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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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!
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 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.
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.’
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.
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 […]
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’s their secret? And is there something homebuyers and homesellers can learn about defusing stress using tips from real estate professionals who work daily ‘in the trenches’ while handling potentially stress-riddled transactions? Find out how professionals handle stress AND perform at a high level…in this helpful Oregon real estate podcast!
What to Know When Moving to Oregon
You might have heard about Oregon’s livability. You could also be enthralled by the Beaver State’s reputed natural beauty, or perhaps you enjoy outdoor activities, since fishing, hunting, skiing, kayaking, surfing and bicycling are all popular here. But what else is to be found in Oregon? And what’s it like to actually live here? Is there anything helpful to know before showing up upon arriving in Oregon with a filled U-Haul truck? Plus, why do most people move to Oregon and might you ‘fit in’ here? Find out more, in this edition of the Oregon Real Estate Podcast.
Should You Buy A Celebrity Home?
President Herbert Hoover. Grammy Award nominee Gino Vannelli. Double Nobel laureate Linus Pauling. Renowned chef James Beard. Composer Ernest Bloch. Authors Beverly Cleary and Walt Morey. Actors Sally Struthers, Frank Cady and Ginger Rogers. What do the people on this diverse list have in common? Celebrities all, they have each called Oregon ‘home.’
Deputized: How 2 Oregon Realtors Become ‘Policemen for a Day’
A fellow Realtor and I had been asked by our seller client to assist with the removal of squatters on her property and also make homeselling suggestions prior to her placing the home on the market. As a result, we were told to meet police at the property to assist with access, so the house could be vacated. Little did we know that we would not just assist with access, but were also about to become deputized as temporary police officers!
Deputized: How 2 Realtors Become Policemen For A Day
Working as a real estate agent can present some unusual situations. Here’s one story you probably haven’t heard before. It includes two mild mannered Realtors being deputized, or ‘sworn in’ on the spot, since the local, short-handed police force is about to commence a house eviction that turns out to be a bit more than routine.
We’d been asked by our seller client to assist with the removal of squatters on her property and also make suggestions prior to our selling her home. As a result, we were told to meet police at the property to assist with access, so the house could be vacated. Little did we know that this visit would not only include providing access, but also our becoming temporary police officers! For more, listen to this interesting and true story.
What’s The Cost to Sell Your Oregon Home?
A common homeseller question is ‘How much will it cost to sell my home?’ Hear the audio podcast presentation of this article by clicking here or on the ‘play’ button below. As with the sale of anything, there are a few factors for homesellers to consider. Seller costs typically include a real estate commission, plus factors […]
How Much Will It Cost To Sell My Home?
A common homeseller question is ‘How much will it cost to sell my home?’ As with the sale of anything, there are a few factors to consider. In real estate, these factors can include a Realtor commission, plus items like title insurance, escrow and recording fees. There are other costs, too, like the ‘hassle factor’ and moving expenses. Thinking about selling your home? Find out what you need to know in this informative podcast.
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 […]
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 Why Oregon Homesellers Hire A Realtor
There are many good reasons why 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 homesellers hire a Realtor to get the job done right.
7 Strategies to Sell Your House Sooner!
Homeselling Strategies-Sellers can employ certain key strategies to more successfully complete the homeselling process. 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.
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 Real Estate 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?
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. […]
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 […]