Pacific Lifestyle Homes Blog

The Pacific Lifestyle Homes team enjoys the “Day Off” together on the Portland Waterfront.

Last Friday, May 3rd, there was no sound of hammers, saws, or other equipment on Pacific Lifestyle Homes jobsites around the Portland/Vancouver area as leading northwest home builder, celebrated  its 13^th annual “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”.

In what has become one of the most anticipated annual company traditions, Pacific Lifestyle Homes’ employees received  the day off and took part in some fun group activities. The celebration is known as “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and is in reference to the hit 1986 movie starring Matthew Broderick.

The company changes the activity each year.  In the past, events have included a trip to OMSI, a cruise on the Sternwheeler “Columbia Gorge”, a day at Bullwinkles, and “Movies and Microbeer” at McMenamins. This year, the company started with a group breakfast then bowling at Crosley Lanes.  From there a bus picked the group up and took them to the Pittock Mansion for a tour and catered picnic lunch on the surrounding grounds.  Then it was off to tour “Portland’s Underground” in Northwest Portland.

“The day off has really become an event that we all look forward to each year. It’s fun to put work aside during a normal “work” day and get to know the people you work with in a more casual environment,” said Kevin Wann, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Lifestyle Homes.

Portland metro area homebuyers need not panic, the team at Pacific Lifestyle Homes went back to work creating and building dream homes the following day.

Leading Northwest homebuilder, Garrette Custom Homes (custom home division of Pacific Lifestyle Homes) announced today the grand opening of “East Fork Estates”, in LaCenter, Washington.  The opening will take place Sunday April 7, 2013 at 12:00pm.

East Fork Estates features four large one acre home sites.  The neighborhood is nestled in a charming country setting with views of the Lewis River.  Boaters will love the nearby boat launch and many of the home sites back up to a wildlife corridor.  The first three homes feature many of Garrette’s most popular floor plans ranging from 2,900-3,221 square feet with 3-4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths.  Garrette specializes in developing luxury custom homes on larger land parcels or acreage.  Those interested can secure one of the available lots and select their plan from the over 40 floor plans available in the company’s collection.

The model home features the popular “Shasta” floor plan that offers one-level living.  The 2,900 square foot home features an open great room layout with four bedrooms,  2.5 baths and vaulted ceilings.

“We are excited to open east Fork Estates; it’s situated on a charming country setting with great boat access.  The views of the Lewis River are spectacular,” said Matt Lewis, Manager of Garrette Custom Homes

Information on East Fork Estates : 

The model home is located at 1510 NW 339th St. La Center, WA. The sales contact is Tony Luquin (360) 518-3499.

We’re proud to announce the grand opening of our newest neighborhood, “Green Mountain Ranch” by Garrette Custom Homes (Pacific Lifestyle Homes custom homebuilding division).

“Green Mountain Ranch” is a unique rural community located in Banks, Oregon.  The community has over 200 acres and over eight miles of walking trails.  There is also a horse stable and extensive riding trails, community recreation center and fire pit.

Currently there is one models home available for immediate occupancy at Green Mountain Ranch and , priced from $369,000.  The home sites range from 1.1 acres to 3.24 acres.  Garrette selected three of its most popular floor plans, the Sherwood, Jefferson and the Rainer.  The plans range in size from 2,555-3,221 square feet.  Each property can also accommodate a shop, barn or room to store a Recreational Vehicle.  Several home sites are west facing, offering spectacular sunset views.

Each floor plans offers either  3 or 4 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths along with Garrette’s custom amenity package which includes granite tile kitchen counters, tile counter tops in the bathrooms, extended hardwood floors and custom millwork.   In addition to the standard amenity package buyers can also work with Garrette’s professional design consultants to make personalized design and décor selections at their 5,000 square foot Design Studio.

“We are so excited to open this community.  For those who are looking for a tranquil rural lifestyle Green Mountain Ranch is the perfect match.  It’s the ideal location to build either an estate or family home,” said Matt Lewis, Manager of Garrette Custom Homes.

Home buyers at Green Mountain Ranch will also receive a $5,000 credit good for their selection of several “green” options including native landscaping, raised bed gardens, rainwater recapture and mini-green houses.

Address is:  25360 NW Pihl Road, Banks, Oregon 97106.  Model Home hours are 10am-5pm Sunday’s.

Here is a great read on the advantages of choosing new construction.  Click to read

Home owning can be a truly rewarding venture; the aesthetic and monetary benefits of undertaking a little home-refurbishment is a great way to see suitable rewards. Whether you are looking to create a family home, capable of providing you with all modern necessities or simply undertake a renovation project to enlarge the price tag on your home, adding cutting-edge features to your bathroom is a fantastic way to achieve both.

