Where the Music Lives – From Stages to Neighborhoods in the PNW

Live music isn't just a night out, it’s a feeling you carry home. Whether it’s a lawn full of dancing strangers or a packed ballroom where you know every lyric, these moments shape how we experience place and community. This month’s records are all ones I’ve seen come alive on stage and artists that have helped me understand what it means to feel at home through their sound.

Here’s my June collection of records that echo across the PNW with a nod to the neighborhoods that surround the venues, and the homes where these sounds settle in.

🌌 SYML – Infinity

An introspective album that sounds like a walk through foggy woods or a moment of stillness before sunrise. I have had the opportunity to see SYML live and each time it's a completely special experience. 

Pair it with:

• A quiet cottage in the forested corners of Olympia or the Columbia River Gorge.

• Neighborhoods like Capitol Hill or Southeast Portland for creative solitude with coffee close by.

🌊 Blind Pilot – We Are the Tide

Seen live at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and Easy Street Records and upcoming this summer at Topaz Farms. It's safe to say Blind Pilot is an all time favorite. This record always feels grounded in place, honest, and deeply local. 

Where to live that feeling:

• Oregon coast towns like Manzanita or Astoria, where art and slowness are core values.

• Cottage-style homes or converted live/work artist spaces.

🌻 Ruston Kelly – The Weakness

Rustin’s storytelling hits hard. This album wrestles with hope and heartbreak, and finding strength in the vulnerability. I loved seeing him  perform at the incredible Showbox. A venue that is so cool everyone must see a show there. 

Where this sound lives:

• Portland’s East side, especially neighborhoods like Montavilla or Sellwood where musicians and misfits make space for healing.

• Rural outskirts of Washougal or Bend. Acreage homes where creativity can echo.

🌵 Dope Lemon – Kimosabe

A desert dream in vinyl form. Groovy, laid-back, and strange in the best way. Seeing him live would feel like stumbling into a neon dive bar in the middle of nowhere or in our case the Crystal Ballroom downtown Portland. 

Home pairing:

• Bungalow-style rentals in North Portland or quirky Seattle pads in Fremont.

• Neighborhoods with personality and porch swing potential.

🐎 Orville Peck –  Stampede

I had the opportunity to see him at Château Ste. Michelle last year under the pouring sky, surrounded by swaying fans and the smell of puddles. Drama, depth, and style, I have never seen so many people ignore sideways rain. 

Where it makes sense:

• Wine country homes near Woodinville or Dundee.

• Converted barns or modern farmhouses with fire pits and wide open skies.

💛 Still Woozy – Loveseat

Still Woozy’s style is part indie, part dancey daydream. I saw him in Troutdale at Edgefield, where the crowd's energy matched the playful charm of the record.

Ideal neighborhoods:

• Inner NE Portland or Ballard in Seattle.

• Think high walk scores, creative, and full of houseplants, vintage shops, and good vibes.

✨ Bonus: Taylor Swift – 1989 

From her show at Lumen Field in Seattle to the energy that radiated through the entire city, this album feels like movement, transition, and glittering imagination. I am happy to listen to both the OG and Taylor’s version this month. 

Where she lives (figuratively):

• Modern condos in Seattle’s Belltown or First Hill.

• Anywhere you can hear the city, but still find quiet for a journaling session on the balcony. I think my sunroom on Beach Drive is the perfect backdrop for this album.

🎤 Why Music and Housing Matter

This month I lost my cat of 15 years. Part of my home. One of our favorite things to do together was listen to vinyls. She really did listen to music differently when it was started on the record player. The month of June I have taken a break from starting my day with music as I missed our routine so much. As I make new routines without her I hope to return to this one in July. A slow start to the day with an appreciation of good music and the sense of being home. All these albums I have seen the artist live in my community and shared them with my cat Jazzy girl in our home. 

Concerts help shape identity and community. They bring people together and the neighborhoods around those venues carry that joy long after the last encore. As someone who helps people find homes and build roots, I see the parallels clearly: finding the right place to live is like finding your favorite song. You feel it when it fits. Concerts connect us. They bring a sense of community.

I can’t wait for this summer's shows. I am hopeful to hit all my favorite outdoor venues… What is your favorite venue in your community? 

I am a licensed agent and love connecting. Whether we talk about what makes neighborhoods special or your favorite music, let’s set up time to chat today. 

Rachel Jarvis 

503-996-6406

Inspections Are Just the Start: Why the Right Agent Matters

Buying a home isn’t just about falling in love with a kitchen or imagining your furniture in the living room, it’s also about doing your due diligence. Inspections are where dreams meet details, and having the right real estate agent by your side can make all the difference.

Whether you’re buying your first home or your fifth, inspections are a crucial step in understanding what you’re investing in and what issues may lie beneath the surface.

