Winter Archives - Sean Besso Realty

Looking Ahead to 2026! 🌲🏡✨

Looking Ahead to 2026: Portland Real Estate Trends, Fresh Curb Appeal, and a Festive New Year Treat 🌲🏡✨

Hello, Portland friends! As we welcome a brand-new year, I’m feeling optimistic about what 2026 has in store for our local real estate market. Whether you’re planning to sell your home at the start of the year or simply staying informed, a little insight and preparation can make a big difference. Let’s take a friendly look at expected Portland-area market trends, easy curb appeal ideas, and—because celebrations matter—a fun New Year recipe to enjoy with the people you care about.

Portland, Oregon Real Estate Market Trends for 2026

The Portland metro market continues to evolve, and 2026 is shaping up to be a year of steadier, more thoughtful movement.

A More Balanced Market
After several years of ups and downs, many Portland-area neighborhoods are seeing a healthier balance between buyers and sellers. While well-priced homes remain in demand, buyers are taking more time and making informed decisions.

Moderate, Sustainable Price Growth
Home values are expected to grow at a calmer, more sustainable pace in 2026. This stability benefits everyone by encouraging confidence and reducing the stress that often comes with extreme market swings.

Condition and Presentation Matter More Than Ever
Portland buyers are paying close attention to how well a home has been maintained. Move-in-ready properties—or homes that clearly show pride of ownership—tend to stand out and sell more smoothly.

Lifestyle and Location Still Shine
Access to daily conveniences, green spaces, and flexible living areas continues to be important. From walkable neighborhoods to quiet residential streets, buyers are looking for homes that support their everyday lives.

Curb Appeal Tips for Selling at the Start of the Year

If you’re planning to list your home in early 2026, curb appeal is one of the most effective ways to make a strong first impression—rain or shine!

Brighten the Entry
A fresh coat of paint on the front door, clean hardware, or a welcoming seasonal wreath can instantly boost your home’s charm.

Keep It Clean and Clear
Power-wash sidewalks, driveways, and siding. Trim back plants, clear debris, and make sure walkways are safe and tidy.

Add Simple Greenery
Potted evergreens, winter planters, or neatly maintained shrubs bring life and warmth during Portland’s cooler months.

Warm, Inviting Lighting
Exterior lighting is especially important in winter. Make sure porch lights work and consider soft pathway lighting to create a welcoming glow.

Don’t Forget the Small Details
Updated house numbers, a clean mailbox, and clutter-free entry areas send a clear message: this home has been cared for.

A Fun New Year Recipe: Sparkling Citrus Punch 🍊🥂

Celebrate the New Year with a bright, refreshing drink that’s easy to make and fun to share!

Ingredients:

1 cup orange juice
½ cup pineapple juice
Sparkling water or lemon-lime soda
Orange or lemon slices
Ice

Instructions:

Fill glasses with ice.
Pour in the orange and pineapple juices.
Top with sparkling water or soda for fizz.
Garnish with citrus slices and serve right away.

Cheers to fresh starts and joyful moments!

A Thoughtful Start to 2026

Portland’s real estate market in 2026 rewards preparation, thoughtful pricing, and homes that feel welcoming and well maintained. If you’re considering selling, starting early and focusing on presentation can set you up for success.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and hopeful New Year—filled with new beginnings and exciting possibilities across Portland and beyond! 🎉🏡

Ways to Prep Your Garden & Yard for Winter

Winter is coming! Try tackling some of these outdoor to-do’s and set up your garden for success in Spring.

Finish Fall Harvesting

- Harvest most vegetables and fruits from your garden before the weather turns frosty. Some vegetables, such as kale, can handle the cold, so you can let them go longer. But if you live in a region that gets heavy snowfall, you’ll want to harvest everything before your vegetable garden gets buried.

Assess Your Yard’s Health

- Take a general survey of how the plants in your garden are faring. If they have been struggling, try to determine if the location is wrong, the plants need additional care or you simply need to move or replace them. Fall is also a good time to make plans for any problematic areas you’ve noticed during the past few months; you can deal with them either immediately or in early spring. This might include addressing areas that are too dry or overly soggy, or managing overgrown plants or barren patches. Assess outdoor structures at the same time. You’ll want to make any needed repairs before winter weather sets in.

