Keith's Blog

Portland, Oregon Real Estate tips: Don't Leave The House When Doing Laundry!

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:22:46 -0600

If you can avoid it... DON'T LEAVE YOUR HOUSE WHILE DOING LAUNDRY OR RUNNING THE DISHWASHER! Last summer a client left the house for 45 minutes, only to return and see water dripping from the garage ceiling and onto the floor! In much newer construction the laundry room is upstairs with the bedrooms but often there is no low point drain. Convenient but DANGEROUS. His washing machine's drain hose was dislodged from the wall drain and the water had nowhere to go but down. This has happened to me and I had my plumber install a water sensor that rests on the floor next to the washing machine. If it senses water it shuts the water valves. Regardless, I still don't run the water conveniences unless I'm home. Stay dry!

Portland, Oregon Real Estate Tips: Quick Fix for Water In Basement During A Storm

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:11:26 -0600

Late Saturday we had a typical fall drenching here in Portland and I got the nightmare call from a wonderful client who I helped buy a little cutie in the halcion days of last summer... "Keith, my basement's leaking what do we do?!" Ugh, I hate those calls, but here in Oregon they happen. I suggested she disconnect the offending downspout, which was gushing water next to the foundation and attach a gutter extension that can be purchased at any big-box hardware store, and route the river into the yard. That did the trick and the water stopped intruding. Next we called my "water remediation specialist" who is on his way to figure the best way to keep the water away from the house. Keep those gutters functioning!

PDX REAL ESTATE: One Year Later... "Mr. Owner Maintain Your Home!"

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:24:17 -0600

OK, a year has gone by since you helped the Smith-Joneses buy their dream-home. At the time you noticed the two humongous broad-leafed Maples that overhung the front roof-line. Now you have the perfect opportunity to call and say: "Hi Mr. and Mrs. Smith-Jones, I'm just calling to remind you to get that gutter service over as soon as possible to make sure the water is going off the roof properly." What a great way to stay in touch and ensure your buyer's home is being well maintained, thus avoiding deferred maintenance issues when you eventually help them sell. Happy November!

PDX REAL ESTATE: AS-IS CONDITION, A Low-Ball Strategy where Everyone Wins

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:27:49 -0600

Yes, we know, it's a buyers market. They can do whatever they like... if they're not picky. But what if they've found their dream-house? How can they still take advantage of the market and avoid having their low-ball offer rejected? One thing the buyer can do to get a good sale price is offer to take the house in AS-IS condition, while retaining the right to back out of the deal based on all the normal contingencies within the specified time-lines. If something big comes up in the inspection like a broken sewer line, or a lender required repair, the buyer can go back to the seller and say... "We know we weren't going to ask for repairs... but this is a major fault, either you repair it or we're out". This strategy lets the seller feel good about taking a lower offer with the promise of not being nit-picked with small repairs, while keeping the buyer safe and getting a good price. Everyone's a winner... Happy Selling!

PDX Real Estate: NEW CONSTRUCTION ISN'T ALWAYS PERFECT

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:16:28 -0600

Ah, the smell of a new home... just like a new car, a new home has that great smell when you first open the door, The aromas of wood floors and new paint combine to tickle the pleasure points in our brains... there couldn't be anything wrong with this new home! But wait, lurking just behind the brand-spanking-new kitchen cabinets on the ground floor is a punctured water drain pipe from the upstairs master bath. When the cabinet guys installed the kitchen cabs, they didn't know the screw they drove deep into the wall hit the pipe... and the only way my buyer found out was during the home inspection when our inspector noticed puddles in the crawl space. After removing the cabs and sheet rock, the builder discovered the problem and repaired as necessary. The MORAL OF THE STORY... EVEN NEW CONSTRUCTION NEEDS TO BE FULLY INSPECTED! Happy buying!

PDX REAL ESTATE: Sellers, Get Real with Repairs!

