Real Estate Isn't One-Size-Fits-All: Busting the "Same Everywhere" Myth

Host: Welcome to Market Matters with WVMLS, where we get real about real estate in the Willamette Valley. I'm Dave Pautsch of RE/MAX Integrity. Our local Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Service, or WVMLS, is a powerful but often misunderstood resource. It's the centralized marketplace bringing buyers and sellers together locally since 1949.

Today, we're wrapping up our six-week series on busting the myths in real estate, and we're ending with this one: Real estate is the same everywhere. It's a myth we hear all the time. Someone reads a national headline or hears a market prediction on the news and assumes it applies right here in Linn or Benton Counties. But real estate is hyper-local. What's happening in Bend, Medford, or even Portland doesn't reflect what's happening in Albany or Corvallis. Prices, inventory, and buyer demand vary from month to month and even block to block.

That's why WVMLS leans into local with such passion, not just because we've served the valley for nearly eight decades, but because our members and their clients are our neighbors. Our members live and work in the valley, so when you list your property with a WVMLS member broker, you're enrolling a team of motivated, full-time professionals who come with their own list of serious buyers and are dedicated to finding the right match for your home.

When you're represented by someone who knows the neighborhoods, the trends, and how to advocate for you, you win. WVMLS brokers have access to the most accurate, up-to-the-minute listing and sales data and real estate tools to help their clients succeed in even the most difficult markets. So, don't let national noise distract you from what's happening right here at home. Real estate isn't one-size-fits-all, and that's exactly why local matters.

Thanks for joining us for Market Matters with WVMLS, where we get real about real estate in the Willamette Valley. I'm Dave Pautsch of RE/MAX Integrity. We'll be back next week in the noon hour with a new series, new insights, and more local market truth.

Until then, learn more at wvmls.com.

The Cost Myth: Why Skipping a Broker Could Actually Cost You More

Host: Welcome to Market Matters with WVMLS, where we get real about real estate in the Willamette Valley. I'm Dave Pautsch of RE/MAX Integrity. Our local Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Service, or WVMLS, is a powerful but often misunderstood resource. It’s the centralized marketplace bringing buyers and sellers together locally since 1949.

Today we're continuing our six-week series on busting the myths in real estate, and today's myth: it costs more to use a broker. Let's get one thing out of the way first: in Oregon, the legal term for a real estate agent is broker, so we'll use agent and broker interchangeably. The truth of this week's myth: not using an agent can cost you dearly. On the surface, paying an agent might seem like one more expense, but hiring a licensed professional to shepherd you through the buying or selling of your largest financial asset can make a huge difference.

For buyers, your agent can provide WVMLS-level access to homes across the region in real-time. The buyer's rep agreement that you signed—which has been required since January 2025—lets you control how your broker's fee is paid and even negotiate with the seller to have it included at closing. For sellers, a licensed broker will help you price your home accurately to sell on your timeline. Time on market equals money. Your broker helps you leverage WVMLS sales data, marketing tools, and all the resources needed to navigate from listing to close.

For both buyers and sellers, working with a real estate agent can help you avoid costly heartaches through inspections, negotiations, contracts, deadlines, and disclosures. One missed clause or overlooked issue can cost thousands—far more than you'd pay in brokerage fees. But using a broker isn't about cost; it's about confidence. For both buyers and sellers, it means having a licensed professional in your corner helping you make good decisions.

Thanks for joining us for Market Matters with WVMLS, where we get real about real estate in the Willamette Valley. I'm Dave Pautsch of RE/MAX Integrity. Join us again next Monday in the noon hour as we tackle another real estate myth.

Learn more at wvmls.com.

Busting the Door Opener Myth: Why Unlocking the House is the Easiest Part of the Job

Host: Welcome to Market Matters with WVMLS, where we get real about real estate in the Willamette Valley. I’m Dave Pautsch with RE/MAX Integrity. Our local Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Service, or WVMLS, is a powerful but often misunderstood resource. It’s the centralized marketplace bringing buyers and sellers together locally since 1949.

Today we’re continuing our six-week series on busting the myths in real estate, and today’s myth is: agents are just glorified door openers. Frankly, unlocking the door is the easiest part of the job, but that’s not how agents earn their fees.

For sellers, your agent is a strategist. Their market knowledge helps you price your home to sell for the most money on your timeline. They’re your marketing guru, positioning your home to get the widest exposure. They coordinate photography, showings, inspections, and appraisals, and all the associated timelines and paperwork, keeping the deal on track and reducing the chance of costly surprises. They help you negotiate to protect your equity and minimize risk.

For buyers, your agent is your expert and advocate, helping you identify which homes are worth your time and which ones to walk away from. Sure, you can search for homes on the internet, but your agent has access to the most up-to-date source information and also much more detailed and nuanced data not found on public websites. Your agent connects you with qualified lenders and inspectors to help identify red flags. They help you craft competitive offers and shepherd you through the crucial timelines and due diligence. And sure, they open doors.

For both buyers and sellers, your agent is a fiduciary. They have a contractual and legal duty to act in your best interest. Most of all, real estate agents are problem solvers. They have resources you need to deal with everything that crops up during the transaction. They help you move forward with confidence in one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.

So no, agents don’t just open doors. They open opportunities for your homeownership dreams to come true. Thanks for joining us for Market Matters with WVMLS, where we get real about real estate in the Willamette Valley. I’m Dave Pautsch with RE/MAX Integrity. Join us again next Monday in the noon hour as we tackle another real estate myth.

Until then, learn more at wvmls.com.