Staging Focus

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Taking the Stage

An empty home offers a bland, cavernous glimpse at bare walls and forces you to roughly estimate what each room could hold.

An occupied home shows what it would look like if someone else moved all their belongings into your house.

A professionally staged home presents a version of the home that bursts with potential, offering an approachable vision of how the house could be embraced. It transforms the house into a template that can only be enhanced by a potential buyer's personal touches. It invites the imagination and prompts an emotional connection.

3951 SW Canby - Before

After

Justin Riordan, the Creative Director of Spade and Archer Design Agency, kindly articulates his thoughts on the importance of proper home staging:

"Staging can be downright creepy. A buyer walks into a house and it seems like somebody lives there and yet it doesn't. The quickest way to tell a potential buyer that the staging is not real is to use imitation items. We never use fake plants, food, electronics (like TV's and computers). The more fake items (or fakery) used, the faster the buyer will know that nothing they are seeing is real.

"The purpose of staging is to help make the house stand out. If the staging overshadows the house, then it fails. Think of it this way, your house is the super star, the staging is the backup singers, cute, but not the main attraction. We never use items that are emotionally evocative. They pull the emotional attention away from the house. Emotionally evocative items fall into five categories: Religious Items, Political Items, Scented Items, Items with Fur, and Vice Items.

"Light is the single most important item when showing a house. 'I wish this house was darker,' said nobody, ever. People in Portland crave light, we give it to them. We remove window coverings, pull up blinds, and turn on all the lights before a showing.

"When staging your house, it is important to remember: Of all the people that might buy your house, you are not one of them. Your stager is not designing to your taste, they are designing to appeal to the most people possible."

For more of Spade and Archer's design philosophy, visit spade-archer.com or call 503-841-7506.

3951 SW Canby - Before

After

3951 SW Canby - Before

After

TrueView Spotlight: Outdoor Spaces

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TrueView Spotlight: Outdoor Spaces

When we think of purchasing a home, the mind can easily focus on the construction itself, when it's often the environment around a house that truly lends it character. While here in the Northwest, the sun can feel like an old friend we haven't seen in years, thoughtful outdoor spaces know how to succeed rain or shine.

A covered patio provides the perfect spot for all-year entertaining and anyone who's ever owned a hammock can vouch for its unparalleled assistance in taking it easy on a Sunday afternoon. A brick barbecue enclosure is a classic touch on any terrace and a generous backyard beckons the child in all of us.

Sometimes it's a raised bed vegetable garden or chicken coop that helps a potential buyer envision taking root in a home. A trickling water feature or (better yet) a creek running through the property, can add a serene sense of sanctuary that inspires with the desire to live our lives in one particular home over another.

Whether rugged and rustic or immaculately manicured, TrueView captures the emotional experience of every outdoor space, giving the external elements of the home the attention they deserve.

Success Story - 4750 NE Glisan St

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This beautiful bungalow maintains the charms of its 1923 construction while featuring the updated amenities of modern living. The expansive porch and diverse back yard provide endless opportunities for outdoor relaxation and entertainment. Inside, the angled framework around the doors and windows serves as a playfully classic flourish to augment the traditional wood floors and fireplace. The open, vibrant kitchen and its breakfast nook are a perfect combination. Also featuring an enormous family room on the lower level, this attractive North Tabor home is an ideal urban sanctuary.

The sellers moved out of this home to maximize stylistic control for the stagers, allowing them to fully envision each space without incorporating any resident furniture. The result is an artistic portrayal of each room, beautifully captured by the M Media Team. Striving to present what it actually feels like to be in the home, both the photos and videography focused on conveying the open, yet intimate nature of the property.

Such dedication to the emotional experience of the home resulted in a successful sale, after being on the market for less than three weeks.

 

 

 

Sneak Peeks - June 2013

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Take a sneak peek at two of July's exciting upcoming listings! The first is a 1942 rebuild loaded with contemporary features, while the second is an attractive farmhouse with vintage appeal.

6009 SW Patton - $1,279,000

Standing at the top of the rise in an open meadow of native grasses, flowers and trees, this custom architect designed and splendidly appointed home seems to emerge naturally from the landscape on the 1/3 acre private lot.

Outside, stone accents echo boulders in the landscape and lend to the organic feel, while the elevated terrace provides private outdoor space for residents and friends enhanced by the gas fireplace and covered barbecue area. Custom construction details protect the structure with with rain shield, Hardiplank, proprietary window wrap, metal roofing and complete drainage eliminating  water and mold intrusion.

