Here it is . . . the Market Action Report for January

Bottom line – lot’s of homes for sale, prices down about 13% from January of 2008.  Buyers are moving back into the market with pending sales up 52% in January over the snowy December of 2008.  The total homes for sale is now over 14,000, which at the current rate, means a supply that will take 19 months to sell.

“Priced right and lookin’ good “ is the mantra to attract one of the savvy buyers looking to take advantage of a buyer’s market!

Check out the full story market-action-2162009 and find the numbers for your area of Portland.  And call us if you have questions interpreting this real estate market.  503-416-4177

Becky

February 16, 2009 · Filed Under Market/Pricing Assessment, Real Estate, Real Estate Trends, Sales Trends and Statistics

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Portland Center Stage(s) a “Disappearing” Act!

I love Portland Center Stage!  It offers such creative and compelling programing – from Broadway warhorses with an edge, to edgy plays like last nights “How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found,” a great show concerned with the timeless theme of what it means to be alive.

It was our usual PCS date with before-the-show happy hour and appetizers at The Henry Tavern (not so crowded, but still loud and lively).   The ’studio’ performance was awesome – skilled actors presenting the US premier of this play in the small, arty space downstairs at The Gerding Theater at the Armory.  I love this theatrical space – the people who brought it back, the bricks and trusses, the atmosphere, thetalented folks who bring it alive with art now!

Recently we saw the R. Buckminster Fuller play here, and that one left us a bit dizzy with dialog and science, but last night’s story of personal despair, and attempt to repair, only to be left alone in both the before and afterlife is the personal kind of tug and struggle that sticks with me and makes me wonder.  About life, existence, happiness.

Well, I’m way to “here and now” to want to be gone, but we all have our moments, right!

Check it out!

Becky

February 11, 2009 · Filed Under Uncategorized

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Best of Tour 2.10.2009

Today’s selection for “Best of Tour” is a project in Portland’s Pearl District.  There’s no seduction in the name – Block 90 – so fortunately the condos on the top floor of the four story renovation of the Pearl District’s block 90 (Flanders to Glisan between 13th and 14th) has way more panache than the name suggests.  You may remember this building as the Reed Harris office and distribution center, but no more.  True to the high style of conversions for old buildings in The Pearl, this block is now ‘made over’ as commercial and residential lofts.  It now home to the new Aveda Institute Portland, the essence of cool in salon schools, and 50 Plates, a restaurant with, well, 50 plates of delicious American food.  This is all good!

We’ve determined now that the neighborhood and neighbors are first rate, so how about the condos?

Block 90 residential lofts are very modern with clerestory windows opening to large terraces and city views.  The finishes are high-tech and high-style and the floor plans are mostly open and airy, taking advantage of the sleek design and the wide open views.  Lofts range in size from approximately 800SF one-bedroom homes to almost 1800SF corner units and prices range from $379,634 for a studio to $999,768 for the southeast corner wth wrap around terrace.

February 10, 2009 · Filed Under Best of Tour, Real Estate

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Best of Tour 2.3.2009

Today we begin again the “Best of Tour” series our old blog site featured last year.  We’ve included a couple of the old posts to continue the  ’conversation’ about what makes a good listing on tour.  This column is all about the notion of what makes a good house . . . . Period!

In these posts we’ll show you the best homes we see on our Tuesday tours – (that’s Portland’s day for brokers to visit and view new listings to be informed and knowledgeable about the current homes for sale).  We may pass from time to time, if nothing is worthy of compliments, and some weeks you may see multiple selections we find compelling.  Our intent is to share a broker’s view of what make a good home:  a well prepared listing, a price based on market realities and a professional presentation of all the best aspects of the property.  In short, a solid home, priced right and ready to sell.

Brokers must see – in person – homes for sale to know what is available to show and sell, and to know how best to match properties with clients.  The old practice was to “caravan” as a group to numerous listings every week.  This model lost favor with the use of the internet and now, many brokers, just like consumers, tour homes online while sipping tea in their jammies.  But we contend that there is no substitute for a physical visit.

All buyers must eventually step inside a home and walk the neighborhood to really know if it is ‘”the one!”  The Jackson Group continues to tour homes on Tuesday because it is worth the effort to stay informed and in tune to market nuances.  We may miss an occasional tour if our clients’ needs are more immediate than  two hours out-and-about, but our promise is to stay plugged in to what is available, attractive and worthy for our clients.

Today’s report.  It was a long tour and I concentrated on the west side and still couldn’t get to all the properties I had marked as interesting.  A sign of the season as well as the times.

Today’s post is a comparison of two nearby homes in Portland’s Westover Heights area.

The first is a fixer-upper at 2833 NW Cumberland listed by friend and colleague Kathy MacNaughton of Realty Trust Group.  It’s a great old Mediterranean designed by one of Portland architectural fathers, Lawrence Ellis.  This house needs absolutely everything – an easy $2-$5 hundred grand on top of the $869,900 asking price!  Why, you ask, do I recommend it?  Well, it has those elements I love; great neighborhood and location, great architecture, untouched original handcrafted character and it is ready to restore so you can do it right.  Buy it and rebuild it, it will be worth the effort!

If a project is not your style, an alternative just a few blocks away is 828 NW Summit listed by Bradley Young of Winderemere/Baldwin Properties.  This one is also a classic architectural style and it has already been renovated to “the nines” so you won’t have to lift a finger.  The price is $1,250,000, so between the two houses you’d probably spend about the same money.

So, which are you, the “fix-it-up-and-make-it-your-own” type, or the “move-in-now” to a beautiful home where the work has already been done for you?  Two good choices!

Becky

February 3, 2009 · Filed Under Best of Tour, How to Choose..., Real Estate

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