SOLD! South Tualatin Contemporary

So So SO excited for my seller in Tualatin! We just signed the closing docs on her house. It was an exciting sale too! My client was wonderful to work with. Her family was so sweet too - her son and I even spent an afternoon cleaning up the yard together! 

As a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home in Tualatin, we knew we would have a lot of interest. It's a very desirable area, close schools and shopping, with easy access the freeway. The house needed some cosmetic updates, but all the big, important stuff was new in the past few years! We figured it would be a great owner-investor property, but with the listing price at $355K (low for the area) we knew there'd be lots of showings. 

She received a couple great offers on the first day it went on the market and ended up selling for 10K over asking! There were a couple extra negotiations and some minor repairs done to accommodate the new, first-time buyers, but in the end we closed the deal and everyone left the table happy!

Congrats to my seller and her family, and congrats to the new owners! 

5 Ways to Prep Your Home for the Holidays

While you're running around thinking of all the million things you have to do in preparation for the holidays, I'm going to add yet another item to your plate. (Eek! Sorry) Don't neglect your biggest investment - your house! 

A few things to think about before hosting friends and family over the holidays.

1. Heat - Nothing can ruin the holidays more for you and your guests than a freezing cold house. This is a good time to schedule a furnace tune/check-up. Something you should plan to do every year or two anyway to make sure everything is working smoothly. 
    
2. Fireplace - Speaking of heat, nothing feels more festive than cozying up with some cocoa to a fire in the fireplace. If you haven't had your chimney serviced in awhile, especially if you use it often, now would be a great time to get a chimney sweep in there to remove built up creosote, which can be dangerous and leads to house fires. 
    
3. Security - Whether you're hosting guests or going away for the holidays, installing a security system and/or cameras is a great idea. Everyone sees the news reports about package theft during the holidays, so maybe look into a camera for the door, like a Ring Doorbell. You might also consider a full house security system to keep your home and belongings safe, unless you plan on leaving some Home Alone style booby traps while you're gone.
    
4. Prevent drafts - if you didn't get around to it this fall, do a walk around your home and seal up any cracks that could be letting your heat out, or sending cold drafts through your home. Weather stripping windows and doors and caulking cracks is an inexpensive way to button up your home and increase your heating system's efficiency. 
    
5. Deter and get rid of critters - its not a great feeling when you're about to fall asleep and you hear scratching and scampering feet in the ceiling above your bed. All sorts of animals are going to want to join the festivities, at least move in to keep warm. If they've already moved in, lay out traps, or call a pro to come take them away. If you haven't hear the scampering sounds, do a quick check of your attic and crawlspace vents and install wire mesh to keep them out. If your area is prone to mice and raccoons, consider a sonic device. They emit high frequency sounds that scare rodents away, but are not harmful to you or your pets. 

Songs About Home

Lately I've been thinking about what I could do to make my open houses better.
Food? Check. I always like to bring some snacks. 
Drink? Check. I've been making a point to bring bottled water.
Music? ... Thats it!

Of course, the number one thing my open houses are lacking is a little music. As a realtor who loves good food, good drink, and good music, why hadn't I thought of this before? 

I added my obvious ones, 'Coming Home' by Leon Bridges, 'Home' by Edwards Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros, and 'Home' by Phillip Phillips, did a little Spotify research and added a couple more I love and missed, like 'Bring It On Home to Me' by Sam Cooke and 'Our House' by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Next I polled my friends, family, and Facebook followers and got a whole bunch more. Thanks everyone for the wonderful suggestions, I added just about all of them to the playlist.

So here it is, "Open House - songs about home" 

Do you have any songs about home that you love? They could also be songs that remind you of home, or evoke a cozy, fun, or homey feel. Let me know in the comments!

Open House Saturday

Come see this gorgeous St. Johns remodel from 1:30-3:30!
10133 N Buchanan Ave, Portland, OR 97203

Completely remodeled 3 bd/2 ba home with over 1700 sqft on 1 level in St. Johns. Beautiful refinished hardwood floors, quartz counter tops, new kitchen, covered outdoor deck, and more.

Photos taken by 360PDX LLC

Two Closings, Education, and Home Improvement!

Today was an incredibly productive real estate day. I closed two sales, took a class to become a better realtor, and got some work done on my own home. 

I'm really happy for BOTH my clients.
First, my awesome condo client. First thing this morning I closed a sale on his really cool 1 bedroom condo in St. Johns. He sold it for a great price, and got an easy closing process! We signed first thing this morning, and I sent him home with a celebratory bottle of champagne!
Second, my colleague, Thomas Hall, and I partnered on a sale of three adjacent lots in North Portland. We got our clients a great price for their land. We're so happy for them, and are in the process of finding them the property (with lots of acreage) of their dreams! Congrats to them too!

This morning I took an in-depth class about how to use my online MLS tools more efficiently. It was a fast-track class to learn more about the tools and shortcuts that are built into the multiple listing service's website.  It was taught at the RMLS Office in Portland, which is usually like the Realtor DMV, but I must say, the people who work there are really great. Ryan, my instructor, was very good about making sure the entire class was following, and answered all our questions. I also learned that the RMLS tech team will even help de-bug my computer if I need it. Good thing to know!

I was so happy to get some yard work done today as well. Usually i like to do most of the yard work myself, I love gardening and doing improvements on my own home. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I've been so busy with real estate, I haven't had enough time to keep up with the yard. I hired a college kid in my neighborhood and his friend, to do some landscaping - and it looks great! They did a bunch of weeding and spread about 2 yards of bark dust on my garden beds. They worked so quickly and did a great job. I'd recommend him to anyone in my area who needs an extra hand around the house. Give me a call if you want his number!

Photo by Chris Lawrence of Rip City Photography

Thank you Mac and Christian! The backyard looks awesome. 

For Sale: 1 Bedroom Condo in St. Johns

Bright, modern condo in hot downtown St. Johns, 1 block from Cathedral Park!
8647 N Crawford St, Portland, OR 97203

Open kitchen and living room with balcony. Well maintained 1 bedroom 1 bathroom with bonus room/office. Hardwood floors on main level, garage with storage below.
Walkscore 83, Bikescore 71.

Photos taken by Chris Lawrence of Rip City Photography

For Sale: Three Adjacent Lots in North Portland!

Attention Builders!!!
924 N Farragut St, Portland, OR 97217

Exceptional opportunity to build in Piedmont neighborhood. Value is in the land. See private remarks for suggestions. Offers will be reviewed as they come in, seller reserves right to accept offer prior to deadline. Offer deadline 5/22/2017 @ 12PM. Seller's require 90 days rent back. 

Open House Sunday

Come by Sunday 5/14 from 11-2 and take a look at this super cute remodeled craftsman in FO-PO!
4427 SE 61st Portland, OR 97206

Remodeled Cottage in hip FO-PO! No detail spared. All new quartz kitchen, SS gas appliances, interior & exterior paint, modern can lighting, hardwood flooring, vinyl windows, new electrical, plumbing updates, sewer line, exterior features. Unfinished basement, perfect for your hobbies/storage. Community amenities abound. Market across street has been sold and is turning into microbrewery.

Photos taken by Chris Lawrence of Rip City Photography