pnw real estate experts

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

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

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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The Team and Jim Willis from Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. talk about the programs available to every kind of buyer. Plus they have great insights regarding purchasing a second home and how the new laws can impact your decisions.  

Good news for jumbo loan seekers? It depends.  

Should you borrow with your bank or credit union or use a mortgage broker? They discuss that and of course the market today on this episode of The Portland is Home Team talking Real Estate.  

Hello Everyone!

We have been busy bees getting our agents up and running in Washington, so if you have thought about moving north of the river, don't hesitate to give us a call...we have you covered! And we have some beautiful listings up there coming your way, including a penthouse condo on the river!

In our design division, we have some fun projects that are starting to wrap up. Timing has been tough as a lot of products have been delayed, but we are still moving along and are so excited with how things are coming along. In our queue is a steam shower installation!! We are thrilled to be able to offer this and it also includes a zero depth entry....hot!!  Tile, flooring, reworking your space for a better flow...we got you. And with our incredible team of tradesfolk, we can assess a situation, keep your costs in line and give you your dream. We are accepting clients for end of year if you're thinking about a refresh or a full addition, so please reach out!  

Spring in full swing - this is such a gorgeous time of year. Cherry trees, plum trees and bulbs are all in bloom or getting ready to pop and your yards couldn't look better. If you need mulch, some power washing or whatever, call us. Our landscape crews are incredible and really know how to help. Plus, a good yard haircut is always welcome!  

So, folks, we hope you enjoy what spring is bringing to us and y'all had a chance to see the Japanese cherry trees in bloom along the waterfront.  

Until next time,

Audra

Prepping for Old Man Winter is a must  for saving money, and possibly, saving lives. 

In this episode, Andrew and Audra have tricks and tips to make the winter maintenance less painful and more manageable. Then when you’re done the work go ahead and enjoy the many Autumn related fun things to do. All tried and tested by your Portland is Home Team!  

Short List: Gutters, Roofs, Fireplaces, Furnaces, Ductwork, Tree limbs and A/C Condensers. 

This month’s newsletter is guest written by me – Andrew! Welcome to October. Autumn is in the air and as we welcome the rain back -- I often find it (the rain!) on my glasses. I love the smell of rain...so fresh! I sincerely love summer and will miss the warm breezes and bright light. But pages turn, and as the days get shorter, I realize how much I enjoy the muted colors of an overcast sky and the vibrant saturated colors of the green turning to red to brown leaves that still adorn our trees. I entertain family time fantasies of fires in the fireplace with stew or bolognaise for dinner simmering since morning. Lastly, I look forward to our post-Halloween stomachache and belly of regret because, as we all know, that candy isn’t going to eat itself. 

Speaking of Autumn in air, can you also smell the whiff of winter preparation? It's never too early! We have plans on our next dry spell to put away summer / outdoor furniture and to clean our gutters (full disclosure: by ‘we’ I mean our we have a company come out and clean our gutters and down spouts – please let us know if you need a referral!). As you know the gutter / downspout systems need to operate free of debris to ensure proper drainage and increase the odds our basements do not take on water. Also: here is a gentle reminder to change your air filter and have your furnace serviced & your chimney cleaned. Cover your air conditioner's condenser unit (that big loud thing outside!). Check your insulation and seal windows & doors. Lastly – order some new slippers and a cozy flannel shirt. I think we would all agree after the last 18+ months we deserve it!!  

As always and forever, please feel free to contact us anytime for referrals for home maintenance or anything else! 

All our best to you and yours!

 Andrew

Realty Works Group

Bauman's Farms and Garden

Want your own Podcast Show? Contact Michelle at Modcast Productions

The Team discusses one of the most unique aspects of the city of Portland: the Urban Growth Boundary, with the goal of using urban land wisely, containing growth and protecting our natural resources.  

If you are having trouble finding a home in Portland to buy, maybe it is time to think outside the PDX and think about an idyllic smaller town minutes away from the city. Andrew and Audra discuss their favorite cute towns in which they have found great homes for folks.  

Audra's Newsletter:

Summer came early to us here in the PNW!  But I won't complain because my kids are outside, with friends (and masks) and just running around. It's magic.  And after the last 15 months I take every.single.lovely. moment with gratitude.  

