Billy Grippo

Hi Eduard,

I believe that the fee for service or commission should be 6% with the BAC at 2.7% . I think that your seller and you would be better served if the balance of any credit could be used to improve the conditoion of the property, staging ,or towards marketing that your seller is willing to assist with the buyers closing costs. I do believe that this is NOT the time to be discounting commissions, but when the fee is over sized then I think desperation or overpriced listing. Also, when there are concessions or bonuses to the buyer's agent in the form of cars, vacations, or money, then there also should be disclosure to the buyers, and that could create a new strain on that relationship. Just my thoughts. Thank you. - Fri May 23 2008, 16:58

I don't know if the bubble has burst like the rest of the country, but Portland is definately a buyer's market.

Since everyone is in agreement here that we're in a buyer's market, then it's not a big jump to say this is a great time to buy. There's a great selection of good houses to choose from, you don't have to make a decision in an hour like the previous over heated sellers market we were in. Sellers now are willing to negotiate with buyers. Financing has tightened up, but for most borrowers with good credit, there are some tremendous deals out there with low interest rates. The big question that nobody can answer is when is the bottom of the market. The trouble with waiting for the bottom is one does not know it's the bottom until it's on the way up, and then you've missed it. The question buyers should ask of themselves is how long will you remain in the house.

Insider's tip;I recommend buying the best house with a good layout , in good or better condition, in a demand location, and one you actually really want, and NOT be fixated on "getting a deal".

This market has demonstated that there are still multiple offers happening on the "good houses" You want the house that will be in demand when you go to sell it. There are plenty of deals out there where the seller will take far less than listed, but those are the houses that needed to be deeply discounted anyway. Good luck. - Wed May 21 2008, 13:39