Bene's Blog

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 […]
Don't Miss Our Next Post
Subscribe Now
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 […]
Bene's Blog What’s Ahead for Mortgage Rates and Home Prices? Now that the end of 2022 is within sight, everyone is asking what’s going to happen in the housing market next year and what that may mean if they’re thinking about buying a home. Here’s a look at the latest expert insights on both mortgage rates and home prices so you can make your best […]
market news Why the Forbearance Program Changed the Housing Market When the pandemic hit in 2020, many experts thought the housing market would crash. They feared job loss and economic uncertainty would lead to a wave of foreclosures similar to when the housing bubble burst over a decade ago. Thankfully, the forbearance program changed that. It provided much-needed relief for homeowners so a foreclosure crisis wouldn’t happen […]
Bene's Blog Think Home Prices Are Going To Fall? Think Again Over the last two years, the rate of home prices appreciated at a dramatic pace. While that led to incredible equity gains for homeowners, it’s also caused some buyers to wonder if home prices will fall. It’s important to know the housing market isn’t a bubble about to burst, and home price growth is supported by strong market fundamentals. […]
Bene's Blog What Does an Economic Slowdown Mean for the Housing Market? According to a recent survey, more and more Americans are concerned about a possible recession. Those concerns were validated when the Federal Reserve met and confirmed they were strongly committed to bringing down inflation. And, in order to do so, they’d use their tools and influence to slow down the economy. All of this brings up […]
Bene's Blog Why Rising Mortgage Rates Push Buyers off the Fence If you’re thinking about buying a home in the Portland, OR area, you’ve probably heard mortgage rates are rising and have wondered what that means for you. Since mortgage rates have increased over two percentage points this year, it’s natural to think about how this will impact your homeownership plans. Today, buyers are reacting in one of two ways: […]
Bene's Blog The Future of Home Price Appreciation and What It Means for You Many consumers are wondering what will happen with home values over the next few years. Some are concerned that the recent run-up in home prices will lead to a situation similar to the housing crash 15 years ago. However, experts say the market is totally different today. For example, Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, tweeted just last week […]
Bene's Blog More People Are Planning To Buy a Home Soon While some homeowners may be tempted to hold off until spring to list their houses, you should know – homebuyers in Portland aren’t waiting. Demand is high today as more people are trying to beat rising mortgage rates. As a result, eager buyers are entering the market or moving their plans up so they can make their […]
market news 2022 Predictions from Matthew Gardner
buyers Owning Is More Affordable than Renting in the Majority of the Country If you were thinking about buying a home this year, but already pressed pause on your plans due to rising home prices and increasing mortgage rates, there’s something you should consider. According to the latest report from ATTOM Data, owning a home is more affordable than renting in the majority of the country. The 2022 Rental Affordability Report says: “. . . Owning a median-priced home […]
Bene's Blog What’s Going To Happen with Home Prices This Year? After almost two years of double-digit increases, many experts thought home price appreciation would decelerate or happen at a slower pace in the last quarter of 2021. However, the latest Home Price Insights Report from CoreLogic indicates while prices may have plateaued, appreciation has definitely not slowed. The following graph shows year-over-year appreciation throughout 2021. December data has not yet […]
buyers 111,285 Reasons You Should Buy a Home This Year The financial benefits of buying a home versus renting one are always up for debate. However, one element of the equation is often ignored – the ability to build wealth as a homeowner. According to the latest research from the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “Homeownership is a key pathway to building wealth and narrowing the racial income and wealth […]