Big news in our neighborhood: a big, middle age, cedar had to come down. It was such a lovely tree too!  It shaded us from the hot west sunsets and provided a nice privacy barrier between us and our neighbors.  But it also helped squirrels access our attic and ever so slightly (or not!) pushed in the foundation wall of our neighbor’s home. We all know this is no bueno right? So we had to say good bye to the tree. Homeowners Tip: please do not plant large trees close to your homes. Keep them at a distance to prevent damage to your homes and wallet when the tree needs to come down.  

Other happenings: Check out the new mural at Bridlemile Elementary School! We are involved with Project Color Corps, which has a mission to bring student inspired murals to life at their schools.  Next up: De La Salle North! If you are interested in finding out about ways to get involved, please reach out to Audra @ audra@portlandishome.com

 Andrew and Audra Galler: Super Couple? Possibly. 

After listening to this episode you will know how Andrew and Audra do it all: work together and live together…successfully! Plus great lots of sound advice from really awesome people!

How would you and your spouse answer these 7 questions; play along at home!

When and where was your first kiss?  

What was the last date you went on?

The moment you knew they were the one!  

If your spouse needed a lift at 3 AM, who would they call?  

The best gift they ever gave you?  

What do you do that really makes you laugh?  

If your spouse had a superpower, what would it be?  

Good Luck! And wait until you hear THEIR answers!

Here are quick stats for Portland Metro Area:

561 Homes for sale as of April 30, 2021  

+28.4% from March 2021

-47.1% from April 2020

1,043 Homes under contract (pending) as of April 30, 2021

+3.9% from March 2021

+82% from April 2020

852 Homes sold during April 2021

+17.8% from March 2021

+43.9% from April 2020

$648,000 Average Sales Price for Sold Homes in April 2021

+0.2% from March 2021

+17.8% from April 2020

16 Average Days on Market

-27.3% from March 2021

-27.3% from April 2020

0.5 Months of Inventory as of April 30, 2021 (based on pending properties)

+23.7% from March 2021

-70.3% from April 2020

Have you ever thought you'd like to have your own Podcast Show? Are you looking for a new way to engage with your clients, customers, or patients? I help you with the entire process, from the spark of an idea to your own podcast show. Don't hesitate to reach out, no fees and no strings attached! michelle@modcastproductions.com

Now that you have your home and even if it’s not your first, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re taking care of it! Andrew and Audra discuss things that need attention that you may have not known existed; some obvious and some not so much. Avoid catastrophes, procrastination and losing value on the biggest investment of your life. 

It's May! Wow, does it feel like this year flying by or is it just me? It's also exciting because we are vaccinated!! Still not sure what this means with travel/others/kids, but we are one step closer to being healthy and safe.  

We are also fully immersed in remodels. Reach out if you are looking for a refresh for a bathroom/kitchen or basement! We have great new tiles, flooring and paint colors to show you.  

We also have some fabulous listings coming up so if you or someone you know is thinking about some new digs....don't hesitate! Andrew is on the ready to talk (503) 975-1829.

May is one of my favorite but toughest months. I start planning the garden out, each kid gets a section to plant, and this year we have added a very large new planting area and we are all thrilled. But, it's also allergy season for us. Other years, not a big deal, but this year every sneeze causes panic! Is it Covid-19...or allergies? Yikes! If anyone has any good recommendations for combating allergies, we would love to hear your thoughts.

Have a great month and we look forward to hearing from you for any questions, thoughts or recommendations!  

-Audra

Have you ever thought you'd like to have your own Podcast Show? Are you looking for a new way to engage with your clients, customers, or patients? I help you with the entire process, from the spark of an idea to your own podcast show. Don't hesitate to reach out, no fees and no strings attached! michelle@modcastproductions.com

How important is the appraisal?  

What should you know, care about, and what should you ignore. Find out on today’s episode all the ways Audra and Andrew are here for your understanding of the whole home buying and selling process.  

Spring brings hope eternal, and this has become a mantra in our household because warmer weather is here, and folks are finally getting vaccinated! We are happy to witness an actual collective movement of facilities opening and our communities getting in line. We sure do hope this continues and we can start heading towards some sort of normalcy. That said, I have come to really appreciate and enjoy my mask; I may never go without!

