From time to time, we are asked to handle the sale of a home that has enjoyed the same owner for as long as 40 or 50 years, sometimes longer. On even more rare occassions, a home may have been in the family for nearly 100 years. Are these homes attractive to most people or are they just …. old?

Many buyers of Northwest

Who Doesn’t Like This Look?

homes are accostomed to and

Seek Out Older Homes.

Others come from places where the older homes were built in the 1970′s.

So when we are asked to handle the sale of a home not remodeled in 40, 50 or more years we get interesting feedback.

The house always wins over the hearts of buyers!

These special homes generate a lot of excitement and potential buyers then walk through the home in a dream-like state. For most, the dream is attractive. They are gently caring for a living, breathing being that provides an emotionally charged feeling of connection to the past and present. The house is always wanting a little love and attention just as a child or even a pet. The house is an extension of the household. The home purchase is a significant moment in their life.

Yes, some potential buyers attend our OPEN HOUSE events and are attracted to the location. But, for some, the location is one thing and the house is another. For a potential buyer who hhas not considered the fact that the location is comprised of older homes, a bit of shock occurs. But a really interesting phenomenon occurs at this exact point. a small number of these potential buyers see nothing but ….. well….. old houses and the are not at all attracted to the floorplans, built-ins, or designs. For them, the house is just ……. “old”. For this group, even the tree canopy is a problem because of the obscured view of clear shy.

For most, quite a different phenomenon occurs. For some of these buyers, sometimes the less remodeled the home is, the more attractive it is. A connection to the past, to the architecture, or to a certain symbolism of an era; things like this are said aloud in the viewing. Others begin to recite spontaneous poetry. The poent in them is having an experience. In a busy, multitasking and challenging world these homes may represent an escape to a more simple time. Even if for moments at a time owners of these homes enjoy walking in the same steps as a person 70 years ago. Sipping coffee while looking out 80 year old panes of glass is an escape of the pressures of today.

The house always attracts it’s new owner(s) and the house stands proud to host these fine people until such time that the house is prepared to choose new owners.Buying an older home in Portland, especially, one not remodeled in the rat-pack era, or during the lovely 1970′s, is definitely an expierience more than a simple selection. I really enjoy these homes and the care given to their transitions by the brokers who sell them.