Official County Website
Additional Links to Online Record Information
Useful Oregon School Links
Get started on your home buying or home selling journey by finding and connecting with a WVMLS broker here: https://members.wvmls.com/search.asp
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Seller Resources (Before You List Your Home)
Before diving into the selling process, lay the groundwork by reviewing your finances, understanding tax implications, and preparing required disclosures. Consult with a tax advisor to grasp capital gains exemptions. In Oregon, sellers may owe state income tax on gains unless exempt, and property taxes are prorated at closing. It is also good to familiarize yourself with Oregon's seller disclosure requirements to avoid legal pitfalls. Here are a few of the many resources available to sellers:
Oregon Seller Disclosures Explained
Taxes on Selling a House in Oregon
Steps to Selling a House in Oregon
Takeaways: Do your homework before putting your home on the market for best results.
Who is WVMLS?
The Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Service (WVMLS) serves as the premier real estate marketplace for Marion, Polk, Linn, and Benton counties in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Established in 1949, WVMLS is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative dedicated to fostering transparency, accuracy, and fairness in real estate transactions. By providing real-time, comprehensive listing data, WVMLS empowers buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals with the tools needed to make informed decisions in a dynamic market.
WVMLS is driven by its commitment to its members, which are local real estate professionals, to connect sellers with qualified buyers and ensure properties reach the widest possible audience. The service ensures that all listings are up-to-date, accurate, and accessible, creating a level playing field that prioritizes trust and efficiency.
With over seven decades of service, WVMLS remains a cornerstone of the Willamette Valley’s real estate community, supporting seamless transactions while upholding the values of collaboration and integrity that have defined it since its founding.
Takeaways: MLS’s are the most trusted source for real estate data because it comes directly from the brokers. Listing on MLS will help a seller reach the largest pool of buyers and attract the best offers.
How Sellers Access WVMLS
The key to reaching the most qualified buyers and achieving the best possible price in Marion, Polk, Linn, and Benton counties is partnering with a local broker who is a member of WVMLS. WVMLS member brokers ensure your listing is syndicated to major real estate platforms, search engines, and buyer networks for maximum exposure by uploading it to the region’s most comprehensive and real-time property database – the MLS.
Find a WVMLS Broker: Connect with a trusted professional by visiting the WVMLS member search page located here. A WVMLS broker can provide a professional market analysis using comparable sales data, craft a targeted marketing plan, and handle the listing process from photos to negotiations. Unlike national real estate websites, which are secondary sources of WVMLS data, working with a member broker ensures your property is listed directly and accurately, with the most current details available.
Independent Research: While preparing to sell, you can preview active listings on the WVMLS Property Search Page or check out market trends and statistics on at wvmls.com/stats. These tools, powered by WVMLS give you a real-time view of the Willamette Valley’s dynamic real estate market to help inform your pricing strategy.
Takeaways: There’s a lot you can do on your own, but for maximum benefit, use a WVMLS-Member Broker.
Understanding Listing Agreements
A listing agreement outlines what your broker will do to market and sell your property, including their duties, compensation, and the terms of your partnership, so you know exactly what to expect.
In Oregon, a written listing agreement is required before your broker can offer your property for sale or seek buyers. These agreements are flexible.
Learn More About Listing Agreements: For detailed information on what these agreements entail and how they protect you, visit the Oregon Real Estate Agency’s Buyer Agreements and Listing Agreements Overview at https://www.oregon.gov/rea/newsroom/pages/2024-oren-j/buyer-agreements-listing-agreements-law-rule-overview.aspx.
Takeaways: Listing contracts are required, but flexible enough to cover many situations.
Staging Your Home & Showings
Getting your home ready for its close-up will be something your WVMLS broker can help you navigate. There are also many resources on these items – from decluttering to curb appeal all the way to hosting an open house. Here are a few:
Showings are where your preparation pays off. Flexible scheduling, a spotless and depersonalized home, good lighting, pleasant scents (or none at least no odors), and pets securely out of the way all make a huge difference. Your WVMLS broker will coordinate private appointments and open houses, provide lockbox access, and give you proven tips to make every showing feel welcoming and memorable.
Takeaways: There’s a lot you can do to boost your homes’ appeal, and your broker can show you how!
Why Local Matters
When selling a home in the Willamette Valley, a local approach is essential for top-dollar results. National real estate portals, while broad, often rely on aggregated data from WVMLS, which can result in delays, errors, or limited customization. WVMLS is the authoritative source of real estate data for Marion, Polk, Linn, and Benton counties, delivering real-time, precise listing information that reaches serious local and relocating buyers. By listing through WVMLS, you’re tapping into the most reliable exposure available, straight from the source.
Partnering with a local WVMLS broker provides unparalleled expertise. These professionals know the nuances of Willamette Valley neighborhoods, offering insights that outshine generic platforms. This local knowledge ensures tailored pricing, marketing, and negotiations that align with regional trends. Choosing local means choosing precision, expertise, and a personalized selling experience.
Takeaways: Local is everything in Real Estate.
Ready to list your home? Connect with a WVMLS broker today at https://members.wvmls.com/search.asp
Buyer Resources (Before You Start Searching)
Before WVMLS comes into play, start with the basics: check your credit, save for a down payment, and get pre-qualified with a lender. Explore first-time buyer programs and assistance options that can reduce your upfront costs and expand your buying power.
Down Payment Assistance
Down Payment Assistance Explained
Home Buyer Savings Accounts
FirstHome Lenders
Takeaway: Get prepared before starting your homebuying journey.
Who is WVMLS?
The Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Service (WVMLS) serves as the premier real estate marketplace for Marion, Polk, Linn, and Benton counties in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Established in 1949, WVMLS is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative dedicated to fostering transparency, accuracy, and fairness in real estate transactions. By providing real-time, comprehensive listing data, WVMLS empowers buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals with the tools needed to make informed decisions in a dynamic market.
WVMLS is driven by its commitment to its members which are local real estate professionals to connect buyers with their dream homes and sellers with qualified prospects. The service ensures that all listings are up-to-date, accurate, and accessible, creating a level playing field that prioritizes trust and efficiency.
With over seven decades of service, WVMLS remains a cornerstone of the Willamette Valley’s real estate community, supporting seamless transactions while upholding the values of collaboration and integrity that have defined it since its founding.
Takeaways: MLS’s are the most trusted source for real estate data because it comes directly
from the brokers. Listing on MLS will help a seller reach the largest pool of buyers and attract the best offers.
How Buyers Access WVMLS
The key to tapping into the most accurate and up-to-date real estate listings in Marion, Polk, Linn, and Benton counties is partnering with a local broker who is a member of WVMLS. WVMLS member brokers have exclusive access to the region’s most comprehensive and real-time property database, ensuring you get the latest information on available homes.
Find a WVMLS Broker: Connect with a trusted professional by visiting the WVMLS member search page located here. A WVMLS broker can tailor a custom search to match your specific needs. They can also provide you with direct access to the WVMLS database, allowing you to explore listings on your own. Unlike national real estate websites, which rely on WVMLS as their primary data source, working with a member broker gives you a direct line to the most current and detailed property information available.
Independent Browsing: Until you’ve decided on a broker you can still explore active listings independently at WVMLS Property Search Page. This public portal, powered by WVMLS, offers minute-by-minute updates on available properties, giving you a real-time glimpse into the Willamette Valley’s dynamic real estate market.
Takeaways: There’s a lot you can do on your own, but for maximum benefit, use a WVMLS-Member Broker.
Understanding Buyer Agreements
A buyer agreement explains what your broker will do and how they’ll be paid, so you know what to expect.
In Oregon, a written buyer agreement is a requirement before you can tour homes with your real estate broker. This agreement establishes a formal relationship between you and your broker. These agreements are flexible and can be tailored to your needs, offering options for short-term commitments (such as for a single tour) or longer-term arrangements, depending on your comfort level and home-buying timeline.
Learn More About Buyer Agreements: For detailed information on what these agreements entail and how they benefit you, visit the Oregon Real Estate Agency’s Buyer Representation Agreement FAQs at https://www.oregon.gov/rea/newsroom/pages/2025-oren-j/buyer-representation-agreement-faqs.aspx. This resource provides valuable insights to help you navigate the process with confidence.
Takeaways: Buyer Agreements are required, but flexible enough to cover many situations.
Search Tips
Navigating the Willamette Valley real estate market can be exciting and overwhelming, but a strategic approach to your home search can uncover the perfect property. Here are some expert tips to maximize your success while using WVMLS:
View the Listing Price as a Starting Point: A home’s listing price is an invitation to begin the conversation, not a fixed number. Market conditions, property condition, and seller motivation can all influence the final sale price. Work with your WVMLS broker to analyze comparable sales and craft offers that align with your budget and the home’s true value.
Explore Diverse Home Types: Don’t limit yourself to traditional single-family homes. The Willamette Valley offers a variety of options, such as condominiums, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), or even co-buying arrangements with family or friends. These alternatives can provide affordability, flexibility, or unique living arrangements that suit your lifestyle.
Keep Your Search Broad to Uncover Hidden Gems: While it’s tempting to narrow your search with specific criteria, overly restrictive filters might cause you to overlook properties with potential. Embrace the adage “less is more” when setting search parameters. For example, instead of filtering for exact square footage or a precise number of bedrooms, keep ranges broad to discover homes that might need minor updates but offer great value or character. Your WVMLS broker can help refine your search over time while ensuring you don’t miss out on unexpected opportunities.
By staying flexible and strategic, you’ll increase your chances of finding a home that meets your needs and fits your vision in the vibrant Willamette Valley market.
Takeaways: When home searching start broad so all the possibilities are visible to you.
Why Local Matters
When searching for a home in the Willamette Valley, choosing a local approach makes all the difference. National real estate portals, while convenient, often rely on secondhand data aggregated from multiple sources, which can lead to delays, inaccuracies, or incomplete listings. WVMLS is the primary source of real estate data for Marion, Polk, Linn, and Benton counties, delivering real-time, accurate, and comprehensive listing information directly to you. By accessing WVMLS data, you’re getting the most current and reliable information available, straight from the source.
Working with a local WVMLS member broker offers unmatched expertise. These professionals live and work in the Willamette Valley, giving them an intimate understanding that national platforms simply can’t match. This local insight ensures you make informed decisions tailored to your needs. Choosing local means choosing precision, expertise, and a personalized home-buying experience.
Takeaways: Local is everything in Real Estate.
Stats & Searching WVMLS.com
WVMLS is your gateway to accurate and up-to-date real estate listings in Marion, Polk, Linn, and Benton counties. Unlike national real estate platforms, which often rely on aggregated, secondhand data that can be delayed or incomplete, WVMLS provides information straight from the source. This direct connection ensures you’re seeing the freshest listings giving you a competitive edge in the fast-moving Willamette Valley market.
Ready to begin your home search? Visit WVMLS Property Search Page to explore the latest homes available, updated by the minute.
For a more tailored experience, connect with a WVMLS member broker who can provide personalized guidance and access to the full depth of the WVMLS database. Start your journey today and discover why WVMLS is the trusted choice for homebuyers in the Willamette Valley!
Ready to start your homebuying journey? Connect with a WVMLS broker today at https://members.wvmls.com/search.asp
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