Portland Real Estate Podcast with Spring Cutsforth

Portland Real Estate Market Update for Summer

spring@springsteam.com (Spring Cutsforth) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 13:09:00 -0700

There are many great Portland area homes for sale. Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Value Report so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call me at (503) 245-9000 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

Summer is here and the weather isn't the only thing heating up!

The Portland area real estate market is in good shape, with rates still down around 4%.

That is great news for both buyers and sellers, as we are coming into the highest selling season of the year.

For sellers, this means that buyers are coming out in full force. If you want to get multiple offers for your home, there is no better time to sell than now.

For buyers, there is plenty of inventory available and there are many homes to choose from. There isn't a better time to discover the perfect home.

As always, feel free to call us with questions you might have about buying or selling in the Portland area. Whatever your needs, we are your real estate resource!

Consult With Us on How to Improve and Maintain a Good Credit Score

spring@springsteam.com (Spring Cutsforth) — Tue, 6 May 2014 13:17:00 -0700

All You Need to Know about Credit...

Today I wanted to take some time and talk to you all about credit reports. We have had a lot of inquiries in the last few months that are mostly concerned with what people can do with their credit reports or how they can improve their credit score. I'm going to shine some light into these questions and hopefully clear up some misconceptions you might have about these things.

Credit Score

This is one of the most important numbers that you have. This score is basically a number telling a lender what the potential risk is in lending you money. What is interesting is that people don't realize today that medical insurance, auto insurance, prospective jobs and apartments to rent, all of these things are predicated on by your credit score. So although you may not be interested in these things, it is important to stay on top of your credit.

So, there are three credit reporting bureaus and you will get what we call a FICO score. This score can range anywhere from 300 to above 800. The higher the score you have, the less risk there is to the lender. With a better score you will also get better rates and better terms.

How is this score calculated?

35% of your score is based on payment history, 30% is based on the amount you currently owe, 15% is your credit history, 10% comes from new credit inquiries, and another 10% comes from the current types of credit that you have in use. With this in mind, I have been working on a lot of short sales and foreclosures lately, and these things will remain on your credit history for 7 years, but keep in mind that short sales only affect your credit for about 2 years. Foreclosures will continue to effect your credit for 7 years. If you file for bankruptcy, this will stay on your credit for 10 years.

You are entitled to a free credit report every year, and my advice would be to make it a New Year's resolution to check your credit every year on www.annualcreditreport.com. Go over the report carefully and make sure that there aren't any debts on there that are not yours or check to see if the payment history is accurate.

One of the best ways to escalate your credit score is to eliminate any debt that you might have. There are some other creative strategies to improve your score, and if you'd like to know about them, just give us a call.

Do you need the help of a credit repair company?

A lot of clients have been asking me if they need to utilize a service to improve their credit score, and the answer is NO. These companies can't do anything for you that you can't already do for yourself.

So my advice is to get a copy of your credit report and go over it carefully. If you have any questions or concerns then please feel free to call us and we would be happy to help you out or refer you to someone who could give you assistance.

As always, if you need any assistance with real estate in Portland, or if you want answers about your credit, please give us a call at (503) 245-9000 or email us at spring@springsteam.com.

Spring is a Wonderful Time to Buy & Sell in Portland

spring@springsteam.com (Spring Cutsforth) — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 15:17:00 -0800

Spring Selling Season
With the housing market and the weather warming up here in Portland, it's a good time to consider whether selling your home is a good option for you. Please come and talk to us and we'd love to run some numbers for you to see what you could realistically get for your property. Also, remember that this is the time of year to prep your home for selling. Rejuvenate your yard and make it look crisp and fresh because you need to entice buyers through the front door. Curb appeal is crucial at this time of year!

Spring is Great for Buyers Too
This is a good time for buyers too, as we're experiencing historically low interest rates and inventory is always up in the spring, so you would have a variety of homes to choose from. If you're in the Portland market to buy, then please contact us and we would be glad to assist you in finding a home.

Consider us your top real estate resource in Portland. Thanks again for watching today, and we look forward to hearing from you. If you require assistance, call me at (503) 245-9000 or email me at spring@springsteam.com

Time-Sensitive Update for Buyers & Sellers In the Portland Real Estate Market

spring@springsteam.com (Spring Cutsforth) — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 10:33:00 -0800

There are many great Portland area homes for sale. Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Value Report so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call me at (503) 245-9000 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

Welcome back to my video blog again. Today I'm going to be enlightening you on some recent changes to the market and how you can take advantage of them. There's a small window to act so knowing the ins and outs of the market will help you beat the competition!

Sellers - What to Do
If you've been trying to sell for years but have waiting for a better market: now is your chance! There is about a 1-2 month window right now as spring and summer approaches, so talk to me soon if you want to sell. Also, with interest rates expected to rise as the year progresses, now would be the time to list & market your home.

Buyers - Do Not Delay
If you're looking to buy, now is definitely the time. Interest rates are as low as they have been in nearly 50 years with rates sitting right around 4.3%. Interest rates are expected to rise upwards of 5.5%, but even if this doesn't come to fruition, rates will rise simply because of the demand for money as the market warms up and buyers pull out loans.