The bathroom is one of the most sought-after rooms in your home; it has the potential to be a real selling point, with the huge range of stylish and desirable bathroom features on the market. So with this in mind, let’s look at a few ways you can refurbish your bathroom and add a nice amount of value to your home too!

Plumbing and Fixtures

Plumbing systems that are over ten years old are certainly worth replacing; old and eroded plumbing systems are likely to reduce the overall value of the room and stand out as a ‘bad point’ in any property viewings you have before resale. Consider replacing old taps with newer fixtures composed of more modern finishes and materials. Finishes such as brushed nickel, antique copper and brass aren’t too expensive to replace, and when replaced with new fixtures the overall result is well worth the effort.

Modern styles in taps and bathroom features are easily recognisable; many have a function which is somehow out of the ordinary, such as the popular ‘waterfall’ tap which somehow makes the simple task of filling a sink into an artistically sound activity.

Create a ‘Master Bathroom’

Adding desirable spa-like features to your bathroom is a fantastic way of creating a bathroom with true ‘wow factor’. There are plenty of modern and cutting-edge bathroom features that add a real sense of luxury to the room, and by adding one or two of them, you can ensure your bathroom is one of your home’s main selling points.

Luxurious ‘whirlpool’ bathtubs act as a household Jacuzzi; the built-in jets aid relaxation and ease tense muscles. One look at the shiny chrome built-in jets and the viewers will soon realise that the house comes with an inclusive whirlpool tub and images of them enjoying the relaxing feature will be evoked. Similarly, the therapeutic steam cabin shower enclosure is a marvel to look at, their steam-emitting nozzles are perfect for health and wellbeing enthusiasts and help to clear pores and burn calories. The mere inclusion of items such as these within your bathroom is more than enough to peak the interest of potential buyers.

So there we are; some simple tips to help transform your bathroom and increase the overall value the room brings to your home. Always remember to work on a strict budget; going over may render and profit you would make on resale useless. 

This guest post was written by Danny Travis-Brown who works at Bathshop321, you can check out the site for all your bathroom needs here.

When adding a new or replacement medallion to your home there are just a few things to remember. Ceiling medallions need to match your flooring, walls, match your interior design structure as well as the home’s existing architectural features. Keep four key steps under consideration to select a medallion that is best suited for the room where you’d like a medallion.

1. Pick a location for your bronze medallion. Choose a room set up for a hanging light or ceiling fan. Bronze ceiling medallions have center holes for framing the room’s dangling light fixture. If you don’t have an electrical junction box in place yet, the center of a room’s ceiling is a popular site for a ceiling medallion. Other suitable locations include above the bed, in the center of a porch’s ceiling, above a big or small dining room table or above the center of a family room arrangement.

2. Decide on a suitable medallion size. Small rooms are easily over-powered by medallions that are too big. Medallions can also be too small if a room is massive. Proportion rules do not exist. So gauge the required medallion size by picturing the way it will appear on the ceiling. You may discover that a 12-inch square or round medallion suits a small room well. The key is to create a sense of harmony between the lighting fixture, room size and the medallion.

3. Pick the finish of a bronze medallion. Gauge suitable finishes for your room’s medallion by its existing paint style and color. Enhance the room’s style with a medallion that complements the textures found on the room’s walls or flooring. Go with a choice that’s bold and attention grabbing if the room could use extra personality. Choose a subdued finish if the room’s contents are already visually stimulating.

4. Choose a complementary design. Bronze medallions come in a variety of designs. Let the room’s current style influence your design preference. You can find a elaborate medallion with embellishments or look for one that’s understated. Your room’s existing interior design style should influence this choice. Try coordinating a medallion with the room’s crown molding when possible. If your room is elegant, pick an stylish bronze medallion design that features soft curves and scallops. Rooms that have rustic style match well with simple medallion designs.

In summary, the bronze medallion you picked must fit its spot. Size, color, finish and style are important aspects to keep in mind while you shop. Your selection should enrich your room’s style and call attention to its best features.

Illuminations by Design in Denver, CO has a large variety of Bronze Ceiling Medallions to choose from. They carry an array of designer products from chandeliers to ceiling fans, outdoor fixtures as well as landscape lighting, bathroom lighting, track lighting, custom design fixtures and decorative accessories.

We’re excited for the 8th annual Pacific Lifestyle Homes Care Cup golf tournament this Friday, June 22. The benefitting organization, Innovative Services NW, just announced golfers will have a shot at winning a BMW, Mercedes or one-million dollars!

Read more in this note from Kathy Deschner, Vice President of Development and Marketing for Innovative Services NW.

See you on the course!

Dear Friends,

The excitement is building for the Pacific Lifestyle Homes Care Cup, presented by Safeway, which tees off this Friday, June 22, 2012 with a 9:00 AM shotgun start at Camas Meadows Golf Club.

