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  • Sellers
    • Selling your home? How we can help!
    • Seller’s Basics–The Steps to Selling a Home
    • Download Winter 2023 Seller’s Guide
    • What is the Home Energy Score?
    • Oregon’s New Rent Control Law, and Portland’s Relocation Assistance Ordinance.
  • Buyers
    • Buying a Home? How we can help!
    • Buyer’s Basics–The Steps to Buying a Home
    • Download Winter 2023 Buyer’s Guide
    • Helping your friends and family find home
    • Buy vs. Renting? Here’s why…
    • Portland Neighborhoods
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  • Real Estate Information
    • Real Estate News + Trends
    • Oregon’s New Rent Control Law, and Portland’s Relocation Assistance Ordinance.
    • Portland Neighborhoods
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    • Our Approach to Real Estate and our clients
    • What a GOOD agent really does and what it’s worth.
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  • Real Estate News,  Uncategorized

    Should you become a Real Estate Agent? 5 Steps.

    January 18, 2023 /

    Thinking about becoming a real estate agent? It's a great career for many reasons: the ability to work from home and make a schedule that works for you, working with people to help reach their housing goals, relatively low start-up costs, and the ability to make a good living. Some people come to a real estate career fresh out of school, but the majority of people make real estate their second career and have come from different professional backgrounds and in different stages of life. One of the cool things about a career in real estate is the ability to harness your natural strengths and put them to use in…

    read more
    admin Comments Off on Should you become a Real Estate Agent? 5 Steps.

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    What is the Home Energy Score?

    February 22, 2022

    How you as a buyer can compete and find your perfect home in a competitive “sellers market”.

    September 6, 2022

    Oregon’s New Rent Control Law, and Portland’s Relocation Assistance Ordinance.

    April 11, 2019
  • Uncategorized

    Homeownership Wins Over Time [INFOGRAPHIC]

    November 14, 2022 /

    Some Highlights If you’re questioning whether or not to buy a home this year due to today’s cooling market, consider the long-term financial benefits of homeownership. As a homeowner, equity increases your wealth. On average, nationwide, home prices appreciated by 290.2% since 1991. Homeownership wins in the long run. If you’re ready to buy a home, let’s connect today.

    read more
    admin Comments Off on Homeownership Wins Over Time [INFOGRAPHIC]

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    Should you become a Real Estate Agent? 5 Steps.

    January 18, 2023
  • Buying a House,  Listings,  Selling a House

    PENDING! Modern Craftsman Bungalo in Fo-Po!

    November 3, 2022 /

    NEW! Modern Fo-Po Craftsman Bungalo! 4814 SE 63rd Ave, Portland OR 97206 Offered at: $625,000 Modern updated Craftsman Bungalow home in Foster-Powell! Four bedrooms, one on the main floor that can be used as an office. Three full baths, one on the main floor. Gas fireplace and built ins, laundry room upstairs. Open kitchen and living room plan with high ceilings. SS appliances and granite countertops with kitchen island. Quiet back yard with raised beds, covered patio, fire pit, sprinkler system, fruit trees and bushes. 90 Walk Score, 99 Bike Score. Steps away from all the fun stuff! Home Energy Score = 8. Check out the 3D Tour Map Details…

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  • Buying a House,  Real Estate News,  Selling a House

    What a GOOD agent really does and what it’s worth.

    September 23, 2022 /

    What do you think of when you think of a Realtor? A lot of people think of the slick salesman, with tacky clothes and pasted on smile trying to sell you any house they can stuff you into. Or the ones you see on the reality house hunter shows who are ditzy and lazy. And sure. Some of them are like that. Stereotypes exist because theres always a small nugget of truth there. But in reality, the vast majority of Realtors I know, are just folks who have come to this job because they really deeply believe that owning your own home can change the course of your life. For…

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    admin Comments Off on What a GOOD agent really does and what it’s worth.

