Collaboration in Color

 

Collaboration, creativity, sustainability, and integrity. These are the four principles guiding Colorhouse paint, a local, independent paint company with a unique mission: to make the world more colorful and less volatile.

Colorhouse was founded in 2005 by Virginia Young and Janie Lowe, two artists who had originally started a business called YOLO Paints. They spent all day in rooms thick with fumes from the paints they were using, and were coming home at the end of the day exhausted, with headaches and sore throats. Their concern over the toxicity of their materials fueled their research into healthier options, which lead to their immersion in Portland's budding green building community.

At first, they experimented with making their own paints out of rice and other organic materials. The process was interesting from an artistic standpoint, but the product ended up being costly and inconsistent. They started talking to both paint chemists and green chemists about creating a paint that was safe to use, environmentally responsible, and of the highest quality, and so Colorhouse began!

"We really are the first paint company to combine greener paint with beautiful color," says Puji Sherer, president of Colorhouse and Chief Color Nerd (favorite colorhouse shade: Thrive 0.5, a soft green inspired by the St. Johns bridge.) "It's not just what's in the can. Everything we do is from a green perspective." The can itself is made from recycled materials, with 100% post consumer, chlorine-free labeling. Their headquarters uses renewable energy, and boasts the gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating, as well as numerous other certifications for sustainable formulas and practices.

When the company first launched, there wasn't much public knowledge of Volatile Organic Compounds (the toxic chemicals that evaporate out of paint at room temperature, also known as VOCs) and other toxic chemicals found in conventional paint products. Educating consumers on this topic has helped to propel the entire paint industry in a healthier, more sustainable direction.

Now, regulations have been created requiring all manufacturers to reduce their VOCs, and safer, greener paint is no longer such a niche product. "It's awesome that we've really helped to change the paint industry. And so now, we're looking at how we can take this a step farther," says Puji. "Larger paint companies have either focused only on color or only on the green. For us to combine green and color with the high quality paint has been our biggest success."

Puji moved to Portland in her early twenties, after graduating college with a B.F.A. in painting and ceramics. She jokes that it was after moving that she realized she might not have gotten the most practical degree, and started wondering what she was actually going to do with it. "I distilled down the thing that I'm most passionate about, and it's color. And the most practical application of color in our lives is paint!"

She started apprenticing with a local paint contractor to learn more about coatings, technique, and interior design. Inside people's homes, she'd analyze the colors they picked, and why it was or wasn't working with the space. From there, she moved on to doing color consulting on her own. That's when she met the founders of Colorhouse and became their first employee. "They brought me in, and I've been here ever since!"

Throughout her time with the company, Puji has been involved in sales, customer service, marketing, sample production, color trend forecasting, and more. As Chief Color Nerd, her current focus is on developing new colors and palettes, often in collaboration with other local businesses.

For this process, the business they're partnering with will put together a general mood board, featuring a selection of photos, items, pantone chips, and paint colors from other companies. From there, Puji uses her artist's eye to relate those colors to existing Colorhouse shades that are working well, and create some new samples.

Paint samples are created in a machine that adds up to twelve different pigments one drop at a time to a quart of base, then mixes everything up. The software Puji uses breaks everything down into a color formulation, that can be fine tuned to perfect every hue. "There are a lot of colors that don't make it," Puji says, flipping through a stack of rejected swatches. "They can be too boring, too muddy, too peachy, too golden. I come more from an artist's background so I really had to train myself to do all the careful records in the accounts."

Eventually, the colors are narrowed down into a palette for their collaborators, who make the final selections. This overall creative process can take about ninety days before production even starts on a new color.

Colorhouse paint can be found all over town. Nedd Ludd, a craft kitchen in Northeast Portland, was painted in the morning, and was open again, serving dinner to the public that very evening. Bee Local, an artisan honey company, needed a paint for their beehives with a clean formula that wouldn't be harmful to the occupants. This inspired Colorhouse's beeswax palette: a collection of warm, earthy yellows and tans.

They have teamed up with Pendleton, Revolution Designhouse, the Joinery, the Land of Nod, and many others. They're always working on diversifying their color collaborations, and will soon be releasing some exclusive palettes for One King's Lane, an online home decor company.

When creating a new color for their own line, a lot of what Puji looks at is fashion, which can help forecast color trends. She also draws inspiration from travel, and from visiting new restaurants that pop up around town. The colors are intentionally designed to be timeless backdrops for living.

"We try to simplify the color choosing process, because a lot of those colors in typical paint stores don't really look that good when they're up on your wall." Unlike other paint centers, the colors are curated, making the selection process less overwhelming. Puji and the Colorhouse team believe that painting a home should be fun, and have striven to remove all obstacles to that. "There's the painting part, where if you have a low quality product, it makes that process even more painful because you're doing so many coats. When you open up a can of Colorhouse you can really tell the difference in the quality of the product. It's how it levels, the coverage that you get, how it flows."

Painting a home is one of the biggest ways to transform it, and it's also the most affordable. "We design our colors in a way that makes it so you don't have to be afraid of adding colors. Don't just go with the standard white everywhere. Color offers the opportunity to express yourself and your individual style. It's a really cool creative outlet!"

In addition to its four main principles, the brand offers an accessibility that you can't find elsewhere. Their headquarters, warehouse, and showroom share a building in Northeast Portland. Sun streams through their front window, illuminating the neatly organized paint samples in their cozy storefront. From behind a desk, Puji's dog Goose, the vice president of morale, (favorite colorhouse shade: Thrive .03, an exact match to his tennis ball) taps his tail in lazy greeting. They do all the DIY projects and photoshoots for their website right there, in the warehouse, without hiring bloggers or influencers to do it for them. Colorhouse is a company made for (and by) passionate people, who together are making the world more colorful, and less volatile.

"We are inspired by color and creativity and we want to share that," Puji says. "And I think that that translates to people."

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Written by Jane Hartle

Photos by Mark Coffin

What Market Trends Mean for your Mortgage

CNBC (the news network) recently reported that mortgage applications were down 6% in June. This week over week number fails to note that mortgage applications are still up 7.8% when compared year over year. Even though interest rates are approximately .375% higher than this time last year, demand remains high. The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) expects home prices to rise another 4% in 2017, after a healthy 6% increase last year.  

