Portland’s Z Haus Hits Dwell Magazine

Named the “Z-Haus” because of the six zig zagging rooms that are held together by half levels of stairs, this multi-level home is a great example of thoughtful, green infill building in Portland. Featured in this month’s Dwell magazine, the uber modern home has already had it’s fair share of recognition, being one of the few chosen each year on the popular Street of Eames tour. There were five of us in my car for the tour this past spring, and the Z Haus was at the top of the list of everyone’s favorite.

Not just one home, but two homes attached at 2,816 square feet each, they somehow manage a certain homey quality that many contemporaries do not possess. Both homes had a pleasant deck or outdoor space that opened off of the kitchen-great room giving an informality that my companions and I responded to.

The homes are individually owned, and on their own tax lots. One of the owners is the designer and architect, Ben Waechter of Atelier Waechter here in Portland. The homes have many energy saving features.

Portland makes national news again. Read the whole Dwell magazine article and find out what a TPO roof is. 37th and NE Mallory

Portland Tile Goldmines

If only we had as much diversity in our furniture choices as we have in tile here in Portland. Craftsman homes visit their beloved Pratt and Larson, and we are lucky enough to have Ann Sachs in the Pearl which features some local artisans tile work.

However, if you are even thinking of going with a modern or minimalist look for your home, Pental’s showroom on Yeon is the destination. Modern mosaics that mimic vintage wallpaper, glass rectangles, river stones, and stainless steel have unlimited potential for combining a personal look. Organic shapes and patterns offer softness to what often becomes a bare and cold feel. The staff is helpful and warm as well. More photos.

Credit & Real Estate Pitfall: What is Your FICO?

Last month I blogged about FICO scores, what they were and their importance. A great article by Joe Nocera in the NY Times illustrates the unreasonable power the FICO score can have in today’s market place, a place where the pendulum has overcorrected itself far to the right of the market heights. Even if you are not thinking about buying a home, it’s more critical than ever to look at and correct an incorrect credit report- before you need to. Mr. Nocera’s credit report found him living at his sister’s address, not owning the home he lived in and working not at the NY Times but at Rite Aid. A must read.

Portland’s Mortgage Credit Certificate

This may prove to be more beneficial to Portland real estate than the recently expired federal tax credit, so why have most buyer’s never heard of this program? Mostly because most lenders have not become approved lenders for the MCC.

The MCC is a federal program managed by the state that allows a homebuyer within the city limits of Portland to receive a yearly tax credit for 20% of the interest owed on the loan- as long as they own the home. Lenders in this program may use the 20% credit to allow the buyers to qualify for a larger loan by taking the 20% credit into consideration for the buyer’s income. The buyers may still claim the remaining 80% of the interest for tax purposes.

Example of MCC

There are income restrictions and a price limit, but this is a fabulous bonus for 1-2 persons earning up to $71,200. I was made aware of the MCC by Bertha Ferran, our Windermere in house lender, who was instrumental in opening up this program for Portland real estate purchases. Details.

Portland Mid Century Find

Alright, it’s not that fabled find at the garage sale where someone puts their father’s mint condition Eame’s chair out on the curb for $20. With the heightened awareness of the growing appreciation for most things mid century, that fantasy is fading fast.

But where to find that perfect Danish original mid century dining table and chairs? That perfectly shaped sofa with upholstery that doesn’t look like shredded wheat? Look Modern to the rescue. Every piece on display is in first rate condition, and most upholstered pieces have been redone with a very good sense of vintage texture and fabric. No chachki shop here, this is truly a furniture store with coffee and dining tables, sofas, and sideboard/credenzas with a smattering of lighting and decorative wall pieces.

The prices reflect the condition, with some lower cost finds in the back room. If you have more good taste than time and luck this is your best bet for mid century modern furniture in Portland. SE 8th and Clay

Portland’s Newest and Oldest Beginning Cyclist

Flying down hills with the pleasant sound of gears and spinning spokes and the wind rushing past was exhilarating- a few decades ago. Still, somehow the urge to relearn to ride a bike, and learn the first time to use those seemingly complicated gears, was so compelling that even the threat of road rash could not prevent me.

I’m discovering what the national media has been saying for years, Portland is a great cycling town. While I’m not sharing the main roads with all those distracted realtors driving around, just last weekend found me on the Springwater Corridor for 15 miles and the Banks-Vernonia state trail for 18 miles. Both are great paths for all levels of cyclists including children. The Springwater gives some beautiful views of the city by OMSI and takes you past the summer sounds of screams from the Oaks Park roller coaster into Gresham.

Oaks Park Station

We got  on the Banks-Vernonia trail at the Manning trailhead and cycled through some lovely wheat fields before heading into the shade of the Stub Stewart State Park and it’s towering conifers.

While it’s babysteps for now, who knows? Cycle Oregon next year?

Portland Market Action June 2010

Last months Portland real estate market was a bit of a puzzler, with a few mixed signals. While prices seemed to increase 5% from the previous month, pending sales are down significantly from this time last year. However, pending sales grew by 8% over last month’s pendings and closed sales increased 13% from June 2009 to June 2010

Listings, having descended every month since the 12.6 months of inventory in January, to 7 months in May, inched up a bit in June to 7.3. Average DOM (days on market) are down to 121 days from 147 days last June.

SE Portland took on the most new listings last month at 3,079 while N Portland put on the fewest at 1,055- with N Portland also still holding the lowest DOM at 74.

The next few months data will tell us a lot more regarding a firm direction the Portland real estate market is taking, post the end of the much ballyhooed tax credit. Read the entire Portland Market Action report.

Note: My DOM are running half of the market average.

Portland’s Professional Kitchen

As someone seriously interested in food, I’m bit sheepish that I haven’t been to Rose’s Equipment and Supply before. A family owned business, the folks here just couldn’t have been nicer to us- even when we checked out with our teeny purchases that were dwarfed by some of the immense items for sale here for professional kitchens and restaurants.

From the very best spatulas and pancake turners, cookie sheets, thermometers and storage containers to huge mixers, meat slicers and panini machines, Rose’s has everything you can possibly want for the kitchen. Super sturdy, and meant for heavy use, both prices and value were excellent. Many things such as the sturdy and affordable plates and cutlery are good match for the home kitchen. We were lusting quite a bit after a gorgeous deep fryer that puts anything you can get at most kitchen shops to shame. Imagine the amazing tempura, fritto misto, fried chicken or fish and chips we could make! At the moment though, we couldn’t quite justify the expense- at that moment anyway.

SE 2nd & Clay, Open half days on Saturday

Portland Play Day

Neighbors Blue Kangaroo & Vino

What can be more fun than having the better part of a day to just explore the east side of Portland? J and I started off at the corner of SE 13th and Lexington and our friend B’s wine shop’s Saturday for a little wine tasting and to pick up a case of wine. When hunger hit, we wandered over to the food carts across the street. urban’wiches has a really tasty pressed Cubano sandwich featuring several different kinds of pork, cheese and thinly sliced pickles.

