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Hi, I’m Josh Nusbaum, licensed real estate broker with Living Room Realty. Here to tell you what you need to know about the Portland Market for Mid October, 2024.
It’s a big week, friends – Halloween is just round the corner, we are eyeballs deep in full blow pumpkin spice season, and here in Oregon, ballots are hitting mailboxes this week, as in just 19-ish days (depending on when you’re watching this) we’ll be having local and federal elections.
It’s common to hear people talk about market uncertainty before an election. However, if we look at the data, we can see historical market trends that suggest the next few weeks might actually be a great time for real estate, especially if you’re a buyer.
A typical misconception is that elections cause the market to slow down. But data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the National Association of Realtors shows that home sales tend to increase following a presidential election. This has been the case after 9 of the last 11 elections. The only exceptions were in 1980 and 1988.
Nationally, home prices have risen after 7 of the last 8 elections. While this may be promising for sellers next year, it suggests that now is an ideal time to buy—before prices rise. Locally, prices are slightly lower compared to this time last year as well as last month, following the typical seasonal trend where prices dip in the fall.
Additionally, interest rates have decreased before 8 of the last 11 elections, and this election season is no exception. Even if you’re hoping for a return to the 3% lows of 2020, today’s rates in the mid-6% range are still historically low. Some of you might remember when rates were 14% in 1984, or even 8% in 2000?
So what does all this mean? It means elections don’t tend to create instability or lags in real estate markets. It means that the upward trend in post-election home sales could mean more competition for buyers in December and into the new year. So, with inventory in Portland up compared to last month, historically low rates, seasonally low prices, and expectations for prices to rise post-election, now could be a great time to buy.
At Living Room Realty, we’re committed to providing the information you need to make informed decisions. If you’re ready to make a move, give us a call today. We’d love to help you find your next Living Room.
Hi, I’m Coty Thurman, Principal Broker and Vice President of Living Room Property Management here to tell you what you need to know about the Portland rental market for early October 2024.
Oregon’s 2025 rent increase cap is out, and it’s holding steady at 10% (9.9% in Portland). No big surprises here—it’s the same as last year. It may not seem exciting, but in a market where things can change quickly, a little predictability is welcome for both landlords and tenants. Keeping things status quo isn’t the worst news.
Now, onto the bigger picture. According to the 2024 ‘Baselane’ Real Estate Investor Survey, investors are optimistic but cautious. Vacancy concerns? Down. Over 52% of investors are less worried about vacancies because rental demand is still strong. The real headache? Home prices and financing. According to the National Association of Realtors, home prices jumped 4.2% year-over-year…a term coined “equity” for those playing the game and “impossible” for those who have not entered the housing market.
This brings us to a key difference in the market: large institutional investors vs. mom-and-pop landlords.
The big guys—those institutional investors—are still excited, snatching up nearly 19% of U.S. homes sold in Q1 of this year. They’ve got the resources to ride out the challenges and turn a profit.
But let’s talk about the mom-and-pop owners—the ones we work with at Living Room. These folks make up a lot of the single-family inventory. Many are holding onto their golden 3% interest rates, but they’re being hit hard by rising costs of insurance, taxes, and maintenance. Regulations make it tough for them to sell or even move back into their own homes when a tenant’s lease is up.
Honestly, I get it—this $**t is tough, but for those who can hold on, there’s still a lot of potential for long-term equity growth and the single-family tenant market is not going away.
On the renter side, the number one question I hear is: “How hard is it to find a home right now?” If you’re looking for a 2-3 bedroom single-family home with a yard under $3K, buckle up. Even homes on busy streets are going fast with multiple applications. But if you’re open to an apartment or privately-owned condo, you’re in luck. Inventory is solid, and there are some great concessions out there.
It reminds me of the early 2000s when we were giving away two months of free rent and our fingers were in knots after putting another epic balloon bouquet on the street corner luring people in for an apartment tour.
To wrap things up: whether you’re an investor or a mom-and-pop owner, now’s the time to evaluate your strategy. Being a landlord in today’s market isn’t for everyone, but for those who stick it out, there’s plenty of opportunity.
If you need help navigating these choppy waters, Living Room Property Management is here to help smooth out the seas, call us today.
Hi, I’m Kyle Gordon, professional Broker and amateur drummer with Living Room Realty here to tell you what you need to know about the market for mid September 2024.
In the Portland-metro market, we currently have 3 Months Supply of Inventory, meaning that based on the current rate of sales, it would take 3 months to sell all the homes on the market.
This is an increase from July’s 2.8 months of supply. Historically, it’s normal to see an increase in this metric as we exit summer and enter fall, but it’s noteworthy that we have seen an increase in supply when compared to this time last year.
Digging into this further, new listings have decreased 8.1% compared to last month, and decreased 8.7% compared to August of last year. This downward trend also continues when looking at closed sales numbers – currently down 5.7% from last month and 9.2% from last year.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom for sellers – both average and median home sale values are up compared to August of last year – 2.1 and 3.5% respectively.
The number of homes hitting the market in August were down year-over-year, the number of homes sold were also down, and existing homes on the market are sticking around a little longer.
However, when we compare the first eight months of 2024 to the same period in 2023, new listings have actually increased 1.4%, while both pending and closed sales decreased slightly.
So for buyers, this means you likely have more choices. Both in homes to consider and in how you choose to structure your offers.
For sellers, this means you’ll want to consider taking extra steps to prepare your home ahead of listing so that it stands out to home shoppers in this slightly more balanced market.
Adding to this, many signs are pointing to a mortgage rate decrease in the months ahead, so it’ll be interesting to see if we have a typical, slightly sleepy fall, or if we see a rush of buyers entering the market due to the increased affordability of loans.
My prediction is that we’ll see more buyers enter the market, but not a noticeable change in listing inventory, resulting in more competition amongst buyers.
So if you’re on the fence on whether you should jump into the home-buying pool now or later, it may benefit you to go ahead and start taking steps now, as it will take some time to get your ducks in a row.
For all you potential sellers out there, similarly keep in mind that preparing your home to list takes time – sometimes as much as a few months depending on your to-do list. Start a conversation with a trusted broker early in your process and get expert advice on where your time and money will be best spent.
If you’re ready to make a move, call us today, we would love to help you find your next Living Room.
Hi, I’m Julia Robertson, Living Room Realty’s new Designated Managing Broker in Washington. I’m here to tell you what you need to know about the market for Early August 2024.
Over the last decade I’ve personally witnessed Vancouver, Camas, and Ridgefield blossom. The area has a rich history and the overall vibe is clean and safe. The cost of housing and utilities in Vancouver are below the national average, 11% lower than the state average. When we compare Vancouver to Portland, housing is 39% lower and the cost of living is 16.5% lower. Of course you have your outliers: luxury, lakeside living, and riverfront communities- but overall your dollar is stretching further here.
