PDX Neighborhood Spotlight: Sellwood-Moreland

Photo by Laura Kneedler from Getty Images

This PDX Neighborhood Spotlight, let’s talk about Sellwood-Moreland!

About Sellwood-Moreland
Sellwood-Moreland is a neighborhood on a bluff overlooking the Willamette River in Southeast Portland, Oregon. The neighborhood is linked to Southwest Portland across the Willamette by the beautiful Sellwood Bridge, Portland’s southernmost bridge. Sellwood was originally an independent city and was incorporated by the Oregon Legislative Assembly on February 25th, 1889. It was annexed by the City of Portland in 1893.

Parks
There are many beautiful parks and natural areas in Sellwood-Moreland, including Sellwood Park, Westmoreland Park, Springwater Corridor Trail, and the must-see Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.
Sellwood Park features basketball and horseshoes and for a tranquil view of Downtown Portland, visit the riverfront park by the Sellwood Bridge. Sellwood-Moreland is also home to the small, but mighty Oaks Amusement Park, one of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the country.

Photo by JPL Designs from Getty Images

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
This highly manicured 9 acre garden is almost completely surrounded by Crystal Springs Lake and features an assortment of rhododendrons and azaleas. It’s the perfect place to take the family or to enjoy a nice romantic stroll with a loved one. During the first weekend in April, they host an “Early Show” with several hundred trusses of early-blooming rhododendrons. An even larger display can be seen on Mother’s Day.

Food/Drink
Papa Haydn – A Portland brunch favorite!
Jade Bistro & Patisserie – Asian-fusion teahouse featuring delicious french pastries. Try the lemongrass chicken and be sure to take home a pastry for later!
Bible Club – “Speakeasy” style bar with a great atmosphere and outdoor sitting area.
PDX Sliders – Right next door to Bible Club is PDX Sliders. When it’s voted “Best Burger in Portland”, you have to give it a try! Silver Julep Mobile Bar is also at PDX Sliders so you can sip a tasty cocktail at the same time.

Shops
Sellwood Union – A wonderful consignment store featuring a lot of vintage one-of-a-kind pieces.
Collage – Popular art supply store where you can stock up on all of your crafting materials.
Fuschia – Lovely boutique where you can find great gifts for everyone.
CoCo and Toulouse – Also offers gifts, paper goods, soaps, perfumes, and unique clothing items.

Market Stats
Right now, the average price of a home in Sellwood-Moreland is approximately $700,000 with over 57% of homes selling over asking price. It’s a hot market, but the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood is well worth it! Click here for a free home valuation.

References: Wikipedia & TravelPortland.com

PDX Neighborhood Spotlight: St. Johns

For this month’s PDX Neighborhood Spotlight, I’m highlighting the lovely and full of small town charm St. Johns neighborhood.

About St. Johns
Located in North Portland, St. Johns is on the tip of the peninsula formed by the convergence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. It was a separate, incorporated city from 1902 until 1915, when citizens of both St. Johns and Portland voted to approve its annexation to Portland.

St. Johns is named in honor of settler James John who made his way to the Pacific Northwest from Missouri in 1841. After his death, John left his remaining personal property to the township of St. Johns to use to build a public school. It was John’s wish that children of all religious denominations could study together and receive an education that stressed the importance of civic engagement. St. Johns was officially recognized as a municipality by the Oregon State Legislature on January 5, 1902.

As of the 2010s, there has been a lot of new development in Portland and St. Johns is one of the most rapidly developing parts of Portland. Downtown St. Johns consists primarily of boutique shops and individually owned and operated restaurants, including two theater pubs, while the northern portion of the neighborhood gives way to a vast industrial landscape of warehouses, parking lots, and cargo & shipping facilities, including the Rivergate Industrial District of the Port of Portland.

The most notable feature of St. Johns is the tallest bridge in Portland, the St. Johns Bridge. Designed by internationally renowned engineer David B. Steinman and Holton D. Robinson, the St. Johns was the longest suspension-type bridge west of the Mississippi River at the time of construction.

