Oregon Real Estate Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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.

At what point should the conversation about downsizing begin and how might this affect one's lifestyle? Learn more in this helpful podcast episode!

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 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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

Sometimes absorbing the sea of Oregon real estate information seems 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 magical clarity to both homebuyers and homesellers. What is this 'magic' number and what does it represent? Find out in this informative podcast episode!

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.

Realtors must follow many rules and according to consumer satisfaction surveys, most agents do a 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 agents fall short. Wrong is wrong, yet it's also important to separate willful wrongdoing from expectations which may be misinterpreted, or where motives are misunderstood. Today we'll address some common consumer complaints and Realtor behaviors.

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 […]

While there is a case to be made for homeselling in each of the four seasons, Winter can be one of the most powerful times to sell your house...and for ten very good reasons. Find out more in this helpful program, '10 Reasons Why Winter Homeselling is Hot.'

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.

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.

It's helpful to realize that as a homeseller, you are in a 'war' of sorts. Is it an outright battle? Definitely not. And for anyone selling a home, it clearly helps to maintain a sense of politeness and grace when dealing with potential homebuyers. But we're about to look at the process of homeselling using the metaphor of homeselling as 'war.' Why would the concept of 'war' be appropriate to homeselling? To start, homesellers and homebuyers do not have identical goals. In fact, similar to armed conflict, they frequently have goals at direct odds with one another. You can call such business interaction 'give and take,' or 'financial combat,' or real estate 'tug-o-war.' Rather than use swords or heavy artillery, the tools used can be more subtle. Here, metaphorical weapons might include home inspectors, attorneys and a 'take no prisoners' attitude. The point is that there is conflict. But as with any good book or movie, sometimes it's conflict that keeps things interesting and move the process forward, while underscoring the value of what is being contested. Find out more in this podcast titled 'The Art of War for Homesellers.'

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 there are variables in each situation. 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 in this edition of the Oregon Real Estate Podcast.

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.

While most Oregon homebuyers use traditional lenders like banks, mortgage brokers or credit unions, there are solid reasons (and a very helpful alternative) to purchase a home without them. Buyers avoid traditional lenders for a variety of factors and when they do, one mechanism they frequently turn to is known in our area as seller financing. What Is Seller Financing? Also called owner financing, seller terms, owner carry, seller carryback, or seller carry, seller financing allows a homebuyer to purchase a property by making an initial down payment, then making direct payments to the seller. While Oregon law has rules in place especially to regulate large-scale property sellers who handle a significant amount of seller-financed transactions (notably commercial firms, such as finance companies), the process still remains relatively simple for Oregon home buyers and sellers who enter into a home sale without using a traditional lender. The Basics-A key factor that helps to make seller financing an option is if a homeseller has either no loan, or a very small loan remaining on the property to be sold. Having little or no loan on the home being sold means that more of the buyer's down payment will go to the seller, and not diverted to the lender of a seller's existing home loan. Most home loans now have what's called a 'due on sale' clause, which means a seller's home loan must first be paid off upon the sale of a property. The single factor of having no or little loan balance on a property is often the single most limiting condition in determining if seller financing is an option. If the property has either no loan, or only a small loan remaining, this can really open the door to seller financing. Basic Tools-Several tools can be used to establish seller financing. In Oregon, these include either a trust deed and note, or a land sales contract. Here is a recent legal article outlining some differences between these two instruments for Oregon seller financing . Most common is the trust deed and note, which can be prepared by Oregon title companies/escrow firms. Less common is the land sales contract, which can usually be considerably more labor intensive and expensive, since in Oregon land sales contracts can only be drawn up by an attorney. What Makes Seller Financing so Powerful-Seller financing can be very powerful. How else to describe a form of financing that can: 1. Make an otherwise 'unsellable' property sellable, 2. Render an otherwise 'unqualified' buyer qualified, whilst escaping considerable loan fees, underwriting and requirements, like an appraisal. 3. Provide income to a home seller, with interest, all secured with the protection of a legal instrument in case of default 4. Allow a homebuyer the ability to purchase a home while selling a less liquid (hard to sell) asset, or re-building credit 5. Give both buyer and seller the flexibility to negotiate what works for them, rather than a bank's pre-determined, 'cookie-cutter' loan term, interest rate, or myriad of other conditions. Here are a few scenarios illustrating some of real life advantages of seller financing-Scenario #1 involves a house located in a large Oregon town with no foundation and a faulty roof. The property is otherwise attractive, yet routine lender guidelines require a foundation for residential properties. The seller begins to think his house is a 'lemon.' That is, until he learns that since he owns the property 'free and clear' with no loan, that he can sell the property directly to a buyer. A buyer who happens to be a contractor discovers the house and realizes he can put a roof on the house for the cost of materials, then hire foundation work far more cheaply than someone unlike him who is not in the building trades. An agreement is made. As a result, buyer and seller see the transaction as a 'win-win.' Scenario #2-involves a nice home located in a tiny Oregon town between the Willamette Valley and Oregon Coast. Given

Selling an Oregon home can seem overwhelming and complicated, yet there is a logical series of steps to the process. Once grasped, a basic understanding of three vital home-selling factors can make a successful home sale much less daunting. Join veteran Oregon Realtor Roy Widing in this episode of the Oregon Real Estate Podcast, as he shows how selling your Oregon home can be as easy as '1-2-3.'

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.

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.

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?

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?’ 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 […]

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!

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!

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 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.

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!

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.

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 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.

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!

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.

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.'

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.