Cubano at urban'wiches

With a fast approaching food coma coming on, a simple cross of the street takes you to coffee at Blue Kangaroo- peek in the back and watch them roasting a batch of coffee beans.

Heading up to Hawthorne, we stop in Lounge Lizard which I have always meant to visit and never have.

Lounge Lizard

We  find a great mid century light fixture and the owner goes in the back and brings us out two more- all for just over $100. This place is fun and pretty well edited with vintage kitchenware, sofas and chairs, and of course- a kitschy 1970’s painting of a group of owls, which is so awful it’s almost enjoyable. Thankfully, now we can replace some horrid builder’s lights the previous owner of our home had so egregiously installed in our downstairs.

Further north, there is a great stretch of newish shops on N. Williams just south of Shaver where I headed to buy a gift certificate at Tasty n Son’s. All the rage, John Gorham’s new undertaking is open for daily 9-3 with a full bar ready to deliver some hair of the dog cocktails with your brunch.

I have lusted after Ink and Peat’s edgy floral designs after seeing them at Street of Eames, and have made several orders over the phone, so I was very happy to finally visit the shop in person. I was surprised to see the shop was not strictly modern, nor just floral, but also gift shop with a rather vintage feel, the kind of place one can find a sense of discovery while browsing about. Owner, Pam Zsorsi was (bravely) one of the first businesses on the street shared by Lincoln, Pix Patisserie and the aforementioned Tasty and Son’s.

Ink and Peat

I highly recommend a visit to this enclave.

Portland Art Museum

R. Crumb Poster

In growing older and perhaps more tolerant,  I find R. Crumb’s artwork to be accomplished and intriguing as opposed the reaction of shock or revulsion his graphic cartoons provoked in me during the 1970’s. The exhibition running through September 19th at the Portland Art Musuem features hand drawn panels from Crumb’s new Book of Genesis. The artwork is unmistakably Crumb’s but restrains itself from the obvious salaciousness he may have employed in the past.

Many chapters of the fifty produced for his graphic novel are on display, illustrating the first book of the bible with faithful word by word text. My step-daughter commented that was the only way she would be interested in reading this text, giving us the impetus for some very interesting conversation afterwards.

Congratulations to the Portland Art Museum for bringing us a show that is less blockbuster, more accessible and a bit edgy.

Mid Century Sweat Equity

Here is another home full of potential with some unfortunate representation. This home in Raleigh Park was built in 1952 and should hold some mid century charm, but alas, time and unfortunate remodels have taken it’s toll so the home is reduced to 70’s formica and linoleum and borders on fixer. There is a cool fireplace, but the brick has been painted out and there appear to be some hardwoods. Why should I even mention this home? It has great square footage at 3,400, and the main floor layout is nice with three good sized bedrooms with a hall and master bath and two half baths. There is a great room off the kitchen as well as a living room with picture windows, giving the homeowners plenty of room to spread out. The home is in a sought after neighborhood with homes selling at $500 and far higher and one can put money into this home without pricing it out of the neighborhood. Just don’t judge the potential by the unfortunate pictures- I will be happy to show you through it and help you with an appropriate offer. $475,000

Your FICO Score

While there are other scoring systems for purchasing a car, or your insurance rates, the one score used in real estate that will determine your interest rate is the FICO score. In the loan making days where the ability to fog a mirror may have earned a 680 score qualifying for the best rates, optimal pricing now needs 720 plus. An increment of a few points shy of that number can cost you thousands in interest fees over the course of your loan and limit how much you can borrow- and how much house you can afford.

So what is your credit score now, and what effects your score? Federal law gives you access to your credit report once every 12 months at www.annualcreditreport.com. This will allow you to see what is being reported to the three main credit bureaus, but will not give you your score which you can access for a fee at MyFico.

Five Determining Factors for your FICO

1) 35% is based on your payment history for all accounts.

2) 30% is based on the amount you owe on revolving accounts (includes same as cash offers).

3) 15% is based on how long you have been using credit.

4) 10% is based on your applications for new credit

5) 10% is based on types on credit used (mix of credit).

A good place to start is to look at your free credit report yearly and clear up any errors on the report.

How can FICO scores be improved?

Keep payments current and avoid late payments, especially 30 days late. Keep credit card debt below 30% of the credit limit. Limit applications for new revolving debt- credit cards, department stores, etc., especially if you are considering a home purchase in the near future.

(Source: FICO)

Interior Designers Shop the World

Designer scouring a Chiang Mai shop for terra cotta.

How do you make your multi-million dollars house stand out from the rest? Hire your decorator to scour the ends of the earth to select tile straight from the quarries of Italy, oversee just the right color of hand glazed tiles in India, and choose the “just right” patina on reclaimed centuries old teak from Indonesia. Plan on flying your designer first class, and paying $350 an hour or $5,000 a room. Read the NYTimes story on the new Trophy Hunters.

Seattle Exploration

Three whole nights in Seattle recently gave us ample time to explore and re-explore some of our favorite sights with Jeff’s mom and dad. Surprisingly, one of the most stunning places to visit is the central downtown library.

Seattle library escalator

Yes, the library. Opened in 2004, it is quite an experience. A series of screens shows the titles of books being checked out in real time. Neon escalators take you past projected images of eyeballs.

Books being checked out.

It feels like being in a space age church of books.

Shopping on Ballard Avenue is like our NW 23rd but higher end. You must go into the jewelry store called Souvenir- the jewelry is displayed so artfully, one just marvels as much as the display- such as the store windows, as the jewelry itself.

Souvenir on Ballard Ave

A short jaunt down to Tacoma, to the Museum of Glass was my second visit there, which was more enjoyable than the first.

Wall of glass.

I enjoy the Hot Shop where one can watch the visiting artist explain the process as you watch the team blow and work with the glass. A treat was the featured artist Preston Singletary, a Tlingit glass artist who interprets the medium to appear as bone, wood, and other natural materials. Exterior stairs take you up past a huge silver dome that covers the Hot Shop, and surprisingly puts you on top of an overpass featuring a wall of whimsical vases.

While I’ve enjoyed Armandino Batali’s (yes, Mario’s dad) fine sausage at restaurants, we finally got to enjoy the shrine to cured meats at it’s source, Salumi.

Salumi sandwich.

It was extremely casual dining, with a line of staff standing behind the  counter making sandwiches to order while another line of customers snakes slowly into the narrow space, crammed with diners. We enjoy eating both low and high on about any part of the hog, so the experience was fun.

