So Why Negotiate? Buying or selling a home is a rare opportunity to significantly improve your situation quickly. Since homes are ‘big ticket’ items, negotiating your next transaction more effectively could significantly save you time, money and stress. Examples might include ‘trading up’ to a home that’s newer, bigger, or having a better location. Financially […]
Oregon Real Estate Update
Here’s your Oregon real estate update in just 40 seconds! Just click below.
Oregon’s Real Estate Sky Isn’t Falling Yet
News outlets benefit from sensationalism, so sometimes it’s difficult to accurately assess headlines. No one can predict the future of Oregon real estate with 100% accuracy, yet there are basic facts for context about what some might presume is ‘clickbait’ news. The Long Game Depending on where in Oregon you live, our market has seen […]
Have Oregon Homesellers Missed The Mark(et)?
Given a recent rise in interest rates, some Oregon homeowners who planned on selling this year are now wondering about holding off. One reason given is that interest rates have dampened buyer activity. While it’s true higher interest rates make home loans more expensive, a key ingredient to selling any home is property inventory. The […]
Now Oregon Homesellers REALLY Need A Realtor
It may seem counterintuitive, but the ‘hotter’ the real estate market, the more sellers are likely to need a Realtor. Never has this been more true for Oregon homesellers. Here are a few reasons why, plus a secret some homebuyers don’t want you to know. The ‘I’ll Save On The Commission’ Fairy Tale Sellers sometimes […]
How Your Home Price & Market Time Are Related
With rare exception, most home sellers hope to sell their property for the most money possible, a perfectly reasonable approach. Yet if you overprice your property in an attempt to maximize your return, you’re likely to sabotage your home selling efforts, have your property on the market longer and receive less at the closing table. […]
Power Homeselling: 4 Steps to Winning with Multiple Offers
Many homesellers are intent on either the hope of selling fast, or at the highest price. Yet there’s a way to help you accomplish both of these goals. How is this possible? The secret is getting homebuyers to compete for your property. Curious? Find out more…in this helpful real estate podcast! https://episodes.castos.com/Helpful-Interesting-Information-on-Oregon-Real-Estate/Power-Homeselling-4-Steps-to-Winning-with-Multiple-Offers-.mp3 Click here or […]
What Real Estate Agents Wish You Knew
Would you like to know information that real estate agents believe you’d find helpful? Stay tuned for this brief but informative video!
How to Sell Your Home with Minimum Hassle
Most of us are interested in avoiding hassles. Selling your house is no exception. But what about selling a home that could use some work, before you put it on the market? Concerned about the grind of preparing your property for sale? You’re not alone. Don’t fret about the work ahead! You have options. […]
The Perfect Home Sale: Fact or Fairytale?
Most residential real estate transactions are ultimately successful, meaning they actually ‘close.’ Such a ‘happily ever after’ scenario has sellers receiving their money and buyers, their new house. However, given the many steps along the way, many real estate transactions have a few ‘bumps in the road.’ Sometimes it’s a home inspection defect. At other […]
How House Color Affects Your Selling Price
When paint time arrives, did you know some homesellers risk leaving ‘money on the table’ later by not taking advantage of ‘market-friendly’ house paint colors to more effectively attract homebuyers?
Realtor ‘Stress-Busting’ Tips for Homebuyers & Homesellers
Did you know the profession of real estate agent consistently ranks as one of the most stressful occupations? Yet, some Realtors seemingly deal with stress as if their work is a breeze. Ever wonder what their secret is? Burnout What is it that causes some real estate agents to ‘burn out?’ And as a homebuyer […]
Differences When Selling Country vs. City Homes
There’s something not only different, but truly special about being ‘out in the country.’ The sense of natural beauty, privacy and stillness is difficult to find anywhere else. Click the ‘play’ button below for this new podcast episode: https://episodes.castos.com/Helpful-Interesting-Information-on-Oregon-Real-Estate/Differences-When-Selling-Country-vs-City-Homes.mp3 Out In The Country The song ‘Out in the Country’ recorded by Three Dog Night […]
I Have An Offer On My House – Now What?
