Someone needs to open up the upstairs of this home into a great room, it's begging for it. Panoramic views of Mt. Hood can be enjoyed next to the 1960's fireplace, but the generously sized kitchen doesn't share them. Built in 1963 this home also has great potential for a mid-century makeover. The basic layout is good, rooms a nice size, the kitchen especially and over 3,000 total square feet. A great deck off the living area shows off the view. With some money and imagination this home could be wow. $649,900
Terwilliger Heights
Situated just above Terwilliger near the Chart house, I viewed another European style home today, this time a stucco Meditteranean. This house is more beautiful in than out, or maybe I just don't care for this umber color, but I was quite pleasantly surprised by it's light filled living room and stately fireplace. Room after room, the proportions and grace of this home impressed. A nook off the kitchen, a generous dining room that demands family gatherings and dinner parties. Decks and patios surround the home and beckon you to open doors and windows to enjoy the outside. This home was listed last year for over a million. Current price $820,000
Terwilliger Heights
An English style in Terwilliger Heights packs a lot of living into 2,600 square feet. Four bedrooms are spread between three floors with a pretty romantic master suite on the top floor- make sure you open the rest of the pictures. While the living room has a nice feeling, I especially liked the family room below, which is completely finished with built in shelves and currently is set up into a media room, where I can see myself settling in to watch some great film. A whole other world opens up behind the home with a deck, hot tub, barbeque pit and children's play structure. $599,950
Raleigh Park
On a great street in my neighborhood of Raleigh Park, a charming family home has just been listed. The english style gives it a lovely curb appeal and I feel at this price it's not going to last long- completely level almost half acre lot, with four bedrooms, an office and a family room downstairs. The updates are tasteful and true to the 1940's time period- the kitchen has subway tiles on the backsplash and a cute dining nook that overlooks the backyard. The neighborhood has it's own elementary school, library, park, and tennis courts and has also been a favorite for families whose children attend Jesuit which right nearby. Move in ready, except for the downstairs which could use some sprucing up. $549,500
Maplewood
Said to be a hunting lodge in a former life, this 1915 home is not to be missed. You could easily forget you're in Portland, and feel transported to a French or English village with it's swaths of lavender in the garden and the high beamed ceilings in the living room. The owner (a broker in my office) has just redone the kitchen with some very high end materials including a copper countertop area, double built in ovens, and a corner fireplace. All the floors have been replaced with wide plank hardwoods. Situated nicely in it's third of an acre lot, beautiful views of gardens greet one through most of the homes windows. Although the floor plan isn't typical, with two bedrooms down, and one up- someone is going to fall in love with this home in a big way. $675,000
Portland Heights
At the tippy top of Patton, near Talbot, lies a the very exclusive street of Brentwood where you can spy a few homes that look like they belong in Beverly Hills. This new listing has nearly 7,000 square feet of living space and five baths. Perfect location for working downtown or at OHSU, or not having to work at all. $1,895,000
Green Hills
Right on Greenleaf among some extremely valuable real estate, lies a special home waiting for someone to bring it into this century. The home sits on a rather narrow lot, and the home was obviously a bit wedged in here. But never mind the flocked wallpaper, carpeting covering the hardwoods, and the chandeliers. This home would be lovely for a young family, single or couple, and some money invested could bring a nice return. Unseen price in Green Hills $649,000
Portland Heights
This home has a great feeling as soon as you come in the entryway. Where it really hits you is when you reach the kitchen/great room area. With the high ceilings, and light coming in from the french doors you can really imagine that this is where you would spend your time. Stepping outside, a water feature relaxes and reduces noise from Vista, and to the right a charming potting shed speaks to the many plantings about. Over four thousand square feet do not include the third floor studio where one is sure to write a best seller. Well priced, in fact- already pending at $850,000
Vermont Hills-Maplewood
Continuing in this area, I made an unplanned stop this home on Cullen. I must say, I wasn't very excited about it, given the multiple steps that somewhat mar it's curbside appeal, but once inside I was quite surprised to find a well thought out floor plan, and many high end finishes- the master bath being especially appealing. Four bedrooms upstairs come off a open central area as opposed to some narrow hallway. If you don't like the exterior paint color, it is to be painted prior to closing. Seems high for this neighborhood, but definitely look at the pictures- that bath! $534,900
Vermont Hills
I started out the tour this week with a little listing from my office- always intriguing to see what is close in for under $300,000 in the SW. The home sits on a very quiet street, very close to Multnomah Village. It seems a good choice for a first time homeowner or perhaps a student- especially if they choose to rent the top floor which has it's own separate entrance, kitchen and bath. A very sweet little backyard is also a plus. Because it's on the small size, and the unusual set up, it will probably take a special buyer. $279,000
Arlington Heights View Property