Did you know that Vancouver is an extension of Portland Metro? The two locations live differently, but at the same time, living near the Columbia River gives you the best of both worlds.
Living in Washington has its luxuries, such as lower property taxes, no state income tax, larger parcels of land, affordability, accessibility to outdoor recreation, the ability to shop with no sales tax, and easy access to the Portland international airport. It’s what makes living in SW Washington unique!
Vancouver itself offers a more suburban feel compared to the bustling city atmosphere of Portland. This might be appealing if you prefer a quieter, more community-focused environment. The downtown Vancouver area has a mix of historic architecture and modern developments, a vibrant public art scene, which is experiencing growth and revitalization with new businesses, restaurants, community events and farmers’ markets. Camas is another suburb with a strong sense of community and is known for its highly regarded public school system. Camas and Wahougal are the gateway to the Columbia river gorge.
If there’s one thing home owners love to hear, it’s how much equity their home has earned from the previous year, so let’s talk about the market in Clark County. When we say Clark County and the greater Vancouver area, we’re talking about areas such as Camas, Washougal, Ridgefield, Battle Ground, Vancouver and everything in between.
In a report given on August 5th by the NorthwestMLS, Clark County Washington home prices have gone up 4.58%, since this time last year. Available listings are up 37.7% and closings are up 12.12%. Active listing inventory is at the highest it has been in the last 5 years. With this much inventory, homes are still selling fast, and at Living Room our most recent listings in these areas have an offer within the first 2 weeks of being on the market. 1-2 offers are coming in at listed price or just below. This is a good market for both Sellers and Buyers!
Living Room Realty is committed to connecting you with as much information to help you make an informed decision. We have dual licensed Brokers that can help you explore both sides of the river > If you’re ready to make a move to the Couve, give us a call today, we’d love to help you find your next Living Room.
Hi I’m Erin Middleton licensed real estate broker with Living Room Realty here to tell you what you need to know about the Portland Market for mid July 2024.
Inventory continues to rise in general… following trends from previous years that sees inventory rise from January through Summer. However we didn’t see the Spring dip we’ve seen in years prior and have continued to stay high in the mid-2s, meaning we have about 2 and a half months of inventory, likely as a result of high interest rates that don’t seem to be going anywhere and Sellers who have unrealistic expectations for the home’s sale price. More on that in a minute.
Activity across the board is down. New Listings, Pending Sales, and Closed Sales in June have all decreased year-over-year as well as month-over-month. This coupled with the higher inventory and high interest rates means we have a very different market than we’ve had in years prior. But as one smart colleague said earlier this year, it’s a tale of two markets. Thanks Kim Parmon!
While high interest rates are “the captain” of this year’s real estate market, Buyers that can afford the payments are still driving multiple offer situations on well-priced, good-looking, and well-located listings.
But on the flip side, unrealistic Sellers who have been sold tales of “everything sells” or “we can start high and come down later in price” are seeing their not-so-desirable listings sit – thus pushing up inventory as new listings come to market.
But even though inventory is up and interest rates hover around 7%, prices are still on the rise!! Comparing 2024 to 2023 through June, the average Sales Price increased 2% from $595,000 to $607,000. And the median price is up 2.3% from $530,000to $542,000. These numbers position us just shy of the market peak reached in May and June of 2022
So, here are my tips for Buyers & Sellers in this HOT Summer market:
Buyers – look at the outliers. What’s sitting? What’s been picked over and provides you with an opportunity for a deal? Go get it!
And Sellers – in order to not be one of the aforementioned “sitting not selling” listings, make your house look its best, price it well, and it will sell.
I hope this information has been helpful. If you’re ready to make a move, call us today. We’d love to help you find your next Living Room.
Hi, I’m Jessica Ward, licensed real estate agent in Oregon and Washington with Living Room Realty, here to tell you what you need to know about the market for mid-June 2024.
With summer fast approaching, kids enjoying their break from school, and temperatures on the rise, it’s the perfect time to explore the latest trends and changes in the housing market. Let’s dive into what’s happening in the real estate market this season.
As of this week, the median list price in Portland sits at $695,000, which is pretty spot on with this time last year which was $699.000.
The market action index, which we use as a snapshot of supply, demand, and overall market competitiveness currently indicates a balanced market at 49. This figure closely mirrors last year’s market action index of 55, showing that the market is becoming MORE balanced for both buyers AND sellers.
In the last few weeks the market has achieved a relative stasis point in terms of sales to inventory. However, inventory is low enough to keep us in the Seller’s Market zone so watch for changes in the MAI. If the market heats up, prices are likely to resume an upward climb.
If you have been waiting for rates to fall, here’s what you need to know… the feds latest forecast, which came out this week, is for one rate cut before the end of the year. Which is down from a previous forecast of three. Inflation, despite having cooled in the past two months, remains persistently elevated. The officials’ rate-cut forecast reflects the individual estimates of 19 policymakers. The Fed said eight of the officials projected two rate cuts. Seven projected one cut. Four of the policymakers envisioned no cuts at all this year. So it will be interesting to see where we actually land by the end of 2024.
Living Room Realty is committed to connecting you with as much information to help you make an informed decision. If you’re ready to make a move, give us a call today. We’d love to help YOU find your next Living Room.
Hi, I’m Jessica LeDoux, Broker with Living Room Realty, here to tell you what you need to know about the market for late May 2024.
The Portland Metro area continues to be a strong seller’s market with low inventory and an increasing number of buyers entering the market. Rates still hanging out around 7% has been frustrating for just about everyone, sellers and buyers both.
Given months and months of low inventory and high interest rates, a lot of buyers are asking the question; “Is this the right time to buy?” For nearly twenty years, I’ve been working with buyers to navigate this and many other right / wrong questions like it. Where we tend to find clarity that helps them make stable, secure decisions is in asking more personally tailored questions.
Many buyers now see that waiting is no longer their best path. But without a good process & an understanding of the greater market, this can just feel like more pressure.
Rather than “Is it a good time to buy?”, we might ask; “Given recent trends and sales data, can we afford a home that provides some of our highest priorities?” Rather than “Is the market going to go up… or go down?” we might ask; “What’s the type of home that meets our needs so well, now and later, that we have a choice when considering selling or staying? Could we ride an up or down trend in our new neighborhood home?” These questions frame our whole searching and negotiating process in empowerment.
Simply put, the right time to buy is when you are ready, despite what the market is currently doing. Let me share a bit about my entry into homeownership. In 1997, I bought my first house, and my dad thought we were crazy because home prices had soared. My husband’s friends had bought their first home only a couple of years before us for half the price for a similar home.
Despite my dad’s concerns and the news headlines saying the bubble was going to burst, we bought a wonderful home that established a financial foundation for my family. We sold that home five years later at a profit. Since then, we have bought and sold in vastly different markets, with one consistent focus: ‘to buy years.’