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:53:26 -0600

In this market, being a listing agent can be FRUSTRATING but I just had a fantastic listing agent experience... MY SELLERS DID EVERYTHING I ASKED! Their small bungalow was built in 1921 and had been remodelled several years ago. I suggested they put on a new roof, paint inside and outside, add new exterior steps and decking, add some cute design elements like fish scales at the roof peaks, oh and PRICE THE HOUSE REASONABLY... AND THEY DID! We were under contract within two months. Then, during the inspection, several issues came up and my sellers gladly had them repaired. They did EVERYTHING they could do to sell their home in this crazy market and they were successful. THE MORAL OF THE STORY... LISTEN TO YOUR REALTOR AND YOUR HOUSE WILL SELL!

PDX REAL ESTATE: Blood in the Water, Be the Shark!

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:37:53 -0600

It's November 9th, 2008 in Portland, Oregon and from my own business, I can tell you the real estate market is alive and well! My buyers are making offers, and when they're within reason, the the sellers are biting. That doesn't mean that unreasonable "low ball" offers are working. There are still plenty of offers being rejected outright without a counter. So "buyer beware" eventhough you're the shark, you must lure your prey! Happy hunting.

Portland, Oregon Real Estate Tips: Are you Selling or Listing?

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Wed, 21 May 2008 02:09:52 -0500

A good broker friend of mine across the river in Washington said it best: "When I go to speak to someone about selling their home, I ask them, do you want to SELL your home or LIST your home?"

That's an amazing question that brokers wouldn't have considered asking two years ago, but now that it's costing a fortune to market a home, the question is imperative. Only a truely motivated seller will be successful selling their home in today's market, and the highest powered agent in the world can't do a thing unless it's priced to sell. That means the lowest price in the neighborhood and in the highest possible condition.

So ask yourself, are you listing your house, or selling it, because they are two different things!

Happy Sellling, Keith

Portland, Oregon Real Estate Tips: Party Sewer Lines

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:49:32 -0500

It's rare, but every once in a while we'll run across a "party sewer line". In some really old Portland neighborhoods, usually built before or in the 1920s, sewer lines might be shared by several homes before running out to public sewer.

Last year I had a transaction where the sewer line ran into the backyard and connected to two other homes on a single line that only then ran to the public sewer... nowadays that's a big no-no! Today every home has its own line that runs directly to the public sewer.

This is just one more excellent reason to have a sewer line inspection when buying, or preparing to sell your home. If a party sewer line is discovered and reported to the city, it must be replaced at the owners expense, along with everyone else connected to the line. That could mean some unhappy neighbors but it must be done. These replacements can be costly!

A well inspected home keeps everyone in the transaction happy. Happy Selling! Keith, 503-734-6646

Keith is not an inspector, contractor or sewer specialist and these are simply his opinions. See a specialist if you have questions about a sewer line.

Portland, Oregon Real Estate Listing Tips: Furniture Throws

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:06:20 -0500

Well, it's time to stage your house for sale and we know it's a PRICE WAR and a BEAUTY CONTEST out there, so your home must absolutely shine!

But what if your furniture is old, worn, or just out of style, and you can't afford to put in new furniture or have a stager help out?

Well an easy fix is a "throw", you know, those really big rug-like pieces of fabric which are like tableclothes for furniture. They can change your ratty old wing-back into a stylish period peice or modern looker.

Throws can be bought at any of big-box bedroom, bathroom store for a fraction of the cost of new furniture.

Happy Selling! Sincerely, Keith

Keith Berne, RE/MAX Equity Group, Realtor, Broker, GRI 503-734-6646

What Do My 12 Year Old Son and Water Have in Common?

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:47:44 -0500

Believe it or not, as I was "speaking-with-conviction" to my son this morning as he lounged in bed about the importance of cleaning his room, even on Spring break, the part of my brain not being used drifted to a real life real estate metaphor.