Inside, rare care is taken for quiet and simple luxury with every interior wall insulated, solid core stained interior doors, 400 series Anderson low-e wood windows, and quiet flush iron "drops" throughout. Find two more fireplaces, hardwood and Berber carpeted floors, and thoughtfully chosen amenities for ease and comfort in entertaining and daily living.

- 5 Bedrooms - 4 1/2 Bathrooms - 4,262 sq. feet

 

23670 NE Ramsey - $500,000

This charming 1895 farmhouse is the perfect fusion of Old World charm and modern amenities, perched on over two and a half acres in serene Newberg. The peaceful country locale is not far from the city, featuring a back deck without a neighbor in sight, perfect for relaxing and taking in the views of over an acre and a half of lush grassland.

In addition to the beautiful house, the property claims multiple workshops, perfect for any hobbyist's pursuit. Currently tailored to be an automotive shop, the 60' x 20' space features a sturdy 19' workbench and a hoist, hot water plumbed to a utility sink and an abundance of power outlets.

The other shop and storage area function beautifully as an artist's studio, while the garden supplies homegrown fruits and vegetables that provide for satisfying, self-sufficient meals. This wonderful retreat allows homeowners dictate their own preferred speed of life.

- 2 Bedrooms - 2 Bathrooms - 2,120 sq. feet

Portland Perseveres in the Dirty Thirties - Our Home History

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St Johns Bridge during construction - 1930

When considering the 1930s, people often wince at the looming shadow of the Great Depression, but this was also the decade we fought our way back to prosperity. More important than the financial downfall that plagued our nation (and the world beyond) were our accomplishments. Despite the collapse (perhaps to spite it), we were building. The St. Johns Bridge was opened on June 13th, 1931 and at the time of completion, boasted the highest clearance in the nation. Hailed humbly by its engineer as "the most beautiful bridge in the world," and there are many Portlander commuters today who would argue the same.

In 1933, the passing of the Beer Act allowed our legendary brewers to restart their production facilities, rekindling employment in that sector and blazing the trail for Prohibition's impending repeal. By the spring of 1937, our industrial production surpassed that of 1929, and after one last hiccup prompted by the Roosevelt administration's attempt to balance the federal budget, the country as a whole was back on track by the summer of 1938. Watch as a Portlander styles himself a stunt driver in his new 1938 Buick, to the applause of gathering crowds and the disapproval of local law enforcement.

Portland Public Market City Central - 1933

Independent Fruit and Produce - 705 SE MLK Ave - 1932

While the Craftsman of the 1920s was by no means out of style, the leaner times shifted new constructions of the decade toward the more modest ranch home, built with its signature low profile, away from the city center. Freshly turning out of a housing drought in present day, there are exciting similarities in our current revitalization as it emanates outward from the core of Portland, just as it did at the end of the thirties. Weathering the nearly ten year storm of the Depression, Portlanders emerged on the other side as prosperous as ever and ready to build, with a breath-taking bridge and the nation's best craft-brewed beer to show for it.

 

NE Sandy Blvd and 41st - 1934

Ratchyes Sandwich Place - 1931

Salem House - 1935

 

Salem House Floor Plan - 1935

TrueView Spotlight: Kitchens

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No other space in a home boasts such ample opportunity for customization, and the seamless integration of function and style, as the kitchen.

Hardwoods underfoot may accentuate the grain of hand-crafted cabinetry or inspired tilework can complement granite countertops and match an energetic backsplash. Stainless steel appliances add a modern signature, while white finishes catch daylight for a fresh aesthetic. Luxury homes often opt for hidden refrigerators, clad in corresponding cabinet facings.

Designed to fit effortlessly into the cooking space, islands stand as welcome companions for any chef with entertaining to do. Barstool seating or a vintage breakfast nook can provide casual, connected experiences and transform the kitchen into the hub of the home.

No matter the combination of attractive attributes, TrueView captures the emotional experience of every kitchen, giving these practical yet distinguished centerpieces the attention they deserve.

Success Story: 4750 NE Glisan ST

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This beautiful bungalow maintains the charms of its 1923 construction while featuring the updated amenities of modern living. The expansive porch and diverse back yard provide endless opportunities for outdoor relaxation and entertainment. Inside, the angled framework around the doors and windows serves as a playfully classic flourish to augment the traditional wood floors and fireplace. The open, vibrant kitchen and its breakfast nook are a perfect combination. Also featuring an enormous family room on the lower level, this attractive North Tabor home is an ideal urban sanctuary.