Other stops? Pikes Market, the outdoor Sculpture Garden, and views from Queen Anne hill. Other restaurants enjoyed were Lark, Serious Pie, Spring Hill, Le Pichet, and Campagne. See all the sights and get inspired for your next trip north.

Most Expensive Home in America

Spelling Mansion

In case you haven’t come across this yet, take a look at America’s spendiest real estate purchase. Candy Spelling, widow of Aaron Spelling, is selling their own personal Dynasty for $150,000,000. It has parking for 100 cars.  YouTube video.

Borrowing Lower Energy Costs

Many of us live in vintage homes with varying degrees of insulation and energy efficiency. Among that group, many of us would like to make our homes more efficient but lack the resources to make those changes, instead paying high energy bills month after month (after month).

One remedy that may fit some homeowners and small businesses is the GreenStreet Lending program at Umpqua bank- a joint venture with Energy Trust of Oregon. The program makes loans to qualified customers from $1,000 to $50,000 for improvements such as insulation, air and duct sealing, windows, solar energy systems and efficient heating and cooling systems.

The loan can be secured by your home or unsecured, though the rate is currently 8% for an unsecured and 6.75% for a secured loan set up on auto pay. Of course a home equity line may still be an option and the current rate is about 5% right now.

If you are considering improvements along these lines it makes more sense to take out such a loan rather than put these improvements on a credit card with rates in the double digits. For more details check out the GreenStreet Lending website, or speak to a real person as I did this morning:  Aaron Labadie of Umpqua Bank at 503-449-2027.

Radon: Not Limited to Basements

Be prudent and consider have your home tested for radon. The EPA estimates lung cancer, as a result of exposure to radon, the cause of over 20,000 deaths a year. A naturally occurring gas, radon is pulled into the home when slight pressure differences between the home and soil allow it to be pulled inside in a vacuum-like effect.

This can occur whether your home is on slab, over a crawl space, or you have a basement.

Consider having your home tested for radon. My own home, in zip code 97225 is on the list for “moderate potential” for radon in the Portland area. Before purchasing the home we had it tested and lab results showed higher than recommended levels of radon in the daylight basement. Echotech performed a remediation service and I feel so much better about my family’s everyday health. Testing is easy and relatively inexpensive.

If only they could remove “those last few pounds” as easily.  Enlarged map of affected zip codes.

Street of Eames Private Dinner

Hoke Residence

Street of Eames has kicked off it’s fund raising this year with a private dinner at the John and Karen Hoke residence. Their ongoing fundraising plan, as the Street of Eames wrapped up their final tour this year, is to raise funds through private dinners at architecturally important homes as well as lectures.

The Hoke’s home was designed by award winning architect, Jeff Kovel of Skylab Architecture among whose designs include the Departure Lounge and Restaurant and the Doug Fir.

Dinner will be multi-course and wine paired courtesy of Naomi Pomeroy of Beast restaurant. Naomi is a 2010 finalist for the James Beard Foundation Best Chef: Northwest and is featured in “O, The Oprah Magazine” in the April 20 2010 issue. The restaurant describes itself as “frank in our appreciation of meat”, and Naomi caused a bit of a stir with an advertisement that featured her cradling an expired pig. It was a beautiful picture that was not appreciated by all.

Just a few tickets were left as of yesterday, with tickets costing $450 per person, with most of the ticket price tax deductible.

A more affordable evening an June 2nd at Rejuvenation features architect Saul Zaik at 6:00.

Market Action April 2010

March, and now April have been extremely hot in our local real estate market. Starting in January we had 12.6 months of inventory, and by April that had been whittled down to 7.3%. Compared with April 2009, closed sales jumped up by 49% and pending sales jumped by 60%. We are still taking into account the first time home buyer’s credit which required buyers to have a contract by April 30th and to close on that home by June 30th, 2010. Looking at the May sales will be imperative in judging whether prices have dropped enough to have a substantial pool of buyers long term.

Case in point, one of the slowest markets in the last year has been Lake Oswego and West Lynn, with DOM (days on market) at well over 200. The year to date average sales price has been $461,000. Sales are up in that area over 84% from last year with DOM down to 147. Are these first time home buyers or have we reached a good intersection of more affordable prices combined with low interest rates? At this sales price, it certainly points to a more affordable market.

North Portland has the lowest prices in the close-in Portland area averaging $232,000 for this year with a very respectable 77 days of average market time. North Portland also has much fewer active listings, at 498 compared to over 1,000 in most areas which probably effects the demand.

Although we are connected as a whole, every area of town has it’s own eco-system of sorts- an important factor when pricing a home.

Presenting an Offer

Many buyers and sellers are unaware of a quaint custom in real estate known as “presenting an offer.”

More often than not, in today’s world when a buyer’s agent writes an offer with their client to purchase a property, the offer is then faxed or emailed rather than presenting the offer in person to the listing agent. Our industry has changed with the prevalence electronic communications just like so many other professions have. And why would one present an offer in person- doesn’t the offer speak for itself?

I would say- absolutely not. Many opportunities are lost when not presenting in person. Ideally the buyer’s agent should present to both the seller and their agent. If this isn’t possible, than many times the listing agent is willing to meet with the buyer’s agent. In either case, this a great time to build a relationship, and allow both parties to ask pertinent questions as they come up in real time.

Case in point- I recently took some clients to see a house that I found out was going to be listed and put on the MLS that very day. The listing agent agreed that I could show my clients through the home before that, in fact- right when he was meeting with the seller getting final signatures. My clients loved the mid-century home and shared with me immediately that they wanted to write an offer.

What could be better news to a buyers agent? Except that my buyers were selling their home to get into this home- and they had just experienced a fail sale two days before.  This meant that now their offer would be completely contingent on the sale of their home- a home that wasn’t even pending and in need of a buyer in a tough market. My buyers needed to know that to have an offer accepted with this contingency was a long shot- a very long shot.

The seller agreed to let me present the offer with her broker present, and I went through the terms with her page by page. My clients had decided to write an contract with very generous terms and the seller expressed a lot of enthusiasm for the offer. The seller and I struck up a friendly repoire. When I shared the contingency, she asked me how saleable my buyer’s home was. I had the photos at the ready, and luckily the home was picture perfect. The listing agent was impressed that the home had been pre-inspected. The seller verbally accepted my client’s offer that evening and we got the formal acceptance the following day.

I am positive this would not have been the outcome had I faxed the offer over. The listing agent would have been prudent to advise his client against a contingent offer and would probably have advised his client to put the house on the open market. As my principal broker shared with me once- “Why hitch your wagon to a slower moving wagon?”

With a good presentation, and a relationship built between all the parties, the personal touch can make all the difference. It allowed all concerned to ask questions and share information- a benefit to the seller as well.

The truly happy ending? My buyers got another offer on their home within two weeks and now they are living in their long shot.