Once again, if you are in the market to buy or sell, contact me and I'd be more than happy to assist you in finding a good deal. Reach me if you need any help or have any questions. Call me at (503) 245-9000 or email me at spring@springsteam.com

Gorgeous Grand Fir Christmas Trees FOR SALE!

spring@springsteam.com (Spring Cutsforth) — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 08:32:00 -0800

Absolutely Gorgeous Grand Fir Christmas Trees

FOR SALE!!

Freshly Cut!

Any size you'd like, up to 12 feet!

$30.00

Pre-Order Now- First Come, First Serve!

Please contact Spring Realty!

503-905-2000

Mall 205/Portland Adventist Area

Property Tax Appeal Deadline

spring@springsteam.com (Spring Cutsforth) — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 14:14:00 -0800

Welcome back to my video blog. I just wanted to remind you that the property tax appeal deadline is fast approaching. Your application must be postmarked by Dec. 31st.

If you have any questions or need help with your petition, please give us a call. We can compile some data to support your case. We want to be your real estate resource.

October Market Update 2013

spring@springsteam.com (Spring Cutsforth) — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 12:54:00 -0700

Welcome back to my video blog! I can’t believe the holiday season is upon us. With that, don’t forget to change your clocks back on November 3^rd!

There have been a lot of things happening in the real estate market. Just a couple weeks ago it seemed all we heard about was the government shutdown. While the government is back up and ‘running’, the impact of the shutdown still remains.

Because of the shutdown, rates were up to almost 5 percent, but they recently dropped down to about 4.25 percent; making now the time to buy and refinance.

You might be considering selling. Is now a good time? The answer is yes! A lot of sellers have taken their home off the market, leaving very little inventory. That means less competition for you!

After the first of the year, we are going to have a hot streak, meaning there will be an abundance of listings. Don’t wait; sell now!

If you have any thoughts of selling, give me a call. We can evaluate your home and whether now is the time to sell for you!

Thanks for watching!

Ready to Sell Your Portland-area Home? Now is the Perfect Time

spring@springsteam.com (Spring Cutsforth) — Wed, 1 May 2013 08:40:00 -0700

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The real estate market is changing quickly here in the Portland area. That’s why we at Spring Realty keep our fingers on the pulse of our real estate market, network with other Realtors, and continually brainstorm about new strategies.

The latest news is that now is a fantastic time to sell. We have low inventories in the Portland area.
And the great news is that buyers haven’t figured it out yet! We often can get you top dollar because we have more buyers than homes on the market.

So if you’ve contemplated selling in the last couple of years without success, pick up the phone and call us. It likely will be a different story this time around!

Three Things That Will Change Your Life – Both Personally and Professionally

spring@springsteam.com (Spring Cutsforth) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:03:00 -0800

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As I sat through the conference among colleagues from around the nation and enjoyed the newest teachings of Mike Ferry, I couldn’t help but think about how the concepts could serve the purpose of improving my business life. For three days, the focus was entirely on how to build a strong base of customers for life. The retreat, taking place in gorgeous Southern California, is one that many Realtors look forward to and a place where other top-producing agents have a chance to confer with each other as well.

The three ideas taken from this retreat are simple concepts that have an amazing positive impact on the business and personal outlook on anyone that chooses to pursue them. They may seem overly simple to you but once you implement them wholeheartedly as I plan to in every area of my life, I am sure you will see the results that I can’t wait see as well.

Communication

If you were to poll millions of clients across the board about their biggest complaint about their agent, you would find the most prevalent gripe people wish to be changed is lack of communication. Even with today’s technology, allowing real-time communication and paving the way for even more communication-friendly avenues, there are still myriad real estate agents (and other businesspeople) that just do not stay as connected as their clients would like.

From here on out, I pledge to engage in weekly communications with our clients that have active listings as well as continue to remain connected with those that we have served in the past or hope to work with in the future.

Empathy

Even though the current economy is hard on business of all types, there is no excuse for anyone not to truly care about those that are the very reason for their success. I see it happen a lot in many establishments where the underlying theme seems not to be customer service oriented, rather it is along the lines of simply cashing in on the next commission or paycheck.

We will continue to do business the way we have always done – with genuine regard for our clients’ needs. Rather than being judgmental we will continue to serve with the utmost integrity and conviction – working so that you, our client, are successful in your endeavors – no matter how big or small they may be. Our goal is and always has been to be real with our clients – and nothing changes on that end.

Quality

This is a big one. Without quality, what really sets anyone apart from the rest? Even then, the world is constantly more competitive and ever challenging in this regard. As Mike Ferry pointed out, the quality with which we do things will improve everything else – across the board. Whether this means paying more attention to detail, providing more choices and solutions to fit the varied needs of our clientele or simply focusing on doing a better job – all of it is paramount to maintaining a strong connection with our customers.

