Happy Holidays!

Our family, friends, and colleagues have brought many smiles & much laughter to our lives this past year.  We are so grateful to have you all in our lives and we are sending out the warmest wishes possible to everyone.  May this holiday season be full of laughter, love, & cozy times with your nearest and dearest.  Ugh - so sappy, sorry friends!  

Hopefully there will also be plenty of teasing, jostling, and so much overeating that we all loathe ourselves just a little bit.  

We'll see you at the gym or on the trails next week...

PDX white Christmas = car + 1 hour.  photo by erin

Highlight Reels!

The information superhighway represents two extremes in our world:  unparalleled productivity and vast expanses of time suck.  Without it, we would need to spend an extra 20 hours a week (um, guesstimate) on mundane tasks.  Luckily, we can waste those extra hours in the very (virtual) place that saves us this time. 

Some of the best ways we kick back to watch the sand slip through the glass is by cooing over cute baby or grown-up animals (come on, everyone does this!).  Think of it as your holiday rage cure (it's not just on the road anymore).  How can you not grin while checking out cuties being precocious or snuggly or furry!?

In case you were in a coma this week – baby seal finds his “just right” spot to nap.

This lizard would kick your butt at Just Dance.

Why don't our basements ever get cute bear visitors? No fair!

The supermodel of dogs practices her Jedi mind trick

Ta-Da! Meet our newest team member!

We are excited to present our most recent addition to the Team Green PDX family, Deidre Livingston, our Buyer’s Agent.  We thought we’d share a little more about the lively Deidre with whom we have been enjoying working and getting to know over the past few weeks.

Q:  How long have you been putting your mad skills to work for the real estate industry?

A:  Late in 2004, I found myself asking Kevin, my then boyfriend and also a realtor, how things were coming along with every transaction he had going on. After awhile he just looked at me and said, “You know you ought to go and get a real estate license!” Along with studying for my license that summer, I was still working for a food broker and during a business trip to Tyson University, the chicken processor in Arkansas, I passed on some great evening events sponsored by Tyson because I wanted to spend the night in my room reading the Millionaire Real Estate Agent by Gary Keller.  We had also attended a Howard Brinton event that summer in El Paso Texas before I had a license. Basically, the rest is history I was in love with a new career!

 

Q:  What is your specialty?  This could be related to work, the kitchen, a stupid human trick – anything, really…

A:  If we are still talking about real estate, I would have to say it is taking care of buyers. I love working with buyers and helping them through the process. I believe some realtors can give this industry a bad name. I won’t let that bother me. I am proud of my integrity and honesty. If a buyer needs more information before making a very big decision, I am going to help them take that extra time to get it right.  I especially love saving them money!  I sleep well at night.

Q:  What is your very favorite book?

A: Wow, that really is a tough question to answer. My favorite authors are John Maxwell, Brian Tracey and Jack Canfield. I have dozens of books I read over and over again. I don’t think I like the Kindle. I can’t highlight, dog-ear, and spill stuff on the pages! Unless I leave some amazing legacy, no one will want my books. They are getting so beat up from re-reading, they may get tossed in the dumps.

Q:  Give us the dirt – tell us something kooky about yourself.  Please?

A: Yes, I have done some pretty silly things in my life. I believe I have a great sense of humor and it took me a long time to learn to really laugh at myself and at life. If you want something on me, how about the time I was terrible distress over something personal and had to run a few errands. When I finished with my banking I had realized I locked my keys in the ignition. When the tow truck guy showed up he reached through the open passenger window and pulled the keys out of the ignition.

Q:  What is your favorite place to unwind?

A: Glad its sunny out today since you are asking where my favorite place to unwind is. I have many favorite places. When I can really unplug, reflect and plan, I love to be at the Oregon Coast. I love the ocean. When I’m up for a good vacation I pick a coast with white sand and palm trees. I know when I retire I will probably pick a coast outside the US. The world has some amazing places for us to enjoy.

Deidre's Happy Place (photo by Erin, Oahu, HI)

Team Green PDX Asks/ Portlanders Answer, Part II

Team Green PDX gets cozy with several Portland residents about home buying.  Our second interviewee is Lisa Bush, MBA, a Human Services Specialist III with the State of Oregon.  Lisa currently owns in the beautiful Scappoose-ish area and has a passion for social justice and poochies (she even fosters pups in need of homes!).  

Q:  What is appealing to you about owning your own place?

A:  My last landlord was horrible and the place was a dive.  I made it a cute dive but it was a dive none-the-less.  When they evicted me so the landlord’s mother could move in I felt powerless.  What I wanted was a place to call my own that no one could pull the rug out from under.  It gave me a sense of security.

Q:  What is scary about it?   

A:  Lots of things.  Since I bought it the value has dropped and may never get back up to where it was and the upkeep is expensive and never ending.  That being said I wouldn’t trade it for renting again.

