A Bird's Eye View of Portland

This is not for everyone, but at the start of the year it seems fairly common and natural to look back and assess how we’ve fared, to help us determine how we’d like to proceed in the new year. With real estate being so specific to location, it’s critical to look at local data and analysis, but we are also reliant on financing that is impacted by national and global factors. As we read articles and reports throughout the year, we continually check the “big picture” against what we’re experiencing with buyers, sellers, and investors here in Portland, Oregon.

This is a quick set of resources for homeowners wanting to look a bit closer at data and analysis, for investors wanting to evaluate their positions and their current return on equity, for buyers and sellers contemplating a move in 2012, or for the general public looking for insight into our current real estate market. We’ve assembled a balanced reading list that will help you find your place in today’s real estate market. We wouldn’t call it required reading for anyone owning real estate, but for those who like to learn more, it is the abridged “table of contents” to our market analysis reading.

• PSU’s Center for Real Estate Quarterly
• CalculatedRisk.com: See their “Housing Analysis: Bull AND Bear” and peruse the sidebar for more recent analysis.
• RealtyTrac.com: A free trial membership will allow you access to quite a bit of information.
• ForeclosureRadar.com
• Clear Capital Reports: as mentioned in the Oregonian
• Businomics.com: offers perspective from a local economist.
• Buy VS. Rent Calculator
• Portland Monthly’s Annual neighborhood report

Rent vs Buy Infographic 2011: Choose the Best Real Estate Investment

What’s your source? If you have recommendations for other sources, contact us. We’d love to find others to consider. Both of us at The River PDX strive to be a resource to those looking for expert real estate services in Portland, Oregon. Contact us for a free, no obligation real estate consultation. We are here to contextualize this data and varied analysis, so you know what it means to you in Portland, Oregon.

• KBOO – Volunteer-Powered, Non-Commercial, Listener-Sponsored, Full-Strength Community Radio for Portland, Oregon, Cascadia & the World!
• p:ear – builds positive relationships with homeless and transitional youth, ages 15 to 24, through education, art and recreation to affirm personal worth and create more meaningful and healthier lives
• Willamette Riverkeeper – a non-profit organization, whose sole mission is to protect and restore the Willamette River.
• Oregon Environmental Council – safeguards what Oregonians love about Oregon – clean air and water, an unpolluted landscape and healthy food produced by local farmers. As a member-supported nonprofit more than 40 years, they’ve been a champion for solutions to protect the health of every Oregonian and the health of the place we call home.
• Mercy Corps – Its mission is to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.
• Portland Fruit Tree Project – a grass-roots non-profit organization that provides a community-based solution to a critical and growing need in Portland and beyond: Access to healthy food. Because money doesn’t grow on trees… but fruit does!
• McKenzie River Gathering Foundation - MRG Foundation pools money from Oregon’s progressive community and distributes it back to grassroots groups working on a wide range of social change issues. MRG funding supports the most strategic work unfolding at the local level to address globalization, poverty, war, racism and environmental destruction.
• BTA – a non-profit membership organization working to promote bicycling and improve bicycling conditions in Oregon since 1990.
• ReBuilding Center (a project of Our United Villages) – Inspiring people to value and discover existing resources to strengthen the social and environmental vitality of communities.
• Portland Gay Men’s Chorus – The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus aspires to expand, redefine, and perfect the choral art through eclectic performances that honor and uplift the gay community and affirm the worth of all people.
• Portland Frontrunners – Its mission is to promote good health and provide an opportunity for positive social interaction through running, walking and club events in a supportive running community
• American Lung Association – The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through Education, Advocacy and Research. As a lifelong asthmatic, Steve is particularly appreciative of the work that they do.
• Portland Track Festival – A community oriented track and field festival open to youths and adults.
• Portland Area Business Association – Portland Area Business Association exists to promote business and offer support to its membership, which is made up of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders and their allies in business.
• Equity Foundation- Equity Foundation has existed since 1989 to eradicate prejudice against sexual and gender minority communities as well as other diverse communities around Oregon and Southwest Washington.

We had a nice turnout at a new listing this week. It is a resale home in the Charlais subdivision, located in the Oak Hills area of Beaverton. This area is popular for West Side homebuyers looking for proximity to Silicon Forest business campuses.