It’s More Than a Checklist: 

A good inspection goes beyond just checking boxes. Depending on where you’re buying, there are area-specific tests and inspections that might be crucial, here are a few to consider:

• Radon Testing – In many parts of the Pacific Northwest and across the country, radon is a naturally occurring gas that can pose serious health risks. It’s often invisible—literally—and overlooked.

• Roof & Structural Assessments: With our rainy seasons and varied elevation, roofs and crawl spaces can tell you more about a house’s history than a listing ever could.

• Pool Inspections: If you’re lucky enough to be looking at a home with a pool, don’t skip this step. A pool inspection ensures safety, code compliance, and lets you understand the ongoing maintenance costs.

• Sewer Scopes: Tree roots, aging pipes, and hidden damage can lead to costly repairs. This one’s especially important in established neighborhoods with mature landscaping.

• Mold & Air Quality: Not just about allergies, these can be deal-breakers or negotiating tools if discovered early.

• Pest & Dry Rot: The silent damage. This is especially important in wood-framed homes and humid environments.

• Floating Homes - the logs and stringers are very important considerations. What is the log rating? Let me help you find the right inspectors for the job.

The Value of Trusted Partners: 

As an agent, one of my most important roles is to connect you with trusted professionals, from inspectors and sewer scope specialists to electricians, roofers, and HVAC pros. These relationships mean you’re not just pulling names from a search engine, you’re working with people who show up on time, deliver honest assessments, and care about the work they do. Referrals are powerful and I have great vendors. 

Why I Show Up to the Inspection and when I refer I expect them to also:

You shouldn’t be left to figure out the inspection report alone. I attend inspections with my buyers because I want to hear what the inspectors are saying in real-time, ask the right questions, and help you determine what’s a red flag versus what’s a reasonable repair.

Being there matters. It’s how I help my clients feel confident, protected, and well-informed during what is often the most expensive purchase of their lives.

Don’t Hire a Hand-Off Agent: 

There are agents who outsource almost everything and that’s not always a bad thing. But when it comes to inspections, negotiations, and understanding the bones of a house, you want someone who is in it with you. Someone who doesn’t just open the door but opens conversations with inspectors, contractors, and you.

I’m proud to work with full-service agents, who walk with you every step of the way from first showing to final signature and beyond.

As a licensed agent I would love to start a conversation about your home buying, selling or renting process. Call me today. 503-998-6406

For Jazzy Girl, my sweetest friend

My cat, Jasmine Jarvis, has been with me for 15 years, through moves, milestones, pandemics, and joy. Today, my heart is heavy as yesterday was our last day together here in this world.

Jazzy came into my life as the most perfect Christmas gift. A little adventure with my mom and dad that led us all over Portland in search of the right cat, only to find her back in Lake Oswego at a new cat sanctuary downtown. Someone was holding her, and I remember thinking, that is the sweetest little cutie. They set her down, I picked her up… and I never let her go. 

From our tiny studio on 24th and Raleigh, where she learned to love bird watching, to the mid-century oasis where she ruled the cupboards, and gave us all a scare on moving day as she used her flattening skills and hid on the bed when we moved, Jazzy made every space home and more fun.  We lived on the water in many different places, like Lava Drive and Waverly Place, and eventually moved to Pigeon Point in Seattle. That first night there, we had nothing but an air mattress, which she popped in 30 seconds flat. I was homesick and scared about starting something new but she curled up on top of me, reminding me I wasn’t alone and we could do anything, she was my home. I think her favorite spot was Beach Drive, where she whale watched and enjoyed the sounds of the crashing waves. Jazzy girl made my house home and that gap will be felt.

She’s taught me so much. She was truly smart.  She could sit, high five, pirouette, reverse, lead me to her bowl, and always knew when it was time to get cozy. She loved Nong’s poached chicken, her troll toy, soccer balls, and showing off all her tricks to earn a treat.

She played hard to get with Zack (which I loved). Watching these two bond was special. He was so caring to her and I’m thankful to have him as comfort in this heartache. 

She loved having Reed watch her when I was gone and saying hi when they visited us in Seattle. She loved messing with my Dads feet. She loved FaceTiming with my Mom. She was excited for Macey and Reed to welcome Lucy into our world. She was my best friend during the pandemic, keeping me safe when I couldn’t be with the people I love. She was so special.

Letting go is the hardest thing. But I’m endlessly grateful for the years we shared, the lessons she gave, and the love she poured into my life. Her soft fur and sweet purr may leave this world, but her spirit will never be far.

Thank you, Jazzy Girl, for choosing me. I miss you deeply already.

Roses, Unicycles, and Community: A Portland Tradition in Bloom

Every June, Portland comes alive with petals, pageantry, and pride. The Portland Rose Festival—a beloved tradition since 1907—celebrates not just the city’s nickname, the "City of Roses," but the heart of the community that’s grown alongside it.