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    April 23, 2019

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  • Buying a House

    Vancouver Neighborhoods

    September 23, 2022 /

    A Growing and Vibrant Collection of Neighborhoods Vancouver Washington is in the Southwest Portion of the State of Washington. It is just north of the Columbia River that separates it from the State of Oregon and the city of Portland. Vancouver and its metro areas encompass Downtown, Uptown Village, Waterfront, Northwest, Northeast, Southeast areas. Downtown (to the SOUTH of Northwest and WEST of Northeast) Downtown Waterfront (SOUTH of Downtown at the Columbia River) Uptown Village (to the NORTH of Downtown) Northwest (to the NORTH of Downtown and EAST of Northeast) Northeast (to the EAST Downtown and WEST of Southeast) Southeast (to the SOUTH of Northeast and EAST of Downtown) And…

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    How you as a buyer can compete and find your perfect home in a competitive “sellers market”.

    September 6, 2022
 Older Posts

About Rhonda Spencer, Owner of Portland Northwest Realty Group

Rhonda Spencer
Owner and Designated Broker, Portland Northwest Realty Group, licensed in WA and OR
My Mission: To make buying and selling real estate more affordable, and with more fun with better customer care. Putting the "real" into real estate! Licensed in Oregon and Washington.
Contacts:
Portland: 10260 SW Greenburg Rd Suite 400 Portland, OR 97223 Vancouver: 6215 NE Bonner Drive Vancouver, WA 98665
503-412-8166
rhondaspencerre@gmail.com

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“Her guidance for making a strong offer in a tough market was stellar.”

"Rhonda is fantastic- not only is she responsive to my multiple texts/emails about properties, but she is extremely knowledgeable about Portland, properties, various home characteristics (foundation material, electric, etc etc). Her knowledge helped guide me to a quality home. Additionally, her guidance for making a strong offer in a tough market was stellar. If you’re looking to buy a home, you need Rhonda! As a bonus, she’s a charming, sweet and lovable person who is always cheerful and smiling. Who doesn’t want that when under the stress of buying a new home?!"

--L. Snyder
Portland Northwest Realty Group
5
2021-04-07T12:31:30-07:00
"Rhonda is fantastic- not only is she responsive to my multiple texts/emails about properties, but she is extremely knowledgeable about Portland, properties, various home characteristics (foundation material, electric, etc etc). Her knowledge helped guide me to a quality home. Additionally, her guidance for making a strong offer in a tough market was stellar. If you’re looking to buy a home, you need Rhonda! As a bonus, she’s a charming, sweet and lovable person who is always cheerful and smiling. Who doesn’t want that when under the stress of buying a new home?!" --L. Snyder
http://portlandnorthwesthomes.com/testimonials/her-guidance-for-making-a-strong-offer-in-a-tough-market-was-stellar/

“Rhonda has been the biggest blessing…”

Rhonda has been the biggest blessing. My husband and I were first time home-buyers in Portland, OR, and she answered all of our incessant questions with patience and enthusiasm at all hours of the day. She is spunky, humorous, and so easy to be around. She was eager to help us at the drop of the hat throughout this journey. Her expertise put us at ease, and it was easy to trust her to take care of us and advocate for us. We got an amazing house and with her help, everything went smoothly. I can't recommend her enough! She really is the best of the best, and anyone would be honored to have Rhonda as their agent! :)

--The Casteels
Portland Northwest Realty Group
5
2019-04-16T13:07:21-07:00
Rhonda has been the biggest blessing. My husband and I were first time home-buyers in Portland, OR, and she answered all of our incessant questions with patience and enthusiasm at all hours of the day. She is spunky, humorous, and so easy to be around. She was eager to help us at the drop of the hat throughout this journey. Her expertise put us at ease, and it was easy to trust her to take care of us and advocate for us. We got an amazing house and with her help, everything went smoothly. I can't recommend her enough! She really is the best of the best, and anyone would be honored to have Rhonda as their agent! :) --The Casteels
http://portlandnorthwesthomes.com/testimonials/rhonda-has-been-the-biggest-blessing/

Rhonda Spencer is nothing short of amazing!

"We worked with Rhonda to buy our first home and she was so awesome throughout the entire process. To say she was on top of everything would be an understatement. She was helpful, knowledgeable, organized, and always available. Most importantly, she worked tirelessly to make sure we were getting what we wanted and what was best for us. If you want an agent that will truly go the extra mile for you and make your experience the best it can be, I highly recommend Rhonda Spencer."