Prep Outdoor Furniture for Colder Months

- Clean cushions, pillows, rugs, throws and other decorative items as well as portable outdoor furniture when the outdoor entertaining season is over in your area. Move everything to a protected place, such as a garage, shed or storage unit, for the season. If you plan to keep using your outdoor spaces throughout the colder months, invest in good protective covers. Do the same for fixtures that are permanently installed but vulnerable to cold temperatures or temperature fluctuations, such as birdbaths, fountains, fire pits, grills and outdoor kitchen features.

Do Some Clean Up

- Remove fading annuals and plants that are diseased or dead or have been infested by insects. Cut off any rotting stems or mushy foliage on herbaceous perennials, or completely cut back those plants. You also should cut back plants, such as lilies, irises and peonies, that will die off and be more difficult to clean up in spring, or that are susceptible to diseases, especially fungal diseases, that can develop in winter. Do the same with exuberant self-seeders, or you may end up with an overabundance of them come spring. Trim plants that need a light shaping. Check trees and large shrubs for dead or weak branches that might break during storms. Removing them will prevent damage to both the plants and the surrounding areas. Fall is not the ideal time for a major pruning, but you can gently shape plants and remove limbs.

Protect Your Containers

- Move ceramic, terra-cotta and other fragile containers indoors or to a sheltered spot for the winter, as they can easily crack when exposed to the cold. Insulate larger containers that can’t be moved. Metal, stone and concrete containers are more cold-tolerant, but you might want to move them as well, especially if you expect extreme weather or they are pieces you love. Clean any empty containers and store them in a shed, garage or other sheltered place until you’re ready to reuse them in the spring.

Tackle Lawns & Garden Beds

- Aerate and de-thatch your lawn in fall to loosen the soil and encourage absorption of air, water and nutrients. Doing so also will encourage strong root growth. Rake leaves off lawns and garden beds on a regular basis. Add them to a compost or leaf pile, or mulch them with a mower to break them up. You can lightly scatter shredded leaves over the lawn to decompose and enrich the soil over winter, but be careful not to smother the grass. Add shredded leaves to your garden beds as well, along with bark mulch, compost or leaf mold.

Prep Your Pipes

- In cold-winter regions, shut off any exterior water systems before cold weather hits. Then open the tap and drain the lines to prevent damage. Finally, disconnect any hoses. Do the same for any water lines leading to an outdoor kitchen. At the same time, drain and clean any outdoor water features, such as fountains and ponds. In warmer regions, check that your irrigation system is still working correctly. Repair or replace any sprinkler heads or drip system components as needed. Cut back on watering frequency as the weather cools. If rainfall is sufficient, turn the system off. Even if you live in a warmer area, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on winter forecasts. Insulate exterior pipes and taps if a freeze is predicted, especially one that will last several days. Another option is to open the taps slightly to allow water to slowly drip out.

Overwinter Delicate Plants

- Move tender plants and less hardy overwintering bulbs, especially those in ceramic or terra-cotta containers, to a sunny window or sheltered spot for the winter. If moving plants isn’t practical, you can cover them with cloches or cold frames.

Clean & Store Tools

- Whether gardening season is coming to an end or you’ll continue to work in your yard, fall is an ideal time to repair, clean and sanitize your outdoor tools. Store them in a shed or garage where you can easily access them if needed but where they are protected from winter weather.

Get a Head Start on Spring Planting

- Add soil amendments to planting beds before winter sets in. They’ll break down during the coming months, and you’ll be able to get a jump on spring planting once the soil is dry enough to work. If you live in a warm-winter area, you also can grow cover crops, such as fava beans or clover, throughout the season that will restore nutrients to the soil or support overwintering pollinators. Sow wildflower seeds and plant bulbs, either in the ground or in containers, for spring blooms.

I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving surrounded by friends and loved ones. Until next month!

Source: houzz.com

May Home Maintenance Checklist

April shower bring May flowers! Here is a home maintenance checklist that will help get your spaces ready for the nicer weather we have ahead of us. Tick these 10 items off your to-do list so you can get to the good stuff like hanging out around the grill, kicking back on the porch and savoring the season.