Both adolescents and water have something in common: They both seek the path of least resistance and will always give way to the force of gravity. In the case of water, it rolls downhill, and in the case of teenagers, they get pulled along with their friends, and you hope they're good ones too!

When we help our clients find that perfect home, we do our job by recommending inspection after inspection to determine the fitness of the house. But often, new or used, something will come up post-purchase that no inspector could have foreseen and is nobody's fault. In Oregon it's usually an issue with water.

How do you know if there's a problem? Get into the crawlspace, or if you don't like creepy/crawlies in small dark places, hire an inspector to do so, and do it during the rainy season to see what's up down there! If the water level is what's up, it may be time to install a low-point drain, or check if the existing drain needs clearing. It's an icky job, and it could be costly, but remember to protect your substructure against rot and mold by keeping it as dry as possible.

The next time you're yelling at your teenager to clean their room, remember water and your teenager have something in common and check your crawlspace!

The above are Keith's opinions, he is not an inspector or contractor. Seek professional advice concerning water in your home.

Real Estate Inspiration, Good Times Are Now!

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 01:50:48 -0500

I heard Dave Liniger, the founder of RE/MAX speak in person today in Portland, Oregon. This guy is good. In essence he said our success in this market boils down to ATTITUDE, A POSITIVE ATTITUDE!

I know that sounds simple, and I wish you could have heard him in person, but he was right.

This is the best time in four years for buyers, especially for investors. In addition to what Dave said, my mortgage broker called today to let me know rates had dropped again below 6 on a 30 year fixed.

So contact the sphere. Let 'em know, Good times are here!

Portland, Oregon Real Estate Tips: Inventory and Appreciation

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:36:59 -0500

The February, 2008 numbers are in from the RMLS and Portland's inventory has dropped from a high in January of over 12 months to just over 10 months for February, 2008.

Inventory of 10 months means that if not another listing was added to the RMLS starting now, it would take approximately 10 months for all current listings to clear from the market... sold, cancelled, expired or withdrawn.

Additionally, for February, 2008 Portland's year-over-year appreciation rate is just over 5%. That number is an average for the whole Portland metro area. Some areas are compensating for others. Nevertheless we're still in a great position compared to many distressed areas around the nation. Open-houses continue to draw large numbers of folks, especially as we've recently had some lovely spring weather.

Happy Homeowning! Keith Berne, RE/MAX Equity Group, Broker, Realtor®, GRI 503-495-5238

Portland, Oregon Real Estate Tips: Dryrot, Eeewwww!

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 22:49:35 -0500

The word "dryrot" is a bit of an oxymoron, in fact it doesn't make any sense at all because it is a result of wet... so you would think it would be called, "wetrot".

Hmmm, so what is dryrot anyway? Dryrot is the result of moisture seeping into wood over a long period of time. Quite often it is seen at the end of eaves which are poorly covered by the roof, or flashed incorrectly. It is also seen under houses where plumbing leaks have seeped through the floors to the substructure of the house. Basically it can be found in any wood exposed to moisture over a long period.

Dryrot can compromise the strength of your house as it makes the wood "spongy" and weak. When preparing your home for sale, it may be a good idea to have your home "pre-inspected" by a qualified professional inspector to identify any dryrot and other "surprises" that might be lurking about.

Dryrotted wood can be repaired by your licensed contractor, so be of good cheer.

Happy Selling! Keith Berne RE/MAX Equity Group, Broker, GRI, 503-495-5238

Portland, Oregon Real Estate Tips: Clean Your Ducts

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:45:32 -0500

All Winter we've been using our furnace air ducts to bring warm air from the furnace into our homes but now it's getting warmer so we're using our furnaces less. But don't forget that if you have an air-conditioning system, you'll be using your furnace air ducts all over again to cool things down!

In addition to the regular maintenance recommended by your heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) professional, it may be time to have your ductwork cleaned as well. Duct cleaners suck the accumulated dust and larger particles of dirt from your duct system, allowing your furnace and AC units to run cleaner.