The main reason we host a broker open house is it introduce a new listing to our colleagues at other brokerages. Since we all cooperate to show and sell each other’s listings, it’s good to see fresh inventory. But another key reason is to solicit helpful feedback for our clients. We ask for feedback on everything from price, staging, color schemes, and the like. This is helpful for sellers to get the best price in the least amount of time.

We were please with the excellent feedback at this listing; the consensus was that the home is priced competitively, is move-in ready, and shows the pride ownership. For more info, please visit www.NWSomerset.com.

Local Financial Resources in Portland, Oregon

New Outlook Financial is a Portland, Oregon based investment advisory firm offering fee-only financial planning and investment advice for individuals, families and small business people, many of whom are interested in integrating their finances with their values. Unlike other financial advisors who sell products for commissions, we provide our clients with objective advice and guidance so they can be confident that the advice they are getting is in their best interest.

Format Solutions is a local business specializing in providing individuals with unprecedented control over their retirement assets and investment options.  If you’re frustrated with the lack of control, volatile performance, and ongoing expenses of your current investment portfolio, they can create a Limited Liability Company within your IRA that allows for full checkbook control of your retirement funds and a nearly limitless investment selection.

Mark Strauss of Leonard Adams Company: An independent insurance agent. Mark works with financially stable and preferred independent Northwest insurance companies such as: Oregon Mutual, Liberty Northwest, Mutual of Enumclaw, Safeco Insurance and National insurance companies such as: Chubb Insurance, Fireman’s Fund Insurance, One Beacon Insurance, Philadelphia Insurance, Travelers Insurance and many more. Mark has thought about the long-term implications of the businesses, homes and vehicles he insures. He’s dedicated to taking the time to spend a little extra money to reduce my environmental footprint as much as possible both in his personal and professional life because he believes that businesses need to be progressive and add environmental and social achievements to their measures of success.

More resources for local and socially responsible financial options

• Oregon Banks Local (for more information on local credit unions and community banks)
• Credit card options and reviews

This is a sampler to get you started. The River PDX strives to provide local and socially responsible resources that can help you align more aspects of your life with your values. If you’d like to know more about how investing in Portland real estate could fit into your long-term investment goals, we’d love the opportunity to explore that with you. Contact us to discuss how our real estate services could facilitate and enrich how you invest.

5854 NE 30th Ave, Portland OR 97211 | $399,900

This Concordia-area duplex with solid rental history shines nicely.  Add this mint property to your portfolio, or choose to live in one-half and rent the other.  With an open floor plan, abundant storage, and detached garage, each unit feels truly like home. Many updates include:

• Newer kitchens
• Updated baths
• Replacement Windows
• Newer roof
• Newer mechanicals

Professional Inspectors–Portland, Oregon

Home Inspectors

Matt Hopkins 503-869-5292
Toby Deming 503-236-1812
Brendan Fitzpatrick 503-750-0795
Susan Walker 503-740-8267

Sewer Inspectors

McBee Boring and Excavating 503-939-5246
Matt and Mel’s 503-324-0423

Environmental Inspections (oil tanks, radon, etc.)

Xavier Environmental 503-236-3796
EcoTech 503-493-1040
Environmental Works NW 503-719-6715

In some instances, properties require other specialists. If you have a need for a geotechnical engineer, a structural engineer, or other resources to help you investigate a property’s condition, feel free to contact us. We’ll do what I can to connect you with the appropriate local specialist.

For other resources, you can do a keyword search in the upper left corner of this website, or contact us. The River PDX is a Holistic Source for Real Estate. We’re happy to be a resource or be a helpful link in connecting you to the appropriate local service provider or supplier. If you have any suggestions of other contractors that should be added to this list, We’d love to learn about them.

Here are three current projects to check out, if any of these descriptions pique your interest:

Division 43 (from low $100s) Woolsey Corner (from $101,600) Killingsworth Station: aka, K-Station (from $169,900)

Division 43 is a unique model of “micro-housing” that we haven’t seen in Portland before. Woolsey Corner also pushes the envelope with its playful details (repurposed instruments in the railings, sculptural downspouts, and live-edge trim accents) and its ownership structure as a Proud Ground Community Land Trust property, which will keep it affordable indefinitely. K-Station is set to be certified as LEED-Platinum building, placing it at the forefront of current sustainable building practices, and they offer a special down payment assistance loan for eligible buyers. This delivers a level of design and performance that hasn’t been available at these prices before in Portland. For more information about any of these properties or the financing available for them, contact me.