Older Woodstoves are Out for Resale

If you are considering buying or selling a home after August of this year, this new DEQ requirement may apply to you. As part of a new program to eliminate older uncertified woodstoves, the seller will be required to remove the device from the home prior to a sale and notify the DEQ.

Uncertified woodstoves burn about 70% dirtier than certified ones. These older, polluting stoves can remain in service for dozens of years. Removing them from service would help Oregon’s efforts to restore and preserve healthy air and save homeowners money. Residual wood burning is a significant source of air pollution including fine particulate and air toxics.

Some counties such as Deschutes and Klamath and the cities of Bend and Medford currently have similar rules in place.

Musicians Only?

Sting has just listed his Beaux-Arts co-op with gorgeous views of Central Park.  The home has 6,600 square feet, five bedroms and four baths and- 23 closets. Lovely architectural details abound including graceful moldings, a curved staircase and expansive rooms with mahogany inlaid floors. It’s been listed at $19,000,000 and was previously owned by Billy Joel. Pictures of the interior.

Relish

Local designer, Aurelie Tu’s pieces are featured heavily in Relish’s retail and design space at NW 17th & Lovejoy. Her woven felt bowls were part of the decor in the recent Street of Eames, and work perfectly to bring both form and texture to a minimalist space.

Aurelie Tu's felt bowl

The shop offers well edited decor from floor to ceiling: stretched and framed Marimekko fabrics, area rugs, lighting and wallpaper.Needless to say-  not your grandmothers wallpaper.

The shop is friendly and highly browseable with dozens of smaller home and gift items, though more serious folks can check into the design services that start with a free 30 minute consultation and extend into custom furniture design.  Relish: The Video.

DWR Event

Avalon Planters w succulents

Design Within Reach, the modern furnishing store on Everett will be hosting an event with a landscape architect who will share some nifty planter ideas including the use of succulents indoors and out from 12-4 on Sunday, May 9th. There will be a 15% discount on Avalon planters that day- a good thing, since the one I like is $325, and three would look perfect on my deck.

My favorite

Sigh. Perhaps design won’t quite be within my reach that day- but the planting ideas are free. Details.

March Market Action

We’ve had a striking reduction in inventory: from February to March we went from 12.9 months to 7.8. Losing four months of inventory is no small feat, accomplished with closed sales up 51.9% from the same month last year. Keeping in mind that six months inventory is considered the halfway balance between a buyer’s and seller’s market, the 7.8 figure brings us significantly closer.

Negotiations are still running very hot between buyers assuring they are getting a good deal in an uncertain market and sellers wanting or needing a net that will get them towards their next home.

SE Portland had the most expired and cancelled listings- 324 in March alone. Cancelled and expired listings are basically houses that didn’t sell, either because of price, condition or both. A very interesting note: perhaps the Lake Oswego/West Linn area is coming out of their sales rut, with figures showing an increase of sales over last March by a whopping 91.8%.

So far our DOM (days on market) are down about 12 days over last years 154 average. My DOM are averaging under 60 days for both this and last year. Read the entire report.

Windermere CCRG Leads All Sales

I am proud to work with my principal broker, John Gregory. He has legendary hiring interviews- often averaging around four hours long! His goal is to hire good people and his belief is that good sales will follow. I have learned so much from him.  I am also proud to contribute part of every transaction to the Windermere Foundation that has donated millions back into our community, including donating a building at Bridge Meadows.

Still, I have to say the competitor in me is certainly gratified to see that the training and standards of Windermere also translate to market dominance. I see it everyday in my work- within weeks two of my recent listings were sold by agents right in my own office.

For the girl that loved playing Monopoly as a child, working for a winning real estate company feels just as good as owning both Boardwalk and Park Place.

Calistoga Holiday

My fourth trip to Indian Springs in Calistoga and I still fool myself beforehand with self talk like “You’re not compelled in eat more than one really nice meal out a day” or “We’ll find a yoga studio and go there every morning!”  But really, who can resist eating in an area that has more Michelin stars than anywhere in the United States? As my daughter would say, I folded like a paper napkin.

Case in point, this photo was taken after a fabulous tapas lunch at Zuzu’s in Napa. Afterwards we went to Oxbow Market which holds a myriad of vendors, including the Fatted Calf Charcuterie which made the chorizo in one of our lunch dishes. One of the butchers, a quite hardy fellow, tempted us with ribs fresh out of their smoker. So I had one for desert.

Ribs for desert.

So of course, many courses were enjoyed. It really is world class cuisine dining and service. You’ll notice if you check out the pictures, that there is one of the French Laundry. Much like a starry eyed tourist with a star map of Hollywood homes, I hunted the restaurant down just to take a picture. Photos of my food addiction.

Street of Eames Tour

This was the last Street of Eames Tour and by some accounts, their best. Eight homes were featured- six on the west side and two in NE Portland. One of the requirements to be chosen on the tour is that the home is architect designed, and several of the architects represented on this tour are quite well known for their local early mid century design including John Yeon, John Storrs and Warren Webber. One of the homes was built by Robert Rummer, perhaps an exception to the architect rule.

I had several personal favorites: beginning with the 1961 Storrs house for it’s livability and authenticity. It is beautifully sited in a forested area in the Green Hills neighborhood and is spectacularly private. Lovely original details include the hemlock walls and ceilings and the kitchen’s glass globe lights. The extensive use of wood in the house reflects Storr’s view of wood as “an understandable, romantic material”. Unlike the cheap heavy handed paneling used in many homes of this era and later, the hemlock feels both rich and somewhat inconspicuous at the same time and gives a modern home the warmth and texture that may be needed when stripped of the embellishments such as moldings and ornamentation used in the homes of the past.

Storrs House photo by David Papazlan

One such home on the tour, which I found personally to have all the appeal of a prison with a great view was the 14 House by Seed Architecture. While striking on the exterior, and boasting fabulous territorial views, I couldn’t be pleased beyond that. While the home was obviously still in progress, the extensive hard surfaces and lack of ornamentation was spartan to the point of being punishing. To make matters worse, two of the three bedrooms only had room for a twin bed, furthering my sense of the prison analogy. The owners previously had a loft in the Pearl which this home may emulate. The home had expansive wall space that is perfect for hanging large pieces of art- it would be very interesting to see the difference in feeling once the owners make their mark.

14 House

Architect Warren Weber’s White House” in the Bridlemile area features a very private yard area adjacent to the “L” shape of the home and a structure containing an indoor pool that begs for family and friend gatherings. The home has lovely territorial views from the upper level and gorgeous light pouring into many of the rooms. For a home built in 1949 it was quite ahead of it’s time in terms of it’s great use of space and it’s access both visually and physically to the outside.

