That Portland Life

Portland Lifestyle and Real Estate

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Jessica Berger and Tekela Fisher

Sell your home FASTER than the competition

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With the shifting real estate market, you may be wondering what you can do to really stand out to the buyers that are shopping for a home. We outline our best tips for getting your home to be the one that buyer’s choose in the video below.

Are video’s not your thing? Read below for a quick outline!

Just the other day I was showing 2 homes in the same neighborhood, with similar floor plans, and very few differences. We wrote an offer and were competing on one of the homes, and the other is still sitting on the market more than a month later.

We want your home to be the house that sells right away. Frequently when I am talking to sellers they believe that buyers will be able to make improvements to the home after they have made the purchase. In reality, most buyers don’t have the extra money and will devalue your home as they start to see the projects they want to complete. We want to invest in meaningful projects that will warrant the highest return on your investment so buyers walk in and say “oooh, this one”

Before you do any projects, be sure to consult with your realtor, me, about what projects make the most sense. I will be able to give you valuable information about the projects that will wow buyers, and the projects that we can leave alone. I’l do a market analysis of your home’s current value and a probable analysis after the updates are done. Kitchen and bathrooms will get you the most money back, but curb appeal is also high on the list.

The next step is going to be getting bids from contractors and deciding who to hire. If you don’t know any contractors, and don’t know where to begin, I am happy to share my list of contractors and vendors to make sure you are well taken care of.

Lastly, it’s time to do the work! Make sure you set a timeline, so you have an end date to the projects. We don’t want to be working on things for 6 months, because we don’t know what the market is going to look like in 6 months. You want to be doing projects on your timeline, not waiting around for a contractor.

Once everything is finished, new will get a new market analysis and set up a marketing plan to ensure your home sells quickly and for top dollar.

At this point you might be wondering where to even start. I am happy to come over and talk to you about projects and what will make sense for you, even if you aren’t thinking of moving soon, it can be fun living in a freshly remodeled house for awhile.

If you have any questions or comments, we would love to hear from you!

No Bones Beach Club

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This week’s Hot Spot is the perfect place to chase away those winter blues, No Bones Beach Club. With fun tiki decorations and a healthy dose of tropical flavors, this all-vegan spot on N Mississippi will make you feel like you’re on a getaway, without any of the guilt.

I brought a friend from out of town here recently in response to his query, “Where can I eat some yummy vegetarian food in this town?” and he was delighted to find out that he could eat every single thing on the menu at No Bones. The portion sizes are large though, and we were luckily saved from ordering FAR too much food by a word to the wise from the fellow at the counter when we attempted to order 5 or 6 items to share.

As with any good Tiki bar, most of the cocktails involve some combination of rums and fruit juices, but I steered towards one that was more like a combination of a Kentucky Mule and a Julep. With bourbon, mint, ginger, and lime, it was perfectly refreshing and bright. My friend got a take on a hot toddy and said it was delightful and well-spiced.

For food, we ended up sharing the Buffalo Cauliflower Wings, the Coastal Chowder, and the ‘Crab’ Cake Sando, all of which were delicious. The crab cake sando in particular was quite tasty and served with fries seasoned with Old Bay. I must say, I didn’t remotely miss my omnivorous ways. As I mentioned previously, the portions are quite large, so we ended up taking home most of the cauliflower, which was fantastic as part of breakfast the next day.

I can’t wait to come back to this spot and try out their brunch! Fried avocado Benedict?? Sign me up!

Where should we check out next? Let us know in the comments!

Pumpkin Patches

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Fall is a great season for so many reasons, the leaves changing colors is definitely my favorite part of fall, but I also love to visit the pumpkin patch! There are so many good options near Portland so I though I would include some of my favorites! Do you think we missed the best one? Let us know in the comments!

Bauman’s Pumpkin Patch

12989 Howell Prairie Rd NE, Gervais, OR 97026

Open 9am – 6pm

Bella Organic Pumpkin Patch

16205 NW Gillihan Rd, Portland, OR 97231

Open 9am – 6pm

Liepold Farms

14480 SE Richey Rd, Boring, OR 97009

Open 9am – 5pm

Mr Tree’s Pumpkin Patch

8560 SE 172nd Ave, Happy Valley, OR 97086

Open 10am – 6pm

Plumper Pumpkin Patch

1435 NW Old Cornelius Pass Rd, Portland, OR 97231

open 9am – 5:30pm

The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island

16511 NW Gillihan Rd, Portland, OR 97231

Open 9am – 6pm Sunday-Thursday

Open 9am – 10pm Friday-Saturday

We hope to see you there this fall!

