Weekly guidance concerning the real estate landscape in Oregon. From Salem to Portland to Bend and the coast, this is the show for you if you want to know the 411 on the real estate market throughout the Willamette Valley. Join Realtor Colleen Benson each week for great buying and selling tips.
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A recent Zillow survey finds that three out of four home buyers report having at least one regret about the home that they purchased. So what we're going to do on today's show is explore some of the top triggers of buyer’s remorse and look at ways that you can avoid having that feeling the next …
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When it comes to deciding where to live in retirement, many Baby Boomers are choosing to downsize their home. There are many benefits to going this direction, but there are also several challenges that we often see. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 - Intro 1:41 – Why downsize? 3:47 – Emotional concerns 6:20 – Health issues 9:50 – Financ…
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Our feature listing this week is a wonderful home in Waldport, Oregon. We’ll tell you all about it in this video and share some pictures of the home on Edgewater Drive. Plus, we’ll answer a question form Bill that covers a topic we get asked about all the time. Is it difficult to buy and sell a home at the same time? If you’re going through that ex…
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Every seller who decides to put their home on the market wants to get as much as they can at the closing table. It’s not uncommon for that person to have a price in their head before meeting with a real estate agent and then they find out it might not be that valuable. Today we want to talk through this scenario thanks to a question we received fro…
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On this episode, we're zooming in on how national real estate trends are directly affecting your local market. Are sellers in your area more open to concessions? How have recent shifts in interest rates influenced the local real estate scene? And has the rise in remote work been a boon or a drag for your local housing market? Here’s some of what we…
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On this episode, we're zooming in on how national real estate trends actually differ from what we are seeing around Oregon to start 2024. While many of the headlines are full of doom and gloom, Salem and surrounding areas have had a great start to the year. We’re going to highlight a few of the key stats that capture this positive momentum and then…
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We’re excited to bring our podcast to YouTube so that we can expand the show by sharing photos of the homes we feature on the show. To kick it off, we have two great homes to showcase in this episode. The first is a 3br/2ba home in Dallas, Oregon that is listed for $530,000. It features a large flat driveway with an RV parking pad and some beautifu…
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We all like to get a good deal, especially when it comes to a major purchase like buying a home. Today, we talk through an older article with tips and tricks on how to find a bargain-priced home. Colleen shares which of these pointers she agrees with and which ones she feels have changed over time. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: Ho…
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You may have heard some recent buzz about real estate commissions in the news. Following a lawsuit in Missouri, we discuss some potential shifts and perspectives regarding commission structures. Right now, buyers don’t pay a realtor fee and the sellers do. How could this potentially impact homebuyers? Colleen shares what she foresees happening and …
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It can be tempting to sell your house on your own and avoid paying commission. But did you know that more often than not, sellers end up losing more when doing it on their own instead of working with a realtor? We talk through the common pitfalls faced when doing a for sale by owner on today’s show. Then you can decide for yourself if it’s still wo…
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Have you heard the news? We talk about some of the national headlines making the rounds about real estate and find out from Colleen if it rings true locally. According to recent studies, 8 out of 10 Americans think it’s a bad time to buy a home. Is that really true? While the mortgage rates are high, Colleen thinks it’s actually a great time to buy…
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It’s spooky season! Colleen and Walter kick off the episode by sharing some of their feelings about Halloween scares and haunted houses before they share the top fears that many homebuyers and sellers face. Before you cover your eyes or run away in fear, don't worry! Listen in as Colleen advises on how to overcome these fears and navigate your home…
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Football is back, the air is getting crisp, and the holidays are on the horizon. But what about real estate? Is fall a good time to buy a home? In this episode, we talk about what you need to know if you’re looking for a home this fall and how the seasons may (or may not) change your home buying strategy. Listen in as Colleen shares her expert insi…
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Have you ever wondered how house shows like Love it or List It or House Hunters compare to reality? Whether you watch them for entertainment or find it educational, they can be fun to watch from time to time. On today’s show, we peel back the layers a bit to find out what’s fact and what’s fiction on these popular TV shows. We also cover five takea…
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Ever wondered what "cozy" truly implies in a real estate listing, or why "rustic" can be a tricky term? If you've ever skimmed through a real estate listing, chances are you've come across some puzzling terminology. On this week's episode, we pull back the curtain on the coded language of real estate listings. We unpack the meaning behind terms lik…
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If you're in the real estate market, it's crucial to keep up with the ever-changing trends and tactics. In today's digital age, old-school strategies are rapidly losing their effectiveness, and the need to adapt to more modern methods is becoming increasingly clear. Here are some of the things we’ll tackle on today’s show: Why you don’t want to lis…
