Tax Increase - May Depend On Desirable Zip Codes REMEMBER...No State Sales Tax   Many of us are reading through our property tax statements arriving in the mail. Interesting fact is that some of us are in for some sticker shock as we follow the trend of rising home prices and past measures that went into effect. Back in 1990, Oregon's Measure 5 was voted into effect and tax relief capped taxes for education and general government for $5 and $10 respectively per $1,000 of a home's value. However, the cap can rise at the same rate as home prices because the limit is based on every $1,000 of real market value and not the assessed value.   PORTLAND'S Desirable ZIP CODE   Real market values are headed UP as the market recovers from our past economic downturn. You could see an increase in you... 10/27/2014

Dunthorpe Properties FOR SALE   I was traveling through the area on my way back from Tryon Creek...   and saw signs for ESTATE SALE. I'm like a canine with a desire to chase...squirrel! "There he goes!!" Whatever was on my mind now lost as I start following the signs & balloons and headed for the sale. I can't help myself in these snazy Portland neighborhoods to check on the estate sale Dunthorpe listings and properties to see what treasures are selling fast. Often times the serious antique buyers are lined up at the homeowners front steps before doors open. Sometimes there are good things to see and often times my quest results in disappointment. That's ok because estate sales are similar to chasing real estate. take the good with the even better when searching for the next listing. Pa... 08/01/2014

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Google conducted a joint study showing that 90% of home buyers searched online during their home-buying process.  Since the online presentation of a home has a direct impact on whether buyers want to see it or not, how it looks is critically important. Sellers should make sure their home's online photos draw buyers in to see the home, and that it looks its best for in-person viewings, too. Our Portland home staging company was hired to stage a mid-century home in a prestigious neighborhood; the home had been on the market for over a year, without a sale. Some of the older online photos show the Dining room was overcrowded, making the space feel smaller than it really was:   After staging, the furniture placement encourages buyers to notice ... 07/30/2013

Our Portland home staging company was recently hired to stage a beautiful luxury new home that's been on the market for  over 2 years.  The builder created a stunning masterpiece on a gorgeous 2/3-acre lot, but the real estate market was crashing just as construction was nearing completion.  The setting, location, and quality of this home are the very best ... but market forces have made finding a buyer for a home like this very challenging. What to do?  The seller knew that staging this home was important so that potential buyers could imagine living in this home.  Staging helps emphasize the home's best features and architectural details, creates focal points, and provides a warm inviting "feeling" that buyers can connect to emotionally.   A person's largest investment is also a highl... 05/22/2010

Our Portland home staging company was recently hired to stage a beautiful luxury new home that's been on the market for 2 years without a sale.  The builder created a stunning masterpiece, but the real estate market was crashing just as construction was nearing completion.  The setting, location, and quality of this home are the very best ... but market forces diminished the buyer pool for a home like this in our area. What to do?  Why, stage it of course ... so that potential buyers could imagine living in this home.  Staging helps emphasize the home's best features and architectural details, creates focal points, and provides a warm inviting "feeling" that buyers find they can connect to emotionally.   A person's largest investment is also a highly emotional one, since we humans buy a... 05/11/2010

This stunning new custom home is nestled in the trees adjoining Tryon Creek State Park in Portland Oregon on a private .5 acre lot.  No detail was overlooked in the construction of this amazing 3-level home of 6,600+ sq ft.  5 Bedrooms, 4.5 Bathrooms, front & rear stairways, two laundry/utility rooms, media room, two family rooms, and floor to ceiling windows are just a few of this home's features.   MLS# 9064822 This spectacular home has beautiful flooring, extensive custom metal and stone work with high-end finishes throughout. For more information contact the listing agent John DeCosta of Keller Williams @ 503-702-0856. 04/22/2010

This week our company had the pleasure of staging a gorgeous 6600 sq ft new custom home in the Dunthorpe neighborhood of Portland Oregon.  The kitchen in this home is a chef's dream ~ professional appliances, lots of space, fabulous materials and a great layout, etc.  Since the price of this home is at the higher end, we wanted to show buyers that this kitchen would be a fantastic place to entertain your family and friends. Just a few kitchen vignettes gave the impression we wanted ... I'm ready to make an offer (that is, if I'm lucky enough to win the lottery :-)    Here's the overall photo of the kitchen, followed by the vignettes we set up When you're preparing your home to sell, remember who your target buyer is ... and stage accordingly.  Call in your local professional home stager... 04/17/2010