Home Buyers Archives - SkyBlue Portland

Tune Your Funky Monkey Credit Score in Five Easy Pieces

Does a flat credit score have you singing off key? Tune that score with these 5 easy pieces. Monitor your credit score. If you’re like a lot of folks, you don’t know your credit score. No worries, we’ve all been there. To orchestrate a credit score tune-up, you need to know your current score, credit history, and which accounts (if any) are negatively affecting your score. Check out this recent comparison of top credit monitoring services to see which services best fit your needs. Many of them provide a free credit report, as well as daily credit … Continue reading...

What’s a Buyer Consultation & Why Do You Need One?

Every home buyer needs a Buyer Consultation. Here's why. Ahhh… the dreaded Buyer Consultation. The event that some home buyers avoid like the plague. Because, you know, the buyer’s consultation is where some super-slick real estate agent corners you with high pressure tactics to maneuver you into signing a document that basically ties you to that agent from now to eternity, come hell or high-water. When all you want to do is get inside those dreamy homes you see on the web to take a closer look, to bring your vision into sharper focus. You’re just “shopping,” … Continue reading...

Do You Know Who’s Representing YOU?

Clients often ask me to explain the difference between a seller’s agent (listing broker) and a buyer’s agent. Some buyers even indicate that they might prefer to negotiate directly with the seller and listing broker. And forgo the buyer's agent altogether. Let me be clear: This is a very bad idea. There’s a huge difference between a seller’s agent and a buyer’s agent. Under only very rare (and legally disclosed) circumstances should a single agent represent both sides of a transaction The listing broker represents the seller and has a legal obligation to get the … Continue reading...

10 Steps to a Successful Relocation Move to Portland, Oregon

10 Steps to Relocating to Portland, Oregon | SkyBlue Portland

Relocating to Portland, Oregon? SkyBlue Portland Real Estate Group is here to help. 1. ENLIST AN ACCREDITED BUYER'S REPRESENTATIVE (ABR®). Working with a stellar agent is the most critical aspect of a successful home purchase. Key qualities to look for are experience, in-depth local market knowledge, and solid communication and negotiation skills. Our Lead Buyers Agent, Rachel Bradley, earned the real estate broker's ABR® designation and has in-depth training in representing buyers. Years of experience, commitment to her clients, love for Portland neighborhoods, and … Continue reading...

Moving to Oregon? Join the Crowd.

Moving to Portland? Join the Crowd. | SkyBlue Portland

Are you thinking about moving to Oregon? Or are you already here, trying to buy a home? If you’re trying to buy a home Portland, you've probably experienced unparalleled competition. Especially in some of its hotter-than-hot neighborhoods. (Southeast Portland, we're looking at you.) But before you jump on the Damn Those Uppity Californians rant train, you may be surprised by some of the latest statistics. Yes, in 2015, Oregon was the most popular moving destination in the United States, with 69 percent of moves to and from the state being inbound. Oregon continues … Continue reading...

4 Reasons to Buy Your Beautiful New Home Now

We hear this question almost every day from our clients: Is NOW a good time to buy? And our answer is yes, yes, yes, and yes again. That's four big affirmatives, because there are four compelling reasons to consider buying a home today--instead of waiting for the proverbial “train that has already left the station.” 1. Prices are Rising The Home Price Expectation Survey regularly polls a distinguished panel of over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts. A recent report projects appreciation in home values over the next five years … Continue reading...

Tips for the First Time Home Buyer

So you're thinking about buying your first home. Yeehaw! You're in for an exhilarating, thrills-and-chills packed ride. But no worries. Buying a home can be one of the most fun, most rewarding experiences of your life. Just don't jump on your horse without a plan. And your hat and boots. The Broker You can buy a home without the help of a real estate broker, but it costs the buyer nothing to get the help of a professional. These days, your real estate broker works with a team of other professionals to make the home buying or selling experience as seamless and … Continue reading...

Are these 6 Mortgage Myths Selling You Short?

Worried you aren't ready to buy a home? Here are the top mortgage myths--debunked. We talk to a lot of first-time and even second-time home buyers who are confused when it comes to mortgages. Persistent mortgage myths keep many could-be buyers from realizing the dream of owning their own home. Accredited Buyer's Representative, Rachel Bradley, can guide you through the mortgage maze. Check out her stellar client testimonials. And then call/text 503-936-3373. You'll be glad you did. What’s the minimum down payment these days? How about the minimum credit score? … Continue reading...

Buying a Home: What Do You REALLY Want?

Every home buyer has a vision in their head of the kind of home that would put a smile on their face. Sometimes two or three visions. This is where our home buyer's check list comes in. When a couple is in the market for a new home, there may be several competing visions to sort out and distill. That’s where our handy check list comes it. It forces you to choose the features you want most in a home and then asks you to stack rank them. You think it’s easy? Not so fast, grasshopper. Have you ever considered, for instance, which is more important to you—a … Continue reading...

10 Funky Monkeys to Ignore When Scouting Your Dream Home

You know what funky monkeys are, right? They’re other people’s problems that they are trying to foist off on trusting, unsuspecting YOU. And most of the time, the best course of action is to fly like a bat out of Hades when you see those monkeys heading your way. Fly, Baby, Fly! However, there is at least one exception to the Fly, Baby, Fly rule. Consider this. When it comes to buying the home of your dreams, at the price of your dreams, funky monkeys can be opportunities. Did you hear that? Opportunities! Why? Because most potential buyers run like the devil when … Continue reading...