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April 2022 Market Action Report: – Portland Real Estate Statistics

5/14/2022
The Portland Metro Market Report: Last month saw continued growth and accelerated activity across the region. Despite an uptick in mortgage rates, buyer demand generally kept prices on the rise, though we are seeing a slight slowing of the frenzied pace that has been so pervasive for the last couple of years. 
April Residential Highlights
New listings (3,684) decreased 9.4% from the 4,065 listed in April 2021, and increased 4.6% from the 3,521 listed in March 2022.
Pending sales (3,005) decreased 11.6% from the 3,400 offers accepted in April 2021, and decreased 1.3% from the 3,045 offers accepted in March 2022.
Closed sales (2,782) decreased 5.6% from the 2,946 closings in April 2021, and increased 3.7% from the 2,683 closings in March 2022.
Inventory and Total Market Time
Inventory increased to 0.8 months in April. Total market time decreased to 21 days.
Year to Date Summary
Comparing the first four months of 2022 to the same period in 2021, new listings (12,270) decreased 4.0%, pending sales (10,559) decreased 6.1%, and closed sales (9,408) decreased 0.8%.
Average and Median Sale Prices
Comparing 2022 to 2021 through April, the average sale price has increased 11.3% from $543,900 to $605,600. In the same comparison, the median sale price has increased 11.2% from $484,900 to $539,000.
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September 2021 Market Action Report

10/15/2021
RMLS Market Action Report – Portland Real Estate Statistics
September Residential Highlights:
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New listings (3,760) increased 15.2% from the 3,264 listed in September 2020, and increased 1.7% from the 3,698 listed in August 2021.

Pending sales (3,170) increased 0.6% from the 3,152 offers accepted in September 2020, and decreased 10.3% from the 3,535 offers accepted in August 2021.

Closed sales (3,167) decreased 2.6% from the 3,251 closings in September 2020, and decreased 1.6% from the 3,219 closings in August 2021.

Inventory and Total Market Time
Inventory increased to 1.1 months in September. Total market time increased to 24 days.

Year to Date Summary
Comparing the first nine months of 2021 to the same period in 2020, new listings (33,258) increased 8.3%, pending sales (27,979) increased 9.9%, and closed sales (26,393) increased 14.6%.

Average and Median Sale Prices
Comparing 2021 to 2020 through September, the average sale price has increased 17.5% from $485,200 to $570,200. In the same comparison, the median sale price has increased 16.5% from $433,500 to $505,000.
 

The Portland Metro housing market is showing signs of cooling but is still a strong seller’s market with1.1 months of inventory. More homes are being listed, sale fails during escrow are on the rise and multiple offers on homes hit their lowest mark since January. The frenzied pace surely couldn’t continue indefinitely, and these are all signs that the market is changing ever so slightly, which, is a good thing for all parties and this cooling will be the exact thing that helps stave off a housing market bubble or crash.
 
Contact me with any real estate questions and for all your home buying or selling needs!

August 2021 Market Action Report

9/18/2021

August Residential Highlights

  • New listings (3,698) decreased 4.8% from the 3,885 listed in August 2020, and decreased 13.3% from the 4,267 listed in July 2021.
  • Pending sales (3,535) decreased 4.4% from the 3,697 offers accepted in August 2020, and increased 5.4% from the 3,354 offers accepted in July 2021.
  • Closed sales (3,219) increased 2.2% from the 3,149 closings in August 2020, and decreased 6.4% from the 3,439 closings in July 2021.

Inventory and Total Market Time:

  • Inventory increased to 1.0 months in August. Total market time increased to 23 days.

Year to Date Summary: 

  • Comparing the first eight months of 2021 to the same period in 2020, new listings (29,405) increased 7.4%, pending sales (24,960) increased 11.2%, and closed sales (23,142) increased 17.6%.