Spring also brings an uptick in remodels! And we are seeing an increase in folks wanting a new bath, basement, etc. Sometimes a nice refresh gets us through the day...plus, am I the only one that can spend hours in a tile store?!  

For those of you who are thinking about selling (or know someone who is), our listing program is top notch! From the moment you bring us in, we do all the heavy lifting so you can go do your thing and not worry about this. Please do send anyone our way who wants to sell quickly and easily.

So, yes. Spring is here!  And we couldn't be more thrilled.  

-Audra

Well, the market continues to be truly bananas. Here are quick stats for Portland Metro Area:

437 Homes for sale as of March 31, 2021  

-11.2% from February 2021

-53.4% from March 2020

1048 Homes under contract (pending) as of March 31, 2021

+70.1% from February 2021

+64.3% from March 2020

709 Homes sold during March 2021

+18% from February 2021

+9.9% from March 2020

$647,000 Average Sales Price for Sold Homes in March 2021

+2.4% from February 2021

+19.4% from March 2020

22 Average Days on Market

-18.2% from February 2021

-33.3% from March 2020

0.4 Months of Inventory as of March 31, 2021 (based on pending properties)

+56.5% from February 2021

-74.8% from March 2020

Please contact The Portland is Home Team anytime for a more detailed report. Also please let us know if you would like to take advantage of our HomeBot program. It is an AVM (like Zillow’s Zestimate program) on steroids. Our program will send you monthly reports for your home value. It is still not as accurate as our customer market analysis, but it is more powerful than other consumer programs.

Have you ever thought you'd like to have your own Podcast Show? Are you looking for a new way to engage with your clients, customers, or patients? I help you with the entire process, from the spark of an idea to your own podcast show. Don't hesitate to reach out, no fees and no strings attached! michelle@modcastproductions.com

In the market for a new house? Good luck with that! 

We'll talk numbers and the somewhat grim availability. And why might a seemingly perfect house in a great SW neighborhood be on the market for 178 days?  

Well let's just say, it's not good.

Own a home and want to HomeBot?

The Portland is Home Team is offering you access to their HomeBot analytics program which will send you a personalized report on your home every month. They are offering their clients this report with no ads or prepaid anything! They bought this service for those of you who like to watch market trends. Get more info at Realty Works Group  and Portland is Home.

And if you have any questions we didn't answer or ideas for a future podcast, shoot us a line at audra@portlandishome.com.

March Newsletter from Audra and the Team,

According to meteorological folks, today is the first day of spring, while on the lunar calendar it would be March 20th. But either way you slice it, spring is here! Bulbs are poking through the ground; buds are on the trees and the days are longer and brighter. Welcome springtime!

It's been a year since our official first case of Covid-19 hit Portland. Our world has changed and been so greatly impacted. We keep moving along, because we all know the world doesn't stop spinning, no matter what is going on. And we take each new day as a new beginning, hopeful that we will hear better news and we collectively will be more mindful of our place here and how we can make each other better and safer.  

We are also in full swing on our remodels, additions and builds. We also just started some small landscape projects! And real estate is still bonkers. But we are still winning homes for our clients and our listings are still looking hot!  

We love working hard to enhance your homes, so reach out if you have a project you have been wanting to do. Our initial walk-through is complementary to our clients!  

And also reach out if you are interested in selling or buying...we will always get you more money than your competition because you get our design services for free!!  

That's all for now. Enjoy your spring! And if you do the social media follow along @PortlandIsHome!  Or @RealtyWorksGroup on Facebook or Instagram!  We love to see you all online and please comment!

Has being at home exposed everything about your home that you would like to change? Do you have dreams of spiffing up your home for sale? Perhaps you just want a brand new kitchen and to finish your basement? Give our preferred partners Purdy's Pacific a call - they can make your dream a reality!  503.610.3190, or email at info@purdyspacific.com.

Ever thought you'd like to have your own Podcast Show? Are you looking for a new way to engage with your clients, customers, or patients? I help you with the entire process, from the spark of an idea to your own podcast show. Don't hesitate to reach out, no fees and no strings attached! michelle@modcastproductions.com

You have done your job well and the kids have moved on and they’re (probably) not moving back. It may be time to reevaluate the journey!   

