What Buyers Want

You might suspect that upscale home buyers have different requirements than their more modest peers, and if so, you'd be right. A report from the National Association of Home Builder’s HousingEconomics.com shows some stark contrasts. The report is the result of a study that asked potential buyers to rate 120 different home features, and then divided the results into two groups. The first group was buyers willing to spend $500,000 or more, the second $150,000 or less.

At the top of the list, nearly half of the upscale buyers thought an outdoor kitchen (49%), and exercise room (48%) and a kitchen with a wine cooler (46%) were either desirable or essential. 28% of the more modest buyers want an exercise room, 27% want outdoor kitchens, but only 15% were interested in kitchen with a wine cooler. You can get the entire article as a PDF download here.

Other aspects of the study revealed that 53% of all buyers wanted to buy a brand new home. Buyers on average expected to pay $203,000 for their next home, and wanted a home with an average of 2,226 square feet. 70% would prefer the utility room for washers and dryers are on the first floor. 57% want a single story house, while 31% preferred two story homes.

The most desired feature overall were Energy-Star appliances, windows and other features.  A laundry room, exhaust fans in bathrooms, exterior lighting, a bathroom linen closet, ceiling fans, garage storage, room enough for a table to eat in the kitchen and a walk-in kitchen pantry rounded out the most popular features.

What features do you think are the most important in your home, or in the next home you buy? What features can you live without? These are key questions to ask yourself when you decide it’s time to find a new home. A list of wants/don’t wants makes it easier to screen out homes that won't fit your lifestyle. Of course, there’s much more to the equation, and I can help you put all the pieces together.  

Gabby Tyer - CRS, GRI
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions
www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com

Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.
Portland Real Estate market stats news and education. Complete search access to all homes for sale in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas.

Photo courtesy of Landscape Design Advisor/Flickr.com

Apple Valley’s Heirloom Apple Butter Festival and Country BBQ

Apple Valley Country Store, Hood River, Oregon

Believe it, or not, another year has come and gone.  This weekend will mark your last opportunity to visit the Apple Valley Country Store, in search of Justin’s signature country barbecue.  Thank goodness though, offseason, you can purchase the signature barbecue at the Apple Valley restaurant in Parkdale. 

And, what is a fall day, without the aromas of homemade apple butter filling the air.  Come out, and help us to “stir the pot”.  The entire family can participate, and have a hand in making homemade apple butter.  However, we will be doing this the old-fashioned way.  An antique copper pot will be used to churn the apple butter over an open fire.  And when it is finished, you will want to generously spread it atop the Apple Valley Country Store’s famous fried biscuits.

Fall is upon us, and I cannot think of a better way to spend the day than outside, churning apple butter.  And as an added bonus, you can indulge in Justin’s famous barbecue for the final time this season.  Be sure to come out this weekend to the Apple Valley’s Heirloom Apple Butter Festival and Country BBQ event.  The occasion is certain to please all of your senses.  See you there!

Saturday October 26^th 10:00AM-6:00PM

Sunday October 27^th 10:00AM-6:00PM

For more information in regards to this event, please click here.

Gabby Tyer - CRS, GRI
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions
www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com

Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.
Portland Real Estate market stats news and education. Complete search access to all homes for sale in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas.  

Photo courtesy of Anne Bennett

End of the Year Closing

Closing on the purchase of a new home, prior to the end of the year, offers a buyer a multitude of incentives.  These incentives, or inducements, range from tax saving opportunities, to the indulgence of celebrating the upcoming holidays in a new home.  Closing on your new home in the last few months, up to the last day of the year, can offer huge financial savings, compared to closing at any other point in the year.  When buying, your realtor will give you an estimated timeline for completing the purchase, from signing the contract, to sitting down at the closing table.  Delving into the opportunities of an end of the year purchase may just inspire you, and your realtor, to reevaluate and adjust your plans to close sooner than later.  Be sure to sit down with your realtor today, to discuss your options.

To begin, mortgage interest, property taxes, and points paid on loans acquired, can all be tax deductions for a homebuyer, if they close on or before December 31^st.  In addition, interest costs associated with the loan, can also be deducted.  These tax deductions can significantly add up, and will ultimately lower your income tax for the upcoming year.