--The Engstroms
Portland Northwest Realty Group
5
2019-06-06T13:35:14-07:00
"We worked with Rhonda to buy our first home and she was so awesome throughout the entire process. To say she was on top of everything would be an understatement. She was helpful, knowledgeable, organized, and always available. Most importantly, she worked tirelessly to make sure we were getting what we wanted and what was best for us. If you want an agent that will truly go the extra mile for you and make your experience the best it can be, I highly recommend Rhonda Spencer." --The Engstroms
http://portlandnorthwesthomes.com/testimonials/rhonda-spencer-is-nothing-short-of-amazing/

Rhonda made the buying experience smooth…

"Rhonda made the buying experience so much smoother and more enjoyable than I could ever have anticipated. She is a true professional in her field and she was extremely responsive to all questions and requests. I cannot recommend her enough."

---N Wickstrom
Portland Northwest Realty Group
4
2019-06-06T14:00:55-07:00
"Rhonda made the buying experience so much smoother and more enjoyable than I could ever have anticipated. She is a true professional in her field and she was extremely responsive to all questions and requests. I cannot recommend her enough." ---N Wickstrom
http://portlandnorthwesthomes.com/testimonials/rhonda-made-the-buying-experience-smooth/

“You have made this a fun, straight-forward and low-stress experience!”

"We anticipated that buying a house would be a long and stressful process...but working with you was anything but! You have made this a fun, straight-forward and low-stress experience...thanks for being such a fun and genuine person and for helping us to find our home."

--Lewis, Amanda + Bailey
Portland Northwest Realty Group
5
2020-06-30T07:50:05-07:00
"We anticipated that buying a house would be a long and stressful process...but working with you was anything but! You have made this a fun, straight-forward and low-stress experience...thanks for being such a fun and genuine person and for helping us to find our home." --Lewis, Amanda + Bailey
http://portlandnorthwesthomes.com/testimonials/you-have-made-this-a-fun-straight-forward-and-low-stress-experience/
5
Portland Northwest Realty Group

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rhonda4realestate

I'm the owner and Designated Broker for Portland Northwest Realty Group. My mission is to make home buying and selling more accessible, and fun!

Rhonda Spencer
Contact me: rhondaspencerre@gmail.com, 503-412-816 Contact me: rhondaspencerre@gmail.com, 503-412-8166

Why It Makes Sense To Move Before Spring

Spring is usually the busiest season in the housing market. Many buyers wait until then to make their move, believing it’s the best time to find a home. However, that isn’t always the case when you factor in the competition you could face with other buyers at that time of year. If you’re ready to buy a home, here’s why it makes sense to move before the spring market picks up.

>>Spring Should Bring a Wave of Buyers to the Market

In most years, the housing market goes through predictable seasonal trends in activity. Winter is typically a quiet point in the year, while spring sees a surge of buyers begin their search. And experts project that this year will be no exception.

That means right now is a sweet spot if you’re in a good position to buy, before more buyers reappear. Affordability is beginning to improve, but demand is still low — for now. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), shares:

“. . . expect sales to pick up again soon since mortgage rates have markedly declined after peaking late last year.”

>>Today’s Sellers Are Motivated

Low demand from buyers often means sellers are more motivated to work with you, and that can set you up to buy a home on your terms.

But keep in mind, the advantages buyers have this winter won’t last forever. Be sure to work with a trusted real estate professional to learn what you can expect in your local market right now.

If you’re in a position to buy a home, it may make sense to move before spring. Working with your team of expert real estate advisors is the best way to learn about the current market and what it means for you. DM me, and let's determine the best plan to achieve your homebuying goals.
#firsttimehomebuyer #opportunity #housingmarket
Contact me: rhondaspencerre@gmail.com, 503-412-816 Contact me: rhondaspencerre@gmail.com, 503-412-8166

Why You Shouldn’t Fear Today’s Foreclosure Headlines

If you’ve seen recent headlines about foreclosures surging in the housing market, you’re certainly not alone. There’s no doubt, the stories in the media can be pretty confusing right now. They may even make you think twice about buying a home for fear that prices could crash. The reality is, the data shows a foreclosure crisis is not where the market is headed, and understanding what that really means is mission critical if you want to know the truth about what’s happening today.

