Tom Baker Real Estate

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Tom Baker Real Estate Clackamas County Realtor® who treats your home like it's my own. I negotiate to win. Let's talk. That’s where I come in. Let’s get your home sold — the right way.

Selling a home in the Clackamas County and greater Portland area is more than just a financial decision — it’s an emotional one. Whether you're a first-time home buyer, looking to downsize, moving on to your next chapter with your family, or selling a luxury property, the process is more than paperwork and open houses. It’s about getting it right — the timing, the pricing, the marketing, and the negotiation. With over 25 years of sales and negotiation experience — including advanced training from Harvard in negotiation strategy — I know how to position your home to stand out in today’s competitive market and command top dollar. As a Realtor with Premiere Property Group, I don’t believe in cutting corners. I believe in clear communication, smart real estate strategy, and relentless follow-through. I take pride in doing the work others won’t. That means personally handling every detail, providing expert pricing advice based on real-time market data, and negotiating like your equity depends on it — because it does. My goal is simple: to make your real estate experience smooth, successful, and as stress-free as possible. You deserve more than a sign in the yard and a hope-it-sells approach. You deserve a partner you can trust — someone who treats your home like it’s their own. Contact me today for real estate services in Beavercreek, Oregon City, Lake Oswego, West Linn, and the surrounding Willamette Valley.

Mortgage rates are in today’s headlines. Freddie Mac’s October 15 report puts the national 30-year fixed average at 7.40...
10/17/2026

Mortgage rates are in today’s headlines. Freddie Mac’s October 15 report puts the national 30-year fixed average at 7.40%, unchanged for the week. I’ll use this hook: “The rate gets the headline. The fees deserve a look.” It gives local buyers a useful next step without repeating the earlier payment examples.

Tom Baker
Clackamas County + Portland Metro

Before choosing a list price, I want sellers to understand something most market headlines miss: price brackets can affe...
10/15/2026

Before choosing a list price, I want sellers to understand something most market headlines miss: price brackets can affect which buyers discover the home.

In the September 2026 Portland Metro RMLS report, there were 1,752 closed residential sales:

* $400K–$500K: 362 sales, or 20.7%
* $500K–$600K: 312 sales, or 17.8%
* $600K–$700K: 246 sales, or 14.0%

Together, those three brackets represented 920 sales—approximately 52.5% of September’s closed sales. This is a dated regional snapshot, not today’s live activity or a prediction for an individual property.

Why does this matter?

Many buyers and agents use maximum-price filters. If a home is priced just above a common search threshold, some buyers may never see it in their initial search.

That doesn’t mean every $505,000 home should be priced at $500,000. It means I’d evaluate:

* The strongest comparable sales
* Current competing listings
* The home’s condition and presentation
* Likely buyer search ranges
* Expected proceeds and selling priorities
* Whether pricing above a threshold is supported by the market

The right price should reflect the property—not an arbitrary round number—but search visibility deserves a place in the conversation.

DM me and I’ll prepare a neighborhood and price-bracket snapshot for your home.

Tom Baker
Clackamas County + Portland Metro

Selling a Clackamas County home this fall? Don’t make a property-tax payment without checking how it affects your closin...
10/09/2026

Selling a Clackamas County home this fall? Don’t make a property-tax payment without checking how it affects your closing statement.

Clackamas County says property owners using eNotices may access their 2026 statement online as soon as October 20. Paying the current year in full by the statutory November 15 deadline qualifies for a 3% discount.

Because November 15 falls on a Sunday in 2026, Oregon’s weekend and holiday rule generally extends required remittances to the next business day. Confirm the applicable deadline directly with the county.

If your closing is near that deadline, I’d ask the title or escrow team:

* Has the tax bill already been paid?
* Will your mortgage servicer make a payment from escrow?
* How will the taxes be prorated between buyer and seller?
* How is any available discount reflected?
* What does the updated estimate show for your net proceeds?

One tax line can change the cash you expect at closing. The sale contract and escrow calculations determine the actual treatment, so this is something to verify—not guess.

DM me and I’ll send you my fall-seller closing checklist.

Tom Baker
Clackamas County + Portland Metro

If your mortgage preapproval is a few weeks old, I’d update it before touring more homes.The national average for a 30-y...
10/07/2026

If your mortgage preapproval is a few weeks old, I’d update it before touring more homes.

The national average for a 30-year fixed mortgage was 7.28% on October 1, 2026, according to Freddie Mac. That benchmark reflects conventional, conforming purchase applications from borrowers with excellent credit and 20% down—it is not a guaranteed local rate or personal quote.

Before shopping in Clackamas County or the Portland Metro:

* Ask your lender to update your preapproval using current terms.
* Establish your maximum comfortable housing cost.
* Include property taxes, homeowners insurance and any HOA dues.
* Remember that principal and interest are only part of the full monthly payment.

