Success does have its rewards & its drawbacks, especially it seems in real estate in Portland, Oregon.

They knew that moving into this 1560 sq. foot home would require some real downsizing.  Where would they store some of their possessions collected over many years of marriage and 2 children?  They quickly discovered that the large two-car garage had an incredible attic area even with its own pull-down staircase.  The garage shelving as well as the many deep closets inside also of course helped solve the storage question.

Although Bill & Kathy met the Summerplace 55+age criteria, they had no intention of slowing down.  The planned on fully enjoying their outdoor love of hiking, skiing and of course shopping.  Being close not only to the hospital but also to downtown Portland, the Portland international airport, as well as easy access to get to Mt. Hood or the coast also was a great appeal to the home located at 2323 NE 151st in Summerplace.

Immediately upon entering this home, Kathy & Bill noticed the wide-open floor plan.  It seemed so much larger than what the house looked like from the street.  The vaulted ceiling in the living room of course helped lead their eyes into the dining room that could easily hold their large family gathering.  They were also pulled in by the coziness of the family room with its separate fireplace.   The small yard to maintain was also a big plus for both Kathy & Bill.  After-all, they knew work would keep them busy durinig the week and on their off time, they hoped to be able to enjoy all that the Northwest had to offer.  Oregon is much different than Texas!  Yet, coming from Texas meant that it must have air-conditioning, which it did.

Shortly after moving in steps were taken to make it their home.  The kitchen got a make-over with all new appliances as well as new countertops.  Besides repainting the entire inside, they repainted the exterior and added some personal landscaping touches.  One of the two bedrooms was turned into an office and they updated the master bath.  Plans were made to move the Washer & Dryer hook-ups inside as well as to replace the large garage door with a new one.

Upon any new move you have to take time to enjoy your new community.  So, Bill & Kathy put off a few updates in favor of enjoying some of the city as well as the Glendoveer Golf course nearby.  Of course the closeness of the home to the Summerplace club house with its tennis courts, work-out rooms, swimming pool and gathering opportunities were an added plus.  All those community amenities were, and still are at a YEARLY cost of only $220. per person.

After less than a year in Summerplace, Bill was offered another Hospital Administrator position in Denver. Since life in Summerplace does not mean settling into a rocking chair, they agreed to place this home back on the market, realizing that they would need to price it at less than their purchase price just one year earlier.  So .. off to Denver.  Little did they know that within another year they would be moving again – this time to Atlanta.  Doing a job well has its plusses, and even its drawbacks.  However, they were somewhat lucky that within 3 weeks, their new Denver home sold.

Since they know returning to their Summerplace home is not an option, they returned recently only to complete their upgrade plans – the new garage door is installed, the washer & dryer hookups moved inside (no more going out to the garage to do laundry) and easy-care landscaping was completed.

Since 2007 of course real estate market prices have been hit hard as we all know.  To bring this home into today’s market prices, they have now lowered the sales price by almost $80,000 from their 2007 purchase price. They are hoping that this huge price decrease will allow someone soon to enjoy the home they had hoped would be theirs for a long time.

NOW IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO BEGIN YOUR A NEW LIFE IN SUMMERPLACE AND TO MAKE THIS HOME YOURS.   Give Norm a call today at 503-789-1246 to arrange your tour and to get that offer written. 

As your Realtor, I take quite seriously the recommendations I make to you, the homeowner.  Am I willing to put my name behind the person or company I give out?  Would I invite them into my home, into my life?  Am I willing to entrust them with my personal financial situation with all its quirks knowing that they will be brutally honest when it is necessary? If I can’t honestly answer those questions with a emphatic “absolutely”, then in most cases you will not find them here or on my lips.

Finding those people who I am willing to put my name behind is much like the dating process – it is about building a relationship with them so that I know what makes them tick – what they are good at and not good at –  their personality plusses and quirks.  It takes time and energy to build those relationships.  Only at the end of that process will you find them here as either part of my website or part of this blog.

And yes, I am always looking to expand my recommendations – so I welcome you to share the people and businesses you have learned to trust.  Perhaps they to can make a difference in our Portland Real Estate Scene.

This first one of my series is one that I discovered earlier this year and have had it on my IPhone ever since.  Its one of those that at first glance may seem not very relevant to anything to do with much.  But .. in the 12 minutes I think you will agree that the guy has a passion, a dream, he followed it and wow .. and talk about enjoying what one is doing,   Hopefully you’ll discover this kind of passion with the people you work with.  And, hey .. if you don’t find that kind of passion in me as your Realtor, please .. you have my permission .. hit me over the head.

Sit back and enjoy!