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Green Built New Construction in Classic Vintage Style

January 24th, 2011 by

It is not always easy to find exactly what you are looking for in real estate.  It can be even harder if you have a love of vintage architecture, a committment to green living and a desire for modern floor plans.  All wonderful things but sometimes hard to find together.

When I first began working with Bruce and Eryn a year and a half ago, they were just starting to outgrow their starter home in the Creston neighborhood.   They took it slowly at first, keeping their eyes on their favorite neighborhoods and reviewing the listings I sent them weekly. By the time their second child was born they were more than ready to take their busy family of four into a new family home.

We caught up on available inventory and started viewing all new listings that met their criteria.  They saw a few houses they liked but began to be discouraged by some of the pitfalls of owning an old house.  Combined with their desire for energy efficiency and non-toxic building materials, Bruce and Eryn ultimately began to see green built new construction as the best option for their family.  We were patient and when this fantastic green home in the Woodstock neighborhood on a full sized lot came on the market, we dashed over straightaway. 

The first time we walked through the house it was still in the early stages of construction.  There was framing in place but no walls, systems or finishes of any kind.  Naturally, it was difficult for Bruce and Eryn to have a feel for what the finished home would feel like.  The listing agent invited us to a completed home with the same layout and after viewing it, Bruce and Eryn were ready to submit an offer.  They moved quickly enough that they were able to select many of the finish details including the exterior paint color! 

Vintage style, green built, modern floor plan…Check, Check, Check!  Congratulations Eryn and Bruce!

Sold $338,000

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Modern Meets Craftsman

January 3rd, 2011 by

This classic 1914 Craftsman Bungalow stays true to its roots while successfully adding modern style updates.  The commitment to quality and attention to detail is maintained from the old to the new.  The big covered porch and the restored exterior is just a start.  Step inside to refinished fir floors, original wood moldings, a formal dining room with a built-in cabinet with leaded glass doors, picture rails, and wainscot.  The restored, double-hung wooden windows include custom storm windows.  Rich colors and warm finishes compliment the space.  The large, vaulted kitchen offers an abundance of natural light and plenty of elbow room, with room for a butcher block and table, as well as ample counter tops and cupboards.  The main floor bathroom has a claw foot tub, pedestal sink and wall sconce lighting.  The main floor bedroom has double closets and fir floors.  The bonus room makes a perfect office, nursery or play space and has a double closet and built-in shelves. 

The freshly refurbished stairs lead upstairs to the new architecturally designed space.  It’s deceptively simple.  Two bedrooms connected by a hallway. But this is a very well thought out and usable space with little need for additional furniture beyond beds.  The screen at the landing is made of re-used old growth fir.  The center bedroom has a pocket door, custom closet and book nook.  In the roomy master bedroom, the hatch provides summer cooling.  Just open the hatch door and a vent fan pulls the heat out.  There is lots of built-in storage, including drawers, closets and shelving.  The walls have environmentally sensitive insulation — one of the many green updates that increase the livability of this home. 

Practical updates include a conversion to natural gas, the decommissioning of an underground storage tank, and installation of a radon mitigation system.  More improvements include a newer, high efficiency gas furnace, water heater, updated plumbing, and a 1” copper main water line.  The main level has blown-in insulation.  There is also a full, unfinished basement with ample ceiling height for future growth.  Many updates were made with an eye towards increasing the energy efficiency of this home.  Wood detailing throughout unites the Craftsman style with the modern style, creating a seamless whole home experience.   

Along with the detached garage and driveway, this home has raised garden beds and a private backyard.  It is located in the heart of the Alberta Arts neighborhood, a thriving cultural district in NE Portland.  With a high walk score of 82, nearby amenities include New Seasons and Alberta Co-op grocery, Random Order coffee, Vita Café, McMenamin’s Kennedy School and a whole host of shopping, entertainment and dining choices.  Beautiful flora and fauna can be found less than a mile away at Wilshire Park, Alberta Park or Fernhill Park.

Offered for $349,000.  MLS #11150316.  This notable home is for the most discerning buyer.

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Amazing Alberta Arts Bungalow + ADU

December 15th, 2010 by

1911 Bungalow + 2009 Apartment + One Great Location

This unique and special property for sale offers a detached income property and a vintage bungalow. 