Once the ducts are cleaned the air traveling through the ducts will also be cleaner as it enters the atmosphere of your home. So call your HVAC specialist today to ask about cleaning those ducts! Happy Home-owning! Keith Berne, RE/MAX Equity Group, Broker, GRI, Portland, OR 503-495-5238.

For questions about your HVAC system, consult your local HVAC specialist.

Portland, Oregon Real Estate Open House Tips: Cookies, They Really Work!

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:02:14 -0500

Well, you've heard it a million times, but baking cookies before your agent holds an open house really makes your house feel warm and inviting. If it's not open house day, but you know brokers are coming with buyers, you should still bake!

Your basic chocolate chip recipe is all you need. The familiar aroma of freshly baked cookies gives folks that comfort food feeling, heightening the possibility that someone will connect with your home on a subconscious level. If you leave the cookies for folks to nibble, be sure to provide napkins so they don't leave crumbs. If you can't leave cookies, consider chocolate kisses!

Baking may seem like work but hey, even if no one buys the house, you've made your broker very happy, and they'll want to hold another open house next week! Happy Selling. Keith Berne RE/MAX Equity Group, Broker, Realtor, GRI 503-495-5238

Portland, Oregon Real Estate Tips: Open Houses, Beware of Thieves

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:51:17 -0500

If you're listing for sale remember to CLEAR OUT THE VALUABLES, REMOVE DRUGS FROM THE MEDICINE CABINETS, AND LOCK UP FINANCIAL INFORMATION! Assume that if you're holding open houses, anything can be stolen. An agent holding open the house has only two eyes, and if he/she is escorting one person or group through the house, another can enter unseen. Sometimes thieves work in groups to distract the agent. Last year I had a listing that was hugely attractive and was on a busy street. On warm summer days I would get dozens through an open house. I had to impose a rule of one group at a time in the house and had to shut the front door to prevent people from entering as I toured folks through. The best policy is to store anything of real value including financial information in a secure location, maybe even off-site. If you have medicines in the house that you cannot be without during the listing period, lock them up! Happy Selling! Sincerely, Keith Berne RE/MAX Equity Group, Broker, GRI, Portland, Oregon 503-495-5238

Comments not intended to solicit currently listed properties

Portland, Oregon Real Estate Tips: The Importance of Flashing!

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:43:05 -0600

As I write, my contractor is putting hammer to nail out back making a wonderful racket that will be my new deck! Through my experience with home inspections I know that my contractor needs to properly bolt the ledger board to the house with "lagbolts" and then add "flashing" where the deck meets the house to properly channel water away from behind the siding. Flashing comes in different shapes and can be made of different materials, but its job is to channel rain water away from the house and prevent it from getting behind the siding. In Oregon, as I've said many times, it's all about the water and where it goes. If you're adding a structure to your home or putting in new windows or doors, be sure you discuss the "flashing" with your contractor. As a homeowner you have to ask questions and do your research up front. You don't want shoddy work to bite you later, especially when selling your house! Happy Homeownership! Keith Berne, RE/MAX Equity Group, Broker, GRI, 503-495-5238.

Comments are Keith's opinions only, he is not a contractor and recommends you seek building advice from professionals in that field.

Toilet Talk: Portland, Oregon Real Estate Listing Tips

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:57:49 -0600

Listing your home for sale? Then it's time to think about the throne! If the floor around your toilet is a bit spongy, or the vinyl is beginning to peal back, it may be because the wax ring inside the base where the toilet connects to the sewer line is corroded. It may need changing! Any good inspector will look closely around the base off all toilets; if they have a moisture meter, they'll check where the toilet meets the floor to detect signs of leakage. Before listing your home you may want to have a plumber come to check all the water connections and the toilets to make sure everything is in good working order. Happy Selling! Keith Berne, RE/MAX Equity Group, Broker, GRI, 503-734-6646

Comments not intended to solicit currently listed properties.

Realtor Animal Stories?