Q:  What is your ultimate dream home?   

A:  Log cabin prow fronted A-frame in the woods overlooking a lake, river or the beach.

Q:  What  did you buy for your first house? (Photos please!)   

A:  I bought a tidy little three bedroom ranch on the typical 5,000 square foot city lot.  It wasn’t what it looked like that appealed to me, it was what I could see it would look like when I was done with it.  I replaced all the windows, removed a sliding glass door and put in wooden French doors, ripped up the carpets to reveal the hardwood floors, replaced kitchen flooring and painted the entire interior.

Lisa's first home sweet home

My second and present home was a totally different process.  I wanted out of the city and looked at every available property from Linton to Deer Island.  Then one look at my corner lot, up against the forest, totally finished house was all it took.  When I walked in the front door, the living/kitchen/dining room were all open and looked out through 9 feet of windows onto the back deck.  The only thing I did to make it mine was paint the kitchen/dining room avocado instead of school bus yellow.

Q:  Do you feel adequately educated on the process or were you at the time?  

A:  I had been a mortgage loan officer in the past so I was fully aware of the process.  The first time there were realtors involved and the second was a “for sale by owner.”  Both processes have their place in the giant scheme of things.

Q:  Advice on renting/ buying for your lil’ brothers and sisters (those coming up behind you)?  

A:  Make a list of your must haves, would like to haves, and absolutely cannot have and then enlist all of your resources (friends, realtors, internet searches) to make sure you see everything there is to chose from.  

One of Lisa's ADORABLE foster kids (sorry, he has already been adopted folks!)

Team Green PDX Asks/ Portlanders Answer, Part I

Team Green PDX gets cozy with several Portland residents about home buying.  Our first interviewee is Matthew Cuda, an MBA/ Environmental Scientist.  He currently rents and lives on the eastside.  He may or may not enjoy long walks on the beach. 

Q:  What is appealing to you about owning your own place?

A:  The appeal to owning my own place is that it would actually be mine and that I could make changes to it that suit me. For instance, in my current rental I have this tiny kitchen sink that is not very deep. Water splashes everywhere and it makes it a pain to wash large dishes. If I owned my place, I would be willing to invest into a sink that is functional. The other appeal to owning my own place is knowing that the money I pay each month to a mortgage is going towards something I could own one day (an investment). I like the idea of having the control and security to make changes and not have to worry about an increase in rent or having to move.  

Q:  What is scary about it?

A:  The commitment is probably what scares me the most. I think I could get past the idea of a huge loan, but feeling like I couldn’t move or change jobs easily scares me. Another fear is that relates to the commitment of owning a home is what if I can’t make the payments. My whole idea has been to have a job that I “liked” and was stable to make me feel good about buying a home. There are plenty of nice homes on the market that are within my price range, but I just am not confident with the overall job market. It’s the fear of the unknown……….

Q:  What is your ultimate dream home?

A:  A dream home? Or a home I could afford?  I would love to have a house with a nice size landscaped yard, a nice large patio, a fire pit, and even a pool J.  I would like to have 3-4 bedrooms with 2+ baths and a large garage. I would love to have a house that was 2 stories’, including a basement. I like the character of an older home that has been updated but am open to new construction as well. The Laurelhurst neighborhood with its craftsman style homes and large porches are very appealing. I think I could definitely find a dream place there! Overall I want a house with nice outdoor space as well as good indoor entertaining space where you don’t feel cramped. I could go on and on about other things I would find in a dream home if I had the opportunity.

Q:  What do you picture buying for your first house?

A:  I picture buying an older home (or condo) with some outdoor space. I definitely don’t picture myself purchasing a home that is fully updated with all the amenities and finishes I would like but probably something that is nice, livable, and a work in progress. I have seen some homes on the market that have the basic updates like windows, siding, carpets/flooring that are affordable. I don’t want to buy some place that requires a ton of work or that I won’t be happy in until I make changes.

Q:  Do you feel adequately educated on the process?

A:  Not really….. I have talked with a number of first time buyers and I think until I really commit to finding a place I won’t become better educated. I lack the knowledge of what I can afford and how much a monthly payment would be at each price range. I definitely feel I have more to learn.

Q:  Any advice on renting/ buying for your lil’ brothers and sisters (those coming up behind you)?

No advice on buying obviously but renting, I would say rent in areas that you think you may want to buy in at some point. Make sure you realize that if you are in a long-term rental that it may be worthwhile to buy.

Thanks Matt for your candid input; your dream house sounds pretty rad!  Here's a cute Laurelhurst home that may fulfill some of those Matt's wishes...now we just need to fix the job market!

