PRICE IMPROVEMENT on this amazing home!! Take advantage of this opportunity, friends! Call or text me today for more info! ❤️

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2023 honoring the top 4% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

Rachel Sheller, Realtor, LUXE Listing Specialist, CRS, ABR, SRS, GRI, SRES, RENE, Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, MASTERS CIRCLE-Diamond-Platinum, CSA-Certified Staging Agent

Octavian Group, Oregon First-Principal Broker, Washington First-Managing Broker

Direct 503.380.9634

Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com View this and all available properties on my website.

Homeland Security Declares Real Estate ‘Essential,’ But …

Federal guidance from the Department of Homeland Security has included real estate in a list of essential services that are deemed critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security.. State and local officials, however, have been issuing guidelines that could prevent normal business operations for real estate professionals in some areas. Those local mandates should take precedence over federal guidance, experts advise.

Where real estate services are continuing—albeit in modified forms—brokerages are cautioning their agents to act responsibly and to practice safe social distancing in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

Under the issued Homeland Security guidance, “residential and commercial real services” are included on a 15-page list of essential services. These cover settlement services and government offices that conduct title searches, notaries, and mortgage and recording services, as well as construction. The advisory letter was created by the Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency.

“This list is advisory in nature,” the guidance notes. “It is not, nor should it be considered, a federal directive or standard.”

Indeed, REALTORS® should follow the guidelines set forth by their city, county, and state governments, urges Katie Johnson, general counsel and chief member experience officer for the National Association of REALTORS®. “It is imperative you adhere to the order” of your local jurisdiction, Johnson says.

“Being deemed an essential service means that you have a special responsibility and opportunity to continue operations if you choose to but not if you don’t. It means you have the special responsibility and mandate to adhere to your state’s executive order regarding ‘essential services.’ ”

REALTORS® also have a responsibility to abide by all necessary health and safety precautions mandated by your state’s executive orders that would apply to business activities such as in-person property showings or other face-to-face gatherings.  “We all have a special responsibility to lead by example, to do what we think is best for our communities and ourselves, and to do what we think best for the reputation of the industry,” Johnson says.

Read more recommendations for conducting business safely in Coronavirus: A Guide for REALTORS®.

Article by the National Association of Realtors

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2020 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!

PORTLAND METRO WEEKLY MARKET ACTIVITY!!

• 

I hope this finds you healthy staying positive and not too stir crazy in the midst of this crisis. Many of you have reached out to me to talk about how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting the real estate market so I thought I would start sharing local market data, as well as my professional experience in the day to day real estate world with you.

Overall, the number of listings coming on the market was increasing up until about mid-March, since then new listings have slowed a bit. Real estate is still considered an “essential” business and we are still showing homes under a strict code of conduct to ensure safety and health for all parties involved. Title companies are doing remote signings and one on one appointments with social distancing guidelines in place for signings requiring notaries.

There are still buyers and sellers actively pursuing real estate. In fact, 347 homes went pending last week (3/30/20-4/6/2020) in the Portland-Metro areas:

N, NE, SE Portland-98 last week

Gresham, Troutdale, Corbett and Sandy-29 last wee

Milwaukie, Gladstone, HV, Clackamas, Damascus, and Estacada-28 last week

Oregon City, Beavercreek, Canby, Molalla, and Mulino-28 last week

LO and West Linn-12 last week

All remaining areas-151 sale pending’s last week.

As a full time real estate broker of 24 years, I have been through many market changes and have weathered many Real Estate storms, including the boom of the early 2000’s, 9-11, the great economic recession of 2008, as well as the hot & fast appreciating market of the last 5-6 years. I have the experience, extensive skills, “know how” and expansive resources to help you through this changing time.  I have no crystal ball, but what I do know is these changes are temporary and can shift a market in a way that can create a lot of opportunity.

Let’s stay in touch through this and I’ll keep you posted with what’s happening!

Always feel free to call, text or email me!

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2020 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!

8 Things You Can Do Right Now to Boost Your Health

The first step on any journey is always the hardest — and if you’re trying to get fit and healthy, that first step can feel like a huge one.

But you can crush that first step by making small changes to your lifestyle, starting with everyday behaviors.

“Being aware of your habits — and rethinking those habits — can help you curb the worst of your behaviors,” explained Susan Bloom M.D., assistant clinical professor of preventive medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai in New York City, and author of “The Immune System Recovery Plan.”

