December 2021 Newsletter: Our Annual Community Impact Report

Hi,

This year we took a bold step and challenged ourselves to do even more for our neighbors, youth, and people in need of shelter and food in the Portland Metro area. We're proud to share our 2021 Community Impact Report with you, which includes an overview of our programs and their results. Thank you to all who donated your time, money, and resources -- we couldn't have done this without you!

Make sure to check out our feature article this month if you're planning to sell your home during the holidays. We've got some great advice on seasonal décor that will make your home festive and inviting, without being overbearing on future home buyers.

Still searching for unique gifts and restaurants to wow your family and friends this year? Check out our Local Holiday Gift Guide below to find fun and quirky novelties, eateries, and gifts while supporting locally owned businesses.

And our small business highlight? Crystal Brown Cleaning Service. Crystal has been in business for more than 14 years and is an incredibly hard working professional. Reach out to her today for a quote and free up your time!

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

PARIS GROUP REALTY, LLC

Seasonal Decorating Advice for
Home Sellers

No matter which holiday you celebrate, many people enjoy decorating their homes in December. There’s a million options out there to do so, and Portland is famous for certain houses going over the top with their decorations, like those found on Peacock Lane. Selling your home during this season does pose a challenge and a question you may be asking: Should I put up seasonal décor when selling my home?

Seasonal décor doesn’t just take the form of colored lights and a snowman anymore. From giant blow up yard ornaments, to holiday wreaths and rainbow-colored trees, there are lots of ways to decorate both the inside and outside of your home. Many don’t want to miss out on the fun of decorating, even though they are in the process of selling their home. The good news is that you do not have to pretend the holidays don’t exist—but there are several changes you may need to make:

The first thing you should do is scale it down. You want potential buyers to still be able to see your home and envision themselves living there. This means larger ornaments, such as blow-up yard decorations, should probably stay inside the storage unit for this year.
Likewise, when decorating the inside of your home, you want décor that accentuates the areas of your home, instead of hiding them. Tasteful décor might even be able to highlight areas of your home that were otherwise easy to overlook.
If you’re working with a company that is staging your home, they may provide some helpful tips or even the perfect décor to help your home look amazing. If you’re staging your own home while you still live in it, one of the things to keep in mind is to make sure your décor matches the general colors and feel of each room. Make sure decorations are placed so that they don’t hide windows, cover up lights, or otherwise hinder a potential buyer’s ability to access something, such as a light switch.
The hardest thing of all, is that you will likely need to depersonalize your decorations. When a potential buyer tours your home, you want them to be able to imagine themselves in it, which can be a little difficult with personalized ornaments, stockings, religious items, or holiday pieces that draw attention. Save those pieces for after the tours are over and keep things minimal. You can channel your ‘inner Martha Stewart’ and keep things simple and classy.
If you find yourself struggling with scaling back, focus on decorating with “scents.” Find a perfect candle for each room or pick a scent you can use that won’t be overwhelming. Decorate with cinnamon scented pinecones in the living room, for example. Take this time to explore holiday décor and use some in new ways.
Although it’s easy to place presents under the tree or in obvious places, you want to keep them out of sight while potential buyers are touring your home. Not only are presents often bulky, and easily hide notable features, some may be in danger of being moved by curious buyers or even stolen.

To sum everything up, you can absolutely decorate while selling your home in the winter—but do your research, consult with the professionals at Paris Group Realty, LLC, and save that nine-foot-tall blow up Santa sleigh for next year!

Paris Group Realty, LLC 2021 Community Impact Report

We would like to take a moment to share the work we’ve put in this year to support the community we love. Work that would simply not be possible without you.

In 2021 our goal was to expand our reach with our contributions, spread awareness, and find ways our great group of agents and employees could get out in the world and pitch in through our volunteer efforts.

While COVID gave us a few setbacks with our plans, we forged ahead and found ways to support the city we love and the people in our community.

We are eager to take on 2022 with new ideas and partnerships, but in the meantime, please take a moment to read about the work we are so proud to have accomplished in 2021:

2021 Community Impact Report | Paris Group Realty, LLC >

Learn More About Our Charitable Support and Giving Initiatives >

Local Holiday Gift Guide

Searching for unique holiday gift ideas to amaze your loved ones? Our annual Local Holiday Gift Guide gathers all the fun in one list, allowing you to support local businesses while finding some of the most unique, quirky, and distinctive treasures that make Portland so endearing to us.

2021 Local Holiday Gift Guide >

From Mississippi Ave. to the Streets of Tanasbourne, we’ve got some of best local shops in the Portland Metro area. Impress your loved ones with novelties, books, toys, or cater dinner as a special treat for yourself and your family. You'll notice a few favorites from last year, as well as some new ideas to add to your holiday celebrations!

Crystal Brown Cleaning Service

I don’t know about you, but with the holidays upon us and the New Year fast approaching, the last thing I want to think about is when I last cleaned my shower! So today, we’d like to introduce you to a locally owned business we work with both personally and professionally.

Crystal Brown, of Crystal Brown Cleaning Service, has been hard at work cleaning and organizing homes for 14 years. Her attention to detail and professionalism keeps us coming back to utilize her services month after month.

Her services include regular cleaning, once per month, the occasionally clean, deep cleans, Airbnbs, turnovers and organizing options as well.

Reach out to Crystal for a personalized quote today!

Tel: (503) 935-0737

Email: crystal_mbrown@comcast.net

Forbes Magazine - 2021 Market Leaders

Click here to view our company's Owner and Principal Broker, Claire Paris, in her Five Star Professional Magazine Profile E-reprint, featured in a recent edition of Forbes magazine.

Five Star Professional conducts market research to define and promote professional excellence in the professions they serve, including real estate agents.

CLAIRE PARIS: 9-TIME WINNER

FIVE STAR REAL ESTATE AGENT

2011 · 2012 ·2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2020 · 2021

Considering Buying or Selling a Home?

First of all, Happy Holidays! This year has been such a whirlwind of activity in the Portland real estate market, and we'd like to wish you and your loved ones a safe holiday season and prosperous New Year!

If you have questions about buying, selling, or even just wondering what the value of the homes are in specific Portland neighborhoods, give us a call! Chances are we're just down the street and would love to offer our advice.

We are experts on neighborhoods throughout the Portland Metro area and their most appealing aspects, and we're happy to provide you home and neighborhood tours. If you're selling your home, we're here to help you list it.

When you're in need of real estate advice, a home valuation or some staging ideas, just let us know and we'll be right over!

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