ckhomes

our weekly dish...

2009-04-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

Alberta Style
4603 NE 29th Ave 3BR/1 ½BA $335,000. What a little personal style will do to showcase a new listing…Rumor has it that this one might show up on HGTV. Will they pick it? Stay tuned. Someone apparently did as it is already pending. The built-ins alone are of the variety normally seen in much bigger (and more expensive) houses. This one is very nicely remodeled with a cool family room + office + tidy laundry and 2nd bath down. Walk to Alberta too but far enough off to avoid last Thursday traffic and noise. more info + photos

Alberta Too
4728 NE 28th Ave 3BR/2BA $310,000. I’d probably call this a 2 bedroom (most buyers I work with are hard-pressed to call a basement room a bedroom unless it’s a daylight). That said, the exterior is deceiving and it feels like a lot of house for the money. A spacious kitchen, really lovely yard, and mud room are highlights. You can also walk to Alberta and far enough off too. more info + photos

Petite Wilshire
4509 NE Going 3BR/2BA $239,000. This little house needs some cosmetic attention but has some great updates including a newer furnace, windows, and siding. A good fit for someone looking for a big garage with work area and loft. It’s also a great roomie set up with 3rd bedroom (well, a basement bedroom) and small 2nd kitchen space. A cute nook and big back deck round it out, especially at under $240k. more info + photos

Montavilla Gumdrop
214 NE 55th Ave 2BR/1BA $259,900. Pretty darn cute little charmer, a tiny skip east of lovely Laurelhurst. Shows very well, but does feel extra cozy due to lowish ceilings and a narrow galley kitchen. Does have a nice yard with a cool detached studio that could wear many different hats… office? Guest room? Playspace? There’s no formal dining room but sellers use the front sun porch room as such during the winter months when they entertain. A worthy cause under $250K for sure. more info + photos

Eastmoreland Robin’s Egg English
3732 SE Nehalem St 3BR/2BA $325,000. Somebody really likes that color… it’s on the outside and in 2 of 3 formal rooms. Nevertheless, it’s a good deal, with the only real drawback being the unknown of what will happen (i.e. be built upon) the adjacent lot that the seller is in the process of subdividing away. Still, the house is pretty turnkey (if lacking a dishwasher, I noticed) and does have great amenities at this price point in this very coveted neighborhood. more info + photos

Pretty Bungalow, Busy Street
4816 NE 15th Ave 4+BR/2BA $339,000. Steps from the heart of Alberta Arts action, this Craftsman bungalow tries hard to make up for its busline location with a really nice main floor and great finished basement. Both levels feel spacious and pretty, even if the finishes in the kitchen are a tad on the ho-hum side. The upstairs was a little atticky and not the highlight, but still felt cozy and quite usable. Nice yard surprised me, and the mechanicals appear to be in ship-shape. more info + photos

Our Weekly Dish...

2009-03-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

Here's Ilyce Glink's take on why it's a great time to be a first time buyer: low prices, tax incentives, top-notch realtors who have more time to give you great service...read it

Evidence They Still Sell Fast Sometimes
3905 NE 64th Ave 3BR/1BA $319,999. This house made me glad that some great clients sold their house nearby a year and a half ago. Alot for the money, it has nice formal rooms, a sweet updated kitchen (modest but tasteful), and an upstairs crying out for a jack-n-jill bath. Nice street, big front porch...sold...more info + photos (k)

Rose City Bungalow
2306 NE 51st Ave 4BR/2BA $369,000. Rentals rarely show well, especially when the renters are young roommates. Just (I mean just) off Sandy, this has a nice circular floor plan but a head bumping (yes the realtor told me to watch my head) trip to the upstairs 2 bedrooms...great kids rooms btw. The 2nd bath is the scary in the basement sort. Yes, the house on 64th was a tough act to follow. More info + no photos (k)

Alameda Cutie
2904 NE Knott 3BR/1BA $429,000. This house is super cute but I had to go back to the photos to remind myself of that. A prime example of how one glaring flaw can ruin a house for a potential buyer, a sour smell in the basement, despite the numerous candles burning, was what I remembered most. Upon further reflection (and looking at the photos again), I recalled it as really nicely put together. The kitchen is lovely with a nook and small family room that opens onto the back deck. The bedroom set up on the 2nd floor is a pass through, so the 3rd bedroom probably only works for a small child. The location is lovely and I think someone will likely want it closer to $400. more info + photos (k)

Sweet Montavilla Bungalow
15 SE 84th Ave 3BR/2BA $254,500. Very cute smaller house just south of Burnside with pretty inlaid Marloleum floors in remodeled kitchen, lovely fenced backyard and detached garage, fireplace & hardwoods, second bath and third (legal) bedroom in basement are actually very friendly, along with a separate nicer den/family room. The owners have really made the most of this one, and despite the proximity to 82 & Burnside, 84th does sit well above that, and the homes on the street are nice, too. more info + photos (c)

Creston Easter Bunny Craftsman
3733 SE 28th Pl 2+BR/1+BA $299,900. The colors in & out appear to have come straight from Peter Cottontail, but they are well-applied…and the house itself is a great value for the condition and relative location. Creston is a solid if aesthetically spotty family neighborhood just south of Powell (and adjacent to perhaps the best eats on Powell, Hopworks.) The bedrooms are the weakness – they are connected and at least one has minimal closet space. At least the basement & dbl. garage offer plenty of storage. more info + photos (c)

Westmoreland Beauty
6512 SE 19th Ave 2+BR/2BA $359,000. A heart-racing entry into a truly lovely, quintessential bungalow living and dining room leads to a less impressive but period-intact kitchen, and then out to a light-filled (original!) enclosed back porch/room and staircase to the partly-finished and tidy basement. (The second bath down there is nice, btw.) The two main bedrooms and bath also show well, and the second one leads to the back porch “room” described above. This is also a very pretty street, which makes it all the nicer. more info + photos (c)

Our Weekly Dish...

