Sell a Home in the Portland, Oregon Metro

Top 1% Seller’s Agent

Planning on selling a home in the next year or so? You’ve come to the right place. Stephen FitzMaurice, Principal Broker is a top 1% sellers agent in Portland with over 2,000 local sales under his belt and writes extensively about the Portland real estate market.

The Right Way to Sell

Our team charges 4% commission max. and we pay more online to market our Portland and SW Washington homes so they sell faster and for more. (In Salem and Bend areas we charge 4.25% max.) We have a reasonable commission fee, while still providing more marketing and services than our competitors. We back it all up with a cancel anytime policy for no charge.

If you’re thinking of selling your home in the next twelve months, Stephen would love to tour your home. Call today to set an appointment.

Stephen FitzMaurice, Realtor
4% Max. to Sell a Home
Cancel Anytime Policy
Licensed Since 2003
503-714-1111

Top 5 New Roof Types to Install in the Pacific Northwest

September 28, 2022

When your roof is doing its job, it’s easy to take it for granted. But if it gets damaged during a storm or degrades due to age, you’re faced with the expense of repairing or replacing it. It can be hard to where to begin. Should you go with the materials that were used before, or should you consider another type of roof? New roofs are common upgrades for those wanting to sell because it adds value to the home. A fresh roof with clean lines and gutters can dramatically increase curb appeal from something worn down or potentially scary looking to a homebuyer. Also, most lenders will require that the roof is not leaking and in reasonable shape before...

When Can you Sell a Home in Probate?

September 23, 2022

This article will answer “What is a Probate?”, will give an overview of the probate process, and when in that process the sale or transfer of a decedent’s home should take place. Opening a Probate Case in Portland, Oregon Probate is the process of administration and distribution for the estate of a deceased individual. Many states require a probate procedure for distribution of the decedent’s assets and real property. To initiate a probate process, the first step is to determine if the decedent has a valid will (testate) or no will (intestate), or if there is a recorded transfer on dead deed. If there is a valid will, a petition to probate the will must be filed in the circuit...

What is a Transfer on Death Deed in Real Estate?

September 21, 2022

A “Transfer on Death” deed (TODD) is a type of legal instrument that will automatically transfer the ownership of real property to a beneficiary designated by name on a deed upon death of the current owner. Because the right of ownership is automatic upon death, a TODD is often viewed as a beneficial way to avoid probate altogether. It is worthwhile however to note the limitations of a Transfer on Death Deed. A TODD is revocable either by the current owner, or if the current owner sells the ownership right to another individual. Also, unlike a co-owner who can enjoy present ownership rights to a property, a named beneficiary can only enjoy ownership rights upon death of the current owner....

How Long Does it Take to Sell a Home in Portland, Oregon?

September 7, 2022

If this report was from quarter one of 2022, it might feel like one weekend, or just a few days. However, inventory is always the highest in the fall in Portland, and combine that with rising interest rates, and the average number of days it takes to sell a home in Portland, Oregon right now is pretty high. Homes in the Fall and Winter take Longer to Sell During the best time of the year to sell a home (March – May) days on market is always pretty low. But during the seasonally best time of the year to buy a home (July through September) inventory is high and days on market get longer. Average Numbers of Days to Sell...

Should I Sell my House or Rent it Out?

August 17, 2022

What happens when you get a new job in another city and need to relocate? Or your dream home becomes available? Should you sell your current home, or should you consider becoming a landlord and rent it out? Becoming a landlord is like having a small side business and requires that you stay abreast of Portland landlord laws and rules. Of course, you can always hire a property manager to handle most of the tasks required to successfully rent property, but keep in mind that they typically take anywhere from 8%-12% of your monthly rental income for their services. You can also rent now and sell later, however, selling a home with a tenant inside can present its own set...

Getting a Date of Death Value from a Realtor in Oregon

August 15, 2022

Determining the value of an estate can be a hassle but is typically required in order to pay the proper amount of taxes. Often called an inheritance tax, all assets of the deceased be properly valued at the date of death or six months following the date of death. The executor is required to explain how the value was determined and must include proof. Appraiser or Realtor? When it comes to real estate, often a licensed real estate appraiser is hired to perform the date of death appraisal. Certainly this is a fine path to take. It is also possible for the executor to “substantiate” the value of the real estate property with alternative documentation. Once such possible alternative to...

Portland Home Value Estimate, Realtor Vs. Online 2022

July 29, 2022

The real estate market is shifting fast in Portland, Oregon and around the country. We’ve got your latest month by month report on the Portland market here. If you’re looking for tips on remodeling to improve your home value before going to market, we’ve got that too. You Can’t Trust Online Home Value Estimates When the real estate market is shifting fast, online estimates designed by algorithms get worse and they weren’t good to begin with. In fact, Zillow’s Zestimate is so bad, it nearly bankrupted the company in 2021 when they briefly turned into an online cash home buyer before loosing half a billion dollars in the process. But again, when the real estate market is actively shifting, the...

Should the Seller Pay the Buyer’s Closing Costs? 2022 Report

July 18, 2022

Selling or buying a home and getting approved for a mortgage can be a taxing process, even for those who have done it before. Laws and standards change, and for most of us, we only do it a few times throughout our lives. Closing costs are the biggest upfront financial investment, especially for the buyer. For both parties, the process and jargon involved can be cryptic and confusing. To help demystify the process, we’re breaking it all down here to help you better understand what to expect and when sellers may be asked to pitch in on the buyer’s closing costs. Let’s start with the basics. What are Closing Costs? Both buyers and sellers wind up forking over a substantial...

12 Remodeling Trends to Sell a Home for More

July 15, 2022

After sequestering for much of the past two years, people are looking for ways to refresh and enliven their spaces at home. Trends come and go, and humans like change. So it’s always good to know what’s in and what’s out, for both our own personal tastes and preferences, and when it comes time to sell a home. We checked in to see what Portland, Oregon’s top interior designers are saying to bring you the biggest and most interesting home decor trends and influences for 2022. These can be especially helpful if you’re preparing for a future home sale. 1. Next to Nature After the stressors of the past two years, homeowners are creating “more tranquil spaces at home,” says...

How Much Does Portland Home Staging Cost? 2022 Report

July 11, 2022

Whether you’ve sold a home or not, you’re probably aware of the practice of home staging. The process of transforming a home into an interior design showcase has become common practice in the real estate world. We know staging works, but considering staging costs and the potential return on your investment, is it really worth doing? To help answer this question, we explored Portland’s professional staging services to see what the going rates are in 2022. We also looked to national experts in the real estate world to learn more. Read on to see about what we discovered and decide if home staging is right for you. What is Home Staging, and What Does it Offer Sellers and Buyers? Staging...