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Bene's Blog What Is a CMA—and Why Sellers Shouldn’t Skip It If you’re thinking about selling your home, you may hear real estate agents mention a “CMA.” It sounds technical, but it’s actually one of the most practical tools a seller can use. A Comparative Market Analysis, or CMA, helps determine what your home is realistically worth in today’s market—and getting this right can make a […]
Bene's Blog Year-End Home Paperwork You’ll Be Glad You Organized Whether you bought, sold, refinanced, or simply kept up your home this year, organizing your housing paperwork now can save time, stress, and money when tax season arrives. A little effort before the end of the year makes April much easier. Gather Mortgage and Property Tax Documents Start by locating your mortgage interest statements. These […]
Bene's Blog Holiday Fire Safety The holidays are full of warmth, lights, and gatherings—but they also bring an increased risk of home fires. A few small precautions can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe. Use this quick checklist to stay ahead of common holiday fire hazards. Decorations & Lighting Use only lights labeled for indoor or outdoor use, […]
Bene's Blog Buyer Satisfaction Is Rising—But Younger Homeowners Still Feel the Most Regret A Slower Market, Happier Buyers More homeowners today say they’re happy with their purchase compared to two years ago. According to Realtor.com’s 2025 Consumer Attitudes & Usage Study, 37% of buyers reported no regrets about their home purchase this year—up from 31% in 2023. Researchers surveyed more than 1,200 people who bought a home in […]
Bene's Blog Portable Mortgages: A Bold Fix for Homeowners—But Not for Affordability The U.S. housing market is stuck. Millions of homeowners are clinging to ultra-low mortgage rates they locked in years ago, unwilling to sell and face today’s much higher rates. Now, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is exploring an idea that could shake things up: portable mortgages—loans that homeowners could take with them to their […]
Bene's Blog Mortgage Rates Dip as the Fed Cuts Interest Rates Again — But Don’t Expect Big Drops Yet The Federal Reserve has lowered its benchmark interest rate for the second time in a row, aiming to steady the economy as layoffs increase and the government shutdown drags on. The move brings the federal funds rate down to a range between 3.75% and 4%, the lowest level since late 2022. But while this rate […]
Bene's Blog Housing Market Slows as Government Shutdown Continues More than two weeks into the federal government shutdown, the U.S. housing market is showing clear signs of stagnation. Both buyers and sellers appear hesitant to make moves amid ongoing uncertainty in Washington, D.C., and this slowdown is expected to persist until the political impasse is resolved. For the week ending October 11, national real […]
Bene's Blog What Rising National Debt Could Mean for Housing More Debt, More Expensive Borrowing The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is set to add trillions of dollars to the national debt over the next decade. With the government borrowing more, interest rates on U.S. debt are expected to climb. And when Treasury rates rise, borrowing costs across the economy—especially mortgages—tend to […]
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Bene's Blog What Could Happen if Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Go Public Again? The Big News Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac—two of the most important companies behind U.S. home loans—might be taken public again by the end of 2025. Reports say the plan could value them at $500 billion, with the government raising around $30 billion. Their stock prices jumped about 20% on the news. Both companies have […]
Bene's Blog When Landscapes Hurt Your House I have been trying to get my husband to take out the shrubs that line the edges of my home.  He wants to keep them because a) they protect the paint and siding from direct sunlight on the south side, b) they are green and lush, and c) they conceal the front porch enough that […]
Bene's Blog Mortgage Rates Dip Slightly, But Housing Market Remains Slow The average interest rate on a 30-year mortgage has ticked down slightly, offering small relief for those looking to buy a home. Rates fell to 6.72% this week, a small drop from last week’s 6.74%, bringing them back to levels seen earlier this month. One year ago, rates were almost exactly the same. Homeowners looking […]
Bene's Blog New SALT Deduction Expansion: What the Higher Cap Means for Taxpayers On July 4, 2025, the President signed into law the domestic spending and tax reform package known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. One piece of this legislation is the expansion of the state and local tax (SALT) deduction. Many taxpayers are wondering what a higher cap could mean for their wallets. This change […]
Bene's Blog What Housing Inventory Trends Mean for Homebuyers and Sellers When it comes to real estate, what’s happening on one street might look entirely different just a few blocks away — and that’s especially true here in Portland, Oregon. Housing inventory trends continue to shape how buyers and sellers approach the market, and understanding these shifts can help you plan your next move wisely. In […]
Bene's Blog Oregon Lawmakers Set Ambitious Goal to Expand Homeownership by 2030 In an effort to promote economic stability and generational wealth, Oregon legislators have approved a plan to significantly increase homeownership across the state. The goal is to help more than 30,000 additional residents become homeowners by the year 2030. House Bill 2698, passed by the Senate with a 23-6 vote, establishes a target homeownership rate […]
Bene's Blog How to Recognize a Home with Good “Bones” When you’re shopping for a home, it’s easy to get swept up by trendy fixtures or discouraged by dated wallpaper. But one of the smartest things you can do is look beyond the surface and ask: Does this house have solid bones? This common real estate term refers to the quality and integrity of the […]
Bene's Blog Portland Home Sellers’ Dilemma: Should You Fix It or Leave It? Thinking of listing your Portland home before the summer selling season winds down? One of the biggest questions you’ll likely face is: “What needs to be repaired, replaced, or upgraded before I go to market?” Most home repairs fall into three key categories for sellers: those necessary to pass appraisal, upgrades that could boost market […]
Bene's Blog Sell Your Home Quickly Without Sacrificing Value While the time it takes to sell a home can vary based on location, the national average is around 60 to 75 days. If you’re looking to move faster without settling for a lower price, here are several proven strategies that can help. Start with Smart Pricing Pricing your home accurately from the beginning is […]
Bene's Blog A Major Shake-Up at Fannie Mae: What It Could Mean for Homeownership in America A new political wave is sweeping through the nation’s top housing finance agencies—and it could have big consequences for people hoping to buy a home, especially in communities of color. Today, Omeed Malik, a businessman with strong ties to Donald Trump Jr. and described by New York Magazine as “MAGA world’s premier financier,” was appointed […]
Bene's Blog Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal: Easy Updates with Big Results A home’s exterior creates the critical first impression, influencing buyers before they even step through the front door. Enhancing your curb appeal doesn’t require huge investments—small touches can significantly impact a buyer’s perception. Start with the Front Door Your entryway sets the stage. Freshen your door with a coat of paint in a bold yet […]
Bene's Blog What You Want To Know If You’re Pursuing Your Dream of Homeownership If you’re a young adult, you may be thinking about your goals and priorities for the months and years ahead. And if homeownership ranks high on your goal sheet, you’re in good company. Many of your peers are also pursuing their dream of owning a home. The 2022 Millennial & Gen Z Borrower Sentiment Report from Maxwell says: “Many young adults […]
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