According to data from ATTOM, foreclosure filings are up 115% from 2021, but down 34% from 2019. While the number of foreclosure filings did more than double last year, we need to remember why that happened and how it compares to more normal, pre-pandemic years in the market. Thanks to the forbearance program and other relief options for homeowners, foreclosure filings were down to record-low levels in 2020 and 2021, so any increase last year is — no surprise — a jump up.

Clearly, these options meant millions of homeowners could stay in their homes, allowing them to get back on their feet during a very challenging period. With home values rising at the same time, many homeowners who may have found themselves facing foreclosure under other circumstances were able to leverage their equity and sell their houses rather than face foreclosure, and that trend continues today.

And remember, foreclosures today are far below the record-high 2.9 million that were reported in 2010 when the housing market crashed.

While the housing market is experiencing an expected rise in foreclosures, it’s nowhere near the crisis levels seen when the housing bubble burst, and that won’t lead to a crash in home prices.
#realestate #homeownership #homebuying #realestategoals
Contact me: rhondaspencerre@gmail.com, 503-412-816 Contact me: rhondaspencerre@gmail.com, 503-412-8166

The 3 Factors That Affect Home Affordability

If you’ve been following the housing market over the last couple of years, you’ve likely heard about growing affordability challenges. But according to experts, the key factors that determine housing affordability are projected to improve this year.
The three measures used to establish home affordability are home prices, mortgage rates, and wages. Here’s a closer look at each one.

>>1. Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates shot up to over 7% last year, causing many buyers to put their plans on hold. But things are looking different today as rates are starting to come down. Even a small change in rates can impact your purchasing power.

If 7% rates paused your homebuying plans last year, this could be the opportunity you need to get back in the game.

>>2. Home Prices

The second factor at play is home prices. Home prices have made headlines over the past few years because they skyrocketed during the pandemic. So, while prices will likely be flat this year in some markets, others could see small gains or slight declines. It all depends on your local area.

>>3. Wages

The final component in the affordability equation is wages. Because wages have been rising, many buyers have renewed opportunity in the market.

While affordability hurdles are not completely going away this year, based on current trends and projections, 2023 should bring some sense of relief to homebuyers who have faced growing challenges.

If you have questions, DM me to explore your options. You may be closer to owning a home than you think.
#expertanswers #purchasingpower #buyingpower
Contact me: rhondaspencerre@gmail.com, 503-412-816 Contact me: rhondaspencerre@gmail.com, 503-412-8166

Want To Sell Your House? Price It Right.

Last year, the housing market slowed down in response to higher mortgage rates, and that had an impact on home prices. If you’re thinking of selling your house soon, that means you’ll want to adjust your expectations accordingly. As realtor.com explains:

“. . . some of the more prominent pandemic trends have changed, so sellers might wish to adjust accordingly to get the best deal possible.”

In a more moderate market, how you price your house will make a big difference to not only your bottom line, but to how quickly your house could sell. And the reality is, homes priced right are still selling in today’s market.

Especially today, your asking price sends a message to potential buyers.

If it’s priced too low, you may leave money on the table or discourage buyers who may see a lower-than-expected price tag and wonder if that means something is wrong with the home.

If it’s priced too high, you run the risk of deterring buyers. When that happens, you may have to lower the price to try to reignite interest in your house when it sits on the market for a while. But be aware that a price drop can be seen as a red flag by some buyers who will wonder what that means about the home.

To avoid either headache, price it right from the start. A real estate professional knows how to determine that ideal asking price. They balance the value of homes in your neighborhood, current market trends, buyer demand, the condition of your house, and more to find the right price. This helps lead to stronger offers and a greater likelihood your house will sell quickly.