Sometimes, it’s those small — yet consistent — changes that have the biggest bang for your buck.

Here are eight simple lifestyle tweaks that can help boost your health, fitness, and energy.

1. Get More Sleep

“The very first place to start is a good night’s sleep,” says Jarrod Spencer, Psy.D., sports psychologist at Mind of an athelte in Bethlehem, PA.

But anyone who has spent the night (or nights) counting sheep, staring at the ceiling, or tossing and turning knows that it’s easier said than done.

Before you turn to over-the-counter sleep aids, set yourself up for sleep success by optimizing your bedroom — like using light dimmers so you can adjust the level of lighting, getting the right pillow, and investing in a sound machine.

Getting enough sleep can impact your mood, mental clarity, your ability to lose weight, energy levels, and more, so it’s important to try to get enough sleep under your belt every night.

2. Stand More

Research estimates the average person spends more than half of their waking hours with bum in a chair.

“But I exercise,” you may be thinking. That’s great! But you’re not off the hook.

Another study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that for every single hour spent sitting watching TV after age 25, your life expectancy is reduced by 21.8 minutes.

While it might not be realistic to quit your (desk) job, you can do things like getting a standing workstation, and mixing in frequent, short sessions of light physical activity (e.g., walking) throughout the day.

The American Council on Exercise suggests taking breaks every thirty to sixty minutes.

3. Exercise Where You Can

Even when you’re watching TV at home, you can designate commercials a mental cue to get off your butt and fit in a few minutes (usually just 90–120 seconds) of squats, push-ups, or jumping jacks.

This will not only help add to your total minutes of exercise each day but will also help you make better food choices during your TV watching. It’s harder to eat the rest of that bag of chips when you’re doing push-ups.

4. Down Some Joe

There was a time when coffee had a bad reputation; it was reportedly unhealthy and stunted your growth. But there’s emerging research pointing to a bevy of health benefits.

If you’re caffeine-averse, no worries: Studies show benefits extend to decaf, as well.

And here’s some really great news for those who want to boost your exercise performance with coffee: Studies show that caffeine can help you train longer and harder.

One downside to coffee? Adding cream, sugar, and other toppings can rack up the calories fast.

Cut back without giving your taste buds a shock by gradually decreasing the add-ins.

Swap the packets of white sugar with a touch of honey. Instead of cream, try 2% milk or a milk alternative like unsweetened almond milk.

5. Make Your Tea Green

Not a coffee drinker? Tea is also a healthy beverage, containing health-promoting substances such as polyphenols, catechins, and epicatechins, which research suggests have antioxidant-like properties.

If you’re already a tea drinker, focus on green tea.

Why? Although all teas – green, black, white, oolong – have health benefits, green is king.

“Hot or iced, it’s an excellent way to hydrate and boost anti-oxidant intake,” says registered dietitian and exercise physiologist Samantha Heller.

But beware of the pre-sweetened teas, which are very high in sugar content, she warns.

In green tea, the leaves are wilted and steamed, processed immediately after picking, which accounts for the difference in the final photochemical balance, and gives green tea its health-boosting catechins

To boost your tea benefits, use water that is near-boiling, and let the leaves steep for about two to three minutes — leaving them longer will release tannins and make the tea bitter.

6. Drink All The Water

Water is a great way to quench your thirst, but it’s also essential to many vital body process.

You’ve probably read or heard that you need to drink eight glasses of water a day. Turns out there’s no scientific evidence to support that — your daily water requirements vary depending on your age, gender, size, activity level, and other factors.

Use your body weight as a general guide to get you started. Drink your body weight, divided by two, in ounces.

So if you weigh 150 pounds — that would be 150 divided by 2, which equals 75. That’s 75 ounces of water you should be drinking every day.

Keep yourself hydrated and on track for your health goals by carrying a water bottle with you and refilling it throughout the day.

7. Time Your Pre-Workout Food Right

Fueling your workout with food can help you get the most out of your workout, and choosing the right food and timing are key.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, you’re better off eating one to three hours before your workout so that your stomach and muscles don’t compete for energy.

Of course, everyone is different, so you might have to play with the time frame to see what works best for you.