We have some late-breaking and very exciting news! Golfers have a shot at winning a BMW, Mercedes or a Million!

· A brand new 2012 C350 Coupe Mercedes-Benz. ­ Thank you Mercedes-Benz of Portland!

· A brand new BMW ­ Thank you BMW of Portland!

· Plus five qualifiers get a chance for $1,000,000!

We were sold out early, but we now have 10 spots open if you know anyone that would like to join us! Cost is $200 per golfer or $800 per team and includes Heineken and Cascade Windows hosted Beer Garden, fabulous BBQ steak and chicken luncheon hosted by Safeway, fun contests like Putt-Chip-Throw-Kick, Longest Marshmallow Drive, 3 Blind Mice and A Crazy Line, with lots of great prizes and fun tee giveaways. First Place Team wins the Coveted Care Cup Trophy, and the First, Second and Third Place Team Members each win Crystal Trophies. If you or someone you know would like to play–call Laurie Giacomini at 360-600-8995.

Proceeds of the tournament benefit Innovative Services NW. Since 2005, The Care Cup has raised over $212,000 to support critical programs for more than 1,100 children, adults and families served at Innovative each
week, who have disabilities or other disadvantages.

Kathy

Last night was a very exciting evening for Pacific Lifestyle Homes as they accepted a Builder Excellence Award from the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland in Lake Oswego for their work on their St. Helens style home.  The official press release can be found below.

Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland Honors Pacific Lifestyle Homes with Builder Excellence Award

PORTLAND, Ore. (June 15, 2012)  – The Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland announced leading Northwest homebuilder Pacific Lifestyle Homes winner of a Builder Excellence Award for the St. Helens home at the awards ceremony June 14, 2012 at the JMG Conference Center in Lake Oswego.

The Builder Excellence Awards recognize local companies for excellence in building, remodeling and marketing. Winners were selected by a panel of industry professionals based on aesthetics, general design, budgetary considerations and challenges and obstacles faced.

Pacific Lifestyle Homes was recognized for the St. Helens home, a single-story floor plan featuring a private master suite, oversized covered patio overlooking a green space and open living, kitchen and dining area. At 2,596 square feet the St. Helens plan offers a flexible layout with up to four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

“One story homes have become increasing popular with today’s homebuyers, especially with baby-boomers looking for retirement homes,” said Kevin Wann President of Pacific Lifestyle Homes. “The St. Helens offers all the amenities of a typical two-story plan in a home that’s exceptional for everyday living.”

In 2011 Pacific Lifestyle Homes won the Builder Excellence Award for the Staccato plan.

About Pacific Lifestyle Homes

Pacific Lifestyle Homes was founded in 1996. Since its inception, the company has built more than 2,100 homes throughout the greater Portland/Vancouver area. Pacific Lifestyle Homes is one of the most celebrated builders in Southwest Washington and Northern Oregon, and is a two-time winner of the prestigious Builder of the Year award from the Clark County BIA. www.pacificlifestylehomes.com

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It’s that time of the year again when graduations are in full swing, BBQs are found on every lawn, and the home market, like the weather, is heating up! In light of that, Pacific Lifestyle Homes has some helpful tips to follow as the season rolls along.

KNOW YOUR MARKET:
Remember, buyers are no longer the bottom of the market! Research the market you are interested in so that when the seller comes back to you and your competitors with a counter offer, you are prepared to submit a new offer quickly.

GET PRE-APPROVED:
Getting a pre-approval letter ready may sound like a lot of work, but a lender will be able to walk you through it step by step. Demonstrating that you have had a credible lender review your finances and approve a loan amount will be one of the best ways to show a seller that you are a serious buyer.

BE PREPARED TO PRESENT AN OFFER THAT IS BOTH COMPETITIVE AND FLEXIBLE:
In today’s market, a good home in a coveted neighborhood can receive a multitude of offers. If a buyer can offer more favorable terms to a seller, they will stand out from the competition!

EARNEST MONEY:
In the case of multiple offers, we would suggest offering 2-4% of the asking price. Instead of simply providing a promissory note in this amount, try to submit with a check or, better yet, a cashier’s check. This will show the Seller than you’re financially sound and serious about purchasing their home.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS & PERSONAL PROPERTY:
The simpler the better – no contingencies. Do not ask for closing costs unless you really need to, then compensate by raising the price. Pre-hire an inspector so you can offer a shorter inspection period. Interview the listing agent and understand the needs and exclusion that are important to Sellers. Finally, pay attention to closing, moving, and possession dates and then adjust accordingly.

GET PERSONAL:
Try to have your broker present the offer in person. Also, show the Seller how you plan to use the home, why you love it, and how you hope to spend many years in it. Connecting emotionally could be just what you need to seal the deal on the home of your dreams!