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Interest Rates Up? Consider Owner Financing!
The factor of having no or little loan balance on a property is often the one limiting condition in determining if seller financing is an option.
Oregon’s Land Use Tug Of War
Since the 1970’s, an ongoing ‘tug of war’ has been at the center of Oregon politics. On one side is a coalition of environmentalists, some ardently anti-growth. On the other side is an equally diverse cross-section of private property rights advocates. So how does 1970’s Oregon relate to today? Ever since then, Oregon’s ‘urban-rural divide’ has […]
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 […]
The New ‘Curb Appeal:’ Curbing Your Real Estate Ego
One reason buying or selling a home is different than other transactions is because with real estate, egos are sometimes involved. We often hear about the importance of ‘curb appeal,’ or making a home look good from the street. Yet the ‘curb appeal’ that could be a deal-maker or deal-breaker in your next real estate […]
The New ‘Curb Appeal’ Is Curbing Your Real Estate Ego
One reason buying or selling a home is different than other transactions is because with real estate, egos are sometimes involved. We often hear about the importance of ‘curb appeal,’ or making a home look good from the street. Yet the ‘curb appeal’ that could be a deal-maker or deal-breaker in your next real estate transaction might be as simple as ‘curbing your own ego.’ Curious? Find out more…in this insightful real estate podcast.
Homebuying In A Pandemic
Pandemics can provide unique home buying opportunities. That’s because market disruptions often propel motivated home sellers to action. Yet outbreaks like the Covid-19 virus don’t automatically favor home buyers. So what’s the real scoop on buying a home during the Covid-19 pandemic? Do home buyers have more, or less of an influence in today’s real […]
Homebuying In A Pandemic
Despite the significant disruption of Coronavirus in our daily lives, homes throughout Oregon continue to be bought and sold. Inventory currently remains low, meaning buyers compete more for fewer available homes for sale. If you plan to buy a home now, you need a game plan to score your home purchase touchdown. Here are five helpful home purchasing ‘plays’ to help you get over the goal line and reach ‘paydirt’ into your next home.
2020 Homeselling: What to Expect
Some effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on Oregon real estate include inconvenient home showing protocols, elevated lender caution, higher unemployment (meaning fewer buyers), plus a reduction in the number of homes for sale. Through it all though, many homebuyers and homesellers continue to work together in closing transactions. Hear this podcast by clicking here or […]
2020 Home Selling: What to Expect
While real estate forecasting carries with it a degree of uncertainty, as the saying goes, “To be forewarned is to be forearmed.” With this in mind, here are six key considerations homesellers can expect this year.
3 Scenarios to Coronavirus Recovery
As we move through Spring, 2020 in the current Covid-19 environment, many are wondering how Oregon real estate is being affected by the Coronavirus and what to expect ahead.
3 Scenarios to Coronavirus Recovery
As we move through Spring, 2020 in the current Covid-19 environment, many are wondering how Oregon real estate is being affected by the Coronavirus and what to expect ahead. Press the ‘play’ button to hear this podcast episode. https://episodes.castos.com/Helpful-Interesting-Information-on-Oregon-Real-Estate/3-Scenarios-to-Coronavirus-Recovery.mp3 Some good news is that properties continue to sell in Oregon. This has been assisted by […]
Pandemics And Oregon Real Estate
Given present concerns about the COVID-19 or Corona virus, many Oregon home buyers and home sellers are concerned about how it may affect their next real estate transaction. Related questions include “Will I be able to get a loan?” to “Are buyers still interested in buying?” and “Is the market going to improve, worsen, or stay the same?” Added concerns surround what many formerly took for granted, like the simple act of touring a home, where buyers and sellers now hope to avoid spreading or contracting the virus. Learn more in this helpful podcast episode.
