Buying a home in Portland

Finding and buying a home is a big project. Once you receive those keys to your new home, you’ll be smiling. But in the meantime there’s so much to do and think about.

How much home can you afford? Check out the mortgage calculator to the right below. For the financial part of buying a home, you’ll need a great loan officer. I can suggest a few names for you.

For the process of buying a home I have lots of information to share with you. I’ve gathered it in over 25 years of helping Portland buyers achieve their home ownership goal. Below is a start on your home buying education.

Be sure to also check out the interactive map to search the MLS for homes for sale in the Portland metro area. You’ll be able to see what’s for sale in different prices and neighborhoods. Or if you prefer, just use the quick search widget at the right.

Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood When Buying a Home in Portland

The neighborhood you choose can have a big impact on your lifestyle—safety, available amenities, and convenience all play their part.

Make a list of the activities—movies, health club, church—you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you’re considering to engaging in your most common activities.
Check out the school district. The Department of Education in your town can probably provide information on test scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college, and special enrichment programs. If you have school-age children, also consider paying a visit to schools in the neighborhoods you’re considering. Even if you don’t have children, a house in a good school district will be easier to sell in the future.
Find out if the neighborhood is safe. Ask the police department for neighborhood crime statistics. Consider not only the number of crimes but also the type—burglaries, armed robberies—and the trend of increasing or decreasing crime. Also, is crime centered in only one part of the neighborhood, such as near a retail area?
Determine if the neighborhood is economically stable. Check with your local city economic development office to see if income and property values in the neighborhood are stable or rising. What is the percentage of homes to apartments? Apartments don’t necessarily diminish value, but they do mean a more transient population. Do you see vacant businesses or homes that have been for sale for months?
See for yourself. Once you’ve narrowed your focus to two or three neighborhoods, go there, and walk around. Are homes tidy and well maintained? Are streets quiet? Pick a warm day if you can and chat with people working or playing outside. Are they friendly? Are their children to play with your family?

Reprinted from REALTOR^® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^®

How Much Down Payment Do I Need to Buy a Home

Posted by Anne Kadin on Jan 5, 2012 in Buying a Home | 0 comments

It’s easier than you might think to buy a home in Portland. There has been so much news about stricter lending requirements over the past few years. Many folks who could be first time home buyers think they are unable to buy right now. Some folks think you need 10% or 20% of the sales price to buy a home now. Some think there are no loans for first time home buyers. Well I’m here to tell you that is just wrong information. You too can take advantage of historic low interest rates and low prices for Portland real estate. 3.75% ...

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Posted by Anne Kadin on Jul 18, 2011 in Buying a Home | 0 comments

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Posted by Anne Kadin on Feb 7, 2011 in Buying a Home | 0 comments

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Posted by Anne Kadin on Feb 4, 2011 in Buying a Home | 0 comments

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Posted by Anne Kadin on Oct 7, 2010 in Buying a Home | 0 comments

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Beautiful Belmont Condo

Posted by Anne Kadin on Aug 17, 2010 in Buying a Home | 1 comment

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Posted by Anne Kadin on Jul 6, 2010 in Buying a Home | 1 comment

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New and Improved MLS Search

Posted by Anne Kadin on May 17, 2010 in Buying a Home | 0 comments

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Posted by Anne Kadin on May 7, 2010 in Buying a Home | 0 comments

Great news for Portland. Home owners in the Portland Metro area are in good shape compared with most of the country. We have low interest rates on our mortgages and low foreclosure and delinquency rates. This is according to a study by Forbes.com which names Portland in the top ten cities in the country that are best for borrowers. I would have to say that the information they used to do the ranking makes it one of the best cities for home sellers too. Forbes looked at which cities in the country had the lowest mortgage rates. Then they added...

Extension of First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit–for some

Posted by Anne Kadin on Apr 12, 2010 in Buying a Home | 0 comments

Many first time home buyers have just 18 more days to participate in the $8,000 federal tax credit program. But there’s a one year extension of the program for some members of the military and certain other federal employees. Service people qualify if they are: members of the uniformed services, Foreign Service and members of the intelligence community. They are eligible for this one year extension if they serve on qualified official extended duty service outside of the United States for at least 90 days during the period...

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Buying a Home In Portland