Portland is Cool

A Realtor’s search of current listings can yield everything from new construction boasting a green certification to an older home with added insulation, double-paned windows, a tankless hot water heater or other energy-efficient features.

Not too long ago, this type of search was far more difficult. In fact, back in 2007, when the Portland-based Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS) first added a green-certification field on its listing forms, it started something new.

2801 NW 155th St Vancouver, WA 98685 – MLS# 12148490

Over time, RMLS added an additional field for energy-efficiency features. Now, it’s increasingly common to find some nod to energy savings or an environmentally friendly upgrade in new and pre-existing homes for sale in the metro area. The publicly accessible site, www.rmls.com, does not include the green-feature search, but Realtors have access to the industry site and can easily search for the desired green features on a client’s behalf.

17563 SW Cobb Lane Beaverton, OR 97007 – MLS# 12295452

“Everyone has a different wish list when it comes to what they’re looking for in a home,” said Kirby Gibson, a broker with Salient Properties. “But a green certification can be a major selling point, especially once people have a better understanding of what that means.”

15205 SW Warbler Way #102 Beaverton, OR 97007 – MLS# 12623613

To earn an Earth Advantage certification, a new home must be inspected by experts at least twice. Homes earn points for energy and water efficiency; indoor air quality; material conservation (such as the use of locally manufactured products); and practices used during the land development and construction process to reduce waste and prevent potential erosion. Depending on the number of points earned, a project may qualify for a Silver, Gold or Platinum level of certification.

For the home on North Princeton, Gibson can list almost two dozen green features that set the structure apart. The most unique is a ductless, mini-split heat pump that allows for zonal heating and cooling. Sleek, high-tech air-handling units are mounted high on a wall in the main-floor great room, upstairs master bedroom and upstairs hallway. They come with remote controls that make it easy to turn the system on and off, so that no energy goes to waste inside the different areas of the house.

Although green-certified homes still represent a relatively small percentage of all new home construction, the practice is expected to grow locally as well as nationwide as homebuilders continue to look for a competitive edge in the marketplace. As of early April, Portland had 307 active listings for green-certified homes, according to RMLS. Within the last 12 months, 714 green-certified homes were sold in the metro area.

Pre-existing homes with one or more energy-efficient features represent a different shade of green. Yet they can still offer reduced energy costs and support for a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

More Real Estate Listings.

Buying Homes with Resale Value

View is the one of the major factors that affects the resale value when buying homes. Buying homes with a pleasant view of a beach or the horizon often sell at a premium above similar homes without the view.

Though you may place a considerable dollar value on the view, future buyers may not be so like-minded. It may take you longer to find a buyer when it comes time to resell the house. Or you may end up dropping your price to more nearly match other sales prices in the neighborhood.

In short, if you are buying a house with a view, try to pay as little extra as possible. Otherwise, you might not get your money back.

Most real homes today are usually concentrated on the building itself but the lot is important too. Home with a good resale value should have lots that are as level as possible.

Assuming the property is in a typical neighborhood, the lot should be rectangular with no odd shaped lots or oddly situated lots.

Courtyard sizes are smaller in modern homes than in older homes, but there should still be a decently sized front and back yard.

Do not buy an over-landscaped property, either. You would normally pay a premium for that, which you may not be able to recover when you sell. You will get your best value if the house is moderately landscaped or under-landscaped for the area. Check this website out for more information on Portland homes.

You can always perk up the landscaping during your ownership by humanizing the grass and adding bushes and trees. Just do not waste too much.

In each residential neighborhood, houses will vary in size and rooms, but they should not be too different. If resale value is an important consideration, you should not buy the largest model in the neighborhood.

When determining market value, the homes nearest to yours are most important. If most of the nearby houses are smaller than your house, they can act as a drag on appreciation.

On the other hand, if you buy a small or medium house for the neighborhood, the larger homes can help pull up your value. This is one of those times where determining your “wants” versus your “needs” can be extremely important.

Buying what you need in a more prestigious neighborhood may provide more financial reward than getting what you want in a less desirable neighborhood and according to Inman News Portland fared better than most metro areas in this last “recession”.