To make sure you price your house appropriately, maximize your sales potential, and minimize your hassle, DM me.
#Sellyourhouse #moveuphome #dreamhome #realestate
**Should you become a Real Estate Agent?** Check o **Should you become a Real Estate Agent?**
Check out this article that explains the 5 steps to begin an exciting new career in real estate! http://portlandnorthwesthomes.com/becoming-a-real-estate-agent-in-five-steps/
#pnwrealtygroup #rhonda4realestate #realestateagenttips
Contact me: rhondaspencerre@gmail.com, 503-412-816 Contact me: rhondaspencerre@gmail.com, 503-412-8166

What’s Really Happening with Home Prices? [INFOGRAPHIC]

If you’re thinking about selling your house, recent headlines about home prices falling month-over-month may have you second guessing your decision—but perspective matters. While home prices are down slightly month-over-month in some markets, home values are still up almost 10% nationally on a year-over-year basis. A nearly 10% gain is still dramatic compared to the more normal level of appreciation, which is 3-4%. DM me to find out how much equity you have in your current home and how you can use it to fuel your next purchase.
#realestate #homeownership #homebuying #realestategoals
**HEY BUYERS!** There is a window of opportunity i **HEY BUYERS!** There is a window of opportunity in the market right now that you shouldnt ignore. Watch the video for more info, questions? 503-412-8166, rhondaspencerre@gmail.com #pnwrealtygroup #rhonda4realestate #homebuying
Contact me: rhondaspencerre@gmail.com, 503-412-816 Contact me: rhondaspencerre@gmail.com, 503-412-8166

Pre-Approval in 2023: What You Need To Know

One of the first steps in your homebuying journey is getting pre-approved.

Basically, pre-approval gives you critical information about the homebuying process that’ll help you understand your options and what you may be able to borrow.

How does it work? As part of the pre-approval process, a lender will look at your finances to determine what they’d be willing to loan you. From there, your lender will give you a pre-approval letter to help you understand how much money you can borrow. That can make it easier when you set out to search for homes because you’ll know your overall numbers. And with higher mortgage rates impacting affordability for many buyers today, a solid understanding of your numbers is even more important.

>>Pre-Approval Helps Show You’re a Serious Buyer

Another added benefit is pre-approval can help a seller feel more confident in your offer because it shows you’re serious about buying their house.

This goes to show, even though you may not face the intense bidding wars you saw if you tried to buy during the pandemic, pre-approval is still an important part of making a strong offer.

Getting pre-approved is an important first step towards buying a home. It lets you know what you can borrow and shows sellers you’re serious about purchasing their home. Connect with a local real estate professional and a trusted lender so you have the tools you need to purchase a home in today’s market.
#firsttimehomebuyer #opportunity #housingmarket
**SHOULD YOU CONSIDER A CAREER AS A REAL ESTATE AG **SHOULD YOU CONSIDER A CAREER AS A REAL ESTATE AGENT?** Read this article to find out how to become a real estate agent in 5 steps, plus cost estimates and tips on how to enter this exciting career field! Link to article in comments. #realestate #opportunity #realestateagentlife #pnwrealtygroup 
http://portlandnorthwesthomes.com/becoming-a-real-estate-agent-in-five-steps/
Contact me: rhondaspencerre@gmail.com, 503-412-816 Contact me: rhondaspencerre@gmail.com, 503-412-8166

Have Home Values Hit Bottom?

Whether you’re already a homeowner or you’re looking to become one, the recent headlines about home prices may leave you with more questions than answers. News stories are talking about home prices falling, and that’s raising concerns about a repeat of what happened to prices in the crash in 2008.

One of the questions that’s on many minds, based on those headlines, is: how much will home prices decline? But what you may not realize is expert forecasters aren’t calling for a free fall in prices. In fact, if you look at the latest data, there’s a case to be made that the biggest portion of month-over-month price depreciation nationally may already behind us – and even those numbers weren’t significant declines on the national level. Instead of how far will they drop, the question becomes: have home values hit bottom?

Let’s take a look at the latest data from several reputable industry sources. If we isolate the last four months, what the data shows is, in each case, home price depreciation peaked in August.

While that doesn’t guarantee home price depreciation has hit bottom, it confirms prices aren’t in a free fall, and it may be an early signal that the worst is already behind us. As the numbers for November and December are released, data will be able to further validate this national trend.

Home prices month-over-month have depreciated for the past four months on record, but there’s a strong case to be made that the worst may be behind us. If you have questions about what’s happening with home prices in your local market, DM me today.
#realestate #homeownership #homebuying #realestategoals
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