All Things PNW Real Estate

In this episode of All Things PNW, Jamal Abdoul and Adam Ruben dive into the ins and outs of buying a condo versus a single-family home. They explain the key differences in ownership, lending requirements, and insurance considerations, particularly focusing on warrantable vs. non-warrantable condos. The hosts discuss why buyers might choose condos—highlighting affordability, location, and low-maintenance lifestyle—as well as potential downsides like HOA fees and special assessments. Ruby and Jamal also share personal experiences, tips on reviewing HOA documents, and what types of buyers typically gravitate toward condos. They wrap up by weighing whether condos are a good investment and what factors drive competition in the condo market.

Hosts Jamal Abdoul and Adam Ruben return from a hiatus for a spring market update, sponsored by Alpha Environmental. They discuss the state of the housing market and offer strategies for buyers navigating a competitive landscape.Market Update:Buyer activity has surged in early 2025, especially in the first-time homebuyer range.Many properties are receiving multiple offers (10–12 in some cases).Interest rates have slightly decreased, boosting refinancing and buyer interest.Rates fluctuate based on economic indicators, such as stock market performance.Winning Offer Strategies:Rent-Back Agreements: Buyers offering sellers additional time to move after closing can make their offers more appealing.Pre-Underwriting: Having a lender pre-underwrite the loan (instead of just pre-approving) can provide a competitive edge by ensuring a smoother and faster closing process.Lender Involvement: A lender personally reaching out to the listing agent—via a call or video message—can reassure sellers about a buyer's financial strength.

In this solo episode ofAll Things PNW Real Estate, we cover major changes in the mortgage industry and financial regulation. With the recent restructuring of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), including the dismissal of Director Rohit Chopra and the halt of CFPB activities, we discuss the potential impact on lending practices and regulatory oversight. We also dive into the latest mortgage market trends, including a modest rise in mortgage applications, seasonal fluctuations, and the increase in refinance activity despite high interest rates. Tune in for a quick but informative update on what's happening in the financial and mortgage world.

In this episode Jamal and Adam interview Rakesh Thomas about his journey into real estate, love for the PNW, strategies that have helped him become successful and experience being a DJ.

In this episode Jamal and Adam go in depth to how to write a strong offer, counter-offer negotiations, escalation clauses, and what to expect.

In today's episode Jamal and Adam discuss what happens when people are preparing to buy a home, they go over what a mortgage application (1003) looks like, and tips and tricks to prepare before searching for a home.

In this episode host Jamal and co-host Adam interview a top producer Brittany Mendez from Hollywood, California about the comparisons and differences in their markets. Brittany shares her experiences, tips for new agents, homebuyers, and anyone interested in learning more about the home buying process.

Market update!

In this episode Jamal and Adam use some shiny new microphones to talk about the current state of the real estate market in the PNW

In todays episode host and co-host Jamal and Adam interview the CEO of Alpha Environmental about the nuances of home inspections and protecting your property investments. They also discuss life paths, careers, and advice for home-buyers.

In this episode host and co-host Jamal Abdoul and Adam Ruben interview industry leader Drew Coleman about his story, insights on the current market, advice for agents and homebuyers, and the recent NAR settlement and how to navigate it.

In todays episode host and co-host Jamal Abdoul and Adam Ruben interview media company CEO Hewitt Pagenstecher about the strategies Real Estate companies use to grow their business. They talk about platforms, methods, drone footage, and the future of marketing in the real estate industry.

Jamal and Adam interview a top-performing real estate agent Natasha Blass also know as Portlandgirlgonemild who shares her secrets to building a thriving business through social media. Listeners can expect insights on platform selection, content creation, lead generation, market trends, and the challenges faced by agents in today's digital landscape.

Our guests, real estate experts Zach Bay and Lexi Howell, share their firsthand experiences with assumable mortgages. Learn how they work, the potential benefits, and the challenges involved. From navigating complex paperwork to finding the right property, we cover it all. Discover how assumable mortgages can save you money, unlock opportunities in a competitive market, and even help you find your dream home. Whether you're a seasoned homebuyer or just starting your journey, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Tune in to learn: What an assumable mortgage is and how it works The pros and cons of taking on someone else's mortgage Tips for finding assumable mortgage properties Strategies for making a competitive offer Real-life success stories and lessons learned Don't miss this opportunity to gain a competitive edge in today's housing market.

