Agent Andy's House of the Week: 638 NE 72nd Ave

Jun 30

Mid-Century Charmer in Montavilla

In this series, Urban Nest's very own Agent Andy Barlow shares his favorite Portland home of the week. See stunning properties from all across town and pick up valuable insight from one of Portland's most discerning real estate professionals.

This week I was excited to find a midcentury home close-in on the east side of Portland for under $400k. Yeah, really! This house may look unassuming from the outside, but stepping inside you find a home boasting midcentury charm around every corner.

The first thing I noticed when walking in was the open floor plan and the beautiful wood-clad vaulted ceilings. The living room inside the entry is expansive and wraps itself along a fireplace and into the large kitchen (which has some really cool gold hardware). From there I walked into the dining room and found another living area complete with a fireplace and a large bar, which is original to the home.

Heading back through the kitchen and living areas (which I didn’t want to leave) there is a long hallway with three bedrooms and an updated bathroom. The wood-clad vaulted ceilings continue into the bedrooms, making each room feel taller and give each space character. The crisp white walls against the ceilings really make the space feel airy and spacious, yet so cozy that I’m already picturing myself living here.

It’s obvious the sellers have taken a lot of care in updating the home, while also keeping a lot of its original midcentury features. “When they decided to sell, they voiced their concerns about how difficult it is to find a good home for under $400,000 in the close-in Portland market,” Rachel Freed, the listing agent, told me. “After much consideration, they chose to transform their plain Jane rental into a beautiful space that a first time buyer could afford.”

My favorite part? The living area off the dining room. This would be my hangout spot - right next to the fireplace, the bar, and a sliding door to the backyard. (What more could you ask for?!) I also love the price on this, and what Rachel told me about the sellers. “They are all about creating community and connections and decided to ‘give-back’ to the community they know and love by turning a worn-out house into an updated mid-century charmer.” Doesn’t get much better than that.