Real Estate Market

For the 12 months rolling average ending in December 2009 vs. the previous 12 months, the average price in the Portland Metropolitan area is down 12.1% according to RMLS.  The average price declined from $329,900 to $289,900, and the median price fell from $277,000 to $247,000 for a decrease of 10.87% for the same 12 month period.  At the end of December there were 11,597 active listings listed in the MLS representing a 7.7 month supply of homes, a considerable improvement from the 19.2 months in January 2009.  Interestingly, the number of homes closed in December 2009 increased month over same month previous year for a whopping increase of 52.6% more closed sales, clearly showing a sign of improvement and also (I think) a reflection on the First time home buyer credit continuation. 

I am very proud to say that again in 2009 my team is Prudential's top selling team in the Portland area, and for the third year in a row !  We are working very hard at getting our sellers the best prices we can and helping buyers get into the market while prices are down and interest rates are at historic lows.  As our motto says....... "Now more than ever, experience counts". .

Sales vs. Listing Activity in the Portland Area January 2005 to Present

Thats rght, Alicia Dart, Kathy Grant and I have taken the training necessary to be come CDPE's - Certified Distressed Property Experts.

This means we have become well versed in short sales - or selling a home for less than what is owed to the bank - as this has become more and more commonplace in today's market.  In fact, on a national level some 51% of all sales in September were distressed sales, and in badly hurt markets such as Florida, Nevada and Arizona its as much as 90%. 

While we do not see such percentages in Portland there are enough of them that I felt we needed to become very knowledgeable about such sales and we now have the proven skillset to ensure these sales go through with the least hassles possible to all parties involved.  There are very few agents in Portland who have taken this voluntary extra training, and I am proud of us doing so.

If you know of anyone in trouble with their house, please have them contact me.   Did you know over 50% of all foreclosures have no visible means of intervention?   A persons credit can be saved with a short sale vs. a foreclosure and you would be able to buy another house in as little as two years vs. five plus with a foreclosure.  WE CAN HELP !