Via artran from Getty Images

Parks
There are many beautiful parks and natural areas in St. Johns, including Pier Park, the Columbia Slough, Kelley Point Park, and The Smith & Bybee Wetlands Natural Area. It is also very close to Cathedral Park and Baltimore Woods in the Cathedral Park Neighborhood and right across the river from Forest Park. Upon entering St. Johns there is a conspicuously placed sign in the traffic median which says, “Welcome to the Peninsula, Gateway to Nature”. Sightings of bald eagles and other birds of prey are common. Chimney Park is a great place to take your furry friends and is also the ending point for the Pier Park Loop Hike. The Pier Park Loop Hike is around 2 miles and starts at Pier Park Trailhead.

Are you a lover of jazz music? Jazz Society Oregon hosts the annual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival every July for FREE! The 2021 festival will run July 16th – July 18th. You can check out this year’s lineup here.

Via Another Believer – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11246914

St. Johns Parade & Farmers Market
Starting in 1962, St. Johns holds an annual parade consisting of homemade floats, family friendly celebrations, and is an all around great way to meet your neighbors & support local businesses.
The parade takes place on the second Saturday of May, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, the parade has been postponed until May 2022.
You can find more information on this event and event COVID-19 updates here.
The St. Johns Farmers Market usually runs from the middle of May to the end of October and is located in the St. Johns Plaza every Saturday from 9 am – 2 pm.

Food/Drink
Tienda Santa Cruz – An unassuming Mexican grocery store where you will find some of the best tacos in all Portland. Be sure to pick up some house-made Mexican breads as well!
Signal Station Pizza – Previously an old abandoned gas station, Signal Station Pizza is a local favorite. I recommend the Willamette and the No. Portland Special pizzas.
Homegrown Smoker – Vegan? Homegrown Smoker has delicious BBQ for you!
Leisure Public House – Great place to grab a cold beverage and play ping pong or bocce ball with friends. I recommend the Mezcal Old Fashioned or a Boozy Popsicle (especially in this heat!). Tuesdays are trivia nights.
St. Johns Theater & Pub – Once the National Cash Register Building at the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition, it attracted over two million people to NW Portland during the World’s Fair. You can find out more about it’s history here. Now a McMenamin’s, you can catch a movie in the theater or enjoy a nice outdoor lunch with friends and family.

Via ColumbiaRiverImages.com

Shops
Vinyl Resting Place – One of the oldest used record stores in Portland. The name alone should be enough to go in and take a peek at their selection. Twice a year they hold a “$1 Record Sale”.
Blue Moon Camera & Machine – Home of the International Camera Museum, Blue Moon Camera is an all-analog camera shop that sells photo equipment, typewriters, books and more.
Salty Teacup – Quirky boutique featuring whimsical gifts and cool vintage finds.
Revolutions Bookshop – Independently owned bookstore specializing in a curated selection of mostly used books, some new books, vinyl, and collectibles.

Market Stats
Right now, the average price of a home in St. Johns is approximately $477,000 with over 80% of homes selling over asking price. Like I’ve mentioned before – it’s a seller’s market! Click here for a free home valuation.

References: Wikipedia, TravelPortland.com, and ColumbiaRiverImages.com

Get Your Home Summer Ready!

Summer is right around the corner, so let’s take a break from the “PDX Neighborhood Spotlights” and discuss ways you can get your home ready for the sunny day BBQs ahead of us!

Inspect the Exterior of Your Home

Speaking of BBQs, let’s talk grills. If you have a charcoal grill, empty your grill and wipe away any dust or residue. Clean the outside and inside of your grill with hot water, dish soap and a scrub brush. Don’t forget to let your grill dry off before using it. If you have a gas grill, close the lid, turn the heat on high and let the grill cook for about 30 minutes. Once the grill has cooled, use a grill brush to sweep the grill. Clean out all of the drip trays and then wipe down the outside with a sponger and cleaner.
Even though cleaning out gutters and downspouts may seem like a spring or fall chore, doing it in the summer is also a good idea because summer storms and high winds can cause debris to fall into your home’s gutters.
Inspect your home’s foundation for leaks and cracks. Cracks can create an entry point for groundwater which can lead to serious flooding.
Wash your windows inside and out.
Repair and repaint any cracked, chipped or faded exterior paint.

