Portland Foursquare Homes

Another Old PDX or Foursquare HomeOld PDX or Foursquare

Here are a couple of examples of what is called a “Portland Foursquare” or “Old Portland Style” home.  Read more

September 9, 2008 · Filed Under Clients, Home Styles, Portland Real Estate Listings

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Relief for Fannie and Freddie

According to The Oregonian, all of the government takeover talks about Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have come true, and its time to evaluate the changes that may take place.  In order to do this we need to have a simple understanding of Read more

September 8, 2008 · Filed Under Portland Real Estate Market Data

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“Matt Cares” Referral Program– Latest News

The “Matt Cares” Referral Program has been a part of my business for almost two years now.  It is basically my small way of encouraging charity and volunteerism in my community with myself and my clients.  If you refer me on to a new client, I will donate a portion of my commission to the non-profit or charity of your choice, in your name.  It is a little way to say thank you that hopefully helps the recipient organization.  Here are a few of the organizations where I have recently made donations:

Virginia Garcia Memorial Hospital-Providing Medical Care to Migrant and Indigent Populations

Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital-Portland’s Only Non-profit Emergency and Critical Care Animal Hospital

Oregon Public Broadcasting-Public Broadcasting for Oregon and Southwest Washington

Oregon Holocaust Resource Center-Telling the story from the perspective of the survivor

I thank you for your support, as do the organizations listed above.

September 6, 2008 · Filed Under Matt Cares, Uncategorized

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July Analysis

According to RMLS stats from July 2008, we have our first decrease in average and median sales prices in the city of Portland since the start of the ‘housing slump”.  Average sales prices for July of 2008 were 3.5% lower than July of 2007.  Median sales prices dropped 3.9%.  It is still interesting to point out that the 12 month sale price percent change is 1.7% in the positive.  What’s happening?

Closed sales fell 2.5% and new listings have increased.  People need to sell their homes to move on with their plans, but buyers are waiting in the wings.  Sellers are then forced to make concessions in pricing to sell, or they sit and wait.  The inventory just keeps piling up until buyers feel confident enough to start buying again.  Take into account that school has started and people are settling in to their hectic schedules, and you have a picture of what the inventory will do through the Winter.

This isn’t that horrible.  Many analysts are projecting that when Spring rolls around we will start to see an increase in market activity.  Portland has been and continues to be a strong market in comparison to other markets throughout the county.  For example, Forbes.com recently listed Portland as the fourth most likely market to see expansion and price increases in the coming year.

Those of you that bought a home in the past year and plan to stay a few years, well done!  You got a great price at a good interest rate.  If you are waiting, you might start to see higher prices and even higher rates if these projections hold true.  The thing to remember, is the the Portland Real Estate Market is not as bad as it is made out to be. 

September 5, 2008 · Filed Under Portland Real Estate Market Data

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