Fun Apartment Contest!

$25 gift card to the very New Seasons that this apartment building advertises to be within walking distance to for the first person that can tell me the two and a half things that are wrong with this craigslist ad.
HINTS!
The first issue can be found here.
The second issue is a borderline Fair Housing issue, if you're picky like I am.
The 2.5th issue is logistical, based on the architectural footprint of the building, and don't worry if you can't get this one because it doesn't really count.

I'm purposely picking on these people because they have a history of shadiness, based on what I've heard from people that have been turned down from living there. I have no idea whether or not the stories I've heard are true, and I want to make that clear. But I personally believe them based on the two and half issues I can see with their recent craigslist ad. $25 will get you a butt-load of bulk lentils, so please make your best guesses!

1615 SE Taylor

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Dear Greg,
Let's talk about your craigslist ad.
You are a property owner and I'm just a lowly manager, so maybe I'm out of line here. But look at this from a renter's point of view:

REMEMBER TO LEAVE YOUR NAME and PHONE NUMBER TWICE.
- 1- How Many People will be living there?
- 2-What kind of job(s) do you have? and what is your monthy gross income?
- 3-OR if you are in school who is the source of your finding?
- 4-What is your move in time frame and what flexibility do you have?

REMEMBER TO LEAVE YOUR NAME and PHONE NUMBER TWICE.

The combination of allcaps and asking what kind of job(s) people have is somewhat off-putting. Maybe that's just me, though. I'm not sure. Also, you should consider going to EcoHaus and putting in some bamboo floors. Your turnover costs would be halved and you could probably charge about $50-$100 more per month. Plus you wouldn't have to charge the people moving out the cost of cleaning the carpet. It was nice meeting you in the spring of 2007.

3946 SE 28th Place

I haven't heard of Paragon Equity Partners before, but here's their latest craigslist offering. My favorite thing about this place is the following part of their CL ad:

Please call/TEXT! Doug at 503-941-0659 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 503-941-0659 end_of_the_skype_highlighting to arrange a showing. You can also follow or message me on Twitter @PortlandForRent.

Great. So now someone's doing the apartment rental thing on the twitter. This blog is so 2003. Not to mention Doug is inviting you to text him. Unless he's carrying around two phones (one for work, one for home), then I think he wins the spirit award for dedication. The last thing I want to see on my phone at 10:15am on a Sunday morning while I'm either hungover or at the beach with my family or both is "do U stil have the apt on 28th pl & do U exept ferrets?"
At any rate, although this duplex looks pretty ugly on the outside I think it's a pretty nice spot to live--especially if you're trying to get out of living in an apartment. If I lived there, I'd probably spend most of my free time here.

Today in, "Things About Wimbledon Square That Annoy Me"

INTERACTIVE 3D FLOORPLANS!
This is why I have gained 5 pounds this year.

1942 SE Ladd

Here it is: My dream apartment at 1942 SE Ladd.
Here's what the FOR RENT sign says:

One bedroom unit at 1942 SE Ladd (facing street to your right), totally restored with french doors, hardwood floors, period details, tile bath, natural fir cabinets in kitchen, new plumbing and wiring, gas range and heat, laundry facilities, bicycle storage, big courtyard, and this great location. Non smoking, pets with approval only. $995 per month, $1250 security. Month to month rental.

I've been watching this place since I moved to the neighborhood in early 2000, back when it was $550/mo. I think they remodeled it in 2007 or 2008 or so. If I lived there, I'd have those french doors open all summer long and have dinner parties with interesting people that drink pernod and fernet branca. I would sit in on Anthropology classes at Reed and go to strip clubs "ironically" instead of normally. I would smoke filterless Nat Sherman Lights and drive a Karmann Ghia. I would take up unicycling and vacation in places that have a swim-up bar and always vote for whomever was running under the Pacific Green Party. My girlfriend would have one of those names that sound like a normal name but is spelled funny, like Malyssa or Gessyka or Dyan. I would care about things--like Muscular Dystrophy or Ovarian Cancer--or at least pretend to. I would make my own shampoo out of comfrey leaves and rosemary. Yup, I'd be a real catch, I would.
You can call them at 503.239.5363