Power Wash

Pressure wash your home’s siding and brick. There are very few things more satisfying than watching how much dirt, dust and grim pressure washing can remove from your home’s exterior surfaces.
Check out this video for some great pressure washing tips.
Before pressure washing your porch or deck, inspect it to see if there are any rotting boards that need to be replaced. If you notice any bubbling/cracks in the sealant of your deck, it’s time to reseal!

Inspect the Interior of Your Home

Re-caulk seals on doors and windows if you are notice any leakage in your windows/doors. This can also help increase your home’s energy efficiency.
Reverse the setting your ceiling fans to counter-clockwise! This pushes air down and helps create a nice breeze in your space.
You’re not the only one who loves a nice and cool home… watch out for bug/pest infestations. Try an outdoor bug repellent barrier spray if you start to notice ants or spiders inside your home.
Clean your garbage disposal to avoid a costly plumber invoice.

Inspect Air Conditioners

Get your A/C checked and serviced. By doing this, you can extend the life of your A/C unit and reduce the need for costly repairs.
If you have a window A/C unit, make sure to clean off the filters before using them.
If you are running your A/C a lot during the summer months, you’ll want to clean the filters once a month.

Clean Your Dryer Vent!!

This is soooooo important! Be sure to clean clogged lint and dust in your dryer vents to avoid house fires (approximately 2,900 home laundry dryer fires are reported each year!).
Check out this video for the proper way to clean your dryer vent.

This list may seem a little daunting, but even tackling a few items on this home maintenance checklist will help prevent breakdowns, save you some money and keep your home looking brand spanking new!

PDX Neighborhood Spotlight: Multnomah/Multnomah Village

Time for another PDX Neighborhood Spotlight! This month, I’m highlighting the quaint, historic, and oh so charming Multnomah/Multnomah Village in Southwest Portland.

About Multnomah
Multnomah is a neighborhood in the southwest section of Portland, Oregon, centered on the Multnomah Village business district. The community developed in the 1910s around a depot of the Oregon Electric Railway and was annexed by the city of Portland in 1950.
It is bordered by SW 45th Ave. on the west, SW Capitol Hill Road on the east, SW Vermont St. on the north, and I-5 in the south. Exceptions are the area north of SW Nevada Ct. and east of SW 26th Ave. (part of Hillsdale – another great PDX neighborhood!), an area south of SW Multnomah Blvd. and north of SW Dolph St. where SW 48th Ave. is the western border, and an area south of SW Marigold St. where SW Capitol Highway is the western border.
Within Multnomah is a business district called Multnomah Village – also known as “The Village in the Heart of Portland”. Multnomah Village offers everything from books to clothing and toys to a diverse array of food and drink options all within an easily walkable distance. The compact pedestrian-friendly “downtown” has the ambience and charm of an earlier period, but the vibe is very modern and maintains an ever-growing fan base that has discovered why Multnomah Village is sometimes referred to as “Portland’s Best Kept Secret.”

Murals in Multnomah Village

Gabriel Park
Gabriel Park is a little over 90 acres and offers a baseball field, softball field, soccer field, basketball courts, tennis courts, volleyball courts, a skatepark, paved and unpaved paths, reservable picnic sites, and so much more. The park is located between the Maplewood, Multnomah, and Hillsdale neighborhoods of Southwest Portland at 45th Avenue and Vermont Street. Its vast size and plentiful activities makes Gabriel Park an ideal location for small get-togethers while still practicing social distancing.

First Fridays & Multnomah Days
On the first Friday of every month, Multnomah Village celebrates “First Fridays”. Eat & shop from morning to night while enjoying special promotions and activities throughout the district.
Prior to COVID-19, Multnomah Village would host “Multnomah Days” on the third Saturday of August each year. The annual Multnomah Days Parade (dubbed “the biggest little parade in Portland”) is the neighborhood’s old-school street fair, starting with a parade and featuring vendors and performers from throughout the city (and beyond).
You can find more information on these events and event COVID-19 updates here.

