Real Estate FAQs with Rapid Fire Answers

This is Part 2 of the Portland is Home Team talking to Taylor Kittell a Founding Partner at Breakwater Law whose mission is to enhance the lives of their clients by building and protecting their property and legacy.    

Taylor approaches the difficult issues of planning for death and incapacity as an educator: every person should not only have an estate plan, but they should also understand it. Estate planning is not just about making a will; it is about coordinating your financial life, protecting assets for your loved ones, and making difficult times easier for those around you. It’s about creating a legacy. Based on her professional experience, and as a daughter, a mother, a wife, and a friend, Taylor personally understands the complexities of family relationships. She strives to be practical and responsive while producing top-quality estate plans tailored to each client’s unique circumstances.

CONTACT TAYLOR

info@breakwater-law.com

Portland Office – (503) 878-8948

Tillamook Office – (503) 842-6633

Newsletter from Audra-

Greetings, everyone! We hope you have all made it through icepocolypse without much damage. If that is not the case and you haven’t reached out to us already, we are here and can help!  

As we usher in the month of February, there's a palpable sense of excitement in the air. Whether you're a prospective homebuyer, a seller gearing up for the market, or just someone curious about the local real estate trends, we are ready to help you! Here is what we love about Portland in February:

1. The Winter's Beauty in Portland

February graces Portland with its own unique charm. While the temperatures may be crisp, the city transforms into a picturesque lighted wonderland. We love exploring neighborhoods adorned with a light dusting of snow or the iconic bridges standing out against the gray and rainy skies. It's a great time to showcase the cozy aspects of your homes too, from fireplaces to warm and inviting interiors.

2. Valentine's Day Home Decor Ideas

Love is in the air, and what better way to express it than through your home decor? This month, consider incorporating Valentine's Day-inspired touches to create a warm and romantic atmosphere. From heart-shaped wreaths to candle-lit nooks, infuse a touch of love into your living spaces.

3. Winter-Friendly Neighborhoods

Explore the neighborhoods that truly shine during the winter months. From charming cafes to winter markets, discover the local spots that make Portland special this time of year.  

4. Tips for Winter Home Selling in Portland  

If you're planning to list your home this February, embrace the season and showcase your property's winter appeal. Illuminate outdoor spaces with tasteful lighting, keep walkways clear, and consider adding seasonal touches to make potential buyers feel right at home. We recommend power washing your front walkways, not just for curb appeal but also safety, for potential buyers walking up to your front door.

5. Featured Listings: Selected Daily Gems of February

We will continue to highlight some exceptional homes on the market this month. Follow us @portlandishome or @realtyworksgroup on Instagram and Facebook to see our daily picks!  

As we navigate through February, let's embrace the opportunities it brings in the Portland real estate world. Whether you're a seasoned resident or a newcomer, there's always something exciting happening in this dynamic city. For a more in-depth update and insight into the heart of Portland's real estate market, see Andrew’s Market Report below….he always has some good information! And check out our before and after! Great clients and a absolutely gorgeous bathroom.....if you are still on the fence about a remodel, please reach out to see if we are a good fit. We are filling up first quarter but are always excited to see if we can help.

Happy February, Portland!

-Audra

503.975.3895

Nothing says Holiday Season more than having a guest on your podcast show. This episode contains vital information for anyone with even the most modest investments as today the Portland is Home Team talks to Taylor Kittell a Founding Partner at Breakwater Law whose mission is to enhance the lives of their clients by building and protecting their property and legacy.    

Taylor approaches the difficult issues of planning for death and incapacity as an educator: every person should not only have an estate plan, but they should also understand it. Estate planning is not just about making a will; it is about coordinating your financial life, protecting assets for your loved ones, and making difficult times easier for those around you. It’s about creating a legacy. Based on her professional experience, and as a daughter, a mother, a wife, and a friend, Taylor personally understands the complexities of family relationships. She strives to be practical and responsive while producing top-quality estate plans tailored to each client’s unique circumstances.

