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Perseverence Closes the Deal!

December 19th, 2011 by

When it came time to sell this sweet little Bungalow we were all in agreement there would be challenges. Having to climb fifty steps to view the property did cause many prospective Buyers to opt out of even looking.  Certainly there was the option of riding the chair lift, as the owner had done for over forty years, but more than not wanting to climb stairs, very few wanted to appear lazy and ask for a ride.  While a few did make the trek up . . . it just wasn’t for them.  So we waited . . . and waited . . . and then they came! The views of the Willamette River, Sellwood Bridge and Mt Hood put on quite a show and they were hooked!  Not only were these Buyers willing to climb stairs, they could definitely see the the potential in this great house and were excited to make it their own.

Once in transaction the stairs were the least of our worries . . . broken sewer line, easements, leaky oil tank, slope stability.  You name it . . . we dealt with it.  Lots of Professionals came in to advise – geo techs, water geologists, retaining wall engineers, foundation inspectors, sewer and oil tank contractors even a Representative from the City got involved.  But through it all both Buyers and Sellers never panicked, never gave up, always made the effort to find common ground and just this past Saturday the Sellers welcomed the Buyers to the neighborhood.  Did I mention they are now next door neighbors.

Challenging home purchases happen more often then most realize.  But calm heads and experienced professionals can guide even the most difficult deals to a successful close.

 

Diane 503.680.5836

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It's About the People Inside the Houses

December 7th, 2011 by

Ray and Dorothy built their home in Parkrose Heights in 1957.  According to county records the house was built in 1958 but Ray insists, and I will not argue, the house was built in the fall of 1957.  The homes around them all sprung up about the same time.  This was the birth of Parkrose Heights.  Ray and Dorothy took a lot of pride in their new home.  It was here they raised their children, Julie and Dale, where they took shelter, celebrated birthdays, ate, slept, and loved each other. 

We share an interesting history, Ray and I.

When Ray’s son Dale married my aunt Merry, I was the flower girl in the wedding.  Dale and Merry’s first home was in Cully.  Twenty years later, and several owners in-between, that was my first home, by total coincidence. During the time his son and daughter-in-law owned the house Ray helped put a lot of sweat equity into that home.  When my partner & I took possession of the home, Ray’s mark was still there.  The security lighting he had installed, the brickwork, the cabinetry, all still there.  But by then Dale and Merry were divorced and I had not seen Dale in years.

In 2010 Dale tracked me down and asked me to come take a look at his parents’ house.  They were moving into assisted living and needed to sell their home.  It was nice to see my uncle and his parents again, after all those years.  They are sweet, modest and hard-working, salt of the earth types.  Though not related by blood, I felt a need to do all I could to help them sell.  Dale took the lead in working with me on prepping the house, paperwork and negotiations, on behalf of his parents.  We strategized pricing and marketing together. 

Deeply affected by surrounding foreclosures, short sales, and a serious buyer’s market, it took awhile to sell.  The buyer of this home got a great deal!  As time passes she will realize that Ray and Dorothy didn’t take any shortcuts.  Everything they put into their home was with an eye towards quality and with loving care.  This home is not the Taj Mahal but it was everything to them.

In the year since the house was put on the market, so much has changed.  Dorothy passed away last December.  Then, very unexpectedly, Dale passed away in February.  It was up to Ray to take over the job his son had started.   If you don’t think real estate is emotional, think again. 

Together, Ray and I have spent many months forming a new friendship and a working relationship.  I worried about his cross-country travels over the summer.  He turned 90 in September.  We ate strawberry ice cream together.  We reminisced.  We plotted the sale of his home.  And now it has sold.  And if you think I can just walk away, think again.  He has gotten under my skin.  I care for this guy. 

In the spring, when I was weeding the flower beds at Ray’s house, I was reminded of the work he had done on my first house.  I was finally able to return the favor.

 Life is circular like that.    

This is dedicated to the memory of Dorothy and Dale Stark, may they rest in peace.

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Jesse and Cristina buy the Mahlon Armine Bungalow in Oregon City

November 30th, 2011 by
 
Oregon City Bungalow

 

I met Cristina almost a year ago.  She was thinking about moving here from Santa Cruz and we connected because that is where I am from as well.  I think that makes us “homies”.  We also both like older houses on larger lots…I have chickens, she wants chickens.  She owns a bookstore, West Side Stories, I am a bibliophile.  Kismet.  Looking at houses with her and Jesse was so fun!

After looking for many months Cristina fell in love with a house in Oregon City.  The house is amazing Bungalow on a double lot, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, leaded glass, formal dining room, fully updated gourmet kitchen and beautifully maintained.  They were just uncertain about Oregon City.  The town took time to grow on Jesse and Cristina, but grow it did.  They have decided that people will someday come to love the quirky little town as they do.  If you ever have time check out the haunted houses, the kitschy elevator and the amazing farmers market!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chandra Ashford
Broker
Cell: 503.933.6538
chandraashfordrealtor@gmail.com
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SOLD! Quintessential NE Craftsman

November 18th, 2011 by

I just sold this gorgeous craftsman home at NE 9th & Ainsworth St. to 2 very lucky buyers.  The home: 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2366 square feet, graceful porch, super cool klinker brick fireplace, bay windows, master walk-in closet, gleaming hardwoods, designer fencing, & a charming back yard.  Listing Price: $365,000.

