Comments on: The Dream Home You May Never Own

By: ARDELL

ARDELL — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:04:54 +0000

Thanks Marlow! That’s a fabulous story!

By: Marlow Harris

Marlow Harris — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 05:53:08 +0000

We stalked a neighborhood on Capitol Hill for years and walked up and down the streets with the kids in a wagon and a box of pre-written letters to the owners of our favorite houses, having the kids run up the stairs to tuck the notes inside the screen doors of our favorite homes.

And it paid off. We found our dream home this way, an old 1914 Craftsman Tudor transitional, used as church offices for years before we bought and restored it.

I’m not sure I would do that for anyone else, but I do suggest it to buyers if they have their heart set on a particular house or neighborhood.

By: ARDELL

ARDELL — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:08:19 +0000

That raises a good point, Courtney. Wanting your dream home, period, and wanting it at a good price, don’t often go hand in hand. If someone does send a letter to the owner indicating their current and continued interest before it is for sale, they will likely get the property, but not at best possible price.

For unique property or unique locations, getting it and getting it at the best possible price? Getting any property at the best possible price normally = being willing to lose it to someone else.

By: Courtney Cooper

Courtney Cooper — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:42:14 +0000

I have a stalker house, but I will never let you know which one it is because I have to drive or walk by it at least once a week and if it ever comes on the market, I will be delighted:) – Of course it looks like it could be straight out of Money Pit!!!! I don’t want any competition!

By: Portland Real Estate

Portland Real Estate — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:30:48 +0000

I know exactly how those people feel. Though, my dream house is just something that I cannot afford. The only private island in the Portland Metro area is on Lake Oswego and it is a 5 acre island with a huge gorgeous house and guest house on it. I drool over the very idea that you could have a beatiful wild island with a boat house and shoreline all around you and within a quick 15 minute drive to downtown Portland. If I EVER had the chance to get that house, I would jump all over it before anyone else had the chance.