Heather Lamkins • PDX Real Estate Broker

Congratulations Ana & Bryan!

One big warm “Welcome home!” to Teri, Badger, Vito, and Hamlet (my favorite pig).

Just to be clear–this is Hamlet, the Extreme Dandy.  He’s cool (& super petite).

These guys are great. (and so is their house)

Birkmeier, Burkmeier, Birkemeier, Birkenmeier, Birkmeir, or Birkeemeier?—SURVEY SAYS… Birkemeier!

collage by Doug Decker

Kenneth L. Birkemeier, 1905-1996, was an innovative and thoughtful designer and builder of homes.  He had his hand in approximately 700 homes and apartment units constructed in Portland, Oregon from 1932-1952.  Kenny Birkemeier, like many designers, evolved through time and presented a thoughtful portfolio of work that spanned Colonial, English, and conventional ranch style homes.  But the style most recognizable today, and perhaps the most sought after, is the “Birkemeier Modern” or as Kenny may have said, the “House of Tomorrow”.  Birkemeier took special care to make each home unique and most often built “on spec” for challenging or interesting sites.  Birkemeier was fond of whimsical details and curves which repeated in his work throughout the years.  Fortunately, this leaves behind some distinguishable features to help identify his work.  So without further ado–

How to spot a Birkemeier*:

• Complex overlapping roof lines
• Roman brick on the facade
• Oculus (or round window)
• Rough brick patterns on exterior
• Rock terracing materials, especially for hillside homes
• Curved exterior walls &/or walkways
• Curved rails of wrought iron
• Brick fireplace or Roman brick fireplaces
• Interior stone work
• High peaked vaulted ceilings
• Large front-facing windows
• Open, flowing floor plans
• Well-crafted wooden built-ins
• Natural unpainted fine grade wood beams, trim, built-ins, closets, &/or cabinetry
• Basement wet bar
• Large 4” hexagonal tile counters
• Same color large 4”x8” subway backsplash
• Light turquoise/sea foam green kitchens
• Light turquoise/sea foam green and pink bathrooms
• Linoleum kitchen floors
• Pass-throughs from kitchen to dining room
• Curves: scalloped cabinetry trim, crown moulding, kitchen counters, front door entry trim, wooden closet pulls, living room ceiling beams, you name it–it’s curved.

Let me take a moment to congratulate two friends and clients for their recent Birkemeier purchase.  Congratulations Laura & Tommy!.  Dreams can indeed become a reality, please enjoy your architectural gem!  Here are some photos of their tastefully updated Birkemeier in NE Portland, Oregon.

*  This list is not to be construed as the end all, be all, yet it is my own compilation of observations of what Birkemeier has left behind from the entire length of his career.  There may be omissions and certainly this is not to be construed as a complete list.  Many of Birkemeier’s homes differed in style and many had overlapping elements.  In other words, buyer to do own diligence.  ;)

References:
Doug Decker
Jack Bookwalter
Lynette
Lynette
Brian Libby

Today’s investor needs to be on their toes. As Kenny would have said, “You got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away and know when to run.” Real estate is absolutely no exception to these fine words spoken by, let’s face it, a very Portland appropriate looking gentleman. And yes, investing is indeed a calculated gamble–the higher the risk, the higher the reward.

Yet, the most obvious rule always applies: buy when it’s low and sell when it’s high. Easy, right? Well it is for some. Ultimately, an investor purchasing a rental project needs to have a certain sensibility in seeing a fixer’s potential and an understanding of their final goal. If you are buying a rental, then who is your target tenant? Who would you like to provide a home to? What kind of person is that and what is their lifestyle? This will in turn provide you with pertinent buying criteria about:  space, bedroom & bathroom count, school districts, and lot size. Think about the whole picture and detach yourself from unproductive emotional tendencies. Make smart decisions based on the amount of livable square footage, types of building materials, and how much rent you can fetch accordingly. After your purchase, dial in your mechanicals for the health and endurance of the home.  Count on all touchable surfaces seeing heavy wear and tear. No one will treat your home like you would, and if they do, then they are likely to be a short term tenant who will buy their own home soon. Do I sound pessimistic?–perhaps. Do I sound realistic?–definitely!

