This home looks brand new and has impressive high-end features including high ceilings, luxury laminate flooring, granite counters, classic backsplash, SS appliances, GORGEOUS tile flooring, open floor plan with a slider to covered patio ready for year-round use! Substantial primary suite featuring a walk-in closet, on-suite bathroom with double sinks, floor-to-ceiling show-stopping tiled shower, high ceilings, and slider to covered patio. Fully fenced and private backyard with a good-sized tool shed, RV/boat storage, raised beds, and low-maintenance landscaping. Literally, too many upgrades to list!
It’s a MUST-see. Welcome home!! MLS# 23205054
IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!
Five Star award Winner 2011- 2023 honoring the top 4% of real estate professionals in Oregon.
2126 SE 142nd Ave Portland, OR 97233 ~Asking $449.999 ~RMLS# 23698347
.43 Acres zoned R7 with completely remodeled home! Potential to build (buyer to do due diligence) in the back while you like in a COMPLETELY remodeled home. 3 bedrooms, 1 bright bathroom, 2 car garage, breezeway with custom wood ceiling, all new wiring, new sheetrock, Most of house replumbed, newer furnace and heat pump, newer water heater, luxury laminate flooring, metal roof, all siding replaced, all windows replaced to vinyl windows, HUGE fenced back yard, plus 24 X 18 shop, 16 X 12 shed, raised gardens and patio with pavers. GORGEOUS Kitchen remodeled with farmhouse sink, all newer SS appliances included, eating area, granite and custom pantry. WELCOME HOME!!
IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!
Five Star award Winner 2011- 2023 honoring the top 4% of real estate professionals in Oregon.
It was such an honor working for your little family. Thank you for trusting us to be your realtor and letting us help you on this journey. Make sure to send some of the California sun our way 🤪
IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!
Five Star award Winner 2011- 2023 honoring the top 4% of real estate professionals in Oregon.
26 SE 66th Ave Portland, OR 97215~ Asking $549,999~ RMLS #23309999
Immerse your Portland lifestyle in this exquisite 1947 Cottage masterpiece. You’ll love the charming wood floors, build-in, coved ceiling and period touches throughout. Cozy & delightful livingroom, 4 comfortable bedrooms, 1 1/2 spotless bathrooms, full basement and darling detached garage. Cheery kitchen with all appliances included. Oil tank recently decommissioned, newer water heater (about 4years ago), furnace $ A/C replaced (about 10 years ago), many windows replaced/repaired, new exterior paint in 2022. To much good to list! A MUST see!!
IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!
Five Star award Winner 2011- 2023 honoring the top 4% of real estate professionals in Oregon.
11415 Shelby Rose Drive Oregon City, OR 97045~ Asking $574,999~ RMLS# 1458207
Highly sought-after single level home in one of Oregon City’s most desirable locations! This flowing floor plan features 4 big bedrooms, remodeled bathrooms, high ceilings, 3 car garage, laundry room, updated kitchen with granite, appliances included, pantry and solar tube. Good sized Great room with cozy fireplace and slider to private back yard. Your going to love this beauty!
IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!
Five Star award Winner 2011- 2022 honoring the top 4% of real estate professionals in Oregon.
For most people across North America, buying a home or property with cash is not possible. Because of this, banks and other lenders offer mortgage loans to those that qualify. A mortgage loan isn’t a bad thing; it’s a way for many people to be able to own a home. As with any popular subject, there are some common myths surrounding mortgage loans. While not every buyer will need a mortgage, it’s important to discern the myths from the facts when it comes to modern mortgage loans.
Twenty Percent Down Payment
This is one of the most popular myths surrounding mortgage loans, and it’s also one of the most outdated. While it may have been a requirement many years ago, a buyer does not need to have 20 percent of a home’s purchase price in order to qualify for a loan. While it may be financially better to put down 20 percent, there are a number of different loans and options that allow potential buyers to get a mortgage with less than 20 percent down. In the U.S., an FHA mortgage for first-time buyers requires a minimum 3.5 percent down; VA mortgages allow for zero down; USDA home loans require nothing down; and a number of other programs allow buyers to put anything from 3 to 10 percent down. If you’re thinking of buying a home and you know you’ll need a mortgage loan, don’t be fooled by the 20 percent myth: there are many mortgage options available to buyers today.
Prequalifying Guarantees A Loan
It may seem like, with the steps you go through to get pre-qualified, a mortgage loan will be a sure thing. But that’s not the case. Prequalification is not preapproval. Prequalification is the initial step in the mortgage process, and while an important step as it can provide an idea of a potential mortgage loan amount, it is not the actual approval. Prequalification generally only uses basic financial information and is not a guarantee of a loan. Preapproval is a more thorough process that generally involves looking at your financial statements and credit report. Before you begin your home search, get preapproved to ensure you’re looking at properties that fall within your budget.
