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Why single women should buy their first home… solo.
My first home purchase was as a single woman in 1997. I remember being in the Title Company office on closing day, the Title Officer laughing a little nervously as she handed me the official papers to sign. "Rhonda Spencer, Spinster" read my description. "SPINSTER??" I laughed. "Yeah. They'll get around to changing that when they've figured out that we no longer wear bloomers and need smelling salts" she laughed. I signed the papers and was then legally a "Spinster", and the proud owner of my very first home. Since that time I have gone on to purchase two more homes on my own, and finally another couple after my…
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How you as a buyer can compete and find your perfect home in a competitive “sellers market”.
If I had a dime for every time I answered the question "How is the market?" with the answer "Strong for sellers!" I'd be a rich woman. Here in the city of Portland Oregon, prices have risen, competition is strong and there seems to be no end in sight. It is indeed a strong and prolonged "Sellers Market". So what does it mean to be in a "sellers market" and do buyers have any chance of getting their dream home among all this competition? First, what does it mean to be in a "sellers market"? A sellers market arises when demand exceeds supply. In other words, there are many interested buyers,…
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Buy vs. Renting? Here’s why…
Advantages Of Buying The following are advantages of buying that one should consider: There are instances in which the cost of ownership can be less than renting. This is especially true in real estate markets with fast appreciation (like the Pacific Northwest!) The buyer has control of the property and can realize the the home as a capital gain. The buyer has “forced” savings in the form of equity, which can be important when the buyer pays down the balance by a substantial amount. The buyer will experience tax advantages with the ability to write off up to $10,000 in property taxes and interest on up to $750,000 of mortgage…
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Portland Neighborhoods
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What is the Home Energy Score?
Several of the major cities in Oregon join other cities and municipalities across America in requiring sellers of single-family homes, starting in 2018, to disclose a "home energy report" and score at the time of listing. This is an effort from the US Department of Energy and the City of Portland to improve energy use and encourage making improvements to homes with a low score. This from the Department of Energy website: "Developed by Department of Energy and its national laboratories, the Home Energy Score provides home owners, buyers, and renters directly comparable and credible information about a home’s energy use. Like a miles-per-gallon rating for a car, the Home…
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Five Home Improvements that Really Pay!
Not all home improvement projects are created equal. Some home renovations are more "equal" than others, and that is especially true when looking for improvements and renovations which are going to effect your bottom line when putting them on the market for sale. When considering doing a home improvement or home renovation, consider what kind of return on investment that specific renovation will return. The project you are thinking about doing may not add as much value as you think it will when it comes time to sell. Check out the chart above for five home renovations and home improvements that really pay off!