This straightforward home just sold to one savvy investor and is a slam dunk– pleasant SE neighborhood, decent school district, on a bike path, great neighboring homes & neighbors, no (leaky) basement, newer roof, a little yard (but not too much!), off street parking, double garage, 3 bedrooms, great layout with open kitchen and nice sized dining room, a roomy living room and a very very very reasonable price. Just add some cleaning up, updating of plumbing & heating, fresh paint & then rent it! Watch your sturdy investment grow through the years as sales prices are already on the incline!

Cute, cute, cute! And just SOLD to a savvy buyer that plans to rent it out to someone who appreciates it and wants to call it their own home, sweet, home. This midcentury period charmer has character galore–totally intact with hardwoods, original hardware, original wood doors, original kitchen with coved counters & coved floors, the most adorable pink bathroom, 3 bedrooms, big closets, 3 levels with nice ceiling height in the finished attic and the basement, nice sized yard, and a detached garage & driveway. Everything is in the right place in this sweet 1952 home.  It just feels light, airy, and deliciously comfortable.  And to top it off, the conveniences are plentiful– take a stroll around the Rose City Golf Course that is just 1 block away, frolic in one of the local parks, jump on a bus 2 blocks away, commute on the MAX only a ¼ mile away to shoot downtown or to the airport. This is living convenience to it’s fullest!

Interested in renting this comfortable home?  Or are you looking to buy a period home?

I was absolutely delighted to meet Eve and Doug one drizzly Portland night.  They met me at a house in Alberta Arts on foot shedding their rain coats with curiosity in their eyes.  Was this the house?… well, no, actually.  It was not the house.  Raincoats back on, lace up your boots and keep looking.  Hmff.  But alas, it is hardly ever the first house.

Nearly 7 months later, we stumbled on this fantastic find and most importantly, in the PERFECT neighborhood!  All along Eve and Doug’s expectations were specific.  They knew what they wanted and were willing to wait for it even though renting was getting old (and quick).  But considering the current lack of inventory in Portland’s market they simply had to wait for it.  But when it (the perfect home) reared it’s gorgeous head, we pounced on day 2.  Score!!!  Perfect home achieved!–vintage, yet updated & quite tastefully, decent size, perfect lot, appropriate backyard, a detached garage, 3 full bedrooms + 3 bonus rooms, 3 full bathrooms, yet room to expand–a perfect tall basement to call their own creation someday down the line.  How does one weigh the perfection of done and yet to come?  Right here baby, just south of Prescott–perfectly situated between the Alameda ridge and Alberta Arts! Congratulations Eve and Doug, I wish you the very, very best nesting experience ever.  Good things come to those who wait.  :)

Interested in your own perfect Alberta Arts find?  Let’s talk.

Congratulations to Tom & Linda who just nabbed this stunning architectural beauty in Willamette Heights of NW Portland.  Designed by and for architect Robert Cowman in 1980, this open inviting international style home is nestled right up to Forest Park.  The home is surrounded by a forest of trees, a babbling creek, and plenty of wildlife.  Fortunately this home boasts 3 exterior patios and also a heated sun room, so the phenomenal forested views are well utilized by design.  In addition to the perks of owning a tree house retreat, there are local quaint stores, eateries, and the vastness of NW 23rd’s shopping just down the hill–less than 1 mile away.

Tom & Linda started looking for homes in either Portland, Chicago, or a local move in San Francisco.  They described to me that they were looking for something “special”.  After previewing this NW home in the forest, I had a hunch that it might be that certain je ne said quoi that Tom & Linda were seeking.  But the catch was that their San Fransisco home had a walkscore of 100 and they didn’t want to give up their urban conveniences.  Although it is hard to beat that in any city, I think Portland’s urban forest and local great NW shopping stood up to the test.  Go Portland!  And welcome Linda & Tom to this fabulous city we call home.