A Diamond in the Rain

The listings are picking up, but the weather is still, well, Portland unpredictable. I was all over the east side Tuesday to see the most promising 4 or 5 houses that popped up. The results? One stunner I whisked a client over to and several others decidedly in the "semi-precious" category. Read on...

1. Hollywood Heartbreaker $349,900 2BR/1BA

Craftsman bungalow, pretty much perfect except for some very, very minor aesthetics (some aluminum windows need banishing and the kitchen floor & counters won't wow anyone, though they're pristine.) Otherwise, it's a fabulous location on a lovely block where one walks to Whole Foods in about 2 minutes; a stout front porch & breathtaking landscaped backyard to turn every visitor pea-green with envy; and did I mention the leaded-glass built-ins? Oh, my.

2. Beguiling Bungalow $315,000 4BR/2BA in the nosebleed of Concordia, where a promising (though not plentiful) patchwork of rescued homes and infill new construction are at least encouraging. This home is architecturally appealing, and clean & move-in ready. But the layout has thwarted any corresponding "flow" - it is choppy and odd, though period details & character are surely there. For example, the kitchen is ample and vintage and smartly revived with subway tile, but the refrigerator fits nowhere within any sensible "working triangle." Great yard, but sketchy block. And the desirable 2nd bath is oh, in the basement. You get the picture...

3. Pricey Piedmont $375,000 3BR/2BA A true Craftsman, with weep-worthy woodwork and ample, well-located bedrooms. An original bath on the main floor was also lovely to see. But... I saw much deferred maintenance peeking out in many corners: water stains under curling wallpaper, wizened kitchen decor & windows, an ungainly, ill-conceived whopper of a garage that traumatized the backyard into oblivion. And what about that buried oil tank and ancient electrical panel? No one knew. Great location, but no deal without $20K of concessions.

4. Lofty Queen Anne $319,000 2BR/1BA A pretty peacock from 1894, with soaring main floor ceilings and refinished original fir floors. Some dividing walls were removed long ago, such that the kitchen, dining room and living room are all-in-one now. Re-done in the 80's, I'd venture, the kitchen cabinetry is holding up well, but hardly matches the era and would benefit from an island. Bedrooms each come directly off the main living area; both terminate with separate doors into the long bath

that looks a little tired. The backyard, however, was a nice pick-me-up and is privately fenced, a bonus in this heart-of-Sunnyside, tightly-packed and desirable hippy nabe.