Corona Virus And Real Estate in Oregon
Given concerns about the COVID-19 or Corona virus, many Oregon home buyers and home sellers are concerned about how it may affect their next real estate transaction. Related questions include “Will I be able to get a loan?” to “Are buyers still interested in buying?” and “Is the market going to improve, worsen, or stay […]
Helping Friends And Family Downsize
Those fortunate to live near parents, friends or family members are often faced with a dilemma. That question is ‘At what point should I help Mom, Dad or Uncle Joe move into housing that’s more appropriate?’ The process of this often-tricky situation can look quite different from person to person, depending on those involved. Do […]
Helping Friends And Family Downsize
At what point should the conversation about downsizing begin and how might this affect one’s lifestyle? Learn more in this helpful podcast episode!
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. […]
How Your Home Price And Market Time Are Related
With rare exception, most home sellers hope to sell their property for the most money possible. That’s 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 even receive less at the […]
Real Estate Soft Landing or Crash?
Real estate isn’t always predictable. Given changing conditions, language used to describe housing is rife with lingo from other industries that experience constantly shifting events—some catastrophic—like aviation. While housing is axiomatically ‘grounded’ compared to the aircraft industry, from time to time Oregon real estate market activity is described as akin to a ‘bumpy recovery,’ ‘hard […]
Real Estate Soft Landing – Or Crash?
Real estate isn’t always predictable. Given changing conditions, language used to describe housing is rife with lingo from other industries that experience constantly shifting events—some catastrophic—like aviation. While housing is axiomatically ‘grounded’ compared to the aircraft industry, from time to time Oregon real estate market activity is described as akin to a ‘bumpy recovery,’ ‘hard ride,’ ‘crash,’ or ‘soft landing.’ This raises the question among those buying or selling a home of how real estate crashes are avoided and what does a ‘soft landing’ mean? Find out more in this insightful real estate podcast!
Is My House Haunted?
This popular true podcast episode illustrates the far-reaching impact of what Realtors call ‘stigmatized property,’ sometimes known as a ‘haunted house:’ While at work one day, I received a phone call, then quickly recognized the caller as a client I assisted with a home purchase months earlier. I soon detected serious concern in his voice […]
Haunted Real Estate?
Every experienced Realtor has them: Stories rarely shared with clients that involve particularly unnerving moments in an agent’s real estate career. In this case, we aren’t talking about simple cases of a flea-infested house, or one with no water or electricity. The topic? Stigmatized properties.
How Winning Homesellers Make Homebuyers Compete
When multiple buyers express interest in a property by each writing an offer, the balance of power has shifted substantially in favor of the seller. As a result of this decided shift, buyers typically become more competitive. Why? Because fear of loss can be a powerful motivator. What can home sellers do to maximize their leverage in getting the best possible offer? Find out more in this informative real estate podcast!
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 […]
Power Homeselling: 4 Steps to Winning with Multiple Offers
One simple way for homesellers to improve their results is by taking advantage of the current housing market. While homeselling is typically easiest in what’s known as a ‘seller’s market’ when housing supply is low, homesellers can make this technique work in most market conditions. This is akin to the art of judo, where you use your opponent’s weight against him or her. To do this requires having your Realtor perform some research and likely to be especially worthwhile.
How Weather Affects Homebuyers & Homesellers
Did you know weather can impact a home purchase or sale in ways you may not have considered? The type of weather conditions possibly affecting your next real estate transaction is wide-ranging, perhaps even surprising. What kinds of weather events should you look out for in your next real estate transaction? Find out more…in this […]
How Weather Affects Homebuyers & Homesellers
Did you know weather can impact a home purchase or sale? The type of weather conditions possibly affecting your next real estate transaction is wide-ranging, perhaps even surprising. What kinds of weather events should you look out for in your next real estate transaction? Find out more…in this informative real estate podcast!
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. […]
How To Sell Your Home With Minimum Hassle
Who wants to spend days, weeks or even months preparing a home to sell? For many, that task is on a par with dental visits and working on taxes. So when getting ready to place your home on the market, what’s a homeseller to do? The good news is that as a homeseller, 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 […]
The Perfect Home Sale: Fact or Fairy Tale?
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 times it’s a lendability issue, like an appraisal. Or maybe a legal or title issue, such as an unexpected lien or easement, like a highway or railroad right of way, or perhaps a faulty legal description. Successfully helping home buyers and sellers navigate through these kinds of transaction challenges is a Realtor’s job. Many people are wondering…is the thought of a perfect real estate transaction fact…or fairy tale? Find out more, in this helpful Oregon real estate podcast episode.
