Love Letter Guidance

While our clients have had wonderful luck with offer acceptance writing letters to sellers, we understand why this practice is unfair and violates fair housing. This below from oregonrealtors.org:

"On March 3, 2022, the US District Court for the District of Oregon put an injunction on the enforcement of Oregon’s new law requiring seller’s agents to reject “Love Letters” from buyers. While the injunction is in place, the Oregon Real Estate Agency will not be enforcing the law and Oregon real estate licensees are not required to follow it.

However, regardless of the new law, Love Letters continue to present risks related to Fair Housing violations. If a seller were to select or reject a buyer based on the buyer’s protected class information revealed in a love letter, that would be a violation of fair housing laws...The best way to mitigate the risk is to not use love letters in the first place."

About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.

Just Listed ::: Cozy Forest Glen

13775 SW Scholls Ferry Rd, #309 Beaverton, OR 97008

Delight in this 55+, light-filled 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom spacious condo with a variety of common areas for visiting friends and family. This in-building unit boasts an open concept living space with vaulted ceilings, skylights, and in-unit laundry. Attached to the bedroom is a spacious bonus nook for office or studio space. Walk out to the garden-side patio perfect for al fresco dining and entertaining, wander the well kept grounds, and enjoy 14 meals per month. Close to shopping, parks, and downtown Beaverton.

$127,000

 1 bed | 1 bath | 768 sq. ft.
MLS#  22179616 | Taxes: $1,850

PLEASE SEE LISTING FOR COVID-19 SAFETY PROCEDURES.

Happy Spring + The Portland Book of Dates

We're so excited that spring is here! We hope you are having a great week and Spring Break! Here's to growing gardens, getting out of town, and discovering something new about your neighborhood!

Get more out of spring with ...

The Portland Book of Dates: Adventures, Escapes, and Secret Spots
by Eden Dawn and Ashod Simonian

GREAT PORTLAND BOOK SHOUT OUT!

"This highly visual book marries style and substance to give Portland and the people who love her the guidebook they deserve: a curated and creative collection of more than 130 outings in and around Portland to inspire romance and adventure. Secret spots, beloved locales, and unexpected destinations offer endless options for date night or a weekend getaway.Finally, a stylish, cheeky, curated guidebook of cool places for Portlanders (and visitors) to go on dates/outings/field trips/adventures. These range from one-hour coffee and ice cream dates in Portland's neighborhoods to multi day expeditions to Hood River and Mount St. Helens." See MORE HERE.

About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.

Just Listed ::: Montavilla Mid-Century

9251 SE Salmon Street
Portland, OR 97216

Cute-as-a-button Montavilla! This two bedroom, two bath light-filled home boasts hardwood floors, spacious kitchen, finished garage/bonus room with separate entrance, plus new paint and refinished floors on the main. Outside, enjoy a large covered patio, extra roomy back yard, and well maintained Japanese maple crowning the front yard. Catch a ball game or have a picnic just down the street at Berrydale Park. With a walk score of 70 and a biker’s paradise score of 91, get around the city with ease.

$429,000

 2 bed | 2 bath | 1,058 sq. ft.
MLS#  22384780 | Taxes: $3,474

PLEASE SEE LISTING FOR COVID-19 SAFETY PROCEDURES.

How do you Know when it's Time to Sell Your Home?

When wondering if now is the time to sell your home, consider the following to help you gauge if now is the time to sell:

1. Is the Market HOT? Does the market present a Seller's advantage?

2. Has there been a significant change in your life that requires a different home?

3. Remodeling your home wouldn't be beneficial.

4. You struggle with the upkeep and maintenance.

5. You need more or less space.

If you want to talk about selling your home, contact us today. We can offer support on how to best make your decision. If you know us, you know we are a no pressure team who is here to help you make the best move.

About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.

Suburbs with the Biggest Price Increases

THE SUBURBS ARE BURSTING WITH DEMAND AND THESE EIGHT PORTLAND AREA SUBURBS HAD THE BIGGEST PRICE INCREASES THIS LAST YEAR ACCORDING TO THIS PORTLAND MONTHLY ARTICLE.

Take a look at the stats below:

8. Hillsboro: Median sale price in 2021: $480,000,

Price growth year-over-year: 18.37 percent

7. Oregon City: Median sale price in 2021: $520,000

Price growth year-over-year: 18.45 percent

6. Lake Oswego: Median sale price in 2021: $859,900

Price growth year-over-year: 18.55 percent
5. Tualatin: Median sale price in 2021: $568,000

Price growth year-over-year: 19.58 percent
4. Troutdale: Median sale price in 2021: $450,000

Price growth year-over-year: 19.68 percent
3. Forest Grove: Median sale price in 2021: $468,900

Price growth year-over-year: 20.25 percent
2. St. Helens: Median sale price in 2021: $379,900

Price growth year-over-year: 22.55 percent
1. Wood Village: Median sale price in 2021: $370,000

Price growth year-over-year: 23.37 percent

ARE YOU CONSIDERING A MOVE TO THE SUBURBS? CONTACT US TODAY. WE CAN HELP!