1. Get Ready for Grilling Season

- Giving your grill a deep cleaning before the start of the season will help it work more efficiently and prevent flare-ups. Clean the grates and interior with a grill brush and wash the exterior with warm, soapy water. Clean and organize your grilling tools (tongs, spatula, skewers) and pick up charcoal or propane if needed. If you have a gas grill, be sure to check the fuel line for cracks and clean out any clogged burner holes.

2. Check Outdoor Lighting

- Make sure all outdoor lights are in working order, including porch lights, landscape lighting and motion-sensing security lights. Replace bulbs or schedule repairs as needed.

3. Maintain/Repair Garden Paths

- Create neat edges, pull weeds, fill in gravel paths with fresh gravel and replace or reposition broken steppingstones.

4. Tend to Your Potted Plants

- If you have potted plants that stay indoors over winter, bring them out once the danger of frost has passed. To help your plants acclimatize, find a protected spot out of direct sun for the first several weeks outdoors.

5. Inspect Kitchen & Bathroom Fixtures

- Keeping an eye on these areas can help prevent costly water damage and repairs later on. Make a plan to re-grout or re-caulk around counters and tile as needed. If you come across any slow leaks, have these repaired as well.

6. Clean Walls & Touch Up Paint

- Use a dusting attachment on your vacuum or an electrostatic duster to remove dust from walls, paying special attention to corners and baseboards. For a deeper clean, wipe down walls with warm, soapy water after dusting. Rinse with clean water, using a lint-free cloth. Touch up paint as needed on interior walls and trim.

7. Clean Items on Open Shelves

- Infrequently used items stored on open shelves can get pretty grimy over time. For items with a thin layer of dust, swipe with an electrostatic duster. If there is a thicker layer of dust, of if the items are in the kitchen (where cooking grease can be an issue), wash each piece in a tub of warm, soapy water. Rinse and allow everything to dry before replacing.

8. Add a Relaxing Porch or Backyard Feature

- Make your home’s porch or backyard more inviting with a cohesive piece of furniture. Furniture pieces to consider include a porch swing, rocking chairs, outdoor umbrellas or curtains, etc.

9. Clean Your Laundry Room/Area

- Run your washer with a speciality washing machine cleaner or white vinegar on a hot water cycle. Thoroughly wipe the rubber rim inside the washer and dryer doors and remove lint from the dryer vent with a vent brush or vacuum attachment. Clean countertops, mop floors and restock supplies.

10. And As Always – Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

- Smoke alarms should be tested at least once a month and replaced every 10 years — even if they still appear to be in working order, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries as needed. Check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher and replace it if necessary.

Whether you want to get your backyard ready for Memorial Day weekend or want to wrap up some spring cleaning, I hope this checklist helps you tackle some house chores! Until next month! 🙂

Resources: Houzz.com

January Home Maintenance Checklist

Make a fresh start in the new year with a healthy pantry makeover, organized files and a decluttered home. Of course, once the energy of those new year’s resolutions begins to fizzle, you may be in need of a midwinter boost — when that time comes, try cozy accents and a few light-enhancing tips to keep the winter blues at bay.

1. Refresh Your Kitchen and Pantry for the New Year

- Have you made a new year’s resolution to eat healthier foods or eat out less and prepare more meals at home? Kick things off by thoroughly cleaning your kitchen and pantry. Put your blender or juicer in a prominent spot on the counter to make it easier to whip up healthy juices and smoothies, and place fresh produce front and center.

2. Take Down and Store Holiday Decorations

- Pack fragile ornaments with care, and wind tree lights around a piece of cardboard to avoid tangling. If there were any ornaments or decorations you didn’t end up using this year, consider giving them away, and save the space for things you really love.

3. Organize Your Papers and Digital Documents

- It’s like going to the dentist: not exactly a pleasant task, but you know you’ll feel good when it’s done. So brew yourself a cup of strong coffee, put on some energetic music and start sorting, shredding and filing. And don’t forget the computer — back up everything (put an automatic backup system in place if you don’t already have one), and begin sorting your digital documents and records using a simple filing system.

