Tag: St. Johns activities

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.

 

 

A Perfect Day in Portland’s St. Johns Neighborhood

Posted on by Aryne + Dulcinea

Bordering the intersection of the Columbia and Willamette rivers, Portland’s St. Johns neighborhood exemplifies the city’s deep connection to both nature and its fading blue collar roots. Its historic downtown provides an eclectic blend of established institutions and newer amenities set against a backdrop of some of Portland’s most striking views.

The atmosphere feels as hipster as it feels authentically small town, and visitors will enjoy the eclectic blend of locally-owned shops, bars and eateries. Representing Portland’s most nature-bound quadrant, experiencing the electric pallet of St. Johns in autumn is a worthwhile experience for residents and tourists alike. Here’s what you need to know about maximizing your day in Portland’s St. Johns neighborhood.

 

MORNING

Downtown St. Johns is the ultimate place to take a morning stroll, as the district’s main stretch is lined with an exceptional selection of early dining options. For a proper breakfast, local establishment John Street Café delivers both on menu and ambiance. Surrounded by locals, you’ll begin to understand why St. Johns’ takes pride in its tight-knit community. For a lighter breakfast, you can check out one of many coffee shops, which include St. Johns Coffee Roasters and motorcycle-coffee shop combo Two Stroke Coffee Co. The Great North is another charming coffeehouse, which features exceptional espresso options with house made syrups.

If you’re fortunate enough to be in St. Johns on a Saturday, you’ll likely encounter the community farmer’s market. Exceptional for being one of the city’s most engaging and lively markets, The St. Johns Farmer’s Market offers a great selection of vendors, as well as live performances and entertainment.

 

 

AFTERNOON

Exploring the central area of downtown St. Johns, you’ll happen across vintage shops, Vinyl Resting Place, home décor and women’s retailer Metamorphic, and Etcetera boutique. These are gems worth exploring, as they are less combed-through than similar establishments in more central areas.

A perfect day in St. Johns would be incomplete without a trip to the neighborhood’s pride and joy, Cathedral Park. If your trip coincides with the market, consider grabbing a food for an impromptu picnic. Alternately, you can make a pit stop to one of Portland’s best-kept secrets: Tienda Santa Cruz. You didn’t hear it from us, but the inconspicuous Mexican grocery actually dishes up the best burrito in the city. Grab your meal of choice and take a scenic walk to the underbelly of St Johns Bridge, where you can explore the breathtaking views of Cathedral Park and dip your toes in the Willamette.

EVENING

Because “too much of a good thing” doesn’t apply to Portland vistas, we recommend surveying Willamette Boulevard. If possible, explore the route by bike, scooter or foot so that you can enjoy the overlook of west Portland and uncover some of the neighborhood’s many charming hidden secrets. Exploring near North Tyler and  Willamette will reveal a historic water tower, gorgeous river scenes and artistic accents.

Like a true North Portlander, you should end up at The St. Johns’ Beer Porch. A local favorite, this pod offers a selection of food carts which are outstanding even by Portland standards.

 

LATE NIGHT

Just because it’s low-key, doesn’t mean St. Johns is tame. In contrast, the area is known for its many dive bars. It might not be flashy, but the late night scene in St. Johns is fun.These are the unpretentious neighborhood haunts where bartenders and locals will often invite you into their worlds for a night, so consider finishing your night off in St. Johns’ downtown stretch. There’s not need to list those bars here, as the glow of neon of signs will no doubt draw you in off Lombard.

 

What are your favorite activities in Portland’s St. Johns neighborhood?

 

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.