By Nancy Keates

David Schriber and Nikki Neuburger were living in Portland, Ore., when they learned the relative who traditionally held their extended family's annual Christmas party was no longer up for the task. Facing the responsibility of having to host dozens of guests each December, and wanting more space in general, they decided to look for a bigger home.

The couple, who worked for Nike at the time, didn't want to leave the city's Irvington neighborhood, where Neuburger grew up. So when they saw a Prairie School-style home on a corner lot for sale, they jumped on it, paying $1.225 million in 2015.

The house had been modernized since it was built in 1915, with electrical and plumbing updates, as well as a new kitchen. But most of the woodwork, cabinets, flooring, lighting and finishes were original, says Schriber, 61.

The couple spent roughly $1 million over two years restoring it. "It was worn and beautiful -- I felt like I was preserving something," says Schriber.

The renovation

Schriber and Neuburger finished the basement, which was in rough shape, adding a bedroom, bathroom, walk-in closet, media room, wet bar and mudroom to store sports equipment. They rebuilt both chimneys to make the house more earthquake-resistant, reusing the original bricks.

The couple also added an outdoor living and dining area with a sunken conversation pit and a brick fireplace. They put in raised garden beds and a new retaining wall.

Can't-miss features

Since the house was originally built to show potential buyers what features they could have, there are many quirky elements. Each room has different crown molding, for example.

The library has a secret pullout brass bed that comes from the wall when a knob under the office desk is pulled. There is a dumb waiter, a laundry chute and a servants' call button under a carpet in the dining room. Schriber says guests who don't know about the button get startled when they step on it by accident during dinner.

"We have it set really loud, like you should evacuate," says Neuburger, 45.

Reason for selling?

The couple relocated to Los Angeles in early 2020 after Neuburger was hired as Lululemon's chief brand and product activation officer. Schriber, who is a principal for a brand-marketing consulting company, is now based in L.A. as well.

They initially kept the Portland house to remain close to friends and family and continue hosting the holiday party. The pair are living there temporarily and commuting to L.A. until their under-construction home in the city's Venice neighborhood is finished in May.

"David still gets wobbly about selling the Portland house," Neuburger says. "We love it but we just don't need it."

What they'll miss

Schriber says he'll miss living in a home that feels old but is completely modernized. Neuburger will miss the neighborhood where she grew up.

What they won't miss

Owning a home where you no longer live full time is stressful, says Neuburger. She won't miss worrying about upkeep and feeling obligated to check on it. Schriber won't miss the rainy Portland weather.

Market snapshot

The median sale price for single-family homes in Portland was $520,000 in March, up 6.1% compared with last March, according to listing agent Carrie Spurlock, a broker with Spurlock & Co. Real Estate. In February, a 1910 Craftsman with five bedrooms sold for $2.69 million.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 17, 2026 15:00 ET (19:00 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.