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Displaying blog entries 21-30 of 1996

Home Affordability on Mt. Hood

Friday, April 24, 2026
by Liz Warren

      

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Rent or Buy on Mt. Hood

Thursday, April 16, 2026
by Liz Warren

Rent or Buy? The Real Tradeoff Most People Don’t Talk About



 

You’ve probably asked yourself lately: Is it even worth trying to buy a home right now? It’s a question a lot of people are asking.

With today’s home prices and mortgage rates, renting can feel like the easier path. In some cases, it might even seem like the only realistic option right now. And if that’s where you are, there’s nothing wrong with that.

But if you’re weighing the decision, there’s one part of the conversation that doesn’t get talked about enough.

It’s what each choice does for your future.

What Renting Really Gets You (And What It Doesn’t)

Depending on your situation, renting does have some advantages:

  • Lower upfront costs.
  • Less responsibility.
  • More flexibility to move when you want.

But even with those benefits, a Bank of America survey found 70% of aspiring homeowners worry about what long-term renting means for their future. And that concern comes down to one thing: you’re not building anything for your future. As Yahoo Finance explains:

“Paying rent doesn't build equity. You get a place to live, but no ownership stake, no price appreciation, and no asset to leverage for future borrowing or investment.”

So, while renting may feel easier, the flexibility you get comes at a cost.

How Homeownership Builds Your Wealth Over Time

On the other hand, owning a home is one of the most consistent ways people build wealth over time. Why? When you’re a homeowner, you gain something called equity. That’s the difference between what your home is worth and what you owe.

That equity grows with every monthly payment you make. It also gets a boost as home values go up through the years – and it adds up quicker than you may think.

Today, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says the average homeowner’s net worth is 43X greater than that of a renter:

a graph of a number of peopleThe dollars in the visual don’t lie. On average, here’s how net worth compares:

  • Homeowners: $430k
  • Renters: $10k

And it’s not because homeowners make wildly different decisions day to day. It’s because over time, one path builds something, and the other doesn’t.

So sure, buying comes with some upfront costs and more responsibility. But it’s basically a savings account you can live in.

The Gap Is Growing Over Time

And here’s something else interesting. That net worth gap between renters and homeowners has been widening over time, not shrinking.

If you look back at the reports on net worth through the years, you can see the gap is growing as homeowners gain wealth and renters stay stuck in the rental trap (see graph below):

a graph of green and blue barsEven in 2025, when home prices were moderating, homeowners still gained even more ground. And that tells you something important:

When you can afford it and you’re ready for the responsibility, history shows buying is usually worth it in the long run. Because either way, you’re paying for someone’s mortgage and building someone’s net worth.

When you rent, it’s your landlord’s mortgage – not yours. But when you buy? Your monthly payments help build equity.

The question is: whose do you want to pay? Yours or theirs?

So, Should You Buy a Home Now?

The short answer is, it depends on your situation.

While the long-term benefits of buying are clear, that doesn’t mean the timing is right for everyone right now. And that’s okay. You should only buy a home once you’re ready and the numbers work for you.

But whether you’re looking to buy now or planning for the future, the first step is the same. You should have a quick conversation with a local real estate agent about your goals, timeline, and budget.

They can help you run the numbers and see what’s realistic. You may find buying is closer than you thought. And if not, you’ll at least know exactly what it will take to get there.

Because the sooner you have a plan, the sooner you can decide when it makes sense, instead of wondering if it ever will.

Bottom Line

Renting may feel more do-able today. But over time, it could cost you.

If you want to ditch renting and start building something for your future, it starts with a simple conversation. Let’s connect, talk about your specific goals, and explore your options – so you’re ready when the time is right for you.

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Firewood Season is Now Open on Mt. Hood National Forest

Tuesday, April 14, 2026
by Liz Warren

Firewood season now open on Mt. Hood National Forest

Free personal use permit required to collect up to six cords

Release Date: April 13, 2026

SANDY, Ore. — Personal use firewood permits are now available for the season on Mt. Hood National Forest. 

All woodcutters must obtain a firewood permit to cut and haul firewood from the Forest. Permits are available at a district office or by submitting a firewood permit application. Each household may collect a maximum of six cords annually with a free firewood permit for personal use only. Permits are valid through November 30. 