Whitehouse photo by Kim Blau

The Park Box or Path House by Corey Martin was a huge favorite of my group of five and won the award for the favorite of the new contemporary homes. Though it looks like one home, in actuality there are two residences-  and both were open for viewing. Both featured a floating wooden tread staircase and kitchens that opened to a great room. The bathrooms had gorgeous partial wall of privacy glass as well as pale glass tiles that continued the feeling of light that was one of the best features of this extremely well laid out, light filled home. Decks off of the living rooms extended the living areas to the outdoors.

Park Box House

I chatted with Sherrie Nee, one of the originators of the Street of Eames about the future of the tour. She shared that there would be smaller events in the future, including dinners hosted in architecturally significant homes- homes that perhaps would never have agreed to the larger tours but would make themselves available for fundraising on a smaller scale, and speakers at venues such as Rejuvenation. The next event will be hosted at Rejuvenation- you may sign up here.

Upcoming Classes AHC

The Architectural Heritage Center on NE Grand and Alder has a constant stream of great Saturday morning speakers- some upcoming classes of interest are “Everything you Need to Know About Earthquakes and Your Vintage Home”, and “Invisible Additions: Increasing Space and Minimizing Impacts” Most lectures are on Saturday mornings from 10-12 and you can bring your coffee. Upcoming programs.

Ninja’s Continue

I haven’t posted regularly about the group of Realtors I meet with weekly, the Ninjas. We share best practices and the many challenges that arise during our real estate transactions. Many times we share issues that may help each other currently or to avoid problems in the future. One such item that came up recently was about sewer scopes. I highly recommend (or insist) that all my buyer’s get one on the home that they intend to purchase. How does it work? The technician doing the service finds the sewer clean out and runs a cord through the line until they get to the city junction. The end of the line holds a small camera which records the condition of the sewer line. In at least half the scopes a problem comes to light that most sellers have been completely unaware of: among them, root intrusion, bellies (that cause backups), and disentegrating materials such as clay pipes or orangeberg. The sewer scope company furnishes a DVD of the scope and the service costs up to $125. A possibly desperate form of entertainment at a later date, but one that is aptly watched by both buyers and sellers at the time one is performed.

Sewer scope equipment

A good point that came up at my Ninja meeting (there is a story behind the name) is to negotiate with the company that does any repair work on the line to furnish another scope at the end of their work included in the repair price. Recently a line that had been repaired in the last three years ended up having faulty work done that the seller was required to correct- even though they had already paid for the prior work. In real estate a bad sewer line is almost always the responsibility of the seller and can easily run $3,000 or more when part or an entire line needs to be replaced. This way our buyers will be assured that they will not be inheriting a problem that the next buyers will surely ask them to take care of before they purchase.  So not just one sewer scope, but two, both before and after repairs.

Vindalho’s Vindaloo

Cooking lessons when I was 34 and living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was high entertainment. With no public diversions allowed besides what we expatriates could concoct ourselves, learning to cook Indian food seemed a great departure from life on the compound. Aruna would float around her kitchen, her sari always firmly in place, making bread and navigating several flaming pots and pans at a time all the while telling us stories about her life in New Delhi- her arranged marriage and how she escaped from cooking every meal in her mother-in-law’s kitchen. Afterwards we would all sit down at her table and share the feast while Aruna stayed in the kitchen preparing and bringing out fresh rotis, chapatis or naans to enjoy throughtout our meal.

Aruna knew the pull this great cuisine had over me and would bribe me with naans or chicken makhani for eight in order to get a last minute appointment with me to have her hair done. While at my home whe would ply me with questions about what I was serving my guests at my next dinner party. Once, I was quite embarassed to admit that after the Indian meal I was currently planning, I would be serving creme caramel, rather than say- a cardamum rice pudding for desert. I couldn’t have been more surprised when she told me she didn’t like Indian deserts either.

A western end to an eastern meal.

The best Indian food I have had since Aruna’s table has been in the Whitehall district of London. The best I’ve had here is at David Machado’s Vindalho at SE Clinton and 21st. Never mind that he calls it “spice route cuisine”. Yes, it’s fusion, but he takes the best local ingrediats and by george, it all ends up tasting more Indian than most that define themselves as such. My favorite dish there is the pork Vindalho with it’s layered spices, slow heat and that bit of vinegar that perks up a rich cut of pork shoulder. Imagine my delight when my friend B ended up getting the reicipe.

Mix includes fenugreek, coriander and mustard seeds.

I enjoy the whole process of making this dish- roasting and grinding the spices, cooking the onions until they are a dark rich gold, and blending them all together to make the base for the cooking sauce that the pork shoulder is braised in. I can’t tell you how rich and succulent this is over rice with some yoghurt and cilantro chutney on the side.

Spice base with onions and vinegar.

We finished with some lovely poached pears served with a reduction of the poaching liquid and some homemade vanilla ice cream. Something nice and “light” after the Vindalho. Aruna would have approved. East and west always get along at my table.

Sold in One Day

Yes, the market is tough, no one will tell you otherwise. This is a story of and exceptional home that sold in a day- it does still happen. Working in a great partnership with my client, we took a few weeks to ready the home. That’s the queen’s “we” of course. I did bring in quite a few of my own staging materials, linens, towels, bath and kitchen bits and pieces and spent an afternoon fussing over those. The seller did the work-  I was the director in this movie- and though she called me “bossy”, she always did it in an affectionate way, trusting that I had the vision and experience to guide what was needed to be done.

With some of my longtime vendors, we removed some wallpaper and painted. We had a pre-inspection to see if there were any large issues that may cause any problems and had a sewer scope to ensure we would not be negotiating on that matter with potential buyers. The tidy house was made even tidier, and many boxes were packed away. I spent hours taking photographs, ensuring we had the best possible images of the home.

I wanted to show off the great mid century architecture- a gorgeous cedar vaulted ceiling, beams that crossed from the interior through large windows and continuing outside. A beautiful under lit floating cabinet in the living room. Period intact bathrooms and lighting fixtures. It’s modest exterior completely belied the grand feeling inside. But that’s a good mid century ranch for you- not a show off McMansion type.

An outreach on brokers open day drew at least thirty people through, including some clients with their realtors, three of which that were ready to write and offer, and one that did. The seller was pleased. See more photographs.

True Thai

Besides Pok Pok on Division Street, there is very little in the way of true Thai food here in Portland. I have my sources, and there is an actual conspiracy that controls the menus of Thai restaurants nationwide to the “Thai Twelve”- pad thai, red, yellow and green curry, and tom yum soup to name a few.

Thanks to a busy year thus far, J and I have barely cracked a cook book in the last few months, so it was a pleasure to devote a day to food shopping and cooking. Thai seemed just the ticket, especially having just discovered that our friends B & W, find it one of their favorite cuisines and lucky us, B was sharing his “leftover” wine from the shop for our evening.

