Buying Guide
Your Guide to Buying a Home in Oregon
Buying a home is one of life's biggest milestones. I'll be there at every step, from pre-approval to keys in hand, with honest guidance tailored to your goals.
Buying a home is one of life's biggest milestones. I'll be there at every step, from pre-approval to keys in hand, with honest guidance tailored to your goals.
I specialize in helping first-time buyers navigate the process with confidence. From understanding your budget to making a competitive offer in the Oregon market, I'll walk you through every step. No question is too small, and you'll never feel rushed.
Schedule a Free Buyer ConsultationBefore we start looking, I connect you with trusted local lenders to understand your budget. A pre-approval letter makes your offer stronger and the process smoother.
We sit down and talk about what matters most: location, size, style, schools, commute, lifestyle. I listen first, search second. This is your story.
I'll curate homes that match your criteria and schedule showings that work around your life. First responders, I work around shift schedules and off-hours.
In the Oregon market, timing and strategy matter. I'll help you craft competitive offers backed by local market data and strong negotiation.
I coordinate inspections, review disclosures, and help you understand what you're buying. Coastal properties have unique considerations. I know them.
From final walkthrough to signing, I make sure everything goes smoothly. Then the best part: handing you the keys to your new home.
It depends on your income, debts, and down payment. I connect you with local lenders who can give you an accurate pre-approval number before we start looking.
Not always. Oregon has programs for first-time buyers with as little as 3% down, and some with zero down for veterans. Let's talk about your options.
From pre-approval to closing, most buyers complete the process in 30 to 60 days. I work to keep things moving and on schedule.
I'll walk you through what to notice: structural elements, water damage signs, roof condition, and how the neighborhood feels at different times of day.
The context behind the numbers: who is buying, what mortgage rates look like, and what pricing and timing mean across Oregon. Each figure below notes its source and timing.
21%
First-Time Buyer Share
First-time buyers made up 21% of all U.S. home purchases in 2025, the lowest share since the National Association of REALTORS® began tracking it in 1981. Source: National Association of REALTORS®, 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Geography: United States. Period: 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
40
Median First-Time Buyer Age
The median age of a first-time U.S. homebuyer reached an all-time high of 40 in 2025. Source: National Association of REALTORS®, 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Geography: United States. Period: 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
~7.40%
30-Year Fixed Rate
National average of 7.40% for the week ending October 15, 2026, unchanged from the prior week; Oregon quotes come in close to the national figure. Source: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Geography: U.S. and Oregon. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
~$500K
Oregon Typical Home Value
Oregon's typical home value sits near $500K per Zillow's statewide home-value data, roughly flat year over year. Source: Zillow, Oregon. Period: 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
~35–59 days
Oregon Median Days on Market
Days on market varies widely around Oregon: the coast averaged about 35 days in mid-2026, while the Salem metro ran about 59 days in August 2026. Source: June 2026 Oregon Coast market report and Realtor.com data via the St. Louis Fed. Geography: Oregon; varies by market. Period: mid-2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
~4.27M
Oregon Population
Oregon is home to about 4.27M residents per the U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2025. Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Geography: Oregon. Period: 2025 estimate. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
~$915K
Cannon Beach Typical Value
North Coast; the coast's most expensive market, with a typical home value near $915K per Zillow's published data. Source: Oregon Coast market report and Zillow. Geography: Cannon Beach, Oregon. Period: 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
~182K
Salem Population
About 181,800 city residents per the 2025 U.S. Census Bureau estimate. Geography: Salem city, Oregon. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
Source & basis: These are estimates, not official statistics. First-time buyer figures are drawn from the National Association of REALTORS®, 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers; the mortgage rate is the national 30-year fixed average of 7.40% for the week ending October 15, 2026 (Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey); population figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau; the days-on-market picture draws on the June 2026 Oregon Coast market report and Realtor.com data via the St. Louis Fed; and the coastal value draws on the Oregon Coast market report and Zillow. Figures vary by source, data window, and property mix. Data retrieved October 15, 2026.
Let's talk about what you're looking for. No pressure, just honest guidance.