All Things PNW Real Estate

This episode dives deep into the world of stilt homes with expert guest Nathan Austin — a Works Real Estate agent and former structural engineer with two decades of experience designing these exact structures.

We cover everything buyers and sellers should know:

🏔️ Why stilt homes are common in Portland’s hills
🔧 How they’re actually engineered and supported
📍 The neighborhoods where you’ll find them
🛠️ What inspections, maintenance, and repairs really look like
📉 How they perform in today’s market
🏡 Why a well-built stilt home can be safer than traditional foundations on the same slope
📝 What most people — including insurance companies — misunderstand about them

Nathan also shares insider stories, including how his engineering background helped one seller outperform the entire niche market and avoid the pitfalls that make many stilt-home transactions fall apart.

If you’ve ever driven past a hillside home and wondered, “How is that thing standing?” — this episode is for you.

Guest: Nathan Austin
Website: nathanaustinre.com
Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn: @nathanaustinre

Jamal and Adam announce their upcoming food drive, locations are still be determined, and provide a quick market update for the Real Estate market in the Pacific Northwest Region.

In this episode of All Things PNW, hosts Jamal Abdoul and Adam Ruben sit down with Jon Hilley—better known as Mr. 1031, founder of 1031 Specialists, one of the top qualified intermediary firms in the country. Jon breaks down the power of 1031 exchanges, why so many investors overlook them, and how deferring capital gains can unlock massive long-term wealth.

We discuss misconceptions around the process, what “boot” really means, how to avoid red flags when choosing a QI, and how his firm is leveraging technology—including a 1031-specific AI—to deliver a better client experience.

If you’re a real estate investor or planning to become one, this conversation will show you why a 1031 exchange can be one of the most valuable tools in your playbook.

In this episode of All Things PNW, host Jamal Abdoul and co-host Jamal Abdoul is joined by Tina Colson-Jones, a 1031 exchange expert at Equity Advantage. Tina shares her extensive knowledge about 1031 exchanges, explaining how this IRS tax strategy allows investors to defer capital gains taxes by exchanging one like-kind investment property for another. She dives into the details of how this works, the types of properties that qualify for 1031 exchanges, and the benefits it can provide to investors looking to grow their portfolios.

Tina also discusses the importance of consulting with the right qualified intermediary (QI) and tax professionals, especially when navigating the complexities of the process. She elaborates on the deadlines involved in a 1031 exchange, such as the 45-day identification period and the 180-day closing window, and explains key terms like "boot" and "tax deferral."

Listeners will gain insights into the mistakes investors commonly make with 1031 exchanges and how to avoid them. Tina emphasizes the importance of a strategic, long-term approach to wealth building with 1031 exchanges, and offers valuable tips for investors, including how to make the most of the strategy while planning for the future.

In this episode learn how the professional home restoration companies handle water and fire damage, what to look for in your home, prevent, or prepare for any such event.

Episode Summary: In this episode, we sit down with a seasoned builder Jeff Shrope from Renaissance Homes to peel back the layers of what really goes into building a home that’s both beautiful and intelligently designed. From lot selection to blueprint customization, we explore how Renaissance strategically selects land, adapts floor plans to fit unique lot constraints, and balances architectural design with zoning and neighborhood aesthetics.

We dive deep into the build journey—unpacking what buyers can expect at each phase, where the real flexibility lies, and how the company helps clients navigate decisions from layout to finishes. We also touch on sustainability trends, evolving buyer preferences, and how the current economic climate is shaping construction strategy.

Whether you're a real estate professional, future homeowner, or just curious about what goes into building a custom home, this episode offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how top-tier builders operate with both precision and creativity.

🎧 Key Topics Covered:

• How lots are chosen and paired with the right floor plans

• Customization: what’s possible and where the boundaries are

• Adapting home design to zoning, neighborhoods, and lot quirks

• The complete journey: from dirt to dream home

• How Renaissance handles unique or challenging lots

• Emerging trends in construction, design, and buyer behavior

• Lessons learned from the field—and advice for first-time builders

In this episode of All Things PNW, Jamal Abdoul and Adam Ruben dive into the ins and outs of buying a condo versus a single-family home.

They explain the key differences in ownership, lending requirements, and insurance considerations, particularly focusing on warrantable vs. non-warrantable condos. The hosts discuss why buyers might choose condos—highlighting affordability, location, and low-maintenance lifestyle—as well as potential downsides like HOA fees and special assessments.

Ruby and Jamal also share personal experiences, tips on reviewing HOA documents, and what types of buyers typically gravitate toward condos.

They wrap up by weighing whether condos are a good investment and what factors drive competition in the condo market.

🎙️ Episode Overview

Hosts Jamal Abdoul and Adam Ruben return after a break to discuss:

• A PNW real estate and mortgage market update

• Homebuyer resources

• Behind-the-scenes insights into being a real estate agent and lender

• Business strategies and brokerage transitions

• Rates are up again after a brief drop—affected by geopolitical events and investor moves from stocks to bonds, then to gold.

• Mortgage News Daily is a recommended site to track rate trends (not a personal quote source).

• Reminder: Your personal rate depends on credit, down payment, and other factors—always consult your lender.

• Ruby recently switched brokerages to a more marketing-forward and hands-on team.

• Seeing an uptick in buyer activity, especially in the $400–$500K range.

• Bidding wars are happening again—if you see a home you love, act fast.

• Spring season is expected to bring more listings and energy to the market.

• Ruby’s new team emphasizes accountability and attention to detail, with support but personal ownership.

• Jamal shares how running his business solo (no team/assistant) has improved client communication and control of the process.

• Both agree that the client experience and communication are crucial, especially during contracts and document handling.

• Determine what you value most: leads, marketing help, training, flexibility, or admin support.

• Ruby sought marketing resources to reach her sphere more effectively.

• Jamal notes the benefits of staying hands-on, especially for strong communication and customer satisfaction.

📉 Mortgage Market Update (Jamal)🏡 Real Estate Market Update (Ruby)💼 Agent & Lender Insights💡 Advice for Agents Switching Brokerages

Hosts Jamal Abdoul and Adam Ruben return from a hiatus for a spring market update, sponsored by Alpha Environmental. They discuss the state of the housing market and offer strategies for buyers navigating a competitive landscape.

• Market Update:

  • Buyer activity has surged in early 2025, especially in the first-time homebuyer range.
  • Many properties are receiving multiple offers (10–12 in some cases).
  • Interest rates have slightly decreased, boosting refinancing and buyer interest.
  • Rates fluctuate based on economic indicators, such as stock market performance.

• Winning Offer Strategies:

  • Rent-Back Agreements: Buyers offering sellers additional time to move after closing can make their offers more appealing.
  • Pre-Underwriting: Having a lender pre-underwrite the loan (instead of just pre-approving) can provide a competitive edge by ensuring a smoother and faster closing process.
  • Lender Involvement: A lender personally reaching out to the listing agent—via a call or video message—can reassure sellers about a buyer’s financial strength.

In this solo episode ofAll Things PNW Real Estate, we cover major changes in the mortgage industry and financial regulation. With the recent restructuring of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), including the dismissal of Director Rohit Chopra and the halt of CFPB activities, we discuss the potential impact on lending practices and regulatory oversight. We also dive into the latest mortgage market trends, including a modest rise in mortgage applications, seasonal fluctuations, and the increase in refinance activity despite high interest rates. Tune in for a quick but informative update on what’s happening in the financial and mortgage world.