Category: Tip of the Week

Many OREF forms include a wealth of information regarding the topics of the forms and can be excellent resources. For example, OREF 082 – Private Well Addendum, contains information about the statutory well-testing requirements for properties that include a well providing domestic water, and even

Whether you're working with sellers or buyers, having a well-prepared and professional presentation is key to building trust and ensuring success. Here are things we recommend including when you meet with your buyer or seller for the first time. Must-Haves for Seller Presentations: OREF 000B

What should you do if your client tells you they’ve decided to take some action in a transaction that you think is detrimental to their position? It is your fiduciary obligation as their agent to disclose this concern to them. Suppose they insist on proceeding

When listing a property for sale that includes a well supplying groundwater for domestic purposes, it’s a good idea to suggest the seller have the well water quality tested at the time the marketing of the property begins.  OAR 333-061-0325(7) provides that the lab tests

When reviewing a newly received offer to purchase with a seller, it’s a good idea to take the time to also review the Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement to ensure that nothing needs to be updated before responding to the buyer’s offer. A statement that is

To strengthen your buyer’s offer, always include as much information as possible along with the offer instead of merely relying on the options to provide the information later. This includes such items as verification of funds for cash offers and pre-approval letters for financed offers.

When representing a buyer who is getting a VA loan and requesting the seller to pay the buyer’s non-allowable VA fees, consider providing additional information instead of just marking the “Federal VA” box in the Financed section of the Sale Agreement. If the buyer is

Counties may change the assessed value of a piece of property if a recent sale price differs from the county’s previous estimate of fair market value. It’s a good idea to recommend your buyer check with the local assessor’s office when making an offer to

When you begin working with a seller, it’s helpful to provide them with a sample copy of the Sale Agreement for the type of property they’re listing. Encourage them to read through it and highlight any sections they have questions about for you to review

During negotiations, be sure to explain to your buyer how much, if any, of the buyer’s agent’s fee the buyer will owe based on the documents currently being negotiated.  Especially in the case of a seller’s counteroffer modifying the amount of the seller’s contribution to