The sellers, Luce and Mark did everything right.  They met with me for advice on how to prioritize their house projects in preparation for listing.  They painted, they polished, they gardened and rebuilt.  They packed up.  They moved out.  I staged.  Together, we researched the market and then, they priced well.  Their reward?  A full price offer in the first week on the market.  So far so good.

On to inspection period which has become quite the nail biting hurdle for sellers of even the strongest constitution!  Buyers are picky.  Buyers expect the moon.  Buyers don’t get emotionally attached much anymore.  And buyers have been walking away from deals quicker than you can say “credit in lieu of repairs”.  But, buyers are also beginning to notice that there’s not a lot of quality inventory out there and Mark and Luce knew that their house was special.  Some necessary repairs were negotiated, the appraisal came in just fine and we had a deal!

The buyers are ecstatic and Luce and Mark made a non-contingent offer on their next dream house in WI, with historically low prices and interest rates, yesterday.

Real estate is hopping out there!  For many properties, it’s a great time to sell.  I can sell your house too.  For a detailed marketing plan give me a call.

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Alberta Park Fixer: Developers are Back!

November 11th, 2011 by

Ugly lil' bugger isn't it? Just you wait....

 

The single family home flipper has been gone a while so it is a really good sign to see them back in the market.  The fact that there is room for investors to purchase fixers, fix them up,  and then still sell them for cheap is good news for everybody. Our hope is always that they don;t do a “Home Depot” remodel.  I set them up with lots of examples of period appropriate fixtures and finishes, some good books, and an open phone line for any questions./  We should have a cute mid-century ranch fronting Alberta Park ready for the market after the New Year.  Stay tuned for updates on the progress or give a call if a house with some swagger sounds up your alley…

Jake Goodson
Broker
Cell: 503.730.8677
jake@livingroomrealtors.com
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Don't Wait Until Saturday

November 11th, 2011 by

Scott and Sherry were looking to buy a home in Portland, after 18 years spent in Olympia.  Their new home had to accommodate not only them but their screen printing  business as well.   They needed an extra structure, garage or basement suitable for housing a large screen press.  This is a tough find at any price, but with a budget of right around $300,000, I knew this would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.  They made their odds more favorable by remaining flexible on location.

We quickly settled into a routine of Saturday home touring, a cooler loaded with snacks, the day spent on the prowl for their abode.  We looked high and low, north and south.  Many a basement and garage was measured.  There were endless conversations debating the merits of various small, dank spaces.  Seasons changed.  Buyer fatigue set in.  Would they find it?

Then it happened.  This listing showed up on the RMLS on a Thursday.  This place was just what they were looking for and it wasn’t going to be around by Saturday.  They were here the next day.  Saw it.  They didn’t mess around.  They wrote the offer.  They got it.

The home:  A mid-century tri-level home, built in 1950, based upon a design by R. Huck, according to plans left behind by previous owners.  An earlier home once stood at this site and can be used as an attached apartment or as additional living space in a single family home.  The home is heated by radiant heat and has redwood siding.  The living room has a wall of windows juxtaposed to a brick wall, with a cantilevered 2nd floor overhead. There are many cool details here.   

The land: almost ¾ of an acre, of rolling hills, fruit and nut trees and, on the day of the home inspection, a deer with twins.  Though it feels slightly rural, it is just beyond the county line, only 10 minutes to NW Portland,  and very near Forest Park. 

The shop:  HUGE, detached, over 1,900 square feet, high ceilings, electricity, and tons of natural light.  These buyers were willing to make a lot of less appealing spaces work and in the end they were rewarded with this gem!

The key to their success?  They didn’t hesitate for a minute.  They wisely bid $9k over the asking price and provided excellent terms to the seller in order to procure their dream home.  They stayed within their budget and got more home and shop than they could ever imagine.  By acting quickly they got the house; if they had waited until Saturday the house would have been gone. 

Vision, patience and determination were qualities that saw them through.  Remember their flexibility on location?  That quality helped them find their home.  They persevered and prevailed.  They are now officially Portlanders, but I think they’ll keep the name of the business.  Check them out at www.OlympiaScreen.com.  Good job Scott and Sherry!