The Team talks about how to downsize yet still have room for family, visitors, and easy living. 

Bittersweet yet exciting! 

Plus, we examine the good, the bad and the reality of reverse mortgages. 

There are plenty of options for every type of budget and situation. 

Ever thought you'd like to have your own Show? Are you looking for a new way to engage with your clients, customers, or patients? I help you with the entire process, from the spark of an idea to your own podcast show. Don't hesitate to reach out, no fees and no strings attached! michelle@modcastproductions.com

The Team knows it is not easy to buy or sell a home. Though they know with some patience and professional help you will make it happen. Inspections are a daunting but necessary part of the real estate process. We talk about the basics and some of the details that you really need to know. Foundations, sewers, electric wiring, oil tanks, radon and so much more are discussed. Listen  before you start looking!  

Realty Works Group

Portland is Home

Here we are already, in the second month of the year. Like the fall, February for me brings feelings of nostalgia. This is the month we get to celebrate our love for each other, the month we get to really start feeling like spring is right around the corner, and the month where we get to celebrate the true middle of winter in all its glory. That last hopeful month before spring really sets in. The last moment to savor the brisk air and the quiet before the rush to plant and get the yard ready. It doesn't feel like winter anymore, but it's definitely not Spring yet.

We rarely get snow here in Portland, so we need to drive to the mountain to play. And this year folks are going for it! Every weekend we drive past swaths of snowmen and -women, sledders, and snowshoers playing on the mountain on our way to ski. We have never seen the volume like this in years past and we chalk it up to the fact that we have nowhere else to go...which is a shame, because Oregon has so much to offer.  

But February is also a great time to try out those winter recipes you haven't gotten to yet. In my family, Hungarian Stuffed Peppers was a staple and a recipe I cherish. February is a great time to highlight dishes like this. Hearty, warm and delicious. I'll be making that for sure and getting my kids more acquainted with this one!

We have also kicked off our design and build business and thanks to all of you stepping forward, we are busy! We are also honored and thrilled and beyond excited to help make your house a home.  Working hard to help enhance your home is something we love to do, and our preferred team of superstars makes it just that much better.  

We hope you enjoy February as much we all do, and we look forward to seeing your family recipes posted online! Tag us if you want to share any...we would be thrilled!

-Audra Galler

Are you preparing to list your house and need everything cleared out? Maybe you just moved in and you have a million empty boxes you need recycled/donated. Or perhaps you’re in the midst of a small remodel, not enough for a dumpster, but you have some 80s siding or broken cabinets to get rid of...SheHauls can help! With nearly 10 years in the real estate industry, Lauren noticed a need for quick reliable trash removal. Her ear is up for every job, and in addition to dump hauling, they also offer other hauling and cleanup services, so not everything will go in the trash if it still has life in it. We have used her for a large estate cleanout in the past month and we were thrilled with the efficiency of the operation. Text her a picture of your trash pile today!

Ever thought you'd like to have your own Show? Are you looking for a new way to engage with your clients, customers, or patients? I help you with the entire process, from the spark of an idea to your own podcast show. Don't hesitate to reach out, no fees and no strings attached! michelle@modcastproductions.com

You dream it, they design it. Audra and her team of curated professionals work with both your budget and your aesthetic. Hear about the process, some of the amazing business partnerships and unique Pacific Northwest motifs.  And they have plenty of great advice to help you enjoy the whole process.

Plus,

What should you remodel to get your home ready for sale?

What area gives you the best bang for your buck to remodel?

Or, what gives you the least return? Hint: don’t bother replacing things that still work.

From a new kitchen or bath to a new look for your living room they would love to help. 

They are Working Hard to Enhance Your Home! 

Realty Works Group

Portland is Home

Miller Paint

Ever thought you'd like to have your own Show? Are you looking for a new way to engage with your clients, customers, or patients? I help you with the entire process, from the spark of an idea to your own podcast show. Don't hesitate to reach out, no fees and no strings attached! michelle@modcastproductions.com

With a tumultuous January on our minds Audra and Andrew are here for a short but much-needed reprieve and discuss the current market, inventory, and interest rates.  

What does it mean for all of us now and this quarter? Well, we’ll get some more of Andrew’s predictions which are always interesting and often prophetically correct!  

