How do you like to spend your free time?
Where do you go on weekends and evenings? Do you walk, run or bike? You should look at places that have sidewalks or trails. If you kayak, do you want to be near a lake or river or at least good access?  Do you love to hang out in downtown Portland?  Are you chauffeuring the kids from games, practice, parities, etc…?  Think about what you will be doing and how your new place could help or hinder your lifestyle.

Where do you work?
Not everyone really thinks about how their lifestyle could change by either living close to, or far away from work.  If you work in the city, but long for the space you get in the suburbs, how will the commute be? If having more time at home instead of commuting is high on your list of wants, you might only consider an area close to where you work. But, your job situation could change, so you want a location that would allow you to consider jobs in other areas without the necessity of moving.

Your Lifestyle or Your Stuff?
Which is more important? Your heart is set on that contemporary condo in the Pearl, then you might need to make other accommodations for the 10 boxes of holiday decorations you move along with you. If you can’t bear to be separated from large, antique dining table, chairs and buffet set your gramma handed down to you or your motorcycle collection, then you should factor space for that into your ‘must have’ list.

Will your living situation change while you own the house?

Is this a transitional house for you? Will you start out with a roommate and end up with a spouse and child? Will you have children moving out over time? Does the house suit your empty nest situation or will you want to sell at that point?  As you age, will you be able to stay in the house, or is this a house that will be great for a couple of years, but not where you will spend your golden years? Some houses are just for a few years while others are homes for a lifetime. You might not need to know which you are purchasing, but the one-bedroom condo does and how much room for a changing if would allow.

Do you like working on your home?
Are you or do you want to be handy? You may love the charm and style of the old Portland real estate in Laurelhurst, but if you hate working on your house, those might not be the right choice for you. You need to be honest with yourself about how much time, and money, you have to spend on maintenance of your future home.

To yard or not to yard?
For some buyers, a big yard with lots of trees or plantings with space for kids toys, potting plants, deck chairs and benches is a must-have.  For others, very little is wanted or even needed.  An alternative to the large yard is if you buy a Portland home that is close to a park, you might be able to get a lot of the benefit without a lot of the expense and time required by a yard. How much of your own green space you need makes a big difference in the type of property you buy.

Where to Compromise?
Most buyers will not find a house that is ideal in every way. You almost always have to sacrifice something off your wants and needs list.  What will you be willing to give up? Closet space for larger yard? Remodeled kitchen for main-level laundry? Closer to a busy street for the extra bonus space?  A few tough decisions will likely be made during your Portland real estate search.

Your entire financial picture.
Are you stretching so much that furniture will be a dream?  Some people don’t mind  deferring the pleasure of sitting on a coach and still others like to entertain from day one. Will you be deferring vacation plans for a few years?  How much money will be left after you purchase your West Linn real estate for the extras you like have in your life? Just make sure you understand what your financial picture will allow after you buy your home.
Are you ready for the responsibility?
Looking back on the credit and housing crisis, we all learned that conditions can change quickly.   Be aware that your homeowners dues will go up. Don’t take out an ARM loan if you can’t afford the possibility of a larger payment. Have a plan for what happens if you lose your job.  We can’t know every challenge that we might face, but we can create the best possible situation for success by thinking ahead.

To view Portland real estate listings, click on the map

Rich Peralta is a real estate professional in the Portland Metro Area West Linn Real Estate and Lake Oswego Real Estate.

He can be reached at 503.961.2181 or by e-mail at rich.peralta@exprealty.com

Contact him  for more information on Portland Real Estate and Lake Oswego Real Estate!

Also posted on West Linn Real Estate.

To view Portland real estate listings, click on the map

Sometimes it is fun to dream about what life would be like if you could live among the most elegant homes and manicured neighborhoods.  Sure, most of us probably won’t get the chance, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do a little “virtual window shopping”!  With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of the  the 5 most expensive neighborhoods in Portland, including each area’s most expensive home currently on the market.