“I recommend eating [at least] an hour before your workout,” says New Jersey-based registered dietitian Amy Gorin. “The snack should have a combo of carbs and protein — the protein provides your body with amino acids [the building blocks of muscle], and the carbs will help you power you through your workout.”

Some good choices include a peanut butter and banana sandwich on whole-wheat bread; Greek yogurt with fresh berries; an apple spread with almond or peanut butter; or a handful of nuts and raisins.

8. Get to Know Portion Control and Meal Prep

It’s all too easy to shove a burger in your mouth when you’re we’re rushed, tired or stressed.

An easy way to prevent overeating or grabbing not-so-healthy meals is to plan out your meals and snacks for the week or day ahead.

No weighing out your food. No calorie counting. Just match the container to the food group and you’re done.

Another easy trick — downsize your dishes. “Using smaller plates can cut down on your total caloric consumption,” explains Anderson.

Research found that larger plates lead people to serve themselves more, eat more, and waste more food.

*Statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

BY: Sheryl raft and Kate Bayless

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2020 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!

How to spot the next hot neighborhood

Location, location, location
Location is one of the most important elements – if not the most important element – to consider in a home search. While it’s easy to find markets that are already buzzing, how can you spot up-and-coming neighborhoods?

Uptick in businesses
Take note when chic hotels, stylish boutiques and trendy restaurants begin to emerge in the surrounding areas. If a neighborhood is creating a higher demand for new venues, then its property values are likely to soar.

Fixer-upper potential
Neighborhoods that may be considered past their prime but offer unique architecture and structural integrity are prime real estate opportunities. Victorian, Tudor and Spanish-style older homes are popular, especially among millennials and first-time home buyers who are willing to invest in a home that requires a little extra love, attention and elbow grease.

Fast-selling properties
As homes begin to spend less and less time on the market, it’s a good sign that the neighborhood is increasing in popularity. Sometimes, it only takes a few buyers taking an interest in a neighborhood before other buyers take note and begin to see its potential for future growth.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2020 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!

7 Ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

While many people think of St. Patrick’s Day as the holiday of green beer, here are seven family-friendly ways to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint.

1.     Enjoy a local parade. Get the family together to watch marching bands, bagpipes and Irish step dancers in your area.

2.     Turn your food green. Dye your pancakes green, make cupcakes with green frosting or enjoy a mint milkshake as a festive treat.

3.     Eat traditional Irish food. Corned beef and cabbage or Reuben sandwiches are popular restaurant specials, or try making shepherd’s pie or Irish boxty at home.

4.     Enjoy an Irish beverage. Ireland has more to offer than Guinness and Jameson. Warm up with a cup of Barry’s or Lyons tea and top it off with a splash of milk.

5.     Listen to Irish music. Traditional Celtic music is standard fare. Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys are two Irish-American punk bands if you want a change of pace.

6.     Find a green landmark. Iconic sites around the world light up green for St. Patrick’s Day, making for a festive selfie backdrop.

7.     Watch the Chicago River turn green. Since 1962, the city has dyed the river by using an environmentally friendly powder that turns bright green when it hits the water. If you want to witness the transformation, be there on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2020 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!

Updates in Interior Design

If your farmhouse decor is beginning to feel a bit dated, here are some ways to transform your interior design from rustic to modern.

The new “farmhouse industrial” style combines whitewashed woods, distressed finishes and modern metals, according to PotteryBarn.com. Comfortable, casual and inviting are the three words that best describe this updated look. In addition to wrought iron, galvanized metal and black accent pieces, including a pop of dark red accessories creates a cozy and family-friendly living space.

Houzz.com offers these tips for modernizing a farmhouse kitchen. Charcoal-colored grout adds dimension to white subway tiles. Quartz countertops that resemble the designs in Italian Calacatta marble give a fresh and light appearance. Try adding a matte black faucet or antique bronze pendant lights to draw attention to the industrial look.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2020 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!

Common Mistakes Buyers Make

Here are two mistakes buyers often make when shopping for a home, according to Realtor.com^®.

Not sticking to a budget
Once you’ve set a housing budget, try to avoid getting emotionally attached to a home that’s way out of your price range. Borrowing more than you can comfortably afford can lead to long-term financial problems. One rule of thumb says that your total monthly mortgage plus other debts (car payments, student loans, credit cards, etc.) should not exceed 43% of your pretax earnings.

