Searching for Portland Real Estate

If you're searching for a new home for your family in Portland, the best thing to do is learn about Portland neighborhoods and deal with a local REALTOR® who knows them well. If you're from the Portland area, you may have the first part of this equation done already. If you're relocating to Portland from some other part of the country and are not familiar with the city yourself, it's even more important to find a real estate agent who knows the neighborhoods and can help you find a home in one that fits your family's lifestyle.

Interview several Portland real estate agents

Don't just entrust the first agent you talk to with the task of find you your dream home. Remember, he won't be the one spending years living in the new home, you and your family will. So don't be afraid to ask some tough questions and build a sense of trust between the two of you. Here are some good questions to ask an agent before allowing them to be your buyer's agent:

• How long have you lived in Portland?
• How long have you been a Portland real estate agent?
• How many Portland homes do you sell each year?

These three basic questions will help you determine whether you should invest a lot of your precious time (and money) in a particular agent. Remember, once you sign a buyer's agency agreement, you are locked into that particular agent for all intents and purposes. That's a good thing, because the agent knows you are committed to using him and he can give you complete listing information without worrying that you'll take his hard work and hand it to another agent. On the other hand, it means you need to do your due diligence before making such a commitment.

Portland Areas

Here are just a few Portland areas you might want to check out in your search for a Portland home.

• Downtown Portland
• Lake Oswego
• West Linn
• Beaverton
• Hillsboro
• The Pearls
• Tigard

Here is some more information about Portland real estate you may find helpful.