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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Portland Home Staging Works

Home Staging in Portland. Does it work?

January 6, 2012

I often find people assume spending money on Portland home staging and professional photography is a waste of time and money. It is not for at least four reasons. First, the Portland market is completely online-driven these days. 94% of buyers find the home they are going to buy online. The number one reason homes sell online is good pictures. Staging sets the scene for just the right picture to peak the buyer’s interest and convince them to schedule an appointment to see the home. Second, unless the home is owned by someone with amazing artistic abilities, chances are a home staging professional is going to be able to improve the look of your home. Third, after homes are viewed online and...

zestimate accuracy

Zillow Zestimates, are they accurate?

December 26, 2011

These days many folks check out their home online, or a property they are looking to purchase, to find an estimate of value. Zillow provides these national in a format they copyrighted and call Zestimates. If you read the Zillow forums on Zestimates you’ll find a lot of angry home owners disputing the value. Recently I went to a seminar held by Zillow themselves to try to get an answer. Zestimates were the very first topic of discussion at the seminar, and from a Zillow representative I heard these words, “Zillow Zestimates are wrong by more than $30,000 dollars 30% of the time.” Now, most people will agree this is not an accurate enough figure to make any kind of...

Earth Advantage Broker

Earth Advantage Broker

December 19, 2011

Also called Sustainability Training for Accredited Real Estate Professionals (S.T.A.R) this designation comes straight from additional education earned from Earth Advantage Institute. The training focuses on green materials for new construction and remodeled homes accenting the lifestyle benefits, costs, and rewards. I earned this real estate agent designation in 2011. Let me use my experience as an Earth Advantage Broker in Portland to help you find your new home! See all of my twelve designations here. Stephen FitzMaurice, Realtor

Trulia Pro in Portland

Trulia Pro

December 19, 2011

Trulia gives out its PRO status to those agents who pay to feature their listings on Trulia.com. Currently the second most visited real estate website, it is crucial to feature your listings on Trulia. See my entire listing package here. In my opinion, Trulia is one of the friendliest websites to use, but I prefer my own Portland home search site to theirs (it is more accurate and even easier to use). I have a reviews on Trulia and Zillow.com and all of them on my website. Stephen FitzMaurice, Realtor See all of my twelve designations here.

Zillow 5 Star Agent, Premier Agent, & All-Star

December 19, 2011

Zillow loves to give out awards and I think I have them all! Zillow gives out rewards for helping out visitors to their site who ask questions and also for contributing to their site – recording a lot of sales! Zillow gives out awards to agents who feature their listings on Zillow (Premier Zillow Agent), an important thing to do considering Zillow is currently the number one visited real estate website. See my entire listing package here. Finally, Zillow gives out awards to those of us who get really good reviews from our clients (the five star Zillow award). The nice thing about Zillow reviews is that they verify them before posting on their website. You can see all of...

Certified Foreclosure Agent

Certified Foreclosure Agent

December 19, 2011

I’ve been successfully selling foreclosures in the Portland Metro area for years now. This designation represents additional education and certification, rewarding experience and professionalism in the foreclosure marketplace. Foreclosures are often the best deals you can find in Portland, Oregon. Let me help you find one today! Stephen FitzMaurice, Realtor See all of my twelve designations here.

Energy Trust of Oregon

Trade Ally of Energy Trust of Oregon

December 19, 2011

I recently received by Trade Ally designation from Energy Trust. Energy Trust is an independent nonprofit that helps people throughout Oregon save energy by providing cash incentives and creative solutions to home energy needs. I’m proud to be a partner with them! As a trade ally of Energy Trust of Oregon, I can tell you about energyefficient features and improvements for your home. It is possible to make any home “greener” and Energy Trust will give you money to help you make that happen!  Save up to 30% on energy costs with Energy Trust of Oregon cash incentives. Stephen FitzMaurice is Proud to be a: Energy Trust Trade Ally. See all of my twelve designations here.

short sale questions

Will I owe the bank money after I short sale?

June 12, 2011

This is a very important question. Many people are afraid of doing a short sale because they are concerned the bank could come after them later for funds.  If you don’t do a short sale correctly, a bank CAN come after you afterwards.  If you do a short sale correctly, a bank CAN’T. I make sure the short sale process goes correctly. Listen to this important question posed to a real estate lawyer. Q. I have heard conflicting information regarding the banks’ ability to have a deficiency judgment against the seller of a property in a short sale and the banks’ recourse against that seller/borrower. Will you please clarify and address Oregon Law regarding recourse vs. non-recourse? A. There is...

Seller Representative Specialist

Seller Representative Specialist, SRS.

May 12, 2011

I’ve been successfully representing sellers for years now. This designation was awarded to me after I took a number of courses, meet professional experience requirements, and passed the final exams with flying colors. Staying educated on the best practices to market homes and represent sellers couldn’t be more important to me. Recently Sold Homes Selling Package Stephen FitzMaurice, Realtor, SRS. See all of my twelve designations here.

Certified Short Sale Agent, CSSA

May 10, 2011

I’ve been successfully selling short sales for years on both the buyer’s and seller’s side. This designation was awarded to me after I successfully took a number of classes, met professional experience requirements, and passed the necessary exams with flying colors. Let me help you get out of that underwater home today. I have all the tools and training necessary. Short Sale your Portland Home. See Recently Sold Short Sale Homes Stephen FitzMaurice, Realtor, CSSA. See all of my twelve designations here.