I had no idea what I was getting into. Our recipes required a few new ingredients- palm sugar and shrimp paste, these and others which of course were easily found at Uwajimaya. I just love the colorful packaging and the mystery of how these ingredients will come together.  Another stop to New Seasons and we had several bags of provisions.

Bruising the lemongrass.

We made a fresh green curry paste- probably ten ingredients that took an hour and a half to prepare. Surprise ingredients here were romaine leaves and coriander stems for color and liquid.  This was to go into the beef with eggplant dish. Our other main dish was fresh grilled shrimp, dressed, over a bed of cucumbers and fresh greens.

We remembered a lovely gift of an ice cream maker that we had yet to use, so we thought a cooling vanilla ice cream with a apple- apricot tart sounded like a nice finish. After looking at the time involved in these dishes, we found a simple recipe for spiced boiled peanuts for a little nibble before dinner.

I love the process of cooking, and the eating was just as delightful. See the rest of the pictures including the actual green curry dish.

Yeon Masterpiece

Swan House

Architect John Yeon designed this amazing 1952 home- a perfect example of his NW contemporary vision. Named the Swan House, after Dr. Swan who originally commissioned it, and featured in last years Street of Eames tour, the home sits beautifully into the almost four acres of landscape, with a slate roof and natural finish on the board and batten siding.

The living room opens up to a a light filled space with hemlock paneling on the walls and high ceilings. A wide inviting built in sofa next to the fireplace faces a large bank of windows, one of many original features of this well preserved home.

The dining area faces a bank of windows to the very private rear of the home with a stretch of lawn, a lovely setting both day and night for gatherings. I love the arrangement of bedrooms- often found in architect designed homes of this era- a generous master suite on one side of the house, with the other two bedrooms well separated from the master. Two very large rooms downstairs could easily be used as a media area, family room, or office space. An attic area has it’s own full bath and would make lovely guest quarters. Many of the homes large windows are accompanied by ventilator panels which one can open and close and act as an air conditioning system.

The home’s systems and baths have been well updated. It’s setting in the Sylvan-Hoyt Arboretum area feels like a world away from the downtown, even though it’s easily within a 10-15 minute drive. $1,795,000

Spring Is Coming

We’ve sprung ahead, and though I can’t stand losing sleep on a Sunday, I think an extra hour of light therapy is worth it. Our winter here has been fairly mild of late, and even though I know there are months of rain ahead of us, my garden is in bloom and giving me a much needed color boost.

My lovely husband bought me a new lens for Valentines and here is one of my first photos with it of our evergreen clematis, just starting to bloom. Just like my hopes for Spring and some warmth along with our light.

February Market Action

While many new listings are coming on the market- I’ve taken quite a few this year myself- the good news is that closed sales are up over 18% from the same month last year, and pending sales are up over 20%. It appears the prices have adjusted to the point that buyers are having more confidence entering the market. Our inventory is at 12.9 months compared to  16.6 this month last year.

North Portland still has the lowest DOM (Days on Market) at 74. West Portland (close-in west side) has taken the lead over Lake Oswego/West Linn for most DOM at 206. However, the west Portland market also has the most overall listings as well as the most new listings on the market, and therefore has the highest inventory which is bound to drag sales, along with the higher average sales price of $408,000 compared to the $238,000 of North Portland.

The first time home buyers market continues to be strong up to $350,000 more or less. There are still buyers wanting to take advantage of the tax credit that need to be in contract by April 30th and closed by the end of June.

Seller’s, though reluctant, are listing their homes more in keeping with market values. Buyer’s continue to seek value and especially in the FHA/first time home buyer’s market are asking for significant concessions from the seller in closing costs.

Condo sales- especially in certain circumstances can be quite a bargain compared with years past-( read my blog post below on a $100,000 discount.)  Especially now that the building is well past it’s peak, it seems just a matter of time until the inventory is absorbed.

Short sales and foreclosures are now present in even the most exclusive neighborhoods, though many buyers are avoiding the short sale process which can often be lengthy and unfruitful. Overall, they are a drag on the market with excess inventory and driving prices lower, most especially in areas that have more than their share of them. Read the entire Market Action Report.

Interest Rates Rising?

There has been a lot of talk about what will happen to interest rates when the government halts the purchase of mortgage backed securities at the end of the month. Obviously, any rise at all, even in this era of historically low rates, could have an effect on the housing market. This video link, supplied by one of my preferred lenders, Clayton Scott of Windermere Mortgage Services, explains the situation in an easily understandable way.

Ready Made Discount: $100,000 off Your Purchase

View from the kitchen.

I’ve worked on this transaction several months off and on, for an out of town buyer looking for a second home here in Portland, the sometimes intense negotiations going back and forth between the purchaser, 937 and myself. Besides just negotiating a sales price, I also was involved in poring over the (often) daunting sales agreements that new construction sales offices produce and insist on using- often to their benefit, and locating and deleting possibly damaging clauses. In this day the condo developer is more forgiving of changes to their contract.

I’m pleased to say that I have negotiated $105,000 off of the sales price. The developer and their bank are also offering $18,000 in closing costs which can be used for a substantial buy down of the interest rate the first two years before going into a 30 year fixed rate, substantially reducing the payments the first two years. And  did I mention a complete blind system for the gorgeous floor to ceiling windows?

The only problem is the buyer is now gone.

The 937 has a great location, at 9th and Glisan and some of the best natural light from just about any condo I’ve been in. The building is working towards Platinum LEED certification, the highest and best use of the materials available today with the building using 40% less energy than condos built before 2001. Low VOC materials and paint were used in the interiors for healthy air with Caesarstone slab used on the countertops in the baths and kitchen surfaces. The finishes are all first rate.  Windows are gorgeous- floor to ceiling- and often open to the surprising red decks. Many have gorgeous views of the west hills, bridges or Mount Hood. Review of 937 by Brian Libby of Portland Architecture.

While the buyer may be gone- the opportunity is not- so please give this a forward this to someone interested in buying a beautiful condo for a great price. The unit has two bedrooms, two full baths and is 1300 plus square feet and includes a secure parking space.

Sriracha: Ready for Your Tattoo?

We- like so many, love the ubiquitous perfect hot sauce known as Sriracha, or “Rooster Sauce”. My kids and I were curious how fast we would go through a whopping jar of it, purchased at the amazing Uwajimaya in Beaverton, so I “sharpied” a date on the sauce which we just finished almost exactly a year later.All the while the same little dribble of Heinz ketchup sat shoved up in some corner of the refrigerator collecting that icky water on the top. This article from the NYTimess came to mind, which was published awhile ago, but was so good I’m happy to have any excuse to share it, a mixture of sauce trivia with a great American success story.  This stuff is so popular it has more than one Facebook page. High end chefs use it. Appleby’s serves it. One person even mailed the Bay Area company a photo of the rooster tattooed on his leg. He was from Portland. I wouldn’t go quite that far, but do think it has great flavor with a very respectable amount of heat that will doctor up the dullest bowl of emergency dinner ramen that I buy about once a year.  The NYTimes article.

