I Love Portland Homes

Portland Real Estate Market Update - April 2008

ilovepdxhomes — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:22:13 +0000

The latest RMLS market action report has just been released. According to the statistics, certain areas of activity have improved from March to April, but are still slow compared to April of last year. In comparing April to March, pending sales increased 6.8%. (This is the first time pending sales have increased from March to April since 2005!). Closed sales dropped 6.7% from March to April, keeping with the trend of the past three years. New listings grew 2.7%. At the April rate of sales, it will take approximately 10.3 months to absorb all of the active inventory.

Comparing April 2008 with April 2007, the number of closed sales were down 39% and pending sales decreased 31%. New listings dropped a slight 2.9%. This year-to-date versus last year-to-date, new listings are up 5.8% while closed and pending sales have declined.

The average home sales price in Portland this April was $325,000 and the median price was $275,000. This is the first decline in average and median price since August 2002 and May 2001, respectively. One factor that may have played a roll in this decline is a 51.2% decrease in the number of houses sold for $1 million or more, when comparing April 2008 with April 2007. Year-to-date sales in this price range are down 31.9% compared to the same time last year.*

In my experience, houses that are priced right in the lower price ranges are still selling quickly, and often with multiple offers. There are still some really great finds out there for peope looking to buy their first home or make their first upgrade.

*From Market Action, a monthly review of RMLS area real estate statistics and trends compiled by RMLS.

Clinton Condominiums

ilovepdxhomes — Sat, 10 May 2008 18:30:14 +0000

If you’ve driven up Division lately, you’ve probably noticed that the Clinton Condominiums building is nearing completion. Most of the exterior finishes are up and the businesses have started to move in on the ground floor. I love how the pale green glass in between the units contrasts with the dark wood used around the storefront windows, plus it really shines on a sunny day. I’m excited to see a fully completed unit when the time comes. The finishes sound so lovely and I imagine they’ll look fantastic with all of the natural light from the big windows.

Just Listed: Grand Old Portland on Mt. Tabor!

ilovepdxhomes — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:32:47 +0000

Click here to see the flyer with more information and photos!

Help!

ilovepdxhomes — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:03:47 +0000

The element in my darling vintage built-in oven blew out a few months ago and I’m having a terrible time finding a replacement. The problem is the appliance parts store found what looked like the same model, but the suggested element did not match the old one I brought in. And they don’t make the part that plugs in to the oven the same anymore. It’s Model RBE 94 CH from Frigidaire. If you know of anywhere I might be able to get a suitable replacement, please let me know…or anyone who has the same oven, is maybe getting rid of it and can give up the element. Thank you!!!

eta: My stepdad found one!! Hooray Duwayne!

New Book Alert: Brooklyn Modern!

ilovepdxhomes — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:49:48 +0000

I just saw on Design*Sponge that Brooklyn Modern has been released.

This is what the publisher’s website says about the book:
“Brooklyn Modern is the first book to explore the connection between Brooklyn’s astounding rebirth and its emerging architecture. As the new cultural heart of New York, Brooklyn has recently attracted many young people interested in creating their own sense of space, as well as in renovating brownstones and townhouses. The results are homes that express the optimism, resourcefulness, and experimentation of many of Brooklyn’s bohemian residents. Cutting-edge new public buildings have also enhanced the area’s cachet.Working with spatial and financial restraints, architects in Brooklyn have demonstrated deft solutions to urban living everywhere. Likewise, the architects working in Brooklyn are no longer just local firms, but “star-chitects” such as Frank Gehry, Richard Meier, and David Adjaye, among others. Essays by two very popular bloggers, Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge and Jonathan Butler of Brownstoner, give perspective on new ways of living as aesthetics and landscape change.”

You can also check it on Amazon here.

I Love…Please Be Still!

ilovepdxhomes — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:14:36 +0000

As a girl whose heart goes all a flutter for midcentury modern design, you can imagine my delight at finding these beautiful prints by Please Be Still on etsy! The Red Door print from her Between These Walls series (shown above) is my favorite, with its delicious color palette and line drawn modern houses in the background.

If you’re a modern furniture junkie, check out her Modern Design Deck prints featuring the 20th century’s most notable designers. When I lived in France I had a whole class on Le Corbusier, so I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for his designs.

In addition to her shop, be sure to visit her blog, 365, where she posts a new image of her fantastic artwork every single day.

NW Solar Expo 2008 this weekend!

ilovepdxhomes — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:11:18 +0000

Join Solar Oregon at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland this weekend and check out the latest clean energy options for your home or business. The expo will offer workshops, exhibitors, and seminars to homeowners and business owners interested in clean energy solutions for their homes and buildings.

There’s also a Solar Oregon coupon you can use to get a few bucks off at the door.

Portland Real Estate Market Update - March 2008

ilovepdxhomes — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:35:51 +0000

It’s market action time again! According to the latest RMLS market statistics, March shows a definite improvement over February (something to smile about!), but doesn’t live up to the amount of activity a year ago. In comparing March to February, closed sales were up 22.2% and pending sales increased 5.5%. At the March rate of sales, it will take approximately 9.1 months to absorb all of the active inventory.

Comparing March 2008 with March 2007, the number of closed sales were down 39.1% and pending sales decreased 36.9%. New listings dropped a mere 1.8%. A positive note for homeowners is that the average sales price has appreciated 4.9% and the median 5.1% over this time last year.

The average home sales price in Portland this March was $336,700 and the median price was $286,500. The average sales price for condos was $264,300, with a 5% appreciation over this time last year.*

*From Market Action, a monthly review of RMLS area real estate statistics and trends compiled by RMLS.

A Rummer Thursday!

ilovepdxhomes — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:29:24 +0000

Enjoy an evening of art and a beautiful house this Thursday 04.17.08 from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. You will have a chance to explore the furnishings and art of this Eichler inspired home by Robert Rummer in the light of the evening hours w/your host Jim DeMarco of Meadows Group Inc., Realtors. Food & drink served. Please RSVP to jedemarco@comcast.net

13925 SW Bonnie Brae St., Beaverton, OR
ML #8011938

My dream home is for sale!

ilovepdxhomes — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 19:40:31 +0000

I was lucky enough to score tickets to last weekend’s sold out Street of Eames modern home tour. All of the homes were so amazing each in their own way. One of my favorite houses from the tour has just gone on the market! It was designed by one of the leading NW Contemporary mid-century architects, Saul Zaik, in 1956. It’s like a pure slice of heaven on earth!

Check out the virtual tour for more photos and information (don’t miss the original photos from the 50s! It doesn’t get much cuter than that!). If you’re interested in seeing it in person, they’re having an open house tomorrow (4/13) from 1:00-3:00. (if you’re thinking of going to the open and would like the address, just leave a comment with your email before 7:30am tomorrow). And if you buy it, will you please have me over for dinner so I can pretend I live there for a little while?

Painting by Portland’s own Brett Superstar

If I lived here I would call this bedroom “The Oregon Room”. Love it!

(A big thank you to the owners and their listing agent, Peter Sanders, for their permission to post photos of this stunning home!!)