You may have already realized this, but the database the realtors used to pull info on houses, townhouses and condos is publicly accessible. It's RMLS.com. Realtors get additional access, like the actual street addresses, but almost everything a realtor will show you on the properties they find will be in that database. It's much easier to see for yourself what your budget will get in a variety of different areas than having someone else do the searches for you :)
Other than that? Yeah, my best advice is to have your own home inspector and a list of things that must be checked before you'll buy the house. Radon in basements is a big concern in this area because of the volcanoes. If you realtor is resistant to the house being checked for it, fire 'em.
Realtors are salespeople. Some will seem nice at first, but then turn pushy. If you aren't selling a property you aren't tied to any one realtor by anything. If they stop helping you or seem pushy in bad ways, fire them. Oregon has high commission rates. Make 'em work :)
And don't worry. Once you get a sense of the stock on the market, you will feel less overwhelmed.
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Also, portlandmaps.com <- crime rates, earthquake maps, flood maps and everything else.
Other than that? Yeah, my best advice is to have your own home inspector and a list of things that must be checked before you'll buy the house. Radon in basements is a big concern in this area because of the volcanoes. If you realtor is resistant to the house being checked for it, fire 'em.
Realtors are salespeople. Some will seem nice at first, but then turn pushy. If you aren't selling a property you aren't tied to any one realtor by anything. If they stop helping you or seem pushy in bad ways, fire them. Oregon has high commission rates. Make 'em work :)
And don't worry. Once you get a sense of the stock on the market, you will feel less overwhelmed.