Archive for the Uncategorized Category

My “Love-Hate” Relationship with Contractors! Can’t Live with-em, Can’t Live without-em in Portland Real Estate!

June14
  I Hate You Then I Love You w/Pavarotti. I'm not a huge Celine Dion fan but, I was oddly enamoured with the deceased opera star Luciana Pavarotti. What a voice! Contractors are such an integral part of my business! From preparing homes for market to property inspections for sellers and for reliable repairs for my buyers during and after the buying process. Why is our relationship so "bittersweet"??? There is this continual "battle". Sellers who are selling their home (thus, already deep into the "divorce" process), want their home "show-ready" and repaired, however they don't wan… Read More

Inspections, Oil Tank Sweeps and Sewer Scopes….OH MY!!! Buying Property in Portland Oregon!

May20
  "Lions and Tigers and Bears" by Jazmine Sullivan. I'm not scared by lions and tigers and bears, either...oh my!  That could be because I don't encounter them on a daily basis.  But, the entire process of buying real estate is certainly convoluted these days and I do encounter that daily.  I've always contended that working with less than professional Realtors, inspections and possession could be the "stickiest points" in any real estate transaction.  However, real estate deals are like "walking through quicksand" from beginning to end right now.  I have been diligently looki… Read More

“Walking Through Quicksand” or “Stuck in the Mud” and other Stories from the Frontlines of Portland Oregon Real Estate!

May18
"Quicksand" by Natalie Walker. So, what does the Portland Oregon real estate market feel like today?  Like "walking through quicksand" or like getting "stuck in the mud".  It's moving in slow motion.  Our market gains a bit of perceived momentum and it's suddenly "dead in the water".  The Oregonian says in today's (05/18/10) Business Section:  "Home sales rise, but prices drop".  These are mixed signals at best!!  There has been a lull since the end of the Federal tax credit and when comparing the week of April 26 - May 9 with the week prior, the number of times an RMLS sub… Read More

“Pricing, Pricing, Pricing” is the New “Location, Location, Location”!

May13
Abba sings "Money, Money, Money". This is a rendition of an article that I wrote for April 2009 and it's nothing if not even MORE true today!!!  You remember the age-old real estate adage: "location, location, location"?  Well, it's been trumped by PRICE!  There are buyers out there but they are looking for a "steal or a deal" in order to entice them into the marketplace.  Location will always be an important component of real estate value, however, pricing has usurped its position as a stronger element for a successful sale.  It's all about price now! So, overpricing your ho… Read More