December 2022 Newsletter: Our 2022 Community Impact Report

Hi ,

I'm pleased to share our 2022 Paris Group Realty, LLC, Community Impact Report with you this month, which includes the charitable programs we've supported this past year and their results. Thank you to everyone who has donated time, money, and resources to our neighbors and local organizations -- we are so grateful to join efforts with you on these critical initiatives.

If you're searching for property with accessibility features, make sure to check out our feature article below. Guest blogger Don Lewis shares all kinds of house hunting tips for accessible homes and tips to help make your move stress-free.

Still searching for unique gifts for your family, friends, and pets this year? Take a look at our Local Holiday Gift Guide to find great ideas in the Portland Metro area while supporting our locally-owned retailers.

And our neighborhood/district highlight? Alberta Arts District is our focus this month, with its tree-lined streets, colorful murals, historic, wood-framed shopfronts, and artsy, fun, and funky vibe. Let me know if you're interested in checking out homes and neighborhoods near Alberta -- I would love to take you on a tour!

Enjoy the holiday season, and don't hesitate to reach out about all things real estate,

Easy Living: House Hunting Tips for Accessible Homes

Guest blog post by: Don Lewis

Accessible homes are designed to make life easier for people with special needs. But, with the wide range of modifications and adaptations available, it can be hard to know where to start and how to keep things affordable. Fortunately, there are a few key strategies that can help make the process smoother and less stressful.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

The Right Layout
Your home’s layout plays an important role in your routine, so you’ll want to make sure that the doorways are wide enough to accommodate any assistive devices you use and that there are no stairs leading to the front door.

Modifications
You’ll need to be cognizant of the fact that your needs may change in the future, so it would be helpful to have a home that makes it easy to add in any necessary modifications. These could include ramps, widened doorways, or installing elevator access.

Location
As a differently abled person, you are probably aware of facilities, like banks, supermarkets, or shopping centers, that ease the unique challenges you face. When searching for a home, you’ll want to make certain that these amenities are close by.

Price
Affordability is a key consideration, as you’ll need to keep in mind that owning a home involves much more than the mortgage payment. Start by figuring out how much you can afford, and be sure to do some research about the homes in areas you are interested in so you can better gauge the pricing.

Buying Your Home

Mortgages: Spending some time researching mortgage options will help you solidify your budget and apply for pre-approval. When doing this, you should bear in mind that lenders will review your credit score, current income and employment, and how much you want to borrow.
Real Estate Agents: It’s possible to find a real estate agent who specializes in accessible homes. They can recommend properties in the area that suit your needs and put you in touch with reliable contractors that can assist with modifications.
Offer: Once you’ve settled on a home you’re interested in, you’ll be able to make an offer with the help of your real estate agent. And, if you’ve secured mortgage pre-approval, it’s far more likely that the current owners will be open to negotiation.

Modifying Your Home
The modifications made will differ from person to person according to their circumstances. However, the most important part of this process is finding a good contractor.

The right company will be able to assist you in securing the necessary permits, advise you on which modifications best meet your needs and affordability, and ensure that the work is done up to code.

Professionalism and excellent communication are essential factors to look out for when searching for a contractor, as settling for the cheapest option may cost you more in the long run.

Stress-free Moving
The first step in making a stress-free move is to hire a moving company. They will be able to help you pack up your belongings and safely transport them to your new home. It may also be helpful to make a checklist of everything that needs to be done during the move. This might include packing up your belongings, changing your address, and transferring your utilities. Finally, if your loved ones have offered to help you make this transition, you can start delegating tasks that may be challenging for you. This will ease the burden and make the process far less overwhelming.

With the right knowledge and a little bit of planning and mortgage research, finding an accessible home is an achievable feat. With technology at your fingertips, there are several resources that can minimize any difficulties you may face. Be sure not to rush the process, and don’t be afraid to seek help from professional real estate agents.

Read more Paris Group Realty, LLC blog articles

2022 Community Impact Report

Our company's purpose is to help individuals and families achieve their dreams and financial goals through homeownership in a healthy environment, with active communities and equality for all. We consciously address these fundamental priorities every day, in every aspect of our business.