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:33:45 -0600

Last week I wrote a post about putting dogs in doggy daycare when listing. I got some very funny responses about parrots and other animals so I figured I'd just ask you Rainers for memorable stories about animals and real estate. I retold some of the comments to my blog post at dinner and got roars so I'm looking for more material!

Leave the Furnace ON! Portland, Oregon Real Estate Tips

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:46:08 -0600

Is your house listed and Vacant? Well, if you live where it still gets chilly at night, know that the worst possible thing is to walk into a COLD house and expect a buyer to feel all warm and fuzzy. The sun may be out as Spring approaches, but a house without heat can feel like a freezer when you walk in, even if it's warm outside. Many times I've brought customers in houses, and it's colder inside than out!!!! So you agents and owners who have homes listed in chilly places, KEEP the FURNACE ON! Happy Selling, Keith Berne, RE/MAX Equity Group, Broker, GRI 503-734-6646

comment not intended to solicit currently listed property

Portland, Oregon Real Estate Tips: Your Home and Taxes

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:29:05 -0600

Hey Homeowner, don't forget that there are many tax deductions associated with homeownership. For instance if you've just purchased your home, you may be eligible for some tax deductions besides the ever popular interest deduction. Ask the IRS directly or consult with a professional tax preparer if you don't already have one and you might be pleasantly surprised that your home isn't just your happy living place, it may also be your happy money place! Happy Homeownership, Sincerely, Keith Berne, RE/MAX Equity Group, Broker, Realtor, GRI 503-734-6646, keithberne.com

Keith is not a tax professional, these are his opinions, not advice; seek a tax professional for advice.

Comments not meant to solicit currently listed properties

Portland, Oregon Real Estate Tips: Should I Rent or Should I Sell?

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 01:52:59 -0600

For many sellers around the nation the question is "Should I Rent or Should I Sell?" and the answer is that only you can decide based on your current market for both rental and sales. While making your decision, remember this... if you wait to sell you may face the same market next year, only your home is ANOTHER YEAR OLDER, and so is its INTERIOR DESIGN AND CONDITION. By not selling now, you may simply be putting off the inevitable and may be deferring necessary maintenance like cleaning gutters, painting, and discovering hidden issues like dryrot. A renter might not be concerned if water is getting into the crawlspace, but you should be. Do you even know it's happening? It's unlikely the renter is going into the crawl to check things out. Happy Selling! Keith Berne, RE/MAX Equity Group, Broker, Realtor, GRI 503-734-6646

Comments not intended to solicit currently listed properties.

Is it time for new enterance standards for RE Brokers?

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 21:00:07 -0600

Should the NAR create higher eductional and experiential standards for real estate agents in America? I know I'm opening up a can of worms, and that I myself didn't have to do these things, but maybe we can avoid the devaluation of our services by establishing higher standards for enterance into a very compicated field fraught with legal landmines. As things stand now, you only have to work for a principal broker for 3 years before you hang your own shingle... but during that three years you can do everything with virtually no supervision unless you're lucky enough to have a broker that is super on accountability and training. Shouldn't we at least have an apprenticeship period where new brokers are assigned to experienced agents before they start out on their own? Keith in Portland

Portland, Oregon Real Estate Tips: Like Balmy Weather?

Keith Berne, Real Estate Broker, Realtor, GRI (RE/MAX Equity Group, Inc.) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:32:30 -0600

Are you tired of SNOW in the winter and BLAZING SUN in the summer? Well, Portland is ready for you. You may have endured frozen NE winters or sizzling SW summers, but if you're ready for a little well deserved rest and relaxation from weather extremes, there's no better place on the planet than Portland. This winter we've had precisely one day of snow that I can remember, that didn't melt at the lower elevations by noon. Give me a call and we'll talk "balmy"! Keith Berne, RE/MAX Equity Group, Broker GRI, Realtor. 503-734-6646

Comments not intended to solicit currently listed properties