Earline Penson, Principle Broker - Coldwell Banker Seal

From your real-estate agent to utility companies, many folks may be a part of your homebuying experience. MSN offers a who's who first-time buyers guide to what they do — and why they do it. - Earline Penson, Principle Broker Hasson Company Realtors

 

If you want to buy a latte or a novel, you find the one you want, hand over some money and go on your way, interacting with one or two people along the way. But if you're buying a house, the process — and the number of people involved — is exponentially more complicated.

It can be overwhelming to keep all of the players and processes straight. Who does what? Do you really need all of these people? Why can't you just do it all yourself?

"Without all those people, buying a house would take at least a year," says Ilona Bray, author of "Nolo's Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home." "You'd have to figure out all these things yourself, and it's a complex thing."

Click Here to read the full article compliments of MSN.

If you are in the market to buy and/or sell a home in the Portland metro area, consider enlisting the services of Earline Penson, a Princple Broker with Coldwell Banker Seal's Uptown Office.  Earline has a wealth of experience working successfully with homebuyers and sellers in every price range.  You can reach Earline right now at | 503.804.8781.

Portland Monthly's Residential Real Estate focus issue is on newstands now!

 
Portland Monthly's comprehensive guide to 95 neighborhoods and 25 suburbs provides you with up to date information you need to know about Portland, Oregon's housing market.  Click Here to review Portland Monthly's insightful data just published.

Don't get stuck with a lemon. Here are the areas you should check-out before investing in a condo.

 
So you think you've found your dream condo, and you're invisioning relaxing in front of large glass windows overlooking the city of Portland, and reading a good book.  Hold everything!  Click Here to read MSN's recommended 7 questions every condo buyer should ask before agreeing to sign on the dotted line.

These days, when you want to get a loan to buy a home, you can expect the lender to scrutinize your credit and your finances.  Condo loans are becoming harder and harder to get. Click Here to read-up on what to expect when financing a condominium purchase.

If you are in the market to buy and/or sell a home in the Porltand metropolitan area consider enlisting the services of Principle Broker Earline Penson with Coldwell Banker Seal's Uptown Office. Earline has a wealth of experience representing home buyers and sellers in every price range.  You can reach Earline at | 503.804.8781.

Second Home Sales Surge Nationally.

 
As housing bargains abound, some buyers have figured out the upside of buying in a down market. That's especially true among purchasers of second and vacation homes.

According to a Wall Street Journal article in January, the surge in buying of second homes is "driven by deep discounts, cash purchases and buyers' rising stock portfolios." That combination has lifted markets such as Palm Beach, Fla., where second-home sales in 2010 jumped 39% from 2009, according to the article. All-cash sales, which are common for second-home purchases, also accounted for 32% of all existing-home sales in January, with investor sales comprising 23%, the National Association of Realtors says.  Click Here to read the full article compliments of MSN.com.

If you are considering buying a pied-à-terre in the Portland metropolitan area consider using enlisting the services of Principle Broker Earline Penson with Coldwell Banker Seal's Uptown Office.  Earline has a wealth of experience exceeding client expectations.  You can reach Earline at 503.804.8781.