The Claire

I think it was about 2006 when this place almost burned to the ground. It was totally a different place back then: Filled with lifers from back when the neighborhood was mostly methadone clinics and biker bars, and even the Barley Mill Pub was a strip club. Oh, 1980s, such a simpler time.
Anyway, I was managing a building on 14th and Belmont in 2006 (since bought by StarMetro Properties--a fun google) when I smelled the smoke in my kitchen. Minutes later I heard the sirens. And then it seemed like everyone in the neighborhood was congregating behind the fire line in front of The Claire, watching the firefighters throw burning chunks of plywood over the roof line to crash in sparky showers on the pavement below.
I will be forever humbled and embarrassed about something I did that night: My building down the street had an available studio and an available 1bd. Having lived through a fire that was not half as bad as the Claire's, I knew that these people were not going back to their apartments any time soon--if at all. So I told a few of the now-former tenants of the nearly-destroyed building that I had some apartments available. Most seemed as appreciative as they could possibly be considering the circumstances, although dumbfounded and numb from evacuating a burning apartment building. But one guy put me in my place: He said something along the lines of, "What are you, some kind of vulture preying on victims of a fire?" I was honestly trying to help, so I was quite taken aback by his accusation. Later that night I realized that I had learned a lesson in empathy.
Oh, and it turns out that the fire was started by a model train enthusiast. So there are two lessons to be learned here: Number one, don't market your $550 studio before the fire department actually extinguishes the fire, no matter how big you think the closet is. And number two, don't run those silly electric trains on carpet.
$1125 for a 2bd is more than I can afford, but congrats to whomever owns this place now because it looks kinda nice.

2834 SE 50th

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This craigslist ad seems promising, or at least interesting. I actually had to call the number to get the address, and there are no pictures in the ad. Best I can do is the google streetview map above. The fact that he's answering his phone at 7pm on a Thursday might be a good sign. $900 for a 2bd with hardwood floors seems like a pretty good deal. For comparison, I'm renting a 1920s 2.5bd on 20th and Salmon for $1140 (hardwoods) and a 2bd on 40th and Francis for $800 (carpet). If it really is just a triplex (tough to figure without visiting the place), then it seems like a relatively chill place.

House in the Woods

Right after high school, I moved into a pole building about half a mile from this place. We had seven acres of old growth douglas fir mixed with 2nd growth hemlock, spruce and various alders and poplars. Got kicked out after 3 months for leaving a broken dryer on the front porch. I'd love to move back there someday, but sadly I'm not 18 years old. So instead, there's this song:

Orenco Station--Nexus

Other than driving by this place once two years ago, I don't really know much about Orenco Station. It's supposed to be a high-density neighborhood right on the MAX line with all the shopping/bars/stores you could possibly need within walking distance, which I think is pretty awesome--especially for Hillsboro (or Beaverton, or whatever town it's in). I'm thinking it's a mixture of rentals and condos, which is also pretty cool in terms of making sure there are a good mix of people in the neighborhood. They even have a farmer's market that, for some reason, Captured By Porches Brewery attends. So even though I don't know anyone that has any intention of living in this place, no matter how nice it sounds, I feel like I have to bring up their new craigslist ad:

Yup, Nexus has all the good stuff...seriously. We don't mess around masking old with new, we are the real deal. Nexus was built in 2007 and 2008, so is more than just new carpet and paint. Each Apartment Home is air conditioned, wired for fios, equipped with full sized washer/ dryer. Nexus also has a sparkly pool, hot tub, firepit, 24 hour gym, business center, media room, awesome staff....not to mention we are located right in the heart of Orenco Station, next door to the Orenco Station Max. If that doesn't work for ya, Starbucks and Newseasons are literally across the street, seriously.

