If you have found a property that meets all of your hopes for a home, your real estate contract should work toward your goal of buying it. Since some provisions in a purchase agreement can favor the seller over the buyer, you should know if contract terms such as a...
Taking The Stress Out Of Legal Matters

Real Estate Law
Why title insurance is important in real estate transactions
When it comes to real estate transactions, one important aspect that often goes unnoticed is title insurance. Title insurance plays an important role in ensuring that the property you are buying or refinancing has a clear and unencumbered ownership history. Title...
The basics of encumbrances in real estate
If you have never bought a home before, you should know the meaning of any terms important to your real estate purchase. For example, you might have learned a house you want to buy has an encumbrance. Basically, an encumbrance is a limitation on how you can use a...
Who are the parties to a deed of trust?
Real estate transactions do not only consist of mortgages. Some people buy a property using a deed of trust. Oregon is one state that allows this kind of transaction. While similar to a mortgage, a deed of trust involves three different parties. Before you enter into...
When could I lose my earnest money deposit?
You may believe that you have found the home of your dreams. However, the property might show some problems after you have made your offer to the seller. Given that your earnest money deposit could be a hefty sum, you probably fear losing your deposit by withdrawing...
Why homebuyers should avoid waiving home inspections
There are many moving parts involved in purchasing an Oregon home, and one important part of the process involves having a home inspection performed. While it is not mandatory to have a professional perform a home inspection, there are several reasons why having one...
How long can you expect your home’s roof to last?
If you are about to purchase your first home, you probably have some fears about possibly buying a money pit. While you may not mind paying for a few minor repairs, replacing a bad roof can set you back thousands of dollars. Still, your home's roof is likely to need...
Pros and cons of selling your house without a broker
There are many things to consider when putting your house on the market. One of the first decisions you must make is whether or not to use a real estate broker. While many people choose to work with a broker, it is not a legal requirement. You may put your home on the...
Does your new home have a party wall agreement?
If you are trying to become a homeowner in the Portland area, you have probably learned to deal with disappointment. After all, according to Realtor.com, the average price of a home has increased by nearly 5% over the past year to reach $575,000. Even worse, many...
How do you negotiate a favorable commercial lease renewal?
When you lease commercial property for your business in Oregon, you may have to agree to a lengthier lease term than you would when renting a residential space. This is common, but it also means you may want to take a good, hard look at a proposed agreement to renew...