Leslie Newberry - Principal Broker - John L Scott Real Estate

05/30/2026

Public Service Announcement (Revisited):

I had a conversation this week with a family whose mother recently passed away. The house needs significant work, and one of the options being discussed was calling one of the many "We Buy Houses for Cash" companies that advertise heavily to heirs and estate representatives.

Before signing a contract, it's important to understand that an inherited home with deferred maintenance still has value—and you may have more options than you realize.

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is that heirs need to spend thousands (or tens of thousands) of dollars fixing up a property before it can be sold. In reality, many inherited homes are sold completely "as-is." The key is understanding the property's likely buyer pool and exposing it to the market so buyers can compete.

Last year, I helped sell a property that needed substantial work—we lovingly referred to it as potential "dozer bait." Squatters had moved in while it sat vacant, and much of the interior had been stripped down. Once the uninvited tenants were out, we marketed the property honestly, attracted the right buyers, and allowed the market to determine its value.

A couple of years earlier, I sold a home with "good bones" but significant cosmetic issues. By pricing it appropriately and exposing it to the market, we received multiple offers that pushed the price higher.

If you're handling an estate and aren't sure what to do with a home that needs work—whether structural or cosmetic—don't assume your only choices are spending a fortune on repairs or accepting the first investor offer that appears in your mailbox. Nearly one-third of real estate transactions are cash purchases, which means there is often competition among investors as well.

Take a little time to understand all of your options first. That extra knowledge can sometimes mean thousands—or even tens of thousands—of dollars to the estate and its beneficiaries.

Give me a call anytime at 503.349.2727 to discuss these options in more detail.

And if you know someone dealing with an inherited property, please share this post. Losing a loved one is hard enough without making a rushed real estate decision during a stressful time.

05/21/2026

NEW LISTING in Beaver, Oregon 🌲🌊

Properties tucked into Oregon’s coast range and river valleys have always held a special place in my heart. After more than 40 years of owning property in the coast mountains myself, I understand why so many people are drawn to the peace, privacy, beauty, wildlife, and slower pace these areas offer.

That’s one reason I was especially excited to bring this Beaver property to market.

This listing is also featured with Zillow Showcase — a premium marketing platform that John L. Scott has partnered with for enhanced photography presentation, interactive floor plans, virtual staging, 3D imaging, and expanded online exposure designed to help buyers experience the property before they ever step through the door.

Real estate marketing continues to evolve, and I’m always looking for ways to better showcase my clients’ homes and help them stand out online.

📍24775 River Bend Rd, Beaver, OR

Less than 30 minutes to Tillamook, Pacific City, Sand Lake, and Cape Lookout State Park — with awesome fishing opportunities right around the bend.

What are you waiting for? 🌲🎣

P.S. It feels strange not linking to the John L. Scott website page, but this Showcase presentation is pretty amazing. Be sure to check out the virtual staging and interactive 3D features!

This 1808 square feet Single Family home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It is located at 24775 River Bend Rd, Beaver, OR.

05/20/2026

Mortgage rates just hit a 9-month high this week.

That doesn’t mean buyers disappear — it means strategy matters more than ever.

Some buyers are waiting. Others are negotiating better terms, asking for rate buydowns, or finding less competition.

The market shifts… but people still need homes, job transfers happen, families grow, and life keeps moving.

If you’re wondering what higher rates mean for YOUR situation here in Oregon, feel free to reach out.

Read the article here: https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/markets/mortgage-rates-05182026

05/01/2026

My first job in high school (at Freddy's) I had for three years. My second job (at Brod & McClung) was six years.... I'm not sure how I've been doing real estate for 27 years already! Maybe it's because "Tempus Fugits" (as my mom, God rest her soul, used to say) when you love what you do!

04/29/2026

I was a bit of a math wiz in my day… and even as a seasoned real estate professional, mortgage rate vs. APR can still make me stop and look twice. 😊

I receive rate sheets and loan updates regularly from multiple mortgage professionals, and one thing I always pay attention to is both numbers:

Interest Rate = the rate used to calculate your monthly principal & interest payment.

APR = a broader number that factors in certain lender fees and costs, helping show the overall cost of borrowing.

They’re related—but they’re not the same.

Sometimes comparing both numbers side by side gives better context than looking at the interest rate alone.

And as with most things in real estate and lending… the lowest advertised rate doesn’t always tell the whole story.

If you ever want help sorting through the numbers, comparing options, or connecting with trusted local lenders, I’m always happy to be a resource. Call me anytime at 503.349.2727.

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

04/22/2026

Baby Boomers continue to be a major force in today’s housing market—and that’s certainly true here in Portland and across Oregon as well.

According to new NAR Research, Boomers made up the largest share of home buyers (42% combined younger + older Boomers) and the largest share of home sellers (55%) in 2026. They also had the longest median seller tenure at 15 years, meaning many have built significant equity over time.

That trend reflects what I’ve been seeing firsthand: more and more of my business in recent years has involved Baby Boomers and their families as they navigate important housing transitions.

Many longtime Oregon homeowners are asking questions like:

🏡 Is it time to downsize?
🏡 Should we move closer to family?
🏡 Keep the home and remodel for aging in place?
🏡 Sell now or wait another year?
🏡 How do we handle a home full of memories—and belongings?

These are rarely just real estate decisions—they’re life decisions. They often involve family dynamics, finances, timing, logistics, and emotions all at once.

I’ve come to appreciate that helping in these situations requires more than putting a sign in the yard. It requires patience, planning, trusted resources, and thoughtful guidance.

If you or your parents are beginning to have these conversations, I’m always happy to be a resource. Sometimes the best first step is simply talking through options.

Baby Boomers remained the largest generational group of home buyers this year, while the share of first-time buyers fell to the lowest level on record, according to the 2026 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends report from NAR.
https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/baby-boomers-remain-largest-share-of-home-buyers-as-first-time-buying-falls-to-record-low

03/19/2026

Grateful for my clients!

02/18/2026

Yesterday I got a call that reminded me why I do what I do.

A friend had read my annual family newsletter all the way through (gold star ⭐️ because it's not short), and something clicked. Her niece had recently bought a home in NE Portland—using a different broker that a family member had recommended. Evidently, the sale had a few hiccups that dragged on after closing, which, frankly, shouldn’t happen. But that’s another story.

What prompted the call was this: In my letter (closer to the end than the middle, hence the gold star), I had mentioned being a resource for contractors. My friend thought her niece’s new place would really benefit from a covered patio out back and she wanted QUALITY referrals. Not the “I found this guy online” kind. The trustworthy, shows up, does good work kind.

So she called me.

Within minutes, I was able to share a short list of contractors I know personally—people I’ve used, vetted, and would confidently refer to my own family. No guesswork. No crossed fingers.

This is one of those behind-the-scenes parts of my job that doesn’t always get talked about. Real estate isn’t just about buying or selling a house—it’s about the network that comes with it. Contractors, inspectors, lenders… having the right people can make homeownership smoother and a lot less stressful.

If you ever need a referral and don’t know where to start, I’m always happy to be a resource. Sometimes that call is just as important as the transaction itself. 😊

02/07/2026

I'm having an open house at my new listing at 18601 SE Clinton Street today (Saturday - 2/7) from 12-2pm! Come visit me if you're near 182nd & Division. My signs will be out!!

I'm trying something different, because I think if I post the link, you won't see the post for several days. I'll put the link to the listing in the first comment.