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We’re getting creative today and applying some of Johnny Carson’s quotes to real estate to see what we can learn. Colleen takes each quote and talks through how she sees it play out in the day-to-day amongst clients as well as real estate agents. Find out how these quotes relate to real estate: “I never analyze, I just go out and do it.” “People wi…
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Get ready to demystify the process of buying and selling a home with the help of technology. We’re going to play a little game today by having Google fill in the blank to help us unravel the most common real estate queries, ensuring you're informed and empowered on your property journey. Here are some of the questions we’ll tackle on today’s show: …
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You want your home to be show ready and in the best light possible when you go to sell. From the first impression photos online to accommodating a last-minute showing, you want your home to shine with potential buyers. If your home isn’t selling right away, make sure you work with your real estate agent to understand why. Is it priced realistically…
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Join us as we delve into the exciting possibilities of artificial intelligence (AI) in the real estate industry. We asked ChatGPT, a popular AI chatbot, how it thinks AI will impact the future of real estate. Colleen shares her thoughts on its answers in today's episode. Tune in as we talk about the exciting possibilities of AI and how to find the …
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In this episode, Colleen will share a few tips for improving the appearance of your home before it goes to market. Plus, we’ll update you on the state of the rental market, share some HOA pros and cons, and talk about why you probably need to take out at least $100,000 on a mortgage. Here’s what we’ll discuss in this episode: Some easy things you c…
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When you meet with an agent, you might hear different statements and opinions. But are they positive signs that you’ve chosen the right person or red flags that you should turn and run? You want to make sure you have a good relationship with your real estate agent and can trust their advice. Today we’ll share some good and bad things to look out fo…
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Ep 131: Mailbag – Housing Areas With Promising Appreciation Potential, Rental Properties And More
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It’s time for another mailbag episode! We have an exciting lineup of topics to discuss today. Listen in as we tackle some questions from our listeners, and you’ll likely gain some invaluable insights to help you make informed housing decisions. In this episode, we will discuss some popular housing areas with promising appreciation potential in the …
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Today we’re going to take a look at some of the top things people do that tend to frustrate real estate agents. Now, this list is certainly not intended to make anyone feel bad, but being aware of these frustrations and traits can lead to a more seamless home-buying experience. Here’s what we’ll discuss in this episode: Working with a client who is…
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Whether you are looking to sell your home soon or simply want to enhance its curb appeal, we have some budget-friendly tips and helpful advice to share with you today. In this episode, Colleen will provide expert advice on sprucing up your outdoor space to maximize its potential for future buyers. She’ll also share her thoughts on the right time to…
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On this week’s podcast, we’re going to the mailbag to find out what our listeners have questions about. Colleen will tackle five different topics ranging from new inventory coming onto the market, how long houses will take to sell this spring, why an agent will provide a better home search than Zillow, and more. Here’s some of what you’ll learn in …
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One of the questions we hear a lot from buyers is whether they should look for an existing home or new construction. It’s an ongoing debate that is often up to personal preference, but there are some myths out there about buying a new home that need to be cleared up. Here’s some of what you’ll learn in this episode: The one homebuyer mistake people…
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In this episode, we have five mailbag questions we want to run by Colleen, and three of those are asking about real estate investing. The great thing about the discuss today is that we’ll touch on Airbnb properties but also ways to get involved without actually becoming a landlord. Here’s some of what you’ll learn in this episode: Is it okay to hav…
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How do you know if the home you’re interested in actually has good bones underneath all the cosmetic improvements that were made? We posed that question to Colleen today along with a few others from the mailbag to find out what buyers should be paying attention to. Here’s some of what you’ll learn in this episode: What are your options when you’re …
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In this episode, Colleen will answer 10 of the most important questions that come up during the process. This might not cover everything, but it should help provide answers to a lot of the initial topics we discuss with clients. Here’s some of what you’ll learn in this episode: What’s the best way to prepare your house before selling it? (0:56) How…
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As the market changes, a lot of information and opinions get thrown out into the world. In this episode, we will be taking a fun approach to sharing our thoughts by playing a game of “True or False”. Listen to learn questions you may want to ask your realtor, what you should know about home appraisals, shifts that may be coming to the housing marke…
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The housing market has shifted quite a bit. Active inventory has gone up 55% over last November and today we will be answering some great questions from sellers. Listen to find out more about home inspections, finding the right realtor, and more! Here are some of the key points Colleen covers: Should you budget for a home inspection before selling?…
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It’s time for another mailbag episode, and we bet these questions (and our answers) will help many of you as well. This episode could really help if you’re looking to buy a home in the future or work with an agent. We will discuss whether it’s better to buy a newer home or build one and if you should sign a contract with your agent. Listen to hear …
