Interested in moving to Portland Metro, North Oregon Coast, or Southwest Washington? Schedule a call with Alexandra Starrett (She/Her) on Calendly.

Follow @StarrettRealtyGroup on Instagram

Check out https://www.starrettrealtygroup.com/ for events, info, and more.

You’ve survived inspections, negotiated repairs, and now it’s time for the finish line: Closing Day. But what really happens between the inspection report and getting the keys? In this episode of Queer Keys: Unlocking Homeownership in Portland, REALTOR® Alexandra Starrett explains what goes on behind the scenes during the final stretch, from underwriting and final loan approval to reviewing your Closing Disclosure, wiring your funds safely, and signing a small mountain of paperwork.

You’ll learn what to expect from your title company, what title insurance actually covers, which IDs you need to bring, and how to avoid common last-minute hiccups. Alexandra even shares her own signing-day story where she kept forgetting her middle initial halfway through the stack, and why picking one signature and sticking with it really matters.

Whether you’re days away from your own closing or just starting to dream about homeownership, this episode pulls back the curtain on the final steps that turn an offer into ownership and explains why recording is the real finish line.

Interested in moving to Portland Metro, North Oregon Coast, or Southwest Washington? Schedule a call with Alexandra Starrett (She/Her) on ⁠Calendly⁠.

Follow ⁠@StarrettRealtyGroup⁠ on Instagram

Check out ⁠https://www.starrettrealtygroup.com/⁠ for events, info, and more.

Your offer has been accepted, and now it is time to make sure your dream home is as solid as it looks. In this episode, Alexandra walks you through what really happens during the inspection and appraisal process and how to stay calm, informed, and strategic along the way.

You will learn:
• What a standard home inspection includes (and what it does not)
• Why sewer scopes and radon tests are essential in the Pacific Northwest
• When to call in specialists such as structural engineers, roofers, or septic inspectors
• How to handle old heating oil tanks and the changing environmental rules
• The pros and cons of asking for repairs, credits, or price reductions
• What to expect from your appraisal and how to respond if it comes in low

By the end, you will know how to interpret the reports, prioritize what matters, and advocate for yourself with confidence.

🎧 Listen now and get one step closer to your keys.

Interested in moving to Portland Metro, North Oregon Coast, or Southwest Washington? Schedule a call with Alexandra Starrett (She/Her) on ⁠Calendly⁠.

Follow ⁠@StarrettRealtyGroup⁠ on Instagram

Check out ⁠https://www.starrettrealtygroup.com/⁠ for events, info, and more.

When it’s time to make an offer, the paperwork and terminology can feel like another language. In this episode, Alexandra Starrett (she/her) breaks down every part of the offer process in plain English: down payments, earnest-money deposits, contingencies, escrow, and timelines that actually make sense. Learn how appraisals work (and why FHA and VA loans come with extra rules), what to look for in HOA documents after Fannie Mae’s insurance changes, and how a buyer’s agent’s real value lies in education and negotiation.

You’ll also hear how the new rules around buyer-agent compensation really work, why “cash” doesn’t mean stacks of bills, and what strategies can strengthen your offer without overpaying. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or just trying to understand what happens between “I love this house” and “we’re under contract,” this episode will help you feel confident making your next move in Portland’s ever-shifting market.

🎧 Listen now to Queer Keys: Unlocking Homeownership in Portland — real talk, real estate, and real inclusion.

Interested in moving to Portland Metro, North Oregon Coast, or Southwest Washington? Schedule a call with Alexandra Starrett (She/Her) on ⁠Calendly⁠.

Follow ⁠@StarrettRealtyGroup⁠ on Instagram

Check out ⁠https://www.starrettrealtygroup.com/⁠ for events, info, and more.

You’ve gotten pre-approved, set your budget, and chosen your neighborhoods. Now it’s time for the fun part: touring homes. In this episode of Queer Keys: Unlocking Homeownership in Portland, REALTOR® Alexandra Starrett helps you look beyond listing photos and start evaluating homes like a professional.

You’ll learn how to spot red flags and hidden gems, what details to notice in person, and how to decide if a house truly fits your lifestyle. Alexandra shares practical examples from real showings, like checking outlet placement, lighting, countertop materials, and whether there’s room for guests or future accessibility needs. She also covers often-missed questions about parking, air conditioning, and maintenance costs that can affect how a home feels once you move in.

If you’re preparing for your first tour or want to sharpen your eye before making an offer, this episode will help you see homes with clarity and confidence.

Interested in moving to Portland Metro, North Oregon Coast, or Southwest Washington? Schedule a call with Alexandra Starrett (She/Her) on ⁠⁠Calendly⁠⁠.

Follow ⁠⁠@StarrettRealtyGroup⁠⁠ on Instagram

Check out ⁠⁠https://www.starrettrealtygroup.com/⁠⁠ for events, info, and more.

You’ve gotten pre-approved and your budget feels real; now the big question is, where should you actually buy? In this episode of Queer Keys: Unlocking Homeownership in Portland, Alexandra dives into the second step of the homebuying process—choosing the right neighborhood.

From property taxes and HOA fees to commute times and community vibes, you’ll learn how to balance the financial, logistical, and personal factors that make a neighborhood truly feel like home. Alexandra shares local insights on Multnomah versus Washington County taxes, how HOA dues can shift your monthly budget, and what it’s really like to live near a school or along the MAX line.

You’ll also hear personal stories and practical strategies for evaluating neighborhoods—whether that means mapping your weekly routines, considering emergency response times, or reflecting on where you’ll feel a sense of belonging. Because in the end, the right neighborhood isn’t just about where you live; it’s about how you live.

Interested in moving to Portland Metro, North Oregon Coast, or Southwest Washington? Schedule a call with Alexandra Starrett (She/Her) on ⁠⁠Calendly⁠⁠.

Follow ⁠⁠@StarrettRealtyGroup⁠⁠ on Instagram

Check out ⁠⁠https://www.starrettrealtygroup.com/⁠⁠ for events, info, and more.

Money talk can feel intimidating, especially when it comes to buying a home. In this episode of Queer Keys: Unlocking Homeownership in Portland, REALTOR® Alexandra Starrett explains how to get pre-approved for a mortgage without all the stress.

You’ll learn what pre-approval really means, what documents lenders need, and why this step gives you the strongest foundation for your home search. Alexandra shares how to find an inclusive lender who listens, what affects your buying power, and how to prepare your finances before you ever tour a home.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or just exploring your options, this episode helps you understand your numbers, gain confidence in your budget, and take that first big step toward homeownership.

Interested in moving to Portland Metro, North Oregon Coast, or Southwest Washington? Schedule a call with Alexandra Starrett (She/Her) on ⁠⁠⁠Calendly⁠⁠⁠.

Follow ⁠⁠⁠@StarrettRealtyGroup⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram

Check out ⁠⁠⁠https://www.starrettrealtygroup.com/⁠⁠⁠ for events, info, and more.

Welcome to Queer Keys: Unlocking Homeownership in Portland.
My name is Alexandra Starrett (She/Her). Buying a home is one of the biggest milestones in life, but it can also feel confusing, intimidating, and for some of us, unwelcoming. In fact, studies show that 46 percent of LGBTQ plus renters fear discrimination in the homebuying process.

I created this podcast to change that narrative. My mission is to make homeownership clear, approachable, and inclusive for everyone, especially LGBTQ+ and disabled buyers, first-time buyers, and anyone who wants to feel seen, supported, and respected while they navigate the process.