5. Northwest Heights:

On the west side of the West Hills, Northwest Heights offers scores of new developments, which boast large new homes, most with views of the Coast Range. The neighborhood’s main thoroughfare is NW Skyline Boulevard, which snakes along the spine of the hills, with pockets of residential development cascading down the slopes to the east. While the neighborhood itself can’t boast of many amenities, it’s close to Northwest Portland and offers the seclusion and peace of living in a forest and perhaps the best sunsets in Portland. Read more about Northwest Heights Real Estate…

• Average Home Price:$566,300
• 5 year appreciation: -3%
• Population: 4,762
• Median Age of residents: 42
• Home Ownership %: 83
• Acres of Parks and Open Space: 275

• Most expensive home on the market right now: $999,000
• Bedrooms: 4
• Bathrooms: 3 full, 1 partial
• Property type: Single-Family Home
• Size: 6,637 sqft
• Lot: 11,761 sqft
• Price/sqft: $151/sqft
• Year built: 2003

4. Forest Park:

Forest Park is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Portland, mainly because of the massive park, aptly named Forest Park. The park is the largest of its kind within city limits anywhere in the US, boasting 5,170 acres and over 40 miles of trails. The area combines rolling green pastures, stunning views East and West, and fine homes in both new developments and on existing large lots. Read more about Forest Park real estate…

• Average Home Price: $628,900
• 5 year appreciation: 12%
• Population: 3,882
• Median Age of residents: 44
• Home Ownership %: 81
• Acres of Parks and Open Space: 5,347

• Most expensive home on the market right now: $2,199,000
• Bedrooms: 5
• Bathrooms: 5 full, 1 partial
• Property type: Single-Family Home
• Size: 5,983 sqft
• Lot: 19,166 sqft
• Price/sqft: $368/sqft
• Year built: 1932

This is a Roscoe Hemenway original. Magnificently restored in 2005, this estate offers perfected, light-filled rooms, marble entry, 6 fireplaces, expansive views, world-class gardens, all new 3rd floor suite & separate nanny/in-law living quarters. Finished basement features theater/recreation room, exercise room and sauna. Adjacent to Forest Park trails; minutes to downtown Portland.

3. Arlington Heights:

As the neighborhood’s name suggests, Arlington Heights is perched 1000 feet above the city on a beautiful ridge and boasts excellent views of Downtown, the Eastside and the Cascades. It’s also home to theInternational Rose Test Garden because of it’s perfect climate for roses. There are over 700 breeds of roses, giving Portland its nickname, “the City Of Roses”. Read more about Arlington Heights Real Estate…

• Average Home Price:$669,700
• 5 year appreciation: 5%
• Population: 505
• Median Age of residents: 45
• Home Ownership %: 54
• Acres of Parks and Open Space: 1

• Most expensive home on the market right now: $1,494,000
• Bedrooms: 4
• Bathrooms: 2
• Property type: —
• Size: 2,283 sqft
• Lot: —
• Price/sqft: $654/sqft
• Year built: 1962

Interior FeaturesMaster bedroom is on Upper Level, Finished basement, Kitchen island, Laundry room, Sound system/wiring, Washer/dryerExterior FeaturesDeck, Garden area, Patio, Private/secluded lot, Public sewer service, Public water supply, Second residence, WoodedListed by: World Wide Realty Inc

2. Hillside:

Hillside is a genteel retreat high above a sophisticated city. Its breathtaking, unobstructed views of the Willamette and the Cascades and proximity to Forest Park (which boasts 5,170 acres) remind you of the wild, rugged nature of the city’s surroundings. If you want both nature and culture, Hillside is an excellent choice. The neighborhood consists of narrow streets and older homes with well manicured lawns shaded by old-growth trees, and an 8 minute commute to downtown. Read more about Hillside Real Estate…

• Average Home Price: $671,700
• 5 year appreciation: 87%
• Population: 2,032
• Median Age of residents: 49
• Home Ownership %: 71
• Acres of Parks and Open Space: 131
• Most expensive home on the market right now: $1,500,000

This stunning traditional on large lot remodelled with elegance and style. Beautiful music room off living room, lge dining room with bay windows looks out to big comfortable porch and magnificent city and 4 mtn view. Spaciousness downstairs family room plus separate playhouse.

1. Southwest Hills:

The history of the Southwest Hills is one of the more interesting and extreme of all of Portland’s neighborhoods. Being a naturally hilly area, in the 1800′s it was virtually impossible to travel to because of the muddy roads. The Portland Cable Railway gave access to the area in 1892. The train service originated in downtown Portland on 5th and Jefferson, and traveled to Canyon Road. It then went from Canyon to approximately Kingston Avenue, then to somewhere around about Fairview Boulevard. The construction of the Vista bridge led to dramatically increased access. Read more about Southwest Hills Real Estate…

• Average Home Price: $718,700
• 5 year appreciation: 14%
• Population: 5,365
• Median Age of residents: 47
• Home Ownership %: 76
• Acres of Parks and Open Space: 176

Most expensive home on the market right now: $7,850,000
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 6.3
Property type: Single-Family Home
Size: 10,685 sqft
Lot: 5.97 acres
Price/sqft: $735/sqft
Year built: 1940
This is a Country estate in the city, located on historic Blueberry Hill, in the heart of the West Hills. Complete with pool, tennis court, separate guest house, formal gardens, manicured lawns, classic details throughout. Upper sq. ft includes 4th level.

