Agent Profile
My job is service...service to you and your real estate transactions! How can you benefit from my 25 years of experience and expertise? What can I offer to make the process more productive?
* Current information on available housing...comparative and competitive market pricing and analysis
* Daily involvement in the local real estate marketplace.
* Thorough, comprehensive knowledge reflecting years of helping others complete their real estate business.
* Extensive network of professional resources to make the process as smooth as possible.
My commitment is to you! Being available to you...returning your calls...answering your questions...addressing your concerns...respecting your money...matching your timeline...meeting your expectations...helping accomplish your real estate goals!!
JANEESE JACKSON: 503-709-0802 or jj@janeesejackson.com
“Bird on a Wire”: Leonard Cohen
So, my investment partner and I have worked for most of the summer getting our cute, vintage duplex renovated. You may remember that it is located near the trendy N Mississippi neighborhood (also located at the west end of the Alberta Arts District). What a project! But, there does seem to always be some “drama” involved in every remodel. More on that in a moment.
N Mississippi area duplex
We actually had one side finished enough to hold an “open house” on Sunday 08/29 and we were excited to have gotten so many inquiries from our various online venues. From the multitude of calls and e-mails, we did secure 20 applications! I have to say I would have rented to each and every applicant! It was amazing. I also noted that there were many young couples that were moving from outside Portland and from out-of-state! And, all had jobs….very interesting considering the “state of Portland Real Estate” and our local economic “woes”!!??
Ok, so what did I learn from this remodel project? I reinforced that the “Restore” by Habitat for Humanity is my best friend and that Lowe’s has been my “home away from home”. We found everything from lighting fixtures, inexpensive toilets, tar-paper, paint & primer, knobs for the kitchen cabinets, doors at Restore….I love this place! On our last remodel (the N Vancouver duplex in the N Williams Corridor), we had already learned to appreciate the Restore! However, once you buy it … you own it (but, you can always donate it back for a tax write-off). What we couldn’t find at a deep discount at Restore, we managed to find at Lowe’s with our 10% off coupons. Lowe’s is great about returns, so if you don’t know exactly how many of something to get, don’t sweat it … buy it, either keep your receipt or put it on a debit/credit card and return if necessary! I also scrounged on Craigs List for various items and Hippo Hardware for some vintage doorknobs. We gutted the kitchens and the new black-n-white “art deco” kitchens will be mighty cute, but my experience with the “untangling of the IKEA kitchen” will forever be etched in my brain! Just like with the sale of a home, a little staging can make a huge difference.
a bit of staging can make a difference
The classic, vintage details of the renovation were extremely rewarding! We went from the “oops paint job” to a classic and authentic rendition:
"oops paint": the before
after "oops paint"
it’s amazing what a little paint can do to “ambience”!
And, “All About Wood Floors” did a great job on the refinishing of the hardwood floors! We’ve added insulation, remodeled the kitchens and the baths, separated the water meters, built a fence, painted the interiors (trim on the exterior). I chose some Benjamin Moore paints this time for the interior. The color designers at the 9th and Salmon store were very helpful (and I went through a lot of testers). I do have to say I put a little more time and effort into all the details of the investment properties I own than some might see as prudent, but I really believe it pays off with tenants that appreciate the work and live in the home with respect!
From our open house, we did secure rental commitments for both sides of the duplex, so now we are down to “crunch time” to get the units completed! Hopefully, next week both sides will be ready for their new occupants! Of course, we had a slight medical emergency and my partner ended up in the emergency room (nothing to do with the construction project). However, you always have to count on the possibility of delays! So, I would just factor that into the business plan. Always live and learn!
About the Author | Janeese Jackson
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just linked this page on my facebook account. it’s a very interesting read for anyone.