So why are applications down? Lack of inventory!

Homes are again viewed as a good long-term investment. Even those paying private mortgage insurance on their mortgage are enjoying massive home appreciation. The average home buyer in the US is earning $13,000 per year in equity. In Portland, Oregon where prices rose nearly 13% in 2016, homeowners earned over $46,000 in home appreciation last year alone.

But what if rates go up? Mortgage rates change quickly with the economy, and with shifts in market sentiment. Mortgage-backed securities (MBS), the Wall Street asset upon which mortgage rates are 'made,' have been waiting for a reason to move one way or another. This has rates on shaky ground.

The average conventional 30-year fixed rate mortgage started June at just 3.95%. That's down 7 basis points (0.07%) compared to the first week of May. These rates are down considerably as compared to January, when the thirty-year rate hit 4.20%. It's still an advantageous time to be a buyer, but it may not stay that way for long.

MBS pricing responds to various economic influences, including the Federal Reserve's monetary policy, jobs market reports, geopolitical concerns and forecasts for the new administration's stance on economic issues. The Federal Reserve hiked rates on June 14th, and we could still see one more rate hike before the year end. The hike will immediately raise costs for homeowners with a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or any other debt based on Prime rate.

Fortunately, there's no such direct relationship to mortgage rates. Over the last two decades, the Fed Funds Rate and the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate have differed by as much as 5.25%, and by as little as 0.50%. The Fed influences fixed mortgage rates, but doesn't control them.

We don't expect dramatic 30-year fixed mortgage rate swings after the Fed meetings. Rather, markets build in hikes long before they happen. The Fed makes its move known long before the meeting itself, in a series of statements and speeches by Fed members. Massive swings occur when the unexpected happens!

Mortgage shoppers should take note. Waiting for rates to go down could be an unwise move. The Fed, armed with every economic report available, says rates will only rise in coming years; 2017 could be the last opportunity at sub-4% rates in the next few decades.

 

So what is the mortgage industry doing in response to this high price, low interest and low inventory environment?

I serve two desirable markets limited by lack of inventory: Portland and Bend. Average median home prices within both city limits are increasing rapidly, forcing buyers to look outside to the surrounding areas for affordability. Those who do choose the city center are willing to pay for it. That means jumbo loans are back and very competitive.

During the mortgage crisis, jumbo loans all but disappeared. The ones that remained came with insurmountable guidelines for homeowners to meet. High down payments, interest rates, and credit standards made jumbo loans nearly obsolete. But jumbo loans have re-entered the lending landscape. In fact, jumbo mortgage rates are now nearly as low as conforming rates.

What is a jumbo mortgage? A jumbo mortgage finances loan amounts over $424,100 (the conforming loan limit in OR). Conforming loans meet guidelines established by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and can be easily sold to investors. A jumbo mortgage is often retained by the investor, and so the person with the money gets to make the rules. The underwriting requirements are similar to conforming guidelines but they are very detailed with less room for exception and often require some additional documentation and time needed to complete. It is a very viable loan product with competitive rates, but only for organized buyers who can accurately document their ability to qualify for it.

Other loan types have emerged to assist with this higher priced market as well. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have rolled out new programs for a wider array of buyers. An option called HomeReady requires just 3% down and is available to those with modest incomes.

Guild Mortgage has also recently announced a 1% down conventional loan. It is still structured as a 3% down conforming loan but the buyer's personal contribution is only 1% and Guild Mortgage will contribute an additional 2% via a forgivable grant for the qualified buyer! The buyer moves in with 3% equity for only 1% down payment from personal funds.

For mortgage applicants with student loans, Fannie Mae has introduced easier qualification standards. Also, a Student Loan Cash-Out refinance program is now in available, with which homeowners can use their home equity to pay off student loans.

Not to be outdone, the government-backed VA home loans offer lenient credit requirements and are available to home buyers who have served in the U.S. military. There is no down payment necessary, and no monthly mortgage insurance charged.

FHA loans are still extremely popular for first-time homebuyers. Flexible lending requirements allow new graduates to obtain an approval just after starting their careers.

In this environment, finding the right home may be more difficult than financing it!

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This piece was generously written by Brent Lucas of Guild Mortgage.

Guild Mortgage Company is an Equal Housing Lender NMLS#3274. Brent Lucas NMLS ID#590610 397 SW Upper Terrace Dr., Suite 150 Bend, OR 97702 ML-176. The information provided herein has been distributed for education purposes only. The positions, strategies or opinions of the author do not necessarily represent the positions, strategies or opinions of Guild Mortgage Company or its affiliates. Each loan is subject to underwriter final approval. All information, loan programs, interest rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.

Ranch House Renewal

By Jane Hartle

It is not every day that a seller chooses to go with the lowest offer. Around here, with property values skyrocketing, it's practically unheard of. But that was the case for Dan Rosen, a local art director who brought a tired 1964 ranch house back to life, transforming it into a vibrant, light filled home with a seamless blend of modern and retro features.

Originally from London, Dan moved to Portland from New Orleans seven years ago. His background is in graphic design, for both print and digital media. He's also the percussionist in a band -- don't miss Arrows in Orbit at the Mississippi street fair at the end of July. You can see some of his design work around town; he created the signage for Pip's Cafe in exchange for what he describes as a mile long gift certificate for donuts and coffee.

Upon first moving to Portland, he purchased an older style Craftsman home. It was nice but completely finished, offering little room for creativity and customization. Dan began his search for something that would better match his aesthetic.

Three years ago, the mid-century ranch house wasn't much to look at. The paint on the exterior was fading and it needed a new roof. Inside, the original gray wall-to-wall carpeting wasn't doing it any favors. The living spaces were small and closed in, the bathroom awkwardly designed, and the kitchen was suffocated by old linoleum flooring and cabinetry. It was untouched from when it was originally built.  

But Dan saw something more in it. "I loved the house," he says. "I could see the possibilities."

Dan's offer was outbid by several developers, whose intentions were to demolish the house and build several condos in its place. Emboldened, Dan wrote a letter to the sellers, the home's only other owners. He outlined his plans for the house and the untapped potential he saw in it, describing how instead of tearing it down, he planned to restore it, holding on to many of the original features. Miraculously, it worked. Dan bought the house in August of 2014, less than a month after it went on the market.

