Keeping It Real Estate

A year and a half into the pandemic, housing market issues and trends look a little different than they did a few years ago. Today, we are discussing some of the top issues facing home buyers and sellers. We will also go over popular home features that a potential buyer may be looking for. Remote work, technology, and general housing supply will be just some of the things we touch on in this episode.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/headlines/ep-93-real-estate-issues-and-trends-in-2021-and-2022/745/   See our listings here: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  0:33 – List of top trends & issues 1:05 – Remote work and mobility 2:00 – Acceleration in tech and innovation 3:14 – ESG at a tipping point 4:30 – Housing supply 5:37 – Political polarization 6:35 – Top home features 7:21 – Updated kitchen 8:10 – Garage & yard space 10:29 – Home office & Internet 11:50 – Other popular trends  

Buying or selling a home is an exciting time. But it is also a time when we have a lot of questions about what things mean and what the best approach may be to certain situations. Colleen is here to help us navigate these questions from a realtor’s point of view with another mailbag episode.    Read more and get additional resources here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/mailbag/729/729/   See our listings here: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  0:49 – Should buyers be able to write letters to sellers? 3:22 – What does sale pending mean? 4:55 – Where to look for homes next to the water? 7:33 – Should we wait to remodel if we are moving?  

Mistakes can be very costly when buying and selling a home, which is why we work with clients to make them aware of potential pitfalls during the process. If you’re in the market for a home now, you’ll want to keep an eye out for these seven mistakes that have been plaguing people in 2021.   Read more here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/buying/ep-91-top-7-homebuyer-mistakes-of-2021/716/    See our listings: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  0:58 – 1st mistake on rates  2:39 – 2nd mistake with credit 4:00 – 3rd mistake on down payment 5:37 – 4th mistake on budgeting 6:42 – 5th mistake on multiple offers 8:33 – 6th mistake on getting emotional 9:41 – 7th mistake on realtors      

It’s time to take another look at the top real estate headlines and find out if the same trends are happening here in Oregon. Today we’ll talk crowdfunding investments, a rise in affordable listings, and the reasons searches are taking a while.   Show Notes: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/headlines/ep-90-recent-headlines-crowdfunding-affordable-listings-long-searches/708/    See our listings: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  0:44 – Crowdfunding real estate investments 3:32 – A rise in affordable listings 4:51 – Reasons why searches are taking a long time

When it comes time to start drawing up an offer, what all is negotiable during the home-buying process? On this episode, we’ll take you into some of those discussions and provide you with the insight you need to get the most out of your next purchase.   Read more: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/buying/ep-89-negotiable-parts-of-the-buying-process/703/    See our listings: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  1:01 – Repairs 2:15 – Time to Close 4:26 – Closing Costs 5:19 – Décor of a home 6:36 – What comes with the house? 8:18 – Seller-paid cleaning 9:24 – Home warranty 11:16 – Mortgage fees and expenses

Today we take four of your real estate questions and answer them on the show. From square footage discrepancies to home values to finding a home to use as an AirBNB, we’ll cover a range of topics on this episode.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/mailbag/ep-88-answering-your-real-estate-questions/695/    See our listings: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  0:41 – Mailbag question on square footage discrepancies 3:55 – Mailbag question on home value vs list price 5:42 – Listing appointment story 7:32 – Mailbag question on real estate agents for specific areas 9:57 – Mailbag question on buying income-producing homes

This year continues to be a busy one for real estate, but what does that date tell us after the first quarter of 2021? Today we’ll look at three national headlines on sales, buyer confidence, and the possibility of a real estate bubble and find out if Colleen is seeing the same things on the west coast.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/buying/ep-87-examining-first-quarter-headlines-sales-buyer-confidence-and-a-bubble/690/    See our listings: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  1:01 – Sales data from first quarter of 2021 5:17 – Buyer confidence remains high   8:29 – Are we headed for another real estate bubble?  

It always helps to hear stories from other people that go through the buying and selling process so today we’re featuring three closing recaps. Each of these real-life examples spotlights a unique or interesting process that a member of our team with through with a client.   Read more: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/headlines/ep-86-3-closing-recap-stories/684/    See our listings: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  1:57 – Closing recap #1 on spec homes 6:28 – Closing recap #2 on client who kept missing out on homes 9:09 – Closing recap #3 on a client that made $150k in a couple of years

It’s time to open up the mailbag and answer your questions about the home buying process. Today we’ll dive into paying cash, selling while the market is high, using a discount brokerage, and sellers backing out.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/buying/ep-84-mailbag-questions-about-the-home-buying-process/679/    See our listings here: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  0:34 – Mailbag question on paying cash vs loan 2:24 – Mailbag question on selling while market is high 5:17 – Mailbag question on using a discount brokerage 7:41 – Mailbag question on sellers backing out

With the current state of the real estate market in Oregon, we don’t always see appraisals line up with purchase prices. So what happens in those situations? We’ll tell you on this episode of the podcast and answer a few other questions that you sent in.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/mailbag/ep-84-mailbag-what-happens-when-appraisal-doesnt-match-price/668/    See our listings: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  0:34 – Mailbag question about zoning rules   3:14 – Mailbag question on best days to sell  4:19 – Fastest Colleen’s gotten a home launched  9:05 – Mailbag question on realtor and appraiser relationship 10:54 – Mailbag question on appraisal matching purchase price 

