Ate-Oh-Ate

Ben Dyer has added so much to the Portland dining scene. One of the partners in Laurelhurst Market, and Simpatica Dining Hall has now added the plate lunch to his repertoire.

Ate-Oh-Ate is a reference to the area code of Hawaii, where Mr. Dyer hails from. The space off of E. Burnside is casual, friendly and reasonably priced. This is soul food eating, with traditional dishes like Loco Moco- a hamburger patty with two over-easy eggs on rice and smothered with gravy. Like the logo indicates, the pig is featured pretty heavily on the menu, one choice being the Kahlua pig featured with double starches- both rice and macaroni salad. OK, they offered a salad instead, but why bother at a certain point, right?

Odds of Selling in Portland

While in the heyday of the real estate in the Portland market one could easily price above the latest home sales as the frenzy of buying combined with very few homes available drove prices upward on a monthly basis.

A review of the 19,085 active listings last year, 2010, in Mulnomah County shows a clear guide towards pricing strategy in todays real estate market. The majority of the sales last year occured in the first 0-30 days of the listing and sold for an amount closest to the list price. Fewer sales occurred as the listings stayed on the market with the greatest loss of the sales price to the seller as time wore on.

Only 42% of the homes listed last year actually sold.

There are many tools that I share with clients to help guide them towards the most effective pricing strategy, and avoid any further loss of value.

Paulson Advises Buy Real Estate Now

John Paulson, the hedge fund operator who made billions betting against subprime mortgages- before any of us knew what they were, is now saying  that this is the best time in 50 years to buy a home noting that “your debt and interest payments get locked in at record lows, while the price of your home will rise.”

In an article on Forbes.com, Paulson states, "If you don’t own a home buy one,” Paulson recommended; ” if you  own one home, buy another one, and if you own two homes buy a third and lend your relatives the money to buy a home.”

Rebuilding Your Credit Score

When ever a hear someone say that print is dead, I immediately pre-lament the loss of the NY Times. They make the most mundane subjects interesting and readable. This article speaks lucidly about how the FICO score (the score that dictates what kind of credit you qualify for and how much it will cost you) works, and good strategies to rebuild a not so stellar score. Read the article.

Portland Nightlife

Don't even think about visiting this place if you are on a diet. However, if you are looking for top notch sandwiches, tasty cocktails and the best potato salad I've had in Portland, this is your place! Bunk Bar lies across from Clark Lewis in the east bank area of Portland and the two restaurants could not be more different. Well priced with a super hip, very Portland vibe, Bunk Bar was a great place for a casual meal before a planned night of bowling at Grand Central. While we scored a table at Bunk right away, we weren't so lucky at grabbing a lane. The good news is, they do take reservations for weekend evenings now. Even if you can't bowl, it's a great way to hang out with friends and mix with lots of different kinds of people from super hip to super geek.

Measuring Disputes

Every transaction I am in is completely different and also the same. The same because the process takes us down the same path. Navigating the path can be different because the homes and the people change every time.

This article in the NY Times caught my eye because it reminded me of a home that I listed where the measurements became an issue for the buyers after an offer had been made and accepted. Because of that transaction, I will now only use either the county information or a licensed appraiser to draw up a floor plan for the purpose of listing the square footage. Even just a few feet of floor space can sabotage a sale. Read of the NY lawsuit.

Portland Market Action

January allows a review of last years market in the proverbial rear view window, and the latest Market action has no real surprises- which is good news. National reports, such as the Case Shiller, showed Portland with a loss of 7% last year while our local statistics show an average decline of 11.9%. Obviously, the average means that some areas have lost more value than others while no homes have been exempt from some kind of loss.

For the past three years new listings have risen dramatically in January, and we are now at 11.3 months inventory compared to Decembers 7.9- but again no surprise as many sellers will wait until after the holidays to put their homes on the market, or re-list them after a break. Last year we were at 12 months in January and down to 7.8 by March. NE Portland has moved into the hottest position in faster sales with the lowest DOM (days on market) at 119, while the average in Portland for last year was 145. Lake Oswego leads in DOM at 258, again with the highest average sales price as well.

