By Lydia Hallay, June 21, 2023
Find out what’s happening in the Portland real estate market for Late-June 2023.
Hi buds! I’m Lydia Hallay with Working Magic Group at Living Room Realty – here to tell you what you need to know about the Portland real estate market for the late of June, 2023.
The official start of summer was this week, and the Rose City is in full bloom. Since the end of May, we’ve seen a 7 percent increase in lockbox activity on listed properties in Oregon- a sign that more folks are out there shopping- even though interest rates are roughly twice what they were last June.
Buyers
The good news for buyers is, inventory is up and you’ve got more to choose from! Compared to this time last month, there are about 200 more properties on the market; and more are on the way. Working Magic Group, the two broker team I’m part of, has five new properties coming to market in the next couple of weeks; and we’re seeing that spike in activity across Living Room offices.
But if you want to compete, you’ll need to be ready to rumble.
Plan Ahead
Buyers, it takes time to get finances in order for a purchase. No matter your price point- in this market, desirable homes in great neighborhoods are moving fast. Days on market have steadily decreased – from an average of 84 in early May, to 70 this week. Of the three properties Working Magic listed over the last two weeks- two went pending after a weekend of opens- and one went pending before the opens even happened.
Putting your lender/realtor team in place before you fall in love means you’re less likely to be heartbroken when a home that lists Thursday is pending before you have a chance to get prequalified or get inside. Establishing a relationship with a realtor before you start scrolling (or visiting open houses) means you’ll know who to text when your dream home hits your feed. If you’re looking for lender connections, we’ve got you covered!
Summer Market
Historically, it’s not unusual to see buyer and seller activity start to decline as summer days get sluggish. Who wants to shop for or sell a house when you could be at the river?
Most brokers I’ve spoken to seem to be in agreement that this year, we’re about a month or two behind where we usually are in terms of market voracity. Things are just getting started!
If you’re thinking of selling this summer- it’s not too late! But if you want to maximize your sales price- you’re going to need to dial in your listing. Homes with on trend updates, curb appeal, staging, and a strong marketing push- move faster (and, often over asking price).
Whether you’re looking to buy or thinking of selling, call me today! I’d love to help you find your next Living Room.
Lydia Hallay
Principal Broker | OR
She/They
Calm, prepared, and people-first—Lydia brings a steady presence to what can be a high-stress process.
As a licensed Principal Broker, she leads Ello, a collaborative team within Living Room Realty known for its neighborly approach to real estate. Ello works with buyers and sellers who value thoughtful strategy, good design, and clear communication.
Lydia is consistently top-rated and ranked among the top 150 agents in the city, and is known for listings that sell faster than average (often with multiple offers), with distinctive, design-forward marketing that stops buyers in their scroll.Before real estate, Lydia spent 17 years as a union organizer and negotiator, advocating for worker rights, leading large-scale strategic leverage campaigns, and navigating complex contracts. That background shows up in her work today: calm under pressure, sharp in negotiations, and deeply attuned to the human side of big decisions.
With roots in the Sonoran Desert (she owns a vacation rental in Tucson), Lydia is an avid gardener, a devoted fan of Portland's food & small business scene, and loves hunting for secondhand/vintage gems. Lydia & her spouse (a longtime restauranteur & golf nerd) enjoy taking their vintage camper (named Puff the Magic Eurovan) for mini adventures. They live in a midcentury home in SE Portland with their dog (Maybelle) and two cats (Kenny & Caroline).
A lifelong advocate for social, economic, and housing justice, Lydia supports organizations doing on-the-ground work in the community. A portion of every paycheck she earns is donated to Taking Ownership PDX, which helps Black homeowners age in place and build wealth.
- T: 503-807-0156
- lydiah@livingroomre.com