Three and four bedroom houses are the most popular among homebuyers, so if you can stick in that range you will have more potential buyers when it comes time to resell.

There ought to always be at least two bathrooms in a house, preferably at least two and a half. One bathroom with a place to wash up for day-to-day visitors, one for the master bedroom, and at least one to be shared by the other bedrooms.

Walk-in closets are extremely desirable for the master bedroom. For the rest of the house, just be sure there is ample closet space. Don’t disregard space for linens and towels.

Garages add to the resale value and you should always make sure to get at least a two-car garage. Lately, three-car garages have become desirable in some areas of the country.

The laundry facilities should be located somewhere convenient on the main floor of the house, but not in a place it will create an eyesore. Think about whether you want to walk up and down stairs when carrying loads of laundry.

Family activity centers on the kitchen, so this is the most important room of the house. Larger kitchens are better, and they should be provided with modern appliances.

Obviously, the dining room and breakfast nook should be located adjacent to the kitchen. In newer houses, the family room should also be extremely close to the kitchen.

There should be easy access to the back yard, as there will be occasions for barbecues and outdoor entertaining.

In addition, it should be a short trek between the garage to the kitchen so hauling groceries in from the car does not become a horrendous chore.

Swimming pools do not provide as much added value as they once did. Safety issues about families with younger children have become more publicized than in the past, so families with small children tend to avoid homes with pools.

As a result, having a pool may actually reduce the number of potential homebuyers when you try to resell the home.

The Portland Real Estate market has had it’s share of ups and downs, but according to Inman News’ most recent article on Portland, our market is still mired in the downturn.
However, if you ask some local agents as Inman did, you get somewhat of a different story. While home prices may have slipped a little, we’re actually seeing an increase in unit production year over year for most of our agents.

We’re attributing this to the fact that our agents are more focused on their business and helping clients get exactly what they’re after. This, combined with interest rates that are literally at all time lows, is making what some agents would consider a great time to be in the Real Estate industry.

Here’s a list of M Realty’s latest and upcoming real estate listings.

701 South Pacific – Newberg, Oregon – MLS# 12548822
Great one level home with a new roof, new windows and doors, new electrical panel, updated plumbing fixtures, updated kitchen and bathroom, new flooring throughout the whole house, one car garage, covered patio, fenced in yard with gate, RV parking, new water and sewer lines to be completed before close.

6975 North Villard – Portland, Oregon – MLS# 12270992
This fun, inviting Arbor Lodge Bungalow was built in 1926. It has a Chic, cohesive floor plan that is accented by natural light and it sits on a private corner lot. The yard is spacious and ready for your South facing urban garden, fire pit and patio furniture.

19625 NW Quail Hollow – Portland, Oregon – MLS# 12118071
This peaceful townhouse retreat is nestled in the trees, and has terrific living spaces inside & out. Enjoy warm beverages on the south facing front porch, barbecue on the back deck facing the yard, or relish a quiet moment on the upper level deck off of the master suite.

1510 SE 34th Ave – Portland, Oregon – MLS# 12068503
This condo in the heart of the Hawthorne neighborhood sits in the middle of all the action. Enjoy being close to some of the areas hottest restaurants and shops in the area.

3905 NE Grand Ave – Portland, Oregon – MLS# 12337824
1995 Four Square in the Sabin neighborhood, features 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths. The main level master suite has a walk in closet and backyard access. The kitchen is spacious with a large eating area. All new paint, trim, flooring in kitchen and baths. New carpet upstairs,  new roof in 2009. 

More info about M Realty can be found on our Squidoo Page.

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Buying a home? These eight tips can help make your house-hunting experience positive and rewarding.

1. Location counts. You’ve probably heard the old real estate joke about “location, location, location,” but the point still bears repeating. Location is crucial. How far are you really willing to commute to your place of employment? How good are the local schools, shopping centers, public transportation, seniors services and other public amenities? Will your new home be next to a vacant lot or a commercial property? Even a picture-perfect dream home can be a mistake if it’s in an undesirable location, and a poor-location home can be a particularly bad choice if you anticipate reselling the home within a few years.