In this episode host and co-host Jamal Abdoul and Adam Ruben interview lender Evan Robinson, they discuss his use of social media in his business, community events, and state of the market.

Jamal catches everyone up on some market news and what the plans are for the second half of the year

In this episode host Jamal Abdoul and co-host Adam Ruben interview author and businessman Chuck Bomar about how he finds stuggling businesses and raises them to a level of profitability as a way of giving back. Chuck talks about his powerful why, and how has been successful.

In this episode host Jamal and co-host Adam talk about effect of the real estate market on mental health, tips for preventing burnout, and how to maximaze your full potential with mental health coach Cassie Heller.

In this episode host Jamal and co-host Adam interview Commercial Real Estate broker Cory Carlson about investing strategies, the state of the market, and how to get started with investing in residential and commercial real estate.

In this episode host and co-host Jamal and Adam interview former Portland Timbers player now coach about his experiences with buying real estate in the UK compared to the US. Liam shares his stories and gives advice to listeners about what to avoid and areas he would buy.

Real estate market update, Jamal talks about the market, mortgage rates, strategies and buying patterns, and a few new restaurants he's excited about in the Pearl distric

In this episode, co-hosts Jamal and Adam interview Autos sales rep Chase Hanneman about the financing process of autos in today's market, comparisons with the real estate market, and tips for both purchases.

Jamal and Adam discuss the NAR lawsuit about buyers agent commissions, misinformation, what to expect and prepare for, and then some local food recommendations.

In this episode Jamal and Adam review the year so far in the Portland real estate market, Jamal talks about rates and where the market is headed. Adam talks about client activity and his experience in the market for the winter and coming into spring.

In this episode hosts Jamal and Adam talk about the importance of housing equity with Asian American Real Estate Association President Tam Hixson. She also talks about her love for events, joys and feelings in the current market, and her passion for roller blading.

In this episode Jamal and Adam interview Title Rep Sean Mele. They cover advice for first-time homebuyers, lead generation tactics, market updaters and perspective, and general wisdom.

In this episode, co-hosts Adam and Jamal go over insurance advice for first-time homebuyers, misconceptions, and college stories with insurance agent Kevin Radish

In this episode Jamal and Adam interview inspector Aaron Doerr, he goes through the process, what to look for, tips for homebuyers, and a few paranormal experiences he has had on the job

This episode of All Things PNW Real Estate features Jacob Lenders, Jamal's boss, as a guest. They discuss various topics related to the current real estate market, including: Market Performance: January was slow due to rising interest rates, but February is showing signs of improvement. Refinances are starting to pick up again, indicating a positive trend. The Fed is expected to drop rates later this year, potentially boosting the market further. Advice for First-Time Homebuyers: Don't wait for rates to drop further - competition will increase as they do. Take advantage of builder incentives while they're still available. Management Insights: Managers from different branches share information and insights on a regular basis. The national market is starting to see a shift towards buyer broker agreements. Other Topics: Impact of NAR lawsuits on real estate practices Government regulation and the real estate industry Cybersecurity concerns for title companies Impact of weather on real estate sales Casual conversation about sports, fast food, and reality TV Key Takeaways: The real estate market is showing signs of recovery, with increased activity and potential for lower rates in the future. First-time homebuyers should act fast to take advantage of current opportunities. The industry is undergoing changes with regards to buyer representation and regulations. The second half of the episode are additional discussions on various other topics including appraisals, fast food chains, reality TV shows, and the Super Bowl.

