From Woodstock to West Linn: A Downsizing Success Story
Dorothy and Sadie are the cutest mother-daughter duo that my fellow Bridge to Portland Group teammate, Genmae Rianelli, and I recently helped with both buying and selling homes. Dorothy’s downsizing process was a significant life change, and having her daughter Sadie’s support and guidance every step of the way made all the difference.
The Decision to Downsize
Dorothy had two goals: relocate to West Linn so that she could be closer to her family and find a home that would be easier to maintain. Her first step? Selling her beloved house in the heart of Woodstock, a charming ranch where she had raised Sadie and created countless cherished memories over the years.
During the process, we had some things to take care of that are typical of older Portland homes: a leaking oil tank, a party sewer line, and a furnace upgrade from oil to gas. Our team has a wonderful group of vendors that we rely on for this kind of work so we had this all underway in no time.
Putting her home on the market was bittersweet, but it didn’t take long for the excitement to build. The house was filled with so much love and history and it really resonated with potential buyers, creating a buzz of activity. It was wonderful to see so many people eager to call this special place their own and we were able to accept a great offer after less than a week on the market!
Finding the Right Fit
While Dorothy’s home sale was underway, we focused on finding her next space. Dorothy and Sadie were looking for a home that checked all the boxes: closer to Dorothy’s family, easier to maintain, and the right layout for all Dorothy’s needs. Sadie was always there, helping evaluate options and offering thoughtful input throughout the process.
Our first find seemed like a great option. It was in the right area and had a wonderful layout, but there was one potential drawback—it had stairs. While it was tempting, we all knew it might not be the ideal fit for Dorothy as time went on.
Then, as if by fate, a new listing popped up. This property was exactly where Dorothy wanted to be, right in the community she had her heart set on, and was just minutes from her family. Even better, it was a one-level condo that offered just the right amount of space while also being relatively low maintenance. We acted quickly, submitting a strong offer to secure it before anyone else, and it worked! Dorothy’s new home purchase was officially underway.
Managing the Buy-Sell Process
With Dorothy’s new condo secured, the focus turned to finalizing the sale of her Woodstock home. Just as everything seemed to be falling into place as planned, the unexpected happened: the couple buying Dorothy’s home ended their relationship and terminated their purchase just shy of the closing date. It was a tough moment, but Dorothy’s resilience—with Sadie’s unwavering encouragement—shone through.
Fortunately, another buyer who had been hoping for a chance at the property was thrilled to step in. They were ready to move quickly, which kept Dorothy’s timeline intact for her purchase. Thanks to the team’s quick action and dedication, both transactions stayed on track.
A Happy Ending
Through all the ups and downs, Dorothy and Sadie were real champs, handling everything with incredible grace and strength. Managing simultaneous sales, repairs, and negotiations isn’t easy, but they tackled it all with teamwork and determination. Dorothy’s move marked the start of a new chapter, and Sadie’s support ensured it was as smooth and successful as possible.
On closing day, we got to celebrate the sale of Dorothy’s longtime home and the beginning of a new chapter in her beautiful, low-maintenance condo.
We can’t wait to see the memories Dorothy creates in her new home, close to the ones she loves the most.
