Inspiration: The Perfect Fireplace

A fireplace is one thing that can make any room instantly better. I couldn't imagine not having a fireplace in the living room, it is almost a necessity! A fireplace in a bedroom, bathroom or outdoors definitely feels like a luxury, but in my opinion it is a luxury we all adore!

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The Top 9 Decorating Trends of 2018

There's really nothing I love more than home decor and decorating, which is why I'm so excited to share all of the trends for 2018! Some of these have been seen before and are gaining popularity, some are refreshes of the past (hello 1970's!) and some are brand new, but all of them will be all of the stores and in homes this year!

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Friday Five: DIY Winter Wreaths

I've always thought wreaths make such a great DIY project. First, they are fairly easy and generally inexpensive to do. You generally need a new one for every season, or even for specific holidays, which means you need a handful in stock for every occasion. Since it doesn't stay on the door for more than a few months it is totally fine to use the same wreath each year, so you get good use out of the wreath and don't get bored by the style. 

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My 20 Favorite Dining Room Lights

Lighting is an often overlooked element of the home, but good lights can make such a beautiful impact in any room. One space that allows a great chandelier to be the centerpiece is the dining room. Having a gorgeous piece of lighting hanging over the dining table can set the entire tone of the room, but it is important to choose something with the right scale, the right placement, and the right style to fit the rest of the room and the rest of the home.

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Inspiration: Entryway Decor

The entryway is the first thing guests see when they arrive at your house, and the first thing you see when you walk in the front door as well! Making your entryway beautiful, and a reflection of the rest of your home, is the perfect way to make a great first impression. The entry way should be inviting and warm as well!

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Street of Dreams 2017: A Photo Tour

As a Realtor & home design lover, the Street of Dreams is one of my favorite events of the year!! The 2017 Street of Dreams features 5 homes, ranging in style from an open farmhouse to a super modern Japanese style home designed by Koichiro Hirata, the same architect who recently completed the remodel of the Portland Japanese Garden and is currently working on the 2020 Olympic Stadium in Tokyo.

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Portland Home Energy Audit

Starting January 1, 2018, any homeowners looking to sell their home in the city of Portland will have to first have a home energy audit and make their home energy score public. Although these audits have been available for awhile, they are just now becoming mandatory. Portland wants to increase the energy efficiency of residential properties and give buyers a more informed view of their future homes energy usage.

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Home Buying 101

I recently hosted a class in my community for first time homebuyers, or seasoned buyers who need a refresher in this fast changing market. Saopon Cha, owner of Cha Mortgage and one of my favorite local mortgage brokers co-hosted, and everyone in the class walked away with some great information! For those that couldn't attend I still want to share what we taught, so here is a summary of all of the information!

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A Guide to Home Styles

Every one has their own favorite style of home, and figuring out a buyers ideal home style is a great way to get ready to start viewing properties. Here is a fantastic chart explaining the most popular home styles, their histories, and their defining characteristic. Which home style is your dream home?

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Rachel Bernhardt, Portland Realtor

In order to help people get to know me better I am proud to release my first promotional video! I'm always trying to grow my business, so if you know anyone in the Portland area looking to buy or sell real estate, now or in the future, please share this with them and send them my way!

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