And sure, it would have been amazing to have bought it a couple of years earlier, but we couldn’t. My 21-year-old self didn’t understand this need to know what the market would do in the future. It seemed like a crazy expectation, so I instinctively focused on what I felt was a better question: ‘Where is the best house I can afford?’ Because we knew we wanted to be homeowners, and now was when we were ready.
You may be asking yourself, ‘What does buying years mean?’ The key is to focus on what matters to you when picking a home and, from there, balance your personal needs with your budget. It’s about focusing on the unchangeable aspects of the home and learning where to make concessions safely. This approach helps protect your investment because the longer you stay in your home, the more secure your investment becomes. If you can control the timing of your sale, versus having to move, you can safely watch the ups and downs that occur in every market and economy from your living room window.
The Portland market is dynamic, and having an experienced agent by your side to help you find your ‘right time’ and advocate for you is how you set yourself on the right path for your personal real estate journey.
If you’re ready to make a move, call us today. We would love to help you find your next Living Room.
What we discuss:
Multiple offer situations returning to the market.
Seller motivation returning to the Portland Real Estate Market.
New predictions for interest rates.
Listings are UP UP UP!!!
We are finally seeing a huge increase in listings to the market with 2,425 homes hitting the market last month, a 16% bump.
While high rates have maintained, buyer demand has been strong over the last month or so (and seem to only be increasing) and sellers are finally following suit.
Pending sales increased by 22% with 2,138 homes going under contract.
And sold homes saw an increase of 23% with 1,578 homes going to new homeowners.
Inventory went DOWN to 2.3 months which shows that even with the big boost of new listings buyer demand is so intense that the inventory is being quickly absorbed.
While we are finally seeing this new activity show in the data I will say that the new bump in activity has increased even more in the last two weeks.
At certain price points clients are seeing a huge jump in the amount of homes available to them.
BUT we are also seeing a major increase in buyer competition.
I helped one client write an offer on a home last weekend that got 15 offers and went for almost $200k over the asking price.
This was the coolest house in the hottest neighborhood but shows that we are re-entering a true hot seller’s market.
On new homes to the market that are getting a lot of activity, you can expect that they will likely sell for $50k+ over asking at this point.
But as a homebuyer don’t let this worry you too much.
This is where strategy will come into play for us.
If you want the cool home in the hot area we will just want to make sure that we are shopping well below your top budget so we have room to offer up.
And if you don’t want to deal with bidding wars we can view the great homes that are still sitting on the market from the last market and or we can view homes in the areas that are still amazing, but don’t have hoards of buyers circling them.
Also, we can talk about which homes draw a lot of attention and which ones don’t. People tend to be really drawn to homes with extra living spaces, fresh upgrades, character homes, etc. So if you are also attracted to those style of homes be ready to compete. We can also talk about how you can add those things into a home later so you don’t have to deal with that competition and can be the one to gain the equity from those upgrades.
In terms of interest rate predictions, unfortunately I don’t have the best news here. It is no longer predicted that we will see rates lower 2-3 times this year as originally predicted. Now it is said that we should only see 1-2 rate drops and that they won’t happen until late in the year.
For home sellers, this is your market. If you have been on the sidelines waiting to sell your home, now is your best chance to enter the market.
As mentioned above, buyers are out shopping and they are ready to buy.
Not every home is selling for over asking, in the first weekend, but the ones that are priced right, marketed well (things I help you with), and prepped properly, are.
If you want your house to sell with multiple offers, well over asking, with strong terms, and for it to sell quickly, listing your home in the next few months may give you the highest chance of that.
Whether buying or selling, or both, strategy and education are going to be huge in order to be successful in this new market. But luckily I am here to help you with it all.
If you want to talk about your options and your future move I am here for you. You can find my contact information below.
Hi I’m Jacob Weigel with Living Room Realty. I’m here to tell you what you need to know about the market for Mid April 2024.
Anyone who’s familiar with the 12 seasons of Oregon (or allergies) knows that we are currently in the Pollening. And with all the itchy eyes & blooming flowers and trees comes the spring market, which is heating up – but there is a tale of two listings within this data. Pending sales are up 2.8% month over month, but this doesn’t tell the full story.
Let me tell you about what I refer to as “depressed inventory.” New listings are up 16.3%, new pendings are up 22.7%, and closed sales are up 22.9%. HOWEVER, total market time went up? Are days on market and a rise in pending transactions mutually exclusive data points? Nope – they are not.
Listings within living room realty are currently seeing an average of 3.5-4.5 offers per week, and averaging $20-$30 thousand over asking.
While more inventory is coming on the market, a ton of listings that have been sitting for many weeks. This market is a price war and a beauty contest. If you are an active seller in this market, you need to make sure your asset looks good and shows VALUE.
Last week the fed signaled that our current interest rate market is here to stay longer than investors previously thought. While the buying demand continues to stay strong, buyers are less and less willing to take on repairs without seller concessions. If you are a home seller – listing prep is EVERYTHING.
Reach out to a professional like myself to consult around what the highest value adds are that can be done prior to going on the market. It’s never too early to be thinking about this. I have many clients who have consulted with me on design elements for up to one year prior to their desired launch date to market
Any of these additions to your property should be giving you greater than a dollar for dollar return. This is exactly what a good agent can help build a plan around.
Living Room Realty is committed to connecting you with as much information to help you make an informed decision. If you’re ready to make a move, give us a call today. We’d love to help you find your next Living Room.
Hi, I’m Gabrielle Enfield, Real Estate Magician at Working Magic Group and Oregon Broker for Living Room Realty, here to give you the scoop as we enter peak real estate season here in Portland, Oregon.
Headlines may make you think there’s commotion happening in the real estate world. In short, the National Association of Realtors is facing a Department of Justice settlement tied to buyer agent fees and how they’re communicated, as well as the agreements that need to be in place before a buyer can tour a home for sale with a licensed agent.
While it may sound like a shakeup, it’s really just putting a bold underline on what we – as licensed agents in the Northwest – have been doing all along, especially here at Living Room Realty.
It’s tied to client advocacy and what’s in their best interests, while clearly communicating the value we, as Realtor Fiduciaries, have in one of life’s biggest decision making moments. Right now, we are in a wait and see period, with regulatory changes expected in July. If you have questions or want to discuss your options and what this means for you, please reach out, we are here to help.
Now, onto the really juicy stuff – what’s happening in our local real estate market?
At this week’s Living Room team meeting, our agents put gobs of homes under contract, representing mostly buyers. So if you were wondering if now’s the right time to hit the touring circuit – the answer’s a big old yes! Really, anytime you’re ready to enter the real estate market is a good time, it all just comes down to the strategic levers you and your agent can pull.
Here’s the deal…. if you run the numbers on a home that you could see yourself in for the next few years, and you can afford it now, you should probably make a play for it. Rates are expected to head below six percent sometime in the future. The minute they do, buyers are going to rush forward and create a very competitive landscape. This will likely push pricing further upward and in some cases further out of reach. You being the smarty pants you are, you’ll have the option to refinance on your rad house down the line.
