Portland Real Estate: That’s a Wrap on 2025!
Hey there, it’s your friendly neighborhood cat lady realtor, popping by with just a few days of 2025 left on the calendar, to squeak in one more e-newsletter.
Phew! It’s been quite the year, huh? With everything happening on the domestic and international front, there has been a lot of uncertainty and worry about what lays ahead. One thing that remains unaffected is the constant need for stable and affordable housing…and that’s where I come in. While you’re out there navigating your full lives, I’m here keeping the iron hot behind the scenes, always prepared to show up for whatever housing needs come your way.
So, let’s talk real estate.
Finally, ’tis the season for a GOOD DEAL! I’ve always said that the winter – and the holidays, especially – provided exciting pockets for snapping up bargains, as most folks are too busy traveling or avoiding the rain to put in the miles. Interest rates are also co-operating, so that’s great news for everyone, whether you’re a buyer OR a seller in this market.
The interest rate has been hovering in the low 6’s for a while, which should be a more normalized interest rate, and one that’s a little easier to swallow than what we’ve been dealing with in recent years. Though I’m not sure any of us will truly recover from the joyous 3% rates of times past, those are sadly unlikely to ever return. That being said, the all-seeing, all-knowing Economic Forecasters do believe that rates will settle or decline a bit, and that homes will continue to increase in value, just at a little more of a sustainable pace. So let’s all cross fingers and start planting seeds before the Spring market is upon us!
I’m sure you’ve heard all the noise about a 50 year mortgage, yeah? I could go on and on about why this is such a TERRIBLE idea, but instead I’m going to say that my Buyers will ABSOLUTELY NOT be shackling themselves to a half century financial albatross. Not on my watch! Here’s a great note from a preferred lender that I’ve trusted for many years, the incredible Steph Noble, of Cross Country Mortgage:
“Trump proposed a 50 year mortgage. It’s a goldmine for the banks. It might sound like a way to make housing more accessible with lower monthly payments. But when you dig into the numbers, this isn’t a solution for homeowners.
Here’s the reality.
On a $500,000 loan at 6%, a traditional 30-year mortgage costs about $1.08M total. Stretch that same loan to 50 years? You’re looking at $1.47M – that’s roughly $400,000 in interest alone.
That’s $400K that doesn’t go toward your home, your retirement, or your future…it goes straight to the bank’s pocket. What’s worse, lenders typically bump interest rates higher for longer terms, you end up paying even more. It’s a lose:lose proposition.
Clients will barely build any equity for the first decade. It’s like making your minimum student loan payment. The balance just doesn’t move. You feel stuck, watching your money disappear while the principal barely changes.
What’s even weirder is that 50 year loans aren’t even legal yet. To make them happen, regulators would have to roll back consumer protections and rewrite the Qualified Mortgage (QM) rule, putting more risk on buyers, not banks. This isn’t a housing solution, it’s a bank’s dream and a homeowner’s treadmill. Stick with strategies that build wealth, not ones that trap it.”
Thanks, Steph. Why would I even bother explaining it when she does it this well? If you have any questions, we are more than happy to answer them – and if you know people who are confused about this worrisome development, please send them our way so we can help prevent them from making a mistake with serious generational repercussions.
Lastly, it’s absolutely the right time to get on my radar if you’re curious about or considering a move. If you want to know what your home is worth as we approach 2026, how your current mortgage would stack up against what you’d be comfortable with on a new house, etc. I can help you figure out if it’s worth making the move. If, once you’re armed with knowledge, you decide it’s better for you to sit tight, no harm, no foul – my expertise and advise never comes with pressure. And you’ll be primed and ready to move SHOULD the right house pop up. This is critical if you’re considering dipping a toe into the Spring market, which can sometimes get a little crazy, just sayin’. I always, always want my clients to be in the best possible position for improving their lives and boosting their resources, and the only way to do that is to always be informed (and of course, pre-approved).
And a quick reminder: I’m a licensed broker in Oregon AND Washington states, which gives me loads of reach to help your local loved ones.
