Downsizing To A “Smart Home”

In 15 years, the number of people ages 65 and older will exceed the number ages 18 and younger. Living longer makes the transition from the traditional four-bedroom family house to a smaller floor plan very attractive to new retirees. And with smart home technology becoming more accessible every day, active seniors can look forward to living safely and securely for years to come.

According to REALTOR^® Magazine, “a smart home is a dwelling that is equipped with electronic devices that can control the use of utilities and appliances via voice activation or a mobile app.”

All you need to transform any home into a smart home is (1) a high-speed internet connection, (2) a voice assistant such as Amazon’s Alexa and (3) a smart alarm system.

With these three basic technologies, you can play music, control lighting, brew coffee, set thermostat temperatures, monitor energy usage, and see who is at your front door, among other things.

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,MASTERS CIRCLE, Earth Advantage Broker, Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, CSA-Certified Staging Agent, Oregon First, Washington First 

Direct 503.380.9634, Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View this 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!

WONDERFUL WOODBURN HOME FOR SALE!

Welcome home to your wonderful Woodburn home! Nestled in a charming side street this home has many fabulous amenities! Wood floors under carpet (bedrooms and living room), lots of windows, 912 SF of living space, BIG, BRIGHT kitchen with appliances included (FS-Range, FS Fridge AND clothes washer & dryer too!!). Spacious 11 X 7 utility room, detached 1 car garage, room for RV parking in driveway…..just needs a little TLC to make this darling home shine!! see more photos & information at my website. RMLS#15170094

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS!! Build your own sweat equity! NEW LISTING!!

Bring your tool belt! This beauty just needs some TLC to shine. This is an amazing opportunity for you! This fabulous home features an enormous 3 car garage that has 220, an office and storage area-VERY RARE. This home also features covered RV parking, calming deck overlooking the spacious private back yard, extra large kitchen with lots of light. Open floor plan throughout and hardwood floor.
This beauty is in a perfect location off the main thorough fair but with easy access to public transportation. You are also located at the foot of Powell Butte-Walking trails just down the road. RMLS# 15430922
SEE ME on my website!!

RARE ONE OWNER HOME IN ONE OF GRESHAM’S FINEST NEIGHBORHOODS!

Welcome Home! RARE, one owner home has been lovingly cared for and maintained since new! This gorgeous home features 4 spacious bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms (both full baths have been remodeled/updated), 2 oversized car garage with room for a good sized shop/work area, large living room with vaulted ceilings and cozy wood fireplace, fabulous 19 X 14 family room with another cozy fireplace, and wood wainscoting, plus big fenced, private backyard all situated in one of Gresham’s highly sought after neighborhoods. Sam Barlow School district.
Remodeled (In approx. 1999), bright, great room concept kitchen  includes all appliances, new neutral flooring, and vaulted ceilings. The expansive dining room also has vaulted ceilings and a slider to your gorgeous deck that overlooks your private, fenced back yard. AHS Home warranty included!
Move in ready and just waiting for you to can it HOME!! RMLS#15077480

YOUR HOME-FALL DECOR

DECORATING FOR FALL

Can you believe that the first day of fall was September 23rd, 2015?

My goodness, time flies. Since fall is upon us, this might mean that your home is in need of some fall decor updates. Fall provides the opportunity to update your decor with deep bolder colors and unique accents. Below are some tips you might want to incorporate into your fall home decor:

• Vintage Finds – try browsing your local thrift shop to find unique and often times, affordable goods. Not only can vintage finds add unique touches to your decor, it is also a great way to be eco-friendly because you are recycling old items as opposed to purchasing new ones.

• Neutrals – neutral colors can add a warm and elegant look to any room. Try incorporating neutrals with a pop of color for contrast.

• Warm Wood – warm wood can give your home a vintage and rustic feel. If you are looking for a rustic touch, try adding some wood accent to your decor.

• Bold Accent Colors – try decorating with deep accent colors like yellows, blues and orange. When pairing neutral colors with these bold accents, it can give a room a burst of personality and charm.

• Textures and Patterns – when done subtly, a bold texture and/or pattern can give a room tenacity without being overbearing. Try adding unique, contrasting, yet complimentary textures and patterns to your rooms to add a hint of creativity and personality.

Thanks you Mark Alto with Summit funding for this wonderful article.

for more information on staging your home and getting it ready to sell call, email, or text me anytime.

6 TIPS FOR BUYING IN A SELLER’S MARKET

In many regions across the U.S., it’s a tight market – inventory is low and demand is high. Our market in the Portland/Metro locations is no different. While this is great for sellers, it can be tough for buyers. But there are some steps you can take to increase your chance of getting the house you want without paying more than you should.