Food/Drink
The French Quarter – Essentially a village “square” filled with food carts and a few boutique shops. Grab some Yoshi’s sushi, a delicious iced tea soda from Aesthete Tea, and pick up your seasonal fruit and veggies from the produce stand.
John’s Marketplace – Beer and wine drinkers will feel like a kid in a candy store. Not only does this store carry 400+ wines and 1,000+ (some rare & highly prized) beers, you can also sit down, enjoy a beer they have on their rotating tap and order some delicious grub. The Killer Turkey sandwich with avocado is a must.
Marco’s Cafe – Located in the historic Nelson Thomas building, Marco’s Cafe is full of Multnomah charm. I’d order the chicken fried steak or anything on their daily specials menu.
Lucky Labrador Public House – Also located in a historic building (the 1925 Masonic Lodge), Lucky Lab offers great outdoor seating and is dog friendly. The Mutt pizza + a Super Dog IPA = **chef’s kiss**.

Shops
Annie Bloom’s Books – An independent bookstore that first opened in 1978. You’ll find something for every type of reader there.
JP General – Great shop filled with unique one-of-a-kind items. Shop for home goods, gardening tools, accessories, jewelry, and more.
Arranged & Rooted – Wonderful little plant shop offering a variety of plants, local handmade planters, and very knowledgeable employees.
John’s Marketplace – Have to shoutout John’s Marketplace again for their massive beer and wine selection.

Market Stats
Multnomah is a highly sought after neighborhood to live in and it’s no question why. Here is the Multnomah Neighborhood Association’s Vision: “We envision that the Multnomah Neighborhood will remain a place defined by conscientious decision about the preservation of our canopy of trees, open space, and natural areas; limited and thoughtful residential and commercial development; small businesses; and safe streets. It is our vision that the Neighborhood will retain and judiciously improve on its small-town historic charms and small-scale main street Village character.”
Right now, the average price of a home in Multnomah is $595,526.95 with prices ranging from $91,000 – $876,000. Like I’ve mentioned before – it’s a seller’s market! Click here for a free home valuation.

References: Wikipedia, MultnomahVillage.org, and the Multnomah Neighborhood Association.

PDX Neighborhood Spotlight: North Tabor

Hi Friends!

Welcome to a new segment on the blog where I will highlight various neighborhoods around Portland. First up is my neighborhood: North Tabor. I’ve lived in North Tabor for 25 years, serving the area as a Real Estate Agent for almost 16 years. I guess you can say I really like it here 😉
Now let’s take a deep dive into the neighborhood.

About North Tabor
North Tabor is on the east side of the Willamette River on the northern slope of Mt. Tabor. The I-84 forms its northern boundary, separating it from the Hollywood District, Rose City Park, and Madison South neighborhoods to the north. NE/SE 44th Avenue separates it from Laurelhurst to the west while NE 68th Avenue separates it from Montavilla to the east. East Burnside Street forms most of the southern boundary (separating it from the Mount Tabor Neighborhood), except for a section west of SE 49th Avenue for which SE Stark St. forms the boundary with the Sunnyside neighborhood.*
Not only is North Tabor public transit friendly, the 50s Bikeway Project also extends through the neighborhood.
The North Tabor Neighborhood Association holds Zoom board meetings once a month.

Mural in North Tabor

Rosemont Natural Bluff Area
The only official park in the boundaries of North Tabor neighborhood is the Rosemont Natural Bluff Area, which if you drive by you probably won’t realize it’s a park. One of the only remaining Baseline Mile markers from the 1850’s for the original Baseline Road (now SE Stark Street, see my blog post “Surveying Portland, One Marker at a Time”) is at the corner of 61st and Stark.

Food/Drink
Tabor Tavern – The Rib Dinner is awesome!
Big’s Chicken – I love fried chicken, so the Half Bird with Cole slaw is my go-to.
American Dream Pizza – This iconic pizza joint has been around since 1985. My favorite is a large half “Bill Walton”, half “Rat Pack”.

Market Stats
My wife and I love walking from our house up to the top of Mt. Tabor, looking at historic homes (like the Shogren House) along the way. 91 homes were sold in North Tabor last year which is almost double the amount of sold homes from 2019. Right now, the average price of a home in North Tabor is $554,325 with prices ranging from $485,000 – $650,500. It is definitely a seller’s market! Click here for a free home valuation.

Shogren House via Shogren House Museum

Want to see your neighborhood in PDX Neighborhood Spotlight? Comment below!