As we head into our third decade of business in Portland and beyond, our focus is on forging strategic partnerships in five areas, including housing, education, community. equality, and growth.

Our efforts this past year highlight our commitment to giving back, and our desire to do the necessary ground work it takes to push forward the initiatives of organizations we believe in --- such as Habitat for Humanity Portland Region, Girls Inc., Transition Projects, SOLVE, and Urban Gleaners. Moving forward, we're poised to make even more of an impact on our community with your generous help and support.

Read the Report

Alberta Arts District

Alberta Arts District is a commercial district in Portland, Oregon connecting the Concordia, King, and Vernon neighborhoods in the Northeast quadrant of the city. The district centers on NE Alberta Street, and stretches approximately 1.5 miles, from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to NE 33rd Avenue.

As residents and visitors walk along NE Alberta's tree-lined streets, they find colorful murals, historic, wood-framed shopfronts, and an artsy, fun, and funky vibe. Restaurant lovers enjoy the eclectic choices that are both friendly and relaxed, with understated bars serving gourmet-style comfort food, beers, and cocktails. Most business owners have resisted the urge to go sleek and trendy. Outdoor patios, firepits, and welcoming interiors with board games or pinball machines are prevalent, with a focus on quality food in comfortable surroundings.

Though “Alberta” by name is not technically recognized as a standalone neighborhood, it’s surrounded by lovely neighborhoods including Woodlawn, Vernon, Alameda, and Cully. Here you can find architectural styles that are reminiscent of older East Portland styles -- with cottages, Craftsman-style bungalows, and other mid-sized, one and two-story homes.

If you are interested in learning more about the Alberta Arts District, reach out to me at nickb@parisgrouprealty.com or (503) 395-7139 and I’ll take you on a tour!

Visit the Alberta Arts District page

Read the press release

Tin Shed Garden Café

While you're checking out the Alberta Arts District this holiday season, make sure to stop by Tin Shed Garden Café, a family-friendly restaurant located in the Alberta Arts District in Portland, Oregon.

The Tin Shed serves up a delicious daily brunch menu and creates high-quality, tasty dishes while giving you the entire table service experience. You can also place take out orders when their small kitchen slows down from its bustling in-house service.

A Special Bonus at theTin Shed? The restaurant is canine-friendly and dogs are welcome to join you on their outdoor patio dining area (floor only, please!).

Treat your pooch to canine cuisine right off their menu! In fact, if you purchase a Tin Shed Doggie Bandana, they'll donate all proceeds to their 2022 recipient, Street Dog Hero. Visit them again with your pooch wearing the bandana and enjoy half off their next doggie meal.

Location: 1438 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211, Tel: (503) 288-6966

NOTE: The Tin Shed Garden Café closes at 2 pm on weekdays and 3 pm on weekends so make sure to come early!

Menu

About the Tin Shed

We're honored to congratulate our company's Owner and Principal Broker, Claire Paris, as an official winner of the Homesnap Top 5% Award for the first half of 2022.

Homesnap looked at the data from the first half of 2022 for over one million Homesnap Pro agents nationwide, and Claire was one of the select few to win a Top Agent Award! This distinction is based on her productivity over the past six months.

Our company takes pride in using a thoughtful and personal approach to real estate, and we look forward to helping make all your property dreams come true!

Reach out to me at (503) 395-7139 or nickb@parisgrouprealty.com today to discuss selling or buying a home!

Considering Buying or Selling a Home?

If you're in need of real estate advice, a home valuation, or staging ideas this holiday season, just let me know and I’ll be happy to stop by your home or meet you for coffee. I would love to talk with you about your real estate dreams and financial goals.

As an expert in the Portland market, I understand the nuances of our local neighborhoods and what they have to offer. I tour over 20 homes a week, know what inventory is available, and am happy to take you on property and neighborhood tours in the Portland Metro area. If you're selling your home, I’m here to list it for you and help you get the most ROI for your hard-won investment.

Contact me at (503) 395-7139 or nickb@parisgrouprealty.com and let's get started today!