Trying to Sing in the Rain

Commuting can be such a drag, especially by car.  Biking in the rain can get old pretty fast too.  Any way you travel, four-way stops are completely exasperating in this town, which is why we LOVE that Pemco commercial about them.  Luckily our lauded transit program TriMet is trying to make getting from point A to point B sans car just a tad easier.  They recently launched an improved multi-mode trip planner (pretty cool, indeed).  It still doesn't change the grim fact that Erin's commute via public transit would take (drum roll please)...121 minutes not including a 1/2 mile walk up a ginormous hill.  That works out to be slightly over 14 minutes per mile traveled, pretty close to the speed of walking.  Besides the obvious singing along with the radio, what other ways are there to brighten a dreary commute? 

PDX to get a farmers market in the "other season"

The article headline announces that Portland will have a winter farmers market starting January 2012.  We think winter seems a bit strong to describe the wet, damp, drippy, gray, drizzly weather of PDX.  Misusing the word winter might make winter feel really bad about itself.  At any rate, we are exuberant over the news.  A) It puts a solid reason to get excited about January (okay, maybe help lessen the dark, wet post-holiday gloom is more accurate and B) The market will have meat, fish, cheese, and sweets!  Oh, and some winter produce.

Just another thing to add to list of reasons we all love Portland so much that we are 100% completely okay with the winter weather in PDX!

We think Meadows could have a rad winter farmers market

    

Easing into the Coze

Welcome Fall!  Maybe we are jumping the gun a wee bit, but there are definitely boots and sweaters in the office today.  Not that we aren’t excited to see the sun (it really is gorgeous out there right now) but, you know, boots, sweaters, wool dresses, and tights all absolutely, definitively trump rumpled sundresses.  This time of year is always probably going to be a big yay for clothes, but always feels a little melancholy.  That’s okay – console your inner angst with autumnal strolls through Forest Park or on Mt. Hood, yummy treats, and much, much better outfits.  There are plenty of activities to ease you into our “cozy” (and longest) season.  One happening has caught our interest is the upcoming fundraiser for In Other Words feminist bookstore and community center; you may be familiar with the site as the bookstore that is home to several sketches on Portlandia.  Not sure if Fred and Carrie will be at the October 6th fundraiser like they were for the August event, but there will be music, raffles, food, and beverages.    

 

we could order that for you; it'll take a year to get here

We were also thinking about going to GoGreen next Tuesday, but collectively our team has already been to several green business events or continuing education courses this year.  And we already have the big ones booked for next year.  If you go, fill us in on the extra special bits!     

Carefree, CarFree

Today marks another World Carfree Day (WCD, as some call it, ugh acronyms).  For many of us, participation in this event is hard if not impossible without calling in "carfree" from work.  Portland is absolutely a great place to walk, cycle, or use public transit to get to work.  However, in America, a relatively recently developed country, we have LOTS of infrastructure built for automobiles.  Driving and certainly parking in Europe is not nearly as easy or fun as driving in the US.  (Yes, there are some scary stories around this experience.)  Like Elaine from Seinfeld, we tend to prefer the luxury of wide lanes/ streets.  Which has always made us wonder - are insurance rates a lot higher in places with tiny, cobbled streets and kamikaze pedestrians??

For some of us lucky enough to have some flexibility in our work lives, enjoy steering clear of the hassle of driving today:  traffic, running out of gas, road rage, pesky curbs, shiny distractions.  Instead dust off the good old legs for a tune-up; it is amazing how much neglect they can take and still work.  If there isn't really a feasible way to stay away from the car today, we think picking your own day this weekend to avoid the metal beast (or tin can whatever the case may be) would be a great way to participate in CarFree Day.  Actually, creating your own personal CarFree Day might get you some sort of bonus points...

parallel parking nightmare

These boots were made for walking

We love to help people find the perfect place to nest.  For many souls in the Pacific NW, a neighborhood needs to be walkable to truly feel like home.  One fun way to discover the most walkable communities is by hoofing it all over town!  For those of us that aren't made of time, walkscore is a great way to explore the walkability of your hood (remember how much more exercise we got before the information superhighway?).  You can also check out cities you are contemplating living in or visiting.  For kicks, we checked out three of our home addresses...we are proud to announce that one of our very own teammates lives in a 100 out of 100 "walker's paradise" here in PDX.  As you may have guessed, it is a downtown address.  If you are unhappy with the lack of pedestrian-friendly thoroughfares in your little corner of the world, you can always help foster change.  For those of us in or near Portland, the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition is a wonderful and effective way to get involved.  If you have been enjoying the new bike lanes and crosswalks on N. Rosa Parks near Peninsula Park, you can stop by to thank Erin as she contributed to the RFP with some telling photos!