References: * Wikipedia

Advantages to Selling a Home in Oregon This Winter

You might have read my previous blog on the advantages to buying a home in Oregon during the winter. The obverse of that article is that there are several compelling reasons to consider selling a home right now, even though winter has not been a particularly popular time to sell.

We are seeing historically low real estate inventory lately not just in the Portland market, but nationwide.

There was a 16% drop in number of homes put on the market in September compared to August. Lower inventory means a more competitive buyer landscape. Why is there a lower inventory? Sadly, one of the reasons is that this year’s wildfires destroyed over 4,000 homes in Oregon. Population growth also factors into a lower inventory. Some people concerned about selling their homes during the pandemic have chosen to hold off. This provides more space for you on the market if you list your home. Here are the precautions I take to ensure everyone’s safety.

Historically low interest rates of below 3% are motivating buyers.

Getting those incredibly low rates shaves off a remarkable difference in what homeowners pay monthly. The Freddie Mac chart below shows the drop in various types of mortgage rates over the past 12 months, bringing us to 2.67% for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey® | U.S. weekly average mortgage rates as of 12/17/2020

Below is a sample mortgage payment calculation factoring in a 10% down payment with a mortgage rate of 3.0%, 3.5%, and 4.0%. So with today’s historically low interest rates, a buyer’s monthly payment would be even lower.

Monthly Mortgage Payment Comparison (Multnomah County)

The National Association of Realtors graph below shows us the median price of a home in the Portland Metro area has increased even though we saw a dip in price growth in 2019. The third quarter of 2020 has rebounded considerably. Fourth Quarter 2020 report was not available at time of publishing.

Portland Vancouver Hillsboro Local Market Report – Third Quarter 2020

If you are still on the fence about whether to list now or wait until spring/summer when house hunting is traditionally more lively, contact me today to have a conversation about your concerns. In the meantime, check out my article on being a prepared home seller.

Originally published 12/28/2020

Why For Sale By Owner Is Not A Good Idea

Smooth ‘Sale-ing’ with Sean

Selling your home yourself might be tempting. Sure, low commission fees and no formal process of purchase might sound like an easy process. But what is the truth about selling your home yourself? Here are reasons why working with a realtor is better than going alone:

Experience

With over 15 years of real estate experience, I have seen a lot—including some surprises with the purchase of my own home. Wouldn’t it be better to hire someone who can anticipate and mitigate bumps in the road? I am trained and experienced in guiding you through the transaction process.

Real Estate Contract Expertise

Your broker is or should be keeping up on the state laws that govern real estate transactions. For example, are you familiar with FIRPTA? Some of the details of the real estate purchase contract are seemingly obscure, but part of the legal process of a sale. How do these rules and regulations impact your investment? Are you a landlord selling your rental property?

All of the legal documents are at your broker’s fingertips. We pay to have access to and use the required standard legal forms. Though tedious and voluminous, the paperwork is in place to protect you, your investment, and your payout. I ensure all the proper disclosure forms are in place so you don’t risk losing your earnest money should a buyer decide to back out. Or worse, a failed sale altogether.

Title Company

Are you equipped to navigate working with a title company? My brokerage and I have established relationships with title companies. The behind-the-scenes preparation influences how smoothly the closing process will go. They ensure all the boxes are checked so your home sale is recorded properly. This attention to detail mitigates errors that if not attended to, may come back to haunt you in the future.

Pricing

FSBOs accounted for 8% of home sales in 2018. The typical FSBO home sold for $217,900 compared to $295,000 for agent-assisted home sales. Source: 2020 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers(link is external)

I also provide:

The multi-page, detailed property entry in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system. FSBO charges around $400 for this service.
Professional property photography and staging company recommendations so your listing makes that good first impression that is so critical in a competitive market.
Coordination of showings with buyers’ agents.
Installation of a lockbox.
Production and installation of property signage and flyers.
Marketing your property and buying ads and mailers to promote them.
Docusign account, ensuring quick turn-around times on electronic signatures and document delivery.
Access to other resources not readily available to the public.

Why spend time managing these details when you could have an expert handle them for you? While the allure of saving 1 or 2% in commission fees may tempt you, prepare yourself to make the sale of your home a full-time job. As they say, you get what you pay for! Anyone who has cut their own hair knows this to be true–and that some things are better left to the professionals. Contact me to discuss how I can help you with the smooth sale of your home!