2009-03-19T15:02:00.000-07:00

Lovely Ladd’s
2108 SE Cypress 2BR/1BA $398,500. Just around the corner from my neighborhood hangout, Palio, this charming little house really works for a single or couple, maybe plus one. There are some pretty, cottagy, details in the formal rooms and French doors to a lovely den off the main room. The kitchen & bath could use a little polishing, with a nice main floor bedroom, somewhat “atticy” 2nd bedroom” upstairs, and a decent unfinished basement. The small yard (or more like patio) makes it a good condo alternative. Not sure if $4ish is a bit much for a 2 bedroom these days, but it is Ladd’s. more info + photos (k)

Steal it
2141 SE Cypress 3BR/2BA $459,900. Just across the street, this roomier bungalow has got curb appeal and a great floor plan. Although prime for a kitchen & bath update, the formal rooms are spacious with a comfortable entry and nicely defined separation from the bedrooms. The upstairs is very open for a finished attic and has wood floors to boot. The back could use some landscaping to give some privacy from the ally and neighbors (not uncommon for Ladd’s) but I will venture that someone snatches this one up soon. As my esteemed colleague, and listing agent, pointed out yesterday, the average turnover in the neighborhood is 15 years so these don’t crop up often. more info + photos (k)

Colonial Heights Dream
2207 SE 24th Ave 5BR/2+2 ½ baths $1,150,000. When something hits the market over a mil in Southeast, I’m seeing it because it doesn’t happen that often. Sitting towards the end of my running route, I’ve been admiring this dreamboat from afar for years. The oversized lot looks out to the west hills and it is simply grand (Southeast-style) with not a stuffed shirt in sight. A 3rd floor screams out for teenagers (or maybe a nanny) and the current sporting goods exec-owner built out a nice gym in the 2000 square foot basement. Originally designed for a doc, evidenced by a sink in one 2nd floor bed (formerly exam) room, this is the most house hunting fun I’ve had in a while. more info + photos (k)

Tiny Tabor Bungalow
1644 SE 52nd Ave 2BR/1BA $275,000. A wonderful location and an oversized lot are the appeal here. For a vintage buff and/or gardener wanting a small space, some creativity could make it shine. However, if you require more modern accoutrements (e.g. updated kitchen & bath), the price doesn’t really make it work for the small amount of space. more info + photos (k)

Reedwood Ranch-o-rama
3369 SE Raymond 3BR/3BA $369,000. Great neighbors (clients!) only add to the appeal of this mid-century. Bring a paint brush (and a contractor) for the opportunity to turn this back into its 1957 self. There’s some salvageable tile in the baths plus the coolest formica I’ve seen (think coral w/green flecks & the sink, toilet & tub to match). The basement is 50s fun too right down to the classic party room (with fireplace) and linoleum shuffleboard. more info + photos (k)

Polished Concordia Ranch
6525 NE 36th Ave 2BR/1BA $249,000. My pick of the week – a turnkey little gem a few skips & a hop from Fernhill Park. Pretty oak hardwoods, fireplace, handy double closet in the master. Tall ceilings in a spotless, unfinished basement were a big bonus in a small home, too. A small private fenced deck off the kitchen, and more a usable yard on the north side. Hard to beat at this price. more info + photos (c)

Small Ranch with Studio
1145 NE 72nd Ave 2BR+/1BA $250,000. A snappier-looking ’55 ranch in the northern reaches of Montavilla, with a fair bit of its value in the generous, lovely yard and detached garage & studio space. The house shows well but is nevertheless smallish and has evidently been occupied by a smoker. Would seem to be a good value closer to $235K. more info + photos (c)

40’s Bungalow Value
1155 NE 73rd Ave 2BR/1BA $219,000. A small house that needs surprisingly little to be made into a very cute small house… hardwoods needs some refinishing, kitchen needs some updating & is on the small side, bath fixtures are “trendy” if you like pea green, or “dated” if you like new, but a solid little house with a great yard and detached garage nonetheless. Big dollar repairs & upgrades appear done or in works, so for this price & for just a smattering of love, this would seem like a very good deal. more info + photos (c)

Striking Craftsman in Challenged Location
4928 NE 14th Ave 3BR/3BA $369,900. Get past the cement neighbor on the north side, and you’ve got a lovely intact-feeling bungalow. The formal rooms are beautiful, the kitchen & main bath look like quality, period-sensitive remodels, and both the upstairs and basement contain additional living/bathing areas. The upstairs “suite is great if you like the feel of dormers and are under about 5’9”, and the basement feels disconnected from the rest of the house and is frankly a work in progress. more info + photos (c)

Our Weekly Dish...

2009-03-11T15:05:00.000-07:00

Pining for Rescue in Roseway
6218 NE Broadway St 3BR/1BA $255,000.It all looked good until I stepped inside. Then I was greeted (assaulted?) by the decidedly unsavory combination of cheap carpeting and residual “eau de smoker” that permeated most of the common areas. There is some original character very worthy of a good scrubbing and refinishing or painting, and the layout & size are fine. The kitchen is a tired, (dated-but-not-in-a-quaint-way) decent-sized space with an eating area, and the bedrooms (2 up, 1 on main) appear to harbor hardwoods beneath the unfortunate choice of carpeting. The location is good, the curb appeal is fine, but bring some vision… and a clothespin if your nose is sensitive. more info + photos

Concordia Crumpet
6022 NE 22nd Ave $305,000 2BR/2BA.This was the tastiest dish on my menu today… a very cute house with a big living room, eat-in kitchen, and two nice baths – one on main, one down off a really great, generously-sized family room. A nice fenced yard & detached garage, too. If one is to nitpick, the kitchen layout is a little funky, including a “detached dishwasher” if you were paying attention. But this ’38 Cape is on a nice street just above the loveliest section of Ainsworth. Watch it go… more info + photos

Delightful Dormered Bungalow
1504 NE 54th Ave 3BR/1.5BA $309,800.This house was a close second; it felt bigger than the 1340sqft listed above grade, and nicer than expected in this price range. Well-kept & furnished, the owners have made the most of it via sensible remodeling that didn’t break the bank… a wise move, as this house does corner busy NE Halsey. That said, it does have a very usable, friendly fenced yard & patio, despite the street noise. The kitchen is quite roomy, and has an unusual vaulted ceiling over the eating area which I never would have expected to like – but did! Also worth noting is how very close to Normandale Park, I-84 & Hollywood this is… and a mere block from a great café. more info + photos

Cosmetically-Challenged Bungalow
2127 NE 56th Ave 3BR/1BA $319,000.This one is not new, but is a re-list with a 15% price drop. In spite of the good location, the nice layout and some desirable architectural details, nearly every room in the house needs an overhaul. Several simply need paint/wallpaper removed or re-done. But the kitchen is an unsightly 70s relic that makes the room feel crammed, and the bath is…. worse. The third listed bedroom is really more accurately described as an office or hobby room. And did I mention the roof? It is a very blue metal, and a very shiny one at that. Too much work for over $300K. more info + photos

Oddball “Cabin” in Laurelhurst
933 NE 44th Ave 4BR/2BA $319,000.Get past the immediate location (adjacent to I-84 frontage road, across from industrial) and get used to walking a flight up to your door, and you will be rewarded. Mind you, it’s funky, it DOES feel like a cabin, and the appraiser thought much more highly of it (came in at $370K a month ago) than the market will. But if you want to be part of a really nice neighborhood (technically speaking) and either want a tenant or space for visiting relatives, this house does have a nicer, mostly-permitted apartment in the basement. And the MAX is “crawl” close. more info + photos

