What's this all about?

This blog is intended as a personal diary of one real estate broker's travels through the latest new residential listings in the city of Portland, OR.

Because the RMLS descriptions are written by the properties' listing agents, they are subjectively written - which is to say as "sunny" as possible - and are meant to showcase the best elements and minimize or even ignore sometimes glaring deficits. In the perpetual quest for the best home for each client, the author personally tours possible matches as they come on the market.

It is true that the best go fastest, so this is an effort to share one objective (and hopefully entertaining!) perspective on some of the latest listings for the benefit of "armchair" potential buyers and sellers in the Portland area.

Enjoy - and please, feel free to comment or even request that a particular listing be toured. If it's located within Portland city limits, I will do my best to see it and post my thoughts. Thanks for reading!

Friday, December 4, 2009

What can you get for under $250K these days?

Take heart, would-be home shoppers! Real estate has some bargains out there that rival any WalMart Santa, but the best ones still seem to go faster than you can say ho ho ho. Just today I saw 3 small bungalows with a client, 2 of which were good values. In the last week I've seen a couple other notable finds while poking about with a different person who happens to be in the same price range.

Here's the skinny:

1. 4326 SE Main St $249,900 (1BR/1BA)
Vintage Thumbelina on an oversized lot. Must have a killer "walkscore" but will surely test the strength of any avowed purist. So very intact, including the chlorine-blue matching tub & toilet. Roof and mechanicals are relics, too, though they do appear well-maintained.

2. 1821 N Farragut St $249,900 (2BR/1BA)
Great small bungalow facelifted in all the right ways - new kitchen wisely built around an original sideboard-feeling bank of cabinetry with lovely fir countertop with a generous nook. Fabulous river rock fireplace gussied up by new hardwood floors. Private yard, sturdy garage, very generous master and pretty bath w/nice clawfoot. Walk to best of Kenton shops. Roof & electrical new too. Won't last.

3. 9464 N Trumbull St $196,900 (2Br/2BA)
Sweet little cottage on narrow but deep lot. No driveway possible, and it's a little bit "up there" location-wise, but shows darn well, esp. at this price! Bonus outbuilding would be great studio and the basement bath & nearly-finished room are actually quite friendly. Kitchen needs polishing, but that's it really. Seems like a steal.

4. 7132 NE 13th Ave $209,000 (3BR/1BA)
Chopped-up feeling little house that needs LOTS of cosmetic love. Like staircases that aren't death traps and a kitchen make-over that will allow the user enough space to open all the drawers near the sink. Oh, and it's a short sale with an offer or two suspended in space already. I'd pass on this one.
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