All Forum Posts by: Jessica S.

Your first step might be to contact a mortgage broker or lender to find out how much you can borrow.  This might help you decide whether to use cash or finance.

I strongly suggest you avoid buying at a foreclosure auction.  Oregon has 180 day right to redemption (google it if you aren't familiar with the term.)

It sounds as if you are toying with a bunch of different ideas of how to proceed.   Is it possible to narrow your focus?

Congratulations on your promotion, that's great news.  

Personally, I wouldn't care if an agent has been through a foreclosure because I don't ask real estate agents for financial advice. And I don't understand your concern about the agent's wife working with him; husband wife teams are very common in real estate. Regardless, it sounds as though you're not very comfortable with this particular person so maybe you shouldn't work with him.  

There are so many good real estate agents in this area, it shouldn't be too difficult to find someone you like.  It sounds as though online reviews and personal testimonials from clients are important to you so why not start there?  Try contacting some of the agents with great reviews.  Or you might want to ask your new boss for a recommendation.  

@Meena Balaji, welcome to Bigger Pockets.  I grew up not far from San Ramon and now live in Portland.

The Portland market is similar to the Bay Area in that it is difficult to get a high rate of return, but can be a good place to invest for future appreciation.

Also, although the prices in Portland are lower, the market is just as tight as it is in the Bay Area.  Good properties don't stay on the market for more than a few days.  

As prices rise it is getting more and more difficult to find good rentals in the $250k price range that you mentioned.  But it's not impossible... yet 😀

Good luck!

Hey Isaac : )

We've used Val Tomasi of Tomasi, Salyer, Baroway.  She was recommended to us by @Jay Hinrichs.

I suggest that you spend a little extra and hire a kitchen designer rather than relying on some sketches from your contractor.  Would you hire your contractor to decorate your home?  If not, you probably shouldn't rely on him to design your flip.  Just a thought.

 You would use an escrow company to close.

 The Portland market is on its way to becoming as crazy as California, albeit without the high price tag.  This summer it was not that unusual to see 25+ offers on well-positioned homes.  I saw buyers standing in line to view houses and listings regularly selling for 10 - 15% over asking.  A house I flipped two years ago and sold for $370k went back on the market and sold for $505k.  The numbers may sound low to someone from CA but look at the percentage increase, it's crazy. 

But don't move here, it sucks : )

 Venue change = Another win for the Eastsiders 😀

@Neal Collins, ha ha I didn't notice the light fixtures until you pointed them out.  My favorite is the vanity light that seems to have been constructed from keg cups.

I haven't toured this property.  I thought of offering to take you to see it just for fun, but it looks as though it's currently occupied.  (I don't like to intrude on residents for showings, unnecessarily.)

I gather from her recent posts that @Kelly Maestri is ignoring the advice to walk away from this one and is trying to buy it.  Perhaps she'll take us on a tour after she acquires it.

Hi @Kelly Maestri,

Is this the house at NE 9th and Alberta?   

The Portland market is smoking hot right now.  Good deals get snapped up in 24 hours and even not so good deals will sell in a few days.  The fact that this house has been listed since late July should tell you everything you need to know.

I suggest that you keep looking.