This home is one the the originals in the area- and truly an "age in place" home. Over 4,000 square feet on one level on over half an acre, makes me think longingly about giving up the stairs in my home. The kitchen is huge, so one might actually be able to cook dinner with all the guests that inevitably congregate. The home flows beautifully to the outdoors with it's separate guest house and three car garage. What more could you want? $969,000
Green Hills-SW Hewett
Right at the tip of Sylvan lies a gorgeous neighborhood called Green Hills, comprised mostly of Hewett and Humphrey Streets, many million dollar homes lie along these winding roads. This great house feels too light and airy to even be in Portland. Very mid-century, and well sited on the lot, the owners have opened up the main floor into a great room, with light streaming in from all around. The back yard is level and private, and I can easily imagine both adult and child gatherings. It's just one of those homes that feels good to be in. $789,000
Hawthorne
It looked so good in the pictures- well, even a realtor can get fooled. For a Hawthorne-Division area home, it has a lot going for it- three bedrooms upstairs, for one- a small yard, and even a garage. It has a really great street appeal, too- and the street is fairly quiet for the area. What's wrong? The floors slant one way and then another. Did I have too much coffee that day, or not enough? At $449,000 I would need some compensation on the price, but you tell me.
Grant Park
This listing is pretty much an overall fixer, but has a lot of potential. The living room and dining room spaces are quite large, the kitchen has a nook area, with three bedrooms up and a fourth on the main, two baths and the back yard is very sweet. It's a good value at $367,000 considering the list prices around the property. If one could negotiate some more room to work on all the needed projects, it may be do-able.
Bridlemile
Apologies to east-siders this week- as several clients right now are focusing in on the west-side right now. That being said, it's very hard to find a home in the $300's in the Bridlemile-Lincoln school district. This little pocket of homes are in a perfectly quiet little area, but have always lagged in value compared to Bridlemile proper. This home is on the smaller side at 1300 square feet, but the living room is filled with light, has a charming fireplace and a large slider opens to the deck and yard outside. It is move-in ready and feels clean, if a bit dated in places. Starter home at a good price. $315,000
Raleigh Park
Not many listings come up in this neighborhood, so for me this is a "must see," and coincidentally one of several "tree-house" style of homes I saw on tour. This 1970's home has a huge vaulted ceiling, and has been substantially remodeled in a contemporary style with a great room floor plan downstairs and a kitchen that would make most cooks salivate with it's six burner stainless steal gas range, sleek quartz countertops and glass tile backsplash. All the bedrooms are upstairs, with a very generous master and two smaller ones down the hallway. Washington Cty. taxes and Lincoln cluster schools. Loved this home, it's few drawbacks being a steep driveway and steps down to the house, and a deck that suffices for a back yard. $500,000
"West Beaverton"
I saw these homes today in anticipation of a client purchasing in this area. Great entry level price, Earth Advantage building standards, and three and four bedroom models make these homes pretty attractive. Often this price range means older homes that need remodeling or condos and their associated fees, but these are single family homes- not condos, so take care of your own smallish yard, and save $200 a month. Because they are Earth Advantage, they are built to save energy, also keeping some needed dollars in the owner's pocket. 100% financing is being offered by Key bank with a qualifying credit score of 620. The neighborhood is a little eclectic, but shopping is close by. Mid to high $270's
Hoyt Arboretum
This Martin Witt designed contemporary sits at the end of a cul-de-sac, at the end of a narrow quiet road in the Arboretum. If you are looking for peace, and a unique home, this could be for you. This 1970's home looks to have all the original features, and I haven't quite decided if I could live with the tile or not. Built on the edge of the woods, the home is filled with wood paneling and wood parquet floors and with the fireplace going, one can easily imagine themselves in a mountain lodge. A study sits in a loft overlooking the living room, perfect for writing that best selling novel. $749,000
Hoyt Arboretum
This amazing home has been listed since January, but happened to be on tour today, the price reduced $50,000. Pretty much a designers dream, and was owned and remodeled in the past by a designer. Stainless steel double front doors, curved walls, open staircases, rare woods, flat surfaces, soaking tubs, around every corner seemed to lie a little surprise. Perched up on a street in the arboretum with very few homes, it offers treed views and serenity. $1,199,000
Peterkort Woods
Two new listings came on the same street in Peterkort Woods, right across the street from where I represented a wonderful buyer/friend last fall. This is a very special community in the West Haven area. As they are Renaissance Homes, they are built to Earth Advantage standards with very high end finishes, that vary from unit to unit. The bedrooms are all up, and the master's usually come either wired for, or containing a flat screen TV, and units are wired for stereo and security. Kitchens vary from a cottage finish, to sleek and stainless with curved hoods over the range.The clubhouse is so much better than the usual afterthought, as is the pool. There is an extensive running trail system through the neighborhood that is set beautifully by a large mature stand of trees, and reminded one client of a "mountain home."
