ON THE BLOG
Real Estate News and Resources
Get insider insights about the Forest Grove real estate market, home buying and selling tips, and local community updates from an agent with 30+ years of experience.
Conventional vs. FHA vs. VA Loans: Which Is Right for You?
Not sure which mortgage fits you? This plain-English guide compares conventional, FHA, and VA loans so you know what to ask your lender before you start house hunting in Forest Grove.
Forest Grove Real Estate: Your Third Quarter 2026 Update
National headlines won't tell you what's happening on your street. Here's a look at Forest Grove home prices, inventory, and days on market through the third quarter of 2026, and what it means whether you're buying or selling.
Preparing Your Home for Sale in Forest Grove: A Room-by-Room Checklist
Getting your house ready to sell can feel like too much. This room-by-room checklist shows you where to start, what to fix, and what to skip, so you can get ready for buyers in Forest Grove without the overwhelm.
Fun Fall Activities in Forest Grove and Washington County
Looking for something to do this fall? From the farmers market and Hagg Lake to wineries, local history, and harvest festivals, here are fun fall activities in Forest Grove and the surrounding area.
Buying Rural Property Near Forest Grove? Here's the Due Diligence Nobody Warns You About
Falling for a piece of rural acreage is easy. Skipping the well, septic, and road-access checks before you close is how that dream costs you $20,000 later. Here's the due diligence checklist buyers need for rural property near Forest Grove.
Why Your Forest Grove Utility Bill Looks Different (And What You Need to Know Before You Buy)
Ever wondered why your Forest Grove utility bill doesn't come from PGE or Pacific Power? It's because the City runs its own electric, water, and sewer services, some dating back to the 1800s. Here's what that means for your monthly costs and what to ask about before you buy.
Downsizing in Retirement: How to Make the Transition Smooth
Downsizing in retirement is one of the most emotionally complicated moves a person can make, and nobody talks about that part enough. If you're thinking about leaving the family home for something smaller and easier to manage, the practical side matters. But so does giving yourself space to do this at your own pace. Here's what makes this transition go smoothly, from someone who's helped a lot of people through it in Forest Grove and Washington County.
Understanding Property Taxes: What New Homeowners Should Know
Buying a home is exciting - until a property tax bill lands in your mailbox and the number surprises you. Property taxes are one of the most overlooked parts of homeownership, but they don't have to be a mystery. Here's a plain-language breakdown of how property taxes work in Oregon and Washington County, and what you should know before (and after) you close.
New Construction vs. Resale Homes in Forest Grove: A Buyer's Guide
New construction or resale: it's one of the biggest questions buyers in Forest Grove are wrestling with right now. Both options have real advantages, and both come with surprises if you're not prepared. After 20+ years helping buyers navigate this decision in Washington County, here's what I think you need to know before you choose.
Forest Grove Home Staging Tips That Actually Work
Staging your home doesn't have to mean a big budget or a total overhaul. Here are the staging moves that actually help Forest Grove homes sell faster, and the ones you can skip.
You've probably scrolled through home listings and felt it right away. Some houses make you want to walk through the front door. Others, even nice ones, just don't grab you.
That difference usually isn't the house itself. It's how it's presented.
If you're getting ready to sell in Forest Grove, you might be wondering how much you need to spend on staging, or if it's even worth the effort. I get this question all the time, and the honest answer is: yes, it's worth it, but not in the way most people think.
Renting vs. Buying in Forest Grove: What the Math Actually Looks Like
Is renting really throwing money away, or does buying just seem scarier than it is? Here's an look at what rent actually costs in Forest Grove right now versus what a mortgage payment looks like at today's rates, plus when renting might still be the smarter move.
What's Actually Happening in the Forest Grove Housing Market Right Now
Wondering what's really happening with home prices in Forest Grove right now? Prices have cooled slightly, homes are sitting longer, and buyers have more room to negotiate. Here's a plain-numbers look at the current market, and what it means whether you're buying, selling, or just keeping an eye on things.
Why Mid-Summer Might Be the Best Time to Buy or Sell Your Forest Grove Home
Everyone thinks spring is the only time to buy or sell a house, but mid-summer has its own advantages that most people miss. Fewer sellers competing for attention, motivated buyers trying to beat the school year, and better light for showing off your home. Here's why July and August might be your best window this year, and what to do about it if you're in Forest Grove.
Fall Semester Is Almost Here: What Forest Grove Rental Owners Need to Know Right Now
Fall semester brings a rush of renters to Forest Grove, and owners near Pacific University who aren't ready can lose weeks of income. Here are five practical steps to price, prep, and fill your rental before the semester starts.
Thinking About Selling This Summer? Here's What You Need to Know About the Forest Grove Market
Thinking about selling your Forest Grove home this summer? You're not alone — and it's worth knowing what's really happening in our local market before you decide. From pricing it right for Washington County buyers to working around the back-to-school rush, here's what 20+ years of selling homes in Oregon has taught me about summer listings — and what actually matters for yours.
Commuting from Forest Grove: What You Need to Know Before You Buy
Thinking about buying a home in Forest Grove but worried about the commute? After 9 years of living here and working with buyers all over Washington County, I'm sharing what you actually need to know — the routes, the transit options, the trade-offs, and how your commute should factor into which neighborhood you choose.
Wine Country Living: What You Need to Know Before Buying Near Forest Grove's Vineyards
Thinking about buying a home near Forest Grove's vineyards? The view is gorgeous, but wine country living comes with real questions about wells, septic, zoning, and access roads. Here's what to check before you fall for a property — and how to know if rural acreage actually fits your lifestyle.
Forest Grove vs. Cornelius vs. Hillsboro: Where Should You Buy This Summer?
Choosing between Forest Grove, Cornelius, and Hillsboro this summer means weighing three very different versions of Washington County living. Forest Grove offers small-town charm with a walkable downtown, a strong arts scene anchored by Pacific University, and home prices that still feel approachable compared to the rest of the metro area. Cornelius, tucked just east of Forest Grove, is quietly becoming one of the area's best value plays—newer construction, a growing Latino-owned business corridor, and quick access to Highway 26 without Hillsboro's price tag. Hillsboro, meanwhile, is the heavyweight: tech jobs from Intel and the Silicon Forest, top-rated schools, and a MAX light rail connection into Portland, but all of that convenience comes at a premium. If you're chasing affordability and community feel, Forest Grove and Cornelius deserve a serious look. If career proximity and resale value matter more, Hillsboro's draw is hard to ignore. The right choice depends less on which town is "best" and more on which trade-offs fit your life this summer.
Forest Grove Real Estate Market Update: Mid-Year 2026
Wondering what's happening in the Forest Grove housing market right now? Median sold prices are hovering around $504,000, homes are taking 90 to 110 days to sell, and buyers finally have room to negotiate. Here's my straight read on where things stand at mid-year 2026 — and what it means whether you're buying or selling.
Should You Sell This Summer or Wait Until Fall? Here's How I'd Think About It
Trying to decide if you should list your house this summer or wait for fall? It's not a one-size-fits-all answer. Here's how to think through your house, your schedule, and what's actually happening in the Forest Grove market before you pick a date.