Listing Photos Stir Buyers’ Emotions

Buyers scour the internet looking at listings and hoping for just the right photo to inspire that feeling of home. If you want to attract buyers to your property, here are some suggestions from Realtor.com^®.

Your home’s curbside photo creates that initial spark in a buyer’s mind. Most often the first listing photo buyers view is the front of the house. Be sure your property’s curb appeal includes an inviting front entry and attractive landscaping. The lighting needs to be just right so that the exterior details are not too dark and the sunlight doesn’t wash out the house color.

Some listings lead with a photo of a newly remodeled kitchen or a great room with an impressive fireplace. Interior photos need to be eye-catching, stylish and sparkling clean.

Younger buyers with children and pets may dream of a big backyard with space for outdoor play and entertaining. Highlighting a fire pit or well-maintained garden in the photos may increase a buyer’s interest.

I am a certified staging agent and use a professional photographer to give your house the best opportunity to sell. That way you get the most money in the shortest time possible! Call me today and we can get started on selling your home or buying your dream home!

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

Rachel Sheller

Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES

Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker,

MASTERS CIRCLE

CSA-Certified Staging Agent

Oregon First, Washington First 

Direct 503.380.9634

Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website.

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

8 Hot Home Trends For 2020 And Beyond

With a new decade upon us, it’s an exciting time for home design trendsetters, including architects, developers, builders — and yes, you, the homeowner. Trends in the field reflect green and tech innovations, healthier lifestyles and a focus on shared space. Let’s take a look at eight of the most important directions being taken.

1. Going casual.Homes today reflect a more relaxed lifestyle, with an emphasis on comfort. Formal dining and living rooms are being replaced by open floor plans, a greater inclusion of the outdoors and no-frills home offices.
2. Smarter and better connected.Evolving smart technologies have been incorporated throughout the home. Automated systems, which range from home security to lighting to climate control, are everywhere. Command centers provide a place for wireless charging stations, home deliveries and easy device access for coordinating family schedules.
3. Green sustainability is in fashion.In response to a changing climate and increasing costs, energy efficiency is a must. Homeowners are choosing Energy Star appliances and windows. Smart thermostats and LED lighting save money and energy. New, efficient plumbing fixtures conserve water. Builders are using recycled and other high-tech materials to improve thermal insulation. Rooftop solar panels are more common. The green home marketplace is abuzz with constant improvements.
4. The appeal of the open floor plan.Whether home buyers are looking to maximize the flow of light or space, or to create more familial unity, they’re looking to open floor plans. Most common is the integration of the kitchen with a dining or living room, but also with a patio or home office. These multipurpose spaces are becoming the norm.
5. The heart of the home.The kitchen remains the center of household activity. We not only cook and eat in the kitchen, but its island has expanded into the home’s meeting place. Design-wise, buyers are looking for white-upon-white cabinetry and walls, stainless steel appliances and natural stone counter tops.
6. Redefining the bathroom.In the easygoing 2020’s, the bathroom can be your refuge: a long shower or even longer soak transforms the room from a care space into a spa. Calming shades of white and gray are preferred. Homebuyers are going with the clean look of wall-mounted fixtures. More welcoming walk-in showers with multi-function faucets are a hot feature.
7. At home in the great outdoors.Another exciting trend for the 2020s is a greater usage of the homeowner’s outdoor space. With more informal lifestyles, enjoying one’s yard, deck, patio or pool is now a priority. Designer outdoor furniture and exterior lighting, as well as mobile heaters and outdoor kitchens, are making the outdoors a year-round experience.
8. Tomorrow’s home, today.Builders are recognizing home affordability issues and responding to home buyers’ changing priorities. This is resulting in smaller homes with fewer traditional luxuries, like three-car garages. More affordable prefab modular construction and townhomes are on the rise.

Please feel free to text or call me for more information! I would love to answer any and all of your real estate needs.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

Rachel Sheller

Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES

Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker,

MASTERS CIRCLE

CSA-Certified Staging Agent

Oregon First, Washington First 

Direct 503.380.9634

Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website.