Smells Like a Rose
3045 NE 59th Ave 4BR/2BA $439,000.Totally, tastefully done up & down. One bummer is the lack of a bath up, where an enticing master & walk-in closet otherwise beckons. The other bummer is that it is a tad out there, walkable to Beaumont for the motivated. If schools aren’t really important to you and you are in this price range, do see it. It would be $50K more if it were just a half-mile closer. more info + photos

A Sad Story in Creston
4511 SE Gladstone 4BR/2BA $364,900. The vacant lot next door piqued my curiousity on this foreclosure property. Great location w/views of west hills and good curb appeal. It's been "pergoed" and has a decent kitchen that seems to be trying to look fancier than it is. The upstairs is kid-friendly, read lower ceilings and a tub only bath, and the basement would be good for storage/hobbyists but probably not much more. What's interesting is the history. Someone picked what was once a double lot up for a song in 2003, remodeled, and turned a nice profit in 2005 by selling it to someone who tried to further profit by dividing the lot and selling the house for more. It's been on & off the market since and looks like the bank finally got it back in January. Me thinks they need to come off a bit in price. more info + photos

Woodstock Potential Plus
5335 SE 45th Ave 3BR/1BA $315,000. The mediocre curb appeal belies the coolness of this house. It has fabulous spaces with original moldings, boxbeams, a gorgeous fireplace, and a cavernous basement. It needs some polishing to be sure, and the bedrooms are a little on the not huge side, but wow, what potential, and it sits on one of the prettiest streets in Woodstock imho. more info + photos

Elbow Grease English
2640 SE 52nd Ave 3BR/1.1BA $310,000. This is the kind of house I love to find if it's not on a busy street almost next to Franklin High. In my fantasy, this was an original owner house and may have been 2 years ago when it last turned over. It's a very original 1930s English w/beautiful original mahogany doors and moldings, gorgeous windows (not for the energy efficient minded), and potential for a rockin' master suite upstairs and classic party room (with fireplace) down. Lots of paneling, but it's the good quality old kind, not 70s fiber board. OK, maybe it needs a little more than elbow grease but still has alot of grace too. more info + photos

Odd, but Oh What a View
606 SE 58th Ave 4BR/3BA $439,000. I love Tabor so trucked up there to see this one and was not dissapointed by the view from inside. It's hard to tell what's happened here over the years, some adding on to be sure. Nice kitchen, likely hardwoods under those teal carpets, and even a "mother-in-law" in the basement. It's also a good house for car people with much garage and parking space. The grounds are pretty but it does feel a little exposed with good views going both ways. more info + photos

Dreamy Sunnyside Manse
2943 SE Salmon 4BR/3BA $699,000. Photos don't do this old charmer justice. Open spaces and a flow made for mingling with champagne make this house special. The basement is so grand it hosts a baby grand piano and rumour has it they host jazz jams down there with performers you'd recognize. The 2nd floor is just as gracious with a landing that could hold half the party. It could use some polishing but if it were perfect, I'd expect it to cost alot more. Lucky ones who pick this up. more info + photos

Our Weekly Dish...

2009-03-05T15:03:00.000-08:00

So. Tabor Cape
3212 SE 76th Ave 4BR/1BA $309,500. A good value for a growing family, this home has four real bedrooms above grade and a family room & small office below. South Tabor is a surprisingly nice & quiet little pocket of 40’s-built homes, though it feels a little bit out there. Nice fenced yard w/patio and driveway with small garage, too. 2 upstairs bedrooms are kid-perfect. The sellers bought for less just a year ago (and made some improvements!) but now need to sell. more info + photos

Mournful Foursquare
3815 SE Main St 4BR/2BA $329,000. A large foursquare right across from the Richmond Fred Meyer parking lot that looks and feels every bit the tenant-occupied/same-owner-50-years property that it is. No one has suitably loved this house for many years, but many of the “bones” (moldings, doors) are intact, at least for the energetic and visionary restorer. A good value under $300K because of the location and the condition. more info + photos

Sparkly Hawthorne Bungalow
1800 SE 42nd Ave 2+BR/1BA $349,900. Tastefully “mod” remodeling choices in kitchen and bath, along with complementary furnishings make this little house really shine. The bath is particularly stunning, but in fact there are few disappointments on display here. The layout is unusual, with the kitchen left, off the formal rooms and between the two main floor bedrooms, and the bath is all the way in the back of the house. A cozy-feeling but ample master is up, and a nice sunroom/office overlooks the backyard. more info + photos

Roomy Tabor Cape Cod
330 SE 47th Ave 4BR/2BA $389,900. It will be challenging to ignore the palette in this house if it doesn’t resonate with you, but the truth is that the house is thoroughly and sensibly remodeled, with professional workmanship clearly in evidence. For a family with a couple kids looking for more stretching room, this is one to see, walkable to the inimitable Laurelhurst Park and a very short bike ride to Hawthorne or Hollywood shops. more info + photos

Why rent in Alberta? 5310 NE 10th Ave 1BR/1BA $159,900. When you could pick up this sweet one-bedroom condo for little more than a buck fifty. Well done, from the high quality front door and hardware to the sleek kitchen w/new stainless appliances. The bedroom is roomy and bath nice too, and you can walk to all the fun that Alberta has to offer. more info + photos

Why not rent in Alberta?5851 NE 12th Ave 2BR/1BA $219,900. The same Alberta neighborhood but north of Killingsworth, this little house is on the rough side. With no basement or garage it’s missing some of the storage space that buyers looking for a house usually want. The highlight is the nice sized yard with ruins of what was probably once a very pretty space complete with fountain. more info + photos

Affordable Grant Park
2827 NE 35th Ave 2BR/1BA $289,900. Nice opportunity for a small family to get into Hollyrood for under $300. Some nice updates include kitchen & bath, and a new walkway and driveway that was being poured on broker tour day. Well-kept for a rental, there is no basement or garage so storage is limited. Location, location, location. more info + photos

No Parking Zone
4528 NE 68th Ave 3BR/1.1BA $265,000. If you can get past the neighbor’s vintage love mobile parked on front lawn next door, this house will give you a lot for the money. I was pleasantly surprised all over the place, especially the very inviting finished basement and finished attic w/3rd bedroom and home office. Close to Prescott, yes, but plenty of room for a family here and a reasonable price to boot. more info + photos

My Pick for the Week: Roseway “Creampuff” Mid-century
4336 NE 74th Ave 2BR/1BA $269,900. Solid house on a pretty street with many updates including new exterior paint & cedar fencing, gas fireplace/stove, and tankless water heater. Finished basement and roomy garage offer plenty of hobby and rec space. The interior is aesthetically pleasing too. more info + photos

