We’ve yet to understand the full impacts of the 2020 pandemic on the real estate market, but one thing that is certain is that more home buyers are looking at homes online. They’re clicking through dozens of photos and sometimes taking virtual tours before, or sometimes instead of, touring in person. That means home staging is more important than ever in 2020. Photographs of an empty home typically do not look as good online, and even in 3D virtual tours, furnishings in the room help the buyer to grasp the dimensions and potential functions of the space. Even that being said, staging isn’t the best choice for every home. I’ll explain more as we go. Latest Statistics on the Power of...
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Portland Home Staging Works 2020
May 25, 2020
We’ve yet to understand the full impacts of the 2020 pandemic on the real estate market, but one thing that is certain is that more home buyers are looking at homes online. They’re clicking through dozens of photos and sometimes taking virtual tours before, or sometimes instead of, touring in person. That means home staging is more important than ever in 2020. Photographs of an empty home typically do not look as good online, and even in 3D virtual tours, furnishings in the room help the buyer to grasp the dimensions and potential functions of the space. Even that being said, staging isn’t the best choice for every home. I’ll explain more as we go. Latest Statistics on the Power of...
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Repainting a home before you sell is always a good idea, especially if it’s been more than five years since the last paint job. A fresh coat of exterior paint is an immediate facelift, a signal to buyers that the home is cared for and move-in ready. This year, Portland home buyers are going back to the basics, gravitating toward homes that look inviting, cozy and classic. Check out the top three real estate-agent approved colors to paint your home before you sell. Our Top Three House Colors for 2020 1. Creamy Mushroom by Behr When to use it: Contemporary-style homes, ranch houses, traditional-looking homes What it is: Most people know this color as “greige”, but we like “creamy mushroom”...
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Top 3 Exterior Paint Colors to Boost Home Value in 2020
May 22, 2020
Repainting a home before you sell is always a good idea, especially if it’s been more than five years since the last paint job. A fresh coat of exterior paint is an immediate facelift, a signal to buyers that the home is cared for and move-in ready. This year, Portland home buyers are going back to the basics, gravitating toward homes that look inviting, cozy and classic. Check out the top three real estate-agent approved colors to paint your home before you sell. Our Top Three House Colors for 2020 1. Creamy Mushroom by Behr When to use it: Contemporary-style homes, ranch houses, traditional-looking homes What it is: Most people know this color as “greige”, but we like “creamy mushroom”...
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Whether you’re hoping to build home value long-term or are selling this summer and want to maximize curb appeal, landscaping is critical. This time of year is when Portland yards, gardens and outdoor play/relax areas really shine. There’s so much potential here to impress and win over home buyers that we’re going to have a hard time fitting it all into one blog article — but we will do our best! Landscaping to Boost Curb Appeal: Sell Your Home for More this Summer Study after study shows that curb appeal has a direct impact on home value: a 7-14% increase in sales price was recently reported by realtor.com. We also know that landscaping is a major component of curb appeal....
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Portland Landscaping Tips to Increase Home Value 2020
May 18, 2020
Whether you’re hoping to build home value long-term or are selling this summer and want to maximize curb appeal, landscaping is critical. This time of year is when Portland yards, gardens and outdoor play/relax areas really shine. There’s so much potential here to impress and win over home buyers that we’re going to have a hard time fitting it all into one blog article — but we will do our best! Landscaping to Boost Curb Appeal: Sell Your Home for More this Summer Study after study shows that curb appeal has a direct impact on home value: a 7-14% increase in sales price was recently reported by realtor.com. We also know that landscaping is a major component of curb appeal....
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Is 2020 your year to buy a home in Portland? Making the leap from renter to homeowner is possible even if you don’t have the traditional 20% down payment. From below-market interest rates to help from private investors, there is assistance available for all first time homebuyers. Read on for our updated list for 2020. First, some definitions: First time home buyer: Any individual who has not owned and occupied a primary residence in at least three years. Cash assistance: A sum of money that you don’t have to pay back, that goes toward the down payment on the home. This is sometimes also referred to as a grant. FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loan: A loan backed by the federal government,...