"There's this sort of trend to just not bother with dealing with what you have, and to just to knock it down and start again." Dan says. "It's nice to do something positive instead of tearing something down. I mean, I could have easily tore it down myself and created condos. But then, I wouldn't have got the house."

The first step in the home's transformation was planning. Before the actual building started in February of 2015, there were months of design work and time spent hunting down and restoring the features that complete the look. Instead of buying things new, Dan tried to track down vintage or secondhand items whenever possible, saving money to use on other parts of the restoration. Items were selected to match with the original features he decided to keep, like the cheerful pink bathtub that truly embodied the home's mid century style.

"For instance," he explains, "I have this 1950's pink sink that I found. It's like the Cadillac of sinks. This thing is not going anywhere, it's cast iron." That was discovered at a building center on Mississippi, the matching toilet was found on Craigslist, and the pink accent tiles that brighten the bathroom floor were actually free samples from a specialty store. The single vintage pink subway tile that serves as a focal point in the shower was the only one of its kind Dan could locate, and it was originally much wider than any new tiles, and had to be very carefully shaved down to match the other ones.

Before moving in, Dan found a treasure trove of round light fixtures from the forties and fifties at Hippo Hardware. Someone else might have walked right past them: they were in terrible condition and at some point they'd been sprayed with silver metallic paint. Once that had been removed and they'd been polished, they looked good as new.

It's safe to say Dan has mastered the craft of finding hard to find things. "It was part of the fun and the challenge of it," Dan explains. Working on a budget, it was important to prioritize where to spend money, and really think about the best way to achieve his goals.

Of all the aesthetic changes that were made to the living areas, perhaps the one with the biggest impact was redoing the floors. Dan's real estate agent suggested he look under the worn carpeting, at the wood floors beneath and sure enough, they were pristine. By bringing down some walls between the kitchen and the living room, and extending the gorgeous hardwood floors throughout, Dan was able to create a much more open plan.

In the kitchen, the fantastic viking stove (another Craigslist find) and white subway tile backsplash complement the ample cabinetry that Dan installed himself. Removing unnecessary closets created more counter space and room for the sink, and a skylight floods the area with natural light. He kept the inside spaces bright and airy by sticking to white walls, countertops, and cabinetry, setting the scene for colorful artwork and furniture.

He had a contractor, but since Dan's job allows him to work from home, he was able to help out on site all the time. Living in the construction zone wasn't easy -- there were a few days while the kitchen was being redone that he had to go without a working sink, doing dishes in the washing machine.

"I don't really want to go through that again, not to that extent," Dan laughs.  

Once the dust began to settle, Dan's focus turned towards decorating. The boldly colored and patterned furniture is true to the mid century theme of the home. Like the appliances, much of the furniture is refurbished, reupholstered, or reconditioned. One chair even came from off the sidewalk destined for a trash pile. Not unlike the house, Dan saw the bare bones of it and immediately knew that with a little patience and the right materials it could be transformed into something really special. "The people helping me work on my house at the time were like, I'm not quite sure what you're doing here! They were used to throwing all this stuff out."

Last summer, the yard and garden areas had a complete overhaul, with tall grass and shrubbery being replaced by recessed flower beds, tidy concrete walkways, and a sunken fire pit. Although the home is mostly finished, Dan says he is far from done with his projects. His future ideas include converting a bus into an ADU on the property either as a guest house or an Airbnb, revamping his study, and designing and opening up a bar.

Dan speaks of the knee-jerk reaction he got from people who heard he was doing work on his home. It seems like the assumption is that if you're upgrading, it's because you're planning to sell. Sometimes though, it's more than that. It can be about creating a space that reflects your personal style, or preserving an architectural time capsule from the past, or simply doing something positive.

"It's a modest house," Dan says, "but there's a lot of love that's gone into it."

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This full feature appears in our July issue of All Things Real Estate magazine. To learn more, email hatham.atre@gmail.com.

School Modernization and Equity for a Future Portland

by Kelley Schaefer-Levi

As the historic buildings of Portland and century-old public schools require repair, updating and expansion to accommodate a growing city and the needs of students, Portland Public Schools (PPS) is working with local designers, architects, contractors, school administrators, staff and alumni associations on creating schools that will accommodate the future of a changing Portland. The 2012 PPS School Building Improvement Bond is funding modernization projects around the city. The most recent of them is Grant High School in NE Portland.

Construction on the new Grant High School has just begun, but the planning has been in the making for almost two years. The design and master planning of the high school renovation has been a community effort, progressive and collaborative in nature and has included an extensive engagement process over numerous public meetings.

Beginning in the fall of 2015 through the spring of 2016 a series of public design workshops and open houses took place providing the Grant community a voice in the schematic design process where students, staff, alumni and the neighboring communities provided input on what they hoped to see in a modern Grant High School. The Grant Design Advisory Group held regular meetings throughout this time to provide feedback for the modernization process. From design to management and development, the project embodies innovation and equity. "The {Grant Modernization} project is one of the most progressive that I have worked on, from the women in leadership roles to the MWESB {Minority-owned, Women-owned, Small Business} joint venture with Colas Construction, to the inclusive culture of the school," says Emi Day of Mahlum Architects.

The overall building design will maintain Grant's historic exterior facade, including replicating the original 1923 windows, and the new additions will have a contemporary application of the same material palette, and follow the historic window rhythm. Housed in the new athletics wing will be brand new main and auxiliary gymnasiums, weight and locker room facilities, a new band room, and covered bike parking. The historic 1923 gymnasium building will become an Arts Complex containing ceramics, graphic design, printmaking and photography studios each with access to ample daylight from new windows and the historic skylight.

The library and science buildings will be demolished so that the lower level will become a light-filled space where students can convene in the commons and courtyards. The auditorium renovation was a major priority for the community, and will be updated with state-of-the-art theater equipment. The PPS Educational Specifications require 500 seats and the Grant Advisory Group decided to maintain the existing auditorium to keep as many seats as possible. Furthermore, the campus will be one of the first high schools nationally to achieve 100% gender-neutral toileting, a testament to the community's commitment to diversity and inclusivity.