Woodcutters who need more than six cords of firewood or intend to collect firewood for resale must purchase a commercial firewood permit, which is available upon request pending availability. 

All woodcutters must carry their permit, firewood load tags, firewood map, and a current information sheet while harvesting. Woodcutters may only collect and cut downed wood. Felling standing trees, dead or alive, is illegal. Firewood cutting areas are described on the required firewood maps and information sheets, which are updated regularly and reflect the current Industrial Fire Precaution Level of each area.  

More firewood information is available online: www.fs.usda.gov/r06/mthood/permits/firewood  

Conditions across Mt. Hood National Forest vary and may change rapidly. Some Forest Service roads may be snow-covered, icy, or muddy. Several roads remain impassable due to downed trees, landslides, culvert blockages, and other damage caused by December’s significant storms. Vehicle access to some areas may be limited due to wildfire closures. Always know before you go: www.fs.usda.gov/r06/mthood/alerts 

Contact a district office for information on current conditions: www.fs.usda.gov/r06/mthood/offices   

Some community members who rely on firewood to heat their home may struggle to harvest firewood due to age or physical disabilities. Learn more about Mt. Hood National Forest’s firewood assistance program and how to apply: www.fs.usda.gov/media/158825  

Three volunteers kneeling on freshly cut firewood next to a green building.
 
 
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The Best February for New Listings in 4 Years

Tuesday, March 31, 2026
by Liz Warren

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Investors In Today's Housing Market

Monday, March 30, 2026
by Liz Warren

This’ll Change What You Think About Investors in Today’s Housing Market



 

There’s a lot of noise out there right now about investors in the housing market.

Some headlines make it sound like big Wall Street firms are buying up everything in sight. And if you’re trying to purchase a home yourself, that can make it feel like the odds are stacked against you.

But when you take a closer look at the data, a very different picture starts to come into focus.

Most Investors Are Just Everyday Owners

For starters, when you hear the word investor, you probably picture big corporations. And that misconception is a large part of what’s feeding into the myth that they’re buying up all the homes.

Most investors aren’t big companies, at all.

They’re everyday people just like you.

They’re someone who owns a second home (like a vacation house at the river), a neighbor who has 1 or 2 rentals, or even a homeowner who tried to sell their home, didn’t get the price they wanted, and decided to rent it instead.

And when all of these groups are lumped together in the headlines, the number of investors sounds high – especially if you’re operating under the assumption all investors are big investors.

But here’s what the numbers really show when you drill down.

Institutional Investors Are a Small Slice of the Housing Market

Large institutional investors, those big companies buying homes, actually make up a very small share of the overall housing market.

According to BatchData, the largest investors (those with 1,000+ homes) own just 0.4% of the 86 million single-family homes in the country. And their share of the market is actually shrinking.

Data from Parcl Labs shows big investors are selling 4 homes for every 1 they’re buying right now (see visual below):

a graph of a home sellingThat means they’ve actually added almost 1.7k homes back into the market lately.

What This Means for You

The story is clear. Instead of aggressively buying up homes, most of these companies are stepping back, which means less competition from them than you might expect. If you were someone who thought they were dominating the market, let that give you some peace of mind.

Most of the competition you’ll face is from other everyday buyers – people just like you. And with most large investors stepping back, there may be more opportunity in the market than you think.

Bottom Line

It’s easy to assume big investors are taking over the housing market, but the data tells a different story. If you want an expert's opinion on what investor activity looks like in our area, let's talk.

Because odds are, it’s not as big a factor as you may think.

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Mt. Hood Log Cabin Listed on Realtor.com's Most Unique Property List