When’s Too Soon to List My House for Sale?
‘When’s too soon to list my house for sale?’ is a common homeseller question Realtors are asked. To be sure, there are a host of factors that influence the optimum time of year to sell. When considering the best time to sell your home, several factors stand out. One is the amount of homeseller […]
When’s Too Soon to List My House for Sale?
‘When’s too soon to list my house?’ is a common homeseller question Realtors are asked. To be sure, there are a host of factors that influence the optimum time of year to sell. When considering the best time to sell your home, several factors stand out. One is the amount of homeseller competition based on […]
Can You Handle An Honest Real Estate Agent?
A famous, oft-quoted movie line is ‘You can’t handle the truth.’ Yet have you ever considered how that statement might relate to hiring a Realtor? In other words, since agents provide information that can help your bottom line, are you interested in being informed with the truth, or might you prefer not to know? It’s […]
Can You Handle An Honest Real Estate Agent?
A famous, oft-quoted movie line is ‘You can’t handle the truth.’ Yet have you ever considered how that statement might relate to hiring a Realtor? In other words, since agents provide information to help your bottom line, are you truly interested in being informed with the truth, or might you prefer not to know? It’s no surprise that some sellers and home buyers aren’t always willing to deal with certain issues. Instead, they may choose willful ignorance, denial, or other avoidance techniques that are frequently only temporary. And the list of those possible challenges is endless.
A myriad of issues can throw real estate transactions into seeming chaos. But by hiring a Realtor, you’ve got a real state problem solver on your team. A good real estate agent is like a Swiss army knife – very handy to have around in a variety of circumstances.
But in seeking an honest real estate agent, be prepared for certain situations where the truth may hurt, at least in the short term. If you really are in the market for an honest Realtor, what should you look for and how do you locate such an agent? Find out today, in this insightful Oregon real estate podcast!
Holiday Househunt Hysteria: Hot or Hoax?
Common wisdom suggests Oregon home sales should decline during the holidays. At first glance, this makes sense, given Oregon’s less favorable weather, less daylight and a general aversion to adding yet one more task to an already overloaded holiday schedule. However, there’s a compelling case that the time surrounding Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s is among […]
Holiday Househunt Hysteria: Hot or Hoax?
Common wisdom suggests Oregon home sales activity should decline during the holidays. At first glance, this makes sense, given Oregon’s less favorable weather then, along with less daylight and a general aversion to adding yet one more task to what is for some, an already overloaded holiday schedule. However, there’s a compelling case that the time surrounding Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s is one of the most active seasons of all…and for a variety of reasons you might not have considered. Holiday Househunt Hysteria: Hot or Hoax? Find out more…in this helpful Oregon real estate Podcast!
Lessons My Prisoner Clients Taught Me
Is it possible to sell your house…from the big house? In today’s program, we go behind the walls of freedom to see what it’s like to work with multiple convicted homesellers. We’ll also learn some life lessons from each convicted homeseller. Find out more…in this interesting feature article and podcast episode!
Lessons My Prisoner Clients Taught Me
Perhaps you’ve seen TV shows and movies about life behind bars, or read prison-related books. But regardless of how stories about prison are shown in the media, the simple fact is that most people have never been incarcerated. As a result, one common question about prison life is if it’s very much like how it’s portrayed…or is it significantly different than that?
There are also other questions you may never have considered. Like what happens if you’re selling your home…from prison? In other words, is it possible to sell your house…from the big house? In today’s program, we go behind the walls of freedom to see what it’s like to work with multiple convicted homesellers. We’ll also learn some life lessons from each individual behind bars. Find out more…in this insightful feature article and podcast!