The campus will include additional outdoor areas that will be open to the public. The majority of classrooms will be located on the second floor, allowing views to nature from inside. One of the Design Advisory group's main goals was to blend indoor and outdoor spaces to enhance the quality of the learning environment and deepen our connection to nature.

Grant's remodel focuses on daylight, accessibility, technology and modernization. In the public design workshops, the Grant community prioritized the need and desire for state-of-the-art facilities in all disciplines that meet Grant's high-level leadership in curriculum and developing programs designed to prepare students with skills that will take them into future. Technology is at the center of the design where architects like Day of Mahlum has been advocating for digital displays in the public spaces where students will be able to connect to relevant content, whether it's a custom welcome wall, digital playbill, details about an upcoming event, or a school-wide alert on monitors in the common areas.

These public spaces will also become an access point for students who may have hearing loss or different learning abilities. Historic team photos that once lined the halls of the high school have been digitized and could also be displayed as part of showcasing Grant's long legacy. Grant Magazine articles and video could also be prioritized and could tell student and staff stories in the newly designed commons, lobbies, and gallery. Day explains, "There is so much digital content that Grant students create already. Grant has risen to the challenge of creating and curating authentic, meaningful content which is full of youthful, provocative questioning. Students are writing {and publishing} critically acclaimed stories that celebrate the voices of Gen Z. We want to take that culture of excellence and bring it to the forefront.  It must be part of the public experience of Grant High School." While the budget doesn't allow for the entire technology package, the community will likely see the value in becoming a truly digital campus.

The project will accommodate 1700 students. This number is specified by the district in the Educational Specifications for all new and modernized PPS high schools. The increase in student population is anticipated to grow and the new campus will add room for an additional 200-300 students.

Construction will begin in the summer of 2017 and the work will last for two years, with the modernized Grant scheduled to open in the fall of 2019. The spirit of inclusion and diversity along with public interest in creating a school that moves Portland into the future is at the heart of the project. At the groundbreaking ceremony the excitement was palpable. Says Day, "I am so inspired as a woman of color in architecture and construction to see women in top decision-making roles. The construction team was handing out t-shirts with EQUALITY across the chest, and I could really feel the momentum of change!"

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This full feature appears in our July issue of All Things Real Estate magazine. To learn more, email hatham.atre@gmail.com.

June 2017 Sneak Peeks

Less is more. This month's sneak peek gives you one gorgeous, cozy Craftsman before it hits the market! It's my pleasure to give you a jump on the competition. If this home catches your eye (I can't imagine it wouldn't), please reach out and we'll get you an exclusive viewing. Got something else you're looking for? Let me know and I can set up an automatic search to alert us as soon as your specific dream home hits the market!

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Artisan Craftsman in the Milwaukie area -  $560,000

Your Craftsman dream home! This two story artisan home has too many special features to mention. Open floor plan includes the kitchen featuring hardwood countertops, dining room, living room, three bedrooms, full bathroom and laundry/mud room. The beautiful open staircase takes you up to a large master ensuite, another family room and office. All situated on a beautifully landscaped, private lot!

Residence:

Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2.2 Square Feet: 3,035 

Success Stories for May 2017

Check out some wonderful success stories from last month. Each of these homes sold swiftly, with one of them going for $50,000 over asking price! Don't hesitate to contact me if you'd like your home showcased online and in print by my marketing service. It's called TrueView and I use it on all the homes I list to help attract the maximum number of interested buyers. Feel free to explore the TrueView website for each home below to get a taste!

I'd love to answer any questions you or your loved ones have about real estate or anything home related. I have a network of trusted vendors I can recommend for just about anything you need for your home!

6225 SE Reed College Pl - $785,000

Sold in 3 days, $50k over asking!

Beds: 4 | Baths: 2 | 2,911 sqft.

This 1937 charmer is a picture perfect abode, nestled in Southeast Portland's Eastmoreland neighborhood.

 

Check out the TrueView site for more photos and videos.

 

 

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3285 SW 78th Ave - $867,750

Sold in 8 days, $17,850 over asking!

Beds: 4 | Baths: 3 | 3,385 sqft.

Experience the best of both worlds in the hills of Southwest Portland, where lush greenery and towering firs populate the undulating terrain around this gorgeous home.

 

Check out the TrueView site for more photos and videos.

 

 

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2718 SE 138th Loop - $365,000

Sold in 10 days, $15,100 over asking!

Beds: 3 | Baths: 2 | 2,102 sqft.

This lovely one-story home, situated in the Lewis & Clark Woods neighborhood in Vancouver, is a lush and private retreat.

 

Check out the TrueView site for more photos and videos.

 

 

How You Can Follow Me

You get my newsletter, but the real action is taking place on my Instagram and Facebook! I'm not on Snapchat, Pinterest, Houzz, Twitter, or anything else, but I do post fun real estate and personal photos, links, news, and recommendations! Also, I recently updated my About Me page on my website. I added some recent photos, and linked to my favorite non profit! As a Branch Ambassador for the Portland Hike It Baby branch I host hikes for families with children 0-school age, help administrate the Facebook, and a few other things. It combines my favorite activities: hiking and being in charge! 

Neighborhood Spotlight: Alberta Street

The Alberta Arts District is renewal defined. Its history is anything but linear, having been nearly destroyed only to be rebuilt into a pocket of bustling Portland life, an icon of co-existing microcultures.

Alberta Street got its Anglo name from the British royalty in rule throughout the 1890s - Princess Alberta - and is tucked into the Humboldt and King neighborhoods in Northeast Portland.

As newcomers to the union ventured west and into Oregon, the Germans and Russians who permeated the surrounding streets brought new streetcar construction with them, laying the path for Alberta's evolution into a living creative mash-up.

The streetcar became the artery bringing Alberta to life. Local businesses poured in, from markets to salons, even a theater and a library. Alberta was a line with no lines; people of all colors and backgrounds called the street home, mingling and doing business together.

The sun shines as people stroll past some of Alberta's iconic street art.