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Modern Fixer in Portland’s West Hills

November 10th, 2011 by

I have a real soft spot in my heart for this west hills neighborhood. Both my parents grew up a few blocks from here and my Grandmother still lives just a block form this fantastic home on 4205 SW Altadena. Council Crest/Healy heights has a lot to offer. Great schools, close-in to downtown and some of the best modern architecture in town. My smart clients Barb & Jason snatched this deal up for $345,000. I can’t wait to see what they do with this beauty. Vaulted ceilings, wood floors, valley views, this is a gem!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenelle Isaacson
Principal Broker
Cell: 503.830.9596
jenelle@livingroomrealtors.com
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Sauvie Island Dream Come True

October 26th, 2011 by

It’s the time of year when thoughts turn to pumpkin pie and apple cider, hayrides and Sunday dinner.  For Wes and Chelsea maybe more than most, because they just sealed the deal on their home in the country, on an island, in the City of Portland.  Got that?  That’s right; it’s a Sauvie Island home.  What better time to buy here than just in time for Halloween and all the fun on the Island?  This is a dream come true for these two who grew up as country kids but have been city dwellers for most of their adult lives.  They’re thrilled to give their kids the childhood they themselves so cherished in the country.  It’s the little things that create memories and some of the memories these kids will have will be getting to pick Marion berries from their own field, dreaming of having their own pony and making yearly pilgrimages right down the road for pumpkins and hayrides.

I was so excited to help out on this purchase since it seemed like such an adventure.  This is a life-changing event that the whole family is embarking on, one that will stay with them for their whole lives.  It felt magical from the very first day we stood out in that field on a midsummer’s day.  This 1970 built home sits on 2.59 acres and has 4 bedrooms, has updated kitchen & baths, and a total of 2124 sq. ft.  It includes the aforementioned berry patch, a barn, plus an outbuilding, and garden.  And that’s just on paper.  In person, the spirit of the place takes over and like me, you could find yourself reminiscing about a childhood you never had, in a world full of ponies, hayrides and berry patches.  All this is just 15 minutes from the home they are moving from in North Portland. 

On the morning of the home inspection, I went to the house early.  I drove in the shadow of Forest Park, past the St. John’s Bridge and over the lone bridge to the island.  On the levee, I passed moorages full of houseboats, sailboats, bicyclists and river birds.  I passed cornfields being watered by huge sprinklers, lavender fields, who knows what all was growing in those fields.  But I felt close to the land, even though I was just passing through.  Who knows what it would feel like to work this land and live here on the largest island on the Columbia River?    

Like any new homeowners, Wes and Chelsea have plenty of questions about where they now live.  Questions like:  “I wonder how quiet it gets out here” or “I wonder if we’ll see more stars in the sky at night” are asked with the silly grins of people falling in love with their home.   These are questions I don’t hear much, being a Realtor in Portland.  But I can’t wait to hear their answers.

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SOLD - Portland Country

October 13th, 2011 by

Eleanor is my kind of spirit – she’s a city girl with a country heart.  She wanted acreage in Portland but knew she might have to compromise on condition or location.  In my opinion, what she found far outweighed any compromises.

A funky 70’s modern home on almost 2 acres BACKING TO FOREST PARK.  Just minutes to delicious NW cafes and shops, yet with a completely away-from-it-all feel.  Quiet and private solitude only interrupted by the music of birds and rustling trees.

Although this quaint, multi-level home is a bit of a fixer, the potential is great as it combines an open contemporary feel with rustic cabin charm & soaring wood vault ceilings. A loft master with balconey & multiple decks will allow Eleanor to survey her new garden paradise. Boasting 3 beds and 2 baths, the 1200 sq. foot home feels even more spacious with large windows, giving views of the beautiful decks and gardens.  I’m so glad we could find the perfect balance of Portland and fairytale countryside for Eleanor.  Welcome Home, Friend!

Amber Turner
Cell: 503.804.1261
amber@livingroomrealtors.com
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A Skinny Home to Love...

October 5th, 2011 by

Try as I may to be flexible and open minded at all times, I tend to be a gal of absolutes.  I seem to recall making the following statement at some point in my not too distant past: “I will NEVER, EVER, as long as I live and breathe, sell a skinny home.”…

Last week, two very excited buyer clients of mine, closed on their very own, utterly adorable, thoughtfully designed, tastefully appointed, tall house in the Cathedral Park section of North Portland.  No one was more surprised about all this than my clients Bob & Britta who, at the onset of our real estate journey, professed a deep and undying love for all things charming, quirky, and old.  A great outline for many, but a plan that led us to a charming, cosmetically unique, spacious home with ancient systems.   A LOT of ancient systems.  The reality of  the long term maintenance demands of owning an older home weighed heavy upon Bob & Britta and they decided to start over with a clean slate and an open mind.

On a lark, we decided to visit a skinny house in mid-construction and presto-change-o, we had a match!  What?  Contemporary backsplash?   A bonus third floor family room with a killer view of the St. John’s Bridge?  Add to that, the option for Bob & Britta to choose exterior paint colors, a sustainable upstairs flooring material, landscaping, and energy efficient appliances!  Weeding is not B & B’s idea of a fun Sunday afternoon so the petite patch of green out back was the perfect amount of yard for these two, and then there was the 8 minute stroll into downtown St. John’s for coffee, lunch and movies.  Sold!

So lesson learned for us all.  Skinny homes are not what they used to be.  Actually, some of them are so cool, they could end up being the house of your dreams, too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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