When I first read it, I thought it was kinda clever because that's probably how I would try to write an ad for something like Orenco: Kinda casual and maybe a little braggy. But when I read it a second and third time I began to get annoyed by three things:

1. The phrase "We are the real deal" seems kind of douchy for some reason.
2. The misspelling of "New Seasons." It is so not one word.
3. The reuse of the word "seriously." It's used in the first sentence after points of ellipsis, and then in the last sentence it's used after a comma. Is this intentional? If so, is it reused to subtly frame the paragraph? It's driving me crazy.
   

If it weren't after business hours, I'd probably call up Orenco Station and ask to speak to the author of this ad, just so I can find some closure to my issue with that adverb. I am "seriously" not going to be able to sleep tonight because of this.

UPDATE: Oh crap. It gets worse. SERIOUSLY:

Nexus is a newer community located in the heart of Orenco Station. We have it all here Seriously.. Shopping just seconds away, Costco,New Seasons and outdoor mall. Our clubhouse fetures a business center complete with FREE faxing for our residents! and 24hour fitness center. If you like lounging by the pool we have that too.. we also offer large gas grill and Fire pit to have the ultimate summer bbq by the pool... We love love our residents SERIOUSLY!!

UPDATE 2: Kill me now.

Seriously, Live Here.

Clinton Court Apartments

I read somewhere that we hate our parents' architecture, but we love our grandparents' architecture. So I guess that means that since it's 2010 now we can begin to start appreciating things built in the 1950s like Clinton Court.
I don't like the carpet or the gas heat that probably isn't included in your rent, but not having upstairs neighbors is a definite plus. I'm normally not a big fan of large expanses of fertilized lawns, but something about the grass at Clinton Court makes me want to play lawn darts.
Sometimes when I'm scrolling through craigslist or doing my market surveys (when I have to go actually visit places like this pretending I'm looking for an apartment), I like to imagine that I really am looking for a new place to live. I'm fresh out of grad school, say Boise State or maybe Wyoming. I'm looking for a job in teaching but my real passion is starting a biodynamic goat cheese operation. Brenda, the landlord, is talking up the new energy-efficient windows but my eyes are fixed on the girl fumbling with her keys two apartments over. Her shoulder-length dark brown hair just barely obscures the top of the tattoo on the nape of her neck that reminds me of a mid-1990s corporate logo that I can't quite place. Sega Dreamcast? As a single-serving cup of yogurt drops from her grocery bag she turns her head and I notice that her too-pale face is framed perfectly by uneven home-cut bangs. The yogurt cup has cracked on the side after impacting the concrete, but only slightly so nothing has leaked out. She picks it up and sets it on the edge of the arm of the antique-ish chair that was obviously left behind by the previous tenants: It's sun-baked to the point that the grain is beginning to crack at the edges, but it looks comfortable enough. With her free hand she works the door open and disappears for a few seconds and then pokes her head and arm back out the door to retrieve the yogurt cup. Our eyes meet briefly and I turn away pretending to admire the obviously new polished nickel lever lock that Brenda has installed after each move-out. Yes, Brenda, I would like to take an application. As a matter of fact, would you mind if I filled this out right now? Am I first in line for this place? Brenda subconsciously adjusts her frosted blond hair and glances down at her heels and says yes, this apartment is yours if you pass the crime screening.
As I'm moving in 4 days later, I realize that the only piece of actual furniture that I've managed to hold on to since moving out of the dorms in Boise or Wyoming or wherever is a handed-down aluminum-legged dining room table with a formica kidney-shaped pattern on the top of it--and three of the possible four matching chairs. My major was in agriculture, not in moving furniture, so I'm having trouble figuring out how to get the table inside. Professor Channing knew everything about goats, but all those years grading papers in grad school taught me nothing about moving furniture.
"Having trouble?" says the throaty yet feminine voice behind me. I'm immediately startled and turn around to realize it's yogurt-bangs. The first thing I notice are the wool socks. It's pushing 80 degrees and she's wearing wool socks. "You have to turn it on its side," she says. And before I can even react she snubs her cigarette out on my sidewalk. I say my sidewalk because even though you can't get to her apartment without walking in front of her apartment, I assumed that this patch of cement was unofficially mine. It's strange with these 1950s places: I automatically assume that the sidewalk extending from the edge of my bedroom window to the opposite edge of my door is both community space and not. I reserve the right to put a folding REI chair there, and I expect no one to violate my perceived space. Yogurt-bangs simultaneously desecrates and solidifies this preconceived notion with two quick twists of her ankle. She picks up the outside end of the table, looks expectantly at me to grab my end, and then twists it 90 degrees.
"Now go left. No, your left," she says as we make the corner around the almond-colored Frigidaire and finally put it in a place that seems logical to me. I pretend to make sure that the legs of the table are in line with wall and notice that she's wearing bicycle shorts beneath her goldenrod and light purple dress. In a flash I remember my girlfriend--no, my ex-girlfriend now--back in Wyoming and unconsciously make a bare thigh comparison. Justine was tan, smooth, magazine quality. She was perfect in so many ways, and ever since we broke up two years ago I cringe with heart-broken longing whenever I smell her perfume. We had an inside joke about it and called it "Vanillaroma." To this day, I can't bake cookies without reeling back in regret.
I instantly pull myself up from under the table, embarrassed that perhaps yogurt-bangs caught me looking up her skirt. "Water pressure's pretty good here," she says. "Welcome to the neighborhood."

