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 […]
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
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 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.
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. Neo-classical 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.’ A Brush […]
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.’
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 […]
Differences When Selling Country vs. City Homes
Given the many potential lifestyle differences among Oregonians, how about differences when selling a home? Oregonians have plenty of housing options. For many homebuyers, one main decision is whether to live in the country, or the city.
If you’re selling country property, it’s important to realize that not everyone is a prime prospect for your home. That’s because buyer considerations between country and city properties include trade-offs. Some of these trade-offs include commute time, convenience and affordability. It’s true that home prices in general tend to become more affordable with added distance from the economic hub of cities. Yet even given a lower house price tag, with increased countryside commute times and what some see as rural inconveniences, there also tends to be a decrease in buyer demand.
While many buyers speak longingly about having ‘a place in the country,’ the reality of change is just too overwhelming for some. So they stay in the city or suburbs. Does this mean country property sellers are doomed to the ‘double whammy’ of fewer buyers and a longer selling period? Isn’t there a buyer for every property? And what about other aspects of the sale, like getting a loan, appraisal and inspections. Are those different for country transactions, too? Find out more in this helpful edition of the Oregon Real Estate Podcast.
Stop Waiting For Your House To Sell
It’s understandable how homesellers might wonder “Why isn’t our house selling?” Some homesellers wait longingly, certain that if the sale of their property is ‘meant to be,’ a buyer will appear. But now, given a plethora of ways to gauge the popularity and market-friendliness of any listed home for sale, you can stop waiting for your house to sell. The good news is that there are indeed options homesellers have at their disposal to ensure their home sells…usually a whole lot faster, and frequently for top dollar. So, what are these options to ‘jumpstart’ an otherwise lackluster homeselling situation…and are some better than others? Stop waiting for your home to sell and find out more, in this edition of the Oregon Real Estate Podcast!
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 […]
I Have An Offer On My House – Now What?
You just received an offer on your home-Congratulations! Now here are some helpful insights from an experienced Realtor to help move the process forward to a successful closing.
Secrets Your Realtor Knows
On many Realtor property listings, there are one or more sections reserved for ‘private remarks.’ This private information is usually intended for real estate agents. What are these ‘private’ remarks and do they include information potentially helpful to buyers? And why are these remarks private? Find out in this edition of the Oregon Real Estate Podcast.
Secrets Your Realtor Knows
On many Realtor property listings, there are sections reserved for ‘private remarks’ intended for real estate agents. What are these ‘private’ remarks and do they include information potentially helpful to buyers…and why are these remarks private? Find out in this edition of the Oregon Real Estate Podcast!
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.
Can I Trust My Oregon Realtor?
Trust is an important factor when buying or selling real estate. Thankfully, trusting your Realtor is not typically super risky. That’s because consumer surveys consistently reflect a high level of satisfaction with Realtor performance. One study by Forbes magazine revealed 96% satisfaction for the real estate industry. So if many real estate agents were dishonest, we could expect that figure to be much lower.
This doesn’t mean blindly signing off on every suggestion one receives from their Realtor. But obsessively hand wringing over transaction minutiae is one sure way to make the process less enjoyable. A recommended approach is for Oregon homebuyers and homesellers to carefully read all documents, ask plenty of questions and work with a recommended professional with a solid track record.
Can I Trust My Oregon Realtor?
Before entering into a business relationship, it’s helpful to know your real estate agent is nice, patient, available when needed…and honest. So while many of us assume we’re ‘safe’ in the hands of our doctor, attorney or pastor, what about your Realtor?
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 […]
Finding Your Real Estate Superhero
To adults and kids alike, superheroes seem to have a 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.’ Yet others suggest that superheroes are in the rescue business and we all have an area in our lives where we could use help. Whatever the reason, it’s undeniable that superheroes hold a unique place in our imagination.
While not superhuman, some real estate agents stand far apart from others. And when hundreds of thousands of dollars are literally on the line during your next home sale or purchase, chances are you’ll feel better throughout the entire process when working with a truly ‘super’ Realtor. But is it possible to easily locate a terrific real estate agent that’s not only experienced, but also dedicated, plus recognized for excellence among his or her peers? Find out in this edition of the Oregon Real Estate Podcast.