Need Excellent Credit
There are a number of factors that go into mortgage approval, and while creditworthiness and debt-to-income ratio are both considered, you do not need to be ‘excellent’ in either of these areas in order to get a mortgage loan. The minimum credit score necessary for a conventional loan in the US is 620; for a traditional mortgage in Canada, it’s 680. As for debt-to-income (DTI) ratio: while it’s best to have as little debt as possible when looking to purchase a home, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (government-sponsored agencies that publish standards for conventional mortgage approval in the U.S.) have the maximum allowable DTI at 50 percent, meaning those with current debt are not at a loss when it comes to qualifying for a mortgage loan.
Only Get The Advertised Rate
It’s often said if it’s too good to be true, it generally is. The same can be said for mortgage interest rates. When looking for a loan, interest rates will be listed online, in newspapers, and wherever else lenders advertise. Those advertised rates will be appealing to buyers, but the reality is that most of the time advertised interest rates are only reserved for those who have a perfect credit score, have an incredible debt-to-income ratio, and are likely putting down a very large down payment. Interest rates are influenced by a number of factors, which of course aren’t included in the advertisement (just in the incredibly small fine print); because of this, go into the mortgage loan process with the understanding that you may not receive the advertised interest rate.
Down Payment Covers Closing Costs
When buying a home with a mortgage, there’s always talk of a ‘down payment,’ which for most buyers is a large chunk of money paid up front and ultimately lowers the final amount of a mortgage loan. But while this IS a large payment, it does not cover closing costs. Closing costs are the processing fees paid to the lender in exchange for creating and finalizing the loan. They are due when you close on the loan, but they are separate and independent of the down payment. Closing costs can range from 2% to 6% of the total loan balance. Buyers do have the option of negotiating with the seller on covering closing costs, but it’s never a guarantee and some locales limit the amount the seller can contribute. As you’re looking for homes and understanding the mortgage process, remember to account for closing costs in your calculations. Mortgage loans can be confusing and intimidating, especially with the number of myths out there about them. If you still have questions, your agent can help or refer you to someone with more knowledge – they may even have a lender they’ve worked with and recommend. Buying a home with a mortgage loan is still widely popular throughout North America – don’t let the myths fool you out of achieving the goal of home ownership.
It’s a New Year, and homes and properties are available all over North America. You can check out the local real estate market at my website. If you’re thinking about buying or selling this year, don’t hesitate to contact me with your questions.
IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!
Five Star award Winner 2011- 2022 honoring the top 4% of real estate professionals in Oregon.
Although real estate markets across North America are seeing a slight slow down, there are still plenty of homeowners looking to sell their homes. But what can you do to help make your property stand out? Simple home improvements and renovations are an easy way to boost your property and capture the attention of buyers across the board. Invest in your home’s appearance by prioritizing some of these simple renovations/upgrades to help increase your home’s marketability and overall value when it hits the market.
Simple and Attainable Fixes
Garage Door Replacement
For those homeowners with a garage, an outdated or broken garage door can be an appeal killer to potential buyers. The good news for sellers is that a garage door replacement in 2022 has the highest return on investment (ROI) for remodeling projects at 93.3%. The benefits of replacing your garage door are two-fold: not only does it help with your home’s overall curb appeal, a new garage door can increase your home’s security, is more energy efficient, and newer models come with features to protect people and animals from accidental injury.
Entry Door Replacement
Another project that can help boost your home’s curb appeal and overall market value is replacing the entry door. One of the most important aspects of your home is the front door as it’s the first thing buyers look at as they walk into the house. Broken, dented, and decaying doors can immediately sour a potential buyer’s interest, so making the small investment in a new door is a great idea if your home is sitting on the market. 2022 numbers have “entry door replacement” at a ROI of 63.8%, meaning it’s a sound investment if your property needs a boost with buyers.
Landscaping
Not every seller has a yard, but for those that do, investing in landscaping is an easy way to boost your home’s overall appeal and capture the eye of potential buyers. Across North America, agents have reported buyers attaching more value to a home if the yard is landscaped. NALP members and REALTORS in NAR’s 2018 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features ranked a standard lawn care service as the number one project that appeals to buyers, and that landscape maintenance and tree care recovered 100 percent of the costs at the time of sale. Depending on the size of the yard, sprucing up your property’s landscaping can be a good way to boost value and help develop more interest in your listing.
Bigger Heavy Hitters
Minor Kitchen Remodel
Kitchens are one of the most used rooms in a house, and many buyers want to see functional and good looking kitchens in the properties they choose to view. If your kitchen is outdated, a minor kitchen remodel could help boost your home’s value and overall appeal. Minor kitchen remodels can include replacing cabinets and counter tops; replacing cabinet and drawer fronts; updating hardware; replacing appliances; installing a new sink and faucet; installing new flooring; and aesthetic changes like new paint and trim. The name of the game is minor changes – there’s no need to take out walls or break your bank account. A simple kitchen refresh can catch the eye of many potential buyers, and at over 70% ROI, this is a great option for those sellers looking to make their home stand out.
