• What's the Cost of Living in Portland, Oregon?,Amanda Hagen

    What's the Cost of Living in Portland, Oregon?

    Portland's cost of living is lower than Seattle's, but that comparison only tells part of the story. Oregon's income tax, Portland-specific city and county taxes, above-average grocery costs, and car ownership expenses add up in ways that a simple online search won't surface. The full financial pict

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  • What to Look for When Choosing a Portland Real Estate Agent,Amanda Hagen

    What to Look for When Choosing a Portland Real Estate Agent

    I've closed over 80 transactions, and the thing I've learned is that successful deals have less to do with perfect pricing strategy and more to do with relationships — specifically, the relationship between the two agents working either side of the transaction. Think about what's actually happening.

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  • The Real Cost of Buying a Home in Portland (Beyond the Down Payment),Amanda Hagen

    The Real Cost of Buying a Home in Portland (Beyond the Down Payment)

    Buying a home in Portland means budgeting well beyond your down payment. Before closing, most buyers need cash on hand for earnest money (around 1% of the purchase price), home inspections ($400–$700 for a general inspection, more for sewer scope or radon testing), and an appraisal ($700–$1,000 if y

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