Northwest Heights Real Estate

Portland Realtors, like myself,  love to preview homes, and Northwest Heights is among my favorite areas to look at homes.  They are big, beautiful and expensive, at  $533,300 on average. With a population density of 5 people per acre, you will have one of the most private homes in the city.  After doing an MLS Search I found a $1.6 million dollar home for sale there, the highest priced home right now in that area, that has a breathtaking view and over 6 thousand feet of living space!   The median age of owners is 42 and the percent of home ownership is 83.  It is also the safest neighborhood in Portland with zero violent crimes, 2 burglaries and 0 car thefts.  Even for a relatively small neighborhood there are still 275 acres of park that will help keep the neighborhood green and not overdeveloped.

Parks and Recreation

• Forest Heights Park
• Forest Park

Schools

• Forest Park Elementary
• West Sylvan Middle
• Lincoln High
• Portland Public Schools District Map

Because school district boundaries do not necessarily correspond to neighborhood boundaries, verify which school your child will attend by clicking here and entering your address or prospective address.

Statistics

• Click Here to view demographics, property tax information and more for Northwest Heights.
• Click Here to compare Northwest Heights to other Portland neighborhoods.
• Click Here to view crime statistics for Northwest Heights.

Located high in the West Hills, Forest Park is named, obviously enough, for Forest Park, which extends northward from the neighborhood for miles. With hiking trails aplenty, a true feeling of natural serenity and proximity to amenities, Forest Park is a great choice for the nature-lover who doesn’t want to be too isolated.

Forest Park Real Estate

Forest park real estate comes in fourth among Portland’s most expensive neighborhoods behind Southwest Hills, Hillside and Arlington Heights with an average home price of $628,900 .  The 5 year price gain was 12% which is very good, considering that most home prices fell in the housing slump.  44 is the average age of ownership and 81% of the homes are owner occupied.   Forest Park came in #2 our of 100 neighborhoods in Portland on walkscore.com for the best walking areas.

Parks and Recreation

• Forest Park

Schools

• Skyline Elementary School
• West Sylvan Middle
• Lincoln High
• Portland Public Schools District Map

Because school district boundaries do not necessarily correspond to neighborhood boundaries, verify which school your child will attend by clicking here and entering your address or prospective address.

Statistics

• Click Here to view demographics, property tax information and more for Forest Park.
• Click Here to compare Forest Park to other Portland neighborhoods.
• Click Here to view crime statistics for Forest Park.

Hillside is a genteel retreat high above a sophisticated city, while it’s breathtaking, unobstructed views of the Willamette and the Cascades and proximity to Forest Park (which boasts 5,170 acres) remind you of the wild, rugged nature of the city’s surroundings. If you want both nature and culture, Hillside is an excellent choice. The neighborhood consists of narrow streets and older homes with well manicured lawns shaded by old-growth trees, and an 8 minute commute to downtown. It is also home to one of the most famous pieces of Portland real estate, The Pittock Mansion, which is a 22 room estate that sits on 46 acres and is open to the public for guided tours. I’ve toured it a couple times and highly recommend it.

The parks surrounding the Hillside neighborhood range from intimate to wilderness, and the proximity to unparalleled shopping and dining opportunities make Hillside a truly prime location. The neighborhood’s winding streets keep traffic to a minimum and the Hillside Community Center, designed by Pietro Belluschi, is a neighborhood gathering place, with plenty of room for kids to play soccer and basketball. A short drive, walk or bike ride lands you in Northwest Portland and the Pearl, where restaurants, bars and shops ranging from the comfy to the posh await.

Hillside Real Estate

With its grand houses and spectacular views, Hillside ranks second (behind Southwest Hills) among Portland’s most expensive real estate with an average home price of $671,700.

Parks and Recreation

• Adams Community Garden
• Adams Property
• Hillside Community Center
• Hillside Park
• Pittock Mansion

Schools

• Chapman Elementary
• West Sylvan Middle
• Lincoln High
• Portland Public Schools District Map

Because school district boundaries do not necessarily correspond to neighborhood boundaries, verify which school your child will attend by clicking here and entering your address or prospective address.

Statistics

• Click Here to view demographics, property tax information and more for Hillside.
• Click Here to compare Hillside to other Portland neighborhoods.
• Click Here to view crime statistics for Hillside.

Click here for more information on Portland real estate!

Loren Castillo is a recruiter and career coach with eXp Realty in Portland, Oregon.

loren.castillo@exprealty.com

503.998.4868