Affordable housing is a real issue in Central Oregon. When I started my career in real estate, a house payment was typically more than monthly rent. Realtors® preached the value of tax deductions, security of not having to move and equity as reasons to buy a home. Today we can honestly show many times it […]
How Does Your Home Garden Grow?
Gardening is more than a popular trend, it’s also just plain fun to grow food at your home. Touted as a step towards self sufficiency, gardening can save you money and has other perks, such as the fact that homegrown veggies and herbs simply taste better. If you’re a novice gardener but would still like […]
Vacation Homes & Second Homes
At one time second homes or vacation homes were the exclusive realm of the rich. In recent years many middle income families have purchased vacation homes. Sometimes it is a cabin in the woods and sometimes it is a luxury home. Buyers are lured by the thought of acquiring a home that not only provides an […]
Greening an Older Home
Your budget dictates that you buy an older home, but your heart wants that home to be environmentally responsible, so what do you do? Here are some ideas for making any home greener. If you plan for these in advance of your purchase, you might just lower your bottom line. Apply for an energy-efficient mortgage […]
Pinterest for Home Buyers and Sellers
Pinterest for Home Buyers Some people are great at articulating exactly what they want in their next home. But some of us know what we want yet find it tough to explain that vision to someone else. It usually comes out something like this: “I’ll know it when I see it.” But seeing tons of […]
Tips for Home Buyers
Finding a new home can be one of the most exciting times of your life. It’s a little like dating – the pursuit, the “getting to know you” period, the proposal (aka “offer”), and the marriage (aka “closing”). If you don’t want your relationship with a new house to crash and burn, you need to […]
Can You Purchase Your Home During the Government Shutdown?
If you are in the process of purchasing your home and are worried about the government shutdown, recent news from Freddie Mac may have you sleeping a little better. The announcement, effective October 8, 2013, allows lenders to use signed federal tax returns as income verification rather than a tax transcript for loans, loan modifications, […]
Is Fall Well Anticipated in Your Home
How do you welcome fall at your home? Do you pull out the hay bales, carve up the pumpkins, welcome the howling wind and wait as the leaves fall to the ground, casting a perfect look of disarray on your normally well-kept lawn? Perhaps you prefer to focus on stocking up on treats for soon-to-be […]
Downsizing Your Home – Moving To a Condo
A condominium can be a great choice if you are considering downsizing your home. There are special rules that apply to condos, though, so be sure you know exactly what they are before you buy your condo. A good real estate agent should be able to show you the rules before you get too deep […]
Thinking About Purchasing a Condo as Your Home?
If you’ve been trying to decide how to finally own your home, buying a condo can be a good first step out of renting and into home ownership. There’s good news about condos right now, too. The National Association of Home Builders reports that the production of condominiums and apartments is at an all time […]
