You’ll find our blog to be a wealth of information, covering everything from local market statistics and home values to community happenings. That’s because we care about the community and want to help you find your place in it. Please reach out if you have any questions at all. We’d love to talk with you!
Taking advantage of today’s near record low interest rates could potentially save you thousands of dollars initially and tens of thousands over the life of your loan! For example, using a 4% interest rate, a $300,000 home, $4,000 a year in property taxes, and a 20% down payment your payments (PITI) would be roughly $1,550/month. If interest rates increased to 5% (with all other factors remaining the same), and you wanted to keep your payments around $1,550/month you would now be looking at a $270,000 home. Depending on your local market a $30,000 swing in purchase price can mean an additional bathroom, RV parking, a bonus room, etc.
It's time for another Real Estate market data update! Here you will find current market data (including pricing, inventory, and more) for Eugene.
Price: The market is hovering right around this plateau, although the median list price is up from a couple of months ago.
Inventory: Inventory has been decreasing in all quartiles, with the number of new listings less than the number of pending homes ("absorbed").
Supply and Demand: It's still a seller's market, and if the upward trend in sales relative to inventory continue, expect prices to resume an upward climb.
National prediction for the 2019 Real Estate year shows signs that the housing market will not slow. Millions of Americans continue to wait in the sidelines as the housing inventory remains incredibly tight. This makes it more challenging for buyers as home prices continue to rise due to supply and demand. At the same time, expensive rents and low wages have constrained people’s ability to save up for a down payment.
Nationally 2019 looks to remain a seller's market with home prices continuing on the rise while the job market remains much the same.
I do not anticipate 2019 experiencing the rapid appreciation we have seen in Lane Co. over the last few year, however I still expect a healthy appreciation number of 3-4%.
I expect there to be continued significant competition in the mid to lower priced homes (under 350k). However, there will likely be more opportunities to find good deals in the mid to upper levels. Interest rates have come back down which gives the buyer more affordability as well.
Overall Lane Co. is still a strong market, however each price point and neighborhood varies. Please fee free to reach out if we can assist with the buying or selling process.
Are you tired of the rain and cold weather? Thought about buying a vacation home? The Real Estate market in Scottsdale/Phoenix Arizona area is doing very well. Home prices continue to rise with no indication of slowing down. Now is a good time to buy an investment property or vacation home.
We have several clients who bought condo’s and are able to rent them out as vacation rentals with my help as their onsite agent. This allows them to vacation when they are tired of the rain, but still generate income while they are not using the property.
If you have any questions about buying Real Estate in Arizona give me a call. I would be happy to show you what the sunny state of Arizona has to offer.
It's hard to believe that it's already 2019 as we look back on the year end Real Estate stats for R&R Properties of Eugene. We want to thank each and every one of you for your friendship and business, and for helping make 2018 one of our best years yet!
(All data reported for Jan. 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2018)
Real Estate Team
Number of successfully closed transactions: 66
Finished 27 out of 350 offices (top 8%) in Lane County for total volume sold in dollars
Average price of properties that we listed or sold: $338,000 (12% higher than Lane County’s overall average)
Property Management Team
Had a growth of 22%
Currently managing: Residential, Commercial, Apartment Complexes, & Vacation Rentals
It's hard to believe that it's already 2018 as we look back on the year end Real Estate stats for R&R Properties of Eugene. We want to thank each and every one of you for your friendship and business, and for helping make 2017 one of our best years yet!
(All data reported for Jan. 1, 2017 - Dec. 31, 2017)
Number of successfully closed transactions: 83
Finished 20 out of 335 offices (top 6%) in Lane County for total volume sold in dollars
Average price of properties that we listed or sold: $324,041 (11.8% higher than Lane County’s overall average)
Average days on market: 22 (77.8% fewer than Lane County's overall average)
First impressions matter, and that even applies to your home! That’s why curb appeal is so important. What will people think when they see your home’s exterior for the first time? Here are some ideas to easily (and affordably) improve your home’s curb appeal.
Welcome them in: The front door is often the focal point of the home, so it’s important that it looks presentable. If installing a new door is a little out of your budget, try painting your existing one an eye-catching accent color and while you’re at it, polish or even replace any dingy fixtures. A tasteful wreath or welcome mat can also help dress up the entry without costing an arm and a leg.
Light it up: Landscape lighting not only looks great, but offers the added perks of safety and security. Use fixtures to illuminate the path up to your front door, or accentuate trees, bushes, or outdoor art pieces in your front yard. Solar fixtures are an easy option when looking to avoid working with wires.
