Buying a Home in Oregon
Weighing the possibility of buying a home in Oregon? This could be the ideal time for you to acquire your dream home in the Beaver State.
Reflect over where you want to live most. Oregon has a far flung total population of just under 4 million people, who enjoy living spread out across the state, although one in four do live in the state’s five top cities:
- Portland
- Eugene
- Salem
- Gresham
- Hillsboro
Following that, how much home can you afford? Oregon ranks 13th in US homes for sale at average price, and 17th for homes over $1,000,000. It’s important to get preapproved so you can know your budget prior to house hunting.
First-time Homebuyers
Are you a first-time buyer? Programs for first-time homebuyers are administrated by Oregon Housing and Community Services, and can include:
Oregon Bond Residential Loans are a selection of low-rate mortgages accompanied by two assistance options for first-time homebuyers:
Cash Advantage includes a below-market rate mortgage and 3% of the loan amount in cash, which can’t be used for your down payment on an FHA loan, but can be used to reduce your closing costs.
Rate Advantage also offers a below-market mortgage rate that is even more impactful than the Cash Advantage rate, but includes no cash assistance.
The requirements for either include:
- Must live in Oregon
- Must meet Oregon Bond Residential Loan income limits
- Must meet Oregon Bond Residential Loan purchase price limits
- Must buy a home that meets type restrictions
Refinancing in Oregon
You can choose to refinance a home in Oregon to take advantage of favorable Oregon mortgage rates by doing any of the following:
- Refinance for a lower interest rate
- Refinance to negotiate a longer term
- Refinance for the benefit of cash-out equity
- Refinance to remove private mortgage insurance (PMI).
You can think about applying for a streamlined refinance if you have a specific type of loan. Ask your lender for more information.