Chances are at some point in your life you’ve heard the phrase, home is where the heart is. There’s a reason that’s said so often. Becoming a homeowner is emotional.
So, if you’re trying to decide if you want to keep on renting or if you’re ready to buy a home this year, here’s why it’s so easy to fall in love with homeownership.
Customizing to Your Heart’s Desire
Your house should be a space that’s uniquely you. And, if you’re a renter, that can be hard to achieve. When you rent, the paint colors are usually the standard shade of white, you don’t have much control over the upgrades, and you’ve got to be careful how many holes you put in the walls. But when you’re a homeowner, you have a lot more freedom. As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says:
“The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and choose the types of upgrades and new amenities that appeal to your lifestyle.”
Whether you want to paint the walls a cheery bright color or go for a dark moody tone, you can match your interior to your vibe. Imagine how it would feel to come home at the end of the day and walk into a space that feels like you.
Greater Stability for the Ones You Love Most
One of the hardest things about renting is the uncertainty of what happens at the end of your lease. Does your payment go up so much that you have to move? What if your landlord decides to sell the property? It’s like you’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Jeff Ostrowski, a business journalist covering real estate and the economy, explains how homeownership can give you more peace of mind in a Money Geek article:
“Homeownership means you are the boss and have the biggest say in your lifestyle and family decisions. Suppose your kids are in public school and you don’t want to risk having them change schools because your landlord doesn’t renew your lease. Owning a home would remove much of the risk of having to move.”
A Feeling of Belonging
You may also find you feel much more at home in the community once you own a house. That’s because, when you buy a home, you’re staking a claim and saying, I’m a part of this community. You’ll have neighbors, block parties, and more. And that’ll give you the feeling of being a part of something bigger. As the International Housing Association explains:
“. . . homeowning households are more socially involved in community affairs than their renting counterparts. This is due to both the fact that homeowners expect to remain in the community for a longer period of time and that homeowners have an ownership stake in the neighborhood.”
The Emotional High of Achieving Your Dream
Becoming a homeowner is a journey – and it may have been a long road to get to the point where you’re ready to take the plunge. If you’re seriously considering leaving behind your rental and making this commitment, you should know the emotions that come with this owning a home are powerful. You’ll be able to walk up to your front door every day and have that sense of accomplishment welcome you home.
Fun Things to do this week…
Celebrate Voluntine’s Day at the Portland Business District Cleanup
Portland is a strong, resilient city, but it needs help. On Wednesday, February 14, join SOLVE for a heartwarming celebration of love for our community.
When: Wed, February 14, 1–3 pm
Where: Alberta Rose Theatre Concordia | 1422 SW 11th Ave Portland, OR 97205
Valentine: A Night of Circus, Music, and Love
From the circus that brought you the twelve-show sell-out, White Album XMAS – Rose City Circus and Trashcan Joe present a vintage themed night of love, spotlighting a daring and romantic circus alongside live original tunes of vintage swing, jazz, folk, and blues.
When: February 14, 6:30–10 pm
Where: Alberta Rose Theatre Concordia | 3000 NE Alberta Portland, OR 97211
THIS WEEKS REAL ESTATE UPDATE
Numbers help tell a story.
Numbers are powerful, especially when it comes to real estate! Whether you are assess whether it’s a good time to buy, sale or invest these numbers can be very valuable in determining offers or best sales price! PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT WITH ANY QUESTIONS
Portland, OR 97230
Wed Feb 14 2024
This week the median list price for Portland, OR 97230 is $487,900 with the market action index hovering around 55. This is an increase over last month’s market action index of 53. Inventory has decreased to 33.
Market Action Index
This answers “How’s the Market?” by comparing rate of sales versus inventory.
Strong Seller’s Market
Home sales continue to outstrip supply and the Market Action Index has been moving higher for several weeks. This is a Seller’s market so watch for upward pricing pressure in the near future if the trend continues.
Portland, OR 97220
Wed Feb 14 2024
This week the median list price for Portland, OR 97220 is $447,500 with the market action index hovering around 45. This is less than last month’s market action index of 46. Inventory has decreased to 26.