We are still seeing sales of some homes go pending within a day or two of listing, sometimes with competitive offers. The Multnomah Village home just posted in my featured listings is a prime example.  These homes are priced very well and in good condition for their market. There are buyers out in the market, if extremely discerning.

Interest rates have edged up, but are still historically extremely low. If you are considering selling and buying up, with the proper strategy you should come out ahead in this market. Much has been said about the large shadow inventory looming, so listing now may be a good strategy to avoid a potential crush. Read the Market Action.

Kings Heights Classic

Art Deco influences abound in this graceful 1932 home overlooking downtown Portland. Light fixtures, stained glass, even the detail in the moldings around doorways belie the grace of this era. The subtlety of the touches would allow contemporary to traditional furnishings.

This unique home has several outdoor patios and terraces with either views of the city or surrounded by the meticulously sculpted hedges and topiary. While the upstairs baths are quite updated, the kitchen could use a sophisticated touch to bring it in line with the standards of this fine and lovely home. Just reduced by $400,000 to the current list price of $1495,000

Multnomah Village

Having recently listed a turn of the century farmhouse in this neighborhood, I can attest that many people are drawn to the beauty of the era, but are afraid of the vintage plumbing, baths and quirky layouts that come with a vintage home. This newer craftsman fits nicely into the neighborhood, yet offers the great room off the kitchen, the ample baths, and the four upstairs bedrooms that are so popular with todays buyer.

The home sits on a slight crest offering territorial views, while still allowing level yard space directly off of the kitchen/great room. I believe this home will sell pretty quickly. $399,900 (Nearly pending)

Raleigh Hills Midcentury

This home is listed as a tri-level, but it actually has four different levels. While that may sound daunting, this layout is actually very livable, with only a few steps into between levels the many living spaces this accords makes it easy for everyone to find their own place to work out, hang out, etc.

The location makes it easy to be downtown or at Nike, or high tech for a quite reasonable commute, yet with lower Washington County taxes.

I find it somewhat overpriced as the finishes could use some updating, but a good solid family home. $535,000

The

Eastmoreland

Have you ever stepped into a home and know the house just has a good feeling. This is such a home. The living room with its beautiful floors and fireplace looks onto a graceful expanse of garden through the french doors. The kitchen also looks onto the garden, and it's adjoining family area is sure to be a family gathering spot. Through the kitchen door one reaches the heated interior lap pool area, complete with hot tub. The upstairs master suite is quite spacious and feels even more so with the southern facing french doors opening to a balcony set over the gardens. What an amazing spot for morning coffee. This home evokes a genteel east coast home. Set on a quiet street in Eastmoreland. I would love to visit this home with you for your own private showing. $925,000

Irvington

Continuing with the tour, I visited this Irvington home that was featured in the 2007 Irvington Home Tour. The kitchen currently holds a large farm style dining table, and though some would replace this with a kitchen island, it seems a very welcoming spot for gatherings. A lovely landscaped backyard brings to mind summer picnics on the grass. Though some of the finishes in the baths are not as up to date as one might wish, the master suite might override such details. Did I mention the wine cellar? $799,900

Irvington

Extremely livable 1913 Irvington home with a lovely street appeal has a remodeled kitchen and four floors to spread out over. A graceful main floor opens to a garden area off  the kitchen, and the second floor contains the four bedrooms. The third floor could make a good family area or guest suite and has its own bath. The basement is finished. No garage, but ample off street parking and well priced at $649,000. Listing courtesy of Lenore LaTour, Windermere CCRG.

Sabin Modern

This home is not quite on the market, but one of my recent favorites. The owner/architect turned a rather unattractive 70's home into this modern home reminiscent of the Doug Fir Lounge. Not a flip, the interior finishes are thoughtful and high quality. I ran into a neighborhood couple ooohing and aaahing, wishing they could just move in.  All on one level with plenty of light on the lot for raised bed gardens. The one car garage can be heated if one cared for a studio or additional living space more than parking. Call for details, price not yet determined.