1911 Bungalow:

This classic bungalow has newly restored wood lap siding and exterior paint.  The vintage flair remains with 9’4” high ceilings on the main, fir floors, plus a covered front porch.  Tasteful updates like new Marvin tilt-pack double hung wood windows (for ease of cleaning) and a Thelin pellet stove  enhance this  home.  The kitchen has a tile backsplash and includes appliances. This home has 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and a total of 1824 sq ft.  The unfinished basement has 7’-4” ceilings and new egress windows, offering future growth potential.   Other recent improvements include a total tear-off roof (2006), all new plumbing, including water service + PEX plumbing (2008), and sewer line(2009).

2009 Apartment:

This dwelling is featured in the December 2010 issue of Northwest Renovation magazine article about ADU’s (Auxiliary Dwelling Units).  ADU’s have also been called Granny Flats, In-law units or plain old apartments.  An ADU is a separate living space on the same lot. An ADU offers an owner occupant income without roommates.  ADU’s can be built in basements, attached to the existing house, or can be detached from the original house, but the idea is they are fully functioning dwellings on their own.   

This detached efficiency unit has a gas fireplace, hickory cabinets, oak floors, eating bar, built-in bookshelves, recessed lighting, and nice natural light.  The bathroom has a tile floor, pedestal sink, dual flush toilet, wall sconces, subway tile bath, and corner windows with a view to St. Andrew’s steeple.  The bedroom includes a large closet and pocket doors at the bathroom & closet, maximizing use of this space.  This unit is fully loaded with all stainless steel appliances, a tank-less water heater, and a separate laundry room with stackable washer and dryer.  This ADU has 1 bedroom, 1 bath and a total of 462 sq. ft. and rents for $850/month.

The Garage:

The 2+ car unit has recessed lighting, wall heaters, garage door with opener and a ½ bath.  High windows offer great light and this space could be so much more than just a place to park a car. 

This property is in the heart of Alberta Arts and has a walk score of 82 (very walkable).  Just steps away from Radio Room, The Bye and Bye, Grilled Cheese Grill, Alberta Street Public House.  Near Alberta Co-Op Grocery, Trimet bus line, Tin Shed Restaurant, and all the arts, ales and eats that the arts district has to offer.

Lifestyle

A small footprint lifestyle is making a commitment to a lower carbon footprint through consciously using less natural resources in day-to-day living.  This home with an ADU in a highly walkable neighborhood is not only an affordable housing option; it offers a small footprint life without giving up comfort, style or amenities.  MLS#10091501, $359,000.

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Dwell in the Award Winning Z-HAUS- on the Market Now!!

November 29th, 2010 by

Atelier Waechter’s Z-Haus, recipient of AIA CITATION AWARD FOR DESIGN, is an attached house located in the close in, ever growing Williams Ave neighborhood of shops, restaurants, breweries, cafes, & services. Designed & built with the intention of MAXIMIZING interior square footage while maintaining a small footprint, plenty of exterior garden space, & significant ENERGY CONSERVATION, the Z-Haus has many SUSTAINABLE building & design elements. It has been well covered in the media, featured in the current issue of OREGON HOME GREEN LIVING as well as September ’10 issue of DWELL MAGAZINE (www.dwell.com), to name a couple! The simple MODERN MINIMALISM of the Z-Haus, combined with it’s inherent MATERIALITY (variegated wood floors, pigmented stucco bathrooms), and ABUNDANT NATURAL LIGHT, create a sense of CALM & TRANQUILITY. FLEXIBILITY of the four rooms beyond the living room & kitchen/dinning room, is offered by SLIDING WALL PANELS, enabling a room to be private or public:  office, media room, craft room, bedroom, guest room, etc. such that it can generously accommodate a family as well as an individual who works at home. Other amenities include a gourmet kitchen with custom, thermofoil cabinets; GERMAN designed & locally sourced, highly efficient, ’tilt and turn’, UPVC (non-out gassing) windows; passive cooling; a TPO ‘cool roof’, and MORE (see www.Z-Haus.net)!!!

If I also sound ATTACHED, I am. I helped design it and I live in a Z-Haus with my family!!! If you are interested in living in/investing in this house, call me. I am happy to give you the ESSENTIAL Z-Haus TOUR & write up an offer!!

2,800 sqft, 4 bdrm, 21/2 baths, asking price:  $499,000

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Downtown Penthouse | $249,900

September 29th, 2010 by

Living in Oregon means valuing a home with year-round abundance of natural light.  You’ll find it in this two-story corner Penthouse suite with floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall Smartglass, low-E windows on both levels.

The main level offers stunning dining, gas fireplace, full bathroom, and kitchen with a balcony large enough for a dinner party. The lower level is all master suite space with the same great views, including a bedroom, sitting room, office area, a second gas fireplace, and another full bathroom with stackable washer and dryer. The building has a cooling eco-roof, separate storage just for bicycles, central efficient hot water, and dual flush toilets. PLUS, unit has updated mini-split ductless AC units on both floors including 2 brand new heat pumps! 