There are a few mid-century homes in Arlington Heights, and this property, perched at the top on Canterbury takes advantage of the Mt. Hood view through great picture windows that surround the living room/great room- this is the killer room, or the heart of the home as I like to say. All on one level, three bedrooms follow each other down the hall, and a nicely done office/bonus room with it's own bank of windows was built over the garage. There is a bit of flat yard, so this home would be perfect for a small family, single or couple and seems easy to maintain on it's compact lot. $689,000
Arlington Heights
This 1929 English style sits beautifully on the lot and has tremendous curbside appeal with it's mature landscaping. Standing in the entryway and moving right towards the large living room, one can spy the covered terrace that runs the length- an appealing summer area to have drinks while overlooking the garden and water feature below. From there, flow into the formal dining area, and the (smallish) kitchen with it's nook, and completing the circle a cozy study. The upstairs reveals three very generous bedrooms, while the downstairs houses a family room with a built in media area and access to the English style gardens with it's clipped hedges. Quite satisfactory, if I wee bit high on the price- but just listed at $849,500
Mt. Tabor
While this craftsman was quite charming from the exterior, I didn't find much about it to like once I moved past the living room. The kitchen seems to sit in it's old small and awkward footprint, though pleasantly there seems to be an addition of a family room beyond the kitchen, stepping out into the backyard one could view the "new neighbors"- several large faux craftsman in the process of being built. The upstairs is a labyrinth of wasted space, and the other two bedrooms were downstairs. Perhaps I would have liked everything better if the price reflected this home's issues. $575,000
Hawthorne
Though just a few blocks north of Hawthorne, this home sits in relative quiet, and would have been a perfect match for clients last year who were searching for the elusive "four bedrooms up" at around the $600,000 point. Not only does this home have the four bedrooms up, they're all on the second floor and the master is a generous suite with it's own bath. This kitchen is also a pleasant surprise with it's eating bar, and updated appliances, though personally I could do without the checkerboard floors- that could be remedied quickly. But wait, there's more! An ample deck presides over a generous back yard (yes, in Hawthorne), and the steps downstairs take you to one of the most nicely finished basements I've seen over here with another bedroom and family room. The only thing missing is a garage, but there's plenty of off street parking. Very livable. $599,000
Laurelhurst Five Bedroom
Impressive and tasteful remodel of this 1922 traditional, keeping the original built-ins in the dining room, ceiling moldings, and refinished floors. The kitchen is especially pleasing with pale grey marble countertops, white cabinetry and stainless appliances including a grand double door refridgerator- creating a pleasant mix of modern and 1920's. Four bedrooms up and another on the main that could act as an office make this a good family home- that and the backyard of course. There appears to be some more square footage downstairs that may be possible to finish. Though the current owner has turned this home for profit, it does not show the usual tawdry signs of a flipped home, and quite the opposite, the seller went to the trouble of pouring a new walkway to the entry- a "detail" many flippers find unprofitable. $648,000
Affordable Laurelhurst
Quite stately for a home of it's size, the broad walkway leading up to the columned portico are a precursor to this home's graceful interior. Sitting up off of the street allows light to flow in from all sides into the living room and dining room. I can imagine enjoyable meals here with a toasty fire in the fireplace winter evenings. Good juxtaposition of an old fashioned breakfast nook with a completely updated kitchen which opens to a sweet back yard. Well porportioned two bedrooms up and a third downstairs with a family room area. Well priced at $439,000
Goose Hollow
Great little starter home in Goose Hollow has pretty much what a new home owner needs, or perhaps a good investment property- it currently is being used for that purpose. Just under 500 square feet, the space is used judiciously, a real bedroom, good storage spaces and even a little pantry. Best of all, has it's own parking space and very low HOA's. Bit of road noise, but not noticeable while in the condo. $165,000
Kings Heights
This 1938 home has some wonderful panoramic mountain, city and industrial views that I would love to enjoy in the evening. The home has kept it's original features including wide plank floors and built ins but has tasteful updates including the kitchen with a nook. Rooms are not palatial, but quite generous. This graceful home is listed for $699,000, with many of the brokers on tour- including myself, feeling that it is well priced.
Terwilliger Heights
There have been several interesting listings in this area in the last month or so, this included, as a previous owner was a internationally renowned photographer. The heart of this home, the area that makes my heart beat anyways, is the landscaping in the rear of the home, said to have cost $250,000 . Multiple decks, pathways, koi ponds, plus views. The home offers lots of space at over 4,000 square feet and would lend itself well to families with older children. The master suite takes up 800+ square feet on the top floor, but two more bedrooms on the main each have their own baths. No fighting over the bathroom! Another bedroom below could be a great office or guest room. Could be a bit high at $899,500
Old Scholls Ferry Road
Last weeks tour kept me on in the southwest with clients looking intently in the area. This traditional home is near Portland Golf Course and Jesuit High School and the home has a lot going for it, including a very nice curbside appeal. The four bedrooms are all upstairs and the kitchen is connected to a great room that opens to a deck and a lovely back yard. Though not updated since built in 1991, the floor plan gives it great bone structure and is ready for your tasteful updates. $499,000 with a credit for new exterior siding.