In many cases, the current seller, by the year’s end, has already paid the property taxes on the home in which you are looking to buy.  Meaning, if you close by December 31^st, you will have less of a property tax expense to pay.  Closing costs can accumulate quickly, so anywhere you can shave off an expenditure, is money saved.

Oftentimes, people are somewhat put out by the duration a real estate transaction can take.  Closing near the end of the year can expedite this process.  The seller, lender, and other involved parties, are anxious to wrap things up quickly, as to get paid, prior to the end of the year.  Profits from an end of the year sale can be beneficial for everyone involved.  So, if you fall into the category of “I want to close quickly”, call your realtor, and begin your house hunting today.  An end of the year purchase will have you in your new home before you know it.

While house hunting, realize that sellers at this point in the year are oftentimes more motivated, and builders of new construction homes are offering incentives of their own.  A seller’s motivation frequently offers you leverage in negotiating a better deal, or asking for perks and bonuses.  The seller may feel the need to sell quickly, in order to purchase their own new home, prior to the year’s end.  They too, want to reap the same benefits that you are out to obtain.  As far as new home construction goes, builders need to sell as much of their inventory as possible, to avoid being taxed on it at the end of the year.  Henceforth, they will commonly be offering discounted prices, upgrades free of charge, and many more extras.

With the holidays quickly approaching, many people have more days off from their job, or they must use the days given that they have not yet taken.  Because buying a home requires several tasks to be performed, this is an ideal time of the year to utilize those unused days in house hunting, purchasing, and closing on your new home.  And, because you have chosen to do so, at the end of the year the moving process should also run much more smoothly.  During other months of the year, one can wait upwards to 8 weeks for the services of a moving company.

Finally, who wouldn’t want to prepare their Thanksgiving dinner in a brand new kitchen?  And, Christmas morning this year will be one you won’t soon forget.  Celebrating the holidays with friends and family in a new home can be rewarding in so many ways.  So, instead of putting off the purchase of a new home until spring, call your realtor today.  An end of the year closing proposes a host of incentives, both financially, and for personal gain. Begin your house hunt today, and be sure to close on your new home before December 31^st.

Gabby Tyer - CRS, GRI
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions
www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com
 
Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.
Portland Real Estate market stats news and education. Complete search access to all homes for sale in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas.

Photo provided courtesy of Dave Dugdale.

31st Annual Harvest Fest

Hood River Event Site on the river, Hood River, Oregon

For 31 years running, the Annual Harvest Fest, held in Hood River, is one of the most heavily attended events, each fall.  Whether it is your first time, or you attend yearly, you will want to come out this weekend, and enjoy the splendors of fall, while taking part in the best festival, Hood River has to offer. 

There is no better time than now, to get your holiday shopping started.  There will be a wide variety of arts and crafts for sale at this year’s Harvest Fest.  Included are:  glass items; wood sculptures; ceramics; photography; fiber art; jewelry; and much, much more.  Be sure to shop the local produce and food tents, for yourself.  You can pick up some Anjou pears, heirloom apples, pumpkins, berries, and fresh flowers.  Don’t stop there.  Take home some homemade jams, pies, and hand-dipped chocolate covered cherries, for dessert.

The entire family is welcome to attend, as there will be day-long entertainment for all ages.  The children will be happily occupied in the kids’ fun zone, while the adults take to the wine and beer tasting tents, to indulge in craft beers and Gorge wines.

There is too much to see, taste, and experience, in only one day.  So, plan on spending the weekend with your neighbors, family, and friends at this year’s Harvest Fest.  See you there!!

Friday October 18^th

1:00PM-7:00PM

Saturday October 19^th

10:00AM-7:00PM

Sunday October 20^th

10:00AM-5:00PM

For more information regarding this event, please click here.

Gabby Tyer - CRS, GRI
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions
www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com
Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.
Portland Real Estate market stats news and education. Complete search access to all homes for sale in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. 

 Photo provided by flickr.com