Actual rates, fees and eligibility vary. Get a current Loan Estimate or lender quote before making an offer.

DM me if you want to organize your home search around a comfortable budget and the areas that fit it.

Tom Baker | Clackamas County + Portland Metro

If you’re shopping between $400,000 and $500,000, you’re looking in one of Portland Metro’s busiest parts of the market....
10/05/2026

If you’re shopping between $400,000 and $500,000, you’re looking in one of Portland Metro’s busiest parts of the market.

During August 2026, RMLS recorded 408 closed sales in this range—21.5% of all Portland Metro closings and the largest single price band that month. This is historical activity, not today’s available inventory.

My advice before touring:

* Separate your must-haves from features you can change later.
* Compare condition and location—not just square footage.
* Decide which terms matter before the right property appears.
* Review every home individually; metro-wide data cannot measure its condition or value.

DM me if you’d like a current list of local homes that match your budget and priorities.

Tom Baker | Clackamas County + Portland Metro

Selling your home yourself? Before automatically cutting the price, figure out which problem the market is actually show...
10/05/2026

Selling your home yourself? Before automatically cutting the price, figure out which problem the market is actually showing you.

RMLS recorded 216 new listings in the Milwaukie/Clackamas area during August 2026. That’s historical market activity—not today’s inventory or a valuation of your home.

Here’s the 14-day test I’d use:

* Very few inquiries: review your exposure, photos, headline and property information.
* Inquiries but no showings: buyers may not see enough value to schedule a visit.
* Showings but no offers: examine price, condition, terms and repeated buyer objections.

The goal isn’t to change everything at once. Track the response, identify the weak point and make one informed adjustment.

Selling FSBO and want an objective second look? DM me. I’ll help you read the signals without pressuring you to list.

Tom Baker | Clackamas County + Portland Metro

If you own a rental property, selling isn’t automatically the right answer—and neither is holding it forever.The median ...
10/04/2026

If you own a rental property, selling isn’t automatically the right answer—and neither is holding it forever.

The median sale price in the Milwaukie/Clackamas area was $560,000 during August 2026. That’s an area benchmark, not a valuation of your specific property.

I’d compare three numbers before making any decision:

1. Your actual rental income after vacancy, maintenance and repairs
2. Your estimated proceeds after the mortgage and selling expenses
3. What keeping or selling the property would mean for your next three years

Taxes can also affect the outcome, so your CPA should review the tax side before you act.

If you’re wondering whether your rental still fits your plans, DM me. I’ll help you compare the real-estate numbers without assuming you need to sell.

Tom Baker | Clackamas County + Portland Metro

Thinking about downsizing in Clackamas County? I’d start with the number you’ll have available for your next home—not ju...
10/04/2026

Thinking about downsizing in Clackamas County? I’d start with the number you’ll have available for your next home—not just the price your current home might sell for.

The Portland Metro median sale price was $540,000 in August 2026. That’s a regional benchmark, not an estimate of your home’s value.

Before making a move, I’d work through four things with you: a realistic sale range, your mortgage payoff and selling costs, what to do with the belongings you won’t take, and the price and timing of your next home.

DM me if you’d like to map out those numbers before deciding what comes next.

Tom Baker | Clackamas County + Portland Metro
Source: RMLS Market Action Report, August 2026

What does a $400,000 home payment look like right now?Here’s a simple example:🏠 Purchase price: $400,000💰 Down payment: ...
10/03/2026

What does a $400,000 home payment look like right now?

Here’s a simple example:

🏠 Purchase price: $400,000
💰 Down payment: $80,000—or 20%
📄 Loan amount: $320,000
📉 30-year fixed rate: 7.28%
➡️ Estimated principal and interest: approximately $2,189 per month

The 7.28% figure is Freddie Mac’s national weekly average published October 1, 2026—not a personalized loan quote. It increased from 7.03% the previous week.

This payment does not include property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, closing costs, or other expenses. Your actual rate and payment will depend on your credit, loan program, property, lender, and market conditions.

If you’re considering a home in Clackamas County or the Portland Metro area, DM me. I’ll connect you with a lender and help you see what the complete numbers could look like before you start touring homes.

— Tom Baker

Buyers have more choices than they did a year ago.Portland Metro had 3.8 months of housing inventory in August 2026, up ...
10/03/2026

Buyers have more choices than they did a year ago.

Portland Metro had 3.8 months of housing inventory in August 2026, up from 3.5 months in August 2025. That’s the latest published monthly figure I found—not a live count.

If you’re selling, this is where the details matter. Buyers will compare your home with others they can tour at the same price. I’d look closely at the first photos, the condition, the showing experience, and the competing listings before deciding on a price.

Thinking about selling in Clackamas County or the Portland area? DM me and I’ll help you see what your home would be competing against.

— Tom Baker

Address

10135 SE Sunnyside Road #150
Clackamas, OR
97015

Telephone

+15039449480

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