Troy Johnston

Most people who ask this are not ready and with today's headlines it's tough to understand why you would purchase. It's a buyer's market, prices are lowest they have been in years, but remember it's an investment which really is safer then a 401k including a write off and pride of ownership. O.K. now your ready to go so call your Realtor and team up with a Broker and shop tell your dream or investment is found. - Thu Sep 25 2008, 22:24

Providence is next to max which is supplmented by your employer. If it's money then a home in Oregon close to max will save you more then Fishers Landing. If your friends live in Fishers Landing then move there as you already like the area.
The best things is write down Pros of both areas and Oregon will win if you do anything downtown, zoo, kids, people you know and work with etc.
Fishers Landing will win if price range under 300k and looking for schools for you kids which all of the Portland/Vancouver area ranks higher then national average. people you know and spend time with are there as well as more house for you $. - Wed Sep 24 2008, 18:06

Most that live in portland are going to tell you it rains most of the time and it's half true. Your next 6 months are a tough time to visit and the last 6 where great as always. Biking in the city runs seaonal as well and unfortunatly many of the areas stated below did'nt have an increase the last couple of months in value or sales but you did mention up and coming. Best future is Newberg for growth with a lot coming in it's future but is outside Portland about 35 min.. (great bike riding and wine tasting) Next is anywhere near Max which is the local transit for the price of a bus ticket you can get almost anywhere and that will double in size the next few years. I'm partial to Lake Oswego but everyone knows the prices have finally come back to affordable in that city w/ a 4% increase last month it only looks to be heading up. Also just visit and ask a Realtor to show you the area and be sure they have some experience and or lived in the area for a long time as Portland can be the best place to live if your able to find something that fits your wants as the housing will satisfy the need.
By the way the coffee shop thing is everywhere. - Wed Sep 24 2008, 17:48

The median home price is higher then this number so I recommend you an area you like and pull the listings. An area like hillsboro for example will have many to choose from vs a zip code like your in 97219. Hillsboro has some great deals and most are not on the market long so you need a agent in that area. 97219 will have access to portland, lake oswego, PCC and I-5 etc. but limited on houses to view. Limited number of houses usually means house value will increase if you can avoid being the smallest home around. SW is my recommendation or SE near the max and buy something cute not new in SE but new as possible in SW as they make good rentals.

Make sure you go with experience and check out my listing near you as it might be a good one to start the search process and compare too. - Sat Jul 19 2008, 21:36

We need first time homebuyers and so does the FHA. Your salary then find a broker and if your hourly then what is the gap in employment between your last job or your degree? Other factors like trade lines and rental history would help. Find a Realtor with experience and you'll then be linked with a broker with experience. You'll be a home owner soon and currenly have a lot of options for housing so make sure it's someone willing to work hard. - Sat Jul 19 2008, 21:19