About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.

WHY WE LOVE PORTLAND: Amenities Galore!

This month, we continue to showcase great things about our city and share them with you because Portland has so much to celebrate! There are so many things we love here and so much more to learn about. This week, we researched Portland’s amenities:

Amenities Galore!

“In property and land use planning, amenity is something considered to benefit a location, contribute to its enjoyment, and thereby increase its value.” Thanks Wikipedia for that great definition and we agree! When choosing a place to live, you are scrutinizing the actual property, but what about the amenities?

There are three levels of amenities to consider when purchasing your new place to live:

1. The property amenities (especially apropos if you are buying a condo),

2. The neighborhood amenities, and

3. Portland’s amenities.

Property amenities could include a pool, gardens, concierge, or fitness room for example (once again, this is something you look for in a condo, but certainly can add to your own property).

Neighborhood amenities are things like cafes, shops, restaurants, parks, gardens, fitness spaces, and salons.

Finally, Portland has amenities, too! We have tremendous access to nature: Mt. Hood for skiing and hiking, the high desert of Central Oregon, farms to visit, the waterfalls and hikes in the gorge, rivers for fishing and swimming, and then there is the amazing Pacific Ocean!

Below are some of our more natural amenities to enjoy!

There are over 200 parks and public gardens in the city of Portland. The park acreage alone is 11,670 acres!

Hikes: 194
There are 194 listed trails near the Portland metro

Waterfalls: 236
142 in Clackamas County
69 in Multnomah County
25 in Washington County

Community Gardens: 58
There are 58 community gardens located in the city of Portland

Farms:
144 food farms near Portland
13 you-cut Christmas tree farms near Portland
5 you-pick flower farms near Portland

NEED A QUICK DAY TRIP IDEA? REACH OUT TO US, WE HAVE SEVERAL TO SHARE WITH YOU!

About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.

Just Listed ::: Concordia Cutie with Detached Potential

5525 NE 29th Avenue, Portland, OR 97211

Cute-as-a-button and filled with classic details including built-ins, hardwood floors, and fireplace. This home boasts 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, new countertops and appliances, an open floor plan, and semi-finished basement with a built-in bed. Walk outside to a large backyard with fruit trees, garden beds and hops! Enjoy the studio-ready, detached garage perfect for your workspace, home gym, art studio or more. With a dreamy walk score of 97 and bike score of 91, access neighborhood amenities and the city with ease!

$539,000

 2 bed | 1 bath | 1,430 sq. ft.
MLS#  22168075 | Taxes: $2,655

PLEASE SEE LISTING FOR COVID-19 SAFETY PROCEDURES.

WHY WE LOVE PORTLAND: Food, Chefs, and Restaurants--Oh My!

Portland is a foodie town with some of the best food in the world and from around the world. We are teeming with creative chefs, beautiful spaces, and radical food carts! Take a look below at what we found out:

With over 500 Food Carts in the city, you can get food from anywhere around the world!

And there are 24 restaurants for every 10,000 people!

Award Winning and Celebrity Chefs:
Portland is home to several chefs who have been nominated for or won the James Beard Award for Excellence in Culinary Arts and some have even starred on TV shows. So get out there and support these amazing culture makers!Tea Houses:
There are 36 tea houses/rooms in the Portland metro area, from boho style tea dens, to modernist minimal, to the queen's parlor. Portland loves a hot cup of tea, iced and boba tea. Check this out for more on where to go!

Coffee Roasters:
There are 29 coffee companies that roast their coffee within the city of Portland! According to the checker at our local grocery store, COAVA is amazing...check it out!

Craft Breweries: 
Besides many in home breweries around the city, there are over 70 breweries in Portland. Grab your stein and go get a frosty!

Foods you can forage in the PNW:
- 14 seaside foods
- 32 edible berries
- 61 edible plants
- 12 different types of mushrooms

CLICK HERE to find out more

Wineries:
There are over 700 wineries in the Willamette Valley. Step aside Napa, there's a new wine tour in town!

About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.

What is the Missing Middle?

"The Missing Middle Housing types provide diverse housing options, such as duplexes, fourplexes, cottage courts, and multiplexes. These house-scale buildings fit seamlessly into existing residential neighborhoods and support walkability, locally-serving retail, and public transportation options. They provide solutions along a spectrum of affordability to address the mismatch between the available U.S. housing stock and shifting demographics combined with the growing demand for walkability." -Middle Housing

Last week, DWELL magazine came out with an interesting article entitled Mole Hill Missing Middle which tells about Canadian designers who are creating new options in Vancouver BC. Vancouver BC and Portland are the top two ADU cities in North America, and both cities are promoting density and new ways to house its residents. To find out more, click here or on the image below.

About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.