MFNW and then

Looks like tonight starts off Music Fest NW.  It always so tough to decide which shows to try to see.  The last time we tried to hit one, we must have chosen well because we got nowhere near getting in the door.  Here's what this year brings.  If you are feeling too old (or just too cozy in your phat pad) maybe next week's Heart & Def Leppard event is more your speed!  Not feeling in the mood for music?  No problem, Def Leppard gives a mean in service on being denim-clad :)

hipsters

Sad news - our plants didn't make it

Erin made it back from her wanderings and Marissa did a fabulous job on her crazy long Hood to Coast run (averaged 8.5 min miles over the course of her 17 miles!).  Shauna has been extremely busy in the meantime.  We are all back on top of it now (or at least getting there). 

Not really sure what to do about the plants that we massacred through negligence though.  So far, we have been dumping water on them CPR style in the hopes that some sort of life will return.  Maybe we should cut them back?  Or should we give up on growing green life altogether?  Erin's copper Navajo ring turned her thumb green but maybe that doesn't mean anything after all...

Marissa runs from where to where?

Today marks that day that our very own Marissa will be running her little heart out from

   

to

Marissa has been great about turning down our many entreaties to “just relax and have a burger.”  The rest of the team might get a little exercise walking to post-work happy hour.  Maybe next year Team Green might find a way to have our own team as long as none of us mind coming in dead last.  And, burgers & beer have to be an integral part of the training.  At any rate, we are all proud of and slightly awed by Marissa’s dedication.  Go Marissa!

 

Down with OBX

Our guess is that Erin has already been surfing for a few hours today on the other side of the US of A.  There are only a few, minor details that make us jealous of her east coast adventure.  According to her report, the water temp is in the low 80’s – what?!?!?  Though we may never see that water temperature (or even that air temp!) at the Oregon coast, we can always hit up the Kennedy School’s soaking pool for some warm water.   

We are also quite envious of the house she is staying in with her friends and family – how could you not have a fantastic time in home named, “Ocean Motion.”  Te he, we even saw that it comes with a red boat hanging over the dining table; nautical staging at its finest!

Brownfields done PDX style

Howdy friends! 

We are getting pretty stoked to check out what may prove to be Portland’s first Living Building (certification happens after a full year of the building's actual performance stands up to the requirements in each category).  The June Key Delta house (corner of N Ainsworth & N Albina) is having an open house in Erin’s neck of the woods from 4 – 8 today.  It is a great space that makes good use of shipping containers (one of our favorite tricks).  Take a stroll through the lovely Peninsula Park while you are in the neighborhood – it is one of the nicest parks in a city full of green.   

We hope the opening party will inspire a sustainable community full of living homes…if anyone is interested in this pursuing this project, we call dibs on working with you!

Calculated Risk: HousingTracker: Homes For Sale inventory down 13.3...

Calculated Risk: HousingTracker: Homes For Sale inventory down 13.3...: "Back in June, Tom Lawler posted on how the NAR estimates existing home inventory. The NAR does NOT aggregate data from the local boards (se..."

Fun in the Pacific NW

Lately, it seems like everywhere we go people are out and about having a great time.  Last Thursday's Street of Dreams was no exception.  The food was delicious, the homes were breathtaking, and people were heartily enjoying themselves.  Of course, no party is complete without music.  We are huge fans of those who really, really get into the music.  Our new friend was one of the renegade dancers making the evening more fun for us spectators...thanks, Steve!  We also took some photos/ videos of the homes, but feel quite certain that we didn't do them justice.  A trip to see them for yourself is definitely warranted.

Street of Dreams

We are getting pumped for Street of Dreams tonight.  We happen to be sort of bad (definitely an understatement around here) with lyrics and keep thinking of that Beyonce song...street of dreams or a beautiful nightmare...  This has been going on for days, maybe even weeks.  If you are planning on heading out tonight make sure to arrive on time - parking looks like it is going to be kind of crazy.

This morning we had the pleasure of hanging out with the momma deer and her little one here at Banton Park.  Sorry, no photo this time.  Momma really wanted some of my bagel - I could tell!  But, the bagel had chocolate chips in it and we assumed that chocolate is bad for deer :) 

Green Drinks - Tomorrow!

We have been very productive today, despite the teasing of the sun trying to convince us to all head to the river (or beach!).  Tomorrow night, Marissa, Shauna, and Erin are all planning on making an appearance  at Migration Brewing Co. around 6:30ish for Green Drinks' annual soiree.  We hope to see you all there!  Otherwise feel free to come visit us at the model home where we are usually working (or listening to music or snacking).

Another gorgeous day

We are enjoying perfect weather in Banton Park.  We are so lucky to live in the NW (our condolences to our east coast friends!).  Our team has befriended an adorable and plucky family of deer who love to stop by in the mornings.  We are excited that the uber-performance windows for one of our new Energy Star homes arrived today...


Come visit us anytime - we'll try to restock the cookie jar :)