Petite & sweet with some mojo

2009-02-25T11:35:00.000-08:00

Petite Sweet Bungalow
710 SE 61st Ave 2BR/1BA $275,000. A small, very lovely bungalow with a standout eat-in kitchen and wisely-conceived mudroom area adjacent to it leading to a nice (fruit-laced) backyard. The updating and choices in this part of the house really lift the livability of this small house into another category. It’s also one long block to a great coffee shop & restaurant (Cooper’s and Caldera, respectively) as well as Mt. Tabor itself. And did I mention the garage? 480sqft, equipped with 220amp & heat. more info + photos

Bright Belmont Townhouse Condo
712 SE 33rd Ave 2+BR/2.5BA $329,900. Newer 3-level townhouse style condo in the northern reaches of the Sunnyside/Hawthorne neighborhood. Much lighter than expected, given its high-density surrounds, with upscale & eco-modern finishes & fixtures. Deeded parking is essential, and the balcony up & cute little patio in front gives some welcome outdoor space to sip your coffee & chat with neighbors. (But ditch the ratty robe, because you won’t have privacy there.) HOAs $240/mo & do include a fair bit. more info + photos

Brooklyn Gem
4224 SE 12th Ave 3BR/2BA $369,950. This house has two very notable attributes – the location is ideal within this neighborhood, and the master & bath upstairs are really nice. The bath is a new addition show-stopper; just as the owners were celebrating its completion, one of them was notified of a job transfer. The rest of the house is nice and shows well, but is certainly less exceptional. The very pleasant, private backyard does back up to a commercial building back wall, but it is windowless and covered in mature, seasonally-flowering vines. more info + photos

Behemoth Laurelhurst Bungalow
4045 SE Ash St 4BR/2BA $449,900. Cleverly billed as “unspoiled” because its layout, woodwork & built-ins are very intact, the house is nevertheless also jam-packed with insensitive (okay, cringing) remodeling choices perhaps selected from the sets of the Brady Bunch t.v. show. And brother, it’s BIG, too. All I can say is hope for lots of quantity discounts if you want to take on this project. The upside? It’s a mere block from spectacularly beautiful Laurelhurst Park, on a street of stately homes. more info + photos

Spacious Sweat Equity Bungalow
7525 NE Irving St 2+BR/1.5BA $204,900. With one eye on the price, it’s hard to complain about a few cosmetics in this early bungalow that still has good street appeal and some nevertheless solid updates inside. This is no fixer, and it boasts nearly 1350sqft living space above grade, on a quiet block with a small private yard. Located in Montavilla, it’s in the shadow of Mt. Tabor & MAX access; going a mile north or south delivers you to the best east-side amenities. more info + photos

Montavilla Mojo
1236 NE 80th Ave 3BR/2BA $267,000. A rare “great deal” that is also a really nice house. Shows very well, lots of recent upgrades – roof, windows, fixtures, fresh colors w/low-VOC paint and nice refinished hardwood floors. Working fireplace, major appliances included too. Good-sized fenced yard, great finished basement. Also sits on a quiet street, walkable to MAX. more info + photos

Small Concordia Cottage
5712 NE 29th 2BR/1BA $279,900. Of all the <$300K houses seen today, this one offers the least – it feels every bit the 803sqft it has listed. The bath and kitchen were okay, but underwhelming. It does have a stellar location and nice curb appeal going for it, but the basement is accessible from outside only and so feels disconnected from the living space. A small lot, it has a driveway but only a wisp of a yard. more info + photos

Sparkling Concordia Cape
5826 NE 28th Ave 3BR/2BA $389,000. A very lovely example of a great marriage between period beauty and sensitive remodeling, with the bonuses of great location and all major mechanicals newly updated. The only possible bummer is that the 2nd bath is in the basement with the family room (instead of with the master bedroom located on the 2nd floor.) But the living spaces are nicely balanced, the basement is large and dry and very nicely done, and the kitchen is pretty and includes an eating nook. more info + photos

Want more listings like this? ck-homes.com

New in NE this week

2009-02-21T10:10:00.000-08:00

Rose City Inner Beauty
1801 NE 65th Ave 3+BR/2BA $389,000. Kind of bland on the outside, but with a surprisingly lovely interior all the way through. Nice street, a quick zip from Hollywood’s hub and walkable to gargantuan Normandale Park, and an impressive distribution of space. Shows very well – no slobs live here – and with a manicured yard that looks to yield lovely roses in Spring. A lot of house for under $400K. more info + photos

Exceptional English
2946 NE 59th Ave $425,000 3BR/2BA. A beautiful example of a tastefully remodeled home of this style, which has been both preserved (e.g. original light fixtures, leaded glass, bathroom vanity) as well as finished (spacious master w/ dreamy walk-in closet up; very nice finished basement & added bath) in the style it was built to showcase. A new custom kitchen with pretty fir cabinetry was also wisely conceived. Yard is stunning, including meticulous landscape gardening. Nice street, walkable to Beaumont shops. Only downer is the lack of bathroom upstairs where the master bedroom is located. more info + photos

Somewhat Less Exceptional English
1724 NE 54th Ave 3BR/1.5BA $439,000. This is a nice house, but the only possible advantages it has over the one discussed above (for $425K ) are a nice half-bath off the master and a closer-in address. Kitchen & main bath remodels are fine, but on the budget side. Can’t imagine anyone looking at both homes and picking this one. A great value at $395K, but I don’t see this one selling for much more than that. more info + photos

Read on for insight into the stimulus tax credit for 1st time buyers...

Stimulus Week Tour

2009-02-20T06:13:00.000-08:00

If you are a first time buyer (or haven't owned a home in the last 3 years), the tax man did you a big favor this week. The stimulus package signed by President Obama on Tuesday had some improvements to the first time buyer credit you may have heard about.

For purchases made (closed) before 12/31/09, you can claim a tax CREDIT (not deduction) on your 2009 taxes of 10% of the purchase price of your new home up to $8,000. Part of the improvement is that now the credit does not have to be repaid, unless you sell the home within 3 years of purchase. It has to be a principal residence and the full credit is only available to buyers with adjusted gross income of less than $75k or $150k for a married couple.

I think now I have to say that we aren't CPAs and you should talk to yours...

Here's what we saw in SE this week...NE will follow due to "technical" difficulties.