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

Make Realistic Compromises When You Can

Home buyers most often begin their house hunting with a long list of must-have features. They typically hope to find their new home in the best location, at the lowest possible price and with lots of modern upgrades. Once buyers start looking at the available homes within their price range, however, they tend to make practical compromises that they know they can live with.

Location vs. square footage is often the first compromise buyers must consider. Living closer to the city center might mean buying a smaller home than what can be purchased for the same price farther out.

Buyers with school-age children tend to want a big backyard but, depending on the cost of land, they may have to rethink just how large is large enough for an outdoor play area and a swing set. One compromise might be looking for a home with a smaller backyard that’s within walking distance of a park.

The architectural style of the house is the most important feature for some buyers. Others are more willing to be flexible with the exterior design in exchange for an additional bedroom or bath inside the home.

The size of the garage or carport and whether it’s attached or detached is another feature that buyers may have to keep an open mind about in order to get a home in their preferred location.

By working closely with a real estate professional, you’ll gain knowledgeable expertise when it comes to prioritizing your list of desired features for your new home. Feel free to give me a call or email today and I can help you with this!

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

Rachel Sheller

Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES

Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker,

MASTERS CIRCLE

CSA-Certified Staging Agent

Oregon First, Washington First 

Direct 503.380.9634

Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website.

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

Is your furniture a dangerous jungle gym?

Turning your back for just a moment gives a child just enough time to reupholster your couch with peanut butter or redecorate your wall with crayons. More importantly, in a split second, they could turn furniture into a jungle gym and get hurt. According to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, around 15,000 kids visit the emergency room each year due to falling furniture. Take the necessary precautions to secure your furniture, and save your kids from serious injury.

When purchasing furniture, choose pieces with wide bases and steady legs. Talk to your kids about the dangers of climbing on furniture, and keep toys close to the floor so children won’t be tempted to scale the bookshelf.

You can also secure furniture and TVs to walls with mounts and safety straps. Some furniture manufacturers now provide safety straps with the purchase of certain shelving units. Install these as an extra line of defense against kids who pull and climb.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

Rachel Sheller

Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES

Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker,

MASTERS CIRCLE

CSA-Certified Staging Agent

Oregon First, Washington First 

Direct 503.380.9634

Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website.

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

Should You Upgrade To USB Electrical Outlets?

Not Your Parent’s Electrical Outlet

The last time your home’s electrical outlets had a significant redesign was 50 years ago, when, for safety reasons, the three-prong outlet became standard for use with all major appliances. That surprised look on three-prong’s face that we’ve all grown accustomed to has been transforming, as USB ports are built into more electrical socket designs to accommodate the multiple devices we need to charge every day.

When USB wall outlets first started showing up, they were mainly in airport terminals and hospitals. Now you often find them in hotels and even your favorite coffee bar. Chances are, you’ve plugged a device into one somewhere in recent years. They’re so easy and convenient when your phone or tablet’s battery runs low. So why haven’t you upgraded any of the electrical outlets in your home with them?

Why Haven’t You Made the Switch?

Maybe you haven’t upgraded any outlets to USB yet because you think it involves getting an electrician to your house and that’s always costly!
Maybe you wonder if you really need to install USB outlets because you’ve already invested in a charging station that you placed in the most useful spot in your home.
Maybe you heard USB outlets constantly draw power even when they’re not in use.
Or maybe wall warts, power strips, adapters, and a bunch of dangling charging cords just don’t bother you.

Whatever your reason, here’s why it’s time to upgrade to USB outlets in certain places in your home:

You don’t need an electrician–if you’re the DIY type. You can change an outlet to a new USB receptacle in under an hour. The cost to upgrade will only be your time and about $25 per receptacle.
You don’t need that charging station anymore. A USB wall outlet is a better long-term solution and aesthetically, these slim and sleek new outlets just look better.
You can be expect a USB outlet to be more energy efficient than a charging station. Although USB outlets do draw a very small amount of current when not in use, you can buy one with a switch and easily turn off power to the outlet until you need to plug in a device.