Tilde in Sellwood

Tilde

Wandering though Tilde in Sellwood, I just marveled at all the clever things I had never seen anywhere else. The editing is top notch. From jewelry to handbags vases, cards and ceramic decorative objects there has got to be a gift here for just about anyone that has any taste at all, but especially if they tend towards mid-century or scaled down. The price range is wide as well. I knew my husband J, would be pretty darn excited (that’s how strong his language gets) about these Pantone cups- it was like shopping for my favorite crayon colors.

Pantone Cups

Even better, the store is located next to a great bank of food carts so you can feel absolutely absolved from your little spluge when you can buy lunch for two so inexpensively. Bruce Lee’s food cart suffers a bit signage wise, but the owner has an amazing full size gas range inside and whips up a mean red curry stir fry as good as any I’ve had in town at a sit-down restaurant.

I must say, I do not some of the antique stores of the past making way for an updated neighborhood feel.

Bruce Lee's SE 13th and Lexington

“Ugliest House in Connecticut”

That’s what neighbor, Bill Blass remarked to Joan Rivers when she announced her intention to buy a property near his country home in Connecticut. Yet Joan did buy the home on 84 acres and converted it into her ideal getaway, a place to bring her grandson and “friends having nervous breakdowns.”

Like many homebuyers with vision, Joan overlooked the fact that the current home on the lot “looked like a Denny’s” and instead saw it’s potential in it’s sweeping views. In the meantime she figured she could “just stand at the front door and hand out menus”.

I don’t care how much surgery Joan has had- she makes me laugh. Read the NY Times article and watch a slide show of the home.

Schoolhouse Electric

Schoolhouse Electric's Restored Facade

When clients Andrew and Yellena James recently gave me a gift certificate to Schoolhouse Electric, I was thrilled. Besides being a generous gift, I had always wanted to visit- and as a triple bonus, the talented Yellana has been chosen as the first artist in a series of exclusive designs and her work was not only prominently displayed in the store, it graces the front of their most recent catalogue.

The building itself was more recently a storage area for the nearby Miller Paint Company- thankfully the current owners removed the brick covering the lovely facade and brought the room back to life. Schoolhouse lighting is made completely in the United States, the designs originating from vintage molds as well as designed in-house here in Portland. The components are finished and assembled just two blocks up the street. The era runs from historic to mid century.

Yellena Andrews Graphic Design Applied to Lighting

I’m so looking forward to hanging my light- and to spending more time in this delightful local resource known as Schoolhouse Electric.

See more of Yellena Andrew’s work. Yellena has an upcoming solo show in Barcelona this year, has designed snowboards for K2 that are in stores now,  and is working on some “kicks for Keds”.

History of Alameda

Keller House: 3028 NE Alameda

Some of his neighbors have perhaps thought he was a nut case when Doug Decker has knocked on their door- just to share with them a historic picture of their home. Alameda has an amazing history and Decker, resident of twenty years has uncovered a trove of it. He has looked up census information, permits pulled, and hunted down previous owners of many homes. He’s researched microfilm, old Oregonian ads, and has conducted countless interviews with now and past residents. And he has a day job with the Department of Forestry.

Today in a packed presentation at the AHC, Doug brought Alameda alive. Starting with a plat map showing Alameda before it’s existence, the site of trees and a dairy farm at the city limits of Portland (then at NE 33rd St), he presented a pictoral history with the developers first buying the property in 1909 and bringing in the streetcar line and infrastructure. By 1934, most of it’s homes had been constructed, with some prominent builders such as Frank Read, Harry Phillips and Ken Birkemeier involved in multiple homes in the neighborhood. Several of those homes including the pictured Keller House are on the National Historic Register.

Decker’s information gleaned from early census materials showed the neighborhood’s inhabitants changing fortunes. While many homes in the 1920’s had live in servants such as Irish maids and nannies, the 1930’s ousted much of the paid help and brought in boarders and older relatives into their homes. Oregonian ads revealed more information- when the area was first being developed, there were was no Broadway Bridge, roads, or streetcar to get to the site, so the developers offered potential buyers “a ride in our autos” and writing enticingly about Alameda- as if it had already been built. Later, the neighborhood having been designated as strictly residential got up in arms when a church tried to build within the neighborhood boundaries. The Alameda Park Community Church was forced to move just beyond the outskirts but eventually won over the neighborhood by running youth summer camps popular with Alameda’s children. The church is now known as the Subud House, still on Regents Drive.

Alameda Park Community Church, completed 1921

Visit Decker’s comprehensive website, Alameda History. He hopes to write a book on the history of the neighborhood, and accepts research projects on behalf of homeowners looking to their home’s past.

The Unknown Tax Credit

While many people are aware of the first time home buyer’s tax credit of up to $8,000 and that it was extended recently. What most people aren’t aware of is a tax credit for homeowners who currently own a home now. A credit for 10% of the purchase price, up to $6,500.

A few caveats: You must have lived in your current home for five out of the last eight years, and there are income qualifications- up to $225,000 for a couple of their adjusted gross income and $125,000 for single filers. You also must be in contract by April 30th and close by the deadline of June 30th of this year.

If you or a friend are considering selling this year, it may make sense for you to sell now and take advantage of keeping some major money in your hands.

First Time and Step Up Buyers Tax Credit (Full Document)

Fascinating Class

Certified Negotiation Expert

What does a former executive from Proctor and Gamble have to teach me as a realtor? It turns out- quite a lot. During his twenty five year stint with Proctor and Gamble, he negotiated billions of dollars worth of contracts up and down their supply chain, ended up teaching negotiation skills internationally for ten years and eventually developed a course for the real estate industry.

When I had the opportunity to attend a two day small class with him, I couldn’t pass it up. Today’s real estate market, as everyone well knows, has gotten a lot tougher. While everyone is aware of fewer sales in a depressed market, what most people are not aware of is how tough negotiations can be from the smallest home to the largest. Both buyers and sellers have much at stake right now, and that makes negotiating one of the skills one has to bring to their clients for a successful transaction.

Topics covered included creating opportunities to interact and dialogue with the other side, ascertaining the best techniques with which to persuade and influence, and understanding different types of negotiation and when to use them.

While my husband commented that “he may never get his way again” I believe most of my clients will appreciate my new designation of CNE.

December Market Action

We’ve experienced a pretty steady inventory in Portland- for months we’ve stayed around seven months worth and December had us at 7.7. Month to month, December 2008 to 2009, sales were up 52%. However, last year showed an average of 12% loss of value for the year, which of course means some areas suffering more and others less so.