Petite Retro Ranch
3210 SE 49th Ave 3BR/1BA $269,900. This one-level 50’s house sits on a quiet corner in the southeastern part of the Richmond neighborhood. Small and bland, but helped by some smart freshening up: nice new sinks and Marmoleum/linoleum flooring, clean hardwoods and new paint. New retro/modern kitchen hardware did a lot for the kitchen, too. “Family room” felt more like a large utility area and was the ugliest part – unfortunately, it’s also the largest room in the house. Not a bad deal @$249K. more info + photos

Bonny Lass Bungalow
2336 SE 30th Ave 3BR/1.5BA $339,990. A very nice little house, through and through. Great light, with a very friendly and partly finished basement, & period Jack ‘n Jill bath on main floor. Box beams and large original sideboard still grace the dining room, and a roomy kitchen exits to a small but lovely “entertaining-sized” backyard. A couple blocks from some of the best dining on Division… which is to say, some of the best dining on the east side of the city. This one won’t last, mark my words. more info + photos

Bring Cash Bungalow
3204 SE Grant St 4BR/1.5BA $379,900. A lot of square footage in a great neighborhood… a great family-friendly layout, too. But this home has been fed junk food for quite some time. Can’t imagine why it isn’t listed as a fixer – roof looks very marginal, lots of neglected windows and poor remodeling choices. Lots. A great deal at $325K. more info + photos

2009-02-12T09:30:00.000-08:00

Rosy Rose City Bungalow
1323 NE 60th Ave 2BR/1BA $224,900. This sweet little house is a winner, especially at this price point. Yes, you will be very close-in, yes the systems are updated, yes it has charm, and yes, the basement adds some valuable space & more potential. The downsides? There is an eating area but no formal dining room; the street is busier than average but not a major artery; and well, that’s pretty much it. Blink a few times, and I suspect this one will be gone. more info + photos

Welcome to Grandma’s
6403 NE 38th Ave $239,000 2BR/1BA. In a quiet little pocket just north of Fernhill Park lies this lonely little house. Step back in time, although not a time known for its quality finishes and craftsmanship. Sadly, there is much to do here in the way of “sweat equity” for this reason, but most of it is in the cosmetics spectrum. Hardwoods under carpet, some newer mechanicals, etc. but it does pale compared to the “Rosy Rose City” bungalow for $15K less that I saw an hour before. more info + photos

Concordia Clunker
5526 NE 39th Ave 3BR*/1BA $299,000. A clean, freshly-painted small bungalow in the northeasterly corner of the neighborhood; but beyond that, disappointing in its layout…note my asterisk above, because although the house is billed as a 3BR, it is really a 1BR plus two bonus rooms. The street is also “spotty” and close to Killingsworth; a fair deal perhaps at about $250K. more info + photos

Cozy Craftsman Perfection
3225 NE 25th Ave 2BR/2BA $419,000. If you want very much to be in Irvington, can live in a small house but want a sparkler, this is it. Priced nearly $50K below what it sold for just two years ago, and beautifully remodeled or restored in every corner, this 1925 bungalow is in the heart of the ‘hood and tough to criticize. There is a nice family room and pretty bath in the basement, too. more info + photos

Going, going,...
4207 SE Clinton. 2BR/1BA $319,900. This one deserved an advance email as by the time the blog goes up it could be gone. Curb appeal will bring you up the front stairs and roomy formal spaces with AMAZING original built-ins will leave you begging for more. The kitchen is my favorite kind: huge and functional w/room for your own style to emerge. Some new counters, sink, and a range, and it's a sweet place indeed. Two good sized bedrooms, a finish worthy basement, AND a studio out back make this a Clinton delight. Oh, and offers are being presented on Friday... more info + photos

1896 Brooklyn
3726 SE 8th Ave. 2BR/1BA $269,900. After reading my partners reviews, I might head north for a house under $250k instead, but this little turn of the century farmhouse has some charm starting with the front porch, and a pretty vintage fixture in the living room complemented by a stained glass window. The kitchen is "granite" new and there's an old butler's pantry that probably used to be the kitchen. Bedrooms are just ok, it has a main floor laundry, and the basement is probably only good for storage but has a shiny new paint job. more info + photos

Comfy Sellwood Townhouse
1442 SE Umatilla St. 2BR/2.1BA $299,900. Easy living in this 2004 built townhouse right across the street from Sellwood Middle School. These seem well built with nice finishes but not what some would consider top range (read: tile not granite). Nice tile though and this corner unit gets lots of light and feels, well, just comfortable. Would work for roommates too with 2nd bath attached to 2nd bedroom. more info + photos

First Feb Broker Tour Slow

2009-02-06T09:30:00.000-08:00

Cute Cape in Richmond
3568 SE Brooklyn St. 3BR/1BA $339,900. This 40’s home is well-kept and sensibly remodeled, with a nice-sized, eat-in kitchen that connects to and overlooks a tidy backyard. The bath was pleasant, and the slightly “atticky” upstairs third bedroom was actually decorated to maximize the cozy feeling, and overall felt just fine. While the living room and main floor bedrooms felt smallish, they were nice spaces and the basement held promise and a little play area. ***Went sale pending the next day!*** more info + photos

FoPo Starter Home
4912 SE 62nd Ave 2+BR/1BA $249,000. Not a bad house for this price range and up-‘n-comin’ area. Clean, thoroughly remodeled with open kitchen and nice tiled bath. Some slanting is noticeable in a couple rooms, but the (laminate) flooring appeared well-laid and minimized the effect. Good curb appeal and convenient main floor laundry. Great fenced yard and decent street, too. more info + photos

Dutch Disappointment
2442 SE Sherman St 3BR/2BA $449,500. Colonial Heights dream location, walk in to a lovely living room leading back to French doors and bonus room overlooking back yard. But it’s downhill from there. The kitchen was alright, a tired but inoffensive remodel and eating area, and then lots of carpeted rooms in dark colors (ugh!), two of which are upstairs and would make shoebox bedrooms; only one bedroom stood out as both spacious and pleasant (i.e. devoid of said carpeting) with its hardwood floors on display. more info + photos

Euclid Heights Value
1422 NE Euclid Ave, 3BR/2BA, $339,000. This bungalow is a good reminder of what you can get these days for under $350k. The neighborhood called Euclid Heights is a small pocket around 49th & Halsey adjacent to Rose City and the Hollywood District. Fantastic southern light brightens the formal rooms and a simple refinishing of cabinets and new floor (Marmoleum maybe) would make the kitchen shine as well. Although the master access is steep (only one glass of wine before heading up to bed honey) the huge detached bonus area and Laurelhurst schools make this one a find. more info + photos

Inviting Roseway English
3934 NE 78th Ave, 3BR/1BA, $279,000. Stepping into this house on a sunny day was delightful. Unfortunately, the rest of the house didn’t live up to the formal room’s glow (thanks to generous windows and the SW exposure). It sits a little close to Sandy and has an apartment complex kitty corner but has tons of curb appeal and although ripe for some updates, it’s got potential including room for a master “sweet”. For perspective, a close by listing of ours went for $305k last winter with one bedroom less and not half the potential. more info + photos