Urban Sabin

This new listing is NE Portland through and through. Just blocks from the Whole Foods on Freemont, this vintage home is a cross between traditional and urban contemporary, refined in areas and unpolished in others. A good floor plan with a bath up and down and three bedrooms upstairs. Nice light comes in through the southern exposed windows. A small fenced back yard takes you to- of course, the charming backyard studio where one can right that best selling novel. $379,000

Seattle Overnight

I love going up to Seattle, but I have made myself believe the trip was only worthwhile if we stayed for a minimum of two nights. I was proven wrong on a recent trip where the pace seemed easy as we still packed so much (food) into our stay.

Avoiding the Friday night commute, we headed up Saturday morning just in time for brunch at Spring Hill in West Seattle. I've never had better corn beef hash- theirs is made from scratch, laden with sumptuous rich pieces of corned beef. Naturally, we felt a bloody mary was in order to kick off our vacation, and we joked that their spicy version with hunks of preserved meat and pickled vegetable could have sufficed for a meal in itself.

I do enjoy the shopping in Seattle, and this trip found a new to me and dangerous shoe store, A Mano, selling handmade Italian shoes. During my checkout, the proprietess confessed she had to visit a similar high-end store whenever she came into Portland, Halo Shoes, which has recently moved into the Pearl.

Remembering that the shopping was supposed to be for my husband J, we headed to several stores including All Saints, an uber hip British chain and Ian, where J found several great pieces at reasonable prices.

We refreshed ourselves at the Hotel Andra, and headed out for the evening- one of us in their new Italian boots. Stopping for a glass of champagne and a nibble of oysters at the reliable Campagne Cafe, we now felt fortified enough to head into Capitol Hill to our dinner reservation. A good thing we were fortified, too. Underestimating the distance to the restaurant, we headed off on foot. What started out as a jaunt started feeling like a death march as the blocks wore on and the rain began to fall. Luckily for our marriage and reservation, a cab was flagged for the last few blocks to Spinasse.

We've had many a meal in Seattle, and this was our best by far. The wait staff seemed to anticipate our every need, moving us to another table when the bar area became crowded, and helping us plan our way through their courses so we could try as much as possible. The first course was sublime, a roasted leek flan with a cream and steel head roe studded sauce. The house made tajarin with sage and butter was recommended and did not disappoint. Another unusual delight were the rabbit meatballs wrapped in caul fat and served with a caramelized turnip puree and horseradish. When we were sure we were too sated to even think about desert, our waitperson brought us out a complementary plate with two spoons to enjoy along with our coffee.

After a such a satisfying meal, one finds it hard to believe one can ever be hungry again. And yet, we found ourselves in the Capitol Hill neighborhood ready for breakfast. The neighborhood, so quiet and foggy on a Sunday morning and marked by a vintage sign made me feel like a Seattle insider. Oddfellows casual atmosphere was perfect after our elegant dinner and the rustic egg and smoked bacon sandwich was the un-fussy antidote to enjoy with our NY Times and strong coffee.

We always seem to combine out trips to Seattle with a visit to SAM, this trip being no acception with the last few days of the Picasso exhibit to enjoy for a several hours.

Nearby, a late afternoon repast at the venerable bistro, Le Pichet where we tried their french onion soup. Every last buttery, oniony, cheesy bite was enjoyed thoroughly. As we left, a musician was setting up for their usual live Sunday music.

Driving back to Portland, we were rather surprised that we had only been in Seattle for 26 hours.

Cookie Party at the Parry

As a mother of a child with Aspergers Sydrome, supporting children with emotional and behavioral needs seems a natural fit. For the fourth year, I've taken a "mobile cookie party" to the Parry Center, a residential treatment center where kids from 5-17 years of age can have some holiday fun expressing themselves with pounds of frosting and sprinkles.

Aided by my college age daughters and several of their friends, we set up tables laden with jars of sprinkles and bags of colorful frostings and distributed hundreds of cookies to small groups of children over the course of two hours, about 40 kids in all. The children especially enjoy the attentions of my volunteer helpers as they decorate their snowmen, and gingerbread men and ladies sitting side by side. For the second year, my garden group, the Fir Grove Garden Club helped me bake the hundreds of cookies we brought to the Parry.

Thanks to the generous contributions from my office, clients, friends and neighbors, we were also able to deliver huge bags of socks and underwear and dozens of personal journals for the children. Thank you so much everyone for your help in making this party for the kids possible. I'm looking forward to year number five being the "Cookie Lady" for the Parry Center.