Check This Before You Make the Switch

USB receptacles have a bit more to their backsides than do the standard three-prong receptacles. Follow these steps* to check that the outlet you plan to switch has a junction box that can accommodate the larger size:

1. Use a voltage tester to check that electricity is present in the outlet. A red light on the voltage tester indicates “hot” to show the outlet has an electrical current. Watch a few how-to videos if this is your first time using a voltage tester.
2. Next, cut off power to the room where you’d be replacing a socket via the main circuit breaker panel. To be extra safe, or if you are not sure which breaker controls which room, always turn off the power to your whole home.
3. After turning off the power, use the voltage tester on the outlet again to ensure the current is off. The voltage tester green indicator lights up if the power is off. Then remove the outlet’s faceplate and unscrew the receptacle from the junction box.
4. Check that the junction box for the outlet you are upgrading has about 3 inches of depth to it to fit the bulkier USB outlet. If you have an older home you may have slimmer junction boxes. Repeat steps for every outlet you want to switch. If any of the junction boxes are too small, you can either not upgrade that outlet, or call an electrician.

*If you have doubts about your electrical DIY skills, stop now and call an electrician. Better to stay safe, and keep in mind that USB wall outlets are safe when installed correctly as well.

Pro tip: You cannot switch a GFCI outlet for a USB one. USB outlets do not have built-in GFCI capability.

The Best Places for USB Outlets

Now that you know these new USB receptacles can fit in at your house, it’s time to consider all of the places where switching an outlet makes the most sense. Here are rooms where upgrading to USB works best:

• Bedrooms on nightstands where sleeping gadgets lie.
• Kitchens next to countertops but not for switching GFCIs.
• Living rooms by entertainment areas or near tables by a chair.
• Guest rooms by nightstands or nearest to the sleeping area.
• Home offices near to desks, or see “Gadgets” section at end of article for another idea.
• Garages by tool benches or sturdy shelves, but only buy USB outlets with port covers here.

Unfortunately, for now, you can’t add USB outlets outside on a porch or patio, even if your outdoor outlet has an insulated metal cover. That’s because the National Electrical Code (NEC) requires outdoor electricity outlets to use GFCI. If you have an enclosed porch, where the outlet is high off ground level, you could consult an electrician. But it may be better to simply wait for the next innovation to come along.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

Rachel Sheller- Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker, MASTERS CIRCLE, CSA-Certified Staging Agent, Oregon First-Principal Broker, Washington First-Managing Broker

Direct 503.380.9634, Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

Do You Need A New Place To Escape?

Everyone needs a place to escape and unwind from the daily routine. If you or someone you know has any questions about the real estate market, or would like to discuss an upcoming move, feel free to give me a call anytime! I am here for you and your real estate needs.

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Rachel Sheller, Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker, MASTERS CIRCLE, CSA-Certified Staging Agent, Oregon First, Washington First 

Direct 503.380.9634, Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

Millennials, Millennials, Millennials.. Call me! I’d Love To Help You!

Call or email today. Together we’ll explore the possibilities in our ever-changing real estate market.

Five Star award recipient 2011-2018 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Rachel Sheller, Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, MASTERS CIRCLE, Earth Advantage Broker, Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, CSA-Certified Staging Agent

Oregon First, Realtors

Direct 503.380.9634

Email- Homesforyou@frontier.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website

Licensed in the State of Oregon

***I’M ALWAYS HAPPY TO HELP YOU AND YOUR REFERRALS***

91% of sellers listed with a Realtor®

This past year was definitely a strong seller’s market, according to recently released data from the National Association of Realtors^®. With stiff competition among buyers for the low number of listings available in the marketplace, you might think that homeowners would opt to sell their own houses. However, for-sale-by-owner properties were at an all-time low. In fact, 91 percent of sellers listed with a Realtor^® in order to take advantage of the professional agent’s knowledge of the market and expertise in negotiating the sale.

Here are some other trends about home sellers in 2018:

• Nearly 45 percent moved up to a larger house.
• The median gain in their home equity was $55,000.
• The average time spent living in the home before selling was 9 years.
• The typical distance between the property sold and the property purchased was about 20 miles.
• Typically, Listing with a Realtor gets you more money than going alone.