Originally published December 16, 2020

Eight Things To Do Before Buying A Home

Are you ready to buy a house or condo?

Following are eight steps to prepare for this life change in order of priority. Being prepared paves the way to a seamless transaction.

Home Buyer Preparedness Checklist

1. Do Not Make Any Major Financial Changes

When you are getting ready to buy a home, and especially when you are under contract to buy a home, do not make any major changes in your life that affect your financial standing. Don’t switch jobs or do things that could adversely affect your finances, like opening new credit cards. Especially when in the transaction, do not buy a new car, new appliances, or furniture. Wait until after the transaction has closed before making any major purchases or life changes. A credit check alone can affect your credit score and may cause you to lose a home, even days before closing.

2. Get Pre-Approved

Getting pre-approved from a mortgage broker enables you to determine what your price range is, while taking into account what down payment you can afford. While pre-qualification is a good idea, having pre-approval is a better indication of your intent to buy. Realtors love working with pre-approved individuals because it shows you are more serious about buying. If you need a mortgage broker, contact me for referrals.

Many home buyers will look to the financial institution that they bank with as the first option when looking for a home loan. It is not the only option, and sometimes may not be the best solution. Mortgage brokers often have many more (hundreds) of options for finding loan solutions that can fit your needs and save you money. I recommend my buyers not only talk to their bank, but also to a mortgage broker and credit unions. Make sure that at least one is a local lender, as they can also know about special state and local lending programs that national lenders may not be aware of.

3. Make a “Dream List”

Compose a list of your requirements for the place you want to buy. Divide the list into things that are deal breakers and factors that are more flexible:

Is the school district a priority over your commute (if you have one)?
What about walkability score and access to services?
Or are you looking for a property that is more remote, because you want the acreage?

Having a defined list of “wants” will provide a clear vision of the property you seek and help your broker in searching out the best options for you. Work with your realtor on this list, and understand that often this list will evolve over the time of your search based on market inventory, price of the house, and other market factors. Browsing listings online can also help. Stop by open houses and drive to locations that you see in your online previews to start narrowing down those search parameters. Check out the property during the day and at nighttime, too.

4. Get A Referral And Start Discussions With A Buyer’s Broker

A buyer’s broker will provide you single agency representation. Oregon does allow for “dual agency”, where a seller’s listing broker can write an offer on their seller’s property for you. Remember though, that the listing broker has a contract with that seller and has a fiduciary responsibility to the seller. Working with a buyer’s broker offers you a real estate professional who has your best interests in mind in the transaction, guiding you through negotiations, inspections, and the entire home buying process. A broker can also help you research market conditions so you can understand the cost of homes in the vicinity of where you’d like to buy. Having comparable sales information helps determine how much to offer on a home.

5. Making An Offer

Once you’ve found a house you like, you’ll work with your broker to make an appropriate offer. Familiarize yourself with the process so you know what to expect. A good buyer’s broker can offer you referrals for home inspectors, contractors, or other professional services. Collect three referrals for each service. Home inspectors help identify any underlying issues your home may have, such as problems with the the roof, plumbing, or electrical system. There is an “Inspection Contingency Period” in Oregon real estate transactions. This is usually a period of ten business days to allow for a whole home inspection. The inspection report helps determine if it’s the right home for you and whether you want to negotiate needed repairs and/or a better price.

6. Home Insurance

Homeowner’s insurance is required when you purchase a home. Shop around to find the best rates. Bundling your home, auto, and other insurance can also be a way to save money.

7. Managing A Contingency Purchase

A contingency purchase is when you want to buy, but your purchase is contingent upon the sale of your home. In the low-inventory market we are experiencing in the Portland Metro area, many people who are looking to sell and then buy again are finding it challenging. Offers where there is a contingency of the sale of a home are at a disadvantage when up against offers that don’t have a home to sell. When the client feels comfortable releasing their contingency, and if selling first, then renting until finding a new home is also an option.

8. Organize Your Household Contents

Start sorting your personal effects now. You have more stuff than you realize, guaranteed. Getting started on purging before packing will enable an efficient and less stressful move.

