Portland, OR Real Estate Video Blog with Stellar Realty NW

Monday, August 10, 2015

The Top 10 Renovations that Are Sure to Save You Money

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Today I'd like to share an interesting video I found on HGTV. It documents the ten best renovations that you can make on your home that won't cause you to go broke! Renovations can get expensive, but here are some ideas to help you get more bang for your buck.

10. Using subway tiles is an inexpensive way to redo your kitchen and add a retro feel to it.

9. Speaking of a retro feel, using vintage furniture and fixtures can look and feel great on your wallet.

8. You can create an 'art wall' by collecting used wood. This hand-crafted, old-school look is sure to impress your guests.

7. Instead of ripping out your hardwood floors entirely, just replace the ones that cannot be used anymore. Lacing new boards in with old ones has an eye-catching look.

6. Changing the knobs on your cabinets and doors can create a whole different feel in a kitchen.

5. Instead of updating your entire bathroom, just refinish your tub. It makes everything else look new again.

4. Painting your home by yourself can be a huge money-saver.

3. Hiring a good Realtor can save you money as well. They know how to negotiate deals and get you the best price on a home that you're buying or selling. Talk to me about this!

2. Waterproofing your roof can save you tons and tons of money down the road. Being proactive about major structural issues in your home is always a good idea.

1. The last couple saved nearly $20,000 renovating their home because they knew a good mill-worker. While I can't promise that you'll save that much, I do know good contractors that can offer you discounts on their services!

So, there you have it. Ten easy ways to save money while renovating your home. While these are all great ideas, I'd prefer if you spoke with me before you went about ripping up your house.

Not all renovations are necessary if you're trying to get top dollar before a sale. Often times the most expensive renovations will not make you the most money back - if you get any money back at all.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions about this video, or if you have any Portland real estate needs!

Monday, June 8, 2015

What's Happening in Lake Oswego?

Today we're in Lake Oswego, a charming town just south of Portland, and one of our favorite destinations when we just want to get away for a while.

We're in the Millennium Plaza Park of Lake Oswego, where there is fine dining, movies, music, and much more. It's a wonderful little area for anyone and everyone looking to relax for a bit. Maybe if you're lucky your parents will take you to Salt & Straw for a gourmet ice cream cone.

One of the great parts about this area is the school system. Both high schools in Lake Oswego were in the top 15 in Oregon, and this is just one of many reasons why people are choosing to move here.

Our favorite neighborhood in Lake Oswego is called First Addition, and it was established in 1888, making it the oldest neighborhood in the town, and also the most desirable.

If you're interested in properties in this town, please don't hesitate to ask us about them. There is a lot of buzz surrounding this community right now, so don't miss your chance to invest before it's too late.

To find a home in Lake Oswego, visit http://bit.do/LakeOswegoHomes.

Friday, May 15, 2015

What's Happening in the Portland Real Estate Market?

It's spring already, and the Portland real estate market is off to a hot start. We only have three months of inventory, and that is down from last month. We're seeing multiple offers and people are scrambling to win offers on good homes.

Despite some arguments that Portland is caught in a seller's market, it's actually a pretty great time to buy a home. Interest rates are around 4%, and affordability is sky-high right now. Nobody is certain when interest rates will rise again, but just a 1% increase in rates could cost you thousands of dollars. For example, just a 1% increase in the mortgage interest rates on a $400,000 home could cost you an extra $85,000 over the life of the loan!

Although this is a tough market for buyers, now is an excellent time to buy a home. Your dollar will push you further than it ever has before. With this being said, it's also a good time to sell your home and move up into a nicer one.

For more information, click here to check out the fantastic article in the Portland Monthly for April 2015.

If you have any other questions about the Portland real estate market, please don't hesitate to contact us!