Fairview, OR 97024
Wed Feb 14 2024
This week the median list price for Fairview, OR 97024 is $619,000 with the market action index hovering around 43. This is less than last month’s market action index of 54. Inventory has increased to 5.
Troutdale, OR 97060
Wed Feb 14 2024
This week the median list price for Troutdale, OR 97060 is $582,000 with the market action index hovering around 57. This is an increase over last month’s market action index of 55. Inventory has decreased to 11.
Gresham, OR 97080
Wed Feb 14 2024
This week the median list price for Gresham, OR 97080 is $576,000 with the market action index hovering around 48. This is about the same as last month’s market action index of 48. Inventory has increased to 76.
Portland, OR 97236
Wed Feb 14 2024
This week the median list price for Portland, OR 97236 is $499,450 with the market action index hovering around 38. This is an increase over last month’s market action index of 36. Inventory has decreased to 32.
Portland, OR 97211
Wed Feb 14 2024
This week the median list price for Portland, OR 97211 is $669,900 with the market action index hovering around 51. This is less than last month’s market action index of 54. Inventory has held steady at or around 31.
Portland, OR 97232
Wed Feb 14 2024
This week the median list price for Portland, OR 97232 is $744,900 with the market action index hovering around 55. This is an increase over last month’s market action index of 51. Inventory has decreased to 9.
Bridging the Gaps on the Road to Homeownership
Homeownership is a major part of the American Dream. But, the path to achieving this dream can be quite difficult. While progress has been made to improve fair housing access, households of color still face unique challenges on the road to owning a home. Working with the right real estate experts can make all the difference for diverse buyers. Read more
What’s Really Happening with Mortgage Rates?
Are you feeling a bit unsure about what’s really happening with mortgage rates? That might be because you’ve heard someone say they’re coming down. But then you read somewhere else that they’re up again. And that may leave you scratching your head and wondering what’s true. Read more
Have you heard of HOMEBOT?
Find out everything you need to know about your homes current value here! Learn more
Are you thinking about selling your home?
FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOUR HOME IS WORTH?
RECIPE OF THE WEEK!
Steaks with Goulash Sauce & Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredient Checklist
- 3 tsp rapeseed oil, plus extra for the steaks
- 250g sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into narrow chips
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 2 small onions, halved and sliced (190g)
- 1 green pepper, deseeded and diced
- 2 garlic cloves, sliced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 85g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 tsp vegetable bouillon powder
- 2 x 125g fillet steaks, rubbed with a little rapeseed oil
- 200g bag baby spinach, wilted in a pan or the microwave
Instructions Checklist
- Heat oven to 240C/220C fan/gas 7 and put a wire rack on top of a baking tray. Toss the sweet potatoes and thyme with 2 tsp oil in a bowl, then scatter them over the rack and set aside until ready to cook.
- Heat 1 tsp oil in a non-stick pan, add the onions, cover the pan and leave to cook for 5 mins. Take off the lid and stir – they should be a little charred now. Stir in the green pepper and garlic, cover the pan and cook for 5 mins more. Put the potatoes in the oven and bake for 15 mins.
- While the potatoes are cooking, stir the paprika into the onions and peppers, pour in 150ml water and stir in the cherry tomatoes, tomato purée and bouillon. Cover and simmer for 10 mins.
- Pan-fry the steak in a hot, non-stick pan for 2-3 mins each side depending on their thickness. Rest for 5 mins. Spoon the goulash sauce onto plates and top with the beef. Serve the chips and spinach alongside.
Very Sexy Martini
Indulgents
- 3 raspberries
- 5 mint leaves
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 1/2 ounces citrus vodka
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 1/2 ounces Moët & Chandon Rosé Imperial Champagne, or another comparable sparkling rosé, to top
- Garnish: mint sprig
- Garnish: raspberry
Instructions Checklist
- In a shaker, muddle the raspberries and mint with the simple syrup.
- Add the vodka and lime juice, fill with ice, and shake until well-chilled.
- Strain into a cocktail glass.
- Top with the Champagne and garnish with a mint spring and a raspberry.
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