Archive for the ‘buying a home’ Category

Portlandia, a Place I’m Proud to Call Home.

One of my favorite Portlandia clips In case you haven’t noticed, there is a show called Portlandia on IFC staring Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein. It’s a sketch comedy show about all the things that make Portland special. It covers everything from our affinity with organic everything to our love/hate with recycling and of course […]

Short Sales: Answers for First Time Home Buyers

Oh lovely short sales.  Your allure and promises of a “great deal” are hard to resist.  But are your promises empty?  Are you tempting buyers only to let them down in the end?  I was always told that if it looks too good to be true than it probably is.  And when I work with […]

What are Closing Costs?

Good question!  If you are looking into buying or even selling, you will have to deal with closing costs.  So what are they?  In short they consist of a variety of fees and expenses that you and the seller will have to pay at the time of closing. Your lender must provide a good-faith estimate […]

7 Reason to Own your Portland Home

7 Reasons to Own Your Portland Home  1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home. 2. Appreciation. Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value. While year-to-year fluctuations are normal, median […]

5 Things to Know about Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance tends to be one of those things that people think about after the fire burns the house down or the flood heavily damages the home.  Doing a little extra research when you are beginning the home buying process can potentially save you and your family a lot of heartache down the road.

Tax Benefits of Home Ownership!

Oh, I’ll never forget how glorious the time was when I did my taxes after having bought our first home.  As I left my accountant’s office I felt this weird sensation on my face.  I think it was….wait…a smile?  This was huge considering the previous year I left feeling like I had just gotten run […]

10 Questions to Ask your Lender

1. What are the most popular mortgages you offer? Why are they so popular? 2. Which type of mortgage plan do you think would be best for me? Why? 3. Are your rates, terms, fees, and closing costs negotiable? 4. Will I have to buy private mortgage insurance? If so, how much will it cost, […]

Where and Why are Foreigners Buying U.S. Real Estate?

Very cool infographic on where and why foreigners are buying United States real estate.  When times are tough, there is always someone cashing in .  Our housing crisis which led to very low home prices caught the attention of many foreign investors.  8% of real estate is purchased by foreign investors.  So which states are […]

Taking the Stress out of Homebuying in Portland

Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible.

5 Common First Time Home Buyer Mistakes

Buying a home is a big deal but don’t freak out! This purchase, for most people, is the largest purchase you will make. And for something that involves hundreds of thousands of dollars…well it should be a little complicated. Preparation is key. So when you are getting ready to make your first Portland home purchase, […]