• Prep Your Home for Fall: 8 Essentials of Fall Home Maintenance

    Prep Your Home for Fall: 8 Essentials of Fall Home Maintenance,Amanda Hagen

    As the seasons change, your home and yard will need different kinds of tending, care, and maintenance to keep you going through the fall and winter. Inspired from the checklist at Better Homes and Gardens, here are 8 tasks you can do to prep your home for fall 1. Clean Your Gutters for Fall Home

    Read More
  • Smart Estate Planning for Homeowners

    Smart Estate Planning for Homeowners,Amanda Hagen

    One of the joys of being a real estate broker is helping families find their dream homes. A lot happens between that first walkthrough to the final closing day. There are ups and downs throughout the whole home buying process. But once those keys are in your hand, your work isn’t over.  The nex

    Read More
  • 2024 Oregon Real Estate Recap: Trends and Insights for the Portland Metro Area

    2024 Oregon Real Estate Recap: Trends and Insights for the Portland Metro Area,Amanda Hagen

    The Oregon real estate market in 2024 presented a dynamic yet stabilizing landscape, with trends reflecting a gradual shift toward balance between buyers and sellers. Here's a breakdown of key highlights from the year, focusing on the Portland metro area. 2024 Oregon Real Estate Market Dynamics

    Read More
  • Pricing Your Willamette Valley Home to Sell

    Pricing Your Willamette Valley Home to Sell,Amanda Hagen

    Pricing your home correctly is one of the most important steps in the home-selling process, especially in the dynamic real estate market of Oregon's Willamette Valley. When pricing your Willamette Valley home to sell, you'll need to start with a basic understanding of how home pricing works. Whet

    Read More
  • Growing a Garden Instead of Grass: 5 Reasons to Make the Switch

    Growing a Garden Instead of Grass: 5 Reasons to Make the Switch,Amanda Hagen

    For decades, a lush, green lawn has been the hallmark of a well-maintained home. However, as environmental concerns grow and people seek more sustainable living practices, the idea of growing a garden instead of grass gaining momentum. Here are five compelling reasons why you should consider grow

    Read More
  • Top 10 FAQs for First-Time Home Buyers

    Top 10 FAQs for First-Time Home Buyers,Amanda Hagen

    Buying your first home is an exciting and significant milestone in your life, but it can also be a daunting and complex process. First-time home buyers often have numerous questions as they navigate the world of real estate, mortgages, and homeownership. In this blog post, we'll address some of the

    Read More
  • 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Home

    10 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Home,Amanda Hagen

    Selling your home is a big deal, and preparing for an open house or showing can make or break the sale. Potential buyers often form opinions in seconds, so avoiding common mistakes is critical if you want to attract serious offers. Let’s explore the top mistakes to avoid when selling your home and

    Read More
  • Oregon Landscaping and Outdoor Living: A Comprehensive Guide

    Oregon Landscaping and Outdoor Living: A Comprehensive Guide,Amanda Hagen

    Transforming your outdoor space in Oregon requires a thoughtful approach to landscaping that takes into account the region’s unique climate and diverse ecosystems. When I think of Oregon landscaping and outdoor living, I think trees, flowers, perennials, water features, rocks, and garden focal feat

    Read More
  • Interior Design Trends in Oregon: From Classic to Modern

    Interior Design Trends in Oregon: From Classic to Modern,Amanda Hagen

    The Pacific Northwest's diverse landscapes and unique cultural influences create a rich backdrop for interior design trends in Oregon. Whether you’re looking to refresh a single room or undertake a complete home makeover, understanding current trends can help you create a space that reflects both

    Read More
  • Upsizing or Downsizing Your Home: From Growing Families to Empty Nesters

    Upsizing or Downsizing Your Home: From Growing Families to Empty Nesters,Amanda Hagen

    Upsizing or downsizing your home is a significant and often emotional decision that can be driven by various personal, financial, and lifestyle factors. For many families, these transitions mark a new chapter and reflect evolving needs and goals. Whether you’re considering moving to a larger spac