Average and Median Sale Prices:

  • Comparing 2021 to 2020 through August, the average sale price has increased 18.5% from $481,000 to $570,100. In the same comparison, the median sale price has increased 17.4% from $430,000 to $505,000.
Contact me for more information on your particular neighborhood or check out my website market reports for instant details.
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The Difference in Net Worth Between Homeowners and Renters Is Widening

9/18/2021

Becoming financially secure is an important goal for many people today, but some don’t realize just how much homeownership can help them achieve that dream. A recent report, The Journey Toward Financial Freedom, surveys Americans about their perspective on financial wellness and their goals. It shows there may be a significant misconception about the role owning a home plays in building wealth:

“Homeownership is one of the indicators Americans say is least connected to financial health."

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Two major personal wealth goals – homeownership and net worth – work hand-in-hand. Below are just a few reasons why, if you’re looking for financial security, homeownership should be a top priority.

Homeownership Is an Important Cornerstone of Building Wealth

Every three years, the Federal Reserve releases the Survey of Consumer Finances which highlights the difference in wealth between homeowners and renters. The graph below shows the findings across the previous surveys including the latest data (2019), and the results are staggering:

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As the graph illustrates, the gap between homeowners and renters continues to widen. That’s because homeownership contributes massively to an individual’s overall net worth. Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, highlights this idea:

“. . . between 2016 and 2019, housing wealth was the single biggest contributor to the increase in net worth across all income groups . . . .”

When we look even closer at the most recent data from 2019, the average homeowner’s net worth is more than 40 times greater than that of the average renter (see graph below):



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The gap exists in large part because homeowners build equity as their home appreciates in value and they pay off a portion of their mortgage each month. When you own your home, your monthly mortgage payment is, in essence, forced savings that come back to you when you sell your home or refinance. As a renter, you’ll never see a return on the money you pay out in rent every month.

If you’re ready to start building your net worth, the current real estate market offers several opportunities you should consider. For example, with today’s low mortgage rates, your purchasing power may be higher now than it has been in some time. That means there may be no better time than now to start working towards your homeownership goals – especially since rates are anticipated to rise in the coming months.

Bottom Line

Owning a home provides one of the strongest foundations for building individual wealth and lasting financial security. If you’re ready to start your path towards homeownership, let’s connect today.

 

What You Can Do Right Now To Prepare for Homeownership

9/5/2021

What You Can Do Right Now To Prepare for Homeownership
As rent prices continue to soar, many renters want to know what they can do to get ready to buy their first home. According to recent data from ApartmentList.com:

The first half of 2021 has seen the fastest growth in rent prices since the start of our estimates in 2017. Our national rent index has increased by 11.4 percent since January . . . .”

Those rising rental costs may make it seem impossible to prepare for homeownership if you’re a renter. But the truth is, there are ways you can – and should – prepare to purchase your first home. Here’s some expert advice on what to do if you’re ready to learn more about how to escape rising rents.

Start Saving – Even Small Amounts – Now

Experts agree, setting aside what you can – even smaller amounts of money – into a dedicated savings account is a great starting point when it comes to saving for a down payment. As Cindy Zuniga-Sanchez, Founder of Zero-Based Budget Coaching LLC, says:

“I recommend saving for a home in a ‘sinking fund’ . . . . This is a savings account separate from your emergency fund that you use to save for a short or mid-term expense.

Zuniga-Sanchez adds saving in smaller increments can help make a large goal – such as saving for a down payment –achievable:

“Breaking up your goals into smaller bite-sized pieces by saving incrementally can make a large daunting number more manageable.”

Assess Your Finances and Work on Your Credit

Another tip experts recommend: take a look at your overall finances and credit score and find ways to reduce your debt. According to the HUD, the average credit score of first-time homebuyers is 716. If you’re not sure what your credit score is, there are numerous online tools that can help you check. If your score is below that average, don’t fret. Remember that an average means there are homeowners with credit scores both above and below that threshold.

If you find out your score is below the average, there are several ways to improve your credit before you apply for a loan. HUD recommends reducing your debt as much as you can, paying your bills on time, and using your credit card responsibly.

Start the Conversation with Your Advisor Today

Finally, it’s important to talk to someone who understands the market and what it takes to become a first-time homebuyer. That’s where we come in. A trusted advisor can help you navigate your specific market and talk you through all the available options. Having the right network of real estate and lending professionals in your corner can help you plan for the homebuying process as well as determine what you can afford and how you can get pre-approved when you’re ready.

