Real Estate Links

Stephanie Luciano - 503-285-4382 - Portland, OR

Whether you're new to the Portland area or a native, I find that there are several sites that are helpful when purchasing a new home or property.

As you start your search, you can go to www.rmlsweb.com (or email me for your own personalized list) to find homes. Once you've located some possible candidates you can go to www.PortlandMaps.com (has crime stats, permits, assessor info, zoning and so much more) and www.Maps.Google.com (has "street views" so you can virtually drive by the home-saves gas and time) to scope out the neighborhood.

Other helpful sites include www.PDC.us which gives information about various URAs (Urban Renewal Areas), with maps of the URAs, projects in the URAs, special loan programs for first time home buyers (including the Oregon Bond Program) and investors, and much more about the on-goings in the city of Portland. The MAX line is ever growing - look at where it's going next at http://www.trimet.org/projects/index.htm. Buying property before the line opens can be financially beneficial. About 2014 the Portland-Milwaukie route is expected to open http://www.trimet.org/pdfs/pm/LPA_Map.pdf.

With the ever changing loan programs available (and disappearing, and disappearing banks), it is important to keep an eye on your ability to obtain financing. What is your credit score, how much can you afford, what will your payments be?

Please check out more links to help you in your real estate investment...

Find a Home	Portland Housing Center	Real Estate ABC's
Oregon First	Fannie Mae Affordable	Oregon Housing & Community Services

General Information

Real Estate ABC's

Portland Housing Center

Community Information

Metro Info

Neighborhood Associations

Housing and Community Development (Portland)

Housing Authority of Portland

Urban Studies at PSU

Mortgages

General Information with Lots of Links: http://loan.yahoo.com/m/

FICO Scores: http://www.realestateabc.com/credit/

HomeStreet Bank

First Time Home Buyers

Go to 1st Timer Page

Portland Housing Center

General Information: ABC's of Real Estate

Direct Link: http://www.realestateabc.com/homebuying/Default.htm

Investment/Finances

General Financial Reference: http://www.bankrate.com/yho/default.asp

Financial Checkup Tips: http://www.bankrate.com/yho/news/checkup/investing.asp

Tax Benefits: http://www.realestateabc.com/taxes/index.htm

Build Your Own Home

Basic New Home Construction Cost Estimator

Home Plans: B4uBuild

Check out your Contractor

Find a Home

Find a Home-Best Portland-Metro Site

Homes.com	Realtor.com	FSBO-home.com (very limited)
Homeseekers.com (limited)	House-hunting.com (very limited)	FSBO-Portland
Cyberhomes.com (very limited MLSs)	MSN	Homegain.com (registration needed)