June 29, 2018
You are selling your house and doing everything that you can think of to get it ready: cleaning, de-cluttering, and making repairs. It’s a project and you are in it up to your elbows when it occurs to you that you need to figure out what to do about your golden retriever and 2 cats. … read more
April 19, 2018
Certain home maintenance tasks should be completed each spring to prevent structural damage, save energy, and keep all your home’s systems running properly. Here are the major issues you should be aware of for homes in the Pacific Northwest: Follow up on moss treatments for your roof. Assuming you applied anti-moss treatments in the fall, spring is … read more
December 14, 2017
The City of Portland has passed a law that goes into effect on January 1st, 2018 that requires all sellers of homes within the city limits to get a home energy performance report that includes a home energy score. This score needs to be made available to any buyers considering the property. Your Oregon First … read more
October 2, 2017
A septic system is the most common form of onsite sewage treatment for homes that are not connected to the public sewer system. A septic system consists of a septic tank, where solids settle and decompose, and a drainfield where liquid discharged from the tank is treated by bacteria in the soil. You could also run into Sand Filter … read more
August 7, 2017
Among America’s 75 biggest water providers, only one has recently exceeded federal standards for elevated lead levels in the drinking water of high-risk homes. Portland. And when Portland isn’t surpassing that benchmark, it hovers just below – with current testing showing the greatest lead levels among all large cities. The Rose City’s poor position nationally is coming … read more
April 6, 2017
The issue of Earthquake preparedness has come to the forefront of Pacific Northwestern consciousness after an article appeared in the New Yorker with some pretty dire descriptions of what we might experience. You can read the article by clicking HERE. So what to do about it? Below are some resources for retrofitting your home, how … read more
February 6, 2017
On January 1st, 2018, a new rule will go into effect requiring sellers of homes within the Portland city limits to: Obtain a home energy performance report, including a home energy score, from a licensed home energy assessor. Provide a copy of the home energy performance report to all licensed real estate agents working on the … read more
January 16, 2017
In recent years, the average tax refund has totaled about $2,700. If you’re fortunate enough to get back that much from the IRS, then consider investing your tax refund in your home. Why invest a tax refund in your home instead of, say, a tropical getaway? Because your home is probably your biggest asset, so … read more
June 22, 2016
The most recent population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show the State of Oregon and the Portland metro area in particular growing fast. Portland has now passed Oklahoma City and Baltimore in population to become the 26th largest city in the country. With the Rose City’s population growing at the rate of 1.92% a … read more
May 16, 2016
Oregon First was a Top Twenty Team in fundraising for the Doggie Dash this year! The event was held on Saturday, May 14th at Waterfront Park. This is the main fundraiser for the Oregon Humane Society. Oregon First staff and agents participate every year. Since the majority of the participants are dogs, the Doggie Dash is … read more