If you’re also selling, check out my Sellers Checklist. Contact me today to get the conversation going!

Published October 13, 2020

Home Seller Preparedness

Selling a home involves many moving parts, so it’s best to be proactive. Start planning upwards of 6 months ahead to avoid rushing at the last minute to complete deferred maintenance repairs, consider your next living arrangement, and be able to time the marketing strategically to local market conditions. Deferred maintenance can affect not only the value of what your home can sell for, it can also affect your time on the market. If you plan on selling without taking care of maintenance that you have not done on the home, then be prepared to price your home accordingly. Getting these critical components in place prior to listing could enhance the value of your home, ensure a smoother listing experience, and mitigate buyer negotiation leverage once you accept that offer.

Create a punch list of repairs.

Using an Excel spreadsheet, a pad of paper, or your smartphone or tablet, go room by room identifying what repairs are needed.

1. Windows open and close easily.
2. Install GFCI certified outlets.
3. Doors close and doorknobs turn easily.
4. Chipped or nicked trim?
5. What else?

Perform a deep clean

Closets, oven, range, refrigerator (pull it away from the wall to vacuum the coils), carpets/hardwoods, windowsills, chandeliers/fixtures all need attention.

Hire a professional painter

Liven up the walls and doors inside and outside with fresh paint. When you’ve lived in a place for a while, your mind begins to ignore little inconsistencies. A new visitor to your home will notice these details, so keep in mind they contribute to the overall first impression. A professional painter can help repair cracks in ceilings and walls as well.

When getting your interior or exterior ready to be painted, think base colors like creams and whites for your paint colors at time of sale. You may love that purple colored room for your own use, but these more extreme colors can influence a buyer’s interest in your home. Provide the new buyer with a fresh palette to introduce their own color scheme to their new home. This one preparation can save you on market time, putting more money in your pocket at closing.

Install new smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Oregon law requires new detectors to be installed. There are some affordable smoke and carbon monoxide detectors available at your local hardware store.

Landscaping

It’s all about curb appeal! The first impression is usually the last.

Prune, weed, clear brush, mow, lay down fresh bark mulch.
Hire an arborist to shape existing trees (never refer to it as “thinning” a tree). In fact, this should be done even if you’re not selling!
Having a tidy home on the outside bodes well for the inside.

Assess the roof

One of the most overlooked components of selling a home is the roof condition. Inspectors will assess the condition of the roof after you receive an offer, so if repairs or even replacement are necessary, it will mitigate the need for negotiation on the price of your home while saving time on repairs already completed.

Organize Documents

Have your paperwork and invoices available for work you’ve had done on your home. If you had work completed by a contractor that required a permit, verify all permits were finalized with your local bureau of planning and permitting. You don’t want to get into a transaction on your home and have an open or voided permit come into question. If a final inspection was not completed, you may have to open walls, cut into sheet rock, or pull up flooring so as to prove to a city inspector that work was done to code. Avoid a potential nightmare in the middle of a real estate transaction.

If selling a condo, line up all your HOA governing documents and proof of insurance. Your management company may have a login to access documents electronically. Request access for your yourself and your agent, so a tedious yet critical detail is taken care of in advance.

Appliance Check

Ensure all appliances are in clean and working order. If there are any dings to the enamel, thermometer adjustments needed in the oven, thaw a freezer, replace the dryer lint filter, or anything else you find, these will be good to have taken care of before people start viewing your home.

Staging

Consider coordinating a staging company with your broker as the final step in preparing to sell. Staging will showcase your home to people who may not have an imagination or need a physical visual in order to imagine themselves having the lifestyle you’re selling. Part of staging involves decluttering and depersonalization. You want the new buyer to imagine themselves in your home, not what it was like for you to live there. Another side benefit? Packing up personal items saves you time for when the real move happens.

Photography

Use a professional real estate photographer. They have the digital technology to deal with minor touch-ups, enhance lighting, and streamline your photos for use in virtual tours and/ or 3D tours.

Pricing your home

Your broker should provide this “apples to apples” home sales comparison of properties within a mile or less and over the last 3-6 months. This information helps determine the best listing price. Keep in mind the market determines the actual sales value of your home.