The sellers moved out of this home to maximize stylistic control for the stagers, allowing them to fully envision each space without incorporating any resident furniture. The result is an artistic portrayal of each room, beautifully captured by the M Media Team. Striving to present what it actually feels like to be in the home, both the photos and videography focused on conveying the open, yet intimate nature of the property.

Such dedication to the emotional experience of the home resulted in a successful sale, after being on the market for less than three weeks.

 

 

 

TrueView in a Hot Market

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TrueView: Delivering the experience and emotion of every home

In this year's real estate market, Portland's pendulum has swung over to being a seller's market, especially in the urban core. Homes are selling with multiple offers and many well above list price. The market feels as alive as it did in 2005.

Agents at M have exclusive access to TrueView, a program we built-in house. TrueView connects you with the experience and emotional elements of each home.

At first glance, an elevated service like TrueView may seem like overkill in a hot market. But there's a difference between merely selling a house and maximizing your potential to close at the highest price and best possible terms. This is a simple matter of strategy.

TrueView's refined video presentations and custom home websites provide the buyers with a powerful connection to their purchase. Being able to share the experience of their future home with friends and family becomes an effective instrument in keeping buyers engaged in their property.

TrueView is based on how buyers decide to buy. By providing a beautiful, authentic, respectful depiction of your home to the most buyers, we are able to maximize the potential of this hot market.

Outdoor Music

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As spring blooms into summer, Portland puts the top down, converting our city into the Northwest’s outdoor music mecca. There’s no need to journey all the way to the Gorge Amphitheatre when we have so many distinct open air venues here in the city.

 

Zoo Concert photo courtesy of www.oregonzoo.org

The Oregon Zoo

In 1979, our own Oregon Zoo became the first in the nation to host a summer concert series. This year, join them in celebrating 35 years of world class music at the zoo’s lush sanctuary setting.

Early show highlights include:

June 19th - Old Crow Medicine Show June 30th - Ziggy Marley July 6th - Huey Lewis and the News July 7th - The B-52’s and the Go-Go’s

Check out the full line-up: www.zooconcerts.com

 

Edgefield Concert Photo courtesy of www.edgefieldconcerts.com

McMenamins Edgefield

Set on seventy-four sweeping acres of farmland, the McMenamins Edgefield has established itself as Portland's premier outdoor venue. Hosted at the historic lodge, the Concerts on the Lawn live music series draws big name acts spanning a myriad of generations and genres.

Early show highlights include:

June 16th - Tony Bennett June 27th - Steve Miller Band July 6th - Rodrigo y Gabriela

Check out the full line-up: www.edgefieldconcerts.com/events

 

Concerts in the Park Photo courtesy of www.portlandoregon.gov

Concerts in the Park

Our beautiful city is home to a plethora of parks and retreats. Beginning Monday, July 8th, they will be filled with free music from smooth jazz to rollicking Irish pub tunes to rhythm and blues to indie folk. Get out and shake your tail feather in the summer weather!

Check out the full line-up: www.portlandoregon.gov/parks

 

Noon Tune photo courtesy of www.thesquaredpdx.org

Pioneer Courthouse Square

For the twenty-third consecutive year, Pioneer Courthouse Square hosts its traditional Noon Tunes Concert Series, entertaining lunchtime crowds numbering in the thousands. The shows run for an hour, starting at high noon each Tuesday and Thursday beginning July 11th. Visit a signature Portland food cart and then spice up your week with some free live music!

Check out the full line-up: www.thesquarepdx.org/calendar.shtm

Success Stories

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The weather isn't the only thing becoming sunny here in Portland! Our local market is showing more promise than it has in years, creating an optimistic buying environment. Take a moment and explore these beautiful homes recently sold by M agents, using our exclusive TrueView service.

339 SE 28th Ave. Portland, OR

$425,000 Pending in 2 Days

View more photos and video: 339 SE 28th Property Website

792 SW Dillan Dr. Beaverton, OR

$189,927 Pending in 5 Days

View more photos and video: 792 SW Dillan Dr Property Website

3116 SE 77th Ave. Portland, OR

$229,000 Pending in 2 Days Multiple Offers

View more photos and video: 3116 SE 77th Ave Property Website

3951 SW Canby St. Portland, OR

$339,000 Pending in 5 Days Multiple Offers

View more photos and video: 3951 SW Canby St Property Website

Sneak Peeks

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Take a sneak peek behind the orange door at M with two of our upcoming listings!