Selling a home usually involves a considerable amount of planning. And like many activities, with homeselling there is a beginning, middle and an end. So somewhere approaching the mid-way point in the homeselling process and well before the end, you’ll receive at least one offer. But what happens then? Questions 67 And 68 There are […]
Finding Your Oregon Real Estate Superhero
To adults and kids alike, superheroes seem to have time-tested appeal. Some think it’s because they look different. Indeed, some superheroes dress uniquely. Others believe superheroes represent the ‘good guy’ and these days, we can always use more good guys and gals. Yet others suggest that superheroes are in the rescue business and we all […]
What Agent 007 Can Teach You About Oregon Real Estate
Compared to the life of famed superspy James Bond, buying or selling Oregon real estate is dull and monotonous, right? Au contraire. You might be surprised to see how such a comparison actually sizes up. Click here or on the play button above to hear the audio podcast of this article. Not So Mundane, After […]
Oregon’s ‘Magic’ Real Estate Number
Sometimes absorbing the sea of Oregon real estate information is more like drinking from a fire hydrant. Yet, out of all the seemingly helpful real estate data bandied about, there is one especially helpful number, which when understood, can provide near-magical clarity to both homebuyers and homesellers.
10 Reasons Oregon Homesellers Hire A Realtor
There are many good reasons why Oregon homesellers hire a Realtor, including the handful of sellers who first try the ‘for sale by owner’ or ‘FSBO’ route. Here are ten of the most common reasons why Oregon homesellers hire a Realtor to get the job done right. Click here to hear the audio podcast version […]
10 Reasons Why Winter Homeselling Is Hot
While there are cases to be made for homeselling in each of the four seasons, Winter is one of the most powerful times sellers can place their home on the market and for ten very good reasons. Hear the audio podcast version of this helpful real estate presentation by clicking here or ‘play’ below. Price […]
7 Strategies to Sell Your House Sooner!
Homeselling Strategies Sellers can employ certain key strategies to more successfully sell their home. What are these strategies and as an Oregon homeseller, what is it that you might need to know? As an Oregon homebuyer, it can be helpful to learn strategic insights on the homeselling process from an ‘insider’s’ view. Click here or […]
The ‘Art of War’ for Homesellers
“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War Click here or on the ‘play’ button below to hear the audio podcast of this presentation. The ‘Home Front’ Without being overly dramatic, it’s helpful to realize that as a homeseller, you are in a ‘war’ […]
3 Key Steps to an Oregon Home Sale
Click here or on the ‘play’ button below to hear the audio podcast version of this presentation. Selling an Oregon home can sometimes seem overwhelming and complicated. Yet there is a logical framework to the entire process. Once grasped, this makes the task far less daunting. Easy As 1-2-3 There is usually a very logical progression to […]
5 Little-Known Oregon Real Estate ‘Insider Tips’
As with any occupation, there are ‘insider tips’ in real estate. Exactly what are these little-discussed pointers and how can they benefit non-Realtors? In this edition of the Oregon Real Estate Podcast, we’ll briefly note why this little-known information can be so important, then we’ll get to these 5 little known ‘insider tips.’ Hear the podcast […]
Is Oregon a Buyer’s or Seller’s Market?
