For Buyers & Sellers

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Oregon First, Realtors® & Washington First Properties

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HOME VALUES

Determining Price

There are numerous online resources for determining the value of a house — and they can be a good starting point. However, keep in mind that each home is unique, even if it sits in a neighborhood of similar properties. An impersonal algorithm can offer only a very general picture of its true market value.


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MARKETING STATS

How's The Market?

Get the most recent numbers from the Regional Multiple Listing Service’s “Market Action” report that comes out mid-monthly and is e-mailed to all member Realtors®. This is data specific to our market, and drills down into particular cities and neighborhoods so it’s much more accurate than the national and regional reports you find in most media reports.


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MORTGAGE RATES

What Are Mortgage Rates Doing?

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has risen this week, to 6.79% from 6.57%. Rates have jumped again due to both bank failure concerns and in anticipation of the Federal Reserve likely hiking their rates up in the near future. As rates rise closer to seven percent once more, purchase demand for houses may continue to weaken once again. To put current rates in perspective, the 30 year fixed rate in 2010 was 4.69% and ten years before that, it was 8.05%. If we go all the way back to 1981, the rate was a whopping 16.63%!


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SELLING YOUR HOME

Getting Your Home Ready to Sell

When considering serious remodeling projects, make sure you understand the limits of the return on your investment. Most projects aren’t going to pay for themselves unless you’re bringing the property up to buyer expectations or doing repairs the buyer’s lender is likely to require. We can help you decide which projects are likely to be demanded by the market given the price you’re seeking.


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HOME INSPECTIONS

Home Inspections & Disclosures

Obtaining a professional home inspection is the single most important thing a buyer can do for their protection. A professional home inspection report will provide the buyer with detailed information about the home’s physical condition, its systems and fixtures and usually note any potential future problems.


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NEIGHBORHOOD EVALUATION

Evaluating the Neighborhood

Every Oregon First listing includes a link to detailed information on schools in that area, including test scores and ratings by parents and educators. In addition, the Oregon Department of Education produces yearly report cards for all schools and districts.

Every Oregon First listing also includes a link to the property’s Walk Score, which can be a great way to learn more about the property’s neighborhood. We even have a Map function which allows you to walk the neighborhood without leaving your computer!


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MORTGAGE

Mortgage Resources

Useful sites and information about veterans loan programs, first time buyer classes, credit score information, how to protect yourself from loan fraud, and more.


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FEATURED ARTICLE

Preparing Your Home for a Disaster

As homeowners we can never be too prepared for the unexpected, especially when it comes to our homes. But, as is common for many of us, we have yet to even anticipate the unexpected. When it comes to a disaster, is your home and/or family ready for action at a moment's notice? Time is of the essence when a disaster hits, and the five disaster management strategies below can help you be prepared should disaster strike.


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