In the fall, we will be starting our journey to purchase and restore a bungalow somewhere in Portland, OR. I am already watching the MLS to see what is out there at our price point.

Why is it that 90% of the homes out there have UGLY white vinyl windows?

Why is it that the chief selling point of so many of these homes seems to be words like "New vinyl flooring! New carpet! New vinyl siding!" Even "New 6-panel doors!" "Gutted and remodeled to the studs!"

Why have so many of these homes had all the charm remodeled right out of them?

Arghh! Dealing with all that woodwork with six million coats of paint will be pain enough...

I know the right home for us is out there, but finding it may be harder than I thought!

I know what you mean. It took me a year to find my bungalow and I lost count of the number of bungalows that have had the hearts and souls ripped out of them. You start to learn the RE lingo such as "updated" that means that it's now a shell of its former self.

Diane