The market is being transformed, and as with any system with monetary or design constraints, people get creative to adapt and generate new solutions. I hope you’ve found these options interesting in the least. If you’d like to know more about these properties or any other listings on the market, we’d be happy to set up a customized search to help you find the right fit for your needs. Be in touch. Be well.

Whether you own an 1890 Queen Anne, a 20s Bungalow, a Cape Cod, a mid-century ranch, or a late 1998 home that was built to modern day code, there are gains to be had and money to saved (in most cases). Assuming energy costs increases over time, here are some local service providers and resources to help you achieve these gains and stay ahead of the curve. There are many programs available and the incentives go through periodic changes based on local and federal funding streams. As an Energy Trust Trade Ally, I recommend you make their website one of your first stops to learn about what kind of incentives are currently available.

Imagine Energy 503-477-9585
Hammer & Hand 503-232-2447
Streamline Dwellings 503-310-4981
Green Hammer 503-804-1746
Neil Kelly 866-691-2719
Green Home by EcoTech 503-493-1040
Gale Contractor Services (Deborah Shay & Amy Worthington) 306-241-1897
Energy Trust Trade Allies

AIRSEAL, AIRSEAL, AIRSEAL. . . and ventilate.

For other resources, you can do a keyword search in the upper left corner of this website, or contact me. The River PDX is a Holistic Source for Real Estate. I’m happy to be a resource or be a helpful link in connecting you to the appropriate local service provider or supplier. If you have any suggestions of other contractors that should be added to this list, I’d love to learn about them.

For more conservation info see also, Ascending the Pyramid of Conservation.

Milwaukie Riverfront Park Plan

With a walkscore of 98, a waterfront improvement project slated to begin this year, the MAX line making its way after that, Milwaukie is taking steps to be your new favorite hub. Portland is known for its neighborhoods and mass transit connectivity that provides access to downtown from multiple hubs, and Milwaukie already has a lot of the common amenities that have cemented other neighborhoods in the hearts and minds of Portland-lovers. With these new developments on the way, LOOK OUT! Downtown Milwaukie is poised to be the “other south waterfront”–a transit-oriented, human-scaled community with great parks, schools, and local businesses to sustain a vibrant downtown environment. This is a great quality of life, and these townhomes will nestle you in the epicenter of this evolving community.

2 townhomes available in Downtown Milwaukie

We currently have 2 townhomes available in North Main Village, Downtown Milwaukie. As you can see in the previous post on 10675 SE 21st Ave., we have a 2 bedroom, 2 bath LIVE/WORK townhome available at $244,900. We’ve just listed 10667 SE 21st Ave. for $279,900. This townhome is the end unit with 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a bonus space on the ground level that could be a 3rd bedroom or a commercial space, and light-filled bonus family room.

If you’d like more information regarding these homes or the local amenities in Downtown Milwaukie, please contact me. The farmer’s market is on Sunday, so that’s probably you’re best bet for checking out Downtown Milwaukie. Head out and explore. Enjoy!

Milwaukie Riverfront Plan--river view decks, amphitheater, green space, fountain, and more

If you’ve been contemplating the big step of remodeling your home, creating an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) on your property, or, even bigger yet, building your own home in the Portland area, here’s a set of architects and designers (listed in no particular order) who have a body of residential work to consider.

Departure Design, Dan Lajoie + Michelle Jeresek
Andre Debar
Atelier Waechter, Ben Waechter
Limitless Blue, Corey Cliffe
Structures NW, Patrick Sugrue
PATH, Corey Martin
Paul McKean
Arciform
COMMUNITECTURE, Mark Lakeman
Emerick Architects
paolo design, Paolo Scardina
Architecture W
Giulietti/Schouten Architects
Building Arts Workshop
Works Partnership Architecture
Nathan Good

This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list of local architects and designers, but a solid starting place for residential architectural resources in Portland, Oregon. I welcome suggestions for additions to this list. In addition to these websites, some of these offices maintain a social media presence as well. In some cases, that provides a more up to date glimpse of what they’re working on right now. Enjoy perusing the work of our local talent! Here’s a brief sampling of local work.

Departure Design, Artist Studio, Portland, OR

Atelier Waechter, Cape Cod, Portland, OR

Emerick Architects, Northwood, Portland, OR

Arciform, 1909 House, Portland, OR

PATH architecture, Butler Residence, Portland, OR

Debar Architecture, Bacon-Brenes Home, Portland, OR