In the Portland real estate market, especially in popular areas like SE Portland, buyers often assume they have limited room to negotiate. But with the right timing and strategy, opportunities open up—even in competitive conditions.
Buyer leverage often comes from a property’s context: days on market, pricing history, condition, and how it’s been positioned. In my latest closing, we saw all those factors line up.
The home, located in SE Portland, had been overlooked due to an unusual listing history and extended market time. My clients saw past the noise and made a well-considered offer under asking. We negotiated over $80,000 in repairs and credits, and the property still appraised right where we needed it to.
The sellers were ready to move forward and appreciated having serious, committed buyers. It was a clean transaction that gave everyone what they needed.
For my clients, the result was even better than they expected—a home that exceeded their original wishlist, at terms that reflected real value.
Leverage isn’t about being aggressive. It’s about understanding timing, reading the situation, and making smart moves. In markets like Portland’s, those wins are there—you just have to know where to look.
Tag: Closing Cost Credit
First Time Buyer gets America’s Home Grant
First time buyer gets America’s Home Grant!
It’s not everyday that a first time home buyer can become a home owner thanks to a grant program. However, that is exactly how my client joined the real estate market. She was fortunate to qualify for the America’s Home Grant through Bank of America, which offers closing cost assistance of $7,500. The credit can be used towards non-recurring closing costs, (think title insurance and recording fees), and to buy down the interest rate on the loan. My buyer closed on her home this week with $0.00 in closing costs and a 30 year, fixed-rate mortgage at 2.75%!! The icing on the cake? The funds she received do not need to be repaid to the bank!
One caveat of the program is that the subject property must be in a low to moderate income tract. Each home is run through the bank’s system to check the income tract. Some qualify and some do not, meaning you are limited to certain areas of Portland. The competition for these homes can be fierce. After making an offer on a property that received 10+ offers within 1 day, my client was discouraged.
Thankfully, this summer turned out to be the height of the selling season and homes were coming on the market left and right. A home on the outskirts of Montavilla came on the market and it was perfect for her. It met the Bank’s requirements so we went to see it. The house has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, a lovely living room & updated kitchen. There is a back deck and a small yard. The attached garage is perfect for her car and storage. Thanks to America’s Home Grant, my client was able to beat out the other offers and offer over the asking price. This could not have happened without the closing cost assistance she was given.
As an agent, it is important to know the options for your clients so they are able to get into a home. This is a single woman, on her own becoming a HOME OWNER!!! I am so proud to have helped her through this process. If you or someone you know would like to learn more about how to become a home owner, contact me today! Congratulations to my awesome client – she now owns her own special piece of Portland.