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 […]
What James Bond 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 dreary, right? Au contraire. You might be surprised to see how such a comparison actually sizes up.
Not So Mundane, After All
How could Oregon real estate’s seemingly routine tasks possibly compare to the life and adventures of ultra-suave Agent 007? Initially, it seems like a ridiculous question. Of course Bond’s life is far more treacherous, risky and ‘on the edge,’ right? As we’ll soon learn, not exactly. Buyers and sellers of Oregon real estate have a lot more in common with the famous spy than first meets the bullseye. Find out more in this interesting Oregon real estate podcast.
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.
Why Does My Realtor Do That?
Realtors must follow many rules and according to consumer satisfaction surveys, real estate agents do an overall good job. Realtors are trained to abide by applicable state and national real estate laws, follow accepted business practices and the Realtor Code of Ethics, which is considered a higher standard of duty. Yet as in other professions, sometimes […]
Dancing The ‘Two Transaction’ Tango
Simultaneous/Consecutive Home Transactions: Selling one home and buying another are frequently linked activities. Click here or on the ‘play’ button below for the audio version of this presentation about how to minimize the bother and maximize your effectiveness when simultaneously home buying and home selling. https://certifiedrealty.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Dancing-The-Two-Transaction-Tango.mp3 We’ll also examine options to help decide if simultaneous or […]
5 Winning Homebuyer Tactics for Any Market
Regardless of the kind of market you find yourself in when buying your next home, there are 5 key tactics buyers can use to make the process both more successful and considerably less stressful. What are these 5 key homebuyer tactics and how can you best incorporate them into your personal homebuying process? Find out in this insightful feature presentation from Certified Realty.
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 […]
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.
What’s An Oregon Acre Worth?
One frequent Oregon real estate question is ‘What’s an acre worth?’ When you think about it, this question is not so different than ‘What’s a car worth?’ since in each situation there are variables. With a car, the mileage and condition are very important to arrive at an accurate value. Land, too has unique variables. What are these variables and as an Oregon property buyer or seller, what is it that you may need to know? Find out here!
3 Questions Your Oregon Realtor Can’t Answer
Listen to the audio podcast of this presentation by clicking here or on the ‘play button’ above. When making the biggest financial decision of their lives, many homebuyers and homesellers understandably ask their Realtor to provide a professional opinion on a range of topics. Some common questions include if adding a bathroom will boost resale value, […]
3 Questions Your Oregon Realtor Can’t Answer
When making the biggest financial decision of their lives, many homebuyers and homesellers understandably ask their Realtor to provide a professional opinion on a range of topics. Some common questions include if adding a bathroom will boost resale value, should wallpaper be removed, if re-painting will help, how long a home has been for sale, if sellers should leave when their home is being shown, or if a home shows better when ‘staged.’ These and many other questions are typically addressed with aplomb by an experienced Realtor. However, with other, less benign questions, agents are trained not only to be cautious, but simply refuse to answer them. Is it because the Realtor doesn’t have an opinion? Maybe, but maybe not. Often the reason is because rules don’t allow it. What are these rules that might gag an otherwise conversational, if not super-chatty (or at least engaging real estate agent) to go mum? Find out in this edition of the Oregon Real Estate Podcast.
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 […]
Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door: Stigmatized Properties
Laws vary significantly from state-to-state in how they address stigmatized properties. A stigmatized property is often a home where undesirable things may have occurred, such as a crime, or a perceived element is present, like a ghost. It’s important to realize that there are various kinds of stigmatized properties and what may bother one person may not seem so bad to another. What should Oregon home buyers and home sellers know about stigmatized properties? Find out more in this interesting episode of the Oregon Real Estate Podcast.
5 Little-Known Oregon Real Estate ‘Insider’ Tips
Oregon Real Estate Confidential: As with any occupation, there are ‘insider tips’ in real estate, too. Exactly what are these little-discussed ‘pointers’ and how can they benefit non-Realtors? Find out more in this edition of the Oregon Real Estate Podcast titled ‘5 Little-Known Oregon Real Estate ‘Insider’ Tips.
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?