Window Upgrades
Windows are an important part of any property, and if your home has old windows, it’s possible they could be dissuading buyers from looking at your house. While windows can be an expensive update for those properties with tons of windows, they do have an excellent ROI (67.5%) and they come with a number of benefits: enhanced home security and safety, improved energy efficiency, noise reduction, and improved overall curb appeal. Windows can be a big decision when it comes to renovations, but they will absolutely appeal to buyers and help your home sell.
New Siding
Siding can really make or break a home, and for some buyers, homes with old, decayed, warped, or just odd siding can immediately make them skip a showing. Just like replacing windows, replacing siding isn’t ‘cheap’ – it’s an investment, especially for those with big homes. But new siding comes with a number of benefits: a high ROI (68.3% for fiber cement; 67.2% for vinyl), increased curb appeal, improved energy efficiency, and overall longevity (vinyl siding can last between 20-40 years, and fiber cement siding can last up to 50 years). New siding is a great selling point and highly marketable. With real estate markets slowing down, for some owners it may feel like their home will never sell. Sometimes the homeowner needs to help the process. Upgrades can certainly help boost a home that’s been sitting as well as help add to the resale value of the home. If you have questions on what you can do to help boost your property, contact me: rachel@rachelsheller.com! You can also see what’s available on your local real estate market at my website: rachelsheller.com
When you’re ready to sell your home, doing a little preparation beforehand can potentially help your home sell quicker and for a higher price.
Maximize Curb Appeal Getting buyers through the front door starts at the curb. Manicure the lawn, trim the trees and shrubs. Pull weeds and plant some colorful flowers. Clear the walkways. Fix peeling paint and wind up that hose. Paint the address number on the curb.
Make Repairs to Visible Blemishes Is there something that’s an eyesore, but an easy fix? If looking at it bothers you, it could bother a potential buyer and reduce the appeal of your home. Replace burnt-out light bulbs, fix that loose door handle, and make needed paint touch-ups.
Make a Buyer’s Entrance Inviting Freshly paint the front door with a color that contrasts the house. Add a new welcome mat and hang a fresh wreath on the door.
Let the Light Shine In Remove heavy window coverings to let in the natural light we all crave and add lamps to brighten up darker areas to add more cheer.
Remove the Clutter This serves two purposes.
First, you want your home to have an open and inviting appearance. Removing clutter will make rooms appear larger and more appealing.
Second, it helps YOU prepare to move. Going through the clutter and getting rid of what you don’t need will make your move much easier.
Remove Personal Items It will be much easier for potential buyers to imagine your home as theirs when they can envision their own items in it.
Highlight Special Features Use accents and color to draw eyes to special features that you want potential buyers to notice—throw pillows, plants, or other eye-catching accessories.
Add Mirrors Use mirrors to make rooms look larger and lighter. Position opposite windows for best effect.
Clean Out Cabinets and Closets Buyers are nosy and they WILL open the cabinets. Make sure your contents are orderly and organized.
Eliminate Odors Clean to remove any odors and do not cook any meals with heavy, lasting smells before a showing.
Add Aromas You can easily add appeal by quartering an orange and adding it to a pot of water with a cinnamon stick. Simmer on low for an inviting aroma. Or bake a fresh batch of cookies (and leave a plate of them on the counter for visitors).
If you are ready to put your house on the market, call me today. I would love to help you!
13225 SE Rose Meadow Drive Clackamas, OR 97015-RMLS# 22537204- Asking $324,999
Location, Location, Location! Across the street from the Elementary, and just blocks from the Middle and High Schools! This timeless 1930 fixer home is conveniently located by schools, shopping and transit. Comfortable 1348 SF home with detached garage with opportunity to build equity in one of Clackamas’s most desirable locations. Generous .17 acre lot waiting for you create your dream yard! Build sweat equity in one of Clackamas’s most desirable locations!
IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!
Five Star award Winner 2011- 2022 honoring the top 4% of real estate professionals in Oregon.
19466 Sunset Springs Drive Oregon City, OR 97045 -Asking $649,999 -RMLS# 22022816
WELCOME HOME! Rare 1 level home is the heart of one of Oregon City’s most desirable neighborhoods! One owner home that has been gently lived in and kept in pristine condition. 3 spacious bedrooms, 2 sparkling clean bathrooms, large laundry room with sink, bonus room above garage, substantial 3 car garage and serene covered patio overlooking a peaceful and private back yard. This highly sought-after home has high ceilings, central vacuum system, A/C, sprinkler system, insulated shed, RV parking and All appliances are included. Wonderful kitchen with cooking island with downdraft cooktop, granite, pantry, BI-microwave, hardwood floors and all appliances included. Don’t miss out on this spectacular home!!
IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!
Five Star award Winner 2011- 2022 honoring the top 4% of real estate professionals in Oregon.
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