Tag: portland first time home buyer

When the right home comes along

Posted on by Lily Ray Wyss

Often when starting out the home buying process, especially with a first time home buyer, we give the process a lot of structure. And that is for good reason.

We ask home buyers to get as specific as possible with their home needs, how many bedrooms, bathrooms, whether the yard needs to be fenced or not. We ask them their ideal timeline and so many other important things.

This structure and clear path forward is important to having a stress free home buying experience.

BUT sometimes you have to be willing to have an open mind and be flexible.

Enter C and H’s home buying story.

When I first met with C & H we met very early on in their timeline which gave us plenty of time to start the education process and dial in what they were looking for in a home.

We discussed their ideal time to purchase a home and when we would plan to start the search more seriously. Which was a few months out.

But then… a few weeks later… we noticed the perfect home.

You know, the house that was priced well, super cute, well taken care of and in a great area. The home were you stand in it and go, why has no one else snatched this home up yet type home.

Luckily C & H had already started the home loan pre-approval process so we were able to act quickly, write an offer and secure them the property.

Everything went super smoothly and I was able to hand them over keys to their new home. We were sipping champagne in their new backyard after what felt like the most beautiful whirlwind of a home transaction.

The moral of the story is, it’s great to have a game plan for your home buying journey, but when the right home comes along, even if it feels “too soon” sometimes making the leap can be the best thing you ever did.

If you want to talk about your personalized home buying strategy and how we can work together please reach out. I would love to be sipping champagne with you in your backyard someday soon!

Real Estate Hack: Buying with Buds

Posted on by Lydia Hallay

Home ownership is often assumed to come with the trappings of “traditional” household formation (heterosexual coupledom, kids, and a white picket fence). The truth is, not all of us are building that kind of life. According to the Brookings Institute, “the so-called ‘nuclear’ family is no longer the dominant household structure.”

As household demographics continue to shift, so too can our ideas about how to achieve home ownership. If you’re just starting your real estate journey- the idea of coming up with a down payment, qualifying for a mortgage, and keeping cash on hand for repairs or renovations might feel like distant dream.

The good news is- you don’t have to go it alone! Buying with friends (or lovers, family members, co-investors, etc.) enables you to pool resources and gain a toehold in the real estate market – often sooner than you thought you could.

Here are some things to consider as you explore co-ownership:

  • Discuss your goals and financial situation with your potential co-buyers. Before committing to a shared investment, have a candid conversation about your long-term goals, financial stability, and expectations. This will help you determine if you’re on the same page and avoid conflicts down the road.
  • Consider your financing options. There are lots of ways to finance a joint purchase. Work with a lender who understands the financial nuances involved and respects alternative household configurations.
  • Create a legal agreement. While a chore wheel might work for ironing out the details of who’s on dish duty- you’ll want something more official for your co-purchase. Before buying with buds, it’s essential you have a legally binding agreement in place that outlines everyone’s responsibilities and rights. For example, how will the mortgage payments be split? Who will be responsible for repairs and maintenance? What happens if someone wants to sell their share of the property?
  • Work with a real estate agent who understands and is supportive of alternative household configurations. I support my clients in creating whatever kind of household works best for them.
  • Be flexible and patient. Co-buying a property can be a complicated process, and it may take longer than expected to find the right property and reach an agreement. Spend time spelling out the details and finding a property that meets everyones needs – it will be worth it!

Ultimately, good communication, compassion, and flexibility are the most critical factors in achieving a harmonious and successful co-purchase. With a like-minded realtor/lender team behind you- nothing can stop you!

Thinking of buying with friends, family members, or members of your polycule? Need help connecting to friendly lenders? Give me a holler!

Last Tango in Mt Tabor

Posted on by Living Room Realty

I first met Galen through his partner, Kyra, who I’ve known for years through my old college roommates and Oregon Country Fair friends. He contacted me to say he was ready to buy a home and asked if I could help him. Naturally, I said yes because he’s a great guy and I like helping people purchase homes.

After about a month of searching and some stressful pressure to move quickly on the homes he liked, we finally found this fantastic Mt Tabor home. This house has one of the best entertaining kitchens I’ve ever seen. It is open concept AND has double French doors that open onto the large deck and back yard. I have major kitchen envy. 🙂

Now, the market being what it is, we naturally had to compete to get the home. Luckily, Galen wrote a heartfelt letter about how he loves to dance and entertain, and along with our stellar terms that sealed the deal.

I can’t wait to come fete your new home with you at some point, Galen!

If you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell a home in the Portland area, please contact Amanda Haworth at 503-453-7698 or amanda@livingroomre.com.