4. Bump Up Coziness

- Avoid the post-holiday slump by adding a few super soft and cozy accents around the house: think velvet cushions, fluffy faux-fur throws, knitted poufs, candles, fresh flowers or a new teapot. And while you may be taking down most of your holiday decorations in the early part of January, consider leaving up a few strands of white twinkle lights and swags of fresh greenery a bit longer — we could all use the extra cheer at this time of year!

5. Boost Light

- Getting enough light can make a huge difference in how we feel in winter. Do what you can to boost light by pulling open window coverings during the day, adding lamps and candles, and lighting a fire in the fireplace or wood stove if you have one. Or consider decorating with white for a light, bright look — in the Scandinavian countries, white interiors are common, thanks to their ability to amplify light and cheer up homes during those long, cold northern winters.

6. Keep Your Heating System Running Smoothly

- If you notice any strange new noises coming from your heaters, or if one area of the house suddenly seems colder, have the system looked at right away, as these can be signs something is wrong. Make sure to change the air filters in your furnace regularly. If you heat with oil, have your furnace or boiler cleaned every year. If you heat with gas, you can have it done every three years or so. For high-efficiency heating systems, make sure that PVC vent pipes are cleared of snow and debris.

7. Clear Home and Wardrobe Clutter

- Post-holidays is a good time for decluttering, since there’s a good chance you accumulated some new things over the previous few weeks. Grab a cardboard box and fill it with clothes, books and other items you no longer love or use. When it’s full, take it to a charitable donation center.

8. Plan Decorating and Remodeling Projects for the Year Ahead

- Thinking of remodeling the kitchen, adding a deck, putting fresh tile in the bath or painting your bedroom? Use your favorite resources to save inspiring ideas and begin contacting pros to see your project through in the new year.

9. Check Your Emergency Supplies

- With winter storms comes more potential for power outages — be prepared with fresh bottled water, shelf-stable foods, flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies and a hand-crank radio and smartphone charger.

10. Check the Exterior and Landscape After Winter Storms

- Keep an eye out for ice dams on the roof, downed tree limbs and storm damage. Keep entrances and paths cleared of snow and ice, and be sure to arrange for snow removal around your home if you plan to be away this month.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! Cheers to 2024! What’s on your home to-do list this January?

Resources: Houzz.com

10 Things You Should Do to Get Your Home Winter Ready

Happy first day of winter! Get your home winter ready with this list of 10 to-dos.

1. Prevent Pipes from Freezing

- Disconnect hoses from outside faucets and place an insulated cover over the faucet. Keep the heat set no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit when you are away.

2. Check Your Smoke & CO Detectors

- Nothing new, but you should always check your detectors monthly and replace batteries when necessary. This is especially important to do during the winter since we keep windows closed and use fireplaces more often.

3. Protect Entryway Flooring

- Avoid damaging your flooring by adding protective mats inside and outside your home’s entrance. It might be a good idea to provide a waterproof bin for wet shoes and boots.

4. Remove Debris from Gutters

- Don’t let water back up in your gutters. Remove any debris to prevent leaks, ice dams, and damage to your roof and gutters.

5. Check Your Emergency Supply Stash

- Better safe than sorry! Make sure you have flashlights, batteries, fresh bottled waters, shelf stable food etc. in case of any emergencies or power outages.

6. Reverse Ceiling Fans

- Running the blades in a clockwise position during the colder months can push heated air down. This home maintenance task makes rooms with high ceilings more comfortable.

7. Install Storm Windows & Doors

- This will help reduce heat loss during the winter months, especially homes with single-paned windows. If you plan on purchasing storm windows and doors, take accurate measurements beforehand.

8. Clean Window Weep Holes

- Window weep holes are designed to drain rainwater that can collect in your window frames’ bottom channel. Sometimes bugs, dust, and debris can clog the weep holes which can cause water to fill up the channels and spill over into your home. If you notice your window weep holes are clogged, poke a wire hanger into the hole and use compressed air to clean it out.

9. Check Outdoor Lighting

- Make sure all of your outdoor lights are functioning correctly, especially any motion sensor lights you might have. This will help prevent any slips or falls on ice covered driveways and pathways.

10. Check for Air Leaks

- Check for air leaks around windows and doors and check for cracks in caulking or weatherstripping. Also, replace caulk and weatherstripping if necessary.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe holiday season! Until next month!