Woah. Sorry. Got a little carried away there. Would be a neat craigslist ad though.

I know I have to stop ragging on Wimbledon Square, but...

seriously. What's up with the weird rental amounts? $801? $632? $708?
I mean, c'mon. Yes, I understand it's a marketing gimmick and it makes you stand out on craigslist a little. But if someone at a bar asked me how much my rent was and I had to say "Oh, it's $673 per month not including utilities," then I would feel like a total douche nozzle. So congratulations, Wimbledon Square Apartments: You have finally become so annoying that you have your own actual tag/label on this stupid blog now. I'm going to slowly go through every post about you from the last 4 years and label them with "Wimbledon" so my disdain can be documented and possibly brought up in a future libel lawsuit.

385 N Hayden Bay Drive

Woo-hoo!
Rent this one-bedroom condo from me and I'll be your facebook friend forever.

I have no idea how to rent this place. I did a little market survey of similar places in the neighborhood and the rents range from $599-$700. So I'm staying firm at $625. For me, renting apartments and houses in SE is easy because I'm pretty much my own demographic. But out in the weird purgatory that is half-Portland/half-Vancouver, I'm lost. Who lives out there? And why? Maybe you are a carousel operator at Jantzen Beach and you don't have a car? Maybe you want all the joys of living NEAR Vancouver without all the pesky tax breaks? I have no idea. I've had it on Craigslist for 2 weeks but not one phone call or email. Find someone to take this place for me and I'll give you $100 cash.

I'm on a boat!

What do Mel Gibson, Keanu Reeves, and Steve Guttenberg all have in common? They've all played characters that have lived the best movie cliche ever: Living on a boat. Sometimes I wish I weren't all responsible and stuff, because I could totally see myself being a washed-up former cop that starts his own detective agency who one day takes on the case of a lifetime. With sexy results!

Valencia Apartments

I've always loved the Valencia. Living above a yarn store would give me a weird yet warm feeling of safety, like snuggling up in a wool blanket with 1990s Cher. The studios are always immaculately clean when I go check them out, pretending to need a studio. That is my sad life.
$735 seems like a lot for a studio there, especially since I think you have to pay for your own heat, so I can understand offering a special to get people in the door. But seriously? A free month at LA Fitness? That's like, the worst special ever. It's like getting a free 24oz Sprite. Two sips in, and I'm thinking it's more trouble than it's worth.