    Read More
  • Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: A Guide for Homeowners

    Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: A Guide for Homeowners,Amanda Hagen

    Creating an energy-efficient and sustainable home is essential for reducing your carbon footprint and lowering utility bills. With the right strategies, you can make your home more eco-friendly, whether you’re tackling projects yourself or hiring a professional. This guide explores key areas wh

    Read More
  • Easy Tips for Roof and Crawlspace Maintenance

    Easy Tips for Roof and Crawlspace Maintenance,Amanda Hagen

    Your home's roof and foundation are the most important elements to the integrity of a house. It's no wonder home shoppers will pay particular attention to these elements during an inspection period. Whether you're looking to sell your home and want the most value you can get for it, or you plan on

    Read More
  • Safe and Sound - A Book for Renters (and Homeowners Alike) by Mercury Stardust [video]

    Safe and Sound - A Book for Renters (and Homeowners Alike) by Mercury Stardust [video],Amanda Hagen

    My copy came in the mail and I waited for a few days to open it. I needed to have the actual time to enjoy the contents of the package without just going through it like "any old mail". It was so fun, so exciting, to see a book written by an influencer that I love on TikTok. To have her book in my

    Read More
  • Why Now Is Still a Good Time to Buy a Home Despite Rising Interest Rates

    Why Now Is Still a Good Time to Buy a Home Despite Rising Interest Rates,Amanda Hagen

    The decision to buy a home is a significant financial choice, and market conditions can often create uncertainty. While the real estate market is influenced by a variety of factors, including interest rates, there are still compelling reasons why now is a good time to buy a home, despite the rising

    Read More
  • Real Estate FAQs: Inspections [video]

    Real Estate FAQs: Inspections [video],Amanda Hagen

    Frequently Asked Questions in Real Estate: All About Inspections! The home inspection period generally lasts about 10 business days, though it can be longer than that if negotiated ahead of time. Ultimately inspections are a way for interested buyers to find out everything they would want to kn

    Read More
  • What To Expect When You Buy a Home on Well Water or a Septic System

    What To Expect When You Buy a Home on Well Water or a Septic System,Amanda Hagen

    When buying a home, part of what you’ll need to understand is what kind of potable water and wastewater systems come along with the house. If you have well water or a septic system, there are some factors you’ll need to prepare for.  In this article, we’ll cover the differences between your potab

    Read More
  • 9 Steps of Home Buying: The Complete Guide for First-Time Buyers

    9 Steps of Home Buying: The Complete Guide for First-Time Buyers,Amanda Hagen

    Buying your first home is one of the most significant purchases you’ll make in your lifetime. And because it’s a complicated process, first-time buyers can easily get overwhelmed before anything has begun. In this guide, we walk through 9 key steps of the home buying process so you can know what

    Read More
  • The Ultimate House Hunting Guide: Building Your Homebuying Wishlist

    The Ultimate House Hunting Guide: Building Your Homebuying Wishlist,Amanda Hagen

    The first step when buying a home is to dream big! Building a house hunting guide to help you find what you're looking for is a great starting point. In this article, we'll walk you through what questions to consider as you begin your home hunt. There's no need to be fully committed to any of the

    Read More
  • Home Appraisal vs. Sale Price: What Happens When They're Different?

    Home Appraisal vs. Sale Price: What Happens When They're Different?,Amanda Hagen

    As you shop for a home, or when you're ready to sell your current home, one big question is always: How much? How much will you sell for or how much will you have to spend to buy your dream home? To complicate matters, there's the issue of the home appraisal vs. sale price. Why are they sometimes d

    Read More
  • Summer Maintenance for Homeowners: Basic Chores That Protect Your Investment

    Summer Maintenance for Homeowners: Basic Chores That Protect Your Investment,Amanda Hagen

    Caring for the investment that is your home is a necessity. That's why it's helpful to have a list of essential summer maintenance for homeowners. If you recently purchased your home, the state of many of these items should be top of mind since they would have been included in your new home inspe

    Read More