The main Grand Floral Parade is world-renowned, but for many of us locals, it’s the Junior Rose Parade that holds a special place in our hearts. I still remember the thrill of riding through the streets of Northeast Portland with my elementary school’s unicycle club, grinning from ear to ear as we wobbled our way past cheering neighbors and waving families. There’s something about the joy of that parade that sticks with you—it’s not about perfection, it’s about showing up, supporting one another, and celebrating the creativity and spirit of Portland’s youth.

The Junior Parade, first held in 1936, is the oldest and largest children’s parade in the country. It’s a testament to how deeply Portland invests in its young people—and in traditions that bring us together.

This season also reminds me of the beauty and symbolism of Portland’s International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park, a space blooming with over 10,000 roses from around the world. Originally established during WWI to preserve European hybrid roses, today it’s a fragrant, free, and peaceful place to walk, reflect, and admire the variety and vibrancy of what can grow when nurtured with care.

From marching bands to bike brigades, clowns to court princesses, the Rose Festival and its many events are reminders that community is built through participation, pride, and joy—and sometimes, a good wobble on a unicycle.

This year, whether you’re watching the floats or just stopping to smell the roses, I hope you’ll take a moment to reflect on what makes Portland home: the people, the stories, and the traditions we pass along. 

If you are looking for your next home in the Portland area, let’s connect. I would love to hear what kind of community you are looking to be a part of. 

Rachel Jarvis

503-998-6406

Designing Your Personal Sanctuary: How Your Home Reflects You

When we think about design inspiration, it’s easy (and fun) to focus on trends or Instagram-perfect spaces. But what if the best inspiration is already within us? Our homes are an extension of who we are—filled with memories, stories, and pieces that reflect our lives.

For me, curating my home has been a deeply personal process. It’s an evolving collection of items that tell stories and capture moments. There’s the rug that brings me back to our family home on Knaus Rd in Lake Oswego—a nostalgic reminder every time I step on it. The art on my walls—many pieces from my talented mom—fills the space with warmth and creativity. My brother’s gift of elephants, brought back from his travels, adds to a collection rich in stories, my dad’s Grateful Dead posters and records add a musical flair. Together, these family connections make my home uniquely mine, surrounding me with purposeful memories.

But it’s not just about family. My home is also filled with pieces from friends and travels—each item a small snapshot of a time or place. Every print, sculpture, or little memento holds a story, whether it’s a gift from a friend or something I picked up while exploring the world.

Curating a home takes time and intention. While my personal style leans toward maximalism, I’ve come to appreciate the simplicity of clean, minimalist design. When creating the vibe of my current space, I found inspiration in a book called Surf Shack. It encouraged me to embrace a beachy, relaxed aesthetic that blends functionality with beauty.

Incorporating 2025 Design Trends

Adding fresh design elements can breathe new life into your home. For 2025, several standout colors have been highlighted by design experts:

• Cherry Red: A bold, timeless shade that can add energy to any room.

• Satin Warm Caramel: A cozy, earthy tone perfect for creating warmth.

• Mocha Mousse: A rich, warming brown with sophistication.

• Cinnamon Slate: A heathered plum with velvety brown undertones.

• Quietude: A soft sage green with a hint of blue—calm and serene.

• Rumors: A ruby red shade offering comforting warmth.

• Encore 8002: A deep blue evoking peace and tranquility.

• Violet: A whimsical, transformative purple.

• Mapped Blue: A medium-tone blue with soft yellow undertones.

Incorporating these colors doesn’t require a complete overhaul. For example, adding Cherry Red accents with throw pillows or Quietude as a wall color can instantly transform a room. I recently added a Cherry Red Grateful Dead print to a previously blank wall, and it brought a vibrancy I didn’t realize I was missing!

My Favorite Pieces

In my current space, some of my favorite design elements include:

• A Grateful Dead art print that brings life and personality to my walls.

• A round table from West Elm paired with timeless white chairs for a clean, modern feel.

• A white rocking chair from Ballard Consignment that’s both breezy and irresistibly comfortable.

• A leather couch from Dania, which adds warmth, luxury, and a cozy spot for relaxation.

These elements work together to create a space where I not only feel at home but also love hosting others. There’s nothing more rewarding than inviting people into a space that feels authentically you.

How Do You Design Your Space?

How do you approach designing your sanctuary? Do you pull inspiration from family connections, meaningful experiences, or favorite places? Is your style bold and eclectic, or do you prefer clean and simple lines? There’s no right or wrong answer—just what feels like you.

Whether you’re drawn to maximalism, minimalism, or somewhere in between, the key is to let your personality shine through every piece. Find inspiration in your past, in books, and in the people and places that mean the most to you.

Ready to Find a Home That Tells Your Story?

Your home is more than just a place—it’s a reflection of who you are and the life you want to create. Whether you’re looking for a space to design from scratch, a cozy spot filled with character, or the perfect blank canvas to tell your story, I’m here to help.

Let’s find a home that truly feels like you. Reach out today, and let’s start building the next chapter of your real estate journey together. As a licensed agent I am here to help.