Cute Little Roseway Bungalow
3244 NE 63rd Ave, 2BR/1BA, $299,500. The architectural details over the porch pulled me into this little house and they are pleasantly continued in the arch over the fireplace. After touring the whole house, however, I was looking for a staircase up that would show me some space to justify the $300k price. There isn’t one. This is an estate and could be a really cute abode for a single person or couple that likes to live spare. The 2nd bedroom is small as are the basement and yard. It does sit on a nice quiet street and I imagine at around $269, it might have more appeal. more info + photos

Under the Radar

2009-02-02T09:47:00.000-08:00

In conjunction with our weekly review of new listings in the close-in eastside, we have decided to also initiate a blog highlighting any notable homes for sale that are not RMLS-listed. These will be houses one or both of us have seen in person, that we feel are worthy of a look and owned by people willing at least to work with one (such as us!) who represents a potential buyer for their property.
Generally, many Realtors prefer not to work with For Sale By Owner properties (“FSBOs”) because they have a reputation for making difficult sales – such as when the sellers do not understand their disclosure obligations to the buyer, for example – because they aren’t willing (or feel they cannot afford) to pay for their own representation. In our experience however, when the sellers are reasonable, well-informed people who are indeed motivated to sell, the chances are pretty good that our client will end up getting the long end of the stick, so to speak. Consequently, we check many of them.

We will post these out there on this blog with the intent of making at least one post / month, and include pictures when available. (We will not include addresses, as we’ve done some work scouting them out and want the opportunity to represent anyone that becomes interested to see one after reading about it here.)

For the month of January, here are Chylese’s top two finds:

Petite Southeast Chic $215K

Atomic ranch-influenced, midcentury 2br/1ba, 916sqft total

Slightly oversized lot; 350sqft detached garage

Features: original mint-condition 50's kitchen w/nice eating area; new maple floors in living/hall/bed rooms, tube skylight, main level laundry room

Zen-simple fenced back yard (gravel with potted bamboo) is private

Where? Walk 12 min. or less to your choice of: a dog park, Mt. Scott Community Center, the Springwater bike trail or Woodstock eats & shops

One-Level Ranch $240K

Totally remodeled 1100 sqft 3 br/1ba just within the confines of “close-in” southeast

Large fenced back yard, new deck & handy utility/mud room (between house & garage)

Newer maple/slab granite kitchen w/tile floor, newer appliances, eating area

Upgrades include: bath, windows (double-paned vinyl) light fixtures, keyless garage entry & refinished oak hardwoods throughout living areas.

For more photos, email us at info@ck-homes.com.

Snow Day!: Broker Tour

2009-01-28T09:18:00.000-08:00

We Portlanders woke up to a mini-blast Tuesday morning and broker opens were cancelled all over the city for a dusting that had all but melted by 1:00. We got out and saw some stuff anyway.

Over the Top Midcentury Retreat
13010 NE Rose Pkwy 3BR/3BA $589,000. This is a property for the professional homebody. It would be difficult, if not impossible to overstate the staggering amount of opulently furnished spaces in and around this home. Sadly, they manage to overwhelm the amazing views of St. Helens from all the formal rooms on one side of the house. Case in point? There are TWO chandeliers in the master whose former home was a hotel lobby. Absolutely perfect for black-tie receptions (or $1,000/plate charity fundraisers) with 100 guests. See it to believe it. more info & photos

Alameda Breathless
2028 NE Alameda Dr. 5BR/3.5BA $1,750,000. Spectacular and tasteful renovation from the new foundation up. Fabulous views over the east side and downtown from an ideal ridge perch. Large, grand kitchen with very high-end finishes and appliances. All classy materials with a restrained color palette. A wonderful, generous master suite up. Legal bedrooms & bath down, with play area and a rare usable piece of backyard for the kids, too. Hard to beat in the city, even in this price range. more info & photos

Lovely Kerns Foursquare
1925 NE Couch St. 4BR/1.5BA $580,000. Very skeptical of the price before I got there; this neighborhood is generally in the shadow of Laurelhurst due to its often super-urban density of detached older homes (read: few yards & less privacy) and it didn’t have a second full bath. But I was so very pleasantly surprised! The house was beautifully restored or preserved in every respect, with a great layout, very well-kept (though a distinct eau de chat did greet us) and even has a yard! South-facing porches main & up, too. So little to criticize here – and an unfinished third floor to unfurl more imagination, too. more info & photos

Cute to Boot in Richmond (and under $300!)
4008 SE Kelly, 2BR/1BA, $284,900. A rental now, this one sits up high on a sweet little dead-end just off 39th but far enough. Hardwoods, one good-sized bedroom (a 2nd smaller), and a tuck under garage are the highlights, plus a brick patio out back that I imagined very inviting without the snow. Oh, and my positive comments have nothing to do with the aroma of yummy chocolate chip cookies the broker baked for the open...what we do to sell houses! more info & photos

Hop Home from Hopworks
3505 SE Franklin, 3BR/1BA, $349,500. This is the kind of location that buyers sometimes want to keep driving by but it was well worth a look. At the intersection of Waverleigh Blvd & Franklin, it's not busy but, well, awkward. The inside, however, pleasantly suprised me as 40s Capes often do. A nicely remodeled kitchen, not to period, but pleasant. Unfortunately, the same attention to detail wasn't employed in the bath, but I'm being picky here. Two bedrooms on the main plus a great master "suite" area with room for a future bath. Best features: classic 40s basement with major potential is functional now and a quick stroll can yield a pint of organic bliss (Hopworks). more info & photos

Loved That 70s Show in Reedwood
5023 SE 32nd Ave, 4BR/3BA, $359,900. For someone with a modern sensibility, this house could rock. Nice hardwoods, updated baths, and a floor plan reorg (bedrooms 2-3 are actually combined into one), make this house extremely livable now. The 3rd bedroom plus family plus kitchen down make a great mother-in-law or renter. The Reedwood neighborhood has its own special charm and don't be scared by the apartment complex in back which has lovely grounds and caters to mature renters. more info & photos

Eastmoreland Eye Candy
7528 SE 36th Ave, 2BR/2BA, $379,900. This house is worth seeing just to take in the coved ceiling detail in the formal rooms. Looking out is just as lovely in the neighborhood that newly relocating buyers are most likely to fall in love with. The kitchen is tight but tight in a good way, and the baths are very inviting. The recently finished basement is cozy too but maybe not for the over 6-footers. more info & photos

For more listings like these, sign up for our free listing service at http://www.ck-homes.com./

As always, call us for a private showing.

