August 2021 Newsletter: Extend Your Summer Adventures!

Hi ,

August is usually when we're winding down the summer. This year, we're inspiring you to extend your summer adventures! We've got some great activities and events for everyone to enjoy in the Metro area while we still have lots of sunshine.

Also, check out our featured non-profit this month, Rose Haven, a day shelter that provides critical support and resources to the community experiencing homelessness and poverty. There's many ways to support their cause, and your donations really make a difference.

If you're planning to list your house soon, we've got a unique approach to assessing your home's curb appeal while tackling all the items on your to-do list. Our agents are always happy to stop by and provide you staging advice to help get you the best return on your investment.

As always, reach out to us with all your real estate needs,

Paris Group Realty, LLC

How Do I Prepare My Home for Listing?

First, you'll want to look at your home's curb appeal. Here's a good tip to try: Go outside and take a picture of your home from the exterior and carefully examine it. A lot of times when you're walking in and out of your home on a daily basis you don't see things that other people may notice. For example, you'll see the plant you have in a container that's now dead and is still sitting on your front porch, and the gutter on the side of the house that's falling down and needs repair.

An obvious reason to examine the exterior of your home is that this will be the first impression you'll make on potential buyers. The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) requires we post either a picture of the front door or the front of the home, so this is the first image a potential buyer sees when viewing your home online.

Next, walk around the exterior of your home and look at it with a critical eye. Most homeowners have projects they've started but just haven't quite finished. You can make a to-do list of items based on what you find. For instance, you may have a pile of bricks at your house that you've been meaning to make into a patio and still haven't piled them up on the side of your garage. Or there may be a random spade sticking out of the ground in your backyard. Little things like this stand out to potential buyers who want to envision their future home in a 'pristine' condition.

Then, do the same thing for the interior of your home. Take pictures of your living room and dining room and review them to see what strikes you as needing changes. You can then take some time to remove furniture, and decorations, if necessary, especially if rooms seem cluttered. You'll also be able to slowly chip away at the things on your list that require your attention.

It's always a mad dash to the finish line when preparing your home for listing, however, it's much more reasonable to say, "I'm going to slowly knock a few things off my list, day by day," vs., "I'm not going to sleep for seven days to get all of this stuff done." You can take either approach, however, I'm here to tell you 'slow and steady' is a heck of a lot easier to manage in the long run!

Rose Haven

This month we are sharing information about Rose Haven, a day shelter providing support, resources, and community connections to women, children, and marginalized genders experiencing homelessness and poverty. Their vision? "A community where everyone has safety, stability, love, health, and home."

The individuals who seek assistance and support at Rose Haven typically have experienced abuse, loss of home, and other life altering experiences. They find a community who is there to provide them with advocacy, medical support, clothing, showers, children’s services, and hospitality, to name a few. The women and children find care and support regardless of need, and Rose Haven works to build their confidence and sustainable lives for themselves.

Wondering how you can provide support to this essential organization and the individuals who seek their assistance? Thankfully, there are a variety of options that include donating funds, donating essential items, school supplies and backpacks, hosting your own donation drive or donating your time through their volunteer opportunities.

Rose Haven is also going through some big and exciting changes! Home for the Haven is a $3 million dollar campaign centered around their new facility, which will enable their organization to double their service hours, increase their programming, and triple their current footprint. They are seeking donations to fund this project, as well as in-kind contributions. If you, or someone you know, can donate low-cost products or services (HVAC, painting, flooring, windows, moving services, etc.) to complete renovations and support ongoing maintenance, please reach out to Liz Starke, Development Director: lstarke@rosehaven.org.

Take a few minutes to learn about Rose Haven here: www.rosehaven.org

Extend Your Summer Adventures

Summer's not over yet! With plenty of warm days left in August and beyond, Labor Day doesn’t have to mark the end of the traditional vacation season. Fall doesn’t officially begin until late September and our continued warm weather means you can try new things throughout these upcoming months, with the added bonus of fewer tourists.

Check out some of our favorite places and things to do around Portland to keep the summer vibes going! Whether you’re an empty nester, a tried-and-true foodie, or a seeker of hot spots to soak up the sun, we've got some fabulous ideas to extend your summer adventures!

Considering Buying or Selling a Home?

Our passion is in helping you find the perfect space to reflect your personal lifestyle, while building your wealth through property ownership. Buying a home in Portland continues to be a sound financial investment, and it’s a smart way to plan for your future.

If you’re looking to sell your home this summer or fall, this hot seller’s market is an opportune time to maximize your return on investment. For individuals and families searching for a home or investment property, our agents tour over 20 homes a week, know what's available, and are happy to show you all the Portland Metro inventory.

Reach out to us at (503) 926-5213 or info@parisgrouprealty.com and let's get started today!