Transportation, both a blessing and a curse, was also the culprit in Alberta's temporary decline. The sounds of cars replaced footsteps and major freeways opened adjacent to the epicenter of Alberta, swallowing up most traffic, leaving the once-lively street more desolate. Businesses closed and families moved out.

Decades of residential and economical decline followed. The country's disease of racial discrimination spread to Alberta, as businesses were looted and violence increased.

That all changed in the 1990s. Two organizations - the N/NE Economic Development Task Force and the Sabin Community Development Corporation (CDC) - built the groundwork that would push into motion one of the most vibrant neighborhood comebacks in Portland's history. Then, one Roslyn Hill opened up the first new business on the street in years - a cafe enveloped by gardens - and the proverbial mural painting was on.

Committees formed. The city made Alberta a target area for revitalization. Citizens joined forces to clean the street and attract business. Artists began moving into the boarded-up buildings, and in 1997, art studios and businesses showcasing art opened their doors on the first Thursday evening of the month, turning the usually car-filled street into a giant colorful sidewalk (this would later become the popular Last Thursday event).

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Fast forward to today. Alberta Street is the artistic jewel of Portland, a delicate mixture of old and new architecture and business, with small and large art and music establishments peppered throughout. As you walk, you will see full-on punk rock bars across the street from sleek, modern ice cream parlors. Cozy hipster cafes are just a few doors down from some of the best, most down to earth Mexican (La Sirenita) and Middle-Eastern (DarSalam) restaurants in Portland.

Collage, a one-stop shop for all your crafting and journal needs.

And while you are here, grab a latte or a slice of rhubarb pie (or better, get both) at Random Order Coffeehouse and Bakery - just look for the red ostrich logo. As you stroll the street, (abstract and a hodgepodge of trends and cultures), stop into Collage to satisfy all your journal and craft needs.

Go immerse yourself in local jazz music at the infamous Solae's Lounge, and after gawking at the incredibly detailed and beautiful murals adorning the walls of brick buildings on virtually every block, grab some tacos and a brew at Cruzroom. Want to cook a meal at home after your journey? Grab all the fresh ingredients you need at the Alberta Co-op.

Want to do it all by bike? Find your two-wheeled ride at Community Cycling Center, a nonprofit ensuring people of all backgrounds, colors and ages have access to safe bicycling, hands-on bicycle maintenance and riding education. Prefer to rent a bike? The Nike Biketown bike share system has a bright orange station at the corner of Alberta and Vancouver Avenue.

About Last Thursday: it is free and held year-round, but the summer is when things really heat up. From June to August, Alberta is closed to all vehicle traffic from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and artists, musicians, performers - anyone really - replace the metal on four wheels. From 15th Avenue to 30th Avenue, businesses of all types welcome you with local art as the sun sets.

May 2017 Sneak Peeks

This month's sneak peek gives you two chances to fall in love with properties before they even hit the market! It's my pleasure to give you a jump on the competition. If one of these catches your eye, please reach out and we'll get you an exclusive viewing. Got something else you're looking for? Let me know and I can set up an automatic search to alert us as soon as your specific dream home hits the market!

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Condo at SE Ivon St and SE 40th St in Portland - under $250,000

Stellar location in bustling Southeast Portland! Walk to restaurants, parks and all amenities on Division St. Efficient condo with modern updates and lots of charm! Gas fireplace, hardwood floors, washer and dryer in unit, both private and shared storage in basement.

Residence:

Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 1 Square Feet: 641

Traditional Two-Story in Troutdale - approx. $415,000 - $425,000

Spacious traditional home on SW 12th Street in Troutdale - close to the gorge! This home features three bedrooms on the main floor, plus two bedrooms and a family loft upstairs. Home has had several quality updates throughout!

Residence:

Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 2.5 Square Feet: 2,479

 

Success Stories for April 2017

Home sales are going strong here at M! Take a look at these beautiful properties throughout the region. Each sold quickly and one for over $40k above asking!  Call me if you'd like to get your home treated with the fantastic, and exclusive marketing service called TrueView before you jump into the market. Let's talk about your real estate goals!

2929 SE 142nd Place - $317,500

Sold in 2 days, $17,600 over asking!

Beds: 3 | Baths: 2.1 | 1,790 sqft.

www.2929se142ndpl.mhom.es

 

9545 SW Killarney Lane - $425,000

Sold in 4 days!

Beds: 3 | Baths: 2 | 1,921 sqft.

www.9545swkillarneyln.mhom.es

   

 

 

6609 SE Tolman Street - $395,000

Sold in 4 days, $40,100 over asking!

Beds: 2 | Baths: 1 | 1,140 sqft.

www.6609setolmanst.mhom.es

 

Let's Talk with Josh from SERA Design

Josh Cabot, of the holistically-focused firm SERA, talks Design Week Portland and Endurant Design

Steaming meals are served as works of art as the twilight transforms iconic Mt. Hood in the distance from pure white to a pink glow. Bicyclists of all types and color flash by, would-be dull street intersections come alive with their vibrant painted murals. This is Portland, where the evergreen trees are the only constant; where change is driven by the fearlessness to create, and design principles live at the core of the city's ethos.

April's Design Week Portland (DWP) brings creation and design full circle. DWP is a weeklong series of programs that focus on the process, craft and application of design and design principles in all forms of media imaginable. Its mission is to increase appreciation and awareness of design's impact on community development, education systems and the economy.

SERA, an architecture firm founded in 1968 in Old Town Portland is organizing a DWP event on Wednesday, April 26th. The event, titled Endurant Design, offers designers and the general public an opportunity to dig in to the potentials of using resilience as a design concept, both in how it can help to more effectively bounce back from large scale disasters, and build community and prosperity.

We recently spoke with Josh about SERA's upcoming DWP event, Endurant Design and how resilience drives planning for a sustainable future in the event of disaster.

Can you tell us more about the DWP event on April 26th?

SERA does a Sustainable Action Celebration every year and we saw DWP as an opportunity to invite the public in to see what we've been up to and to hear what they're passionate about, particularly when it comes to creating a more resilient Old Town. We wanted to do an active event that gets everyone acting as designers. Our Principal Planner here at the office, Tim Smith, has a process called "Civic-Ecology" which envisions urban spaces as ecologies with people as another resource within the interconnected web.