Two common real estate terms are ‘seller’s market’ and ‘buyer’s market.’ What exactly do these terms mean and how do they apply to our current Oregon real estate climate? First, let’s define a ‘normal’ real estate market. Terms like equilibrium and stasis describe real estate climates favoring neither buyers or sellers. For example, let’s imagine a […]
Add Oregon Homes to Endangered List
While we’re not quite at Passenger Pigeon or Dodo Bird levels yet, among the more scarce items in Oregon right now are available homes for sale. Scarcity By The NumbersNew figures for greater Portland and Salem show no sign of Oregon’s white hot real estate market slowing down, at least yet. The inventory, or housing supply […]
Real Estate Secret Revealed
For many, the sale of a home is somewhat of a mystery. What exactly is it that Realtors do to sell properties, sometimes in the dark of night? The ‘Secret’The answer is that Realtors do a lot of things, though some of them are not so well known. Today we’ll examine one of these ‘secrets’ […]
5 Reasons For Sunny Oregon Real Estate Skies
Now that Spring Break, Winter weather and ‘tax time’ are largely behind us, the forecast for Oregon real estate is sunny, indeed. Here are five key reasons for an optimistic 2016 Oregon real estate forecast, which are explained further below: 1. Interest Rates Remain Very Low2. Housing Inventory Is Very Low 3. Better Weather4. The ‘School […]
Oregon Housing: Holding Steady
Fresh figures were just released on Oregon’s real estate market by the Regional Multiple Listing Service, or RMLS. To put the results in a nautical vernacular, we remain ‘steady as she goes.’ Portland MetroLet’s begin with greater Portland, where our backlog of home supply is unchanged at 1.8 months. This means our housing supply remains […]
Tide Rises For Willamette Valley Real Estate
A Rising Tide Raises All BoatsReal estate activity in parts of the Willamette Valley may not be an economic tsunami, like greater Portland. However, since ‘a rising tide raises all boats,’ the effect of the Portland metro’s buoyant market continues to help ensure all Oregon real estate remains afloat. The reason? For one, the sheer […]
Portland Homes: Fade To Red
New figures from the Regional Multiple Listing Service suggest our current hot real estate market recently transitioned from white to red. No, that’s not wine we’re talking about. Instead, we’ve gone from white hot to red hot, because home supply just increased from a shockingly low 1.2 months to a slightly less alarming 1.8 months. […]
Oregon Real Estate: Breathtaking
There are many possible words to describe people, places, things and events. A recent shift in Oregon real estate brings to mind the word ‘breathtaking.’ And while that’s a term normally reserved for the Grand Canyon or certain Hollywood starlets, it also conjures the notion of astonishment, breaking fresh ground, entering a new phase, being […]
Oregon Farm Selling Made Easy
The sale of Oregon farms, ranches and similar rural properties usually has many ‘working parts.’ Yet there are seven basic steps to selling your Oregon farm. Since you won’t want to leave any money on the table, it’s best to do this right the first time. Here are those seven key steps to selling your Oregon farm, […]
Improve Your Credit
Thinking about improving your credit score in the New Year? It’s a great goal, especially if you may buy a home. While the path to a better credit score can take some work, those who make an effort to improve their credit agree it’s worthwhile. Here are two very easy…and very free…steps to help you get […]
Oregon Real Estate Strengthens
New figures for real estate throughout our region confirm a sustained strong Oregon real estate market.
Oregon Homeselling: Easy As Waltzing, 1-2-3!
While real estate can seem complicated, there is a logical progression helpful to selling an Oregon home and it’s truly as simple as 1-2-3. The process between buyers and sellers is routinely described as a kind of dance, so let the waltzing begin. Fundamentals There are plenty of related tasks associated with any real estate […]
Portland Metro: Still A Seller’s Market
Recently released housing figures confirm a continued “seller’s market” throughout the greater Portland metro area, which includes Multnomah, Clackamas, Clark, Washington and Yamhill counties. Multiple Market Factors Our sustained strong market is characterized by (1). Low inventory, (2). Short market times and (3). Rising prices. We currently have less than a two month supply of […]
Willamette Valley Real Estate Update
So while greater Salem’s market improvement hasn’t been ‘flashy,’ it is chugging along. This translates into a lower inventory of homes, generally higher prices and shorter market times.
Sing It Way Down Low, Portland
Perhaps even more surprising than a meager 1.6 months of housing backlog is our region’s five straight month trend of lowering home supply.
Is Seller Financing For You?
Oregon homebuyers avoid traditional lenders for many reasons and one mechanism they frequently turn to is known as seller financing.
Countdown to Ecstasy?
1.9…1.8…1.7… Curious about those numbers? The ‘What’Those are greater Portland’s dwindling home supply figures over the past three months. Our area would now ‘run out of homes’ in a miniscule 1.7 months. Homesellers may describe this phenomenon as the ‘countdown to ecstasy.’ That’s because a shortage of homes boosts demand for what they’re selling. As […]
Oregon Real Estate Market News
Fresh figures on our real estate market were recently released by the Regional Multiple Listing Service, RMLS. Thanks in part to our continued low inventory of homes for sale, our housing market remains strong, with price increases the rule, not the exception. At our current rate of home sales, our market would now run out […]
Secret Weapon For Oregon Homesellers-Part I
In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes – Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin sure seems correct about the two items noted in his well-known quote above. However, something else in this world is just about as certain and it involves a ‘secret weapon’ for homeselling success. But while this sure-fire ‘secret […]