Right now, at Living Room, homes under contract averaged 2 offers, and went for roughly $15,000 over asking with an average pending price is $702,000 dollars
Across Portland Metro, the market action index is hovering around 47, still tipping in favor of sellers. Median days on market is 42. The median listing price for new listings is $675k – that’s about 40 grand more than this time last year.
No matter the political or economic climate, real estate operates on a somewhat predictable cycle. If you’re thinking about selling, NOW is the time for action. It’s important to have your house on the market before the first week in July. After that, we Oregonians goof off and want to be settled before fall routines kick in.
An advocate like me will help you identify your punch-list to get your house ready for its close up. You’d be amazed what changing the front door color does for a place – my favorite is saffron yellow. 3 cheers for color!
Real estate is a lot, and takes practice, precision and market intelligence. If you’re feeling like you’re ready to make a move , call us today! We’d love to help you find your next Living Room.
Hi I’m LeAnn Raschke, a licensed OR & WA broker at Living Room Realty, here to tell you what you need to know about the market for late March 2024.
With the re-emergence of the sun, the first day of Spring, and the cherry blossoms afoot, it’s hard not to notice Portlanders have a bit more pep in their step! Welcome to the spring real estate season, where the chill of winter thaws, and a new cycle of opportunity begins!
For Sellers, Spring is typically the ideal time to list your home. With longer days, warmer temperatures and gardens blooming, properties tend to show better, attracting more potential buyers.
With that, over the last 2.5 months, we’ve seen new listings slowly make their way to market. There has been an average of 72 new listings per week across the entire Portland Metro Market since the beginning of 2024.
So, just as the Spring brings warmer weather, it also brings competition.
Buyers have now adjusted to the 6.5 – 7% interest rates, and they are awakening from their winter hibernation.
In our office, which holds the number one market share in Portland, we’re seeing multiple offers on new listings that are priced well and move-in ready.
Many lending experts are predicting that we won’t see rates fall much further through the end of the summer.
In this ramp up to a busy season, it’s crucial for buyers to act fast and for sellers to price their homes strategically.
Buyers, in this market, now more than ever, it is crucial to have a knowledgeable buyers agent on your team. We will help you navigate this wild time by providing up-to-date information on new market listings, getting you to the negotiating table with strategically strong offers and guiding you gently through to closing.
If the buzz of competition isn’t for you, this is a great time to schedule a strategy session with your agent to examine your home buying goals so you’re in a better position when you are ready to take flight.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply dreaming about your next move, give us a call today. We’d love to help you find your next Living Room.
Hi, I’m Coty Thurman, licensed Oregon Broker and President of Living Room Property Management. I’m here to tell you what you need to know about Portland’s rental market for March 2024.
If you’ve been keeping an eye on Portland Rentals, you’ve probably noticed quite the rollercoaster ride lately. Much like the real estate sales market, Portland’s rental scene is a tale of two cities. Some homes fly off the shelves within days, while others take weeks to get scooped up. Properties boasting yards, walkability, and pet-friendly policies continue to steal the show, but only if they’re priced just right.
In the latter half of 2023, the rental market served up a buffet of options for renters on the hunt. Homes lounged on the market for 3-5 months- until the January frenzy hit. Even the great ice storm of 2024 couldn’t chill the enthusiasm, with Living Room welcoming in 2 and a half times more renters than we did in January of 2023.
We were not alone. ShowMojo, our trusty tool for scheduling rental tours, reveals that nationally, home rentals sat on the market for 43 days, that’s the longest streak in over 6 years.
During this slow time, single-family landlords borrowed a page from the apartment diaries and began offering concessions and reduced rates to make these vacant rentals more attractive to the few renters who were out searching.
At Living Room Property Management, we saw rents drop by an average of 7%, mirroring national trends which were led by Idaho, Washington and Oregon metro markets. This time around, it’s not new laws driving the market shift, but good old-fashioned supply and demand. Folks were simply not moving.
Was it a glitch in the system or an extended case of seasonal lulls? Our crystal ball tells us the rental market is beginning to bounce back. By February 2024, inventory was already moving much faster. 22 days faster as a matter of fact and with this increase in speed rent prices are stabilizing.
The pressure to lower rents is easing up as more mom & pop investors cash out and single-family rental inventory dwindles.
With multifamily construction slowing down, and population GROWTH predicted for the first time in two years, the forecast hints at a return to the upward trend in rental prices.
For existing homeowners who have been looking to move, this is an incredible opportunity to leverage the low interest rate of your existing starter home to make monthly cash flow and climb the property ladder to your next home.
Give the Living Room Property Management team a call for A rental assessment and let us help turn your starter digs into a savvy investment.
By renting your home rather than selling it, you help create more rental inventory, which in turn helps balance the market. And a balanced market benefits everyone—landlords and tenants alike!
If you’re ready to make a move, call us today, we’d love to help you find your next living room.
Howdy, I’m Steve Brian, broker at Living Room Realty. Today I’m taking a deep dive into the age-old question: Should I continue renting, or should I buy my own home?
Well, it’s a nuanced conversation that doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. So I’m gonna take you on the adventure of looking at all the math with you. Oh don’t worry, I’ve got my trusty TI- 84 here to help us crunch these numbers. Let’s do this!
For this case study, we’re going to use the average sale price of a 2 bedroom 1 bath house in Multnomah County in December of 2023, which was roughly $430,000 at the time I ran these numbers. I’m also gonna put taxes at $4,000 a year and insurance at $1,200 a year.
Using these numbers as our “control”, let’s really take a look at what the actual costs of buying and owning a home are. There are three main costs I’m going to break down: The actual cost of purchasing the home; the cost of the mortgage; and the cost of maintenance.
First, you’ve got the down payment, which can range anywhere from 3-20% (or more) but for this case study, we’re gonna go with 5% down or roughly $21,500. Next, you’ve got the inspection fees, which are gonna be around $1000.
Then there are the closing costs and prepaids: things like lender fees, prepaid taxes, title and escrow fees, etc. For this specific price range, these are probably going to be somewhere in the $10,000 range.
Just a quick side note: Agents used to say things like, “As your buyer agent, I don’t actually cost you anything and, since my commission is coming out of the sale from the listing agent, I’m basically free.” While that’s sort of true, I’ve always felt that it’s a bit misleading, as you are, in fact, paying a slightly higher price in order to have representation. However, that buyer’s agent commission is not actually a hard cost that comes out of your own pocket, it comes out of the total cost of purchasing the home. All in all, that commission would be around $10,750 – but for this scenario, we’re not going to include it in the cost of purchasing the home, since it’s not a hard cost.
Now, I could have an entirely separate video on what a buyer’s agent brings to the table but, for this example, let’s say that we both agree that you should definitely have a buyer’s agent in your corner (wink -ding sound, hold for a beat).