Top-down design is never as effective as getting people from a range of backgrounds into a room to map out their urban ecology, and so this is a chance to open our doors, roll up our sleeves and have fun dreaming about a more resilient future for our neighborhood. What will be the identity of Old Town in 2035? How we can make it more resilient in the face of sudden natural disasters as well as the slower moving stressors of gentrification, homelessness, etc.  

Resilience as a design concept gets really interesting when you start to look beyond just the looming threat of The Big One, aka a Cascadian Subduction Zone earthquake. While we are definitely committed to working with our clients and consultants to design structures strong and flexible enough to resist earthquakes, that's just one step. We also need to consider how a building can still perform in the absence of outside power and water sources, whether that's through maximizing natural light, or capturing storm water for instance. These kinds of strategies offer great benefits in the aftermath of a disaster, but the cool part is that they conserve resources and make for better more livable buildings in the meantime.

What local projects is SERA particularly proud of?

Well, one of the biggest projects we have done recently, along with CO Architects, was the Collaborative Life Sciences Building located in the South Waterfront area. You can't miss it if you are driving along I-5 or biking across the Tilikum Crossing; it's silver and, frankly, has a massive presence along the river. That building won many awards for its environmental performance.

We sought to be very mindful and considerate of the day lighting, ventilation, and the materials that were used. I think the most fundamentally unique aspect of this project is the way the spaces of the building are designed to bring together students, researchers, practitioners and the general public in an effort to deliberately promote social interaction, and hopefully collaboration. This is especially apparent in the bright and airy atrium with crisscrossing walkways that spill into breakout spaces where people can run into each other and, well, collaborate!

In terms of sustainability, this project reclaimed an existing brownfield, it manages storm water with green eco-roofs, and uses non-potable grey water for toilet flushing, which conserves water while also using much less energy for a building its size.

From where do you draw your inspiration as an architect?

I am really inspired by the robust resilience of nature, and how these lessons are out there for humans to internalize and build into our repertoire. One of the many interesting things we've been doing at SERA lately is a research and development effort on Biophilia. The idea is to understand the human desire to be surrounded by nature and natural phenomena, like the sound of rainfall or images of leaves and branches or having a distant vista. These sorts of phenomena tie us back to our natural and primitive nature, and we're finding more and more scientific research to back up the positive effects of these connections. From there we try to weave these concepts into our designs, which helps fuel our creativity while hopefully providing an even greater benefit to the users of these spaces.

For instance, you may have seen the remodeled Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building in downtown Portland, in which we sought to take advantage of as much natural light as we could. We actually slanted ceilings downward away from the windows in order to bring sunlight deeper into the offices. Then, we added a metallic lattice of fin type elements to break the light up, reduce glare, and avoid overheating the building when the sun is low in the western sky at the end of the day. This allows the building to lower its power bill and helps the employees enjoy their time at work by connecting just a bit more with the natural world outside of their offices.

What other DWP events interest you?

One event I really want to go to is called Show Show at the Alberta Rose Theater on Tuesday night of Design Week. Melanie Rowell is a local comedian in town who produces, and I guess it happens a few times a year. Show Show basically mixes live stand-up comics mashed up with locally made animations that they interact with in the background.  I hear that this particular event will be about the stuff behind the scenes. How is "Show Show" made? What is their process? Sounds fun and pretty interesting.

I also have to plug an event on the same night as ours called Let's Talk Transparency, which a few folks at SERA are helping out with. It delves into the topic of health and environmental product declarations that we as designers are increasingly insisting upon to make sure we're providing healthy environments for our clients and their users. I have to say that everyone at SERA loves Design Week, there's just so much to see! We love learning about other creative fields; we definitely don't just stick to architecture.

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Josh Cabot is a Senior Job Captain at SERA, who helps to manage the creation of design documents, serves as a point person for clients and consultants, and observes progress and helps coordinate onsite efforts with contractors. SERA operates today on three primary scales of design: interior design, architecture, and urban design and planning. SERA has three guiding principles that drive their design efforts: supporting human health and wellness, effectively managing resources (such as energy, water and waste) and creating timeless, enduring places for people. seradesign.com

Explore Nob Hill

"It is all here," says Peggy Anderson of the Nob Hill Business Association, when asked about what sets Nob Hill apart from other Portland neighborhoods.

Nob Hill is the bustling, diverse pocket between Burnside, 27th Avenue, Wilson, and Interstate 405. It is home to libraries, a number of schools, parks, religious institutions, a major hospital, and even an emergency room for pets, as well as countless cafes and boutiques. The neighborhood is an eclectic mix of the old and the new-- traditional Craftsman style houses are shuffled in with sleek, modern apartment buildings. New businesses, like Aria Portland Dry Gin, are budding next to mainstays that have stood in the same location for decades. The result is a dense, destination neighborhood, but with affordable retail rents and manageable parking.

Northwest 23rd (or trendy third) was named One of America's Best Shopping Streets in 2012, by US World Report. "You do have Williams-Sonoma," Peggy says, "but most of them [the businesses] have five or fewer employees, and are locally owned, and I think that's what makes us unique."

Child's Play, the Nob Hill toy store that guarantees smiles and a constantly changing selection of the best toys, has been delighting families with kids for over 35 years. Adults might be more drawn to an evening at Cinema 21, the famous, single-screen movie theater that has its own unique brand and reputation, uniting movie lovers through consistently high-quality films. The New Renaissance bookstore, which Peggy describes as a much smaller Powell's, offers everything from coloring books to meditation classes. Dazzle, a fashionable, locally owned boutique is sure to live up to its name, with artfully curated clothing and sparkling jewelry. There is something for everyone, whether you are a permanent resident, or just visiting for the day.

The same is true for real estate in Nob Hill. The area offers such a wide variety of homes-- from the Old Portland style houses, with their welcoming porches and beautiful woodwork, nestled throughout the Alphabet district, to the classic red brick apartments, as well as plexes, townhouses, and condos-- ensuring there is something for practically any buyer's budget. New condos and apartment buildings are continuously under construction, providing additional opportunities.

"My quip is," Peggy says, "that I went to a lot of business association meetings all over Portland, but I really liked going to the Nob Hill one."