Strategy

Pricing your home too high can cause the home to stagnate on market and necessitate a price reduction. Don’t wait too long to consider a price reduction if showing activity is not producing an offer. If you have been seeing double-digit numbers in showings without an offer, then a price reduction should happen within a few weeks. Perception is reality. If buyers see a home on market for more than a few weeks, their perception can be that there is something wrong with the home.

Portland is also known as a “polite market” where buyers will usually not make offers on homes they think are overpriced, so as to not upset the seller with a lower offer. Buyers in the Portland Metro area will often wait for the seller to make a price reduction before submitting an offer. Real estate values can be unpredictable, so keep an eye on factors like the state and national economy, unemployment rate, interest rates, and other factors.

Showings

Be ready to accept raw feedback about your home. You have memories and emotions attached to your property, so it’s best to remember to try to not take constructive criticism personally.

Create a showing schedule with your real estate broker that works both for you. Maximize the availability of the home to buyers to see your home, such as evenings, after work, and weekends.

I’d love to learn more about what your greatest challenges have been when selling your home. Did I miss anything on this list? I look forward to hearing from you.

Published September 10, 2020

Reasons I Love Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon has been in the news lately because of demonstrations in a 3-block radius from the Justice Center downtown. I thought now would be a good time to highlight what makes Portland great.

1) The variety of bar and restaurant options.

While Coronavirus has killed many of the burgeoning establishments (Pok Pok, Arleta Library Bakery & Cafe, Blue Hour, Tanker Bar, to name a few), others are still surviving on thin budgets while navigating the nightmare. Places like Advice Booth, Rose & Thistle, Ovation Bar (OK it’s actually in Milwaukie), Jolly Roger, Mad Hanna, Satellite Room, and Tabor Tavern are still open for business and somehow maintaining their sanity. Some restaurants are doing take-out and delivery. Some of my favorites are:

La Cocina Mexican Restaurant at 3901 N. Williams Ave. — new location in the space where the old Lompoc’s 5th Quadrant was.
St. Honoré Bakery at 2335 NW Thurman (get the chouquettes)
Hat Yai on Killingsworth or Belmont is a Thai-Malaysian place offering an interesting mix of excellent fresh fried chicken, curry dipping sauce, naan-like bread (roti), and rice.
Amalfi’s at 4703 NE Fremont — a classic Italian American eatery serving generations of Portlanders.
The Bite on Belmont (food carts)
Big’s Chicken on Glisan

2) Neighborhood shows of spirit in all the little ways

Sharing libraries: I’ve seen books and tools available to share.
Little gnome villages
Wishing trees
Random signs of encouragement

Telephone pole sign: “You bring joy to those around you”

3) Abundant, lush plant life

Tryon Creek State Park, Oxbow Regional Park
International Rose Test Garden
Japanese Garden
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
City parks like Mt. Tabor, Laurelhurst Park, Forest Park

4) Public Golf Courses

Portland Parks and Recreation manages five golf courses throughout the city. These have been a way to get outside while maintaining physical distance. As you may know, I love to golf. They offer junior golf programs so the city’s youth can learn a new sport. Women-only groups are also offered. Colwood, Eastmoreland, Heron Lake, RedTail, and Rose City dot the map across town with beautiful green spaces to get that hole in one. They even offer a 3-year scholarship program for students entering their freshman year of high school. Hello, awesome summer job!

5) Appreciation for pets

I do not see the dog-friendliness in other towns like I see in Portland. Many outdoor restaurants offer water bowls for furry friends and even let them be with their owners. Tin Shed offers half-off dog meals when dogs wear their bandanas. The purchase is 100% donated Puplandia Dog Rescue. For the cat people, Purrington’s Cat Lounge is a place where you can grab a cup of coffee and chill with the cool cats who are up for adoption.

6) Being within driving distance to:

Mountains for skiing
Rivers and lakes for fishing
Pacific Ocean for whale watching and sunset gazing
High desert getaways
Wineries offering internationally recognized award-winning Pinot Noir. Lange Estate Winery in Dundee has a marvelous tasting room (by appointment only).
Countryside to visit dahlia farms, tulip farms, and goat farms

These are just some of my reasons. What else would you add to the list? Or if you don’t live here, send me a message if you’d like to find out in person.

Published July 30, 2020