SkyBlue Portland Blog - SkyBlue Portland

Buyer Demand Surging as Spring Market Begins

Last fall, according to the "click-bait" headlines, 2019 was going to be a disastrous year for the real estate market. Some went so far as to say that we might experience a housing crash like the one that occurred during the last decade. Fast forward a few months and it's clear that the real estate market is back in a big way. Buyer demand has increased dramatically over the past three months and nationally, both the ShowingTime Showing Index and the National Association of REALTORS Buyer Traffic Index reflect the surge in buyer activity. Why the increase in … Continue reading...

Walking Portland: Hillsdale, Multnomah Village & Gabriel Park

What do you get when you combine two hip southwest Portland neighborhoods, a city park you can get lost in, an indie-cool shopping village, and the best coconut cream pie in the known universe? This heavenly 5-mile walk traversing Portland's southwest Hillsdale and Multnomah neighborhoods, including beautiful Gabriel Park--guaranteed to chase away winter blues or summer doldrums. In other words. this is a walk you'll want to take year-round. But first, let's take a look at the two Portland neighborhoods in question. Here's Multnomah. It includes Gabriel Park, … Continue reading...

Lakeview-Summit Neighborhood Guide

Ever wonder what it's like to live high in the sky overlooking one of the most iconic lakes in Portland Metro? Say hello to Lake Oswego's Lakeview-Summit neighborhood. Lakeview-Summit is bordered to the north and west by the Lake Grove neighborhood and to the south and east by private, resident-owned Oswego Lake. True to its name, this cloistered neighborhood sits high above the banks of Oswego Lake, offering stunning views of the crystal blue water below. Oswego Lake is managed by the Lake Oswego Corporation (LOC) and governed by rules and regulations … Continue reading...

Walking Lake Oswego: Lakeview-Summit

Lake Oswego is known for its gorgeous neighborhoods. And Walking Lakeview-Summit with its Village on the Lake circular loop is the way to see one of the loveliest. For one thing, Lakeview Summit is almost as secluded, serene, and private as a gated community--but without the gate. There's only one road leading in (Summit Drive off Iron Mountain Blvd.) and the same road leading out (Summit Dr. off Village Dr.). The side streets (no sidewalks, but walkable nonetheless), View Lake Ct., Twin Points Rd., Bay View Ln. and Lily Vie Ct. are well worth their … Continue reading...

One More Time… You Do Not Need 20% Down to Buy a Home

So, you think you need a 20% down payment to buy a home in 2019? Not true. Not true. Not true. The biggest roadblock renters face when deciding to buy a home is saving for the down payment. Which is a challenge with rising rent prices eating into the savings plan each month. Along with the challenge of rising rent prices, surveys show that non-homeowners believe they need 20% or more for a down payment. Double whammy! According to the “Barriers to Accessing Homeownership” study commissioned in partnership between the Urban Institute, Down Payment Resource, and … Continue reading...

Photo Gallery: Winter in Portland, Oregon

What's winter like in Portland, Oregon? A picture's worth a thousand words, right? But before we go too far down this road, let's dispell a common myth about the typical Portland, Oregon winter. Snow is not a guarantee. Rain yes, but snow, well maybe. I can recall only two serious snowstorms in recent history (January 2004 and January 2017). A light dusting of 1-2 inches that melts off by mid-morning is more typical. But if it does snow in Portland Metro--Portland, Beaverton. Lake Oswego, West Linn, Clackamas, Aloha, Estacada, Tualatin, Sherwood, … Continue reading...

Walking Portland: John's Landing, South Willamette Greenway Trail

This 5-mile Walking Portland loop features multiple close-in SW Portland neighborhoods--Corbett-Terwilliger-Lair Hill (with John's Landing) and South Waterfront (on South Willamette Greenway Trail). The South Willamette Greenway Trail Looptaqkes you through lovely John's Landing, with panoramic views of the Willamette River and downtown, and then on a long stroll along the south Willamette Greenway. You'll want to take it again and again. Join PDX Women Who Walk for a guided tour of this engaging walk. John's Landing & South Willamette Greenway … Continue reading...

Does Buying or Selling a Home Have To Be Stressful?

At SkyBlue Portland, we understand that buying or selling a home can be stressful. But it doesn't have to be! Here are six actionable steps you can take to help make the process a whole lot easier. Six Easy Steps to Buying or Selling a Home Know your agent! Shopping for a home is the biggest purchase you may ever make. To avoid the common pitfalls, it makes sense to establish a relationship with a knowledgeable realtor before making an offer. Understand all the costs involved. Talk to your realtor and lender and make sure you understand all costs upfront. … Continue reading...

Walking Portland: PDX Women Who Walk

Join us as we walk every beautiful, soulful neighborhood in Portland. And we mean that literally. It started as something of a lark. To shed a few pounds and force myself away from the computer screen for a couple of hours a day. I decided to walk. Walking sounded like more fun than working out at the gym or busting butt on the Peloton bike--which husband/partner James and daughter/partner Rachel both hit at 5:00 a.m daily from different locations across the city. Those two are maniacs. I began with daily short walks of 2-3 miles, packing a … Continue reading...

Excited About Buying A Home This Year? Here’s What to Watch

As we kick off the new year, you may be considering buying a home in 2019. Here's what you need to know. Whether you are thinking of finally ditching your landlord and buying your first home or selling your starter home to move into your forever home, there are two pieces of the real estate puzzle you need to watch carefully: interest rates & inventory. Interest Rates Mortgage interest rates were on the rise for much of 2018, but they made a welcome reversal at the end of the year. According to Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey, rates climbed … Continue reading...