Just Listed ::: Portland Paradise In Irvington

2138 NE Hancock Street, Portland, OR 97212

Grand Irvington Foursquare light-filled and spacious! Hardwood floors, chef’s kitchen, fresh paint, French doors to back deck and patio, formal living room with fireplace and picture window. 6 bedrooms, and 3 full baths give this inner city oasis plenty of versatility. Full basement with new drainage system and side entrance - perfect for storage or dreaming big! Updates galore: roof, landscaping, tankless water heater, skylights, electrical panel and EV charging! Don’t forget the detached garage - create your own space for work, fitness, or art. With a bike score of 100 and a walk score of 87, get around the city with ease!

$1,265,000

 6 bed | 3 bath | 4,446 sq. ft.
MLS#  21090594 | Taxes: $15,449

PLEASE SEE LISTING FOR COVID-19 SAFETY PROCEDURES.

Preventing Water Intrusion

Is Water Finding Its Way Into Your Home?

It's raining a lot right now! The moment water hits the peak of your roof, it rolls down towards your gutters, it has to get off and away from your home. Take a look below at a few ideas to keep your house dry in this rainy weather.

• Keep your gutters clean and in good condition.

• Once water comes out of the downspouts, where does it go? Be sure to divert the water at least 6 feet away from your home.

• Check the slope of the ground around your house - is it sloping toward your home? Be sure it is sloping away to keep water moving in the right direction.

• Further methods like trench drains, French drains, sump pumps, bioswales, and dry wells could be in order to keep your house free of moisture intrusion.

If you need a drainage contractor, reach out to us so we can help!

About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.

Just Listed ::: Forest Glen Garden Cottage

13775 SW Scholls Ferry Rd, #18 Beaverton, OR 97008

Delight in this 55+, light-filled two bedroom, one bathroom spacious cottage style townhome complete with detached garage, large living room with tall ceilings, skylights, an open kitchen, and in-unit laundry room. New flooring and paint throughout. Walk out onto the garden-side open patio perfect for al fresco dining and entertaining, wander the well kept grounds at Forest Glen, and dine in-community 14 meals a month. With a walk score of 58 and a bike score of 67, get to shopping, parks, and downtown Beaverton with ease.

$179,000

 2 bed | 1 bath | 960 sq. ft.
MLS#  22490602 | Taxes: $2,541

PLEASE SEE LISTING FOR COVID-19 SAFETY PROCEDURES.

Make Your Real Estate Plans for 2022 Early!

Happy Holidays everyone! If 2022 is the year you make your next real estate move, contact us early. Even if your plans are months away, it is best to talk to us as early as possible to get you the information you need to best prepare.

About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.

NEW LOAN LIMIT JUST RELEASED

Wowza! The official and new 2022 conforming loan limit is now $647,200 (an increase of $98,950 from $548,250 in 2021).

This gives buyers much more purchase power and if you have any other lender questions, contact us today and we will put you in touch with a few wonderful lenders to talk to!

About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.

12 Best Air Purifying Plants

As we go back inside and spend more time indoors - why not bring nature inside with you? And BONUS, clean toxins from the air! Not only very on trend with decor, house plants cleanse the air giving you cleaner, fresher air to breathe indoors. Check out this list on Neha Kandwal's Eco Blog.

About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.

Just Listed ::: Coveted Cully! House With Attached ADU On Large Lot!

6225 NE Emerson Street, Portland, OR 97218

Comfortable and versatile on an oversized lot with room for everyone! Multigenerational living anyone? Rent out a space, or have a separate creative space/work space, this property is a single family home with three bedrooms and one bathroom, large living room and kitchen, mud and laundry room, and a fully permitted attached ADU. Light-filled and spacious, the ADU features a bedroom loft space, lots of built-in storage, and an open floor plan. Large outdoor space to garden or entertain. Walk to parks, cafes, and more, and with a bike score of 91, get to where you love with ease!

$607,000

 3 bed + loft | 2 bath | 2,021 sq. ft.
MLS#  21523772 | Taxes: $6,534

PLEASE SEE LISTING FOR COVID-19 SAFETY PROCEDURES.

Just Listed ::: VINTAGE RETREAT IN ARBOR LODGE!

6524 N Fenwick Avenue, Portland, OR 97217

Step inside this classic Tudor featuring original mahogany built-ins and trim, original tile on the fireplace, oak and fir floors, formal living and dining rooms, and two full baths. Retro kitchen with eat-in nook, large basement spaces for storage and more, and cozy bonus room upstairs. Wooded green space in the backyard full of low-maintenance native plants and raised vegetable beds perfect for gardening and entertaining. With an 84 walk score and a biker’s paradise score of 100, get to all the places you love with ease!

$594,900

 3 bed | 2 bath | 2,243 sq. ft.
MLS#  21356169 | Taxes: $3,885

PLEASE SEE LISTING FOR COVID-19 SAFETY PROCEDURES.