Wednesday, March 25, 2026
by Liz Warren

$695,000

Still Creek Cabin

Mt. Hood Log Home on Still Creek

      Mt Hood Lodge on Still Creek     Still Creek in the Mt. Hood National Forest

                                                 Here's the link 

This turnkey Mt. Hood National Forest cedar log sided cabin on Still Creek comes along once in a blue moon. The mountain’s most popular waterfront location is a rare find. It comes fully furnished and completely updated to balance lodge like charm with modern amenities. Knotty cedar walls, vaulted ceilings, and wood beams in the great room highlight the river rock fireplace and walls of windows that showcase Still Creek views!The charming getaway has been remodeled and upgraded to perfection from the new metal roof, new flooring, new lighting, new windows, new electrical service and panels, new leather furniture, and new septic. Turn key and ready to go for summer and winter fun. Spread out and bring your friends. Plenty of parking too with two driveway entrances and half circular graveled driveway. There’s spacious room with three bedrooms, a hideaway kids loft plus two and a half baths. Bedrooms feature log beds with matching nightstands and new window treatments throughout. A huge deck off the great room is perfection for summer barbecues and stunning views of Still Creek and the forest. One big bonus is the easy access to the water for kid and dog friendly wading and swimming. The clearest waterway on the mountain makes watching the salmon spawn in the fall a treat. Comfort is guaranteed year-round with forced-air electric heat and a toe warming wood stove. Gas generator included in case the power happens to go out!Your Mt. Hood basecamp is the perfect spot to enjoy hiking, skiing and mountain biking. Only 15 minutes to the slopes. Mountain bike to Trillium Lake out your front door along with hiking trails too. Keep your mountain toys in the log sided outbuilding for easy storage. This super convenient location has two access roads off Highway 26 and is close to stores, coffee shops and restaurants. It’s a quick hour from Portland yet you feel a million miles away.
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Many Mt. Hood Owners Delisted and Are Now Re-Listing

Tuesday, March 24, 2026
by Liz Warren

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The Number One Reason Buyers Back Out of Transactions on Mt. Hood

Friday, March 20, 2026
by Liz Warren

The #1 Reason Buyers Walk Away (And How To Get Ahead of It)



 

You may have seen headlines on social saying the number of buyers backing out of their contracts is on the rise – and has recently reached a high not seen since 2017. That can sound intimidating. But it varies a lot by market.

And here’s the key thing to understand if you want to sell. A lot of the time, there’s one common cause. And it’s something you can actually control.

Here’s what you can do to get ahead of the biggest dealbreaker before it ever becomes a problem.

The Top Dealbreaker: Issues That Pop Up During the Inspection

A Redfin survey shows over 70% of recently cancelled contracts happened because of issues during the home inspection (see graph below): 

a screenshot of a surveyAnd that makes sense. Because today’s buyers have something they didn’t have a couple of years ago: options.

Why Fixing Things Before You List Matters More Today

A few years back, when buyers felt rushed or boxed in due to the limited number of homes for sale, they were more willing to overlook issues.

But in today’s market, skipping essential repairs is one of the fastest ways to lose a deal.

Now that there are more homes to choose from, buyers can be more selective. If a house feels risky, outdated, or like it’s hiding expensive surprises, they’re a lot more likely to walk away. So, what do you have to fix? Just ask an agent.

How Your Agent Can Help Give You the Edge

A local agent will be able to walk through your house and offer advice on what to tackle based on your specific home, your market, and what buyers are prioritizing in your area. They'll also have first-hand knowledge about some of the biggest turnoffs for buyers today. And you can use that expertise to prevent future headaches.

For example, according to Zillow, these are some of the issues buyers will care the most about:

  • Roof leaks or damage: sagging, leaking, etc.
  • Plumbing problems: standing water, leaks, water damage, etc.
  • Electrical concerns: outdated or exposed wiring, missing GFCI outlets, etc.
  • HVAC issues: non-functioning units
  • Pest or insect damage: termite colonies, etc.
  • Hazardous materials: lead, mold, asbestos, etc.
  • Safety/code violations: missing smoke detectors, windows stuck closed, etc.
  • Structural problems: cracks in the foundation, sagging floors, etc.

 

Odds are not all of this even applies to your house. Maybe only 1-2 things do. Or maybe none of them do. It just depends. But an agent will have the tools and resources to help you figure it out and stay one step ahead.

The Benefits of a Pre-Listing Inspection

To buyers, these aren’t cosmetic issues. They’re trust issues. And that’s what you need to watch out for today. Once buyers start wondering “what else might be wrong,” it’s hard to recover momentum.

That’s why some agents are even recommending a pre-listing inspection as a sneak peek into what buyers will see on their own inspection. With that insight, you can:

  • Fix concerns before you list, or disclose issues upfront
  • Avoid having to respond or negotiate under pressure
  • Stop scrambling to find contractors with availability before your closing date

But remember, you don't have to fix everything. You just have to be strategic about what you do tackle, so you and your buyer aren’t caught off guard.