Get artsy: There are countless options when it comes to outdoor art, making the only limit your imagination! Look for weather resistant pieces that complement the colors and style of your home’s exterior. Hang wind chimes (bamboo or metal) from your porch, place a sculpture near your walkway, or add a birdbath or small fountain to your yard.
Under pressure: A quick pressure-washing can make a world of different to your porch, siding, or driveway. It’s the quickest way to remove years of dirt, moss, oil, and other eyesores that have accumulated. If you don’t own a pressure washer (or aren’t able to borrow one), check with your local home improvement store to rent one for an afternoon.
While spring may be recognized as the “best” time to list a home, it doesn’t mean that you have to wait if you’re ready to put your home on the market in the winter. Here are a few things to consider when selling your home during the winter months to help you move it quickly and for the best price possible:
Take flattering exterior photos: Your yard may not look its best during the winter, as the grass may be dormant, the trees bare, or dead leaves scattered on the lawn. If possible, use exterior photos from the spring or summer with a lush, green lawn and full trees. However, winter photos aren’t always out of the question, especially on a lovely snowy day.
Safety first: If you live in an area that sees ice or snow, make the entrance to your home not only inviting, but safe. If someone were to slip and fall, it may result in not only an injury, but a potential lawsuit. Shovel the walkways and sprinkle a layer of sand over any areas where potential visitors may stroll. Also, clear the area where people park their cars so they’re not stepping out into a pile of snow or slush.
Create an inviting entry: First impressions matter and a clutter-free home is always more appealing. It’s easy to kick off muddy boots and hang wet jackets in the entryway, but take the time to stash these items out-of-sight in a closet or garage. Freshen up entryway floors in between showings to eliminate any muddy or wet tracks and purchase an inexpensive doormat to keep things clean and enhance the look of the entryway.
Let there be light: Natural light is limited during the winter with the shorter days, so remember to turn on plenty of interior and exterior lights to make your home more inviting (double check for any bulbs that may need replacing). Consider installing additional landscape lighting (for example, leading up the walkway) which can be an inexpensive way to add curb appeal and improve the safety for any visitors.
Keep it cozy: There’s nothing more welcoming than coming in from the chilly outdoors to a toasty home with a crackling fire. A freezing home is not an inviting home, so keep all the rooms at a comfortable temperature when you’re anticipating potential buyers. If the home is vacant and you haven’t used the heat for a bit, don’t wait until the last second to turn it on in case it takes more time than expected to warm the entire space.
It's time for another Real Estate market data update! Here you will find current market data (including pricing, inventory, and more) for Eugene.
Price: The market is hovering right around this plateau, although the median list price is up from a couple of months ago.
Inventory: Inventory has been decreasing in all quartiles, with the number of new listings less than the number of pending homes ("absorbed").
Supply and Demand: It's still a seller's market, and if the upward trend in sales relative to inventory continue, expect prices to resume an upward climb.
A few months back we looked at 5 common myths in Real Estate. These misconceptions may deter a person who is thinking about buying or selling a home, so here are 5 more myths that we want to put to rest.
A minimum of a 780 FICO® score is needed to buy: Of course, the higher the credit score the better when it comes to buying just about anything. However, it doesn’t need to be as high as most people think. As the chart shows, 53.2% of approved mortgages had a credit score between 600 – 749, so don’t let your credit score stop you from trying to buy.
The only upfront cost when purchasing a home is the down payment: This isn’t always the case, as the seller may decide you’re responsible for the closing costs, which can total anywhere between 3 – 6% of the purchase price, and can vary by state. There may also be costs for inspections, credit reports, insurance, and more.
A 30-year loan is always the best option: While many first-time buyers choose a conventional 30-year loan, it may be worth looking at a 15 or 20-year loan, which allows you to spend less money on interest in the long run. However, a shorter loan term equates to higher monthly payments, so just be sure that you stay within your budget with whatever type of loan you choose.
Renovate the kitchen and bathroom before you sell: According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2017 Cost vs. Value Report, you will likely only recoup 64.8% of what you spend on a bathroom remodel and 65.3% of what you spend on a major kitchen remodel for a mid-range home. The biggest return? Insulating the attic with fiberglass recoups 107.7%!
You don’t need to prep a home before selling it: While the first 3 – 4 weeks on the market are the most critical when selling a home, do not make the mistake of listing your home before it’s ready! The majority of buyers are looking for a home that’s move-in ready, so steps like basic cleaning and repairs, staging, and pre-listing inspections can help maximize the sale price while minimizing the time it sits on the market.