Stefany and Brandon were getting close to renewing the lease on their apartment. They had a new baby, Milo, a condo with concrete floors, and no yard. The itch to have a place of their own was real.
We introduced them to a few of our favorite lenders, and they were approved on a Friday. On Saturday we lined up three showings. Sunday was already spoken for, since they had a wedding to attend.
House one
The first was a new build, and it was awkwardly sited. You could see where cost-cutting decisions had been made, and not in ways that helped the property.
House two
The second was a bit dark inside, with gray paint throughout. Public service announcement: please stop painting everything gray.
House three
The third house sat in Lorene Park, an adorable mid-century neighborhood in Hazelwood, East Portland. It felt comfortable the moment we walked in. It had an oversized lot, a spacious backyard, a magnolia tree, and only two owners in its history.
We left Stefany and Brandon to talk it over. By the time we got home, they had decided to make an offer.
They saw three houses. That was enough, because they knew what they wanted and recognized it when they found it. The house had multiple offers, so we moved fast and negotiated them into the winning position.
Later we were able to share the house with the grandparents, who have supported this family in some critical ways. It was raining, and everyone was smiling anyway.
Milo’s birthday party is on the calendar just over a week after closing. It’s go time.
A little about Lorene Park
The neighborhood has a good origin story. Lloyd Franzen and Corriene Lafollett married in 1916, and a few years later her father deeded them 20 acres running from 107th and Glisan to Hassalo. They planted it as a peach orchard, a section at a time, with the last stretch going in around the mid 1940s. The peaches were sold from a fruit stand beside the family home on Glisan.
By the early 1950s the orchard was more than the family could manage on their own, so they developed the land. They combined Lloyd and Corriene’s names and called it Lorene Park. Early lots sold for around $1,750. The developer did not want power poles in front of the houses, and Pacific Power & Light agreed to run them behind the lots instead. Two builders did most of the work, and Hassalo Circle followed a few years later.
More than seventy years on, you can still feel it. The lots are generous, the trees are mature, and the streets were laid out by a family that lived there. You can read more at the Lorene Park neighborhood history.
What this story shows
Getting the lender conversation done first meant they could act the day they found the right house. A short list of showings, chosen with care, did more than a long list would have. And knowing what matters to you, in this case a yard, some warmth, and a neighborhood with character, makes a decision like this feel clear rather than rushed.
If you’re starting your own search, our Portland home buyer guide walks through the process from lender conversations to closing. If you’re still deciding where to look, start with our guide to the best Portland neighborhoods.
Ready to move when the right house shows up?
Being prepared before you find the house is what makes a quick, confident offer possible. We can introduce you to lenders we trust and help you build a short list worth touring. Reach out whenever you’re ready, even if it’s early. Reach out anytime at 503-951-8547 or click below to schedule a time to talk.
Kim Campbell, Realtor | PSA, RENE | Licensed Oregon Broker
Francisco Salgado, Realtor | MCNE, EA | Licensed Oregon and Washington Broker
Campbell Salgado Real Estate Group with Soldera Properties
