Portland Housing Blog

PMI Mortgage Insurance Co. released its Summer 2008 U.S. Market Risk Index, which ranks the nation's 50 largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) according to the likelihood that home prices will be lower in two years. The U.S. Market Risk Index shows risk further diverged along two distinctly different paths during the first quarter of 2008, continuing a trend that began in the fourth quarter...

From the DJC: A recently renovated condominium complex in Salem has been converted back to apartments after disappointing sales. The Spanish-style units at 2401 N.E.Wayside Terrace were being marketed as condos after the rundown 39-unit property was renovated. Strict loan approval guidelines enforced after the subprime loan crisis meant that potential buyers had trouble getting approved for loans...

From the Oregonian: The stubborn real estate slump has forced Trinity Carpet Brokers, a major regional supplier of carpet and flooring, into bankruptcy. The Milwaukie-based company filed a Chapter 11 reorganization in late June. Barry Caplan, a Portland bankruptcy lawyer working for Trinity, said the company's ability to borrow money was restricted by the failure of two large customers to keep...

From Realtor Carla Muss-Jacobs: I realize that I'm writing about the dirty "F" word. And I sincerely don't want to appear smug, but this just in: OREGON has the lowest foreclosure rate in the nation!This is according to Dr. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist of the National Association of Realtors(r). Second in the nation is our neighbor to the North, Washington state.There are reasons for this, in my...

As I walked to school a few weeks ago I passed this… If creativity generates sales then Connie is a busy woman. Connie, if you read the blog please explain...

From the Oregonian: It's bad, economists agree. But just how bad? Wells Fargo's Ed Kashmarek is the latest to weigh in on Oregon's outlook, issuing a report Friday forecasting a modest downturn in the Portland area. While job losses are likely to rise, pulling down personal income and spending, Kashmarek suggested that Portland's economy will continue to fare better than the nation's. "There...

From the DJC: Oregon is among the top 10 states hit hardest by construction job loss, according to a report released Wednesday by the national Associated General Contractors. Construction employment in Oregon has dropped 7.9 percent between May of 2007 and May of 2008, placing the state as the seventh hardest hit in the country, according to AGC. Nationally, construction employment fell 5.1...