1. Get pre-approved. Make sure your financial ducks are in a row and get a pre-qualification or pre-approval letter from a reputable lender. This will allow you to move fast when the right house comes along and show the seller that you’re a viable buyer who should be able to close quickly.
2. Expand your search methods. Work with a real estate professional who will know about houses coming onto the market. See if family, friends or coworkers know of any houses coming up for sale and tell your REALTOR^®.
3. Separate needs from wants. In a competitive market, you’re going to have to compromise on something – location, amenities, home condition, etc. Know ahead of time what you must have and what you can let slide, so you don’t waste time deciding.
4. Be flexible. Show that you are willing to move as quickly, or as slowly, as the seller wants. Some houses are being sold the week (or even the day) they are listed, so you need to be easy to work with.
5. Sweeten the pot. Find something you can offer that will make the seller want to do business with you – offer more cash upfront, waive mortgage or inspection contingencies, or forego the seller-provided warranty. Make it a good deal from the seller’s perspective.
6. Know your limits. Keep in mind that lenders often approve you for more than you can actually afford. So figure out your realistic limits, and don’t let a bidding war push you out of your price range.

2015 FALL HOME MAINTENANCE TIPS

The days are getting shorter, and maybe there’s a nip in the air – autumn is here at last. Now is the perfect time to get your home in shape before winter starts to take its toll, and while the weather is still pleasant enough to spend time outdoors.

Seal it up: Caulk and seal around exterior door and window frames. Look for gaps where pipes or wiring enter the home and caulk those as well. Not only does heat escape from these openings, but water can enter and may eventually cause structural damage and mold problems.

Look up: Check the roof for missing or damaged shingles. Upcoming winter weather can cause serious damage to a vulnerable roof, leading to a greater chance of further damage inside the home. It’s best to have a qualified professional inspect and repair the roof, but you can do a preliminary survey from the ground using binoculars.

Clear it out: Clear gutters and eaves troughs of leaves, sticks, and other debris. Consider installing leaf guards if your gutters can accommodate them – they are real time savers and can prevent damage from clogged gutters. Check the joints between sections of gutter, as well as between the gutter and downspouts, and make any necessary adjustments to tighten them.

No hose: In climates with freezing weather, drain garden hoses and store indoors to protect them from the elements. Shut off outdoor faucets and make sure exterior pipes are drained of water. Faucets and pipes can easily freeze and burst, causing leaks and water damage.

Warm up time: Have the furnace inspected to ensure it’s safe and in good working order. Most utility companies will provide no-cost inspections, but there can often be a long waiting list come fall and winter. Replace disposable furnace air filters or clean the permanent type according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Using a clean filter will help the furnace run more efficiently, saving you money and energy.

Light that fire: If you enjoy the crackle of the fireplace on a chilly fall evening, have the firebox and chimney cleaned before using it this season. Creosote, a byproduct of wood burning, can build up to dangerous levels and cause a serious chimney fire if not removed.

Thank you “Pillar to Post” home Inspection for the handy Fall home maintenance tips.

For all your real estate needs call, email, or text Rachel!

YUMMY SEPTEMBER RECIPE

Whether you’re buying or selling, I’m always ready to get cooking. With my preparation and attention to detail, I’ll get you the results you need.

Call, email, or text anytime

THE MOST CURRENT RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE NUMBERS 9-11-2015

Most Current Residential Property Highlights

We just got the very latest Portland/Metro real estate numbers. The Portland metro area saw a little cooler real estate activity in August, but the market remains strong. Inventory rose slightly in August to 1.9 months. We are feeling a slight slowing down of the market which is typical for this time of year. The total market time decreased slightly, to 41 days (how long it takes to sell). There are currently a total of 5,837 active residential listings in ALL the Portland metro area.

Activity has been higher in 2015 than in 2014 across the board. Pending sales are up 24.4%, closed sales are up 21.8%, and new listings are up 8.5% for the year.

Average and Median Sale Prices

Prices continue to rise in 2015 compared to 2014. Comparing each year through August, the average sale price rose 6.2%. In the same comparison, the median sale price rose 7.0%.

All neighborhoods are different. If you would like to know what is happening real estate wise in your neighborhood or maybe, the one you would like to buy in, please don’t hesitate to give me a call, email, or text. I look forward to hearing from you.

GREAT GRESHAM HOME $279,999 3 bedroms, HUGE Family room, remodeled

WELCOME HOME! This beautiful home is remodeled throughout, has soaring vaulted ceilings, open & bright floor plan, hardwood floors, BIG 14 X 13 master suite with bathroom, walk in closet & double sinks. LARGE, cheery kitchen with hardwood floors & stainless steel appliances-All included! Extra deep garage with shop area, ENORMOUS fenced back yard with RV parking, newer roof/gutters/exterior paint, and two tool sheds. This home is sitting pretty on a .21 acre lot, with room for a really large RV. All the room you need for all your toys! See more info at http://www.rachelsheller.com. Competitively priced at  $279,999 RMLS#15674920