CONTACT TAYLOR HERE

info@breakwater-law.com

Portland Office – (503) 878-8948

Tillamook Office – (503) 842-6633

A Newsletter from Audra:

Happy Holidays from all of us at RWG! Looking back on this past year, we're incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve the best clients anyone could ask for. Your kindness, generosity, and trust in us for your real estate, design, and property management needs mean the world to us.

This year presented its challenges, but we pivoted and worked tirelessly to ensure you received the best representation. Our team—Andrew, Lou, and our amazing support team—went above and beyond to secure the best rates, buy downs, and concessions for you. Experience matters, and it's why we're committed to being the best for you.

As December arrives, it's not just a favorite because it's my birthday month, but because of the magical lights, decorations, and the promise of longer days ahead. Ski season awaits, and this year, I'm diving into more skate/xc skiing—talk about an intense cardio workout! Wish me luck!

Wrapping up another year with a completed bathroom remodel brings us immense joy. Being part of making your homes more tailored to your needs is an honor, and we're grateful you choose us. If you've got rooms that need that special touch next year, we're booking up fast—reach out!

Thank you for entrusting RWG with your real estate, design, and property management needs. From all of us here, we wish you a holiday season filled with love, warmth, and cherished moments. Cheers to an amazing year ahead!

Is it a Good Time to Buy? 

In this episode we have an in-depth discussion about the age-old question: Is it a Good Time to Buy? Renting vs. Buying - Budgeting vs. Building Equity. Andrew will break down the numbers as well as the pros and cons of either dwelling decision you make. Audra discusses their new home across town and of course she has excellent advice regarding your home-buying or selling journey. Don’t be shy, give them a call or email them anytime! 

Realty Works Group

503-975-1829 cell

503-975-3895 office

andrew@portlandishome.com

audra@portlandishome.com

So not only did Audra and Andrew enjoy a European vacation but they did it with a tween and a teen! Their kids. They have incredible advice and excellent tips on making your kids Global Citizens and savvy travelers. Plus, they discuss their dream itinerary with a few details you won’t want to miss. 

Andrew has a rather weird market report but is still insisting that it’s not a bad time to buy or sell a home.  

The Portland is Home Team Newsletter: 

Happy Summertime Friends!

Interest rates continue to be high which is keeping the real estate market tame, but not on life support. Inventory is still stubbornly low, prices are rising a bit.

As a buyer you have waaayyyy less competition if you can stomach the interest rates. "Marry the house and date the (interest) rate" has been the battle cry of late. Meaning, you are now able to take a little time to find a house to call home with less pressure than the last few years. Then plan on refinancing when rates go down.  

Average time on market is around 40 days. Feels like an eternity when you're on the market but all things considered (and historically speaking) is not abnormal. Just relative to the past few years it's forever!!!

We wish you a safe holiday and a great summer. Please feel free to contact us anytime. In a challenging market like we find ourselves in experience counts.  

Until next month or anytime sooner,

Andrew, Audra + Team

The term Today’s Market means something different to whoever you ask. This episode Andrew and Audra break down the actual conversations they’re having with clients and the potential clients. Andrew Galler’s Market Minute examines the statistics and what real-life real estate activity is like as of now.  

Plus, we dive into the must do maintenance items to tackle in June. Don’t procrastinate drop a line to The Portland is Home Team at hello@realtyworksgroup.com and have them help you get it DONE!  

Newsletter from the Gallers:

Hello Friends!

Doubtless you have heard the (true!) joke about the 11 seasons of Oregon…right? I think it goes like this: Winter, Fool’s Spring, Second Winter, Spring of Deception, Third Winter, Mud Season, Actual Spring, Summer, False Fall, Second Summer (1 week) and Actual Fall. I’m not certain if last Saturday was Fool’s Spring (seems a tad late for that?) or Spring of Deception…regardless, the point is that I feel this is how the Real Estate Market is right now.  