April 2017 Sneak Peeks

It's our busiest month for Sneak Peeks in quite some time. The season to buy or sell is coming fast (or, it's already here)! Check out this diverse set of homes going live soon! See a listing you like? Contact me today.

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Miller Hill Rd in Beaverton - approx. $695,000 - $725,000

Spacious Cooper Mountain Family Home on beautiful 1.42 acres with protected green space. Master on main, dormer windows in large upstairs bedrooms. Available adjacent additional 1.28 acres.

Residence:

Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 4 Square Feet: 3,700

Gassner Rd in Beaverton - approx. $429,000 - $439,000

Beautiful Ranch Style home on desirable Cooper Mountain. Large private backyard, .65 acres. Move in ready.

Residence:

Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Square Feet: 1,652

SW 128th Place in Tigard - approx. $570,000

Nestled on a quiet street and backed by towering trees, this two story boasts inner luxury unforetold by the exterior, which is eclipsed by the abundant foliage. Outfitted with a wet bar, gorgeous built-ins, high ceilings, oversized windows, and three fireplaces--including one in the sprawling master suite--this home is portrait of modern comfort and refinement. An entertainer's dream awaits out back on the spacious back patio, which meanders over a tropical garden made serene by the trickling water feature.

Residence:

Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Square Feet: 3,402

SW Johnson St in Aloha - approx. $360,000

Beautifully remodeled 1948 bungalow with lots of charm! Located on a large lot with mature landscaping and a shop. Home has a great floor plan that includes an open kitchen with a breakfast nook and built-ins, living room, bath, two main floor bedrooms and a laundry room. Upstairs has the master bedroom, bath and an additional 4th bedroom. 

Residence:

Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Square Feet: 1,650

7th Street in Hubbard - approx. $260,000

This delightful ranch boasts four sizable bedrooms and a surprising amount of space! Surrounded by a verdant lawn and bordered with colorful gardens, the home enjoys a quiet, residential neighborhood atmosphere in close-knit community.

Residence:

Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 1.5 Square Feet: 1,468

N. Van Houten in North Portland - approx. $340,000

Sweet renovated mid-century Ranch in hot Portsmouth, new kitchen/bath/plumbing/electrical/hot water. Refinished hardwoods, new interior/exterior paint, fantastic backyard, Awesome unfinished light/bright full basement w/ egress - potential to create your own, close to parks, restaurants, coffee shops, easy freeway access.

Residence:

Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1 Square Feet: 1,800

1930 NW Irving St. in NW Portland - approx. $599,000

Sophisticated European-style mid-rise condo nestled among vintage NW residences. Top floor NE corner unit with splendid city and mountain views and terrific light; intelligent, spacious floor plan, 10-foot ceilings, walk-in closets, graceful living. Rich hardwood floors, upgraded carpet, custom cabinetry, generous balcony area w/ gas/water/electrical hookups.

Residence:

Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 1 Square Feet: 984 + 125 square foot storage unit

 

 

Food Halls

  We have all had this experience: You and a friend decide to grab some food and catch up, but you can’t agree on what sort of meal you should have. The food cart pods downtown, while varied and unquestionably delicious, get cold and wet in the winter. Neither of you have enough time to go to a sit down restaurant. The food court in the mall does not quite have the atmosphere that you are both looking for, either.

The idea of fast-casual dining, where quality food is served at a faster pace than traditional sit-down restaurants, is not a new one. This is especially true in a food-conscious city like Portland, which is likely why food halls have been gaining traction for the last year. Food hall vendors don’t tend to have large menus, focusing instead on perfecting one or two dishes; yet having all of these vendors under the same roof makes for a remarkably diverse menu overall. Additionally, food halls often carry a shared liquor license, so that any alcohol can be carried and consumed between micro restaurants in the common dining space.

Insofar as investments go, food halls are not nearly as expensive or risky as opening an entire standalone restaurant. This gives small businesses (food carts, for example) more and better opportunities for expansion and exposure. Each micro restaurant front is designed with the owner’s personal style and flair, something that makes for a multifaceted and exciting overall atmosphere that patrons enjoy being a part of.

Currently there are three food halls in Portland: Pine Street Market, Cart-Lab, and the Zipper. Soon there will also be the Portland Food Hall, and with the trend gaining so much momentum there will likely be more in the future. Having so many different cuisines accessible under the same roof means there is something for everyone in a food hall, which is probably the most genius thing about them.

Portland Traffic

 

Portland traffic, now ranked ninth in the nation (even worse than Boston, Chicago, and other large U.S. cities) has continued to grow over the last year- increasing by 6 percent according to state stats. Rush hour travel times are unpredictable, with frequent delays, and a single accident or spot of bad weather is capable of clogging up an entire area.

In order to avoid the rush hour commute, many Portland area companies are embracing alternative schedules, such as the compressed work week where employees work more daily hours than usual but fewer days a week, or flex time where employees work a set amount of hours per week but are given flexibility as to when they arrive and depart.

The opening of the MAX orange line has also cut down on congestion, especially downtown and in SE. Using public transport to and from work has the added benefit of avoiding difficult and expensive parking situations. Additionally, car-sharing websites like Drive Less Connect are growing in popularity, allowing users to carpool with other people going the same directions.

As the weather improves, many commuters switch to biking to work. Biking not only allows commuters to fly past slow-moving traffic jams, it’s also great exercise and reduces pollution. According to a study by the Portland Bureau of Transportation, over 7% of Portlanders bike to work, which is the highest percentage in the nation. Unlike our traffic ranking, that’s a statistic we can feel good about!

March Success Stories

Home sales are going strong here at M! Take a look at these beautiful homes throughout the region. Each home sold quickly!  Call me if you'd like to get your home treated with the fantastic, and exclusive marketing service called TrueView before you jump into the market. Let's talk about your real estate goals!

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2461 SW Sunset Blvd - $625,000

Sold in 9 days!

Beds: 3 | Baths: 3 | 3,598 sqft.

www.2461swSunsetBlvd.mhom.es

 

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3042 NE 155th Ave - $398,000 - $13,100 over asking

Sold in 2 days!

Beds: 3 | Baths: 2 | 1,921 sqft.

www.3042ne155thAve.mhom.es

   

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1926 SW 144th Ave - $434,900 

Sold in 3 days!

