Journal

On architecture,
place, and practice.

Field notes on Portland homes, neighborhoods, and the craft of buying and selling well.

Illustrated editorial spread of a mid-century Portland kitchen

Is Alameda or Irvington better for buying an older home in Portland?

Two Northeast Portland neighborhoods full of houses from the 1910s and 1920s, side by side. Here's the difference that matters once you own one, and what we'd check on each before you bid.

Jake Goodson and Tony Le · October 19, 2026

Is buying a house near the Springwater Corridor a good idea in Portland?

It depends on the block. Here's what we check first, starting with the flood map, and how a house near the trail compares with the inner Southeast blocks you may have started with.

Jake Goodson and Tony Le · Oct 2026

BuyingSellingArchitecture

Can a house with original mid-century features be appraised fairly?

Yes. The Fannie Mae appraisal standard says what to do when no sales match, and appraisers welcome facts about the house that help them get it right.

Jake Goodson and Tony Le · Oct 2026

What is it like living in Eastmoreland, and what are the houses like?

English Cottages, Colonial Revivals and a historic listing that took years to land. Here's what the houses are, and what the listing means if you own one.

Jake Goodson and Tony Le · Oct 2026

BuyingRenovationArchitecture

What should I look for when buying a 1920s Craftsman house in Portland?

Read it in this order: what's original, what's been changed and by whom, then the systems under the floor and behind the walls. Here's what each part can tell you, who to call, and what the checks cost.

Jake Goodson and Tony Le · Oct 2026

How do I tell in 15 minutes whether a house deserves a second look?

You can't judge a house in 15 minutes, but you can tell whether it earns a longer visit. Most of that work happens at your kitchen table before you leave.

Jake Goodson and Tony Le · Oct 2026

Is Mt Tabor a good neighborhood to buy a house in Portland?

A park on an extinct volcano, with streets running up and around it. Here's what living next to it involves, and what we'd check on a house on the slope.

Jake Goodson and Tony Le · Oct 2026

Should I choose the neighborhood or the house in Portland?

You can change a house. You can't change a block. And in a Portland historic district, the block gets a say in what you do to the house.

Jake Goodson and Tony Le · Oct 2026

Should I buy new construction or an older house in Portland?

Neither one is the safe choice. A new build and an old house carry different risks, and Oregon law hands you a different set of papers for each.

Jake Goodson and Tony Le · Oct 2026

Does renovating add value to a house in Portland, and which projects are worth the money?

Most renovations come back at resale for less than they cost, and the big interior ones lose the most. A few small outside jobs come back above cost. Here are the numbers, and what they don't tell you.

Jake Goodson and Tony Le · Oct 2026

What is it like to live in Sellwood-Moreland if you're buying a house?

A bluff above the river, two districts under one name, and a lot of older houses. Here's what we can tell you about living there, and what we'd check before you buy one.

Jake Goodson and Tony Le · Oct 2026

What should I fix before selling a mid-century house in Portland?

Fix what a buyer's inspector will find and what the disclosure form will ask about. Leave the original character alone. And ask first about anything that touches permits, lead, asbestos or the outside of the house.

Jake Goodson and Tony Le · Oct 2026

BuyingNeighborhoods

Portland vs. Vancouver, WA: what the taxes do and don't change

Live in Vancouver for no income tax, shop in Portland for no sales tax? Half of that holds up. What the taxes change, what they don't, and the commute in between.

Jake Goodson · Nov 2026

BuyingRenovation

Do you need a sewer scope on an older Portland house?

In Portland the sewer line from the house to the curb belongs to the owner. What a sewer scope shows on an older house, and what to do with what it finds.

Tony Le · Oct 2026

Moving to Portland? How to choose the right neighborhood
BuyingNeighborhoods

Moving to Portland? How to choose the right neighborhood

Moving to Portland? How to read a Portland address, what to check about your commute and errands, and how to spend time in a neighborhood before you buy there.

Jake Goodson · Oct 2026

What about Mortgage Rates?

What about Mortgage Rates?

Mortgage rates have climbed more than a full point since January. That’s left a lot of buyers wondering the same thing: “Is this actually a good time to be buying a home?” In this post, we look past the headlines and dig into the data.

Tony Le · Jul 2026

Buying a Home in Portland vs. the Suburbs: How to Decide What Actually Fits Your Life
BuyingNeighborhoods

Buying a Home in Portland vs. the Suburbs: How to Decide What Actually Fits Your Life

Home prices are only part of the decision. We break down walkability, space, and commute trade-offs — and why the right answer depends on the life you're actually living, not the one you imagine.

Jake Goodson · Jul 2026