Dogs in Snow

Only at the Ardea.
Whatevs.
Totally not my demographic.
UPDATE: Whoever writes the ads for the Ardea is a total douche nozzle.
For example:
"NEED A MAN CAVE?"
"NUT NUT NUTTIN"
Oh my god. They keep posting more as I'm writing this blog post. I'm going to be up all night LOLing.
Here's a link to all of them.
I was kind of in a bad mood until I found this, so thanks, Ardea. Now whenever I'm feeling blue, I'll just think of you and keep Nut, Nut, Nuttin' along.

Buckman Heights

This is how you rent apartments. What a great website. I really like Summit Real Estate all of a sudden. Granted, this place looks like a failed retirement home, but still: Each of their properties has it's own section on the website, including floor plan pdfs, pretty pictures, an online application, and an online survey for residents (although I'm not sure exactly how useful that last one is). You can even enter your email address and they'll send you a note when an apartment is available. Seriously, kudos to Summit. Much better than the amateurish youtube videos and blogger account I currently utilize for all of my renting needs.

Cedarhusrt Village

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Although I drive by this place almost every day, I know very little about it. I know it's kind of new--maybe built around 2004 or something (portlandmaps.com won't tell me). I want to say that it was meant to be condos originally, but I have nothing to back up that assertion. At any rate, it's always given me a bad feeling for some reason. Their ad on craigslist doesn't help:

Please read the screening process and criteria requirements:

Move in costs are one half of the first month rent and last months rent plus $350 security deposit. $382.50 + $765 + $350 = $1,460.00 on move-in day. This is a 12 month lease.

The application fee for our 3rd party screening company is $35.00. The screening includes Rental reference, criminal history, and credit. Any bankruptcies or previous evictions would be considered a denial.

Also, your income must meet 3x's the monthly rent of the apartment. In this case your gross verifiable income must be $2,300 per month.

Like I said, I have no reason to dislike this place. Just something about it rubs me the wrong way. I don't think I'd rent an apartment from them. Of course, maybe they're awesome.

A very rare dog-friendly studio in SE

These are just so rare I just had to post it. Here's the craigslist ad. Don't ask me what that's a picture of. When I first saw it I thought it was overhead view of a bathroom I once saw in Morocco. I'm not sure if you garden, but when I read "Vegetable planting beds have quality soil and are ready to go for spring" I kinda wished I were a twentysomething with a golden retriever and a green thumb. Or maybe an asexual 40ish woman with a French bulldog and an unhealthy obsession with adding fresh okra to everything I cook. Okay, maybe not the latter.

Reader Questions!

Elbert asks:

When should I start looking for a place and when should I start the moving process?
Do you have any studios around PSU that will be available in June-July? My budget is around 500-650.

I always tell people to call me about 30 days before they want to move. Apartment managers love pre-leasing apartments (renting apartments before the current tenants have moved out). Obviously our bottom lines look better if the apartment is vacant for as short as possible. And in my case, I even get a $25 bonus if someone signs a lease before the old residents move out. Since about 75% of people that that move out give their 30 day notices when they pay their rent, the best day to call is the 4th or 5th of the month. So if you wanted to move in around July 10th, start calling around on June 5th, for example. Given the bad economy, however, you can probably just start calling the day you get into town because just about everyone I know has an apartment available. And Elbert, I do have an apartment near PSU for $650. It's here.

Liz asks:

hi! I am really interested in the curry court apartments, but I can't find a phone number to contact you! How would I go about the application process? Thanks!

Yeah, I really need to put some contact info on the front page of this blog. My number is 503.231.9169.

Anonymous asks:

I was told I'm required to pay move-in and move-out fees of $200 for a condo I'm renting. When I brought up the new illegality of this, the leasing agent assured it's legality because the money goes to the building/HOA. I don't see how this makes it legal. If the HOA requires MI/MO fees, wouldn't it fall upon the condo owner to pay them? Any advice?

