August 2012 RSS Feed

Residential loan rates continued to rebound from recent record lows, rising for the 4th straight week in response to stronger data in the real estate markets. Freddie Mac announced that for the week ending August 23, 30-year fixed rates rose to 3.66% from 3.62%. The average for 15-year loans increased slightly to 2.89%. Adjustable rates were mixed with the average for one-year adjustables falling to 2.66% and five-year adjustables increasing to 2.80%. A year ago 30-year fixed rates were at 4.22%.

Many of my clients ask me for referrals for qualified home inspectors that I have used in the past. I always give my clients a choice of three different home inspectors that my previous clients have had success with. If they decide to find their own, this is the advice I like to give them when looking for a qualified home inspector. This is a crucial decision; there are some many aspects of the home that need to be fully inspected to insure that they are purchasing a sound property.

What are the inspector’s qualifications?

The National Association of Home Inspectors is a great resource to find out the background of the inspector and other involvement within the industry.

What is their experience? Do they specialize in residential inspections?

It’s…

Many people come through my website searching for real estate all over the Portland area. I received a lead one morning and I promptly responded to their questions and started helping them with their new home search.  They are a husband and wife and they have two small girls. Since they were relocating from Syracuse New York, they wanted to find a home in the 400-500k range near Intel in Hillsboro.  So I began my search and after months of sending them properties they contacted me to go visit a listing in the Century High School District. This particular property had all the wonderful interior features that they wanted but the backyard was extremely small. In the Syracuse area where they lived prior to moving here, they have much larger plots of land.

I…

The Portland Metro residential real estate market improved slightly in July. All measures are better than last July but down slightly from last month. There were 2,372 accepted offers and 1,973 closed sales. This was the highest number of closed sales in July since 2009. The unsold inventory in months ticked up slightly from 3.9 in June to 4.6 in July and is lower than any July since 2006; it would take only 4.6 months to sell the 9,041 active listings at the July rate of sales. Sale prices were up 7.8% from last July and up 1.2% from June.

Mortgage rates rose slightly but still remain near record lows.

Please feel free to call or e-mail with any questions. I am available at your convenience.

 

If you are a first time homebuyer, looking for a home without a 30 year mortgage or even a downsizer, manufactured homes could be your answer.  These homes no longer come with the stigma of " trailer  living".  Manufactured homes are energy efficient, cost effective and affordable alternatives for people who want a home with a smaller lot, less upkeep and in a safe community.  They are built in-doors, out of the elements which starts the process with dry products. These are built to code specifications for different areas of the country. Most  homes are now built with vinyl dual paned windows, 2x6" walls which hold more insulation and are incased in vapor barriar materials to keep the home dry and energy efficient.  They  come in all sizes, and can have…