We are experiencing layers of distortions from the cumulative effects of the pandemic and the associated financial side effects. Of note:  

Continued high interest rates (and they fluctuate wildly day-to-day) 

The fact that somewhere in the neighborhood of 80%+ of all homeowners are locked in at interest rates below 3% (or so) 

Sellers staying off the market and  buyers with no home to sell blocked out of the market because their payment is too high for the home they want to buy.  

It’s a log jam, people!  

So, where does that leave us? We STILL have very low inventory + healthy demand in Portland. We are still experiencing multiple offer situations…but they are hit & miss and hard to predict which homes will yield offers. We are seeing homes that are well-priced and super market-ready garnering multiple offers. As we know, life is going forward regardless of the news cycles and we are always here to consult, advise, go to lunch or just chat! Please feel free to contact us anytime.  

We always cherish your support and our ability to help you, your friends and families!

The Portland is Home Team has a new Teammate! Lou Chain is a seasoned realtor and ready to help you buy or sell in these tumultuous times. Speaking of the current state of real estate, this episode has important insights to keep in mind and the ways in which you should or should not be diving into today’s market. Plus, Andrew will break down the current numbers report with his Market Minute.  Click here to email  Realty Works Group and The Portland is Home Team 

Newsletter from Audra:

As a ski family we love, love, love the snow. And when it rains here, especially for our April showers, we know it's snowing up in the mountains and that makes us happy. But WOW this year!!  Government Camp posted 2 feet of snow in the last 48 hours, and it seems like it is going to continue into the near future...  

In the valley, our bulbs are trying their darndest to come up and the crocus have already made their appearance. Glorious colors are starting to emerge and our cherry trees are about to be brilliant!  

We are continuing to help you all with your home remodels and have almost filled up for the year....if you want to discuss getting anything done September through the end of the year, reach out!!  

As the rental market continues to hold steady (if not up), now is the time to review your current property managers too. If you feel it is the right time to make a change, we would love to help. Our services are unmatched! We pride ourselves in our communication and white glove service.  

Below is a before and after home for sale! It turned out so amazing, now we wait for the new buyers to move in.  

We hope you all have a fabulous April and remember...don't ever hesitate to reach out for any reason! 

We are here to help!

Today the Team talks to Todd McAllister, Owner and Sales Manager from OnStage, a staging company located in Seattle as well as in Portland. We will discuss the importance of professionals dressing up and primping your house to make it as perfect as it can look.

Since 2004, OnStage has helped sell over $6 billion in real estate and they aren’t slowing down. Home staging is no small matter. Everything they do is proven and perfected. And staging is just as much a mental and emotional process as it is physically changing and tidying your home.

Plus, Todd has some great stories of the hilarious and odd things that happen in staged homes on the market. (Potential buyers used to do what in the staged bedrooms?) 

Also, Todd and Audra have easy to implement tips and tricks to get your house ready and beautiful even if you choose not to use a professional stager.

Andrew Galler’s Market Minute has some interesting tidbits that I wasn’t expecting to hear; that, it’s a buyers’ and sellers’ market at this point. He'll explain!

Audra's Newsletter:

Looking back at 2022, I am still amazed that the kids stayed in school and life started to return to pre-pandemic times. I am humbled by our community in staying together and supporting each other during those times.

And now here we are, in the month of love! Half way through winter, people! And while I love skiing and the snow, I also love the spring and watching the bulbs that were planted in the fall arrive.

February  - while short - is a mighty month, full of anticipation and love...and design! We have just wrapped up 2 GORGEOUS bathroom remodels! Below are before & after pictures of one of them. Walls were moved, space re-configured and then put back together with thought and intention. We actually flipped the bathroom and closet for more useful space. The previous two small closets had no light so we opened up the walls and started over, making small chopped-up closets into one large walk in closet. There were three doors in the bedroom, we removed one. We moved EVERYTHING so it flowed and we then hid the toilet behind a wall. The accent wall with the vanity was our highlight, so everything moved around that. Other items of note: heated floors, luxe carpet in the closet, lots of lights and the moving of the attic access panel into a hall closet added to the details. We are in love!