Today we look across the country to see what trends are popular for homeowners and buyers. From flooring to appliances to energy efficiency, we’ll get Colleen’s reaction to these trends. Plus, we’ll find out what day of the week is best to list a home.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/headlines/ep-83-popular-home-upgrades-more-national-trends/642/    See our listings: https://bensonbrokergroup.com/     What we discuss on this episode:  0:50 – Best day of week to list a home 3:40 – More interest in green homes 5:36 – Favorite flooring brands 7:51 – Top kitchen appliances 12:53 – Best small towns

Time to take another look at the real estate headlines that caught our attention over the last couple of weeks. From sellers paying for inspections to increasing mortgage rates and much more, we’ll get Colleen’s reaction to the latest industry news.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/uncategorized/ep-82-seller-inspections-mortgage-rates-other-headlines/612/    See our listings: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  1:00 – Seller inspections 3:39 – Young adults dominating the market 5:37 – Mortgage rate increases 6:34 – Never going back to normal 8:43 – First-time homebuyers have it easier

Today we get updated on some of the top national real estate headlines early in 2021 and get Colleen’s reaction to how each of these topics applies to Oregon and the West Coast.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/selling/ep-81-reacting-to-recent-real-estate-headlines/611/    See our listings: https://bensonbrokergroup.com/    What we discuss on this podcast:  0:41 – Seller optimism 1:20 – Equity rich 3:51 – Best places to raise a family 6:42 – Tough year for first-time homebuyers?

Before you sell your home, does it make financial sense to make a few upgrades? Let’s explore some of easier projects that you can take on and find out if they will provide a return on your investment or increase they likelihood that your home will sell.   Read more: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/selling/ep-80-how-to-increase-your-homes-value/605/    See our listings: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  1:14 – Lighting  2:31 – New Faucets 5:01 – Landscaping 6:40 – Paint the front door  8:04 – Make it pet friendly 8:43 – Do you have to make these changes? 1:14 – Lighting  2:31 – New Faucets 5:01 – Landscaping 6:40 – Paint the front door  8:04 – Make it pet friendly 8:43 – Do you have to make these changes?

When it comes time to buy or sell a home, you’ll probably ask yourself whether it’s worth working with a real estate agent or try to do the work on your own. Let’s talk about much value a great realtor can provide you during the process and what specifically we do to help our clients.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/buying/ep-79-the-value-of-a-realtor/589/    See our listings: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  1:15 – How the job has changed through the years 2:20 – Education   5:17 – Simplifying the process 7:16 – Authenticity 9:18 – Negotiating 11:06 – Communication 13:44 – Perspective 15:46 – Other ways we bring value  

Real estate enjoyed a strong year in 2020 and many are asking us if these trends will continue this year. Today we’ll look at the one national opinion on the realities of 2021 and tell you whether we think they’ll apply to Oregon and the Northwest.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/headlines/ep-78-real-estate-realities-of-2021/561/    See our listings: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  1:43 – Low inventory and high demand   2:32 – The market won’t pay top dollar over-priced and dated homes. 3:21 – Investors will focus on over-priced/dated homes. 6:34 – Transactions will become even more accelerated 8:31 – Leasebacks will be more popular 11:04 – Appraisal challenges continue   13:24 – Markets will undergo major changes

Technology continues to move fast in the home improvement sector and many people are considering upgrades to their home. Is it worth the time and money to add smart home technology? We’ll answer that question and discuss long market listings, marketing during COVID, and downsizing.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/mailbag/ep-77-smart-home-technology-upgrades-other-mailbag-questions/553/    See our listings here: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/    What we discuss on this episode: 0:35 – Mailbag question on smart home technology 2:43 – Mailbag question on listings that stay on the market a long time 5:52 – Mailbag question on marketing homes during COVID 8:07 – Mailbag question on downsizing

Are you ready to sell your home but you think waiting until spring might allow you to present your house in its full beauty? Colleen will explain why the winter might not make as much of a difference as you think. Plus, we tackle acreage, property management, basement renovations, and listing prices on today’s show.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/mailbag/ep-76-should-i-wait-until-spring-to-sell-other-mailbag-questions/542/    See our listings: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/     What we discuss on this episode:  0:33 – Mailbag Question about selling by season 4:50 – Mailbag Question about finding acreage 5:52 – Mailbag Question about investing in real estate and property management 9:49 – Mailbag Question about basement renovations 12:14 – Mailbag Question about first time home-buying 15:36 – Mailbag Question about listing price

It’s time to open up the mailbag to answer a variety of your real estate questions. Among the topics we’ll get to on this episode are home layouts, open houses, discount real estate companies, budgets, and more.     Read more and get additional resources here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/mailbag/ep-75-renovations-open-houses-budgets-other-mailbag-questions/530/    See our listings: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  0:47 – Mailbag Question about house layout and renovation 3:13 – Mailbag Question about open houses 5:56 – Mailbag Question about housing market vs condo market   7:10 – Mailbag Question about discount real estate companies 9:14 – Mailbag Question about determining house budg

We pick up on our conversation from last episode and continuing sharing the questions you should be asking a real estate before you start that relationship. This part will focus on specialization, communication styles, and honesty.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/buying/ep-74-questions-to-ask-a-real-estate-agent-part-2/515/    See our listings: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  0:53 – How long does the process usually take? 2:25 – Do you specialize in buying/selling at certain price points? 7:41 – What’s the primary form of communication? 9:43 – Do you have recommendations on professionals? 11:14 – Will you be honest about red flags you see at homes? 13:16 – How do you determine the price of a home?