Beds: 4 | Baths: 3.1 | 2,000 sqft.

www.1926sw144thAve.mhom.es

 

March 2017 Sneak Peeks

Check out this month's set of Sneak Peeks! We've got three gems for you: a classic mid-century modern in Southeast Portland, and a cozy two-story townhome in Beaverton. Inventory remains extremely light, so get a head start and contact me today. 

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SE Madison St in Portland - approx. $400,000

Mill Park Mid Century - fresh updates abound, versatile spaces, huge entertainment room + 2 bonus rooms in Basement, Upper Master w/ built-ins and tons of storage, New roof, exterior paint, Huge south facing backyard - a gem!

Residence Bedrooms: 4 + 2 bonus Bathrooms: 2 Square Feet: 2,700

9520 SW Lodestone St in Beaverton - approx. $290,000

Nestled in a quiet Murray Hill neighborhood, this traditional, end-unit townhome offers an open floor plan, spacious master suite and enormous deck - perfect for entertaining and backs to greenspace.

Residence Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2.5 Square Feet: 1,384

 

 

 

2160 SW Childs Rd in Lake Oswego - approx. $1.85 million

Gorgeous 5 acre property in Lake Oswego with in-ground pool, beautiful outdoor living with fireplace, finished barn for home office/man cave, and 4 bedrooms plus bonus room! Gated home also features expansive vineyard to make your own vino!

Residence Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Square Feet: 4,500 including finished barn

Lasting Trends

 

Lasting trends? What? Isn't that a paradox?

Well, it might be, but let’s go along with it. I think these rising Portland trends have enough classic touch and practicality to stick around.

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Not so hidden jewels

Eccentric, vibrant colors are in. This is increasingly common in the Portland Metro area, and elsewhere, as homeowners seek to add flair and evoke more emotion in their homes. This often adds stark and beautiful contrast to the warm, earthy colors already prevalent in homes.

Go small

The younger generations tend to prefer smaller -albeit more humble- living spaces. Combine this with an ever-growing desire to be mobile, and voila! We have ADUs and separate dwellings. Permanent homes- often much smaller- are built alongside the main home, and used as an extra living space or a cozy abode for visitors (permits are required, click here to learn about Portland’s ADU requirements).

Some of the more transient folks out there go a step further and stick these tiny homes on a set of wheels, allowing them to ride off into the sunset from the comfort of their own homes.

Get some you time

Truly private places are becoming more and more important in an overconnected world. Cozy, quiet places are quickly becoming must-haves in new and remodeled homes. Some folks turn these into silent reading spaces, others into music-jamming spaces. Whatever strikes your fancy, carving out your own personal space is surely the true path to home-owning enlightenment.

Your very own bar

Full bars and islands are exploding in popularity, as homeowners love keeping the night out at home. Often, family-style or picnic tables- complete with a bar-  are plopped right into the middle of the kitchen or dining space, even the basement, and used as a full-featured party space.

Portland- you love beer. Imagine the awesomeness of gathering your growlers and friends for a night out and completely making it your own.

Use it again

Repurposing materials- especially wood- is definitely a priority for Portland homeowners in 2017. Creating healthy living spaces- such as installing cleaner air systems and using no-formaldehyde cabinets- strengthens the growing repurposing movement. This is a microcosm of another rising trend- remodeling instead of buying a new home altogether. Remodeling saves time, stress, and money- not to mention it has less of an impact on the environment.

Sources:

http://www.customhomeonline.com/houses/2017-design-trend-predictions-from-zillow_s

http://www.oregonlive.com/hg/index.ssf/2017/01/top_design_trends_2017_neil_ke.html

https://www.pdxmonthly.com/articles/2015/9/14/sponsored-neil-kelly-2

http://pacificgrand.com/blog/the-best-top-5-home-design-trends-for-2017

I'm now licensed in Washington!

 

I decided to become licensed in Washington after eight years in Oregon because my clients and friends are looking for affordable housing in the Metro area.

I am now able to serve both sides of the river, and anywhere my clients are looking. Most are no longer tied to one area, but look in several areas that all have some things in common. SE Portland and Vancouver both tend to have larger lots. Troutdale and Camas have easy access to the Gorge and hiking. North and SW Portland have good access to downtown and Forest Park.

Many people are selling in one state and making the move to (a not very far away) new state! I can list your current home and help you find the next one while making that tough transition.  No matter your real estate plans, I can help make that move as easy as possible. 

Please do not hesitate to ask me any real estate questions or to send referrals my way. 

February Success Stories

Home sales are going strong here at M! Take a look at these beautiful homes throughout the region. Each home sold over asking price, and in a week or less! Call me if you'd like to get your home treated with the fantastic, and exclusive marketing service called TrueView before you jump into the market. Let's talk about your real estate goals!  

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7445 SE 50th Ave - $370,000 - $8k over asking!

Sold in 6 days!

Beds: 2 | Baths: 2 | 2,228 sqft.

Nestled in the vibrant Woodstock neighborhood, this charming mid-century bungalow awaits your creative touch! Pull into the driveway, where the adjacent lawn is punctuated by vibrant trees and a Japanese maple. The fully-fenced backyard is a spacious, private retreat– perfect for the gardener, summer months are to be spectacular in this singular outdoor living space!

 

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1366 SE 73rd Ct - $360,000

Sold in 4 days!

Beds: 3 | Baths: 2 | 1,459 sqft.

Nestled in a quiet neighborhood in colorful Hillsboro, this charming traditional home awaits its new owner! Bright shrubs and young trees frame this home’s friendly facade. Around back, a fully-fenced backyard features a stone patio, covered deck, soothing pond, and a storage shed. Enjoy warm days gardening or entertaining in this wonderful outdoor living space!

   

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5306 NE 34th Ave - $354,500 - $34,600 over asking!

Sold in 7 days!

Beds: 2 | Baths: 2 | 1,446 sqft.

This fantastic NE Portland bungalow is situated close to an abundance of local shops and restaurants on bustling Alberta and Killingsworth, and is across the street from New Seasons! Relax on the huge front porch, the perfect place for a porch swing. Around back, the private yard and deck create a lovely spot for entertaining guests.