And if you have any questions they did not answer or ideas for a future podcast episode,  email audra@portlandishome.com.  

Check out LISTINGS  Realty Works Group

Quick Stats for Portland Metro Area:

475 Homes for sale as of December 31, 2020  

-28.6% from November 30, 2020

-43.2% from December 31, 2019

577 Homes under contract (pending) as of November 30, 2020  

-18.2% from November, 2020

+36.1% from December, 2019

730 Homes sold during December, 2020

-15.4% from November, 2020

+7% from December, 2019

$583,000 Average Sales Price for Sold Homes in December, 2020

+1.4% from November, 2020

+13.6% from December, 2019

21 Average Days on Market

0% from November, 2020

-44.7% from December, 2019

0.8 Months of Inventory as of December 31, 2020 (based on pending properties)

-20.5% from November 30, 2020

-60.9% from December, 2019

503.975.1829 / andrew@portlandishome.com

They are repeating their curated list of partners for January...because now that the holidays are over, you may feel like tackling your list of projects!

Does your HVAC need a tune-up or repair?

• Call Ted at Willamette Heating at 503.803.7074

Need some gutter cleaning, roof maintenance or general landscaping?

• Call/text Humberto at the Landscape Group, 360.771.4494

Do you need some trash or junk hauled after cleaning out your garage?

• Call/text SheHaulsPDX at 503.862.9186

Have you been wanting to do some interior painting for the holidays?

• Call/text Remy at RGF Painting, 503.281.7454

Andrew and Audra Galler make a great team because they each bring their own extraordinary skill set to the real estate process. Andrew has the years of experience needed to win when it comes to the often dramatic competitive buying arena, and he will share some of his secrets. Audra discusses the 4 Cs of being battle ready to get the home, terms and conditions you want.  

A Holiday Message from Audra-

As we move into the season of lights, I pause. Whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year, there is something magical in the air. From Kwanzaa to Christmas, from Hanukkah to Boxing Day, the season is bright with love, joy and reflection. The lights in the yards, the twinkle in the night sky, the colorful joy and magic in the air. The cool weather, the anticipation of (maybe) snow always makes me feel happy. In Portland, rain is usually part of our winter experience, although lately it's more crisp, bright and dry.  

Further up on the mountain, snow season is also upon us! Skiing, sledding, tubing, snow shoeing...the list goes on and one, and every winter we also take a horse pulled sleigh ride up on the mountain with the kids. We get hot cocoa and wave at folks as we pass, then settle cozy with our blankets in as we go thru the back streets. It is one of our favorite holiday traditions.

At the end of the year we traditionally look back to recap, remember and hold dear the year coming to a close. We sing Auld Lang Syne...mouthing the words, with our arms around each other, toasting the new year. This year was definitely different! A virus took control and stopped us in our tracks and we frantically tried to figure out how to move forward. We stayed home, stocked up on toilet paper and figured out how to home school our kids. Even if we personally didn't experience the loss, it's still difficult to hear about lost lives. We will not be singing this year with our arms around friends...but we still sing with our immediate family, and virtually with family whether across town or across the country. Because we will win against this virus. And it's okay to skip a year....we will make up for it next time, and appreciate our togetherness, our friendships and our community that much more.  

Being home with our kids actually turned out to be a nice re-set. Running from one sport to another at break speed slowed to non-existent. It made us be together more...be cognizant of each other...learn to live together with no outside distractions. This season is full of lights, love and memories. We hope you all are able to reset and start anew.  

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year from me and my whole team at RWG. And thanks for reading.

The Team breaks down the  real numbers and talks about the best way to spend your money. Andrew debunks one of the most prevalent misnomers in the real estate business. And Audra will tell you her secret to a great Turkey Dinner!  (secret: skip the turkey!)  The Team wants to shout out and give special thanks to Helvetia Farm Market and Marion Acres and Laurelhurst Market this Thanksgiving!

Audra writes:

Giving thanks...this is something I have been striving to do not just this month, but every month this year. When we remember and remind ourselves to be better, be kind, and be thankful every day, we move forward. This month is ripe with turning points, with expectations and possibilities. And we continue to move forward, with thanks.  Because we have to keep moving forward.