Not comparing lenders
You can save money both in the short-term (closing costs) and long-term (interest rates) by shopping around before committing to a mortgage. You may want to begin with your own bank, but check with other banks, mortgage brokers or online lenders as well.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2020 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!

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!

5 Home Design Trends to Be Thankful for This Year

After years of normalizing neutral color palettes, for example, designers are embracing more colorful trends to showcase personality in homes. REALTOR® Magazine’s Styled, staged and sold blog asked designers and stagers what home interior trends they’re most grateful for this year. Here are their top picks.

1. More colorful spaces

Goodbye, white kitchens and gray walls. More color is moving in. Homeowners favor bolder hues inside the home, not just for pops of color but also as a base color for an entire room. Paint companies have chosen variations of blues, pinks, and greens as their picks for 2020 color of the year. These colors also are being splashed on kitchen cabinets, exterior doors, and home accessories.

The paint firm PPG selected Chinese porcelain, a blend of cobalt and muted navy tones, as its 2020 color of the year. Sherwin Williams followed suit with Naval, a deep navy blue.

Behr’s top 2020 pick is a meadow-inspired yellowish green called Back to Nature.

Pinks also are catching on. HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams, the company’s offshoot brand, chose a blush hue called Romance, while Benjamin Moore chose a soft, rosy hue called First Light.

2. Luxury vinyl flooring

A design trend that’s stylish but low maintenance, luxury vinyl is enjoying popularity as an alternative to hardwood and ceramic tile flooring. Vinyl is touted as being cheaper, warmer, and softer on your feet; it also requires less upkeep than traditional hardwood or tile.

Today’s luxury vinyl shouldn’t be mistaken for linoleum and other varieties of sheet flooring. Luxury vinyl can be laid out in planks, tiles, and sheets, and it comes in trendy finishes. Luxury vinyl planks can resemble the look of hardwood and are offered in handscraped and wide plank varieties. The planks can be installed diagonally or in a trendy herringbone pattern, and they also can resemble tile and marble.

The lower maintenance of luxury vinyl is appealing to families with young children and pets. It’s a water-resistant material that works easily in kitchens and bathrooms.

3. Voice-controlled smart appliances

Alexa, Google Home, and Siri are ushering in a new and advanced era of smart-home technology. The choices are growing, too: Smart plugs, for example, cost as little as $10 and enable you to say: “Alexa, turn on the lights.” Add smart lightbulbs that can be controlled via voice assistants, as well as other appliances such as the thermostat, door locks, and security cameras. Suddenly, smart homes have become more attainable and cost-effective.

4. Statement ceilings 

Finally, a reason to look up! The homes fifth wall is commanding the spotlight In the roaring ’20s, stamped ceilings, such as those plated in copper or tin decorative sheets, were popular. But the trend faded in favor of smooth ceiling finishes. Now, the statement ceiling is back.

This time, however, paint, wallpaper, or wood moldings are the ceiling accents of choice. A statement ceiling can brighten up a space and make it memorable, says Katie Skoloff, principal designer and founder of In Site Designs, an interior design firm in Greenville, S.C. “We find the interest on a ceiling draws the eye up, and you cannot help but feel the space is there to ‘wow’ you,” she says. Wallpapered ceilings, as well as wood beams and coffered ceilings, are today’s standout options.

5. Contrasting kitchen design

Along with more colorful interiors, the white kitchen is fading in favor of a bigger statement, including tuxedo cabinetry, shiny hardware, and brass-trimmed range hoods.

Polished brass on cabinet hardware, range hoods, and appliance handles shines in otherwise white kitchens, appearing to be like jewelry for the space. Café, a hardware line for the GE Appliance brand, offers customizable options in various metals for refrigerator or oven handles. For example, soft-brushed copper handles can be added to a matted white refrigerator for a more contemporary vibe.

Contrasting kitchen cabinets, such as the tuxedo kitchen, also are gaining popularity. The trend calls for upper and lower cabinets to be painted different colors—perhaps white on top and a gray or dark walnut on the bottom. It’s essentially a way to add more visual interest to an otherwise all-white display.

An alternative—and slightly less bold—version of this trend is also taking root, such as all-white cabinets and a contrasting kitchen island in a deep blue, gray, or walnut color.

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!