These sold for a pretty penny when completed in 2006. Priced as a re-sale at $425,000 I consider it overpriced. Offer, anyone?
Bridlemile
This weeks tour was spent looking for a particular client buying close-in on the west side. Bridlemile is one of my favorite neighborhoods, not just because my kids went to school in the very cute brick school building in the neighborhood, but because it holds many beautiful homes, many of which are being "taken back" to their mid-century roots, and several have been featured in Atomic Ranch and Dwell Magazine. Last week, this lovely, one level home was just listed. The great room layout overlooks a manageable pool behind the property, well fenced for privacy, and sited well on this corner lot. The space, just under 2000 sq.ft. is laid out expeditiously, and needs to be at this size. Could the new owners be downsizing, a young couple buying a condo alternative? Whether you want to walk to the elementary school, or be a short drive away from town, this home is perfectly charming. $499,900
Westmoreland
Traveling down to Westmoreland to look at something more affordable, I visited this darling bungalow right in the heart of Westmoreland. Set on a quiet street of much bigger, and well cared for homes, this is the perfect starter house. The living room/dining room was filled with light, even on an overcast day, and the two main floor bedrooms were well situated with a bath in between. Many charming architectural details remain in this 1921 home. A just-big-enough back yard for small children or a summer barbeque sits next to the detached garage. Downstairs, the semi-finished basement holds a non-conforming bedroom, family room and so much nicer than the usual downstairs bath. All in all, quite a nice little home. $359,900
NE-Elliot
In keeping up with the latest in green building in our city, I visited the still-under-construction condos in the Elliot neighborhood, just west of Irvington, and right off of MLK. Built to Earth Advantage standards of air quality, environmental impact and resource efficiency, this translates into radiant heat floors, solar heated water, and low VOC paint, just to name a few. How does it live? Four floors and a fabulous deck with views of the city almost make the private elevators in these eight units a must. Neighboring buildings look a bit shabby next to the sleek new finishes of these condos, and the one car garage means someone else in your household is parking on the street. At $574,900-674,900 this project is either a pleasant harbinger of things to come in the neighborhood, or an island unto itself.
SW-Downtown
I had to see this Joseph Jacobberger home on Kings Court, as I had recently been to the Jacobberger lecture at AHC. A stones throw from the Mac Club and minutes from NW, the Pearl and Downtown, this home presents it's stately face to the street with a restrained elegance. At well over 4,000 square feet, and five bedrooms there is room for everyone. The present owner has updated the mechanicals, wiring, HVAC systems, and roof, so it is quite move in ready. Some highway noise will greet you while spending time on the "backyard" deck, as there is no backyard to speak of, so it does give the feeling of a condo, albeit with a lot more room. $1,299,000
Raleigh Park
The low profile exterior of this home belies the mid-century delights that lie within. Sustainable, and reclaimed materials, surprising details, and a great presentation in this Raleigh Park home. The downstairs of this daylight ranch holds a media/movie room with cork floors, another bed and bath and even a fun laundry room that looks as if it was meant to entertain a little one under a parents watchful eye. $575,000
Probably my favorite of the tour today.
Arlington Heights
Charming Arlington Heights home has a lovely street appeal. The owner, one of Portland's top restaurant designers, has updated most of the home with both mechanicals and a (of course) gorgeous kitchen with farmers sink, Wolf range, and built in fridge, and a super master suite with soaking tub. Of course, many homes in this neighborhood lack a level yard, and this is no exception, and perhaps no yard work is a bonus for some. All in all, move in ready, and perhaps a bit on the high side with it's new listing price. $899,000
Alphabet District
Amazing room in this almost 5,000 sq. ft. gracious 1909 home in the Alphabet District, it's lovely just to step into a proper entry area rather than right into a living room. The ceilings are high on all three floors, with hard to find, four bedrooms on the second floor, and a 5th bedroom and bath on the third with great light and plenty of headroom. A very pleasant deck opens from the kitchen to give some much appreciated private outdoor area to spill onto in the summertime. Yes, it needs some updates and cosmetic help, but depending on your pickiness factor, one could move in and improve as you go. Probably testing the market a bit on price, but a gorgeous home close to schools, parks, hiking, shopping.... $849,000