Life in Portland Blog

Home Buying, A Geek Odyssey, Part 6: Fin

Hi, I'm Catt. You might remember me from the other five blog posts in this Series, where I rollercoasted from naive optimism, to deep, dark despair (am only 48% kidding, here). Hey, it's the Portland housing market!

Image courtesy of Allison Fuller, Keller Williams - thanks, Allie!

Photo credit to the 70's - thanks, the 70's!

The last time I posted, Wade & I were once again plumbing the depths of our previously untested emotional reserves and forging ahead in the hunt for our perfect home. Since then, we've not only found it (see above photo of adorable Portsmouth abode), but made an Offer (swift, confident), which was then accepted...finally. We're about to wrap up with our signing and finalizing of financials (a whole different bundle of fun), but I'm here to prove to you that while the ride can be rough, you will still get there in the end. As our Agent Rachel reassured us, there has not been an instance where one of her clients has walked away without what they came for. Sometimes, it just takes a lot longer to reach the finish line. Hang in there, kitten!

So here's my takeaway: If you're contemplating becoming a first time home buyer, start now. Build your credit, learn your options, do some research, speak with professionals. Find an Agent who listens to you, and who can relate to you and your unique wants & needs (this is just so important, as you'll be spending quite a bit of time with them). Buying a home is a journey, and - if you're just regular folk, like us - one of the biggest endeavors of a lifetime.
Good luck, and happy hunting!

Matthew & Michael

It might be dreary out, but here's a little ray of sunshine for you - Matthew and Michael on the front steps of their new home! After relocating from Brooklyn, NY, they're excited to be living in Portland where there are "no potholes in the streets...and no road rage!" This wonderful couple couldn't be more pleased with their find, and we wish them many happy years of nesting ahead with their three cats and two lovely pups! Congratulations, Matthew & Michael!

Shop For A Cure

Continuing in the giving spirit, Urban Nest Agents Denise Shorter & Haley Overton are participating in a Shop For a Cure event this Friday night, October 10th, 6PM - 9PM. Local consignment wonderland, What's Upstairs, will be hosting the event, which benefits the American Cancer Society and breast cancer research. There'll be snacks & wine available, and cool designer clothes to try on and buy, with 15% of the night's proceeds to be donated to this worthy cause. Agents Denise & Haley will also be providing a basket of goodies from local vendors that showcase the great city of Portland, to be auctioned off as part of the fundraising effort.

And if you want to see this dynamic duo rocking it as part of a local fashion show, tune in to Channel 8 news today at 4pm to see them strutting their stuff for charity. Real Estate is a hardworking industry, and it's always impressive to see our Agents taking time out of their busy schedules to do good for others. An important aspect of Urban Nest's ethos is supporting local businesses and our community, so thanks for making us proud, girls.

ETA: Video segment is here!

The Harry McCormick House

There's been a rumor in the office over the past few months that Agent Tina Schafer had a very special listing in the works...but we had no idea it would be as superb as this. This historical, architect-designed home is beyond belief, especially with all of the thoughtful and stylish artisan updates and elements that have been added over the past few years. The owner has essentially crafted a fantasy house, with high quality and unique design touches - by artists from across America - that are simply stunning. A house this exceptional deserves a little extra attention, and so Urban Nest's favorite designers, Relevant Studios, stepped up and shone, producing this beautiful brochure (see slideshow). 

Please contact Tina Schafer with questions and viewing details, by appointment only!

Home Buying, A Geek Odyssey, Part 5: The Thousand Backyard Stare

There's an old WWII saying for when battle-weary soldiers have acquired a blank gaze into an indeterminable horizon - the 'thousand yard stare'. With full and complete respect to our military, both past and present, I'd like to adapt this phrase in relation to Portland's current housing market: the thousand backyard stare. And I've got it.

It's been a while since my last confession, but that doesn't mean we've dropped off the real estate radar. Along with our 9-5 jobs, and a photography business on the side (wedding season is nearly over!), hunting for our home is exactly as several Urban Nest agents have described it - another full-time job on top of the one/s you already have. Finding the house online, visiting the house in person with our (amazing) showing agent, Ceil, making a fairly swift decision - "Do we want this? Can we live in this? Can we grow in this?" - discussing the Pros and Cons with our (amazing) agent, Rachel, writing up a thoughtful, competitive offer, waiting, waiting, waiting. And ultimately, in our case - twice, now - losing. It's so hard. It's okay, I can talk about it, though.

The first house we applied for was The One. We knew as soon as we stepped inside. We felt it. We could evolve in every direction in this house, grow old in it, raise kids, have guests. A large corner block in a rural-feeling section of Cully, with a bat box on the side - already prepped for our eventual Backyard Habitat! - a HUGE garage which would make an incredible, eventual ADU for my MIL, all these ideas popping into our heads about what we'd do, and where. Dreaming of the house, thinking about moving day. We made a strong offer - to the brink of our financial abilities - and waited.
And then, we didn't get the house.
Even with a great agent, a strong and generous offer, an emotional connection. Even at nearly 30k over asking. We were outbid, by someone with more $ and resources than us. It was devastating. And it took some time to bounce back. We're now trying to not compare every new house to This House, but then we found the second...

...which was a really, really cute house in Roseway. Eventually we'd admit to ourselves that it was coasting on pretty, and perhaps we were cutting ourselves short by 'settling' for the lack of growth opportunity (I was telling myself we'd live "creatively" to fit this diminutive house) and ultimately, we were dramatically outbid on this one as well. But still, each time, we were in second place. Our offers were considered as back-up. Which shows that we had a great offer, but it doesn't matter how great your offer is if your opponent (nemesis) has seriously deep pockets. And that's the nature of Portland's real estate market right now, and the reality for all the buyers out there, just like us.

How to not get dissuaded? How to soldier on with optimism and hope intact? Faith. Have faith in your representatives - who tell me (nearly) daily, "This was not the one. It will happen." And it will. This is not intended to be a negative post, nor is it meant to discourage those in our shoes. If anything, it should strengthen your resolve, and mine. Rachel pulled Wade and myself aside to reassess the situation, and our priorities.  To regroup, and take a breath.
We got this.