The market also seems to be heating up, so reach out to Andrew if you're starting to think about selling or buying!  503.975.1829

We’re going to have a little more fun today. We have a TON of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) that the Portland is Home Team has been asked in the past TWO decades of working hard to welcome you home! The Gallers will play Rapid Fire Answering with some of the most asked inquiries and break down with more detail a few of the more important and complicated questions. 

And the questions are as follows:

For Buyers:

What home can I afford? Can I buy a home and sell my current one at the same time? How many homes should I see before making an offer? What do you think the seller will accept as a fair price? How do I know if the property is a good deal? How quickly can I close? Should I get a home inspection? When can I back out if I change my mind? What is the first step of the home-buying process? How long does it take to buy a home? What is a seller’s market? What is a buyer’s market? How much do I have to pay an agent to help me buy a house? What is earnest money? How long can the seller take to respond to my offer? What if my offer is rejected? Besides the down payment, what other money do I need?

For Sellers:

How should I prepare my house before selling it? How long will it take to sell my home? What is the selling price of my home? Is there a reason my home’s assessed value differs compared to the market value?

Newsletter from Audra: 

Winter: the lovely season of lights! Living in the PNW, this statement couldn't be more apropos because without the lights, we would not be able to see a darn thing past 4pm. The twinkle of the lights, the displays in the windows, the frost in the air...all of it is just stunning and I can't get enough.

This month we have a wonderful holiday box to gift away! It is filled with all local goodies including a warm and cozy blanket, olive oils, club level Blazer tickets and more! Super easy to be in the drawing....just review us on Google, Zillow or Facebook or send a referral our way and voila! Entered. We will announce the winner before Christmas so be sure to get writing! This is definitely one not to miss. 

Our design corner is busy for the holidays!  Thank you to all of our design clients....you all are so amazing to work with and we are honored to be part of your team. For those of you still thinking or dreaming of a new kitchen/bath/whatever...please reach out! We look forward to talking. In the design corner picture this month it's a basic improvement but packed a big punch. With new paint (multiple coats of our signature line At Home in the color Sidewalk) we made a huge impact. 

Also, our Property Management Division is official! Please reach out to me at audra@portlandishome.com to discuss your needs and see if we are a good fit. 

Also, stay tuned for some happy hours coming your way! We look forward to hanging out with everyone. 

All our best to you and yours.

When it comes to having the best experience with borrowing money for a home, the most important part of the formula is knowing the math and the facts. Todd Gydesen, Mortgage Broker with Vantage Mortgage Brokers, has the longevity and methods to help you make the right decisions. In today’s world having experts who have lived through much tougher times is the only way to go. Sit back, listen, and learn from these well-seasoned professionals in this week’s episode of The Portland is Home Team Talk Real Estate, (and Mortgages!)  

Here are some helpful tips to get you started:

Tip 1: Get quotes from multiple lenders

It’s recommended that you visit three to five lenders and discuss your mortgage options.  

Tip 2: Consider all types of lenders

Obtain estimates from loan officers at banks and credit unions, as well as mortgage brokers and non-bank lenders.

Tip 3: Compare loans on the same day

Because mortgage rates change frequently, it’s best to compare loan programs on the same day so that you can accurately judge cost estimates from several lenders.

Tip 4: Shop for a loan within a 45-day period

Try to do your mortgage shopping within a 45-day period so that there’s minimal effect on your credit. Multiple credit inquiries outside a 45-day period could lower your credit score.

Tip 5: Compare all loan terms, not only the mortgage rate

The loan with the lowest mortgage rate may not always be the best choice for you. Rates are important, but you should also consider the overall cost of the loan.

Be sure to look at the mortgage term, which is the duration of the mortgage, and the associated costs of financing, such as:

The APR for the loan.

Lender application fees.

Processing or loan origination fees.

Closing costs (also known as settlement fees).

For each lender you work with, ask for an itemized summary of estimated fees. This should help you understand costs and compare mortgage options.

