Tuesday Tour 3/3

2009-03-03T14:41:00.000-08:00

First stop: a look at mye new listing on SE Morrison. A double lot, and cute bungalow in nice shape. Beautiful outdoor spaces. It'll be live in a couple of weeks.

Next... a cute little house in a superb neighborhood - 28th and Main...in restaurant heaven! Great kitchen! Cute shingled exterior. Not big enough for the client I had in mind, but super for a young couple. Priced at $325,000. No food, but right around the corner from Crema, where I had a fine espresso.

Awesome house on NW Champlain. It has its own vineyard! The cutest, most "me" decor I've ever seen. A bed in the treetops!

Cute remodeled house on Old Orchard. Great bathroom choices! As of today it's already sold!

Neat house on Labbe. Superb neighborhood, and in original condition, including decor and knic knacs. For someone who wants to "make it their own."

And finally, some cute pots of spring blooms that made a dark brown house look springy!

Tuesday Tour, February 10, 2009

2009-02-11T10:22:00.001-08:00

Tuesdays are Tour Days! If I don't have a new listing on tour, I'm out seeing what's new on the market.

There are so many good reasons to tour religiously.

1. You see the inventory as soon as it hits the market.
2. You get to understand pricing and value (and when a house is badly priced)
3. You get a chance to network with other Realtors and
4. Free food. I don't tour for the food, but if there's something good, I enjoy the perk! (I'll also let you know what they had to eat at all my stops)

I plan to post videos rather than still photos in the future. But I'm waiting until Valentine's day, when I think I'll be receiving a new camera (hint, hint) and then my videos will be less jiggly.

So for now, still photos of the homes I saw on tour today.

2763 NW Westover, priced at $1,375,000.

Loved the detail in this kitchen. Dark counters and striped backsplash.

We loved that they tiled the interior of the shelves with mini mosaic tiles to match the mantel.

Great carpet, and they edged all the rooms in black. They also used the same treatment on the stairs - it looked as if there was a custom runner. Very nice!

Great black and white bathroom with a lime green ceiling! So cute - an idea worth remembering!

Best view from a closet! Kim's closet has a very striking view, and in it hangs a framed, yellowed article from Willamette Week, written years ago, naming her closet the best view from a closet in Portland. We're afraid she's been one-upped! So don't tell Willamette Week!

Bottom line on the house? Small-ish kitchen, good, large bedrooms, nice remodel, room for improvement in the basement. Huge view deck, and the house will be great for entertaining!
Food: Very fancy valentine's chocolates and pastries!

Next stop: The Benson. 1500 SW 11th, unit 1001 priced at $495,000.

This unit is pretty compact, but it has 2 bedrooms and a den, so I had to see it. That's a lot of good rooms for 1004 square feet and for the price. There's a nice little pop-out in the corner behind the dining and the view and light from this SW unit make it especially nice.

This unit was nicely decorated, and was cozy and inviting, But the building's halls are long and un-inviting. The location isn't for everyone and parking for guests isn't fabulous. But for someone looking to downsize, and walk to PCC for an occasional class, (they have a deal for Seniors, all you downsizers!) or to the cultural offerings in Portland, this is a nice unit.
Food: cheese & crackers, sandwiches

Next I went to 2563 SW Talbot, priced at $625,000.

By this time it was snowing pretty steadily. The stairs were slippery and the listing agent was delighted that I'd braved the weather. (I'd heard some tours in the West Hills were cancelled)

This house has lots of stairs to the front door, or stairs down from the street above. I came up from the bottom and it wasn't bad at all!

The living room has space for a grand piano and tons to spare! You could smell that the hardwood floors were newly refinished! But the house was pretty much still in its 60's and 70's wrappings. Floral wallpapers and a plain jane kitchen will need to be addressed, as will some bathroom upgrades. But it felt solid as a rock.

The master bedroom had gorgeous details, with fireplace, windows and built-in shelves. And there was a gorgeous view of the snow falling.

I think this house is perfect for a family who wants the West Hills, but doesn't have a huge budget. With some TLC and sweat equity, it will be a lovely property. Not much yard, but if the kids are a little older, or for a couple it could be just the thing!
Food: cinnamon rolls and cookies

I only got to three houses before I had to pop up to my listing on Upper Cascade for an impromptu showing. At which point it was snowing heavily (especially at the high elevations) so I drove home carefully and finished the day on my home computer.

Watch this space on Tuesday evening or Wednesday for your tour of the new listings in Portland's West Side Market.

For details on any of these listings, just visit caryperkins.com or leave a comment.

Cary Perkins Tours

Tuesday Tour 3/3

Tuesday Tour, February 10, 2009