Crank

While visiting the new Vino location at SE 28th and Ash, our friend and proprietor  Bruce Bauer mentioned a new bike shop had opened around the corner. Bruce's generous nature has always supported the businesses around him and we've always benefitted from his discoveries, so we loaded up our wine cases into the car and walked into Crank bike shop.

Striking up a conversation with of the owners, Chris Harbert, and feeling absolutely no pressure to buy, I found myself looking for a bike. In short order, I was standing next to a one that would suit my needs at a reasonable price, the Fuji 2.0 Absolute. This hybrid between a road and trail bike would be ideal to ride around the hills in my neighborhood through rain or shine. We made an appointment for me to come back into the shop for my "fitting".

My most recent experience on on bike was to commandeer my sons vintage trail bike for the summer to see if I was truly serious about taking up biking and committing to buying my first real grown-up bike, one that wasn't found sitting under a Christmas tree.

Chris explained to me that most of the discomfort one can experience on a ride, such as sore shoulders, or in my case, fingertips going numb were caused by a poor fit on the bike. When I returned to the shop, I came with my bike clothing on and Chris had my bike mounted so he could watch me "ride" it in the shop. He carefully adjusted the alinement of my knee over the pedal, and my leg extension. He cut the handlebar length so that my arms would be at the correct angle and not put stress on my neck. I got off and on the bike for just under an hour while Chris adjusted the bike to order.

I couldn't believe how much power I felt on the bike when I took it out on its maiden voyage through my neighborhood. It was much lighter than the previous one I had ridden, but even so it seemed much easier taking it up the hills than pulling a few less pounds could account for. My hands did not and have not gone numb, which was a regular occurrance in the past and riding is more enjoyable overall. The fit between my sons bike and my own is night and day.

The Showers Pass cycling jacket I bought at the store- to ensure I wouldn't wimp out of my rides when it is raining has kept me warm and dry without overheating. Bonus, that the company is local. Can I rave a bit about local businesses without sounding too Portlandia?

Sold Twice Midcentury

Some of you may remember my earlier post regarding the virtual staging of my Atomic ranch listing in the Raleigh Park neighborhood. This home was quite unique which gave my marketing approach an extra challenge: much of the home's main level had been maintained perfectly as it was built in 1948. The seller very much wanted to pass the home on to buyers that would appreciate the vintage features that had survived for over 60 years.

These same features would also prove to be ones that were not so appealing to the mainstream of buyers at a time when we have few to begin with. How much should I show of the vintage features? Play them up or down? I decided it best, for many reasons, to sell the house I had. I took extensive pictures of the mid-century details that I linked to on the listing.  In an effort to appeal to the larger market, I showed the home with some minimal virtual changes. Thankfully, both I and the home connected with a buyer during an open house and the sale closed late December.

That same buyer in late December, for personal reasons, had a need to re-sell the house within a week of their closing and asked me to re-list the house. This was New Years Eve.

Within hours, I was showing the house to a backup buyer while my husband prepared dinner for our eight dinner guests that were due to arrive. The new buyers wrote an offer the next day.

The marketing for the home has gone somewhat viral, having been picked up on a very interesting mid-century blog called Retro Renovation, receiving a lot of notice from around the country with almost 700 "likes" counted on the article. The Architectural Heritage Center will be featuring the home on their upcoming kitchen tour. The Oregonian has also expressed an interest in an upcoming article.

Burlingame

The Burlingame neighborhood allows a downtown commuter easy highway access with a suburban feel and lifestyle. This home lives very well, and has some nice mid-century features such the roman brick exterior and the nice solid feel one gets in a 1950's structure. A very livable and somewhat open floor plan with the dining room sharing the  large living room area which enjoys expansive picture windows. The home has many upgrades including new windows, a kitchen remodel and refinished hardwoods. Three bedrooms are upstairs with a fourth (non-conforming) bedroom off the family room downstairs which would make an excellent guest-room/office space. The backyard is split into a large patio with a terraced lawn above and includes a childrens playhouse on the lawn area. $439,000