Buying your first house? Let’s talk.

Why buy? The reasons for buying a house are as different as the people buying them. The Wall Street Journal had some opinions on this recently: 10 Reasons to Buy a Home. The reality is, if you have the money available and the desire to be in charge of your surroundings, it’s a great time to become a homeowner. Interest rates are at near all-time lows, prices are as low as they’ve been in 5 years, and the Portland area is still growing.

You may be thinking about buying a house because you’re tired of dealing with insecure rental situations, to have an investment, or because you need a home office, or studio space for your art or music. Being really clear on the “why” will make the “how” much easier.

Choosing an agent is one of the first decisions you’ll make in the process. The right agent will expertly guide you through the entire process, answering all of your questions and making sure you feel comfortable along the way. Interview a few people and get recommendations from friends and family. Learn more about the process…

The top 3 things to look for in an agent are:
1. Expertise. Do they know the neighborhoods you want to live in? How well do they know the market? Have they worked with clients like you before?
2. Personality. You’re going to spend a lot of time together house-hunting. Make sure it’s a good fit.
3. Availability. Many agents have been forced to go to part time thanks to the downturn. Others rely heavily on a team of assistants. Make sure the agent you choose has time to focus on your search.

I do things just a little bit differently: I want to know how you plan to live in your new home and what your plans are for the future. What are you yearning to do that you can’t in your current place? Which neighborhoods are your friends and favorite restaurants found in? Square footage and bedrooms are important, but they’re not enough to make sure we find what you’re looking for. I’ll dig deeper to make sure you don’t outgrow your home within a couple of years.

This approach sets us up to find a house that will not only meet your criteria but support your personal growth and lifestyle.

The process never felt out of control or nerve-wracking. Erin’s good reasoning skills helped us with many decisions, but she also knew when to take a step back. She is also a great resource for all the peripheral home-buying issues that pop up, which you just don’t think about as a first-time buyer. From inspectors and roofers to potential fixture upgrades and gardening tips, Erin has your back.
-Erin & Diana (bought their first house in St. Johns in 2009)

Erin is an incredible realtor. She knows the area by heart. She is super knowledgeable about buying and selling homes, the current market, and all the intricacies involved in choosing a house that one might never even think of. She is great at answering questions and really knows her stuff. She is a very prompt responder and she really understood just what we were looking for in a home. I would enthusiastically and highly recommend her to anyone.
-Jenny & John (bought their first house in NE Portland in 2010)

Not sure if you’re ready?

I firmly believe the home buying experience goes much more smoothly when you start early with complete information. Each week, I reserve a few appointments for people at the beginning of their process. Over coffee or a beer, I’ll help you determine if you’re ready to buy, build a strategy, and answer any questions you have about the process. No pressure – just rock solid information to help you decide if this is the right time for you to become a homeowner.