SkyBlue Portland Blog - SkyBlue Portland

Three Reasons Why This Is Not a Housing Crisis

In times of uncertainty, one of the best things we can do to ease our fears is to educate ourselves with research, facts, and data. Digging into past experiences by reviewing historical trends and understanding the peaks and valleys of what’s come before us is one of the many ways we can confidently evaluate any situation. With concerns of a global recession on everyone’s minds today, it’s important to take an objective look at what has transpired over the years and how the housing market has successfully weathered these storms. 1. The Market … Continue reading...

Your Tax Refund Can Take You Home This Year

Are you looking to buy a home in 2020? How about putting your tax refund toward a down payment? Homeownership may be one step closer than you think if you spend your dollars wisely this year. According to data released by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Americans can expect an estimated average refund of $2,962 when filing their taxes this year. The map above shows the average tax refund Americans received last year by state. According to programs offered by the Federal Housing Authority, Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae, many first-time home buyers can … Continue reading...

Walking Portland: Pearl District-Northwest Hills Loop

One of the best ways to become familiar with any one of Portland’s unique neighborhoods is to walk it. Walk it up one side and down the other. Walk it in early morning, at mid-afternoon, and in the evening. That’s what we do, nearly every day. And we see something new on every walk. Walking and photographing Portland has become one of our favorite activities. We walk 5-10 miles across Portland nearly every day. If you'd like to join us for our monthly walking tour across Portland Metro, check out PDX Women Who Walk on Meetup and hop onboard. This wide Urban Loop … Continue reading...

Northeast Portland Coffee Shops

Northwest Portland Coffee Shops | SkyBlue Portland

If you love coffee like we do (wildly), you know that Portland, Oregon is Coffee Nirvana—a mind-blowing playground of meticulously sourced, mindfully roasted, small-batched, artisan coffee. And Northeast Portland coffee shops are among the best in our fair city. It’s no wonder that coffee cognoscenti, food writers and entrepreneurial seekers of the distinctive brew make regular pilgrimages to the City of Roses for insight and inspiration. Or that Portland is a hotbed of barista superstars for whom coffee-crafting is part art, part religion, and part … Continue reading...

75+ Quirky, Cool, Perfectly Weird Reasons We LOVE Portland

Every year, a slew of articles pop up, local and national, that include all the weird and wonderful reasons we Portlanders love Portland. Cool Factor All the cool kids live here. Linus Torvalds lives here. We live here. Everyone’s moving here. Seattle envies us. Portlandia! Duh… Culture Weird is the local mantra and mindset. Tango dancing capital of the universe. Tattoo capital of the world. Well, not quite. We rank #8 in America. Burnside Skatepark, anarchist architecture, and global icon of skater culture. World-class … Continue reading...

Walking Portland: Woodstock

This 5-mile loop walk--starting and finishing on popular Woodstock Avenue--traverses a larger part of the lovely Woodstock neighborhood, including a ridge of gorgeous views and a beautiful park. This scenic walk--beginning and ending on popular SE Woodstock Blvd--traverses much of the north-south length of the Woodstock neighborhood, including Woodstock Park. For info on our monthly Portland walking tours, join us on our Facebook page, Women Who Walk. And sign up for the next walk on Meetup at PDX Women Who Walk. Add a meander through Woodstock Park, … Continue reading...

Strength of the Economy Is Surprising the Experts

We’re currently in the longest economic recovery in U.S. history. In response, experts are projecting when the next economic slowdown (recession) could occur. Two years ago, 67% of the economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) for the Economic Forecasting Survey predicted we would have a recession no later than the end of this year (2020). The same study conducted just three months ago showed more than one-third of the economists still projecting an economic slowdown right around the corner. Naturally, this news caused concern among … Continue reading...

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling a Home

It’s exciting to put a house on the market and to think about making new memories in new spaces, but we can have deep sentimental attachments to the homes we’re leaving behind, too. Growing emotions can help or hinder a sale, depending on how we manage them. When it comes to the bottom line, homeowners need to know what it takes to avoid costly mistakes. Being mindful of these things and prepared for the process can help you avoid some of the most common mishaps when selling your house. 1. Overpricing Your Home When inventory is low, like it is in the current market, … Continue reading...

Buying a Home Early Can Significantly Increase Future Wealth

According to an Urban Institute study, homeowners who purchase a house before age 35 are better prepared for retirement at age 60. The good news is, our younger generations are strong believers in homeownership. According to a Freddie Mac survey, “The dream of homeownership is alive and well within “Generation Z,” the demographic cohort following Millennials. Our survey…finds that Gen Z views homeownership as an important goal. They estimate that they will attain this goal by the time they turn 30 years old, three years younger than the current … Continue reading...

2020 Homebuying Checklist

Buying a home in 2020? Here's a Homebuying Checklist to get you started. Some Highlights: If you’re thinking of buying a home, plan ahead and stay on the right track, starting with pre-approval. Being proactive about the homebuying process will help set you up for success in each step. Make sure to work with a trusted real estate professional along the way, to help guide you through the homebuying steps specific to your area. … Continue reading...