Sweet christ that's a good question. I've been googling the crap out of it for the last 20 minutes and can't seem to get a straight answer as to how that new law applies to HOAs. I was looking at rentals in Astoria the other day and noticed that some property management company was still charging move-in fees. With a law as complicated as this one, sometimes it might take a few lawsuits/friendly judicial inquiries to figure out what's what. I wish I could help you. I'll keep trying.

Rob asks:

Hi Martin. Like your site. I wonder if you've ever addressed the concept of property ads that drastically overstate the square footage of an apt? I looked at 132 SE 18th, a big fourplex listed on Realty Management Advisors. They advertise it at 1200 sq ft. Well, I brought my tape measure. It's actually 950 sq ft. I understand rounding up, but 250 sq ft of rounding up? Would like to read your comments on this practice.

So true. When I first started at this job back in 2000, I had this handy list of each apartment unit in the building that had the square footage listed right next to it. I had no reason not to believe it, so I told everyone that my studios at the Warnell were 450 square feet. Then one day, a girl moved in to apartment 103 from Lansing, Michigan--pulled up in her U-Haul without ever seeing the place first hand. We signed paperwork and she gave me a check, then she pulled out her tape measure: 360 square feet. This was in 2003 so I had been unintentionally lying for over 3 years. I had no reason to question my paperwork, even though--really--who knows where it came from or what kind of blind mathematically-challenged former apartment manager came up with those numbers. Rob, this issue really deserves its own post, so I'll get on that. Thanks!

Amy asks:

We're relocating from Texas to PDX the first week of June. We have been looking for a 2 bedroom from Montavilla-ish SE to Holgate. We have two cats, both well behaved and a year old. Do you know if you have any vacancies coming up that would fit our needs? We're trying to stay under $825. Thanks in advance!

I have 2 notices at Creston Villa, both for 2-bedrooms at $795 each. Give me a call anytime!

Warnell Apartments #104

I have this studio coming available on Friday for a mere $610/mo. Rent includes water, sewer, garbage, hot water, and heat. If you or anyone you refer signs a 9-month lease with me for this place, I'll kick you over a $75 New Seasons gift card. 503.231.9169

For the owners...

I'm not sure if any multi-family property owners read this blog. My assumption is that most people that navigate here found it on the google or clicked over from a craigslist ad. But the other day someone forwarded me this article, and it seems relevant to my interests. So if you own a building and want to know whether or not to go the property management route, check it out. Also, if you own a nice 1920s bricker walk-up in 97214, let me manage it!

Maison De Jardin

Although I'm a little upset that Hawthorne studios have apparently broken the $700 mark somehow, this place looks really pretty. It looks like it's been really taken care of, and you get a private garden. I'd live there if I were single.

Eats Shoots And Leaves

Oh, Wimbledon Square*. I just don't know what to say sometimes. Luckily, you make it easy for me:

"With the most extensive gym you'll find in any apartments here in Portland, 3 pools, hot tub and sauna, tanning beds, free wifi in our community center, basketball and tennis courts you'll save hundreds of dollars better spent somewhere else!"

WHAT THE F@*& ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY, MEGAN!?!??!?1?

*Do not click on that link unless you are ready to be blown away by what sounds like the soundtrack for SimCity 2000. Actually, do click on the link. If 1981 had a website, that would be it.

Two apts I have this month...

Curry Court #19 is $650/mo:


Queen Marie #301 is $825/mo:

$50 gift card if you rent one of these from me and mention this blog.
$50 gift card if you send a referral to me and they move in.

Breakin' the Law.

Okay, so we all know that House Bill 771 abolished pet fees right? Head over to Portland Craigslist and type in "pet fee" in quotes in the search bar. Most of the results will come up as places in Vancouver, and another good percentage of the results will be because the phrase "no pet fee" is in the ad. But an astonishingly numerous amount of rentals in Portland seem to still be advertising that they charge a pet fee!
Now, I'm not a fancy big time lawyer or anything (although I am quite fancy sometimes). But I would imagine that if one had enough time, one could make quite a living off of legal settlements from these places. I'm not sure that these ads are discriminatory, like when people advertise "no kids" or something, but you think there would be consequences.
I'm not suggesting that you try to make a living this way, by the way. Nor am I linking to any of the "pet fee" ads. I'm just curious.

