Our dog starts whining as we turn our car towards Hoyt Arboretum in anticipation of a great walk. This time of year, I hope to see the magnolias in bloom on the aptly named Magnolia trail, and we were not disappointed by the thousands of blooms and another chance to choose our favorites. There are 21 trails covering 12 miles in this beautiful 187 acre planned park that was influenced by the landscape architect of Central Park, Frederick Law Olmstead. Visionary Portland citizens acquired the land for the public after a devastating fire in 1889 that wiped out most of the vegetation in the west hills. Alternating meadows and groves of trees are organized into plant families- so one can choose to walk among oaks or redwoods, with occasional peeks of the city and the Japanese Garden. A great opportunity to bring a camera and a dog. More pictures.
Bridlemile
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.
Three Things I Brought Back From Austin
We asked for the family style barbeque, which was a mix of the brisket, sausage and ribs, smoked over a mesquite fire that sits right by the front door, and two minutes later, it was in front of us. Served on cafeteria "no touching" style plates, the manly portions of meat arrived with a couple of cold side "salads" and a big ol' hunk of white bread with margarine. The Salt Lick is BYOB in a small dry county outside of town so we came prepared with a couple of Lone Stars to wash down the super rich smokey goodness. I'm craving it right now.
While visiting my sister, (who's step-daughters are named Ruby and Texy, how Texas is that?) I admired the graphics and color of her coffee cans, and thought they would look nice on display. Who knew it would be featured on the front page of the NY Times Style section? While maybe not from Texas, I did buy the Bustelo there, and they do look right pretty in the kitchen.
Our very first night in town, we were in the thick of it at the Continental Club. A great mix of graying two-steppers and side burned, high haired rockabilly youth kicking up their heels. Ever since Urban Cowboy, I always wondered if places like this really do exist. In this "Live Music Capitol of the World," the minute we got into our rental car, per sister Julie's strong suggestion, we dialed in to one of the best radio stations, ever, KGSR. We've been streaming it live, here in Portland, ever since.
Staying in Your Home
With all the press about real estate values and foolhardy lending and borrowing, leading to foreclosures, the truth of the matter is most people in trouble with their mortgages are there because of illness or job loss. Whatever the cause, here's a new website, MortgageReliefOnline.com, that may help homeowners modify the terms of their loan so they can stay in their homes.
While Portland is currently experiencing more short sales than foreclosures, it's very important to explore all your options, the sooner the better, before your choices are gone.
Ninja's Strike Again
In last weeks Ninja meeting we discussed a new OREF form, of which I have used frequently in the past on behalf of buyer clients. Surprisingly, the new form, an addendum for professional inspections, gives the buyer three more business days to complete all negotiations with the seller.
Normally, the buyer has ten business days to complete all desired inspections and also negotiate any new terms with the seller within this time period. This new form could increase that time to 13 business days. This is advantageous to the buyer.
Not so for the seller. I would imagine most sellers, having had this new wording pointed out, will negotiate for the standard ten business day inspection period. For the seller, ten business days is a long time to have your home "pending" to only have it come back on the market when the buyer and seller cannot come to terms over the inspection report.
This is one of the many terms of a sales agreement that needs close attention, and depending which side of the fence one is standing on, appropriate guidance from a Realtor.
Raleigh Park Garden Tour
Yes, I belong to a garden club, and although my son teases me, asking me where my fancy hat and gloves are, my garden club allows me to meet my neighbors and have greater belonging to my community. Our upcoming garden tour on May 16th, featuring seven gardens from our Raleigh Park-West Slope neighborhood includes a tour of Barbara Blossom Ashmun's garden. Barbara is a locally celebrated gardener, and writer. A variety of gardens have been chosen, a master gardeners booth and volunteers will be on hand, including our very own garden member, Vern Nelson who writes as "The Hungry Gardener" for NWHG at the Oregonian. Tickets are a mere $15, bought in advance, and sure to provide a lovely day of beauteous entertainment. Call me at 503-860-6397 and I'll be happy to get some tickets to you. Proceeds benefit Raleigh Park Elementary and the West Slope Community Garden- not for fancy hats and gloves.
March 2009 Market Action
Just as I had hoped, the inventory (number of listings available) fell for the third consecutive month. From a shocking 19 months in January, to 16 in February, and now to 12 months in March. This is notable as listings historically are up during this same time frame. Further, comparing March 2009 sales to February, closed sales grew by 38%. Interest rates continue to hover and 5% and under, and first time home buyers are eligible for an up to $8,000 tax credit if they purchase before November 2009. Read the full report from the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS) here.
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
World Class Coffee
Yes, we're well known for having a "coffee shop on every corner" here in Portland, but when was the last time you had your coffee in a proper porcelain cup, and you actually sat down to enjoy it? Here is the occasion. Barista, on NW 13th and Hoyt, is more than suited. It took several minutes to be served our cappucinos, but it was well worth the wait. Not only did I get to sit next to really beautiful, hip, young people, the coffee was about the best I've ever had. Certainly in Portland. Made from Intelligentsia beans out of Chicago, the hot liquid had body much like a fine wine. It was so smooth that I, a coffee with sugar lover, did not want to, nor need to- mar the taste.
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
John Helmer's: Haberdashers
If it were up to me, gloves would still be worn by women shopping downtown, and gentlemen would wear hats. Don't men look more distinguished in a fedora, rather than a ball cap? So when my husband decided a summer straw hat as one of his birthday wishes, we headed into the shop on the corner of SW Broadway and Salmon. Bartholemew Cubbins would have been right at home here, as hundreds of hats were lined on shelves and tables for our perusal. Usually any store is my element, and though I was more than welcome here, it's definitely a manly place. A rainbow of ties, buckets of very personable canes, mens clothing and men shopping for that perfect hat. I've never seen men vie for a mirror before, so that was a treat in itself.
A very dignified John Helmer "Jr" may wait on you, and completely brings to mind the British actor John Gielgud- such a gentleman, but a bit of a wink in his eye. The shop is rather like that, too. Very dignified, yet approachable.
And the birthday hat? He tried on many, and ended up choosing the first one he cast his eye on as we walked in the door. Just like shopping for a wedding dress- which of course, a haberdashers decidedly does not carry. Helmer's does carry a few carefully selected women's hats- quite suitable for that occasion.
A.E. Doyle: Creator of Downtown Portland's Skyline
Even architectural know-nothings have probably noticed downtown's Central Library, or the Benson Hotel or perhaps PGE Park, Riverdale School, and many buildings at Reed College. In a career that spanned just a few decades into the late 1920,s, Albert Doyle transformed what we know as today's downtown, designing 21 buildings- incredibly, 20 of which still exist. As a student of architecture, Doyle took to Europe, traveling Italy, sketching the Parthenon, bringing back to Portland a repertoire steeped in classic Renaissance architecture. Not surprisingly, he was asked to design several banks as this style of design suggested permanence, including the Bank of California building, whose doors are modeled after the Baptistry (Duomo), in Florence, albeit with the story of pioneer Oregon, as opposed to the gates of hell.
The Meier and Frank department store was another of his commissions, and the first of several he covered in glazed terra cotta. He branched into Art Deco with the Terminal Sales Building, one of the few examples of this type of architecture in Portland. In a later period, he used concrete exteriors, designing the Broadway Garage (currently housing Saucebox).
When he died at just 50 years old, he left one of his hires, Pietro Belluschi, in his office. Pietro eventually bought the firm out.
Curious for more? Read Philip Nile's, "Portland's Architect."