Inauguration Day! Broker Tour

2009-01-21T22:07:00.000-08:00

After watching President Obama get sworn in at Costello's Tuesday morning, we heeded our leader's advice and got down to work and we got excited about condos this week. Call us for more info or a private showing on these or any other properties.

Rough & Tumble
4732 SE Madison. 3BR/1BA. $340,000. This Hawthorne Craftsman has some big bold rooms crying out for a restoration. The floor plan is a little wacky with the upstairs access via the back bedroom and sun porch. It’s also got vinyl siding but newer mechanical updates (furnace & A/C). It has a driveway & carport, however, (precious commodity in Hawthorne) although with A Pizza Scholls just around the corner and New Seasons on the way, who needs a car? more info & photos

Good News/Bad News Cape Cod
4300 NE Prescott. 3BR/1BA. $299,900. Yes, it’s a busy street, near a busy intersection. But its wisely opened-up kitchen and sunny French doors out to a deck and oversized back yard go a long way toward forgetting that. In fact, it even has a very sizable, freshly-tilled organic plot ready for planting. The house nervously balances some intact charm (hardwoods, built-ins) with some budget remodeling choices (kitchen, bath) and tight-feeling spaces, particularly the living and dining rooms and 2 bedrooms. But since it’s priced under $300K and fairly close-in, we can’t squabble too much (more.) more info & photos

New Construction Day in SE: Stop 1
3971 SE Clay. 3BR/3.1BA. $449,900. For those who need more baths than beds, here’s one for the books. This new construction is really attractive from the outside and the little dead-end street is indeed sweet. Finding a master bedroom on the entry floor (across from the garage) seemed odd at first until we discovered 2 MORE master bedrooms upstairs, making this a very ideal roommate set up. The kitchen has nice Jenn-Air appliances that come with. More info & photos

Sweet Spot Vintage Condo
2208 NE Schuyler. 2BR/1BA. $350,000. One of four units in a nicer 1922 building, this ground floor unit has spacious bedrooms and a lovely sunroom, as well as a newly-remodeled bath with an eye to the period. Fireplace, hardwoods, laundry room, small but nice kitchen...tough to be very critical! Also very walkable to the best of Irvington along Broadway. more info & photos

Twilight Zone, yet Pleasantly So
6214 SE Lincoln. 5BR/3.1BA. $449,900. This 1996 built house sits in a row of 90s-built houses looking across a nursery field at a row of 40s-built houses right at the base of Mt. Tabor. This house was built on land formerly owned by the school district and is one of 6 houses built by a Benson High School trade program. The cabinetry in the house is actually made from old Benson Bleachers. The space is quite efficient with formal areas plus a great room & 5 bedrooms on the 2nd floor. The Brady Bunch could live here. more info & photos

Rose City Midcentury
5411 NE Broadway. 3BR/2BA. $369,900. We got very excited when we first walked in to this house. The living room is lovely, sunny, and roomy. Nice dining room and eat-in kitchen, too! Then the 2 main floor bedrooms & bath - lovely! Spacious! But then we went downstairs to see the other touted “full floor of living space.” By comparison, it was pretty disappointing. Marginal bath, no carpeting and minimal warmth. 70’s paneling, too. Ugh. Overall, we’d say $20K less (toward fixing up the lower level.) It’s a nice quiet neighborhood; this one could/should be a good deal for just under $350K. more info & photos

Division/Clinton Cool
2530 SE 26th Ave. $264,900-$479,900. We officially love these. There are 7 modern condos left in the Clinton Condominiums. Think sleek, green, and radiant floor heating. As if being beautiful and high quality aren’t enough, they are right upstairs from little T’s bakery and the yoga of love (http://thebhaktishop.com/). more info & photos

Criminally Violated Victorian
443 NE Tillamook. 4BR/3.5BA $399,999. This WAS a Victorian. Actually, it still is, on the outside. Walk in, however, and one is rather joltingly transported into new construction...(is there ANYTHING left?) The new house is very bland, but public rooms are large and some of the light fixtures are nice. The baths aren’t bad, either, but they aren’t memorable. Shiny black granite counters and the all-too-common stock maple cabinetry, sans hardware. All 3 BRs up are tiny, closets minimal. And did we mention that it’s next to commercial property that fronts MLK? Oh well. It is. more info & photos

Affordable Woodstock
6217 SE 47th Ave. 3BR/2BA. $259,900. We walked away thinking this seemed odd for a 40s house and then realized it was built in 1959. The 2nd bedroom feels like an add on and the 3rd is in the basement; however, this little house does have some good space for the money. Nice hardwoods, quiet street, walk to Woodstock, and the light was good too. more info & photos

Eastside Broker Tour: Straight Up

2009-01-15T11:16:00.000-08:00

Each Tuesday (Broker Tour Day) we have the opportunity to tour the new real estate listings before they are open to the general public. This keeps us fresh on market conditions, helps us price properties appropriately for sellers, and identify properties and negotiate powerfully for our buyers. Here's what we saw this week. The views set forth in this email aren't necessarily the opinions of CK homes...wait, these are our opinions and opinionated we are.

SE Urban Cool
23 SE 30th Ave. 3BR/2.1BA. $469,900. Must like to be in the mix to live here as this house is just off 28th & Burnside's formidable "restaurant row" (Ken's, Navarre, Crema, and oh so much more...). It's got some beautiful updates including a guest/family room down and a great unfinished hobby space complete with retro pink formica counters. Yard and double garage too. more info & photos

Helluva Deal
3718 NE 42nd Ave. 4BR/1BA. $279,900. If you believe the trade-off for being on a busy street is worth it for being mere steps away from the best of Beaumont shops & eats, then this house is not to be overlooked. Roomy, mechanicals up to snuff, with a good layout, nice-sized yard and an excellent prospect for converting an upstairs bedroom into the second bath for a spacious master suite. Some nice original details are there to work with, too. more info & photos

Stretch out in South Tabor Village
2224 SE 52nd Ave. 4BR/3BA. $435,000. Once you get past the metal siding and need for a new paint job, this house offers alot of space for the money. The kitchen is glossy granite & maple cabinet new and the baths have nice updates too. Best features: double walk-in closets in the master, and of course the beautiful dry sauna in the finished basement. Bonus feature: the somewhat rustic basement bath is lined with the same cedar used in the sauna - nice touch! Super bonus feature: walk to Petite Provence for best croissants in town. More info & photos

