James Keane

When looking to either purchase new or build your dream home, one of the most significant decisions you’ll face is choosing between a national (large) or regional home builder (smaller). National home builders are large companies with operations across multiple states. They’re known for standardized processes, extensive resources and brand recognition. Reasons to select a […]

Over the last few weeks, we have had several new questions as well as a few instances of similar questions being asked by multiple readers, so here we go with our spring mailbag. Q: Why is an agent who sells a $1,000,000 home versus a $500,000 in theory paid twice as much assuming both properties […]

One of the more common things we get asked in real estate, besides, ‘how the market is doing,’ is how to best prepare your home prior to listing it for sale. The goal for most people is to fetch a high price and do so in a quick manner so that they can get on […]

I got quite a few emails with questions regarding the settlement following my last story on the National Association of Realtors’ settlement, so I wanted to at least acknowledge our great audience by attempting to answer some of the questions received. Still, most of the answers tend to be “we will see.” Q: With the settlement […]

A couple of weeks ago (right before our weekly deadline) news broke that the National Association of Realtors settled to end litigation brought against it by home sellers regarding broker commissions. I will be discussing the facts of the settlement thus far, acknowledging that the courts have not approved the settlement and no changes will be […]

In the ever-evolving world of real estate opportunities, infill lots stand out as hidden gems waiting to be unearthed. Next time you’re out walking around, maybe biking, or driving (carefully) take a moment to notice empty lots, or open spaces throughout the various neighborhoods in Bend. I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power these parcels hold, […]

Buying a home is a thrilling milestone in life, representing independence, stability and a place to call your own. However, amid the excitement of house hunting and envisioning your dream space, it’s crucial to understand the financial landscape that accompanies it. Beyond the actual price, prospective homebuyers must grapple with myriad upfront and/or out-of-pocket costs. […]

The other week I responded to a reader’s question about why real estate brokers don’t like to use escalation clauses, and this sparked several additional readers to ask questions about escalation clauses, so I figured the best way to answer those questions, in lieu of another mailbag, would be to write an article about them. […]

Q: Can you take us through the buying process of a real estate transaction? A: A quick rundown of the “buying side” process: In a typical financed transaction, first the person(s)/entity needs to be pre-approved from a lender and to identify a property they’d like to purchase. Once the buyer and seller agree to terms, […]

Welcome to the winter season, took a while but we are here! Over the holidays I got a good number of questions so I figured now was as good as any time for a mailbag. Q: What is up with the Jack Straw development getting a tax break? How do “luxury” apartments help affordability in […]