Nationwide, our market is also somewhere in the middle, with Las Vegas at a 26% decline, but San Diego with a 2.7% yearly decline in the latest Case-Schiller report.

Digging in a bit deeper, DOM (days on market) in Portland seem to be a mirror of the average sales price with SE Portland having the most closed sales with an average price of $237,00 at just over 100 days on market. West Portland follows with an average sales price of $400,000 and 185 DOM, with the leader in both areas at 235 DOM for West Lynn and Lake Oswego with a average sales price of $538,000.
Interest rates are still historically low and buyers need to see good value to bring a home from “active” to “pending”.  Price well and prepare well if listing.

Read the full Market Action Report.

Seattle Getaway

Dahlia Lounge: Great Cocktail Visit

Without lessening my love for Portland at all, can I just say how much I love visiting Seattle? In just a few hours one can get away to a completely different town with many more dangerously delicious restaurants to try and re-visit.  This makes our third stay at the modern boutique Hotel Andra, and the rates are great now, especially if you can get an additional discount. The Seattle Art Musuem (SAM) almost always has some great exhibits, and luckily this trip there were three- Michelangelo’s sketches for the Sistene Chapel, an Imogen Cunningham photography exhibit, and a really charming show of Alexander Calder that displayed several of his larger mobils as well as a film of his “Circus” .

SAM Lobby

There was accidental shopping at a consignment shop that sold Chanel next to Bannanna Republic pieces. We dined well at a few old favorites, Le Pichet an intimate bistro, and Cafe Campagne (best Croque Monsieur stateside). Restaurant Zoe had some lovely dishes for dinner, but our best new find was at Spring Hill for brunch- featuring a homemade corned beef hash with poached eggs. Located in West Seattle, the short drive from the city offered some great industrial views of the city.

In an unexpected turn, the (much younger) server at Le Pichet directed us to a bar called Bathhouse Gin after our meal. It felt a bit dodgy, in a dark alleyway and signed only with a plaque beside the door- but in the mood for adventure-and another drink, we managed to find what did seem to approximate a speakeasy during prohibition- but with better alcohol.

Bathtub Gin: Alleyway "Speakeasy"

We finished up at Chartruese Modern, our favorite modern furnishing store- you’d be surprised what we can fit in the back of Jeff’s Audi, although we didn’t press it this trip. They have new and vintage pieces mixed together, as well as some fun Marimekko fabric pre-stretched and framed.

With the second coffee of the day in hand, we headed back to dear Portland, feeling not the least bit remorseful for having cheated on her. It was only for a weekend. More food and city shots.

Parry Center Cookie Party

One of the children's creations.

Thirty five children enjoyed decorating cookies last month at the residential care facility known as the Parry Center. For the third year I hosted the party with the help of my two gorgeous daughters and our good friend Marianne. The kids ranged in ages between six and sixteen but there was no difference in the enthusiasm they showed in using pounds of sprinkles and icing on their creations.

For over ten years I hosted a cookie party in my home for friends and their children, where I would bake several hundred cookies, make decorative icing and put multi-colored sprinkles on the table for a decorating free for all. Towards the end of that period I started thinking about sharing the tradition with children that didn’t have the same opportunities as my own children. A co-worker put me in touch with the Parry Center, a wonderful facility where children could receive counseling, getting care for their mental, behavioral or abuse issues- a place of healing.

The tradition has grown with my Fir Grove Garden Club members generously helping me bake all the cookies for the event in one marathon evening. They truly seemed to enjoy the baking as much as the kids did the decorating.

When I learned that many of the children arrive at the Center with just the clothes on their backs, I began collecting pajamas so that everyone would get their own pair. This year, the goal was exceeded and 60 pairs of pajamas were donated from my office, neighbors, friends, family and clients.

Handmade Pajamas Donated by Bethany B.

When I was taking pictures at our party, the kids insisted I take a picture of every single one of their cookies. No pictures of the kids are included for privacy reasons, but here are some of their cookie creations.

Brentwood Before & After

Kitchen, before.

Kitchen, after.

Truly, no two real estate transactions are alike whether buying or selling. Not one. So I approach my buying and selling clients with all the experience I have gathered, skills polished up for service, and a great deal of flexibility depending on how things evolve. Any one that has had a baby knows the unpredictability of that situation. Same thing.

This home had out of state sellers, a wonderful family whose profession required them to transfer across the country, and when the transfer didn’t bring them back- well, a sale was necesarry. When they moved, the market was hot. Before they left, strangers approached them at the curb, offering to buy. With just a bit of polishing, they were very hopeful their home would sell easily.

But it is a different market today. It was evident very soon that we needed to adjust to it and the sellers decided to do what needed to be done to attract a buyer in this highly competitive market with fewer buyers in a tough price range. But living across the country, how was that to happen? And of course, there was a limited budget.

Luckily, I have been entrusted with quite a few of these projects over the years. Within a week I assembled the team to remove wallpaper, carpet and old lighting. Multiple bids were furnished. Floors were refinished, cabinetry was removed and painted. Lighting was updated and added. Dated tile was replaced with granite tile. Gallons of paint, and elbow grease was applied. For three weeks the driveway and streets around the home were coming and going with workers. The neighbors were pretty curious.

The house was re-listing and sold within two weeks, interestingly to some purchasers that I had showed it to previously. It was very rewarding for me to have a vision of what could be done and execute that successfully. My husband has suggested I go into design. But I already am. See more pictures of the home before and after.

Lucky Strike

My relocated Bay Area husband is always on the lookout for good Chinese food, so it was sooner rather than later that we headed out to the Sichuan restaurant, Lucky Strike, way way out 122 blocks on the east side, that was just featured as a top restaurant in Portland Monthly. A favorite food accomplice, Kathleen, and her family joined us for our adventure which allowed us to order liberally from the menu. The setting was not what I expected- the restaurant is extremely small but big shall we say in “character.” Oregon Lottery signs feature prominently, and one TV screen was featuring a reality police show in the background. But we came for the food and we were not disappointed on that count- we ordered seven dishes for the five of us and all were very different from your Chinese local. The cuisine being fiery Sichuan notwithstanding, many of the dishes were surprisingly complex: the cumin beef was cooked with both slender celery stalks and their leaves, the Guinness ribs were sweet, but not overly so, and many of us remarked that we could make a meal of them on their own.  Even the green beans with black beans (the Beans with Beans) had the intriguing tongue numbing effect of the prickly ash used in this cuisine. The Kimchee Rice built up a fiery heat that seemed to have no limit, but we noticed other tables had ordered the Hot Pepper Chicken Bath that appeared to be nothing but a plate of red peppers. No deaths were reported. We were just as pleased with our bill- a total of $80 even with our adult beverages- note look at the pictures and order the Sapporo beer.

Kathleen Admires the Decor

Guinness Ribs

Green Beans with Black Beans

The House "German Lager"