Last week, I spent a couple of afternoons and evenings showing condominiums to a client that is considering relocating to Oregon.  We looked at condos in Northwest Portland and Hillsboro.  We made some observations that I would like to share with other buyers that may help direct their search for a new home.

In Nob Hill, there are plenty of properties that may be new to the market, but they are in renovated buildings.  “Renovated” can be a very general term.  We looked at two properties from a century old building where each room was completely gutted and redesigned  with modern materials, fixtures, and appliances.  At another building, renovated only included new floors and a coat of paint; the hundred year old layout was the same, awkward bathroom and all.   Neither had any parking provided.  Square footage was under 800.  These properties had one important item in common, the nearby amenities from being in Nob Hill.   The area consists old, well-kept neighborhoods in walking distance of local restaurants and shops and very close proximity to downtown Portland.

In Hillsboro, both properties we looked at, in Tanasbourne and Orenco Station, were less than 10 years old.  Each came with more than 700 square feet, an over-sized single car garage, with one attached on the lower level of the unit.  Each had additional parking spaces available.  Prices were approximately $20,000 less than Northwest Portland and listed property taxes were slightly lower despite the larger properties.  Each were near modern suburban communities filled with popular chain stores and restaurants, but downtown Portland and locally-owned shops were miles away.

When shopping for a home, a good friend and realtor told me one thing you need to always keep in mind, “You can always change anything except the neighborhood.” Make sure your dream home is in an area that suits your lifestyle and fulfills most of your wants and needs.  It sounds obvious, but often home buyers get so caught up in the home that they forget about what is beyond the walls, yard, and fence.

If you have any questions regarding real estate, or need help selling or buying a home, please contact me at dannyshepard@oregonfirst.com or 503-267-8370.

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