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First Time Homebuyer Loans, Downpayment Grants, and More – 2020 Update
May 15, 2020
Is 2020 your year to buy a home in Portland? Making the leap from renter to homeowner is possible even if you don’t have the traditional 20% down payment. From below-market interest rates to help from private investors, there is assistance available for all first time homebuyers. Read on for our updated list for 2020. First, some definitions: First time home buyer: Any individual who has not owned and occupied a primary residence in at least three years. Cash assistance: A sum of money that you don’t have to pay back, that goes toward the down payment on the home. This is sometimes also referred to as a grant. FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loan: A loan backed by the federal government,...
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Most of us think of our homes a safe space. However, there are multiple toxic hazards that could be present in Portland homes both old and new. These include radon, improperly decommissioned oil tanks, lead and the once-popular fire-resistant building material, asbestos. As Portland real estate agents, we consider it our duty not just to sell homes, but to provide buyers and sellers with accurate and up-to-date information about what hazards they might hold. That’s why we’ve dedicated regular blog posts to discussing how to test for and deal with the hazards common to Portland homes. And asbestos is a big one! Read on for asbestos information and resources before you buy or sell a home in 2020. Asbestos Basics for...
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How to Test for Asbestos – Portland Home Guide
May 11, 2020
Most of us think of our homes a safe space. However, there are multiple toxic hazards that could be present in Portland homes both old and new. These include radon, improperly decommissioned oil tanks, lead and the once-popular fire-resistant building material, asbestos. As Portland real estate agents, we consider it our duty not just to sell homes, but to provide buyers and sellers with accurate and up-to-date information about what hazards they might hold. That’s why we’ve dedicated regular blog posts to discussing how to test for and deal with the hazards common to Portland homes. And asbestos is a big one! Read on for asbestos information and resources before you buy or sell a home in 2020. Asbestos Basics for...
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What happened: After home showings decreased a whopping -63% in March 2020 (versus March 2019 numbers), when the initial impact of COVID 19 hit the Portland real estate market, home buying traffic is bouncing back – and in significant numbers. April 2020 saw a 42% increase in home buyer traffic from those bottomed out March numbers. Now typically April buyer traffic increases over March every year, but certainly not by those drastic of numbers. Where are we now? We are still down about 31% from 2019 May traffic numbers, but this is no where near the 63% drop from expected March traffic – a huge improvement for the Portland real estate market. Also keep in mind that home tours are...
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Buyer Traffic Up 42% after COVID19 63% Drop – Portland Real Estate Market Report
May 8, 2020
What happened: After home showings decreased a whopping -63% in March 2020 (versus March 2019 numbers), when the initial impact of COVID 19 hit the Portland real estate market, home buying traffic is bouncing back – and in significant numbers. April 2020 saw a 42% increase in home buyer traffic from those bottomed out March numbers. Now typically April buyer traffic increases over March every year, but certainly not by those drastic of numbers. Where are we now? We are still down about 31% from 2019 May traffic numbers, but this is no where near the 63% drop from expected March traffic – a huge improvement for the Portland real estate market. Also keep in mind that home tours are...
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In the first part of 2020, social distancing has pushed working from home into the mainstream. For a large number of workers, the new standard could be to telecommute, driving to the office only occasionally. Portland has long been ahead of the telecommuting curve, with nearly 8% of our workforce doing so last year. Now that 40% of the current work-from-home population is reporting that they could make the change permanently, Portland’s suburbs are looking even more appealing. Traditionally, business and urban centers have driven demand for real estate, and in 2020, home buyers still want to live near stores, amenities and things to do. But it’s no longer necessary to do all those things in an urban area, and Portland’s...
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Top 5 Portland Suburbs – Your 2020 Move Away Guide.
May 4, 2020
In the first part of 2020, social distancing has pushed working from home into the mainstream. For a large number of workers, the new standard could be to telecommute, driving to the office only occasionally. Portland has long been ahead of the telecommuting curve, with nearly 8% of our workforce doing so last year. Now that 40% of the current work-from-home population is reporting that they could make the change permanently, Portland’s suburbs are looking even more appealing. Traditionally, business and urban centers have driven demand for real estate, and in 2020, home buyers still want to live near stores, amenities and things to do. But it’s no longer necessary to do all those things in an urban area, and Portland’s...
