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A Dose Of Reality in the Portland Metro Real Estate Market

By
Industry Observer with RETIRED / State License is Inactive Inactive License Oregon

A Dose Of Reality in the Portland Metro Real Estate Market

It's time for buyers in the Portland Metro real estate market to realize that "the deal" may be . . . getting their offer accepted on a property they want to call home!

It is not a stable market.

It is not a buyers' market.

We are in a SELLERS' market . . . as much as that pains me to say it.

A stable market is 4-6 months of inventory

A buyers' market is over 6+ months on inventory

Anything under 4 months of inventory it's a seller's market

ABSORPTION RATE . . . And what that Means

If it will take 2.3 months before the current inventory is ABSORBED -- providing no new inventory is put on the market --  that's considered a SELLERS' MARKET boys and girls.  

And it's been a sellers' market for quite some time in the Portland Metro real estate arena.

Are You Ready to Buy a Home in the Portland Metro Area?

  • Do you have Earnest Money funds readily available?  If you have to borrow earnest money from a family member, perhaps meeting your brother at a bar on Friday night to obtain the funds, then you may not be ready to buy a home in the Portland Metro area.
  • Are you reasonable with what you can negotiate with the Sellers?  If you think that going in $10,000 under list is a good strategy, you may not be ready to buy a home in the Portland Metro area.
  • Looking in a HIGH DEMAND / LOW INVENTORY area?  Then you need to be creative in your offer because you are up against STIFF competition.

I CAN NOT TELL A BUYER WHAT THEY SHOULD OFFER!  Similarly, a listing agent CAN NOT tell a seller what price to place on the property.  

Agents can, however, suggest / consult / advise, but in the end, our instructions come from our clients. 

If a buyer is looking in a HIGH DEMAND / LOW INVENTORY area . . . they must be prepared to pull out the stops, pull up their big boy pants and put in an offer that will make sense.

Don't blame me if your offer isn't accepted.

Don't blame me if your offer is competing with others.

That's the market we're in.  

 

Posted by

 

 

Carla Muss-Jacobs has RETIRED effective May 1, 2018

Representing Buyers in the Portland Metro Real Estate Market | Clackamas Multnomah and Washington Counties | Since 1999

Carla Muss-Jacobs, REALTOR®, ABR, CEBA, ePro
Principal Broker/Owner ~~ INACTIVE

Carla Muss-Jacobs' retirement became effective May 1, 2018

Direct: 503-810-7192 

 

All Rights Reserved © 

Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Hi Carla Muss-Jacobs, Principal Broker/Owner  now, more than ever in your market, buyers need to have a buyer's agent at their side to guide them through the purchasing process..... seller's have the advantage in this market....bidding wars will be commonplace.... and your buyer's agent is a valuable part of your transaction....your buyer's agent will protect you and give you the advice that you need to make it to the closing table....

Jan 16, 2015 06:04 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Barbara Todaro is only helps if they listen.   The truth is, many do not.  Of the transactions I've closed in the past 3 years . . . when the market tipped . . . I have been able to get good, sometimes great, deals.  Other times, the deal was the property.  Thank you for your comments.

Jan 16, 2015 06:07 AM
Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert
Richmond, TX

Carla,

 It is still a seller's market here..I think it will stay that way as oil prices stabliize but it will be interesting to see!

Jan 16, 2015 07:54 AM
Kimo Stowell
HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 - Honolulu, HI
REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i

Aloha Carla,

Same here in Honolulu, low inventory has lead to record breaking median sales in excess of 700K. Buyers with low ball offers need not bother but they do.

a hui hou,

Jan 16, 2015 08:24 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

That is telling it like it is, Carla. There is no messing around for a buyer in a low inventory market.

 

Jan 16, 2015 08:41 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I can't even imagine being in that much of a seller's market.  We've never ever seen inventory levels that low in my local market.

Jan 16, 2015 12:48 PM
Maria Gilda Racelis
Home Buyers Realty, LLC-Manchester, Bolton. Vernon,Ellington - Manchester, CT
Home Ownership is w/in Reach. We Make it Happen!

Hi Carla: I have to concur with Barbara here. In your very tight market, the buyers should realize that their own representation is a must.

They better call you for the best and sole representation.

Jan 16, 2015 10:11 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Carla, The numbers don’t lie. I am amazed at what I hear others say about my market. I do not know where they are getting their information … mostly it must just be made up as they go.  Blaming agents for offers not being accepted may, or may not be where the blame lies.

Jan 16, 2015 11:55 PM
Mary Stewart
HomeTrust Real Estate, LLC, Homes for Everyone - Wilsonville, OR
Wilsonville and Surrounding Portland Metro Areas

Carla I could not agree more !

Jan 17, 2015 12:32 AM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

HI Carla - excellent post and completely agree, we can offer advice on what to offer, but ultimately it is the seller and / or buyer's choice.

Jan 17, 2015 03:02 AM