SkyBlue Portland Blog - SkyBlue Portland

62% of Buyers Are Wrong About Down Payment Needs

If you're a first-time buyer saving for a downpayment, you may be closer to homeownership than you think. According to the ‘2019 Home Buyer Report’ conducted by Nerdwallet, “More than 6 in 10 (62%) Americans believe you must put at least 20% down in order to purchase a home.” Unfortunately, this lack of accurate information about the home-buying process keeps many buyers on the sidelines. Today there are multiple programs available that enable home buyers to purchase a home with far less than 20% down. “The truth: 32% of current U.S. homeowners put 5% or less down on … Continue reading...

What You Need to Know About the Mortgage Process

Many buyers are purchasing homes with down payments as little as 3%. You may already qualify for a loan, even if you don’t have perfect credit. Your local professionals are here to help you determine how much you can afford, so take advantage of the opportunity to learn more. … Continue reading...

What to Expect from Your Home Inspection

Congratulations! Your offer was accepted. Now what? The next step is to conduct a professional home inspection. In Oregon, you have a 10 business day contingency period to complete the inspection and come to terms with the seller if any repairs are required. The inspection process gives you an opportunity to closely look at the house and make sure you're making a sound buying decision. If issues are discovered during the inspection, the contingency allows you to ask the sellers to make repairs, renegotiate the price you offered for the home, or in some cases, you may decide … Continue reading...

5921 SW RALSTON DR – For Sale in Portland OR 97006

Be the first to see this stunning mid-century modern home for sale in Portland's lovely Hillsdale neighborhood. Custom-crafted, open floor plan, 2,569 square foot, mid-century modern home for sale in the lovely, tree-lined SW hills. An abundance of parklands and trails give this highly desirable neighborhood a serene, park-like feel. OPEN HOUSE THIS SATURDAY 10/5 (12:00-2:00) Designer built-ins, light and bright, with vaulted ceilings throughout. Wrap-around gas fireplace, designer shades, high-end appliances, fixtures, and flooring. Potential separate living … Continue reading...

A Recession Does Not Equal a Housing Crisis

Recently, there's been a lot of news surrounding an impending recession. However, the same experts predicting an economic slowdown also believe it will not be caused by the housing market. If you're thinking of buying or selling a home, there's no need to panic- let's get together to address your concerns and talk about what's really happening. … Continue reading...

Walking Portland: Pearl District, Nob Hill & Kings Heights Loop

This four-mile Walking Portland loop features three adjacent Northwest Portland neighborhoods--one undergoing a major high-rise building spurt, one a historic enclave of Old Portland-style mansions, and one a jaw-dropping showcase of stunning homes with million dollar views. This scenic, energizing walk includes three close-in Northwest Portland neighborhoods, four city parks, a mile of Old Portland-style homes and gardens along NW Overton, and an otherworldly stretch of the northwest hills with breathtaking views of the city below. For info on our monthly … Continue reading...

What’s the Latest on Interest Rates?

More good news for home buyers! Mortgage rates have fallen by over a full percentage point since Q4 of 2018, and are currently at near-historic lows. Lower interest rates means you can buy more house for the same monthly payment or have a lower money payment. According to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey, “the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) rate averaged 3.60 percent, the lowest it has been since November 2016.” Sam Khater, the Chief Economist at Freddie Mac, notes how this is great news for home buyers. He states, “…consumer sentiment remains buoyed … Continue reading...

Portland Home Sales Rebound (2 Year High)

Portland home sales rebound to their highest level in nearly two years. Have we mentioned Elliot Njus lately? Real estate writer for Oregon Live? He does a great job covering the highs and lows of the Portland Metro housing and urban growth market. We read everything he writes. You might want to follow him on Facebook. Here's a summary from his recent article: In May 2019, home sales hit their highest level in nearly two years, according to new numbers from the listing service RMLS. And median sale price soared to a record of $420,000 -- up from $417,900, set last … Continue reading...

Walking Portland Archive

Walking Portland Metro Posts & Maps Archive | SkyBlue Portland

Here you'll find pointers to our growing collection of Portland Metro custom-curated walks, plus turn-by-turn route maps you can follow on your iPhone while exploring the city. How sweet is that? Monthly Meetups PDX Women Who Walk (Blog Post) PDX Women Who Walk Meetup SkyBlue Portland Online Walking Maps Portland Coffee Maps Portland Coffee | Southeast Portland Coffee | Northeast Portland Coffee | Southwest Portland Coffee | Northwest Portland Coffee | North Portland Coffee Roasters Portland Walks (Posts + Maps) NW Portland … Continue reading...

Walking Portland: NW Pearl District to SW Arlington Heights

This 8-mile, quintessentially Portland walk takes us through numerous worlds--from the Pearl District in the city core along the Willamette River through the Northwest District and Goose Hollow, up a stair climb into Washington Park, and then high into the idyllic hilltop neighborhood known as Arlington Heights. On the descent, we stroll through the International Rose Test Garden and have the option to tour the highly touted Japanese Garden to bout. Here's our Walking Map: Green lines indicate the route out, while red lines indicate the route back. Every effort … Continue reading...