Coffee Shops

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The Pacific Northwest is known for it’s amazing coffee. How could we not be when Seattle was the birthplace of the now ubiquitous Starbucks? But, with so many incredible and unique coffee shops in the city, who even has time for a chain like that? Not us! Here’s where you should grab your morning (or evening) caffeine buzz instead.

  • Carnelian Coffee 6923 SE Foster Rd This fantastic addition to the up-and-coming strip that is Foster Rd is owned by two rockhounds, so you can sip your exquisitely made oat milk latte while looking at awesome geodes through the provided magnifying glasses.
  • Crema 2728 SE Ankeny St Crema is the perfect spot to go if you are looking for some phenomenal baked goods to go alongside of your Chai, and the bright and airy sitting area is a great spot for a meeting.
  • Extracto 2921 NE Killingsworth This place is known for their precision when it comes to their pours, and are exacting in making sure you get the best possible cup of beans. A great spot for the true coffee nerds!
  • Outlier Coffee 5029 SE Division St Hands down the absolute best place in town to get a Bulletproof coffee. Made with butter (or coconut oil for the vegans) the caffeine molecules bond with the fats for an amazing extended boost. They also have incredible flavor combos like the Liger, which adds ginger and turmeric for and extra fun kick.
  • Ovation 941 NW Overton St This cute little NW shop has wonderful baked goods, and also features amazing Moroccan coffees and teas, some of which are serves in ornate silver pots for added atmospheric immersion.
  • Rimsky-Korsakoffee House 707 SE 12th Ave If you are looking for an after dinner espresso and dessert in a quirky old art house with occasional live music, this is the place to be. Make sure to bring cash and to take a quick peek in the upstairs restroom. You won’t be disappointed.

Did we miss your favorite spot for a pick-me-up? Let us know in the comments!

Modern Times

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This week we are featuring a brewery! While it isn’t a super local hot spot, it has certainly found its home here in our beer centric city.

Modern times has a great list of beers. Ranging from year round favorites, like the hazy IPA and tropical fruit Gose, to the experimental and seasonal like the fresh hop double IPA or the Pistachio-coconut stout. You are sure to find something that you love here.

The staff are very friendly, knowledgeable, and the bar decor is decidedly hipster. You can find a giant piñata of a macho man hovering over the entire dining room, floppy discs in a colorful display adorn the bar front, and string art with dioramas line the walls to the bathrooms.

Whether you are a native Portlandian, a new transplant, or just visiting, this is a great place to get a taste of the new portland while you drink some delicious beer.

Let us know what you love about this place in the comments! And be sure to subscribe to the blog so you can stay up to date with all our favorite places and top tips. Talk to you soon!

Pancakes

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It’s National Pancake Day and we are HERE for it! But what are the most scrumptious spots in Portland for a stack, you ask? Read on for 5 of our faves.

  • Arleta Library Bakery Cafe 5513 SE 72nd Ave All of the baked, sauteed, or griddled grub here is phenomenal and the Semolina Griddlecakes are no exception. Plus, sometimes they have amazing seasonal pancake specials. Check the blackboard! https://arletalibrary.com/
  • Broder Multiple locations If you are looking for something outside of your traditional flapjack comfort zone, look no farther than the Æbleskiver (Danish pancakes) at one of the fantastic Broder locales. They are fluffy and delightful and served with lemon curd and lingonberry jam. https://www.broderpdx.com/
  • Gravy Locations in N Portland and NE Portland Breakfast foods are the focus at the two locations of Portland staple Gravy. They have several options to scratch that pancake itch, including Banana Chocolate Chip and Blueberry Pecan. http://gravyrestaurant.com/
  • Jam on Hawthorne 2239 SE Hawthorne With an extensive menu that features delicious breakfast options for all dietary walk of life, Jam even has Oatmeal Chai Blueberry vegan pancakes (that you may just order even if you aren’t vegan). Head there on a weekday to avoid the line. http://www.jamonhawthorne.com/
  • Slappy Cakes 4246 SE Belmont If your pancake proclivities lean towards the DIY but without the prep and clean-up, Slappy Cakes is the place for you. You can choose your batter and sweet or savory toppings, and then make your own fun pancake shapes on your personal griddle. https://www.slappycakes.com/portland

Did we miss your secret spot for the best pancakes? Let us know in the comments!

