RMLS has published its latest report!

Interested in the latest real estate stats in Portland? Last month’s numbers are in. Click HERE.

For the less fortunate, these warm items are essential during the winter months. As part of Windermere’s long-standing commitment to help those in need, our offices throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington will be collecting coats and blankets NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 19th, M–F, 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Help our offices share the warmth by bringing new or gently used adult-sized coats and twin-sized blankets to my office at 825 NE Multnomah St, #120, or I will gladly pick them up if that makes it easier! Give me a call at 503-793-3605. Your donation benefits those in need right here in our local community.

Good question and does anyone really know for sure? What I can say from observation is: houses are staying on the market a little longer and there are more price reductions and fewer multiple offers. The regional RMLS stats for September in the tri-county area also indicate the market is slowing down. The inventory levels are higher than they were in 2017, and the average time a house stays on the market is longer, but it is still a seller’s market.  Even though the interest rates are still really great they are getting higher. All of this makes it a little easier if you’re trying to buy a house and in most cases, it will take longer to sell your house.

Remember where you keep your passport!

Here is a tip that I hope you never have to take advantage of… We went to Europe in September. A little over a week before we left I started getting all the stuff gathered that I would l need for the trip. I ALWAYS keep my passport in the same place – always well except for this time! Tore the house apart, couldn’t find it anywhere. Yes, I was very mad at myself! There are numerous online options and at that point, cost wasn’t the biggest issue. The biggest issue was: will these companies really get it done when they say they will? What we ended up doing was going to the Federal website, filled out all the forms, drove to Seattle, got there early, waited in long lines AND got my replacement passport that day, and it cost about $265.00. Yes, I wanted to kiss the ground as we walked out of the office.  My passport is now where it’s supposed, and it is staying there!!!

Market Activity
Interested in the latest real estate stats in Portland? Last month’s numbers are in. Click HERE.

Be safe!
A female co-worker of mine recently had a creepy experience with someone that came through an open house she was hosting. It was uncomfortable and somewhat scary for her, and it made her think about just how vulnerable she was. I have to say that generally speaking, I don’t think much about my personal safety. I like that I feel that way, but I can’t help but wonder if sometimes I’m not as careful as I should be??? I am also now more aware of car and house break-ins because of the Next Door website. So what is the answer? I certainly don’t want to always be looking over my shoulder, but I do want to be realistic and take precautions when it’s appropriate, and I hope you will too!!! Do you have something to add to the conversation? Leave a comment!

I am constantly amazed by how much information there is out there! Here are a few websites (and apps) that can be helpful when you are buying or selling a home or just want to know a little more about your neighborhood or the city you live in:

Walc is an app. If you want to take a leisurely stroll in a neighborhood you can check it out before you step out your front door.

Walkscore:  this site gives you not only your home’s walk score but your bike and transit score as well. I use it all the time!

Greatschools.org: you have a chance to read school report cards with reviews from teachers, parents and students.

Mylocalcrime.com: Pull up any recent local crimes from vandalism to car break ins.

Gravy is an app that gives you the rundown on events from rock concerts to church suppers.

Last but not least – Portlandmaps.com: If you’ve never been to this site you just have to go. You will find specific information about permits, crime, taxes and more for the City of Portland!

Interested in the latest real estate stats in Portland? Last month’s numbers are in. Click HERE.

These are published from the RMLS Market Action Report. If you have questions, send me an email or give me a call, and let’s chat!

Well, it would be an exaggeration to say Zillow is the bane of my existence, but it’s kinda true! Sometimes their Zestimates are high, sometimes they’re low, and sometimes they get it right. Pretty reliable, huh?

Here are a few things that come into play:

• Zillow has never been in your house. They don’t know if you just spent $100,000 on a kitchen remodel, have the original kitchen, or did a little sprucing with paint and formica.
• They pull some of their data from the tax records which are often inaccurate. So, they might not only have the wrong amount of square footage BUT again, they haven’t been in your house so is the basement finished or a leaky mess with low ceilings??
• I recently had a client whose Zestimate was more than $200,000 over what the house actually sold for in this really hot market. Also, I recently sold a wee little house for more than $40,000 over the Zestimate.

So what does all that mean? Zillow definitely serves a purpose, but that being said, I would never take their word for what a house is worth, and you shouldn’t either. If you want to know more, you should talk to a real estate agent that comes to your home and compares it to current comparable houses in your neighborhood. That is my job, and I would like you to call me, of course.

As I’m sure you know 2017 brought us new tax laws. If there has ever been a time that you want to talk to your tax consultant preemptively it is now. Of course everyone’s tax situation is different but a couple things that affect real estate are:

1. The final tax bill has a limit on deductible mortgage debt of $750,000 for new loans taken out after 12/14/2017.
2. The final tax bill allows an itemized deduction of up to $10,000 for the total of state and local property taxes and income or sales taxes. The limit applies for both single and married filers.

Again, be sure talk to your tax preparer so you understand how the changes affect you!!