was the right one when I learned that the Gary had been referring to it as the house with the “happy tile”.

Gary was not in a hurry to buy and move. He was able to offer a 3 week rent-back to the seller so she could stay after closing. While we offered under-asking, this was a key term that helped us seal the deal. The seller of Gary’s new home was waiting for the owners of her new home to move as she had given them a rent-back period as well. With all of us making accomodations for the next person, we found terms and a price that worked. Even though he was out of state, we had a smooth and pleasant transaction. I took care of the details of the sale, logistics of a sewer line replacement, and attended all inspections with his kids. Then Gary, provided with detailed inspection reports, videos, and family input, made all the decisions. It worked great and he got a good deal on a great home.

I am so thrilled to hand over keys in a few weeks!

It will not only be the first time he sees his new home, but it will be the first time we meet in person! I know we’ll get along great though. Gary is a fellow foodie, and I’m looking forward to celebrating over dinner with the family at one of Portland’s amazing restaurants. Congrats Gary!

___

I always love helping out of state buyers and sellers. It’s a joy knowing I can help provide some calm and extra insight to clients who are far away. It is also very gratifying to close a deal for an out of state client. I know how much trust they have placed in me to handle the in-person logistics for them and to work closely with their family or friends in the area if they have them. If you are out of state too, or have family or friends who need real estate help here in Portland, please reach out. I am always happy to just answer questions or help you get started on your move if you’re ready!

Welcome to Portland!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

With all their children on the West coast, my clients were ready to make the move from Nashville. They fell in love with Portland and during their visits here we toured several beautiful homes. This architecturally rich Laurelhurst home was the perfect fit.

From the light filled living spaces to updated amenities, this home is perfect for hosting their family during the holidays. The northeast location is absolutely ideal, close to restaurants and grocery stores, and I am thrilled to welcome these new Portlanders to the Rose City!

How about a downsize and a relocation all in one? SOLD to one fabulous woman.

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Yet again, real estate is pulling on my heart strings. My client moved from everything and everyone she knew in Nashville to make a change for herself. Her adult children are off living their lives, her giant house in the woods was a lot of work, and she was ready for a fresh scene.

Art, food, and lifestyle are just some of the things that led her to Portland for her downsize. Did I mention we take our pastries very seriously? Oh, and she is an incredible oil painter, shopper, and chef. All things that Portland can surely support.

I promised Jacqueline I would protect her as if she were my own mother, and you bet I did it. It took a while but we left no stone unturned. I drove her around, got to know her, and felt like I did my duty. She got an awesome home with the light she needs to paint, the space she needs for visitors, and within walking distance to her transit, plus a grocery store.

We checked off the list and I got to know a really wonderful woman who will absolutely remain in my life in return. We closed last Friday and last night I had the pleasure of helping her move some personal things, followed by some flights of bubbles and all of the cheese– hope she knows its not over. More bubbles to come. More laughs to be had. So many lessons I will never forget and as she often said, “we know who we are.” Counting my blessings again and again.

Goodbye Seattle, Hello Portland!

Posted on by Natalie Tracy

Helping folks relocate from out of state is a grand adventure. They see homes pop up online and get stressed about missing out on “the one”. The key is making sure I understand their needs from the get go and maintain a high level of communication. I love making this process less stressful and easier than they anticipate!

Kristin and Mitch had moved from Portland to Seattle for a job relocation, and were quickly disenchanted. They missed Portland too much to not return, and they wanted to take the leap from renters to homeowners to put down Portland roots. They were such proactive partners in their home search. We would block out a chunk of one day each weekend, and they would head down if houses came up that looked like contenders – I did a fair number of previews to ensure their trips were useful. One week, Kristin even flew down on a moment’s notice when a great house came up on a Monday.

That house wasn’t actually the one, but another house a few days later was. And we weren’t the only ones who thought so – the house ended up with seven offers. They had already been through one very competitive multiple offer situation, so when I let them know what it was going to take to win this one, they were all over it. After a few stressful days of waiting, they were under contract, and it was smooth sailing from there on out.

And just like that, they have an amazing house in a neighborhood they love, with a beautiful backyard for their sweet dog, Ellie. Goodbye Seattle, hello Portland!

First time home buyer in a competitive price range

Posted on by Julia Robertson

These happy campers relocated from New York less than a year ago. They just closed on the most perfect 1940’s cape cod style home in North Portland. We’ve been on a search for a home under $450k, with character, room to improve, in an up-n-coming neighborhood and close enough commute to Nike. I’d like to say it was an easy search, but this is a popular search for North Portland! We wrote multiple over asking price offers, giving desirable concessions to seller… but lucking out, as runner up or back up offer on these homes. One home in particular, they had their eye on was removed from the market for a month. Although we really wanted to write an offer on that property, the seller had to find a suitable 1031 exchange property on the east coast, while living in the Netherlands. Sound complicated? Yup! We continued to look at other homes and write a few offers in some crazy competitive situations. Sure enough this cute little cape cod came on the market and we had our opportunity again! In a split decision with multiple offers the seller chose an all cash offer, higher than ours, the seller couldn’t refuse the terms. Ugggghhh! We asked to be a back up position and seller chose not to have a back up. All the while I encouraged these two. In real estate, everything happens the way it’s supposed to. Don’t get discouraged.

Two weeks later, I received a call from the cape cod home that the buyer in first position was backing out. Before listing it back on the market, they wanted to know if this buyer was still interested… YES!!! These two were so excited to get into the home they originally wanted. May not have been the way they thought it would happen, but almost always everything happens the way it’s supposed to in real estate. Timing is everything and so is having a professional on your side.

If you’re a first time home buyer and you’re trying to navigate the home buying process- I’d love to be your guide. Call or email me anytime!

Julia Robertson | Living Room Realty

Licensed Broker in Oregon & Washington

541-505-1111 | julia@rebyjulia.com

Executive Relocation? Got You Covered!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

We happily obliged when asked to find a condo for someone joining the Knight Cancer Center’s team. Executive relocations can be fun. In addition to finding properties, and evaluating each one, we get to wear our Tour Guide and Portland Concierge hats. She already took the job and knows she wants to live here, but we needed to make sure she knows about the city’s history and proposed new development. Because we’re interested, we also added an overview on geology (the formation of the gorge,) meteorology (seasonal rain and sun,) environment (access to the Willamette,) and scene (best Happy Hour!)

Our tour of 21 condos in 2 days to identify the best candidates was definitely a bit of a whirlwind. To stay organized we made sure she had printed materials for the properties we were touring. We made notes for each condo before we moved on to the next. Room for the piano? Wall space for bookcases and art? Kitchen finishes and appliances up to par? Then we reviewed what we had seen at the end of each day. Our third day was focused – retour the top 3, and review the offer forms, and get her to the airport.

The rest of the work happened with her in Chicago. Making the offer, coordinating the opening of escrow, collecting and reviewing condo docs, inspecting, negotiating repairs – and, of course, making sure the space was ready for her move. Technology definitely made it easier/possible to keep her informed and confident about moving forward, and the key is clear communication. Success! The end result of our frequent conversations and reports meant she is excited about her move, and ready to start the new job!

And check out her new view!