Come view this hot condo in person and you won’t believe the $249,900 pricetag. A great investment steps to PSU, Portland Art Museum, the street car, the Park Blocks, and Farmer’s Markets.  

1410 SW 11th Ave. #806 | 894 sf | ML#10072916

Call Amber Turner for a special showing: 503-804-1261

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MODERN for under 340K

September 26th, 2010 by
K4 Court is one of the few modern projects in town.  It is a  unique courtyard style development located near the HOT Alberta neighborhood right next the all of the excitement happening at NE 30th and Killingsworth.  Extraco Coffee House, Cup and Saucer, Fats, Authentica and Beast would be your new neighbors.  There are 3 of the 4 units currently available.  2 are 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath and the third is 1 bedroom, 1 bath.  Stunning kitchens, luxurious baths, wall to wall windows, sunken living rooms and green features galore are a few things to look forward to in this special project.

Here are my top 3 reasons to see K4 court:

1)  The Location could not be more walking friendly.  The walkscore is 85 . New Seasons is 3 blocks and Alberta Street is right around the corner.

2)  You can own a Modern and sustainable dwelling of your own for  $279,900-$339,900.  A steal of a deal!

3) Newly Built modern means easy, simple living!

Please call today for a private showing or more information 503-327-9414.  It would be a pleasure to meet fellow modern enthusiasts.

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Build it Green Home Tour 2010!

September 4th, 2010 by

If you have any interest in green building concepts and love touring homes as much as I do then Don’t Miss The 2010 Build it Green Home Tour!  I look forward to this event all year long, so much that this will be my fourth year participating.  

If you think you’d enjoy this tour even more if you could attend with others passionate or curious about green building, feel free to join GreenPDX in a large group caravan by clicking here:  http://www.meetup.com/greenpdx/

Otherwise, get your tix online here, grab a friend and head out to be a sponge.  $15 adults; $10 car-free/students/honored citizens; FREE for children under 14

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Designer Product at a Wholesale Price

August 17th, 2010 by

 

You might recognize Holst Architecture’s style when you think of the Clinton Condominiums, the Thurman Street Lofts, or the new Sunrose Condos on E. Burnside.  The Meranti Lofts by the same firm are equally cool in that simple, industrial modern, yet warm, kind of way.  There are currently two residential units in this small condo building that are available at ridiculously low prices. 

For a starting price of only $179,000 you can have a sleek corner unit w/ 2 bedrooms, 1 baths and 1,139 square feet.  Or, for $239,000 there’s a 2-level, 3 bedroom, 2 bath in 1,283 square feet.  

Both have concrete radiant heat floors, stainless steel counter tops, white walls, and a spread of windows with awesome southern exposure.  Walk or bike to all the yummy Division Street offerings, or step out your door to public transit. 

These are available on auction – please call Amber for details:  503-804-1261

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CoreHaus for Sale | $330,000

August 13th, 2010 by

Love modern asymmetry and appreciate anything that can save you up to 90% on your heating and cooling costs?  The Corehaus is the only home designed to the ultra efficient Passive House Standard that is currently for sale in Portland!  This ultra cool home lets you live with a small footprint, plenty of light, and central to everything we love about the east side.  Architect Robert Hawthorne and builder Bart Bergquist put hundreds of hours of perfectionist thought, study, and sweat into this one-of-a-kind home.

The members of GreenPDX were given a private tour of this house a few weeks ago to learn more about the Passive House standard requirements and what it took Rob and Bart to achieve such efficiency for the Corehaus. (See the full scoop on house details and photos from the tour here.)  Or to learn more about the Passive House movement in Portland, see my blog post here.

This super insulated home is offered at only $330,000, so please call me for a showing today:  Amber Turner 503-804-1261

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Eco-Elegant Bungalow

August 5th, 2010 by

This one is a recipe for success – cute through and through, but with green tricks up its sleeve to boot.  First, you have soothing plaster walls, a cleanly updated kitchen, a charming, covered wrap around porch overlooking garden beds, and then you couple it  with lovely green features and you have yourself one a dandy gem.  Radiant heat, new wood windows, reclaimed materials throughout, paperstone counters, marmoleum floors, and system upgrades.  This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is listed with Karim Alaeddine of ReMax.

Call me for a showing before this one is gone, baby, gone.  Amber Turner 503-804-1261

832 N. Emerson Street | 2,068 sf | ML# 10063243

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