Blog Buyer Rent or Buy?

Rent or Buy?

By Andee Zeigler, August 30, 2019

My clients were relocating and had one weekend to decide to rent or buy. No pressure! I put them in touch with a few of my favorite lenders to help run their numbers. They determined what their max budget would be for a purchase and we toured the limited number of homes in their ideal location that met their size needs and budget. Then they spent a day touring rentals in similar locations and within the same monthly budget.

This was a very effective way to make the decision. It was easy for them to see that the rental market in Portland makes the path to home-ownership an uphill climb. Their monthly mortgage fee on a home they would gain equity in was pretty close to rental rates. We found a home that ticked all of their boxes, a solid home in the bustling heart of SE, plenty of space and a solid house ready for some creativity!

In one short weekend they went from preparing to be renters to having an offer accepted on their first home in Portland!

Andee Zeigler

Principal Broker | OR

She/Her

I have called Portland home for over 20 years and can’t imagine raising my babies anywhere else. I have been a REALTOR® for over a decade and still wake up every day delighted that I truly love what I do. I love helping people find their home sweet home, score an investment property that pencils out better than expected, holding the hand of a first-time homebuyer, or guiding a nervous seller through the process of leaving a home they’ve loved. I know Portland like the back of my hand and have a wealth of knowledge about our unique homes and rapidly growing inventory of new construction. I have loved up many homes over the years, from a total restoration of an 1894 Victorian farmhouse to a full remodel of 1942 ranch and several in between. I enjoy educating my clients on the home buying and selling process as well as educating them on how to care for their home. I strive to help buyers understand their homes' unique qualities, how to love them up, and the realities of vintage homeownership. Each real estate transaction is different and for many people the entire process is new and can feel overwhelming. I work hard to help clients manage expectations and give them perspective along the way. I also truly love negotiating and believe it can be done with grace and cooperation. Over the years many of my clients have become my friends and I am grateful for the joy this career has brought me. When I am not scouring the new listings, meeting clients for pie or reading up on all things real estate, I am busy filling my days with goodness. I currently live in my dream home in St. Johns with my husband, 3 kids, 2 cats, 2 ducks and goose! I am an avid gardener, growing over 30 varieties of fruits and vegetables and countless plants and flowers, including nearly 1000 tulips and over 100 dahlia varieties. During the spring and summer we have a little free table with bouquets and plant starts for our community. When the garden doesn’t need me you can find me in the kitchen. I try to bake once a day, everything from sourdough to french macarons. I graduated with an art degree and find great joy in painting and making pottery, there is almost always an art project happening at the dining room table. I am a dedicated traveler and have made exploring the world with my babies a priority. When we aren’t traveling internationally we explore our corner of the world in our Vanagon, Dr. Coffey! I am in constant awe of the beauty of the PNW and feel grateful that this is my home sweet home. I absolutely believe that everyone should love where they live and won’t let anyone settle!
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  • T: 503-901-6864
  • andee@livingroomre.com

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