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 green homes

Getting the Most from PDX Green Home Features

May 15, 2013

What are the top most desired features for buyers looking to invest in a home? According to a new study released by the National Association of Home Builders, the top four all center around saving energy. Many Portland home sellers are making improvements to reduce energy use and otherwise make their homes more environmentally friendly. But how can you make sure these green features will pay off by adding to the value of your home, and not leave you in the red? According to the US Green Building Council, “Generally, green homes are healthier, more comfortable, more durable, and more energy efficient and have a much smaller environmental footprint than conventional homes.” And, let’s face it – the house with...

portland thrift shop

Thrift Shop and Stage your Portland Home

April 30, 2013

Whether you’re decorating your new home, need to add a few eye-catching touches to the home you’re selling, or looking for a place to donate your unneeded goods, Portland thrift shops are the place to go. Your purchase or donation supports a small business or local causes ranging from animal welfare to housing for the homeless, and with over fifty thrift shops in the city, there are plenty to choose from. Thrift shopping is practically an unofficial sport in Portland, Oregon. Where else are our primal hunting instincts so well rewarded with kitschy and beautiful finds for great prices? Thrift shops are also a great reflection of the neighborhood’s character – a sneak peek into the lives led behind the...

portland housing inventory

Portland Housing Inventory is at Record Lows 2013

April 24, 2013

Can’t find a home? You’re not alone. Believe it or not, there are half as many (about 6,000) homes for sale in Portland this spring of 2013 verses the Portland housing inventory in spring 2011 (about 12,000 homes for sale). Multiple offers are becoming the norm in hot areas for any home that is priced at previous market prices. Across the board, homes are selling faster and for more in Portland. Now more than ever, you need a great Portland listing agent that can maximize the multiple offer situation or a Portland buyer’s agent who knows how to win in a multiple offer situation. Why are we seeing record low inventory in Portland? 1. Home builders in Portland have been...

selling portland home

Five Spring Steps to Sell Your Portland Home Sooner

April 10, 2013

Spring is a great time to get your on the market and sold with the help of your Portland real estate agent. Buyers are emerging from their winter hibernation and are motivated to buy before the inevitable summer price hikes. Getting your home sale over with in the next couple of months will free up the rest of your summer for relaxation – so what are you waiting for? Use our quick checklist to make sure your home is in shape to sell this spring. Home exterior spic and span. Portland’s northwest winters can be hard on the outside of your home. The gutters may be full of pine needles and leaves and cobwebs are sure to be tangled around...

portland real estate market

A Busy 2013 Spring for Portland Real Estate Agents

April 1, 2013

U.S. home sales are at three-year high, according an Associated Press story this week. Are Portland home sales following the nationwide trend? Judging from the February RMLS Report on the Portland real estate market that also came out this week, it looks like we’re on track to have a very fast-past year, indeed. Market inventory stands at 4.5 months, lower than the February inventory for the previous two years. Pending Portland real estate sales in February increased by 11.8% over last month. The RMLS reports that this is the best February for Portland pending sales since 2007. What does all this mean? Portland real estate agents are busy, and it’s a good time to be a home buyer or a...

portland radon map

Portland Oregon Radon Map 2013

March 21, 2013

As a Portland real estate agent I’ve noticed that Radon testing is a growing trend, it has become more and more popular to test every home for Radon levels in the greater Portland Metro Area. It seems these days you can hardly find a home inspector that does not also include a Radon test option (for more money of course). I do not expect this trend to go away. If you are selling a Portland home you can expect the buyer will most likely test your home for Radon levels! It is to your advantage to be prepared and perhaps conduct the test ahead of time so you know what you’re dealing with. (Surprises are never good for real estate...

portland kitchen remodel

Four Steps (Budget-Friendly) Portland Kitchen Remodel

March 12, 2013

Portland home buyers are looking for a home that is unique and stylish while being functional and user-friendly. Nowhere do these qualities stand out more than in the kitchen. If you’re considering selling your home and thinking that the space where the average American family does everything from homework to entertaining could use an upgrade, you’re probably right. How much of an upgrade, though? It helps to have an action plan. Step 1: Prioritize and set a budget. Sure, it would be fun to tear everything out and build a new kitchen, and it would certainly set your home apart from the crowd, but keep cost versus value in mind. If you spend $5,000 remodeling your kitchen, you won’t necessarily...

advice on home buying

How to Make a Good Offer on a Portland Home.

March 6, 2013

You just found the perfect home and it is priced at $300,000. Now what? Do you offer 275, 300, or even 310,000? The number one factor for making a great offer on a Portland home is knowing the DOM (days on market). If the sellers are asking fair market value and there are no other offers on the table you can follow this rule of thumb. 1-3 DOM (Days on Market) You will need to offer full price or extremely close to it. Make sure your Portland buyers agent calls the listing agent to check if there are already multiple offers submitted. 4-14 DOM (Days on Market) You will need to offer within 1% to 3% of asking price. At...

fivestar professional portland real estate agent

Five Star Professional – Portland Real Estate Agent

February 22, 2013

Winner of the Five Star Professional award 2019 – 2013. This award is based on customer feedback from randomly mailed surveys and phone calls by an independent party. These past clients are asked to rate their real estate agents in ten different customer service areas. Once again, I’m very appreciated of my past clients who took the time out of their day to recommend my services. Thank you! Five Star Professional has only strengthend its criteria over the years, now giving out the award to less than 5% of licensed real estate agents in the area. Also to receive the award you have to have been licensed for at least three years and pass a minimum sales record (I’ve been...

home buyers agent

Portland Buyers Agent 2013

February 22, 2013

Why should you use a Portland buyer’s agent? Let’s compare lawyers with real estate agents. It’s safe to say that the majority of us are not lawyers. But we probably know or have heard of someone who is. If you had some sort of legal trouble, it would be in your best interest to get in touch with one, and a good one at that. Their expertise at looking out for your interests and having your legal back is worth a lot when you need representation. They can really protect your rights, time, negotiate on your behalf, save you trouble down the road, and sometimes they can even save you a lot of money. So it is with a Portland...