diff --git a/src/instance/base.js b/src/instance/base.js
index 5ee15a26cf..f17f185ff8 100644
--- a/src/instance/base.js
+++ b/src/instance/base.js
@@ -15,28 +15,36 @@
     // TODO(sorvell): temporary BC
     ready: function() {
 
-    },
-    // TODO(sjmiles): temporary BC
-    readyCallback: function() {
-      this._createdCallback();
     },
     createdCallback: function() {
-      this._createdCallback();
+      if (this.ownerDocument.defaultView || this.forceReady ||
+          Polymer.preparingElements) {
+        this.prepare();
+      }
     },
     // system entry point, do not override
-    _createdCallback: function() {
+    prepare: function() {
+      if (this._prepared) {
+        return;
+      }
+      this._prepared = true;
       //this.style.display = 'inline-block';
       // install property observers
-      // do this first so we can observe changes during initialization
-      this.observeProperties();
       // install boilerplate attributes
       this.copyInstanceAttributes();
       // process input attributes
       this.takeAttributes();
+      // do this first so we can observe changes during initialization
+      //this.observeProperties();
       // add event listeners
       this.addHostListeners();
+      // forces sub-elements to be prepared
+      Polymer.preparingElements = true;
       // process declarative resources
       this.parseElements(this.__proto__);
+      Polymer.preparingElements = false;
+      this.observeProperties();
+      //Platform.endOfMicrotask(this.initializeProperties.bind(this));
       // unless this element is inserted into the main document
       // (or the user otherwise specifically prevents it)
       // bindings will self destruct after a short time; this is 
@@ -45,38 +53,25 @@
       //this.asyncUnbindAll();
       // user initialization
       // TODO(sorvell): bc
+      //console.log('created', this);
       this.ready();
       this.created();
-    },
-    insertedCallback: function() {
-      this._enteredDocumentCallback();
+      // TODO(sorvell): refactor so this doesn't depend on properties already
+      // having been observed
+      this.initializeProperties();
     },
     enteredDocumentCallback: function() {
-      this._enteredDocumentCallback();
-    },
-    _enteredDocumentCallback: function() {
-      this.cancelUnbindAll(true);
-      // TODO(sorvell): bc
-      if (this.inserted) {
-        this.inserted();
+      if (!this.forceReady) {
+        this.prepare();
       }
+      this.cancelUnbindAll(true);
       // invoke user action
       if (this.enteredDocument) {
         this.enteredDocument();
       }
     },
-    removedCallback: function() {
-      this._leftDocumentCallback();
-    },
     leftDocumentCallback: function() {
-      this._leftDocumentCallback();
-    },
-    _leftDocumentCallback: function() {
       this.asyncUnbindAll();
-      // TODO(sorvell): bc
-      if (this.removed) {
-        this.removed();
-      }
       // invoke user action
       if (this.leftDocument) {
         this.leftDocument();
diff --git a/src/instance/properties.js b/src/instance/properties.js
index 6f645d45a1..93c38bad5a 100644
--- a/src/instance/properties.js
+++ b/src/instance/properties.js
@@ -27,6 +27,20 @@
         this.observeProperty(n);
       }
     },
+    // TODO(sorvell): refactor so this doesn't depend on properties already
+    // having been observed
+    initializeProperties: function() {
+      var $o = Object.keys(getElementObservers(this));
+      for (var i=0; i < $o.length; i++) {
+        this.initializeProperty($o[i])
+      }
+    },
+    initializeProperty: function(name) {
+      var neo = this[name], old = this.__proto__[name]
+      if (neo !== old) {
+        this.dispatchPropertyChange(name, old);
+      }
+    },
     // fetch an pre-constructor array of all property names in our prototype
     // chain above PolymerBase
     getCustomPropertyNames: function() {
diff --git a/test/html/unbind.html b/test/html/unbind.html
index 3870e9e734..4e4a61e937 100644
--- a/test/html/unbind.html
+++ b/test/html/unbind.html
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
     <script>
       Polymer('x-test', {
         foo: '',
+        forceReady: true,
         ready: function() {},
         fooChanged: function() {
           this.fooWasChanged = true;
diff --git a/test/js/register.js b/test/js/register.js
index 6bc8c217e9..5ccb2f050a 100644
--- a/test/js/register.js
+++ b/test/js/register.js
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ suite('register', function() {
 
   test('register', function(done) {
     Polymer('x-register-foo', {
+      forceReady: true,
       ready: function() {
         this.message = 'foo';
       },