11155 SE Pembroke Ct, Milwaukie, OR

Get top value for your dollar with this utterly charming city home with country views! It's the best of both worlds, a daylight ranch that doubles as a mid-century modern in serene Milwaukie.

9628 NW Paxton Ct, Forest Heights, Portland

Here's your chance to get into a 5 bedroom, 3.1 bath home in Forest Heights. Level, secluded backyard and close proximity to Forest Heights School and Park make this a coveted gem.

Contact your M agent if you’d like more information on these exciting new properties.

Introducing TrueView

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It's not just a better strategy, it's better service.

Elevated Service

As your real estate agent, you'€™re trusting me to get people to fall in love with your home. It's something I take seriously. I strive to find you multiple, motivated buyers to create the best selling environment possible. To do that, I’m constantly challenging myself to raise my level of service higher and higher.

That's why I’m so proud to announce the new standard in real estate service, exclusively available to agents at M Realty. It’s called TrueView.

TrueView captures what it really feels like to be in every home. Being able to share that experience with the world is such an exciting privilege because it means anyone anywhere can make an emotional connection to what makes your home special. The more people fall in love, the better job I’m doing for you.

It's not just a better strategy, it's better service.

TrueView.

Portland Roars in the 1920s - Our Home History

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1926 - Opening of Burnside Bridge

1926 - Sellwood Bridge

1924 - Delivery Truck

1920 - Street Car

Portland Roars in the 1920s - Our Home History

" ...Portlanders were on the move! "

The dawn of 1920 saw Portland 258,000 citizens strong and along with gaining 50,000 more souls, the next ten years would prove to be an unparallelled decade of expansion for the City of Roses. 1926 marked the construction of the Burnside, Vista and Ross Island Bridges to complement the Sellwood Bridge, which was previously the only Willamette River crossing for miles in either direction. That same year, Portland achieved the progressive honor of having more cars per capita than Chicago or New York, widening her streets to accommodate the bustling traffic. Combined with the already thriving street cars, Portlanders were on the move!

1929 - Aerial of Harbor Wall (Waterfront)

This freshly-embraced mobility promoted an unprecedented population migration from rural areas, and this youthful generation was nothing if not modern. In addition to embracing technological advancements like the refrigerator and vacuum cleaners now with disposable bags, these new homeowners and their contemporary sensibilities gave birth to the American Craftsman.

In the aftermath of World War I, the Victorian construction style (and lifestyle) was in sharp decline. The thriving middle-class abandoned the foregoing generation’s Old World flourishes in favor of uncluttered practicality. Ceilings were lowered, porches simplified and accommodations for a domestic serving staff vanished in the light of new homemaking amenities.

1920's Craftsman-era Home Floor Plans

" ...the Craftsman introduced the breakfast nook... "

Armed with these advanced appliances, the Craftsman-era housewife shaped the footprint of the home. She had been transformed into a one woman army responsible for all the housework in addition to raising the children. Kitchens were integrated into the main home, built with open eyelines to the living spaces and the back yard. While the Victorian lifestyle demanded a separation between food preparation and dining, the Craftsman introduced the breakfast nook and with it a communal place for the family to gather while the housewives of the day practiced their multitasking art.

1929 - SE Portland Houses

Built to endure, Portland is still populated by these beautiful, practical, hardy homes. Whether updated with today’s amenities or retaining all their classic features, Portland’s craftsman constructions stand as distinct reminders of an exciting chapter of our history.

Keep Portland Weird and Beautiful

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Keep Portland Weird and Beautiful!

Our city'™s reputation for artsy expression inspires everything from bumper stickers to sketch comedy shows, all of which we embrace with good humor because we’re known for that as well. It also doesn'€™t hurt that almost everywhere one casts a glance in Portland, some beautiful nuance or flourish will stand out in the frame. Appreciate stately statues honoring our heroes, plain columns etched picturesque, provocative park sculptures, reticulated stone mosaics and muraled walls that might as well be made out of canvas given the amount of vibrant brushwork they display.

Benefiting from a campaign of continuing commitment to public art, our fine city will only get more distinctive for the coming generations.

NE Portland - Alberta Arts

 

NW Portland - Pearl District

SE Portland - Division / Burnside

Success Story - 17670 NE Chehalem Dr.