Okay, moving on.
So to review we’ve got…
That brings us to…
Now this one is a little easier than the actual purchase of the home. You’ve essentially got the principal balance and the interest you pay on that principal balance along with the taxes and the homeowner insurance.
So with our theoretical home purchase being $430,000 at a 7.5% interest rate (which is almost an entire point higher than current rates as of the time of this recording) your all in monthly mortgage payment is going to come in at roughly $3,450
Which brings us to…..
In general, you should plan to spend 1% of the sale price of your home every year to maintain the home. For our example here that would be $4,300 but for the sake of ease let’s just round that out to 5K even.
Summarizing all three of these costs:
Now setting aside all the avocado on the floor moments and memories you make in this home, which are the emotional reasons for buying a home, there’s also the financial gains you make in home ownership. To calculate this, I did some historical comparisons and it’s safe to say that, over time, through the ups and downs, the housing market conservatively appreciates at about a 5% increase year over year.
This means that at the end of 5 years, the home you paid $430,000 for is now worth $550,000, leaving you with $120,000 of equity.
Okay now, let’s say it’s 5 years later and you’re looking to sell this house,
To keep this simple the total costs of selling this home subtracted from the equity you will have gained, will be around $30,000 dollars for an investment that you got to live in while you would have otherwise been paying rent.
Keep this in mind for later: All things considered, to buy and sell a house over 5 years, you will make a profit of around $30,000 and it will cost you $3,450/month for your mortgage.
Now, let’s talk about the cost of renting. This is much less complicated. When I ran this report the average rent in Multnomah County for 2 bed 1 bath houses was around $2,300.
For the 5 year comparison, we factor in an increase of 3% per year, which is justified by the annual property tax increase. This will give us an average rent of $2,450 a month for the first five years.
So on the rental side of the coin, you save: $1,000 a month; $12,000 a year and over 5 years, you will have saved up $60,000.
Remember the $32,500 that we were going to spend on a down payment, closing costs & inspections? Well since now we’re renting and not buying, let’s add that to the $60,000 and you’ve got $92,500 cash in hand at the end of 5 years.
On the homeownership side of the coin, after 5 years you’ll have roughly $140,000 in equity.
Now let’s pretend you didn’t buy this house, but it’s 5 years later and you’re looking to purchase it now.
By the time we hit this 5 year mark, and assuming a 5% year over year appreciation rate in the housing market, the same home that was $430,000 dollars is now around $550,000 dollars.
Which means if interest rates stay the same, you would need roughly $130,000 toward your down payment and closing costs to purchase the same house five years later, if you wanna keep that same monthly payment around $3,450.
Now I get that interest rates might come down, but they also might go up. There’s no crystal ball here. But if they do go down, you have the ability to refinance and bring your monthly payment down.
So how much do you save by renting over the first 5 years? $1,000 a month.
How much do you lose? Well, that’s not as simple, there are a handful of variables to consider here-Inventory, Prices, Interest rates. Any fluctuations in these factors affect the equation for each of us individually on whether we should rent or buy.
To wrap things up, whether you rent or buy is a nuanced conversation, but hopefully this information helps give you more context for your own situation.
If you’re ready to make a move – whether it’s to rent or buy, call us today. We’d love to help you find your next Living Room.
Hi, I’m Tracey Henkels, principal broker at Living Room Realty, here to tell you what you need to know about the Market for late January, 2024
I don’t know about you but I’m having major de jevu!
The last few years the real estate market has felt shockingly akin to the days of the subprime mortgage crisis of 2008. Let’s look back at the stats for the Portland Metro area to see just how similar the numbers are: In 2021, before interest rates started rising, the number of closed transactions was 35,182 – compared to only 20,941 transactions in 2023 when interest rates hit a high of 8%.
That’s over a 40% decrease within a 3-year timeframe and nearly IDENTICAL to the contraction we saw when shit hit the fan in 2008.
Ok, check this out: In 2006 there were 32,403 transactions closed. By 2008, it dropped drastically to 19,132. Again, a 40% decrease over 3 years.
The good news: this year is going to be a GORGEOUS time to make a move! All signs are pointing towards interest rates continuing to drop throughout 2024 and into 2025. Many are predicting that rates could even drop below 6% by the end of this year!
With that in mind, let’s do a quick recap of the concept of supply and demand.
As real estate agents, we don’t set the price – in fact, the seller doesn’t even really determine the price. It is based on the “demand” in the market, driven by the volume of buyers. And “supply” which is simply the available homes for sale. With so many buyers AND sellers waiting…and waiting and waiting some more…, we are soon going to have the largest pool of buyers in U.S. history! With very little inventory to show (or sell) unless sellers finally get off the fence.
So what does that mean for you?
Whether you’re a buyer or seller, the longer you wait, the more competitive it’s going to be, as the inventory of homes remains low, but the demand continues to rise along with the prices. Waiting to try and time the market until interest rates drop to 5.5 – 6% may sound like a good option, but my advice to both buyers and sellers would be to get in the game now before the flood gates open.
If you’re ready to make a move, call us today, we would love to help you find your next Living Room.
I’m Lily Wyss, licensed realtor with Living Room Realty, here to tell you what you need to know about the market for early December 2023.
We have officially hit our yearly holiday market slump in which people are busy getting their egg nog on, stringing up lights and attending copious holiday parties.
But if you are an active buyer in the market don’t fret. Homes are still being listed and you can find some really great opportunities.
Are you a home seller with your home still actively on the market? Don’t let this slow down scare you either. There are active buyers out in the market right now and they are the most serious and intentional people to work with who will take you from offer to the closing table.
What should we expect from the 2024 real estate market? While no one can predict economic conditions with much certainty in today’s world, most experts predict that we should see a robust Spring 2024 market with interest rates starting to drop as early as the beginning of the new year.
However, if you are hoping for the 2-4% interest rates of the 2021 peak market, I would not get that excited.
At a recent meeting here at Living Room, local economist Noah Blanton confirmed that we should see rates fall in the beginning half of the year to somewhere around the 6% range.
This is great news for both home buyers and home sellers as it should provide the boost to the Portland real estate market that we have all been hoping for.
If this happens, as a future home seller you can likely expect home prices to rise again. At this very moment, the Median List Price for a home in Portland is around $687,000, which is still roughly $4,000 dollars more than the median list price at the peak of 2021.
If you are a home buyer we predict that you will see your home affordability rise with lowering rates but just know competition will grow again and you will be competing with other buyers to get into a home. It was recently reported that 66% of home buyers are holding off until interest rates fall (US News Reports). So when you enter the market, so will a lot of others.
Whether you are buying, selling or both preparation and education will be key to your success.
Living Room Realty is committed to connecting you with as much information to help you make an informed decision. If you’re ready to make a move, give us a call today. We’d love to help you find your next Living Room.
Hi, I’m Jessica Ward, licensed real estate agent with Living Room Realty. Here to tell you what you need to know about the market for Early November 2023.
