What is a Trigger Lead?
Date: 4/21/26
Applying for a mortgage soon? New federal law protects you from trigger lead spam. 📵
Have you applied for a mortgage and immediately been bombarded with calls and texts from random lenders? Those are called "trigger leads." In the past, when you applied for a mortgage, credit bureaus could sell your information to other lenders, often leading to unwanted calls, texts and emails.
So here’s a bit of good news: in September 2025, the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act was signed into law, and as of March, credit bureaus are banned from selling trigger leads.
I’m hopeful this means fewer spam calls and texts, more control over your personal financial information, and a less stressful mortgage process for home buyers.
As an added precaution, you can also take action to protect yourself from spam calls by opting out of pre-screened credit offers at OptOutPrescreen.com and adding your number to the National Do Not Call Registry at DoNotCall.gov. 🏡🔒
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Tax Benefits for Homeowners
Date: 4/10/26
Tax season reminder: homeownership comes with real financial benefits. 💰 From mortgage interest deductions to capital gains exclusions, here's what you need to know to maximize your tax advantages this year. 🏡📋
Most tax benefits for homeowners come in the form of deductions that can lower your taxable income and a significant capital gains exclusion when you sell your primary residence. To take advantage of the benefits, you’ll likely need to itemize on your tax return.
The main tax deductions for homeowners are mortgage interest and property tax deductions.Â
If you sell your primary residence, you can exclude up to $250,000 of capital gains as an individual, and up to $500,000 as a married couple. In this case, a primary residence is defined as having owned and lived in the home for at least 2 of the last 5 years.Â
If you purchased a home this year and paid upfront mortgage points to lower your interest rate, those fees may be a tax deduction.
There are also other benefits related to owning a home like deductions for expenses related to a home office, and tax credits for energy-efficient upgrades you make to your home.
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Portland Picks: Noë & June
Date: 3/25/26Â
My dear friend and neighbor, Amanda Squires Gil, just started a floral business named after her two adorable children, Noë & June.
Not only does she put together beautiful flower arrangements, she also offers unique floral subscriptions, corporate floral installations, and bouquet-making workshops!
Learn more here:Â https://www.noeandjune.com/
2026 Revised Financing Contingencies
PART 2 of 2: Loan Contingency
Date: 3/9/26
This is part 2 of my series on Oregon's 2026 financing contingency changes. Last time, I covered the appraisal contingency. Today, we're diving into the loan contingency.
Here's what you need to know: Under the revised contracts, buyers now have a specific deadline—usually around 20 business days after offer acceptance—to get full loan approval. That means both the buyer AND the property must qualify for the loan within that window.
If full approval is not received by the deadline, buyers face the same three choices as with the appraisal: renegotiate with the seller, waive the contingency and move forward, or terminate the sale.
This is a tighter timeline than Oregon buyers are used to, so staying on top of your lender's requirements from day one is critical.
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PART 1 of 2: Appraisal Contingency
Date: 3/1/26
There are big changes to Oregon’s residential financing contingencies in 2026! 📑🏡
As of January 2026, Oregon’s standard residential real estate contracts split the financing contingency into two separate protections: the loan contingency and the appraisal contingency. This is a big shift. The old financing contingency stayed in place all the way through closing, but now buyers have specific deadlines that typically expire before the sale is complete. ⏳
Today I’m breaking down the appraisal contingency. Part 2 will cover the loan contingency. 🔍
So what’s new? The appraisal contingency gives buyers a set number of days—usually 20 business days after offer acceptance—to get the property appraised and complete any negotiations with the seller about the appraisal results. 🏠📊
If the buyer can’t meet these obligations by the deadline, they have three options: renegotiate with the seller, waive the contingency and move forward anyway, or terminate the sale. 🤝
This is a critical timeline shift for buyers to understand. ⚠️
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Big Changes in Real Estate Contracts for 2026
Date: 3/1/26
So, what is a contingency anyway? 🤔 A contingency is a condition that must be met for the sale of a home to be completed. They need to be clearly defined in the sales agreement and usually include a timeline. If the condition isn’t met within the specified timeline, the buyer or seller may elect to terminate the sale without penalty, if acting in good faith. In most cases, as long as a buyer stays within the contingency timeline, they can back out and get their earnest money back. 💰
Common contingencies in Oregon include inspections, financing, title, HOA and seller property disclosures. Some home sales can also be contingent upon the successful sale and closing of a buyer’s home. 🔍
In 2026, the Oregon Real Estate Forms had some major revisions and additions of contingencies around property condition and financing, so check back with me to learn more about the changes, and make sure to stay informed if you plan to buy or sell a house this year! 📬✨
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Monty’s Red Sauce
Date: 1/23/26
Ryan and I were going to see a friend’s band play in Lake Oswego (shout out to Rosa’s Buds!) and decided to check out Monty’s Red Sauce in Sellwood for dinner before the show. It was a Saturday night, but we managed to grab two seats at the bar without a reservation.
We love this spot’s sister restaurants, Montelupo Italian Market and The Focacceria by Montelupo and Monty’s did not disappoint! We recommend the Butter Lettuce Salad (the small could have feed 4!), and any of the baked pastas.
Homeowner Tree Liability
Date: 1/5/26
🌳 Homeowner Tree Liability
 Before Winter arrives, make sure you’re covered 👇
✔️ Have your trees inspected regularly or work with a certified arborist
✔️ Document any concerns — leaning, cracks, dead wood, etc.
✔️ Talk to your insurance agent about what your policy covers if a tree falls
✔️ And if you’re planning to remove a tree, always check your local permit rules 🌲
Protect your home, your neighbors, and your peace of mind. đź’š
Trees add beauty and value to a property, but as a homeowner, it’s important to understand your responsibility — especially heading into winter when storms can put added stress on them.
So if a tree or branch falls, who’s responsible?
First: ownership.
A tree belongs to the property where the trunk sits — but that doesn’t always determine liability.
Next: what caused the fall?
If a healthy tree comes down in a storm, that’s usually considered an act of nature, not negligence. But if the tree was diseased, unstable, or clearly unsafe, that’s different.
Third: did the owner know it was a risk?
Leaning, cracks, dead limbs, or visible decay are all warning signs. Ignoring them can make the owner liable because they “should have known” the tree needed attention.
In Portland specifically, If a tree falls due to force majeure — like a storm — liability is based on where the tree lands. So if a well-maintained tree from your neighbor’s yard damages your garage, it becomes your insurance claim.
A few extra things to know:
Timber trespass means that cutting down someone’s tree without permission can result in major damages — up to three times the tree’s value in rural areas. Urban areas often use appraisers or property-value impact to determine worth.
And if you’re considering removing a tree, always check permit rules. In Portland, anything 12 inches or more in diameter at chest height usually requires a permit.
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