After you’ve submitted an application, the lender is required to provide you with a Loan Estimate that includes the terms of your loan and all estimated costs, plus your APR, finance charges and payment schedule.

Tip 6: Ask questions if you don’t understand loan features

Ask the lender to fully explain the loan program that is being offered to you if you don’t understand all its features.  

To help you weigh the pros and cons of your mortgage options, consider working with a housing counseling agency. A HUD-certified housing counselor can be an objective advisor and guide you in considering lenders and mortgage options.

Vantage Mortgage Group, Inc.

DBA Vantage Mortgage Brokers

17040 Pilkington Rd Ste 300

Lake Oswego, OR 97035

Serving Oregon and Washington.

503-496-0431

Inspections: Don’t Skip These 5 Things- And What Can Happen If You Do

The Team has a special guest today, Grant Waller, Owner/Inspector from PacWest Home Inspections, a company built by families, for families.  

You don’t have to use his services or take his advice, but his horror stories of those who chose not to may persuade you otherwise.  

Think: the stuff you don’t see— roof, sewer, radon, crawl space/attic and foundation.

What are an Inspector’s personal preferences and what would deter one from a potential buy, in other words, what will make an Inspector walk away? You’ll be surprised by his answer!  

Audra’s Newsletter:

In the PNW we are heading into our winter (i.e.: rainy season) and boy, has mother nature been delivering!  We went from almost 90 degrees in the beginning of October to a cool mid 50's and rain. While we absolutely need the rain, I always do my "rain, rain go away" dance on Halloween. This year it didn't work. Oh well, c'est la vie.  

Our kids switched schools this year and the new school has a beautiful tradition of trick or treating around the neighborhood from school grounds. It's an actual event with a map, food, and a movie after. The rain held out and the kids had a blast! Tonight (Halloween Day) the rain is here to stay. Our neighborhood closes the street down, sets up games and food and a movie, weather permitting. Looks like we will need tents! It is still wonderful, and a little rain never hurt anyone.... just adds to the spooky vibe in my opinion!  

In other news, we are still chugging away with design projects! We are booking out for next summer so if there is a project you have been itching to do, reach out soon to have a consultation!  We love helping you make your home everything you love.  

We are also opening a Property Management side/division! After years of thought, we are going to move forward. If you 1) know a great property manager, send them our way! Andrew and I are both certified and have been doing it personally for 20 years, but we will be looking for someone official :-) and 2) if you have properties that you need managed and we haven't already spoken, reach out if you are interested!  We will be announcing more of this as we go along.

Finally, it's hoops season!  If you like a fun night out and have a review (which in our business means the world to us) or a referral for someone who is interested in a home sale or purchase, send them our way! We are giving away club level(!) seats for each winner!!  Woot woot!  It's a great night out and the Blazers right now are spectacular!  

That's all from me for now. Stay connected on FB/Insta etc. to keep up to date on contests and from all of us at RWG and the Portland Is Home Team, have a Happy Halloween!!

Andrew's Newsletter:

Hello friends – welcome to November. With the change of season comes a change in the weather and me deciding to embrace the sweather (sweater weather). And soup in front of a fire with slippers on.  

I think the operative ‘tie-in’ analogy with the seasons’ change and the market shifting is a swinging pendulum. To unleash a "cliché storm" let me say: just as night turns to day and summer slips into autumn with winter following, just a year ago the market was in diametric opposition to our current market. Red hot, meet slow and steady. The market of late is more relaxed. Homes for sale are seeing their time on market adjusting to historical norms. Buyers who are closing on homes are "buying the home, not the interest rate." In other news, it seems the multi-unit market is becoming more attractive for investors. There is opportunity in this market shift and there are reasons for optimism. As we head towards Thanksgiving, my thoughts tend to gratitude. For instance: if you are reading this right now, please know I am grateful to have you in our lives and want to wish you and your family all the best and a life of good health and contentment. Please know we are here for you and welcome you reaching out anytime we can be wind in your sails.

All our best to you and yours.

Realty Works Group
101 N Beech St, Portland, OR 97227

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