Know All The Options to Sell Your Home. Schedule a free home-selling strategy consultation. Schedule a Call
Have you noticed how hard it is to buy or sell a home these days? Lately, we’ve been talking with other top local Realtors, people at title companies, lenders, and even general contractors in Oregon, and everyone is saying the same thing: 2026 real estate will be tough. However, even in a challenging market, there are ways to set yourself up for success.
Let’s start with tips on the homebuying process.
1. Financing. The very first thing you need to figure out is how you’re going to pay for a home. Will it be cash, or are you planning to take out a bank loan? If it’s the latter, the best move you can make right now is getting pre-qualified with a good lender.
If you’re also selling the place you currently live in, you have to know when you’re putting it on the market and what it’s worth. That impacts your ability to buy a new home. The worst feeling is finding your dream home and not being ready to act because your financing isn’t in place or your current home isn’t ready to sell.
2. Home inspections and contractor team. Once your offer is accepted, the next step is the inspections. Not every inspector is the same, and some homes need extra checks like radon, sewer, or roof inspections. It’s crucial to know whom you’re going to call ahead of time. In addition, most of this work must be wrapped up quickly, ideally within about two weeks.
3. Bank appraisal. After inspections and repair negotiations, the next step for most buyers is a bank appraisal. Cash deals skip this step, but if you’re getting a loan, it’s unavoidable. A buyer’s agent can’t directly influence the appraisal, but they can stay on top of communication with the listing agent and lender to keep everything on track.
4. Closing. Before closing, you’ll need to review all your paperwork, including loan documents. We recently had a client across the country, and getting documents signed and sent via overnight mail almost delayed the closing. Anticipating issues like this and coordinating with the whole team makes hitting the closing date much smoother.
Now, here are tips for home sellers
1. Preemptive inspections. The first thing to do is a professional home inspection. You should also consider a sewer scope or a radon test. Having that information upfront puts you in a strong position for negotiating repair issues and gives you a roadmap for getting your home ready for the market.
2. Showroom condition. You don’t need to remodel to sell. Remodeling costs are high, and simple updates often do the trick. Painting, shampooing carpets, replacing worn flooring, and sprucing up the yard can make a big difference. Staging is also a must, as professionally staged homes always show better. We can even provide recommendations to make your current furnishings look their best.
3. Handling buyer inspections. Once a buyer makes an offer, they’ll do inspections, usually the same ones you’ve already done. Being proactive prevents them from “bullying” you with new findings and ensures any critical repairs are already addressed.
4. Appraisal considerations. For financed deals, the appraisal comes into play again. As a listing agent, we make sure appraisers have relevant info on recent neighborhood sales to help support the contract price.
5. Closing process. The final step for sellers is usually simple. There are no loan documents, so signing can often be done remotely. In some cases, things like 1031 exchanges or trusts can make it more complex, but generally, it’s much easier than the buyer’s side.
Buying or selling a home in 2026 isn’t going to be easy, but with preparation and the right team, it’s definitely possible. We regularly work with buyers and sellers to guide them through the process and help them avoid unnecessary stress.
If you’re thinking about making a move this year, just reach out to us at (503) 432-5450 or send an email to will@fendonproperties.com. Real estate deals may be tricky, but we can help you confidently navigate them.
