By Ana de la Rua, August 6, 2018
My wonderful friends and neighbors, Michael and Judy, just purchased the home where they will live during their retirement years. It is a lovely ranch in Cully with main level living and bonus area in the basement. It has the most fantastic outdoor spaces: a big deck for entertaining, a private Zen courtyard and a delightful vegetable garden with space for their chicken coop. The location will allow them to walk to Beaumont village and to bike to almost everywhere in NE Portland and beyond.
Reaching this milestone has been a process in itself. They first needed to come to terms with the fact that they would have to leave their beloved home, where they lived for more than 30 years and raised their family. That also meant saying goodbye to their precious garden growing in their oversized lot, lifetime friends next door and the Irvington neighborhood.
Once they were sure that a move was necessary, they considered several options. The idea of joining a co-housing community based on sustainability values was very appealing to them, so they signed up on a development project that ended up failing and then try to purchase a home in an already established one. Their offer was not accepted and learning about the way these communities operated left them a little hesitant. Switching gears, they tried to purchase a lot where they could build a house according to their specifications. They learned a lot about city requirements, sustainable design and the financial implications of such an endeavor and, once again, their discovery process convinced them that that was not the way to go. Finally, they found their place in a thoughtfully updated mid century house, simple and honest, just the way they are.
The seller accepted their offer as back up, since another buyer had placed an offer while they were still considering to build on a lot. But this house just rang true to them and decided to try their luck and hope for the best. Sure enough, after a week of waiting for a miracle, the first buyers withdrew and the sellers offered the house to Michael and Judy. The rest is history, as they now can’t stop making future plans on how to make the few improvements necessary to fit their needs.
Ana de la Rua
Broker
Growing up in Barcelona, Spain, Ana de la Rua’s first interest was in fashion.
She started her professional career as a pattern designer working for several local apparel companies. She was also deeply attracted to the distinct architecture of the city, its tumultuous history of urban development, and Barcelona’s characteristic avant-garde art.
When she moved to Portland 22 years ago, she found a friendly welcoming city immerse in rapid change. The Pearl District was starting its transition to urban living, the culinary scene was in its infancy but rapidly becoming a national phenomenon and over the years she discovered exciting neighborhoods full of charm and promise. All in all, Portland became her adoptive city and the one she and her family proudly call home.
Ana’s interest in real estate started while looking for her first home. She enjoyed the discovery process of finding a place to live but also finding herself through that process: the emotional rollercoaster, the jumping of hurdles, the financial implications, the effects in lifestyle. Since then she has moved four times, living in several neighborhoods of Portland and its suburbs, until she found her ideal home in NE Portland, where she now resides. She also co-founded a real estate investment company, implementing her vision on neglected homes, remodeling and making them energy efficient for renters in need of sound places to live.
It was while looking for investment properties on her own that she had the “epiphany” of becoming a real estate broker. It was extremely challenging to find the right property to buy as the market was becoming increasingly competitive but she was able to find her way around and land successful transactions. She also realized that she had what she appreciated in a good broker: loyalty, commitment, perseverance, patience, and a true passion for all things real estate. It is with all this in mind that Ana is hoping to team with you in your next real estate adventure!
A little more about Ana:
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- When not working she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, daughter, and Martha (the doggy), going out with her girlfriends, cooking, entertaining friends, reading, making crafts, and finding all sorts of deals.
- She has a major in Finance and a minor in International Economics from PSU as well as an Arts Degree in Industrial Pattern Making and Design from Institut de la Moda de Barcelona.
- Proficient in Spanish and Català (native languages).
- Loves walking and biking around Portland neighborhoods.
- T: 503-289-0863
- F: 503-961-8224
- ana@livingroomre.com
F
503-961-8224