Life in Portland

Agent Andy's House of the Week: 711 NE Randall Ave. #302

Historic Condo in Kerns

In this series, Urban Nest's very own Agent Andy Barlow shares his favorite Portland home of the week. See stunning properties from all across town and pick up valuable insight from one of Portland's most discerning real estate professionals.  

This week I fell in love with a one bedroom condo in the Kerns neighborhood. This place may be small, but it’s mighty in everything that it offers - style, history, and location. And, at $255,000, it’s a pretty great price for close-in Portland. 

Style wise, this place is bursting with vintage charm (picture rails, coved ceilings, built-ins, hardwood floors, hex and subway tiles, the list goes on and on). The layout is functional and offers tons of storage, and the big windows let in so much natural light that it just feels welcoming and homey as soon as you open the front door.

The vintage charm here is all thanks to the architectural history. Designed by Elmer Feig and built in 1929, the building is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Feig was known for creating a mash up of different architectural styles and there are over 80 of his apartment buildings all around the city. 

As for the location, you'd be surrounded by tons of restaurants and bars (The Ocean row, The Zipper, Providore, Church, Dove Vivi, and literally over 30 more within a few blocks) and shops like Project Object, Leeward Surf, and Hollywood Vintage. It’s truly a happening neighborhood and you’d never be short on places to walk to.

“You could live a car-free lifestyle here very easily,” Wren Shiffler, the listing agent told me. “It has awesome transit access that allows you to hop on a bus and be downtown in 10 minutes. You’ve also got secure bike storage and could bike pretty much anywhere in less than 15 minutes.” 

My favorite part? Location, location, location. This really is a PRIME Portland spot and the walkability to bars and restaurants is kind of crazy. And I can say from personal experience that these are some of the best bars and restaurants on the east side. Take my advice: tour this condo, grab lunch at 24th and Meatballs, and then do some shopping at the new Project Object and Leeward Surf. You won’t regret it. 

Take a look at the full listing here.

Click here to learn more about working with us to find the PDX home of your dreams today.

Agent Andy's House of the Week: 2263 NE 7th Ave.

Charming Two Bedroom NE Bungalow 

In this series, Urban Nest's very own Agent Andy Barlow shares his favorite Portland home of the week. See stunning properties from all across town and pick up valuable insight from one of Portland's most discerning real estate professionals.  

This week we’re checking out a newly-built row house in Irvington - one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city. This place won me over for many reasons besides its location and I highly doubt these will last long. There are four total units, each just under 2,000 square feet and all featuring two bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms.  

The first thing that I took notice of when I saw this listing was the Earth Advantage Platinum certification. This is the highest rating level offered by EA, which means that this home was built with every thought in mind towards the environment and energy efficiency. If you want to live in a home that uses sustainable materials and building practices then this is for you! Plus, you’ll save a ton on your utility bills!

The other winning factor for me here is the overall size and design of the house. Walking in, it feels grand with soaring ceilings, a modern fireplace separating the dining and living area, a loft-like bonus area heading up the stairs, and two very generously sized master suites.

“These are 28 feet wide versus the average 20 foot row home,” listing agent Gary Whitehill-Baziuk explained to me. “It gives you an incredible feeling of space.” The space is then accentuated by the massive amount of natural light pouring in from the oversized windows (and if you’re a houseplant lover like me this is crucial!).

My favorite part? The location. I actually live two blocks away and I love how mature and lush the neighborhood feels, yet I’ve been able to walk home from downtown in just 25 minutes. Not to mention, you’d be a few blocks away from one of my favorite pizza places - The Pocket Pub! 

Take a look at the full listing here.

Click here to learn more about working with us to find the PDX home of your dreams today.

Agent Andy's House of the Week: 3814 NE Davis St.

Five Bedroom Bungalow in Laurelhurst

In this series, Urban Nest's very own Agent Andy Barlow shares his favorite Portland home of the week. See stunning properties from all across town and pick up valuable insight from one of Portland's most discerning real estate professionals.  

This week my favorite listing takes us to a meticulously restored and updated bungalow in the heart of Laurelhurst (dreamy right?). Situated high off the street on a well-manicured front yard, this cutie offers everything and more. 

