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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Get Your Home Ready to Sell, Printable Checklist 2023

October 3, 2022

Preparing to sell your home takes time and involves a lot of moving parts. There are plenty of factors influencing whether or not a home sells and how long it takes. Having a checklist can help. We’ve created the one below and divided interior and exterior tasks, with recommendations on what to complete just before photos are taken for listing on the MLS and on thousands of additional real estate websites. After taking a look at the checklist, keep reading for important home preparation advice. Interview 2-3 Real Estate Agents We’ve got a list of Realtor interview questions here, ready for you to ask sellers agents. Realtors have a thousand different approaches and strategies to sell their clients homes faster and...

portland condo market 2023

Portland Real Estate Condo Market 2023 Forecast

September 30, 2022

Buying a condo in Portland means prioritizing a special list of considerations. Delving into the condo lifestyle also means more affordability and more freedom to spend your time the way you want—for example, no yard upkeep or high-cost maintenance and repairs. HOA Costs for Portland Condos are Up in a Big Way It is not possible to simply look at Portland condo prices and compare them to detached single family homes. HOA fees have increased 20% since 2020 in Portland, Oregon (we’ve been keeping track). Check out the current average monthly HOA fee you can expect to pay when owning a condo in Portland in 2022. We provide a regular annual report. We also provide a way to search for...

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...

join exp realty

Why Every Agent Should Join EXP Realty in 2023

September 26, 2022

Whether you’re learning how to get your real estate license for the first time, or have been selling homes for many years now, you’ve likely heard of EXP Realty, one of the fastest growing Realty companies in the world (and of all time). There are 319 Realty companies to choose from in Oregon, about 1 for every 53 licensed agents. In the U.S. as a whole, there is one Realty company for every 14 licensed agents. Personally, I’ve been licensed since 2003 and have been a part of a small handful of different local Realty companies. I’d like to share with you briefly why I think EXP Realty is your best choice (whether you’re an individual agent or run a...

when can you sell a home in probate

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...

transfer on death deed real estate

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....

Portland Real Estate Market, October 2022

September 19, 2022

The national real estate market has seen unprecedented times over the past two years, and the Portland real estate market is no exception. From monthly market reports for Portland proper to updates for the city’s surrounding suburbs, we’ve consistently tracked how the real estate market has unfolded to give you a clear idea of the trajectory of the industry. Check out our full 2023 Portland real estate forecast here. Portland Real Estate Activity is Decreasing Across the Board According the the most recent RMLS report, new listings saw a 13.2% decrease in August 2022 ( to 3,209) from the same time in 2021. With buyers taking a pause, in light of rising interest rates and a predicted recession, pending sales...

real estate commission 2023

Average U.S. Real Estate Commission Rates into 2023

September 16, 2022

Thinking of selling your home? Then you’re probably interested in real estate commissions. How much are they and what do you get in return? Will you be able to sell your home for more? Do you need the real estate agent’s advice and representation? Real Estate Commission Changes from the 90s to Today There are a lot of different ways to look at real estate commissions. One would be the overall decade trends from an average hovering around 6% in the 90’s to 5% in the 2000’s and 2010’s, and now just starting to dip below 5% in 2020 and after. Note that a 1% drop from 6% is roughly a 17% decrease. But in the meanwhile, home prices have...

Sandy, Oregon Real Estate Market Update and 2023 Forecast

September 14, 2022

Every month, in addition to our regular Portland real estate market update, we provide a real estate market update on a local Portland suburb, to give you the full picture of what’s happening in the world of real estate across the metro area. This month, we’re looking at the quiet suburb of Sandy, gateway to Mt. Hood. Less than 30 miles southeast of Portland, Sandy has a population of 12,743 and offers a lot more to both residents and visitors than initially meets the eye. It’s true that this unassuming little burg’s main street is the main thoroughfare that will take you from Portland to Mt. Hood. But there’s plenty to see and do in and around Sandy itself. Take,...

portland oregon radon map

Portland, Oregon Radon Map 2023 Update

September 12, 2022

There are a variety of home hazards Portland homeowners need to be aware of, especially when selling. In addition to earthquakes and landslides, mold, and flooding, radon should be at the top of your list for items to check when you’re preparing to put your home on the market (or when buying a new home). Honestly, it’s a good idea to check radon levels in your home whether selling or not, as they change regularly. This is especially true if any of the living area in the home is below ground. The reason for fluctuating radon readings in any given area is that radon levels can be affected by a number of things, like wind, ground pressure, shifting soil, cold...