Portland Real Estate Blog

This is a top 100 real estate blog in the world according to Feedspot.com. In particular, this is a local real estate blog written by a top 1% real estate agent in the U.S., Stephen FitzMaurice, Realtor. Stephen regularly reports on the greater Portland metro area’s real estate market including annual housing forecasts and best time to sell or buy a home reports. He gives home selling and home buying professional advice. He also writes informative articles on Portland neighborhoods and suburbs as they relate to the real estate market. Finally, he writes to inform the general public about real estate agents, such as annual average real estate agent commission reports and more.

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How to Test Your Oregon Home for Asbestos

June 4, 2021

When you hear the word asbestos, what comes to mind? Many people think of asbestos hazards as being a thing of the past, or something relegated to big, old buildings like schools. In fact, asbestos was widely used in all types of building, including residential, prior to 1970. And even now, the United States has not fully banned its use. So while your home may be newer, then, there’s still a chance asbestos lurks in the walls, roof, etc. Before anyone panics, though, know that because it is so common, the state of Oregon has plenty of information and resources on how to manage it. If you’re going to be doing work on your home, you’ll want to know what...

A traditional Cape Cod house in Provincetown, Massachusetts

What is a Portland Cape Cod Home Style?

June 2, 2021

When you close your eyes and imagine the quintessential archetype of an American single family house, what do you see? If you find yourself envisioning a rectangular home with symmetrical windows and a chimney sprouting from the top, you may have encountered the Cape Code style. And you wouldn’t be alone in that. Across the country you’ll find Cape Cod style architecture, for good reason. Once a product of the harsh New England climate, this style became a staple of middle class American home construction. Sound too cookie cutter for you? Hold out for the twists this story has in store. The West Coast is home to some of the coziest and quaintest aberrations of the traditional Cape Cod. On...

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4 Reasons Not to Sell a Home Online to an iBuyer

May 31, 2021

If you’ve ever checked out your home on major websites like Redfin or Zillow, chances are you’ve seen a tantalizing number. These sites give you a ballpark of what your home may be worth. And they aren’t alone. For the past few years, iBuyers – online portals that offer cash up front for your home – have been on the rise. And based on their marketing, they want you to get those dollar signs flashing in your eyes. In order to get a snapshot of what iBuyers are advertising, all you need is to perform a basic search. Our first three results – all paid ads – came up as follows: Sell Your House Fast for Cash We Buy Houses...

how to sell your home for more

Price your Home Lower and Sell it for More

May 28, 2021

Home Sales in Hot Sellers Markets turn into Blind Bidding Wars In most parts of the country in a hot sellers market, real estate agents list their clients’ homes in advance of the weekend, then collect offers over the weekend, and then the home seller picks the best offer on that Monday or early part of the next week. The handling process of these collected offers over a short period of time (typically 2-5 days) is typically called “a blind bidding war.” You can see how the National Association of Realtor defines this a bidding war here. This means that each buyers agent doesn’t know what any of the other offers’ terms are. They are dropping an offer (a bid)...

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How Long will Home Prices Rise Across the U.S.?

May 26, 2021

Home prices on the rise – the topic that has flooded the news, including here. The fallout from the pandemic has undoubtedly made its mark on all aspects of the economy. But the housing market differs from other industries in that it’s stronger than ever… for the seller. High demand and low interest rates keep pushing home prices up, igniting bidding wars across the nation. According to Realtor.com, median sale prices went up 17.2% year over year in April. Now, that number is so large partly because at this time last year we were hitting the worst of the pandemic for the real estate market. But the median home price – $375,000 – still marked a record high. But for...

The danger of radon gas in our homes - concept image with periodic table of the elements and check-up graph about radon issue

2021 Radon Guide: How and Why to Test a Portland Home

May 24, 2021

If you’ve bought or sold a home (or intend to) any time recently, chances are you’ve heard something about radon testing. And for good reason. Radon testing is increasingly becoming a standard issue in real estate transactions, alongside other hazards like flood zones or seismic retrofitting. But why is it important, and do you need to have your home tested? To answer these questions and more, we’ll walk you through the basics of the dangers of radon, how to test for it, and what to do if your home tests highly. Say goodbye to feeling in the dark on this subject! Our essential guide lays out everything you need to understand radon risks and radon testing. What Is Radon, and...

questions to ask interviewing realtor

What Interview Questions to Ask a Realtor Before you Sell a Home?

May 21, 2021

About to interview a Realtor to sell your home? Whether you were recommended to this real estate agent by a friend or you found the Realtor online, the next best step is to interview the agent at your home. Yes, you could interview the Realtor online or on the phone, but we recommend the first step (as long as everyone is comfortable) is to schedule an appointment at the home you are considering selling. This will help you gauge the Realtor’s reaction to your property and help you know if the agent is a good fit for your home sale. 1. What are the Exact Terms of your Cancellation Policy? Okay, I know that sounds like a strange place to...

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Portland Home Staging Works 2021

May 19, 2021

For years now, the importance of quality online photos has increased, as the internet becomes more and more a main jumping off point for potential buyers. But last year, many predicted that importance to shoot up even further. And yes, that did pan out to an extent. Since the pandemic made folks more selective about viewing homes in person, it’s logical that having attractive photos in your online listing becomes crucial to getting boots in the door. And what helps create attractive photos? Professional staging. Conventional wisdom, plus some statistics, show that staging a home increases chances of a favorable sale. Now that we’ve been through a pandemic year, will staging remain more important than it was before? Will what...

Gardener mulching with pine bark juniper plants in the yard. Seasonal works in the garden. Landscape design. Ornamental shrub juniper.

10 Landscaping Tips to Increase Home Value in 2021

May 17, 2021

Landscaping: it’s an art form, one that can be hard to wrap your head around. That’s because, like all art forms, landscaping adds value to which it’s hard to assign a strict dollar amount. We’re talking about atmosphere, comfort, and that ineffable something that makes a space feel welcoming. But, also like all art forms, we can discuss its value because history shows that people will pay for that ineffable something! In 2020, the National Association of Realtors reported that homes with high curb appeal sold on average for 7% more than comparable homes with low curb appeal. Effective landscaping frames the home and gives the impression of a well-kept property. So just like choosing the right paint color or...

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Top 3 Exterior Paint Colors to Increase Home Value in 2021

May 14, 2021

A fresh coat of paint can work wonders – especially when you’re selling your home. We hear the word curb appeal casually thrown around quite a bit, but the term is rooted in reality. Prospective buyers are more likely to tour a home that looks more inviting from the outside. And the buck doesn’t stop there. Last year a joint study from the University of Alabama and the University of Texas at Arlington found that homes with curb appeal sell at an average of 7% higher than comparable (but less visually appealing) homes. If it’s been more than five years since your last paint job, we recommend you get a fresh coat before listing. But to speak of paint begs...