Real estate sales activity continued its upward trend for the third straight month, as over 1,600 homes closed escrow in the Portland area in December. The strongest December in a few years, combined with a dearth of new listings, led to the market’s lowest total inventory since June 2006. January buyers were met with

The year end draws near and the Portland residential real estate market will end 2011 on a stronger note than 2010 — at least when measured by sales volume. Sales in November 2011 were 19% above last year’s pace and were actually 3% higher than October’s result. However, available inventory, at just 9,451

The Portland real estate market begins its annual hibernation, with activity subsiding and prices taking a nap as well. Compared to September, closed sales dropped 7%, the median price dipped 6.7% and the average slumped by 6.5%. The average sale price in October was $258,700 and the midpoint weighed in at $217,800 —

I’m a sucker for time-lapse video, especially if Portland scenes are involved. Here’s a beaut: Photography by Lance Page. Music soundtrack provided by Andrew Parish.

I caught a succinct, very clear explanation on NPR radio tonight about why credit is so cheap, but so difficult to qualify for when purchasing a home. Give it a listen: In a related story, the national government is looking at changes to the loan modification process. Story here.

While the homes sales market is stuck in a low gear, the Portland rental market has been in overdrive, with rents rising and vacancies shrinking. A recent article in Portland’s local daily newspaper highlights the increased demand for apartment rentals, as well as the rising rent rolls. According to local property man

Portland’s real estate market continues to show steady…um….steadiness in September 2011 results. Home sales slowed in September–a normal, seasonal pattern to be sure, however the level was nearly 200 units higher than in September 2010. Year-to-date, 2011′s total homes sales are slightly ahead

No earth shattering news to report on the August 2011 Portland real estate market results. Seasonal sales volume and pricing dynamics are in line with recent trending. Home sales prices softened month-over-month from July and were down 9 to 10% from a year ago. Virtually the same number of homes have sold across the Portlan

Major League Soccer fans across the country know that Portland has the most rabid, passionate fans in the league. Sure, the Blazers are the top game in town, but the Portland Timbers are giving them a run for their money when it comes to promotion. Coach John Spencer is a big part of that. And [...]

Another Portland-y vid from Mike Vogel, this one titled “If Public Art Could Talk“. It’s mostly safe for work. © Ron Ares - visit the author for more great content. [...]

The Portland metro area real estate review for July is a little more ’same ol’ song and dance’. In other words, like many months, it’s been slow but steady. After hitting its peak in June at 1,958 units, July’s home sales tailed off to 1,709. Another 1,928 homes went sale pending and nearly 3,0

I just love this 1-minute-long, a-day-in-the-life video montage of Portland. Produced by local film maker Mike Vogel. Music by Trevor Bennett. © Ron Ares - visit the author for more great content. [...]

Portland’s real estate is hitting a modest peak in June and July, with results featuring low inventories and steady sales volume. Just under 2,000 homes changed hands in June–34% of those were short sales or bank-owned foreclosures. Another 2,000 or so went sale pending during the month, so expect July closed sa

Reluctant home sellers and picky home buyers make up the new normal in Portland’s real estate market. May’s results show a shrinking inventory (down to 11,825 units or 6.8 months), not so much because they’re being snapped up at a high pace, but because new listing volume is low. Prices are fluttering R

The spring seasonal lift in real estate activity is underway….. Oh, wait. No it isn’t. For the first couple months of 2011, the Portland real estate market mirrored the performance of 2010. Tax credits fueled a mini-bubble last spring that peaked at 2,050 units sold in May, but this year closed sales have level

Modern home enthusiasts, take heart. While the popular Street of Eames home tour ended its 5-year run last spring, Atomic Ranch fans can still get their fill of California modernist design with the Rummer/Oak Hills House Tour, scheduled for Saturday, May 21 between 10am and 4pm. Sponsored by the Historic Preservation League

Portland’s multiple listing service RMLS has published a small study on the magnitude of distress sales in the metro area–distress sales meaning short sales or bank foreclosures. This measure is also something that I’ve started tracking in my monthly reviews of Portland real estate activity. Click f

As a Realtor, it’s not uncommon to field questions about which neighborhoods have low crime, good schools, ‘like-minded’ neighbors (either politically or demographically), and other personal preferences. Unfortunately, Fair Housing laws limit our ability to guide or ’steer’ people into specif

Early spring brought a little mixed news to interested home buyers and sellers reviewing March real estate statistics. Sales volume is up over 1,600 units for the first time since June 2010. The average and median sale prices of a Portland metropolitan home perked up from their February low, gaining 6.8% and 0.6% respectiv

(Since it’s already April, I should get caught up on February statistics, you think?) February 2011’s real estate performance featured low(er) median and average sale prices, low inventory absorption, and low inventory to boot. You would have to go back to Q1 2005 to compare median sale prices. Of the February s

Perhaps you’ve reconsidered selling your home due to the recent market dynamics. Perhaps you’ve just decided that staying put is preferable to the anguish and stress of selling, buying and moving. But perhaps the ol’ homestead is getting a little threadbare, or the kidlets are abandoning the nest. Maybe yo

The 2011 Portland real estate year starts with a dive off a short cliff. Just over a thousand homes closed escrow — a fairly typical result for the last few years. But the average sale price ($248,900) plummeted to its lowest levels since May 2004 and median prices ($215,000) were comparable to those in February [...

NPR shared an interesting story outlining the dichotomy of why people are continuing to migrate to Portland despite a lack of employment opportunities and racial diversity. In short, it noted the typical stereotypical responses — outdoor life, food, music, beer, biking — you know, lifestyle stuff. For jobs? Not

On a somewhat surprising end to 2010, December home sales in Portland perked up, registering the highest number of closed sales since the tax-credit-fueled binge in May/June. For the year, unit home sales were virtually unchanged versus 2009, although the total dollar volume of sales dipped 3.7%. Average home prices slipped

The winter slog has hit Portland, and I’m not talking just about the weather. As anticipated, November sales volume for the metro real estate market was light, but steady…sort of like drizzle. The 1,279 closed sales were nearly identical to October’s total. The time-on-market figure climbed to 140 days on

Fred Armisen pokes fun at Portland and its hipster scene in his new show, Portlandia. (Media link here if video doesn’t appear below.) You’ve got to admit, some of it’s true More clips. © Ron Ares - visit the author [...]

In our slow-moving economy, recent home buyers have been particularly price-conscious, guarding against overpaying in what continues to be an unsettled housing market. The past couple years haven’t made the value/price equation any easier due to short sale and foreclosure activity.  One option, bank-owned pr

Portland’s real estate market begins its off-season with slumping sales and drifting prices. October results show just under 1,300 homes went to new owners throughout the Portland metro area. The 10-year average for October home sales is approximately 2,250 units, so closed sales are well below ‘normal’. P

Over the years, I’ve posted links to many reviews of the Portland lifestyle…most penned by a fawning NY Times writer wandering about town for a long weekend or so. This gem, Twice Charmed by Portland Oregon, however, was written by local author Katherine Dunn (Geek Love) for the Smithsonian Magazine. Dunn moved

With September and October typically being the last months of the year with any serious sales volume, Portland’s real estate market may be heading for an early hibernation. September 2010 saw just 1,399 homes change hands, off 36% of the typical September average (measured between 2000 and 2010). Nearly 1,600 homes ar