Portland Real Estate Update
November '22 Update
Over 70 Years Combined Experience, Since 1988
Portland Market as of November 1st, 2022
The latest numbers are out for the MLS report for the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area ending end of October, 2022. (Click on the image on the right to see the entire seven page PDF). The information shows a continued increase in home and condo prices in the Portland area - but slowing down significantly - with the "inventory in months" now moving up to 2.4 months. Now though interest rates have started declining and as of this writing they had dropped from mid 7% to mid 6% due to inflation coming down a bit. The average sales price for the metro area is now at $615,000, up 7.8 % when compared to the same month in 2021 but (again) down slightly from last month. The median sales price up 8.6% at $550,000 during the same period. These increases are sliding slightly down.
Here's Why We Shouldnt See a Crash.
The three graphs shown here tell the story of why we shouldn't see a repeat of the housing crash of 2008.
 
1. Due to so many people buying homes in the last few years at <3% interest rates, and most of the rest of us refinancing to the same rates, people aren't selling their homes only to replace them with 6-7% interest rates. So people are staying put and there is a lack of inventory

2. There isn't a “fog a mirror, get a loan” mentality like in 2006, loans are hard to get and have been for 10 years now. So very few people are overleveraged.
3. As a result of 2 above, and the fact that equity in American homes is at a modern day high where over 50% have more than 50% equity in their homes, even if you HAVE to sell, it wont be a foreclosure because the owner has so much of their own money above and beyond the mortgage balance. So the market wont be flooded with short sales and bank owned homes driving down the prices.

4.Despite what you hear about all Californians moving to Texas, we have a lot coming here. The in-migration for the next 20-50 years from many states, but especially from California is expected to continue to be strong.
 
For these reasons and more we don’t expect a crash, but we DO expect prices to stabilize to the seasonal norms. The crazy increases we have had the last few years we all knew weren't sustainable and most experts say when inflation is under control, mortgage rates will come down more.
 
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Veterans Loans on Veterans Day
Just in time for veterans day I wanted to talk a little about VA (veterans) loans. There are several reasons why a veteran should consider one, and here are a few....

  • Qualified borrowers can often purchase a home with no down payment at all.
  • Many other loans with down payments under 20% require Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). VA Loans do not require PMI, which means veterans can save on their monthly housing costs.
  • VA-Backed Loans often offer competitive terms and mortgage interest rates.

Did you know over 24 MILLION veterans have used this amazing loan to purchase homes since 1944! It provides early ownership for many people that would not have that opportunity to begin with. Since there's no down payment, it allows people to hold their wealth and it gives them the ability to have long term financial security by being able to own a house and let that equity grow. So if a veteran writes an offer on your house with zero down payment but a guaranteed loan, remember what their down payment really was, they earned it!

To all our clients and friends out there who are veterans, thank you for your service!
Search ALL Portland Area Homes
Click on the link below, or the image to search the Portland area MLS for all single family, condo, or multi-family homes in the Portland metro area. The site also includes some pre-defined common searches on the right side, and also always shows the most recent 20 listed properties in the metro area. Be sure to SAVE your search, that way you will always be notified of any new matches as they happen. www.allarealistings.com/
Search Palm Springs Area Homes
As many of you know, Rob Levy is also licensed in California with Keller Williams Realty and sells investment and vacation homes to many of his Portland area clients. You can check out all the homes and condos in the Coachella valley cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Bermuda Dunes, Sun City and Indio by clicking on the link below or the picture. www.AllDesertListings.com
Photo by Cody Board on Unsplash
Thanks for checking out this newsletter, and for supporting our real estate team for all these years. We are always available for you. ROB LEVY, CAITY ABOUAF and PAT WEISS
Give Us a Call
(503) 906-1444
Now More Than Ever, Experience Matters
The Rob Levy Team, Rob Levy Principal Broker and Caity Abouaf, Broker
Keller Williams Realty Professionals / Main Office (503) 546-9955