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Anyone buying or selling a home in 2020 will frequently come across Zillow’s listing platform and the home-value estimation tool it uses: The Zestimate. Most take the Zestimate as a semi-accurate prediction of the home’s final sales price. But how often is that true? And what goes into creating the Zestimate? Off by $20,000 to $50,000 in most cases. Using Portland, Oregon as our subject for testing the Zillow Zestimate we look closely at the data. First we should note, Zillow has never claimed that the Zestimate is perfect. In fact, Zillow’s website clearly states that the Zestimate “is not an appraisal and it should be used as a starting point.” The disclaimer encourages buyers, sellers and the merely curious...
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Is the Zillow Zestimate Accurate? 2020 Update
May 1, 2020
Anyone buying or selling a home in 2020 will frequently come across Zillow’s listing platform and the home-value estimation tool it uses: The Zestimate. Most take the Zestimate as a semi-accurate prediction of the home’s final sales price. But how often is that true? And what goes into creating the Zestimate? Off by $20,000 to $50,000 in most cases. Using Portland, Oregon as our subject for testing the Zillow Zestimate we look closely at the data. First we should note, Zillow has never claimed that the Zestimate is perfect. In fact, Zillow’s website clearly states that the Zestimate “is not an appraisal and it should be used as a starting point.” The disclaimer encourages buyers, sellers and the merely curious...
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As more information, scientific warnings and earthquake maps become available to Portland homeowners, more people are asking their real estate agents about seismic retrofitting. Here’s a quick introduction to what it means to seismically retrofit a home, whether your home needs it done, and how to find the right contractor in 2020. Seismic Retrofit vs Earthquake Preparedness A seismic retrofit is any action taken to prevent structural failure of the home in the event of an earthquake, and it’s recommended (but not yet required) by the City of Portland. Usually, it involves bolting the home to its foundation (more on that in the section below). It’s important to keep in mind that seismic retrofitting will not “earthquake-proof” your home. There...
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Seismic Retrofit Guide for Portland Homes
April 27, 2020
As more information, scientific warnings and earthquake maps become available to Portland homeowners, more people are asking their real estate agents about seismic retrofitting. Here’s a quick introduction to what it means to seismically retrofit a home, whether your home needs it done, and how to find the right contractor in 2020. Seismic Retrofit vs Earthquake Preparedness A seismic retrofit is any action taken to prevent structural failure of the home in the event of an earthquake, and it’s recommended (but not yet required) by the City of Portland. Usually, it involves bolting the home to its foundation (more on that in the section below). It’s important to keep in mind that seismic retrofitting will not “earthquake-proof” your home. There...
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Did you know? Portland home buyers love a remodeled bathroom! It’s true — according to Remodeling’s Magazine’s 2020 Cost vs. Value Report, Portland home owners received 10% more return on investment for a midrange bathroom remodel than the national average. Bathrooms offer great homeowner value because they’re a room in the house that we use every day. (Especially in the COVID 19 days right!) We go there to relax, rejuvenate and sometimes just to get away. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at just how much value a remodeled bathroom can contribute to your typical Portland home, and provide some Realtor approved improvement ideas! The Value of Bathroom Remodels The first thing to keep in mind about bathroom...
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5 Portland Bathroom Remodel Ideas – Increase Home Value
April 24, 2020
Did you know? Portland home buyers love a remodeled bathroom! It’s true — according to Remodeling’s Magazine’s 2020 Cost vs. Value Report, Portland home owners received 10% more return on investment for a midrange bathroom remodel than the national average. Bathrooms offer great homeowner value because they’re a room in the house that we use every day. (Especially in the COVID 19 days right!) We go there to relax, rejuvenate and sometimes just to get away. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at just how much value a remodeled bathroom can contribute to your typical Portland home, and provide some Realtor approved improvement ideas! The Value of Bathroom Remodels The first thing to keep in mind about bathroom...
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