The Many Faces of Oregon
In Oregon, what some might call a lifestyle, others may consider a mindset or demographic. Each of these terms is an attempt to describe characteristics of those who live here and to put a ‘face’ to them. But why does this matter? It matters because a better understanding of Oregonians provides a sense of what […]
The Many Faces of Oregon
The diversity of Oregon residents is hardly surprising, given the fact that a majority of Oregonians are not native to our state. It turns out that fewer than half of Oregonians were born here, with more than half hailing from somewhere else—most often California & Washington. In fact, roughly one in five Oregon residents were born in California! So what are the faces of Oregon…and how might this affect you if you’re buying or selling a home in our state? Find out more in this edition of the Oregon Real Estate Podcast.
How Multiple Buyers Change Everything
What can buyers do to lower the volume, lessen their own anxiety and reduce the frenzy without getting caught up in the process, all while making sure they don’t miss out on the house of their dreams? Plus, what can sellers do to maximize their leverage in getting the best possible offer? And for both buyers and sellers, are there specific tips you can use to ensure you’re ‘in it to win it’ for your next home purchase or sale? Find out more in this helpful article and podcast, ‘How Multiple Buyers Change Everything.’
How Multiple Homebuyers Change Everything
When multiple buyers express interest in a property by each writing an offer, the balance of power has shifted substantially in favor of the seller. As a result of this decided shift, buyers typically become more competitive. Why? Because fear of loss can be a powerful motivator.
And while it’s possible for three, four, or even more buyers to compete for the same house, the principle is essentially the same, regardless of how many multiple buyers write an offer. Adding more buyers to the mix, however, does have a tendency to ‘quicken’ the pace.
What can buyers do to lower the volume, lessen their own anxiety and reduce the frenzy without getting caught up in a multiple buyer scenario, all while making sure they don’t miss out on the house of your dreams? Plus, what can sellers do to maximize their leverage in getting the best possible offer? And for both buyers and sellers, are there specific tips you can use to ensure you’re ‘in it to win it’ for your next home purchase or sale? Find out more…in this helpful Oregon real estate podcast!
Inside The Insurance Industry’s Secret Report On You
A common saying states ‘Knowledge is power.’ Have you ever wondered what kinds of information others may have about you and would you be interested to find out what they know? Find out more in this helpful feature article & podcast by clicking this link, titled Inside the Insurance Industry’s Secret CLUE Report on You. […]
Inside The Insurance Industry’s Secret CLUE Report On You
A common saying states ‘Knowledge is power.’ Have you ever wondered what kinds of information others may have about you?
You may not have considered how much insurers know about you, your home, or car, but the insurance industry holds quite a bit of information that can significantly affect your insurance costs, especially if it’s either incorrect or incomplete. The bottom line is that while insurance companies may have ‘secret’ records on you, just because you haven’t known about it, doesn’t mean it has to remain ‘secret.’ And believe it or not, you can not only get a copy, but it’s also free! Curious? Find out more in this helpful Oregon real estate podcast.
How to Take Advantage of Your Realtor
Gaining Advantage When buying or selling a home, any advantage could be helpful to make your decisions easier and more profitable. Few are more experienced and better positioned to provide homebuyers and homesellers with a meaningful advantage than an expert Realtor. That’s because seasoned real estate agents hold access to a literal wealth of information, which […]
How to Take Advantage of Your Realtor
In most relationships, business or otherwise, there’s some usual ‘give and take.’ In the end of such encounters, both sides typically benefit, making the situation a ‘win-win’ outcome for those involved. And that’s why ‘taking advantage’ of your Realtor as a helpful resource needn’t be adversarial. Instead, providing counsel and information is what expert real estate agents do best. And leveraging that professional assistance to your maximum advantage is typically a wise move.
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?
How House Color Affects Your Selling Price
How Color Affects Us-The affect of color on human emotion is well known. It’s helpful to realize that buying a home can involve emotions, sometimes more than we might imagine. And because colors are all around us, sometimes we’re not even aware of the impact. Yet did you know that different colors can even influence the taste of food we eat? Compounding the effect of color on Oregonians is our often gloomy Northwest weather, as the impact of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is well documented, plus the effects of color and light are frequently inter-related. As a prospective home seller, it’s reasonable to expect certain colors to not only enhance your home’s appearance from the outside, but make it appear more livable on the inside, too.