For more information on selling and/or buying in today’s market please call, email, or text anytime to go over all your options, steps, costs, time it takes and how to get the best deal possible.

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Rachel Sheller, Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker, MASTERS CIRCLE, CSA-Certified Staging Agent, Oregon First, Washington First

Direct 503.380.9634, Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View an accurate list of  ALL available Houses on the market on my website.

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

5 Coolest And Quirkiest Houses In Portland, OR.

Portland Oregon has long been a city of quirky dive bars, unconventional personalities, and for just being flat out “weird.”

Many of the people have adopted this city’s cultural norm, as they pride themselves in being open minded and non-judgmental.

Some of those people have even decided to showcase the best of the cities weird personality by sprucing up their homes to match the character of the surrounding environment.

Being born and raised in Portland, OR by an unconventional family spending years going through back roads and side alleys, east side and west sides whether personally or professionally, these are some of the coolest homes I have ever come across.

There was no poll taken for this piece, this is simply one person’s opinion after years of home scouting and searching. Here are MY top five coolest and quirkiest houses that Portland has to offer.

• LAURELHURST – THE PINK HOUSE

This house is one of my favorite houses of all time. Tucked away in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods you will ever see.

The Pink House has old Scottish architecture combined with 70’s flavor. I never thought you could make a pink house look tactful, but my hat’s off to these owners as they have done a fabulous job.

• LAURELHURST – THE MODERN HOUSE

This house seems to stick out like a sore thumb from it’s surrounding neighborhood. Such as incredibly modern design with such personality.

If you look closely, you can see the “cow family” on the balcony rails that provide this house with that much more personality.

• LAURELHURST – THE CASTLE HOUSE

This house exemplifies the creative talents Portland has to offer. Modern yet industrial, the castle house is the perfect example of one family’s willingness to say “why not.”

• SELLWOOD – THE EARTH HOUSE

This house is one of the more artsy and earthy houses that I have seen in the Portland Metro. With such grassroots designs, this house is the epitome of Portland’s organic culture.

• SW PORTLAND – THE YELLOW HOUSE

Possibly the most iconic, and most well-known house in Portland for being “quirky.”

While there are many homes that were not mentioned on this posting that could have made the list, these were simply some of my favorites that I have seen over my long-time career as a real estate agent in the Portland market.

To say that these houses are “cool and quirky” could not be more of a compliment to the design and features of the home, as they perfectly exemplify the unconventional mindset that Portland has become so notorious for.

We all that one person in the friend group that is a little weird, and I think we can all agree that we find that one house in the neighborhood that is a little weird to be pretty cool.

We like to do things differently here in Portland, and that is exactly what these houses represent, a willingness to bring your original idea to life, to pursue your goals, and to not worry about what others will think of your decisions.

I hope you find this blog fun and entertaining and remember that “It’s A GOOD LIFE!”

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2018 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Rachel Sheller, Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker, MASTERS CIRCLE, CSA-Certified Staging Agent, Oregon First, Washington First

Direct 503.380.9634, Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.

If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

How to re-energize after the holidays

How to re-energize after the holidays

When the rush of the holidays comes to an end, fatigue can settle in as you try to adjust to your normal routine again. Here are a few small steps you can take to regain your energy and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Organize your desk.
It may seem like a small, menial task, but starting your week with a clean desk can do wonders for your productivity. Instead of feeling underwater in a sea of paperwork, having a clear workspace can reduce stress and encourage creativity.

Plan something.
Schedule a vacation, plan a party, or start a new project at work or at home. Having an event or a new challenge to look forward to helps you stay motivated and avoid the post-holiday slump.

Take care of yourself.
The holidays can take their toll on your mind and body, and the added stress often goes unaddressed. Take some time to exercise or do yoga, meditate, take a bath, or go to bed earlier than usual to help yourself reset.

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2018 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Rachel Sheller, Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker, MASTERS CIRCLE, CSA-Certified Staging Agent, Oregon First, Washington First

Direct 503.380.9634, Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!