The Holiday season is among us and if you’re serious about buying, selling, or investing in real estate, right now is the coziest time of year for finding your new Living Room. As your expert home girl, I’m here to break down what’s happening in Portland right now.
As real estate agents, we use The Market Action Index to help showcase the balance between supply and demand. Currently, the Market Action Index for single family homes is 41 and 33 for condos.
Compared to previous months, November marks a decrease in the Market Action Index for single family homes. However we’re still leaning towards a Seller’s market. This is great news for anyone considering listing their home in Portland, which currently has 1,322 available homes with a median list price of about $679,000.
Now, let’s talk about some good news for all you buyers out there. As the hot market continues to cool down, mainly due to changing interest rates, the average number of days a house sits on the market has increased to just under 90 days. What does this all mean for you?
Well, more inventory means you have more choices, and this extended time on market provides you with more room to have your expert realtor negotiate on your behalf and find a deal that suits both your budget, and your preferences.
We’re currently seeing an influx of price reductions, closing cost and repair credits, as well as seller paid interest rate buy-downs. So, remember that the holiday season brings the gift of unique opportunities.
Sellers, you’re in a good position with the overall market in your favor. And buyers, it’s an EXCELLENT time to explore more favorable terms and less competition than previous years.
Living Room Realty is committed to connecting you with as much information to help you make an informed decision. If you’re ready to make a move, give us a call today. We’d love to help you find your next Living Room.
Hi I’m Ella Gray, Broker with Living Room Realty, here to tell you what you need to know about the Portland market for “ Late October 2023”
Make no bones about it, Halloween is just around the corner, and we know what that means! There’s only about 40 days remaining in the home-buying season if you want to close on a home by December 31st and grim reap those sweet sweet tax write offs.
Buyers don’t be spooked, there’s some sweet news for you! This month inventory is the highest since LAST October at 1,296 homes, benefitting you with more choices and bargaining power and that’s no trick.
Additionally, over 50% of homes have seen price reductions, and some Portland neighborhoods have seen slight decreases overall. Demand still surpasses supply, maintaining the status quo of a seller’s market.
But, while buyers initially face seller’s market conditions, negotiations often favor buyers as we get to the elephant skeleton in the room. Interest rates are around 8% limiting competition and real estate price growth in many areas.
With increased inventory and longer time on the market, buyers have an edge in negotiations. As winter approaches, savvy buyers could, with the right real estate agent, benefit from the sellers’ reluctance in a potentially declining winter-season buyer pool.
Sellers! September data brightened Portland Metro’s 8-month declining price trend, with a 6-year September year-over-year growth, increasing the average sales price by almost 1% over September 2022. This validates last year’s crystal ball pontificators with prices “plateauing”, not dropping.
Case in point- the current Median list price for a home in Portland is around $695,000. To put this in perspective, the PEAK Median list price during the highly competitive Market of 2021 was nearly $12,000 LESS at around $683,000.
The suburbs continue to experience modest growth. Lake Oswego & West Linn had a robust summer, while Vancouver maintained slow but steady growth over the past year.
No matter what, real estate continues to move throughout the year with different strategies and paths to help achieve your goals.
Living Room Realty is committed to connecting you with as much information to help you make an informed decision. If you’re ready to make a move, give us a call today. We’d love to help you find YOUR next living room.
Hi there, I’m Carrie Struss licensed real estate agent in OR and WA with the Bridge To Portland team at Living Room Realty, here to tell you what you need to know about the Southwest Washington real estate market for Late September 2023.
Last month in Clark County we had an average sale price of $553k, with houses selling at 100.2% of their listing price in 11 days on average.
But….that was August. It is late Sept and it feels like someone suddenly HIT THE BRAKES. Let’s look at the numbers for active listing to get the current temperature of Southwest Washington. This is the last week of August, the active listings time on market was 21 days. Fast forward 3 weeks to the 3rd week of Sept and the time on market practically doubled to 40 days.
So what happened between the end of August and now? Well, for one, school started which triggers a statistically slow time in the market. But specifically in Clark Co both Evergreen and Camas School District teachers went on strike, preventing kids from being able to go to school for two weeks. So my clients with kids were MIA. Additionally, affecting everyone, interest rates continued to unsteadily climb by almost half a point from 7.1% to 7.5%.
With higher payments and loans costing more, I am seeing a lot of my Buyer clients be very picky, or I should say particular and realistic about what they can buy and want to buy. What condition the house is in plays a huge factor in that decision. The fact that the same house now costs 4% percent more a month than it did just 3 weeks ago makes buyers less inclined to purchase something that might need a little work or might not fit all of their needs.
Alternatively, inventory sucks. We have 1.6 months of inventory in Clark Co. So Sellers have the opportunity to give the market what it needs, which is inventory. But you need to do so with patience and understanding that right now your house may take longer to sell than you expect and that you are likely going to be asked to contribute towards buyers closing costs for temporary or permanent rate buy downs and/or asked to do repairs or give the Buyer credit towards their closing cost.
Despite 42% of this week’s active listings having price reductions, inventory levels still puts us in a Sellers market. Seeing how September’s average sales price compares to August will give us a better sense of what the current rates will do to future prices. However, economists are predicting rates will remain at or above current levels well into 2024 if not longer. This will likely cause enough downward pressure on prices to put us into a more neutral buyer/seller market through winter.
Winter is coming, but so is opportunity when both buyers and sellers understand what’s going on in the local market week by week and have knowledgeable agents to guide them through.
Living Room Realty is here to help you make an informed decision. If you’re ready to make a move, give us a call today. We’d love to help you find your next living room.
Hello! I am Drew Burchette, Principal Broker at Living Room Realty and I’m here to tell you what you need to know about the market for Mid-September, 2023.
Labor day has come and gone and the kids are back in school. These events mark the reopening of the Portland real estate market and the home stretch before the winter holiday season.
If you’ve participated in the Portland Real Estate market in the past year, I’ve got to give a tip of the hat. It has been a bit of a ride and I respect your intestinal fortitude for giving it a go.
In the immortal words of Mathew McConaughey… NO, NOT THOSE WORDS. This quote from the Wolf of Wallstreet- “I don’t care if you are Warren Buffett or Jimmy Buffett (RIP) nobody knows if this thing is going to go up, down sideways or in ****ing circles.”
The point is this: as a buyer or seller, it is difficult to impossible to time the market. Buyers: at this moment, you are treasured. Sellers: the market is hungry for your house. You are both in a great place to take advantage of these factors.
Buyers- are you trying to time the market? I’m not going to wiz on your leg and tell you it is raining. Rates today are ****ing terrible and they’ve been that way for awhile.
On the bright side, agents in our market have been able to negotiate some amazing seller credits and repairs, which really hasn’t been a thing in the last several years. Additionally, multiple offers are not a foregone conclusion as they once were.
