IT’S 2024!

That sounds like a sci-fi movie to those of us that were born in the 1900’s. :) Hard to believe sometimes. Looking back, I can say with certainty that the best financial decision I made in my life was 25 years ago, when I bought my first property. It was a 2br/2ba condo in West Hollywood, CA. I was in my mid-20’s and had only lived in one apartment since graduating from college. I had a dog that I loved and was having trouble finding a place that would allow pets, so I got it in my head that I should buy something. I had almost saved up enough for 10% down, and was fortunate enough to get a small loan from family to get me there. The monthly overhead was quite a bit more than my rent had been, but I had a friend move in and contribute, which made the it doable. As is typically the case, the value of the property went up as I paid down the principal. I sold the condo and used that equity to put 20% down on my first house, and onward went the pattern, eventually leading me (and my family) back to Lake Oswego and our current home. I’m sure many of you have similar stories. It has been such a gift and it’s something I want for all the young people in my life.

To my kids, nieces and nephews, my friends’ kids, and to the parents and grandparents who want to help them: If you have to choose, don’t buy a nice car or throw an expensive wedding - instead, save up for a down payment. Your future self will thank you. 

Is it a good time to buy a house?

That is the question of the hour. My  job, as a real estate agent, is to stay on top of the market and to advise my clients while they weigh out the pros and cons of that decision. But none of us has a crystal ball and trying to time the market is tricky (Sure, a lower interest rate would be nice, but then there’s more competition and prices go up). I appreciated this article in Architectural Digest that looks at all of the factors and explains why the right time to buy is when you want or need to and when you can afford it. 

I’m still thinking about this completely remodeled, luxurious kitchen from our Marylhurst project. The Calacatta Marble is so beautiful in person, you can’t help but run your hand over it. These amazing clients selected gorgeous finishes throughout the house, and they were a pleasure to collaborate with. It was an extensive remodel, which added a ton of value to their home, but more importantly, it created a beautiful place to raise their family for the foreseeable future. I couldn’t be happier for them. 

3 must-do’s when selling your house in 2024

If one of the goals on your list is selling your house and making a move this year, you’re likely juggling a mix of excitement about what’s ahead and feeling a little sentimental about your current home.

A great way to balance those emotions and make sure you’re confident in your decision is to keep these three best practices in mind when you’re ready to sell.

What happened after the HGTV cameras stopped rolling for these Oregon homeowners?

As some of you know, many years ago, I was the original host of TLC’s While You Were Out. (Excuse the grainy action shot of me SANDING a drawer front - this was literally before I was using digital photo storage!). Back then, I loved “all things home”, but hadn’t yet become an Interior Designer or a Real Estate Agent. So I was just the perky, young host, who would interview the homeowners and designers, and jump in to help wherever needed. (You know, sanding). I occasionally find myself wondering what happened to those houses and whether any of the homeowners still live in them. So this article caught my attention - different show, but similar concept. 

The 10 most expensive homes that sold in 2023, from Jay-Z’s Malibu mansion to Jeff Bezos’ Miami getaway

While 2023’s 10 priciest real estate transactions racked up a total sales volume of nearly $1.2 billion, slightly surpassing our 2022 list’s tally, these deals were the exceptions. In almost every luxury market across the country, overall volume declined by double-digit percentages compared to the prior year, driven by economic jitters and soaring interest rates. All that aside, it can be fun to take a peek at how the top 1% lives…

Listings that caught my eye…

I hope this year has started off well for all of you!

As always, if you’d like to discuss your real estate goals and brainstorm ways to make them happen, let’s connect.

-Anna