It is common for folks to ask me why all the new buildings going up are apartments and not condos. One of the biggest reasons is that the insurance required to cover condo construction is costly. A new bill proposed by Mark Meek (a Representative from Gladstone and a Realtor himself) attempts to tackle this problem by decreasing construction defects and limiting owner’s rights to sue developers.
Bill 3432 requires more training and oversight during construction and changes the time period and method by which homeowners may sue due to defects. This two-pronged approach makes a lot of sense and has garnered support in both the developer community and the affordable housing community. The result would be lower costs to builders, which could then be passed onto future homeowners. As condos continue to present an affordable option for folks entering the market, the theory is that this will address one facet of the housing shortage.
The legal community is not thrilled with this option, as it shortens the length of time that owners of these units have to sue the builder (from 10 years to 6) and requires a majority of the homeowners to vote to sue. As with any legislation, it will probably not please everyone, but it is a novel approach to providing more options to home buyers in today’s market.
To follow this bill, go to House Bill 3432>>
Spring Wildflower Viewing /
One of the upsides of all the rain we get in Portland is the growth of ferns, forests and delicate wildflower blooms that thrive on all that moisture. We are also fortunate that many Oregonians not only love the outdoors but love to share it with others.
Such is the case with the website Oregon Wildflowers, a collection of data and reports designed to inform users where wildflowers are blooming (and which ones) in areas all over the state. This resource is a treasure and a must for anyone interested in enjoying the colorful and fleeting wild blooms of spring.
Exploring the Laurelhurst Neighborhood /
In March of this year, the Laurelhurst neighborhood was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service. Eligibility for this type of designation requires that most buildings within the district maintain their historic appearance and the area must also be associated with some aspect of the area’s history and/or notable for its architecture or design. Laurelhurst is illustrative of Portland’s City Beautiful era-planning principles and its representation of popular trends in U.S. architecture of the 1910s and 1940s. Local government now has the authority to create additional protections and to review proposals to relocate or demolish properties within the boundaries of the designated area (see map here).
The land of the Laurelhurst neighborhood was originally owned by that most prominent of Portland pioneers, William S. Ladd, who bought up the area in a series of purchases in the 1860's and 70's. Under Ladd's ownership, the land was turned into the Hazel Fern Farm and was mainly agricultural. After Ladd's death in 1893, however, the property was deeded to Ladd's son, who formed the Ladd Investment Company and eventually sold the 462-acre farm to the Laurelhurst Company for two million smackers in 1909. The neighborhood was meant to be exclusively high class, with no apartments or commercial buildings allowed and a minimum value set for houses built there. Don't worry, though – the stately homes and bungalows may remain, but the elitist attitude has disappeared since those early days.
Amenities
Straddling Northeast and Southeast Portland, Laurelhurst stretches from SE Stark up to I-84 in the NE, and from 32nd to 44th Avenues, east to west, making it a great, central location on the east side of the city. It's bordered by the Kerns, Sullivan's Gulch, North Tabor, Hollywood, and Sunnyside neighborhoods, which provide many eating and shopping options in close distance – an important feature, as Laurelhurst itself is mainly residential.
There is just one elementary school within the neighborhood boundary, Laurelhurst School (K-8), but there are a couple others nearby, Beverly Cleary School (K-8), and Glencoe Elementary (K-5). If you are looking for a dedicated middle school, Mt Tabor Middle School is just to the southeast of the neighborhood. The neighborhood doesn’t have its own high school, but Grant High School is just outside the boundary in Hollywood.
points of interest
Laurelhurst features an atypical street design, with curvy roads winding around a central traffic circle. You can't miss the gilded statue of Joan of Arc as you drive around; she was a gift from Dr. Henry Waldo Coe, who donated the statue in 1924 and gave Coe Circle its name.
And then there's Laurelhurst Park, where you will find a horseshoe pit, basketball and tennis courts, huge trees, cute dogs galore, circles of hippies hula hooping, musicians practicing their instruments, and the famous duck pond, a one-time watering hole for cattle and swimming hole for the less bovine. The park has been around since 1912, and in 1919 the Pacific Coast Parks Association named it the most beautiful park on the west coast. Decades later, in 2001, it was named to the National Register of Historic Places (nearly 20 years ahead of the rest of the neighborhood), making it the first city park ever to make the register. Not too shabby!
culture
So what to do when you're not picnicking in the park? There's not much more than houses in Laurelhurst, but there's plenty going on just outside it, within a few minutes' walk or bike ride. Along the southern edge you'll find more than a thousand different beers at Belmont Station (yes, really!), and you can easily hop over to the Portland Nursery for all your plant and gardening needs. The shops and restaurants along 28th Ave, aptly dubbed “Restaurant Row”, just north and south of Burnside, offer tons of entertainment options, such as the Laurelhurst Theater (opened in 1923, and providing $9 movies and beer for the last 10 years), and Migration Brewing and LaurelThirst Public House are located on Glisan St, just west of the Laurelhurst boundary. Laurelhurst Market, opened in 2009, now has transitioned from ingenue to old standby and is still the only butcher shop-cum-deli-cum-restaurant-cum-bar in town and it’s conveniently situated right on the corner of Burnside and 32nd. And if all that's not enough, it's only a short jaunt across the river to downtown, whether you're on a bike or in a car.
A beautiful residential neighborhood with lots of history and great homes – that's Laurelhurst! Check it out now!
Celebrating 100 Years at Pittock Mansion /
If you've been meaning to make it to Pittock Mansion, Changing Landscapes: the 100-Year History of the Pittock Mansion Estate is just one more reason to get there soon.
The exhibit, open through mid-July, describes some of the major transitions the estate has been through including the development of the grounds into a garden and public park.
And besides, nothing beats the view from Pittock Mansion on a clear spring day!
What's a Bedroom /
Not surprisingly, bedroom means different things to different people, even in real estate. Fannie Mae, FHA, the International Building Code, and the International Residential Code all have slightly different definitions.
There are common threads running through all four guidelines. First, the market's expectations of what a bedroom is counts during an appraisal–in some markets this may mean a closet is a must, in others, not so much. Second, there must be an opening to the outside (egress) and also an opening to the rest of the dwelling.
If you're interested in digging into the details, check out this article in Appraisal Today>>
Charity Spotlight: Audubon Society /
photo credit: Tom Schmid
The Audubon Society of Portland promotes the understanding, enjoyment, and protection of Native birds, other wildlife and their habitats. Since 1902, this integral organization has worked on conservation efforts, education and volunteerism, and wildlife rehabilitation in the interest of loving and protecting our ecosystem.
It’s Springtime, which means it’s time to count birds because birds count! Love Portland is proud to support our friend Joe Liebezeit’s 2019 Birdathon team, which raises critical funds for the Audubon Society’s fight to protect important habitats for birds and people. Just click here to find out more and make a gift. When you contribute, send us a quick note and we will match your gifts up to $500!