Winter in the Home and Garden
We just had a massive windstorm in the Portland area (with terrible storms and flooding all across Oregon and Washington continuing as we speak), and the day after I saw a couple mulching their garden. This is how PNW’ers do it, we just get it done, rain, or rain, or occasional shine. Let’s look at a few quick and easy things to help cocoon up our homes and gardens right before the holiday feasting begins:
* As mentioned, now’s the time for mulching. Put down a thick layer of mulch (bark chips, straw, cardboard, etc) to insulate plant roots from the coming cold temps. This also helps soil retain its moisture when its hot and dry, so mulching is such a great action to give your garden life. Also, try to not rake up dead leaves right now, as we’re learning that’s where our very vital insects and smaller critters overwinter in peace and safety. You can do all that stuff when the Springtime comes.
* Prune your perennials (roses, peonies, etc), and cut back your raspberry stalks. This is also a great time to divide and transplant certain perennials, believe it or not, as they’re less vulnerable while dormant. You can plant bulbs, inspect and treat for pests, fertilize, and just give your garden its best chance to thrive when the weather warms.
* I say this every year, but check your windows, eaves, and roof for leaks and wear. Water seeping into your attic and foundations is never a good time for anyone, and super expensive repairs can be avoided with regular maintenance and keeping an eye out.
* Inspect and vacuum your HVAC filters! Think about what you’re breathing when you turn on the heat this winter, and make sure it’s the best quality air you’re getting. You can also check your carbon monoxide and smoke alarm batteries while you’re at it.
* Do you keep an emergency kit? If you live in the famous Cascadia quake zone (ie: most of us, here), you probably should. I like to go through my supplies each year, swapping out perishables and donating to food banks if they are still within expiration dates – this is a great way to help out the community, while keeping your own family safe. Let’s hope we never need to use it, but it’s such a relief to have. And don’t forget to keep pet food and other supplies stocked as best you can.
WOW, where did this year go?! I know time speeds up as we age, but holy moly, how is it nearly the end of December already?
It was a great year of helping my clients buy and sell houses, and I feel truly blessed to have such loyal, lifelong clients and I enjoy beautifully established relationships with all of my people. I’m about to hit my 20 year anniversary being a Realtor, and I’m filled with gratitude for a job I love, and to be able to truly help my community.
I also took my belated honeymoon to Japan this Fall, and all that hype? Totally legit. Go visit, enjoy the favorable conversion rate, and see how the Japanese do it! The food, the architecture, and their absolute dedication to doing things with intention and greatness shines through every corner of their world. From the cleanliness and well managed public spaces, to their focus that goes into every plate of food and task they perform, it shows. Our culture in the US moves so fast, it seems like we lose track of what we are actually doing sometimes. Long story short, just being in Japan helped pull me back into the magic of awareness and intentional living. Personally, I think that it’s really important to get out of the country and shake up our routines now and again. It’s good for the soul, and rejuvenates my spirit.
I wish life could be simple and carefree all of the time, but our current timeline requires resilience and adaptability. Like, a LOT. And as we personally go through the different stages of life, so do our pets, our kids, our parents, our grandparents. I’ve been navigating my fair share of that this year, too. My sweet white tabby cat, Sufi, was diagnosed with diabetes last year, and she had a really scary bout of pancreatitis. But she recovered and appears to be enjoying good quality of life for now. What a gift to have more time with her, and all our loved ones.
Of course, housing needs change as our lives are changing – and sometimes pretty suddenly, too. I intimately understand how that goes, what is required to adapt, and believe it helps me be deeply empathetic to my clients’ changing needs. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with future choices, hey, you can lean on me. My job is taking your load off to make life’s path a little clearer.
Happy Holidays to all of you, and I’ll see you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the New Year!
Important Resources & Links
View My Urban Nest Realty Profile
Interested in receiving my listings and blog posts as soon as they go live? Subscribe to get automatic weekly updates from my site right in your email inbox.