Sweet but Small Bungalow
2726 NE 66th Ave. 2BR/1BA. $303,000. This cute little bungalow is actually not a new listing, but one with a price reduction we hadn't seen before. Well, although it is quite nice, with modern-accented updates in the kitchen and bath (though the bath really needs a pedestal sink to feel friendly) it's also VERY small, so I think it may need another price reduction before anyone will get too excited. The advertised 2nd bedroom is really more of an office, with divided light French doors off the living room. However, the basement has real potential for finishing and the street is well-kept... and there's a new, fun-looking Hawaiian café nearby - Ohana Hawaiian Cafe on Sandy. more info & photos

Little Cutie with Big Potential
1820 SE 44th Ave. 2BR/1BA. $255,000. Sweat equity is right. This little house is a couple of blocks off Hawthorne and you'd never know it. The mature trees that line the street provide some peace and quiet. Although cosmetically a little challenged, it has huge small house potential plus a new roof & furnace. The old-fashioned cellar (accessed from the side yard) wasn't even very scary and my, what a rental! more info & photos

Location, ugh, Location
3133 NE Multnomah St. 4BR/2BA. $319,900. Yep, it's close to everything, including (and especially) Fantasy Video. Get past that and you have a wonderful opportunity in your hands, provided you bring a paintbrush and lots of primer. And although there are 4 bonified bedrooms, several of them would make challenging layouts due to dormers. Strangely solo second bath in basement is actually quite decent and cries out for the adjacent area to be finished out into a family room...or something. more info & photos

Hawthorne Cozy Cape
1801 SE 43rd Ave. 2BR/1BA. $289,950. This almost classic 40s Cape Cod is also a skip from Hawthorne. Cozy it is, with updated electrical and new paint in & out. We are not sure what size bed would actually fit in that 2nd bedroom but thanks to the 40s friendly basement (think high ceilings) and some existing walls, it would be a snap to add another. Oh, and the back yard is cute and accessible through the 2nd "bed"room. more info & photos

Funky in a Fabu Spot
3334 NE 54th Ave 3+BR/1BA $349,950. Great Beaumont location, very nice living and dining rooms greet you (classic bungalow layout) but it's downhill from there. If there was a second bath, then I'd be more excited about the price. But there isn't. The bathroom is nice, the overall condition seems good, but the first floor has a challenging flow and floor plan. Upstairs bedrooms would be great for kids, but there's no room for another bath there - you'd have to put it in the basement. Worth a hard look for the creatively minded or just the right fit. (Not sure what that is, but sure it's out there.) more info & photos

Let us not forget to mention that yesterday one of our very own listings was featured in a New York Times article! Boy did the web traffic spike. Email from one Manhattan-based friend "wow, $269K buys a lot of home outside the NY area!". Yes, it does.

For Whom the Bell Tolls

2008-10-06T20:44:00.000-07:00

Well for one, it rings for my esteemed and breathless partner Katrina, who limped in to work today after running the Portland Marathon (her first!) yesterday! Despite the drizzle, there were almost 10K other people – a new record – that participated. So much for the bicycles getting all the attention for once!

The bells are also chiming for a new listing of ours set to hit the market tomorrow, which is a sweet bungalow in a prime, close-in southeast Portland location. We’ll host an open house for the Broker Tour circuit, from 11am-1pm on October 7th and it will also be held open by yours truly on Sunday (October 12th) from 1-4pm. Address is 3586 SE Sherman Street, a dead-end section accessible from SE 37th Ave. Come for gourmet cookies from Recess. To see photos & virtual tours, check out the new real estate listings page on our CK-Homes site.

The CK-Homes Solstice Send-off Portland Home Tour

2008-10-06T20:35:00.000-07:00

With the sun setting on our belated (but beautiful!) northwest Summer, we waved goodbye last week from the steps of the annual Ladd’s Addition Home Tour, which raised over $3000 to benefit the Save Our Elms organization.

Katrina herself helped organize and host the event, and was glad to see several of our clients make the trek. There were 10 homes that opened their glorious interiors to the ticketed public for the day, providing much inspiration and education on period architecture and historically-sensitive restoration.

Also on Katrina’s weekend agenda was the 5K walk of this year’s Race for the Cure, which she did with her two daughters for the second straight year. This year saw over 45,000 participate and is the largest event on the West Coast.

Meanwhile, Chylese was loafing around area restaurants entertaining out-of-town family; Bar Avignon was a great pre-dinner hit, where the Rioja by the glass was fabu and their pâté divine. Tart, the new frozen yogurt & custard shoppe next door (SE Division & 22nd), looms… We ended up doing a toddler-inclusive dinner outing at nearby Hopworks where the play area was a welcome respite from the high chair.

Their seasonal triple IPA was insanely hoppy and the heavily-scripted burgers were quite excellent. Next up on the list to try is the new Por Qué No? that just opened on Hawthorne which has its flagship on N. Mississippi. Katrina sampled their veggie tamales over lunch last week and gives them a rousing “Olé!”

Welcome to the ck homes blog!

2007-02-01T16:04:00.000-08:00

As Katrina and I ready to launch our new web site, ck-homes.com we decided to implement a weekly blog that is intended to keep our clients and visitors up on the latest news in Portland real estate, as well as other happenings that we find noteworthy, whether they pertain to our Southeast area neighborhoods or the city in general.

We will use this forum to discuss and direct people to other sites and published articles that we think they'll find helpful, interesting, (or both!) that may help them if they are deciding to make a PDX move. Things like how Portland ranks nationally in different categories, its close-in neighborhoods, schools, new restaurants, and demographics. Its parks, employers and job market, and even transportation and commercial developments.

To begin, I thought I'd stack this post with some basic informational sites that our real estate clients find particularly helpful:

www.rmls.com will take you to a search for all listed residential properties in the greater Portland area. You can search by price, school, and/or amenities to narrow it down to what you want to see.

www.portlandmaps.com will prompt you for a street address in the Portland metro area; it will link you to that address and show a plat map of its location, as well as links to information such as its sold history, permits, crime stats, exact size, taxes, and even aerial photos.

www.pps.k12.or.us/schools-c/ will prompt you for a street address in Portland to display the corresponding public elementary, middle, and high schools that apply to it. There have been a lot of changes in recent times - closures and charter conversions - so I always check this to be sure I have accurate information.

www.pdc.us/bus_serv/praises/default.asp#healthiest is basically a recent compilation of what is perhaps best referred to as applause for our city from near and far. "PDC" is the Portland Development Commission, an agency of the city that put the list together. Check it out!

www.hasson.com is the site for the real estate company where Katrina and I hang our hats. We share an office in the Broadway location, at NE 22nd & Broadway. You can look up our bios & listings there by typing in either our names, or find out more about the company, which is the most successful locally-owned & grown real estate company in the northwest. Hasson agents now sell the second-highest volume of properties per agent in the country!

Well, that ought to get us started. Feel free to give us your valued feedback or ideas, and we'll keep the discourse going!

Chylese