And that’s why you need an agent who can:

  • Decide if a pre-listing inspection is worth it where you live
  • Recommend a trusted inspector (if you decide to get one)
  • Look at the results with you to identify true dealbreakers in your market
  • Help you decide what to fix or what to credit
  • Make sure you avoid over-spending or under-preparing

Bottom Line

One of the biggest dealbreakers for buyers today is inspection issues – and that’s something you can control. You just need to be proactive about high-impact repairs before you list.

If you want help figuring out where to focus, let's connect so we can keep your sale on track from day one.

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Selling Your Mt. Hood House Isn’t About Luck. It’s About Strategy

Tuesday, March 17, 2026
by Liz Warren

       

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The #1 Reason Buyers Walk Away on Mt. Hood

Monday, March 16, 2026
by Liz Warren

The #1 Reason Buyers Walk Away (And How To Get Ahead of It)



 

You may have seen headlines on social saying the number of buyers backing out of their contracts is on the rise – and has recently reached a high not seen since 2017. That can sound intimidating. But it varies a lot by market.

And here’s the key thing to understand if you want to sell. A lot of the time, there’s one common cause. And it’s something you can actually control.

Here’s what you can do to get ahead of the biggest dealbreaker before it ever becomes a problem.

The Top Dealbreaker: Issues That Pop Up During the Inspection

A Redfin survey shows over 70% of recently cancelled contracts happened because of issues during the home inspection (see graph below): 

a screenshot of a surveyAnd that makes sense. Because today’s buyers have something they didn’t have a couple of years ago: options.

Why Fixing Things Before You List Matters More Today

A few years back, when buyers felt rushed or boxed in due to the limited number of homes for sale, they were more willing to overlook issues.

But in today’s market, skipping essential repairs is one of the fastest ways to lose a deal.

Now that there are more homes to choose from, buyers can be more selective. If a house feels risky, outdated, or like it’s hiding expensive surprises, they’re a lot more likely to walk away. So, what do you have to fix? Just ask an agent.

How Your Agent Can Help Give You the Edge

A local agent will be able to walk through your house and offer advice on what to tackle based on your specific home, your market, and what buyers are prioritizing in your area. They'll also have first-hand knowledge about some of the biggest turnoffs for buyers today. And you can use that expertise to prevent future headaches.

For example, according to Zillow, these are some of the issues buyers will care the most about:

  • Roof leaks or damage: sagging, leaking, etc.
  • Plumbing problems: standing water, leaks, water damage, etc.
  • Electrical concerns: outdated or exposed wiring, missing GFCI outlets, etc.
  • HVAC issues: non-functioning units
  • Pest or insect damage: termite colonies, etc.
  • Hazardous materials: lead, mold, asbestos, etc.
  • Safety/code violations: missing smoke detectors, windows stuck closed, etc.
  • Structural problems: cracks in the foundation, sagging floors, etc.

 

Odds are not all of this even applies to your house. Maybe only 1-2 things do. Or maybe none of them do. It just depends. But an agent will have the tools and resources to help you figure it out and stay one step ahead.

The Benefits of a Pre-Listing Inspection

To buyers, these aren’t cosmetic issues. They’re trust issues. And that’s what you need to watch out for today. Once buyers start wondering “what else might be wrong,” it’s hard to recover momentum.

That’s why some agents are even recommending a pre-listing inspection as a sneak peek into what buyers will see on their own inspection. With that insight, you can:

  • Fix concerns before you list, or disclose issues upfront
  • Avoid having to respond or negotiate under pressure
  • Stop scrambling to find contractors with availability before your closing date

But remember, you don't have to fix everything. You just have to be strategic about what you do tackle, so you and your buyer aren’t caught off guard.

And that’s why you need an agent who can:

  • Decide if a pre-listing inspection is worth it where you live
  • Recommend a trusted inspector (if you decide to get one)
  • Look at the results with you to identify true dealbreakers in your market
  • Help you decide what to fix or what to credit
  • Make sure you avoid over-spending or under-preparing

Bottom Line

One of the biggest dealbreakers for buyers today is inspection issues – and that’s something you can control. You just need to be proactive about high-impact repairs before you list.

If you want help figuring out where to focus, let's connect so we can keep your sale on track from day one.

Add Comment

Displaying blog entries 21-30 of 1996

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