If rates do come down, it will cut both ways. Yes, your monthly payment will be lower. But there is a ton of pent up demand in this market and we are likely to see a flood of buyers, causing more competition and ultimately higher sale prices.
My advice is this – marry your house (the sale price) and date your loan (interest rate %). With a little luck you can refi in the next few years.
In spite of what I am about to say about inventory…it is a great time to be house hunting because there are actually houses to tour and some of them are pretty rad.
Around this time last year there was a gravitational shift in our market because of rising interest rates, but this fell well short of adding a ton of inventory to the market. Inventory, measured in months, remains in the low 2’s. This is slightly higher than where we were this time in 2022 and is DOUBLE the 2021 inventory.
Ask any buyer about inventory 2 years ago and they would unanimously say “there was nothing out there”.
Double of nothing is still pretty low and is still considered a “seller’s market” by any measure. However, there is an interesting dynamic at play. When trying to get an offer accepted, it FEELS like a seller’s market. Once that offer is accepted it flips to a buyer’s market feel.
As the buyer, you really put it out there in offer price and terms to get your offer accepted. The seller really NEEDS you to close because there is no backup offer or the backup offer is sh*t and the seller knows it. This tends to make the sellers begrudgingly flexible when you find issues in your inspection.
Inventory remains low because step up buyers are disincentivized to sell/buy, builder permits for new construction are down and there are no distressed properties on the horizon. Portland has an inventory problem.
On the selling side…when do you list? Exactly when YOU are ready. Yes, we have settled back into more of a normal seasonal real estate cycle post covid. But with uncertainty in the market, mostly around rates and buyer engagement, the market of today is the market that we know.
Living Room Realty is here to connect you with as much information to help you make an informed decision. If you’re ready to make a move, call us today. We’d love to help you find your next living room.
Hi I’m Nicole Chavira, Oregon Licensed Broker with Living Room Realty, here to tell you what you need to know about the market for Late August of 2023.
Heading into the end of summer, and the 4th quarter of the year, we typically see a seasonal decline in real estate activity. Some of the most common reasons that sellers choose to delay listing their home are the busy start of the school year, child care, and schedule changes. And as a parent, I can relate! Not to mention holiday plans, travel, and the inevitable colder weather.
That being said, current stats in the Portland Metro Area aren’t looking too bad! We have 5,646 active listings compared to 6,675 available listings this time last year. The current market shows 2.5 months of inventory compared to 2.2 months worth of inventory in August 2022. This is still showing a strong sellers market with homes selling on average close to 101% of their original asking price.
Currently we are seeing an average of 67 days on market vs last year’s average of 43 days on market. Average sales price is slightly over 1% higher than the previous year at around six hundred and fifty three thousand dollars.
So what does that tell us? Well, many of our homeowners that are ready to sell, tend to be highly motivated. For example, moving for an out of state job that requires them to relocate, health, relationship, financial status, or downsizing for a cozier retirement home.
The same can be said about the mindset of home shoppers. Buyers that have a high motivation to purchase, know they would rather enter the market and build home equity themselves, instead of holding out and continuing to rent, helping their landlord build equity. With good guidance, they know they can always refinance later when rates drop. Successful home buyers also know to lean on their real estate professional and lender to work as a team to come up with creative lending solutions – that’s why we’re here!
With less competition, we have more opportunity to negotiate with the seller. For example, interest rate buy-downs, credits towards future repairs, and/or repairs to be completed by the seller prior to your closing date.
Here’s a couple of my go-to buyer tips: do not be afraid to look at homes that have had extra days on market or had a previous sale fail and are now re-listed. Many of these homes tend to be dismissed because they are not showing up bright, shiny and new on everyone’s home search apps. These homes offer opportunities for us to work with the sellers to negotiate terms that were once impossible in the old 4% interest rate days.
Don’t let this typical seasonal shift in the real estate market, mixed with media headlines that deem a “housing market crash”, lower your confidence in making the right choice for your lifestyle needs. Remember, the best time to move isn’t dictated by the market, but by your needs.
Living Room Realty is committed to connecting you with as much information as possible to help you make an informed decision. If you’re ready to make a move, call us today, we would love to help you find your next Living Room
Hi buds! I’m Lydia Hallay with Working Magic Group at Living Room Realty – here to tell you what you need to know about the Portland real estate market for the late of June, 2023.
The official start of summer was this week, and the Rose City is in full bloom. Since the end of May, we’ve seen a 7 percent increase in lockbox activity on listed properties in Oregon- a sign that more folks are out there shopping- even though interest rates are roughly twice what they were last June.
The good news for buyers is, inventory is up and you’ve got more to choose from! Compared to this time last month, there are about 200 more properties on the market; and more are on the way. Working Magic Group, the two broker team I’m part of, has five new properties coming to market in the next couple of weeks; and we’re seeing that spike in activity across Living Room offices.
But if you want to compete, you’ll need to be ready to rumble.
Buyers, it takes time to get finances in order for a purchase. No matter your price point- in this market, desirable homes in great neighborhoods are moving fast. Days on market have steadily decreased – from an average of 84 in early May, to 70 this week. Of the three properties Working Magic listed over the last two weeks- two went pending after a weekend of opens- and one went pending before the opens even happened.
Putting your lender/realtor team in place before you fall in love means you’re less likely to be heartbroken when a home that lists Thursday is pending before you have a chance to get prequalified or get inside. Establishing a relationship with a realtor before you start scrolling (or visiting open houses) means you’ll know who to text when your dream home hits your feed. If you’re looking for lender connections, we’ve got you covered!
Historically, it’s not unusual to see buyer and seller activity start to decline as summer days get sluggish. Who wants to shop for or sell a house when you could be at the river?
Most brokers I’ve spoken to seem to be in agreement that this year, we’re about a month or two behind where we usually are in terms of market voracity. Things are just getting started!
If you’re thinking of selling this summer- it’s not too late! But if you want to maximize your sales price- you’re going to need to dial in your listing. Homes with on trend updates, curb appeal, staging, and a strong marketing push- move faster (and, often over asking price).
Whether you’re looking to buy or thinking of selling, call me today! I’d love to help you find your next Living Room.
Hi, I’m Jenelle Etzel, owner of Living Room realty, here with your market update for the last week of May, 2023.
Anyone else out there in the market hearing Rob Base and D.J. E-Z Rock singing “It takes two to make a thing go right It takes two to make it out of sight?”
Why 2? Because here in our office we saw 2 dozen deals over the weekend come together. The average number of offers was 2 and we saw accepted offers averaging roughly 20,000 over asking price.
I asked one of our agent’s Atika Hagen, how many offers she wrote this weekend and she said 4 (record scratch) and of those 4 she was able to get 2 accepted.
The median list price for a home in Portland is currently $700,000 and the Market Action Index, which we use to gauge the temperature of the market, continues its steady rise since the beginning of the year, clocking in this week at 57, up from 55 last month. Portland has seen fairly steady pricing for the past year but if this trend continues we expect to see home prices rise.
