|
What does CC&R stands for?
Covenants Conditions and Restrictions - tells what you can and cannot do with your property - usually dreamed up by the developer to protect property values. If someone puts a junkyard next to your $400,000 home or raises pigs, you won't be able to resell it for $400K, but maybe $200K... In rural areas the CC&Rs are just the bare minimum to avoid the worst and even allow hunting on the property, in denser populated areas they can get quite elaborate.
What is a HOA?<
Home Owners Association - After the developer sells most or all of the lots he turns the enforcement of the CC&R's over to the homeowners, who form an association. Sometimes the HOA will collect an annual or monthly fee which can vary from $150 a year to several hundred dollars a month, depending what they are set out to do. Sometimes the HOA just collects a little money to keep the roads in drivable conditions because the county won't care if a private road washes out or has potholes the size of cars.... In other cases the HOA fee includes snow removal, landscaping, hiring a full time gate keeper, etc.
What does BLM stand for?<
Bureau of Land Management - This land belongs to the Federal Government and is public land. Sometimes ranchers lease the land to graze their cattle on it for a small fee. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) charges $1.35 per animal unit month (AUM) to graze cattle on public lands for the 2025 Grazing Fee Year, which runs from March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2025. This fee applies to almost 18,000 grazing leases and permits. On the other hand, a private lease from a Rancher or Farmer would cost about $18-22 per AUM.
 |
If you buy property because it borders BLM or State Land and you like the idea for hunting and recreation, be aware that public lands can be swapped for private land or even sold. |
How does a real estate transaction work in Oregon?<
A buy-sell agreement is written up by the Realtor and the earnest money is deposited in the trust account of the broker. The title company gets the agreement and draws up the title insurance and records the new owner with the county after they get the money at closing. The new deed is written up by an attorney, usually the title company uses their attorney, but the buyers can name their own.
How much do they usually charge per transaction?<
Escrow fees in Oregon are typically split 50/50 between the buyer and seller and range from $500 to $1,000. The exact amount depends on the transaction's complexity.
Escrow protects the buyer's down payment, earnest money deposit, and money. It also determines the homeowner's balance, which includes: Property taxes, HOA fees, Mortgage payoffs, Homeowner's insurance, and Liens.
Other closing costs in Oregon include:
Real estate agent commissions: Typically 5% to 6% of the home's sale price, split between both parties' agents
Attorney fees: Typically between $500 and $1,500
Home repairs or concessions: Costs vary based on buyer negotiations or inspection results
Prorated property taxes: Sellers pay their portion of the year's taxes up to the closing date
What percentage of a commission does a real estate agent receive?<
Let's assume the average percentage is 6% of the total sale, which is split between the office of the listing agent (3%), and the office of the selling agent (3%). Each office splits their share between the agent and the office. If you work for a franchise, you will receive a lower cut than if you work for an independent company. Your share will depend on your sales volume. The more you sell, the more you can keep of the commission paid to the office. Usually it starts at 50%; that means if a $100,000 property is sold and the commission is $6,000; the agent receives $1,500 of that.
Why do you like to be a buyer's agent and do you also list property?<
I like to be a buyer's agent, because before I had my license I could be persuaded to accept unfavorable terms by buying directly from listing agents, not realizing that they of course not only had an ax to grind but also had fiduciary duties to their sellers, while they could spill the beans about me. I had no clue. I am very picky what I take for a listing, because I want to sell what works for the buyer, not because I need to sell something. As a buyer's agent, I can turn my nose up on unacceptable properties and disclose as much as I want to disclose while protecting the buyer. I am familiar with the area and know what is involved when someone is looking for a property. If my client needs electricity and winter (or even legal) access, I will make sure it is there. Many get stuck with properties that turn out to be a nightmare for the buyer, which is the scenario I am trying to avoid. I have been there myself.
I noticed that a "For Sale By Owner" (FSBO) cannot sell at a lower price but does at a higher price with an agent?<
Only a small percentage of all FSBOs sell by owner. If you list with an agent, the property goes on MLS and hundreds of Realtors know about the property. Each real estate agent has many customers looking for properties and waiting for their dream to come on the market. The listing gets published in real estate magazines and newspapers, advertised on several websites, etc. That is quite a spread. Also people looking for a FSBO are usually not serious buyers, while a real estate agent finds out exactly how much money a client can invest and only spends time with serious buyers. I would not buy a FSBO. Real Estate agents are obligated to disclose known flaws. Especially in rural areas where there might not be legal access, there might be septic tank problems, property line encroachments, or the area might be known for a variety of environmental problems, etc. How are you going to find all of that out when you come from out of State? You need a local agent to get you through the land mines! Did I say I am here to help you?
Do you only sell high end properties to make money as an agent?
<
I am a strong believer in giving back to the world some of the wonderful blessings that were given to me…
I once had a dream about a bear and a hedgehog were playing in my backyard. The bear helped the little hedgehog all the time, since he was so small he got in all kinds of trouble. I thought that was a nice dream and smiled when I woke up. I went to the office and there was a stuffed hedgehog wedged into my mailbox, a customer had dropped that off for me. She wasn't really a customer, because she didn't have enough money to afford anything I had shown her, but I had helped her to get situated, etc. Not long after that another client came in. He had come from PA to find a nice lot for his retirement home and I had found the right acreage for him in the most expensive development in town… He gave me a small bear out of pewter, decorated with Indian good luck symbols…In other words the commissions I receive from well to do clients will also stretch to help the people who need to find jobs, rentals, etc. and I made this website also as a tool for my customers so they can make an informed decision.
|
Click on any photo to see it full size
|
Equal Housing Opportunity
Home