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Buying a Home in Oregon

Welcome to the Oregon Resource Center.  Whether you’re new to Oregon or a native, we have the resources to help you get educated about buying & financing a home.

Oregon has some of the most diverse natural attractions including beaches, mountains, beautiful rivers, and the high desert. --Portland Area Agent, Dave Axness


Home Buying Classes at Portland Community College

The popular PCC class, PCC Homebuying 101, gives an excellent overview of how to buy your first home, down payments, first time buyer loans, your credit, negotiation, home inspections, and do’s and don’t during the whole process.
Homebuying 101 Class Description & Schedules


Oregon Government Resources

Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

Oregon’s best source for most environmental hazards. We also recommend that buyers read their section on underground storage tanks if you are buying an older home that may have a buried heating oil tank.

Underground Oil Tanks

Household Hazardous Waste

Septic Systems

Oregon DEQ Woodstove Removal Law

As of August 1st, 2010, the Oregon Dept of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is requiring that “non certified” woodstoves must be removed during a real estate sale in order to reduce pollution and adverse health effects.

Oregon DEQ Woodstove Rules

Oregon Construction Contractors Board

Checkout contractors license status, insurance, and claims against them by consumers

CCB Contractor License Lookup


City Websites in Oregon

City Websites in Oregon

You’ll find countless helpful resources and contact information for your questions at the local level.

Links to City Websites


Oregon School Ratings & Info

Oregon Department of Education
Information on schools and school “report cards.”
Oregon School Report Cards

GreatSchools.org
School listings of 200,000 public and private schools serving students from preschool through high school and more than 800,000 parent ratings and reviews
GreatSchools.org for Oregon


Oregon Property Research & Inspection Tools

Oregon Property Buyers Advisory

A great site created by the Oregon Association of Realtors with tips and links for inspections, defective building materials, septic tanks, underground storage tanks, mold, home warranties, property taxes, homeowners associations, short sales, environmental hazards, more.

Oregon Property Buyers Advisory

 

Asbestos, Radon, Underground Oil Tanks, etc.
Homeowner Resource for Health Hazards

 

Outdoor Maintenance in the Northwest

Guide to recognizing and preventing problems and preserving the value of your property with proactive outdoor maintenance.

Outdoor Maintenance in the Northwest


Home Loan & Down Payment Assistance in Oregon

US Dept of Housing & Urban Development: Oregon Homeownership Assistance
HUD: Oregon Homeownership Assistance

The Oregon Bond Homeownership Program
Low interest loan programs backed by the State of Oregon- subject to funds available
Oregon Bond Loan Programs

Oregon Housing & Community Services Down Payment Assistance
Homebuying Downpayment Assistance Programs

Clackamas Homebuyer Assistance Program (CHAP)
The CHAP program allows home buyers to borrow up to $14,000 to pay for downpayment and closing costs on a first home. CHAP loans are zero-percent interest deferred-payment loans.
CHAP Homebuyer Assistance

Home Sweet Home Grant Program
The Oregon Association of REALTORS® and the Oregon Bankers Association have partnered to create the HOME Sweet Home Program (HSHP).  This program is designed to help provide homeownership opportunities for Oregonians earning less than or equal to 100 percent of the median income in their area.
Homebuyer Grant Program “Home Sweet Home”

Portland Housing Center
The Portland Housing Center has a number of programs for minorities.
Portland Housing Center

For a continually updated list of programs, go to HOWNW.com Down Payment and Loan Assistance


Good Neighbor Next Door Program

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Program that offers Police Officers, Fire Fighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, and Pre-K thru 12th Grade Teachers a 50% discount off the list prices of homes.

HUD Good Neighbor Next Door Program