We will do exactly that. We will pay more attention to detail, listen to your needs and work to provide the perfect solutions according to your requirements. Rather than be egocentric, our goal is to continue to be customer-focused while providing the best quality of service.

~

With these new, yet age-old wisdoms I will implement a new and improved outlook throughout our offices. Whether it is the level of accessibility I provide to our clients, the genuine emotion with which we embrace our customers’ needs or the pinnacle of quality that myself and my staff owe to you, we pledge to do it and do it well. I also invite you to share with us any ways you feel we could perform better in these or any areas. We look forward to hearing from you!

Extended Mortgage Debt Relief Act

spring@springsteam.com (Spring Cutsforth) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 08:54:00 -0800

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Now that we are well into 2013, there will be some changes to our real estate outlook with some familiar programs back in action. With all the talk about the impending Fiscal Cliff, it is no wonder that homeowners everywhere are wondering how the outcome will impact them individually. Here are three recent changes and/or updates to the programs available out there that will have a significant impact on our marketplace this year and moving forward.

Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Act Extended Through 2013

On the minds of many homeowners that have mortgages falling short of the current value of their homes, the Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Relief Act was set to expire on December 31, 2012. Among the many issues discussed within Congress during the last few hours of 2012 was the extension period of this important tax relief for distressed homeowners. Primarily as a means to help consumers faced with hardships overcome their financial difficulties when they incur forgiven debt – the Act serves to waive tax implications on what otherwise would be considered taxable income.

Private Mortgage Insurance Tax Relief Now Applies to Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013

Each year millions of homeowners look forward to the tax relief that comes with being able to write off their private mortgage insurance premiums. By the end of 2012, no one was sure the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 would be extended to include the coming year. Once again, at the final hours of negotiations the Act was extended through fiscal year 2013 to allow homeowners paying private mortgage insurance to deduct that amount when filing their income taxes.

Capital Gains Tax Rates Increased from 15% to 20%

A topic of confusion for many, the capital gains tax increase set for higher income levels is more lenient than most people realize. Though the theory is that this increase in tax impacts individuals and households with higher income levels, the truth is the income and gains cap is relatively high. The capital gains tax increase will only apply to individuals earning an Adjusted Gross Income of $400,000 or more. Furthermore, people in these income brackets will incur the capital gains tax only on income earned above and beyond the cap which is $250,000 or more for individuals and $500,000 or higher for households.

If you would like to discuss these or any other issues in the real estate marketplace or if you are considering buying or selling a home – contact us today! We would love to help make your real estate dreams become a reality!

Best Wishes for 2013

spring@springsteam.com (Spring Cutsforth) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 08:14:00 -0800

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To all our cherished friends, neighbors, family and clients – we are so proud to have been able to work with you and be a part of your lives! As we end this year and turn to the exciting time and events that 2013 holds, we just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all that you bring to our lives.

We have some really great plans in the coming year to bring more success to all your real estate endeavors. And with each transaction that makes it to the closing table in the coming months and years ahead – we know that there will continue to be new and exciting things to follow for all of us.

On behalf of the entire group – Happy Holidays, Season’s Greetings, Peace and Joy!

Resolve to Get Into the Market Sooner Rather Than Later

spring@springsteam.com (Spring Cutsforth) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 07:35:00 -0800

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The real estate market is changing quickly. As your real estate resource center, we’re committed to keeping you up to date on all of these changes—and what they mean to you. Over the past five years, the real estate market has been declining. But right now, there’s a good opportunity in real estate that most people are not aware of—record-setting low interest rates of approximately 3.25% coupled with low inventory. The last thing you want is to miss out on these amazing rates. You also want to take advantage of the low inventory, of course, thanks to the Joneses getting out of the market. In fact, in Portland and the surrounding area, there is only 3.8 months of active homes on the market, which means that if no homes came on the market, we’d be out of inventory in 3.8 months, rather than the average 6 months. Here’s the thing: supply and demand affect what you’ll get for your home.

So what does this mean for you? Now is the time to buy or sell your property. If you are like the Joneses, you pulled your home off the market after Labor Day when kids headed back to school, the holidays rolled around, and the weather started to cool. Because of this mentality, there are now fewer houses on the market, and low inventory impacts the price you can get for your home. You can get more for your home when there’s less competition. Remember, it’s all about supply and demand, and now’s the time to get top dollar for your home.

After the first of the year, when the holidays have faded, kids are out of school, and the weather is wonderful, everyone who has been thinking about selling puts their home on the market. Your house will then have lots of homes to compete with. And with the supply of homes up in the spring, the price you’ll get for your home inevitably goes down. At the end of the day, you have a better chance at success if you decide to sell now, instead of waiting until all the Joneses get in the market.

For those thinking about buying a home, now’s the time to make a move. The Portland area has foreclosures, short sales, distressed property, and more for buyers. The message to home buyers is that it’s a great time to get into the real estate market.

If you are interested in buying or selling your home and want to get in on record-setting low interest rates, contact me today at 503.245.9000 so we can build a strategy to get you the results you want. I’d be happy to assist you.