What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy in Salem or Keizer?
A credit score in the 500s or low 600s doesn't mean you can't buy a home in Salem or Keizer. Your loan type and down payment path look different than someone with a higher score, but homeownership isn't off the table.
Where to Find U-Pick Apples and Berries Near Salem This October
September is apple season around Salem-Keizer. Here's where to find open u-pick orchards for apples and late-season berries, plus farm stands with fresh local produce. Call ahead before you go, as hours and availability shift weekly.
Cash Offer or List It? What Salem-Keizer Sellers Net This Fall
Comparing a cash offer to listing your Salem-Keizer home requires running the actual numbers on your specific property, not national averages. Learn what reduces your proceeds in both scenarios and how to calculate which path nets more for your situation this fall.
Earnest Money in Oregon: What It Is and When You Could Lose It
Earnest money is your good-faith deposit showing a seller you're serious about buying. It's held by a neutral third party and credited toward your down payment at closing, but you can lose it if you miss written notice deadlines or try to back out for reasons not covered by contingencies.
Bauman's Fall Festival 2026: Dates, Prices, and Real Family Tips
Bauman's Harvest Festival in Gervais opens September 19 through October 31, 2026, with weekday tickets at $20 (ages 3-25) and weekend tickets at $30. Admission includes the corn maze, hay rides, sunflower field, and rope maze.
Pre-Approved vs. Pre-Qualified: What Salem Buyers Need Before Touring
Pre-qualification is self-reported and unverified, while pre-approval is based on a lender's verified review of your income, assets, and credit.
Keizer vs. Salem: Which Is Actually Cheaper to Buy Into?
Comparing Keizer and Salem requires more than median prices. Learn how price per square foot, closing costs, and property taxes vary by specific neighborhood and taxing district, not just city lines.
Fixer-Upper or Move-In Ready in Salem-Keizer: True Costs
The lower-priced fixer-upper isn't always the cheaper option once you factor in Oregon's labor costs, renovation financing, and carrying costs during rehab. Learn how to run the actual numbers on two specific homes before writing an offer.
Your House Hasn't Sold Yet: Is That Normal in Salem-Keizer This Fall?
If your Salem or Keizer home has been on the market for two or three weeks without an offer, you're likely still within normal range for this season. The territory-wide median days on market sits at 58 days, and fall is seasonally slower everywhere.
Do Salem-Keizer Buyers Still Have to Pay a Buyer's Agent?
Salem-Keizer buyers don't automatically pay their agent's commission out of pocket. Oregon requires a written buyer representation agreement before touring homes, but most transactions still involve the seller covering some or all of buyer-agent compensation. Here's how the new rules actually work.