Woot! Reader Question!

Martin. Avid reader of your site, even when not looking for a new place to live. I need help and a prayer- esp. considering what I am looking for. I have a yellow lab, looking for a 700+ sq. foot place (apt or house), close-in, and hopefully not over 900 a month....

Mission impossible? Yeah... I was afraid of that. But I was hoping that you may be able to help? I would forever be in your debt.

Hey Gerry:
If you're alright with the SE 40th and Powell, my Creston Villa Apts complex sometimes has 750 sq ft 2bds for $775-$825. I'm currently full, but I'm sure i'll have one in the next few months. APM has such a huge chunk of affordable 2bds in the close-in area, but they don't accept dogs.
What about this craigslist ad? I can't find them on the google though for some reason.
Or this downstairs part of a house on Mississippi?
Or this one on 61st? Too far?

A couple years ago when I started this blog I found most of the content just by taking my newborn son on walks around the neighborhood and seeing all the "for rent" signs. Our "territory" back then was bordered by Burnside and Division to the north and south, and 35th and 11th to the east and west. I always thought it was pretty amazing how most of the smaller complexes, plexes, and houses would rely solely on a sign. Maybe this weekend would be a good time to take the dog on an extended walk? Supposed to be 63 and sunny on Saturday.

In the mean time, I'll keep an eye out for dog-friendly places. You'll have to let me know if you absolutely want hardwood floors, because that might be the deal-breaker as far as "close-in" is concerned. Thanks for reading!

More 2121 Belmont lulz

It seems that 2121 Belmont--for some reason a project that I've been picking on (fairly?) since they broke ground--may be foreclosing soon. Despite being 94% occupied and getting at least $1.80/mo per square foot, that's apparently not even close to enough money to break even. For some context on $ per square foot, I have 2-bedrooms on 40th and Francis that fetch just over $1 per square foot (and that building makes pretty good money overall), and 1-bedrooms at the Queen Marie that get about $1.50 per square foot (and again, that building makes a pretty good profit). The article linked above is best summed up by this quote from Gary Winkler, portland real estate expert:

"But renters want to pay the same price, regardless of whether a unit has granite countertops or whatever."

My guess is that 2121 Belmont broke their budget with all those balloons they put out each morning. That can't be cheap.

Crown Point Apartments

The only reason I'm posting this is because I think that's an awesome picture. I'm not sure what the landlord here is trying to convey by putting this in his or her ad, but I'm pretty sure their motive was simply, "Whoa. It totally snowed." Kudos to them for not shoveling and instead, well, marketing. Crown Point is at 2925 SE 50th and they have a one-bedroom for $695. 503.234.7632.

Wimbledon Square

Oh, Wimbledon. You'll never be able to shake this.

The Money Shot Is At 1:33

Rule #1: Keep yourself out of the video.
Ashley Court has a 2bd for $775. Specials, storage, parking, etc.
503.232.8200

Hudson Court Apartments

This post is monumental in two ways. Way the first: They are giving away flat-screen TVs upon moving in. That's just nutty. Way the second: This is the first sponsored post I've done. Someone told me that if you accept gifts or payment for a blog post you legally had to report it, so there ya go: I'm writing this in exchange for a 22oz bottle of Ninkasi. Okay, let's see here, what's going on at Hudson Court? It's at 4129 SE 39th, that's nice. There's a two-bedroom for $750 (about $25-$50 under market) that looks like it has new carpet and lino. Oh, and a FREE FLAT SCREEN. Whatever. It's probably a Sorny. Do give Jessica a call at 503.774.3611 and check out her apartment. Tell her that the $4.59 she spent on that beer for me was well-spent. Let us all now celebrate my new paying gig as a blogger by drinking beer. Specifically, Tricerahops Double IPA.