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This beautiful Northwest craftsman home sat on the market with another realty company for three years with no success. Frustrated, the sellers contacted an M Realty agent through a friend because they had seen how we market high-end homes. Our marketing team was amazed with the combination of spaces and the quality of details; an artist's studio, expansive shop garage, breathtaking valley views, and great entertaining areas. Our immediate impression was, "If the world knew how great this property is, it would be sold."

The home was re-listed with M Realty. We build a beautiful website filled with pictures, galleries and multiple video's that truly capture the experience and dramatic details  We pushed the marketing out into the world. Soon we had calls from around the country and the house sold. The out of state buyers had been looking for two years but had not really seen what the property has to offer until we presented through our M marketing program. By marketing the overall scope and details it had to offer, prospective buyers were able to experience the beauty and story of this Newberg estate. At M we believe beautiful marketing matters.

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Success Story - 2335 SE 26th Ave.

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When this revitalized home came on the market in the fall, its craftsmanship and attention to detail made a testament to Queen Anne Victorian homes throughout Portland. The developer, Treece & Lambert, took this 1894 victorian and added modern amenities while staying true to the home's history. Pushing the price per square foot for Abernethy, the developers opened up the existing attic to take advantage of an extraordinary view of downtown—an uncommon feature for Southeast homes.

The main challenge with this home was preserving the architectural integrity while creating a 21st century floor plan. They incorporated the beautifully restored cedar staircase, original floors, and stained class windows for vintage touches in the midst of modern amenities. With a light-filled solarium on the second floor, the floor plan kept a Victorian feel to the layout while adding square footage for modern livability.

 

Our media team captured the story behind this one-of-a-kind property from construction to finish. When the vintage and modern amenities of this home combined with our marketing, buyers and all their friends couldn't stay away from the website and open house. In the end, more than 80 groups came through the open houses, the video tours had 1,011 views, and the home received an offer only 7 days after being finished.

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Little House Big Heart

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You don't need a giant footprint to make your mark on the world. We dispatched our media team on a quest to capture the cozy, crafty spaces of our favorite little Portland houses, all marketed and sold by M Realty.

The team returned with these punchy glimpses into creative living. Whether it’s a crackling fire conjuring the feeling of a vintage cottage dwelling or something sleek, modern and stainless steel that captures your imagination, there’s no denying these homes have heart.

Traverse the compact facades inviting you inside over original hardwood floors into snug bedrooms, then out into private backyards lush with opportunity for quiet escapes with the satisfaction of a thriving garden or an old-fashioned neighborly barbecue.

Whether remodeled with current amenities or featuring the hardy fixtures of an enduring generation, these homes were constructed with an idea of community at their cores. They provoke a spirit of collaboration, enticing you to add your own expression to the space, making it truly unique. Making it yours.

Fall into stride with the media team as they explore these proud featherweight houses, showcasing the heart and promise each eager home boasts to those who step aboard. It’s our honor to showcase what’s special about every one of our listings regardless of price or size.

And it’s easy to root for the square-footage underdogs when they’re this charming.

Volunteer at the Oregon Food Bank

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Last time it was thousands upon thousands of frozen peas, who knows what will be in store this time! Join us for another volunteering event at the Oregon Food Bank this February. For this event, we will be at the Volunteer Action Center in Northeast Portland helping to repackage bulk food donations.

Saturday, February 23 from 1 p.m - 3:30 p.m.

7900 N.E. 33rd Drive Portland, oR

We always have a great time meeting new people and fellow volunteers, so feel free to join us. If you would like to come, just send me an e-mail and we will add you to the volunteer list.

Success Stories - 7527 SE Harrison Street

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We made it. Phew. Like many of us, the owners of this awesome 1901 Mt. Tabor farmhouse were not able to sell their home for the price that worked for them in 2008-2009. After 263 days on the market, they chose to rent rather than sell.

After the tenants vacated the property, the owners contacted us. They wanted fresh eyes and input on their situation. We met with the owners and decided the time was right for their needs to re-list the farmhouse, even though it was just before Christmas. We staged the home beautifully, produced captivating print materials and website, and pushed it out into the world. We put the farmhouse on the market knowing that there may be fewer buyers, but anybody looking days before Christmas would be serious. Within 3 days of listing the home we had a solid offer, and closed January 18.

The real estate market is back with pizazz, especially in the inner Portland neighborhoods like Mt. Tabor. Good homes staged to enhance their best features and spaces, presented with beauty, and priced wisely sell. There are ample buyers ready to take advantage of the low interest rates, but struggling to find their next home because of the inventory shortage.

If you are wondering if the timing is right for you to sell your home, give me a call today.