Built in 1924, this 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 2700 square foot home may look quaint from the front but really expands once you’re inside. The main level consists of a large living room, dining room, kitchen, full bath, and two generously sized bedrooms. Down in the basement (which is finished) you’ll find a large bonus space with a full bath. Heading upstairs there are 3 more bedrooms and yet another full bathroom. One of the upstairs bedrooms is currently set up as a dressing room and I admit that I’m extremely envious about that. 

The entire house looks perfect, and the seller’s style makes it really special (especially the very cool custom-built dining table made locally by Reed LaPlant). The curved built-ins in the living and dining rooms are unlike anything I’ve seen in other homes. 

Deeper inside the home you’ll find it packed with even more updates - seismic retrofitting, new sewer line, new insulation, new water heater, and a backyard designed to be any child’s dream, just to name a few. Like I said, this place offers everything and more! 

My favorite part? The seller’s style. The exterior color is bright and vibrant, and inside subtle and airy, yet still infused with lots of fun and color. The finishes throughout (especially regarding the kitchen finishes and lighting) are also spot-on and high quality. And the furniture! Loved all that furniture...

Take a look at the full listing here.

Click here to learn more about working with us to find the PDX home of your dreams today.

Honest, Knowledgeable, and a Pleasure to Work With–That’s Munir

We recently received some amazing feedback for our agent, Munir Henry. Her client, Adam, recently purchased a home and was very pleased with the entire experience.

"Our agent, Munir Henry, was a pleasure to work with. Communication was always quick, with info provided when and where it was needed to get to the next step in the process. Munir was honest and knowledgeable. Her preparedness helped contain our first-timer disorganization as we moved along."

Adam's favorite thing about working with Urban Nest? "Our agent, Munir, was the best part of working with Urban Nest."

Agent Andy's House of the Week: 516 NW 18th Ave.

Three Bedroom Charmer in NW Alphabet District

In this series, Urban Nest's very own Agent Andy Barlow shares his favorite Portland home of the week. See stunning properties from all across town and pick up valuable insight from one of Portland's most discerning real estate professionals.  

This week my favorite listing is all about urban living. I’m actually so obsessed with this house I went to tour it twice (and I’d gladly go a third time if anyone else wants to check it out). Built in 1886 this beautifully restored Victorian makes you feel as if you are living in the heart of a city like New Orleans or San Francisco. Located in the NW Alphabet District, this home brings all that the urban core of the city has to offer right outside the front door. 

But let’s talk about inside the front door because that is the most exciting part here (though the double front door is pretty exciting in itself...). The first thing I noticed when walking in was the curved staircase and incredibly tall ceilings. The living room features the most perfect bay window and a wall of built-ins around a fireplace. The rest of the main floor consists of a generously large dining room, an updated kitchen with great natural light and tin-covered ceilings, and a cute mudroom with half bath. Literally every space feels grand because of the woodwork and ceiling height. 

Upstairs there are three bedrooms (the master having another perfect bay window), a large walk-in closet, and a full bath with double vanities. Despite the house feeling so grand and expansive, it’s only about 1,800 square feet. However, there are plans drawn up already for a third-floor expansion into the attic, and that would really make this place feel like a mansion (if the new buyer wanted to follow through).

After seeing the inside I was absolutely in love and nearly crying that I couldn’t buy it for myself. And then I went out the back door and realized it continued to get better: two decks, a parking spot (this is such an awesome perk in this neighborhood, trust me), and a super charming courtyard area surrounded by four other Victorian homes. It’s like its own little neighborhood right in the city, and if you walk around the actual block it’s almost exclusively Victorian. 

“The house was moved here from 17th & Hoyt in the 70s,” Tammy Going, the listing agent told me. Rumor is that some of the others in the courtyard were saved and moved to this lot around the same time, too. 

My favorite part? Those bay windows... I’m already imagining cozying up there with my coffee and book in the morning. And the pocket doors in the living room, mainly because I don’t think I’ve ever seen such tall ones. I also love the history shown here (per usual when I pick old homes) and the fact that this place was almost destroyed makes me forever grateful to the people who saved and moved it 40 years ago. 

See more listing photos here, and take a look at the official listing page here.

Click here to learn more about working with us to find the PDX home of your dreams today.