Jamal and Adam, are interviewing Alex Aaronson, a top real estate agent in southern Oregon. They are discussing his career path, the differences between the southern Oregon and Portland real estate markets, and the use of escalation clauses in multiple offer situations. Here are the key points of the discussion: Alex's career path: Alex started in real estate after getting an unpaid internship at a real estate office. He worked his way up through the ranks and eventually went on his own. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships in the industry. Differences between the southern Oregon and Portland markets: The Portland market is more competitive and has a wider range of housing options. Homes in the same neighborhood can vary greatly in price. In contrast, the southern Oregon market is more predictable and has more cookie-cutter homes. Escalation clauses: Escalation clauses are used in multiple offer situations to allow buyers to automatically increase their offer price if other offers come in higher. Alex explains how they work and gives an example of how he used one for a client. Overall, the podcast provides a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a top real estate agent and offers some insights into the Portland and southern Oregon real estate markets.

Jamal and Adam talked about their experiences as realtors and lenders during an ice storm. They discussed the challenges of working in a frozen environment, as well as some tips for buyers and sellers in the current market. They also talked about some of the upcoming trends in the real estate market, such as the increasing popularity of video tours and the return of bidding wars. They also discussed the potential impact of interest rate hikes on the housing market. Overall, the podcast was an informative and entertaining look at the real estate market from the perspective of two experienced professionals. Here are some key takeaways from the podcast: The ice storm made it difficult for realtors and lenders to do their jobs. The current market is a good time to buy if you can find a house that you like and can afford. Interest rates are likely to lower in the near future, which may be a good time to refinance your mortgage. Video tours are becoming increasingly popular, so sellers should consider using them to market their homes. Bidding wars are making a comeback, so buyers need to be prepared to compete for the houses they want.

In this episode Jamal and Adam interview Realtor Gabriela Mann about The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals non-profit, they cover the state of the market, advice for home-buyers and Hispanic home-buyers, and their love for dogs.

In this episode we talk about what happens on the mortgage side once our client's offers have been accepted and underwriters are reviewing files, we also talk about karaoke and how being in real estate can be a family-friendly career.

Hosts Jamal and Adam reflect on the 2023 real estate market in the greater Portland area, our thoughts on 2024, and go over a few questions from our listeners! Did anyone know Adam was a professional golfer for 5 years? We talk about that too. Happy New Year everyone!

In this episode we cover a variety of topics including sales tips, social media marketing strategies, comparing various lenders, and flavors of kettle corn.

In this episode, we talk to Omar about how he ended up in real estate, what his interests and hobbies are, how 2023 went and what he's seeing in the current market. We also talk about the Blazers, and how the PDX market could be compared to their 'rebuilding' season.

In this episode Jamal and Adam interview Michelle Austin about using farming tools to help reach a target audience, this interview is specifically useful for realtors and lenders and also includes advice for anyone interested in the real estate market. We also talk about Michelle's impressive singing ability.

Today's hot topic is the recent case of Burnett vs. the National Association of Realtors which has the potential to drastically change the commission structure of buyers agents across the nation. We also discuss Jamal's upcoming wedding and various non-real estate topics. Enjoy!

In this half business half fun episode Adam and Jamal interview Mortgage Marketing whiz Summer Morris. She provides insights and advice on how mortgage pros should be presenting themselves online to various demographics, as well as covers a few current hot topics including her take on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, the Golden Bachelor, and more!

In today's episode, we dive into Jacob's 20+ years of mortgage knowledge and cover topics such as the recent fed rate hikes, what exactly the bond market is and how it works as well as where it's going, and dispel common first-time homebuyer myths. Adam and I also answer listener questions at the end so stick around for those after the interview

In this episode, we speak with the fun and insightful Zach Bay, a title agent with over 10 years of experience. We discuss the important role of title agents in the mortgage process, the key tasks that title agents perform and differences between escrow and title, and how title agents can help to protect homebuyers and sellers. We also talk about the challenges that title agents face today and the advice that Zach would give to First Time Homebuyers and anyone interested in Real Estate.

In this episode we interview Top Producing Loan Officer Mikal Mele, with 14 years of experience she has acheived remarkable success in the mortgage industry, we cover topics from the current state of the market, to hot tips for homebuyers, and strategies for success for real estate enthusiasts in the Pacific North West.