Most importantly, we can help you understand how homeownership is achievable. As Lauren Bringle, Accredited Financial Advisor with Self Financial, says:

“Don’t write home ownership off just because you have a low income . . . . With the right tools, resources and assistance, you could still achieve your dream.”

Bottom Line

If you’re planning to be a homeowner one day, the best thing you can do is start preparing now. Even if you don’t think you’ll purchase for a few years, meeting with a trusted real estate advisor to understand the process will set you up for success on your journey to homeownership.

When is the right time to stop looking and start buying?

9/5/2021

There’s a moment when you’re in the market for a property that you must decide it’s time to stop looking and to start buying.

Many folks find this part of their search the most confrontational. But it can be easily avoided by researching the availability of your target style of property in your preferred neighborhoods. 

Good research will prevent you from falling into the trap of believing that there’s always one more property to see or that spinning your wheels and waiting will somehow reveal the perfect property.

You also need to avoid the common mistake where if you miss out on a dream home, you use this as your benchmark against which you judge all the other properties – and find them lacking.

Impatience can also cause heartache. Viewing homes for weeks, even months, is pretty tough when you have a busy lifestyle. So, it’s easy to make the wrong decision just to end the pain of the search process and get on with the rest of your life.

As an experienced agent in our neighborhood, I understand how difficult the buying process can be. After all, it’s one of the most important financial decisions of your life with a big emotional element as well.

Here’s how to find your dream home. 

  1. Know your ideal property – An effective search depends on you knowing what you’re looking for. Decide on your ideal styles and size of the home before you embark on your search.
  2. Do your research – Work with your agent and use available data sources to uncover the properties in your desired area that meet your needs. It’s a good idea to be flexible as this will reveal many more potential properties.
  3. Stay calm – In a market of rising prices, it’s easy to believe you need to strike quickly or risk being unable to afford what you want. That’s a possibility, but the real danger is making a decision you regret later. Rely on your strategy and research in a booming market.
  4. Use agent expertise – Your agent is critical to a successful search. Use our knowledge of your target neighborhoods to not only find the right property but to buy in good streets and near amenities. Location is critical not only to your lifestyle but to the future value of your property.
  5. Stay focussed – It’s easy to over-think the search process. Don’t be swayed by media headlines about rising or falling prices. If you want to buy, your biggest mistake will be to try to time the market. The odds of being able to do that and find your ideal home are remote.
  6. Be pragmatic – Falling in love with a property can sometimes end in deep disappointment if it sells to someone else. A typical emotional response is to buy on the rebound, especially if your search has been long and tiring. 
  7. Don’t give up – It’s so easy to buy the wrong property and suffer buyer remorse if you’re exhausted. If you’re starting to think any property will do, go back to your strategy and research and consider a time-out. 

Portland Metro Real Estate Market Action Report - June 2021 7/14/2021

7/14/2021
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June 2021 Market Action Report

July 2021

RMLS Market Action Report – Portland Real Estate Statistics

June Residential Highlights

New listings (4,298) increased 17.5% from the 3,658 listed in June 2020 and increased 8.2% from the 3,971 listed in May 2021.

Pending sales (3,534) decreased 3.3% from the 3,654 offers accepted in June 2020 and decreased 4.9% from the 3,717 offers accepted in May 2021.

Closed sales (3,477) increased 28.3% from the 2,709 closings in June 2020 and increased 9.2% from the 3,183 closings in May 2021.

Inventory and Total Market Time

Inventory increased to 0.8 months in June. Total market time decreased to 21 days.

Year to Date Summary

Comparing the first six months of 2021 to the same period in 2020, new listings (21,226) increased 11.1%, pending sales (18,291) increased 18.8%, and closed sales (16,272) increased 25.6%.

Average and Median Sale Prices

Comparing 2021 to 2020 through June, the average sale price has increased 20.1% from $468,500 to $562,700. In the same comparison, the median sale price has increased 18.2% from $423,000 to $500,000.

Read all of the latest Portland real estate market statistics in this month’s RMLS Market Action Report.

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