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We love answering your questions, so we are back with another mailbag episode. This episode could really help if you’re someone looking to buy a home in the future. We will discuss different ways to achieve purchasing a home, from contingent offers, low bids, rent-to-own properties, and more. Listen to hear some of the questions our other listeners…
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Bold headlines catch the attention of many, but how much weight do they really hold? In today’s episode, we are going to discuss some recent articles and see if we agree with the content. As the market is fluctuating, a lot of potentially scary words are thrown around like “depression”, “recession”, and more. Let’s pick apart some of these topics i…
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Realtor.com recently wrote an article sharing five ways to increase the value of your home without spending money on upgrades. In this episode, we will be going over these five suggestions and see if we agree. Are you looking for some fresh marketing suggestions? Look no further. We also share the inside scoop about our effective marketing tactics …
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Today we will be answering mailbag questions! The mailbag series helps us stay in touch with the topics you want to know as buyers. You might find some clarity as you hear the answers to questions you may have had yourself! Listen to learn more about home pricing, spotting a lemon, down payments in a competitive market, and more! Here are some of t…
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With the real estate market cooling off a bit, buyers are starting to find some reduced prices on homes. If you’re currently searching for a good deal, are these reduced homes a good place to look? On today’s episode, Colleen will answer that question that came into the show recently and she’ll also tackle a few others. As always, this mailbag edit…
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Today’s episode is broken into two parts as we take a look at some recent real estate headlines. First, spoiler alert! The housing market is not going to crash. That’s at least the opinion of Dave Ramsey’s team published an article recently that breaks down the reasons he thinks the housing market is not in for a big price crash. Their main point i…
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Whether you’re new to real estate or a seasoned veteran, it’s never a bad thing to revisit the basics to make sure you have a clear understanding when it comes to buying and selling a home. On this episode, we’ll open the real estate dictionary to look at some of the key terms you might see or hear during the process. We’ll look at a few on both th…
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With the housing market changing, but still doing strong, what kind of questions are buyers and sellers asking? On today’s episode, we’re opening up the mailbag to answer your questions on flipping old homes, new construction versus aged homes, and much more. Listen to the episode to learn the answers to these questions and more: Felix is wondering…
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Let's open up the mailbag to answer some of your questions on buying, selling, and everything in between. What you’ll learn on today’s episode: “We are thinking of leaving some personal items behind when we sell our home. Can we negotiate with personal items when a buyer asks for a discount because of needed repairs?” (0:36) “I have been outpriced …
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We’re answering some of your questions on today’s show! Allie, a listener in North East Salem, wrote in saying her father wants to help with her down payment so she can afford her first home. Are there any limits she should know about? Ben, asks where he can put his money to improve the value of his house? Paint and landscape are really important f…
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A recent Realtor.com article outlines a few signs you’ll hate your home after the initial excitement of a new house wears off. Does Colleen agree? A front door that opens into a wall might not seem like a big deal when you tour the home, but after a while, it may start to feel cramped. Long hallways are classic for some of us, but the newest style …
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Let’s answer some questions from buyers and sellers in the area! Brent is thinking of using an adjustable-rate mortgage to buy his home, but he knows they became a big issue in 2008 and the rate may go up in the future. How does Colleen advise those interested in ARMs? Colleen recommends meeting with a lender and wants to remind you that we’re not …
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We are answering some of your questions on today’s show about buying and selling your home. In this market is a 20% down payment enough? Definitely! While it may be harder to win certain bids 20% is usually more than enough. Mary wrote in that her loan approval was for $700,000 and with all the houses selling above asking value she is wondering if …
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Today we’re opening up the mailbag again to find out what you’re most interested in when it comes to buying and selling a home and we have some great questions to dive into. We’ll cover the foreclosure market and whether we’ll see that increase around Oregon. Then we’ll talk about the pros and cons of hiring experts to do the work around your home.…
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Let’s open up the mailbag and answer some of your questions about buying and selling your home. Stella says her neighbors are also planning on selling their home soon. Should she list before, after, or at the same time as them? With interest rates rising and a changing market, we recommend getting listed as soon as possible. Dean asks how detailed …
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With a lot of investors buying up more and more properties in the past few years, there have been a lot of flipped houses coming onto the market. When you are in the search for your next home, how can you be sure what you’re looking at isn’t a cheap flip? If you’re looking at a home without building permits, but it appears major changes have been m…
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Kathy saw someone on the news recently list their home extremely below market price and it generated a lot of buzz. What does Colleen think of this strategy? This is a great question; most sellers want to price high and go from there. This strategy can generate a lot of bids on your home and end up getting you more money. Bud is wondering if he has…
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