By LeAnn Raschke, September 19, 2025
Once upon a time,
buying a house in Portland felt like cracking open a vintage Four Loko.
Chaotic, overwhelming and before you knew it, you were dizzy, broke and singing karaoke to your dog in the brand new empty basement of the house you just bought.
Homes vanished in hours, swallowed up by ten competing offers before you even got your pre-approval letter. It was a whole vibe and not the fun kind.
But that buzz is wearing off. Yes, the occasional bidding war still pops up but the overall the market is shifting. We’re seeing more inventory, longer days on market (my last listing hit 100 days before it went pending for it’s second time… that’s def. not a flex) and sellers who are willing to negotiate. It’s less vodka cran in the clurb and more craft cocktail with a big ice cube.
Buyers –> The Time is Now
More choices, less FOMO & inventory’s up! You don’t have to settle for the one weird house with Pittsburgh toilet and a questionable, un-permitted garage-to-bedroom conversion.
Negotiation is back and Sellers are actually considering help with closing costs and sometimes even fixing things before closing. Wild, I know.
Less chaos, more clarity and instead of a race to the highest bid the same day you saw it, you can actually tour a place, sleep on it and still have a shot.
Sellers –> Don’t Panic
The good stuff still moves and if your home is priced right and staged well, buyers are out there. And they’re motivated.
You’ve got timing on your side. The market hasn’t fully flipped to a buyer’s free-for-all yet. Move now and you can still sell strong, then turn around and buy with more leverage yourself.
Strategy > vibes. The days of list high and “see what happens” are over. Smart (realistic) pricing and prep are what win now.
We’re not living in a full-blown buyer’s market yet
But we are definitely not in Four Loko land anymore. Portland real estate is in that rare in-between phase where both sides can win. Buyers finally have breathing room, sellers still have solid demand and the whole thing feels a lot less like chaos and more like balance.
So if you’ve been waiting for a sign to make a move, this is your vintage Four Loko moment! Wild energy but with way better outcomes. Give me a call and we can set up some tours!
LeAnn Raschke
Broker | OR
She/Her
As a broker I get to blend my love for real estate with my obsession with art, craftsmanship, and all the weird and wonderful architecture Portland has to offer. But what really lights me up? Helping creatives, small business owners, and first-time buyers build wealth and freedom through smart, strategic property moves.
Whether you’re dreaming of a quirky vintage bungalow or a sleek, modern masterpiece, I’m here to make the process not just doable but actually enjoyable. I’ll arm you with the knowledge, confidence and negotiation skills to turn those daydreams into keys-in-hand reality.
When I'm not out real estating, I'm hanging out with my dogs, making things out of mud or riding scoots!- T: 503-442-1756
- leann@livingroomre.com