So in the spirit of two here are two key takeaways in today’s market…
Sellers my two bits for you to make a thing go right is; invest in staging and prepping. Don’t get too cocky and miss your chance to stick the landing. Meet with an agent to talk over what you can do to maximize your opportunity in this hot market. Our average number of offers may be 2 but that’s an average between a handful of homes with only 1 offer and a smaller handful of homes that are dialed and styled receiving 2-7 offers! You want to be the home that buyers are competing over, giving you the best terms and the security of a back up offer if for some reason the initial offer falls through.
Buyers my 2 bits to make it out of sight for you is; write a good clean offer quick and straight out of the gate if you see something you like. We see a lot of uneasy sellers whose confidence isn’t as high as the market’s thus we are seeing sellers accept a bird in the hand without waiting for the two in the bush to come forward. Sometimes it’s easier to get motivated to act once you know there is competition, it validates your gut that it’s a great home, but that validation is gonna cost you once other buyers start competing with you and each other for that home.
If you are looking for a partner to make things go right and out of sight, call us today. We’d love to help you find your next Living Room.
Folks are often surprised to hear that July can be a quiet time for real estate. Spring is chock full of new listings, open houses, offer writing and inspections. The 4th of July holiday is the official start of summer fun. Typically, we pause our listing schedule on June 30, and pick it back up in mid to late July. This schedule gives folks time to go on vacation, hit the music festivals and entertain out of towners. Early July is not the only nap time of the year, the end of August can be slow too. If you are considering selling a property, reach out to us and we will discuss the hottest times of the year to list your home – we bet you’ll be surprised!
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
Early fall market staying active
We’re about to begin Q4 of the 2021 housing market on Friday, and so I wanted to check-in to provide some brief commentary on what I’ve been seeing, what’s been working for my clients, and what I expect to happen in the coming months.
We came into this fall season with some unknowns in terms of the availability of new listings, mortgage rates, and where trends on pricing were headed. While we did see a slight, continued uptick in available inventory in August (see image below), we’ve had a solid September with a steady stream of new listings each week. We’re seeing many more occupied homes now than at any time since the start of COVID. With vaccinations fairly widespread in the Portland metro area, sellers seem to be more comfortable with having prospective buyers come through their house. I also think we’re seeing extra listings now as people may have put off listing their home with so many unknowns over the past 18 months.
Even with more listings coming online, I’ve also experienced a robust buyer pool that’s still out there competing pretty aggressively for homes. Demand continues to remain very strong for well-priced homes that are turn-key and don’t need an immediate influx of cash for updates and/or repairs. Houses with dated or worn finishes, though, seem to be an area where buyers can find a decent deal, as long as they have some cash to make those changes, or have a time horizon where they’re willing to wait on making those improvements into the future. In a related sense, I think that buyers have become a bit choosier and aren’t willing to be pushed beyond their comfort zones of budget and necessity. Sellers had a few months there where anything goes, but I think we’re starting to see some of that power swing back towards buyers (ever-so-slightly at this point).
I also see pent-up buyer demand remaining high through the fall as interest rates continue to remain in record low territory, thus giving buyers continued borrowing/buying power. Interest rates are starting to bump up a little bit in response to the Fed’s plan to taper their purchases of mortgage back (MBS) securities and Treasury bonds (to support markets and keep the economy afloat as it tries to recover from the effects of COVID), but we’re still in a good window for buyers having access to favorable terms. The next Fed meeting on November 3rd will determine if the ’taper’ of these purchases will begin in earnest in 2022, or if job growth and weaker-than-expected economic activity will force the Fed to hold the line and push off the (inevitable) taper date further into 2022/2023.
A typical year in the housing market has cyclical swings, with slower activity in mid-summer and around the holidays/end-of-year. 2020 was, of course, anything but normal. Once we got through the late April/early May 2020 nosedive from COVID shutdowns and layoffs, it was game-on all year long and straight into 2021 without a break. However, this July and August felt markedly slower, which makes sense as things slowly are getting back to a more ‘normal’ place. I expect that we’ll see more of a seasonal dip around the holidays this year, as well. But that doesn’t mean that there won’t be new listings and buyer activity. It just may be a bit slower and less active than we’ve experienced for most of this year.
Remember that when we discuss ‘the market’, it’s for a huge swath of the Portland metro area, across all housing types, price points, and conditions. Understanding ‘your market’ is an important distinction, and one that your agent can help you identify, clarify and refine as you are looking to buy or sell your home most effectively.
And it’s good to note that the process for buyers and sellers, in this anxious global environment of unknowns, can be a major stressor. And that’s totally understandable, as it’s hard to feel in control of much these days. However, choosing an agent who will walk side-by-side with as a fierce, knowledgable and patient advocates is an important choice. Selling and buying homes is an in-depth, detail-oriented and time-consuming process. Be prepared and choose your team of agents, lenders and contractors wisely.
My business is 100% client-focused, and I want to make the process smooth, efficient and successful. I’m always available to learn how I can help you or someone you know make good things happen!
Our market continues to be a strong seller market, and after both the heat wave and the 4th of July weekend, we are seeing more inventory come on in combination with low interest rates–Jenelle Isaacson shares why now is a good time to make a move!
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
Hi, Readers!
How glad are you to be on the other side of that heatwave madness? Zoinks! It seems like we may be edging toward a shift in this white-hot real estate market, too. We’re seeing more inventory come to the surface, and we’ve seen a 3% uptick in homes that have adjusted their listing prices, with more than 26% of the homes on the market decreasing their list price. This means sellers overshot their price and were counting on the inflated prices to hold steady. That also means things are shifting more in favor of buyers. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still very much a sellers market, but it’s nice to see a bit of a shift, albeit slight.
In the case of a recent closing I helped a buyer in Bridlemile on, we kept an eye on a property that at first seemed above my buyer Rebecca’s means — it was listed at her stretch price point. A week went
by, which in today’s market is eternity (most of the “good” stuff is gone the first weekend it’s on the market), and I called the agent to find out what happened. Turns out there was a big bidding war between two buyers that basically spooked each other away, and the house never went under contract. Then it sat – and the more time a home sits in today’s market sends a message to today’s buyers that something must be “wrong” with it. There is a clearly defined target for timing and pricing, that’s why listing in the right zone is critical. In the case of Rebecca, she was able to jump into action and wrap the house up under contract at a price she could afford. Now she’s putting down roots in her beautiful new mid century home.
Morale of the story? If you are on the hunt, look for the properties that have been on the market more than 10 days. Those are the properties that are likely on the verge of a price adjustment, and the more time on market, the more motivated the sellers will be. It also pays to look past funky paint and shag carpet… but we’ll save that for another story.
If you want to hear more about winning ways to make it happen in Portland real estate, give me a call. I’m here to help. 503 388 2788
Till then, high fives!