November is a gorgeous time of year. The colors are robust, the air is crisp and the month ends with a feast. Not being with family is an unfortunate sidebar, and one that the kids are bummed about; however, we trust the experts and know that this is just the way it is for now. Family and home come from what we make it, not the location. So Zoom dinners across distances is what we do right now and we will find the silver linings in every holiday.  

We give thanks for each other, all of our clients, our family, our friends and the incredible team we are honored to have at RWG. Also, to our furry/scaly/fluffy families.  

We give thanks for community: for standing up for each other; for helping those that need a hand; and for those that need kindness.  

We give thanks for our first responders, and those helping to guide us and solve some big issues. 

We hope you all enjoy November and are able to get outside and enjoy our gorgeous state. If you have a favorite place we'd love to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook (Portland is Home Facebook and Instagram and Realty Works Group Facebook and Instagram) and comment! We always love to hear from all of you!  

We are also expanding our design services! From a new kitchen or bath to a new look for your living room we'd love to help. We will be talking more about this in the next few months, and some gorgeous lines we are carrying...so reach out if you're interested!  

Like grains of sand through the hourglass, these are the days of our lives. Of late the world does seem somewhat like a soap opera. Somebody please tell me I’m wrong. On one hand we wait results of this endless election season. On the other hand, I struggle to choose the correct flannel among a sea of flannel my closet offers me. Which flannel goes well with stew, crisp fall air and day light savings time ending? Often, I allow Fortuna to spin her wheel, close my eyes and see which cozy soft plaid button down top my hand finds. Having concluded that tangent and with no further ado here is our market report. Again, we find our pandemic-y trends continuing relatively unabated.

Short story: Fall buyer activity has followed trends we typically see this time of year. In October we usually see buyer activity increase. This year is no different in that regard. Where we find a departure from years’ past is with inventory. Just like in spring and summer 2020, we are not seeing sellers coming out as we would expect this time of year. I blame the Covid. In summary…once again demand is high and supply is low. One metric that raises an eyebrow is average sales price. October 2020 versus 2019 we see average sales price up 15.2% - astounding. For our seller, the world is your oyster. For our buyers we fight the fight and work hard to make our offers competitive. Price is not always the deciding factor. Terms and conditions often get offers accepted.

Please contact us anytime for a more detailed report. Also please let us know if you would like to take advantage of our HomeBot program. It is an AVM (like Zillow’s Zestimate program) on steroids. Our program will send you monthly reports for your home value. It is still not as accurate as our customer market analysis but it is more powerful than other consumer programs.  

Stay well and be healthy.

503.975.1829 / andrew@portlandishome.com  

They dive into more extraordinary places to experience in Portland and the day trips to surrounding areas: 

A horse trail in city limits? Yes.

Get acquainted with The Fruit Loop and lavender fields. 

Drink and learn in Wine Country! 

Caves, waterfalls, tunnels, hiking trails and more hiking trails.

Kid friendly and romantic getaways are discussed! 

Bed and Breakfasts, Inns and Camps alike all await you a mere hour or so from the city!

In part one, Audra and Andrew discuss some of Oregon’s monumental beauty, bounty and adventures to be had -- some of the discussion will be familiar and some are the well-kept secrets of this extraordinary 33rd state. 

Rivers, Lakes, Bays.  

The Coast.  

Pro tip on cooking crabs. It’s so easy! Lighthouses, farms, Dunes, a shipwreck. What’s SUP! 

High desert? Yes. There is such a thing as the Alps of Oregon? Yes.

Sit back and relax and let The Team fill you in on Oregon!

Just when you think the process could not get any worse, it does. The Team talks horror stories and lessons learned in the ever changing world of Real Estate. - With extra  Covid 19 discussion.  

Find out what Audra compares home buying to!  And she has solid practical tips to stay away from the dark side! (Can sellers really do that?)

Andrew spills some of the industry secrets in the art of negotiations, gives us his take on Portland Oregon in the News, and his not-as dark-as-you-think predictions for the coming Fall/Winter seasons.

It is much more complicated than you would think: you can’t “just Google it.” The Team has the decades of experience and commitment to get your home sold at the right price. Learn what they have that the Zestimate doesn’t and the number 1 thing surveys determine that makes your house look less expensive and YOU can fix it!