October Events

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This month is jam packed with great things to do! Check our list of events that we are most excited about for the month and be sure to subscribe to the blog to get this list every month! We will also be posting a list of best pumpkin patches and best haunted houses as we get deeper into the fall.

First Thursday in the Pearl

  • October 3rd 6-9pm
  • Portland Pearl district
  • 1321 NW Hoyt st, Portland

Free

Join us for an art walk through the Pearl District. Vendors line NW 13th ave, and many shops and galleries stay open for you to enjoy the art. We will be at our office pouring wine and would love to see you!

Portland Greek Festival

  • October 4-5-6th
  • Fri/Sat 10-10
  • Sunday 11-8
  • 3131 NE Glisan St, Portland

Free

Come experience the joy of living Greek! Three days of authentic Greek cuisine, music, dance, family and much more!!!

The Wedge

  • October 5th 12pm-6pm
  • 100 SE Alder St, Portland

Tickets here $20 advance

Taste and buy hundreds of cheeses, specialty foods, and craft beverages from more than 75 artisan producers.

Hood River Harvest Fest

  • October 11-13th
  • Friday 1-6
  • Saturday/Sunday 10-6
  • Hood River Event Site

Tickets sold at door $8

You can load up on boxes of Hood River favorites, including fresh pears, apples, pumpkins, berries and flowers, and a wide variety of local foods, from pies and jams to smoked salmon and chocolate-covered cherries.

Oddities and Curiosities Expo

  • October 19th 11am-6pm
  • Oregon Convention Center
  • 777 NE MLK Jr Blvd, Portland

Tickets here $10

Local and National vendors with items such as: Taxidermy, wet and dry preserved specimens, antiques, jewelry made from bones, skulls and insects, original artwork, skulls and bones, curiosities and all around creepy, strange and bizarre items

Haunted Beer Mansion

  • October 19th
  • Daytime party 1-4:30
  • Evening party 6:30-10
  • Jupiter Hotel
  • 900 E Burnside st. Portland

Tickets here $35-$40

Inside the mansion guests can imbibe in unlimited samples of over 30 craft beers, ciders, potions, and witches brew all while mingling with the tormented and the dammed who still haunt the mansion

Giant Pumpkin Regatta

  • October 19th 10am-4pm
  • Lake at the Tualatin commons
  • 8325 SW Nyberg St, Tualatin

Free

The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta is one of the most anticapted events in the Northwest. Watch as costumed characters paddle enormous pumpkins across the Lake of Tualatin in a series of races.

Portland Night Market

  • October 25th – 26th 4-10pm
  • 100 SE Alder st, Portland

Free

Join us for the Fall Edition of the Portland Night Market! Over 175 vendors with great food, drinks, music, art, makers, merchants and community! 

Portland Mac and Cheese Fest

  • October 27th 1:30 or 4pm
  • Castaway Portland
  • 1900 NW 18th ave, Portland

Tickets Here $45

Unlimited gourmet mac & cheese offerings from some of Portland’s best chefs, restaurants and food carts! Food for both cheese lovers and vegans alike!

August Market Stats

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The statistics for the last month are out so we now get to break down the numbers. The market is continuing to slow down and steady throughout the entire Portland Metro. We are still seeing multiple offers in certain areas, but for the most part things are selling for around asking price after sitting on the market for a week or more. If you want the full break down, read below!

Overall, we saw our numbers drop slightly across the board. Less homes came on the market than in July, less homes sold, and the average sale price fell from $466K to $462K for the metro area. However, the average sales price is still up from last august, so we are still appreciating, just more slowly.

We see less and less inventory come onto the market every year, but the drop off happened sooner this year than it did in previous years. We usually expect a strong market through September with new listings dropping off for the holidays. I think a large reason that we are seeing less and less homes on the market is due to the huge inventory we had at the beginning of the year. The media has been speculating about a recession for quite some time and that spooked sellers into selling early on in the year.

There are still lots of people buying and selling homes so make sure you choose a professional that can help you easily navigate the changing market. Please leave us a comment or send us a message if you have any questions!

If you are thinking of buying, we would love to talk you through how these numbers specifically can affect you. If you think you might want to sell, we would love to come chat with you! If you want an instant home evaluation you can click here!

Talk to you again soon.