Buying a Condo in Portland

Stephen FitzMaurice, Realtor writes regular guides on buying condos in the greater Portland metro area addressing their unique ownership and financial concerns. Whenever you’re ready to buy a condo, Stephen’s partner and buyer’s specialist Kami Price, licensed since 2004, is ready to assist you in any market.

If you’re considering buying a condo in the next twelve months, Kami Price, buyers specialist would love to hear what you’re looking for. Call today to set an appointment.

Kami Price, Realtor
Represented Hundreds of Buyers
Licensed since 2004
503-773-0000

Want to find out the latest news on the the Portland Condo Market? We’ve got that for you as well as an annual report on the average HOA monthly fees in town so you can compare and contrast before purchasing.

Finally, we’ve developed a unique condo for sale search tool called, Best Priced Condo, that adds in five years of HOA fees and taxes so you can compare the cost of ownership when buying.

Buying a Condo in Portland? 10 Things to Know

January 7, 2022

Updated March 2023. Homeownership in Portland might seem prohibitive at first with rising real estate prices and the highest mortgage rates we’ve seen in a few years. At the same time, condominiums have taken a different price trajectory, offering a glimmer of hope for buyers who are searching for a condo in Portland. Our interactive real estate map shows every condo available on the market in Portland. You may be surprised at the quantity, despite the typically low inventory we’ve been experiencing in Portland for a number of years. If you are considering buying a condo in Portland, we’d like to help answer some of the questions you may have as you begin your search. Here is our list of...

Portland Condos for Sale: 2021 Buyers’ Guide

July 14, 2021

We’re fully immersed in the summer real estate market in Portland now, and that means excellent opportunities to become a condo owner. Amid the hot seller’s market, condos make for an affordable choice in Portland. And the variety on the market – from style to price – might surprise you. But how to navigate the condo market? Between HOA fees and rules, shopping for a condo can feel a little murky. That’s why we’ve created this ultimate guide to buying a condo in Portland. Whether you’re a first time homebuyer or looking to downsize, our tips and insight will help you find your next perfect home. Why Choose a Portland Condo? While condo life isn’t for everyone, there are a...

Portland Condo Market: the Affordable Choice for 2021

June 21, 2021

If you’ve been looking for a new home and are on a budget, you might be laughing at our headline right now. Affordable? Does affordability even exist in Portland these days? Trust us, then, that not only do plenty of affordable homes exist in Portland but that many are condos. Stay with me. The word condo can conjure up images of high-end penthouses in glass-lined skyscrapers. But the truth is, Portland’s condo market is actually a haven for housing affordability. Right now the demand for single family homes keep holding at record highs. And that means more competition and higher prices. So with those prices still soaring, anyone budget-conscious should consider checking out Portland’s condo market. You might be surprised...

Portland Condo Buyers’ Guide 2020

July 6, 2020

Summer 2020 Portland real estate market provides an excellent opportunity to invest in a condo in Portland. We’re seeing a decrease in buyer activity and falling prices in response to COVID-19. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a homeowner looking to downsize or in search of your perfect second home, here’s our definitive Condo Buyers’ Guide for Portland.  What is it like to live in a condo?  Condo owners enjoy many more amenities than the typical homeowner, from killer views atop high-rises to the privacy of a gated community with swimming pools and tennis courts. However, buyers must enter into HOA agreements carefully, and check the HOA’s financials to be sure that all of the shared costs will be covered.  From...

Portland Condo Market: Affordable Choice for 2020 Home Buyers

March 27, 2020

Are you looking for a Portland home on a budget? Maybe it’s time to give condos a second look. Consider the following:  Condo buyers have more options. As of March 2020, there were 470 homes listed on the Portland real estate market for under 400K. In the same price range, there were 570 condos available. Visit Portlandhomesforsale.com for all condos and townhomes currently for sale in the Portland metro area. At the low end of Portland real estate values, condos rule. The top 38 cheapest homes currently listed for sale in Portland (not including manufactured or mobile homes) are condos. Currently the median list price for a Portland condo, according to Fidelity National Title, is just over $430,000. That’s usually...

10 Things to Know Before Buying a Condo in Portland

January 20, 2020

Half of the condos in Portland are downtown. A recent real estate search found that nearly half of the condos currently on the market in Portland are located in the downtown area, including the Peal District, Nob Hill, Goose Hollow and South Waterfront neighborhoods.  Portland condos are green. For those wishing to do without a personal vehicle, buying a condo may be the best way to do it. From a downtown Portland condo, shops, restaurants and offices are steps away. Portland’s mass transit system — including light rail, streetcar and bus — will get you anywhere you need to go in the metro area. And many Portland condo highrises are built to the highest green standard available: LEED Platinum. Most condos are...

Portland Condo Guide: 2019 Edition

February 25, 2019

Portland is not known as a condo city, but they can be a great bargain for those who need a home here without all the responsibilities of a detached dwelling. If your lifestyle is more focused on work and play than on replacing a roof or taking care of a lawn, you might enjoy the carefree condo lifestyle. Condos can also be fantastic green living choice. Your footprint is much smaller and you are often in walking distance to shops, restaurants, and potentially even your office. Although new condo units have been slow to come on the Portland market over the past decade, developers are once again breaking ground to bring more condos to the metro area. And it seems...

Portland Home vs Condo: Affordability

August 3, 2018

Last week, the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis reported that the housing market in Portland is “rebalancing”. In other words, the Portland real estate market is cooling fast. In a recent blog post, they outlined the indications that we’re seeing a once-in-a-decade shift in the forces favoring sellers over buyers. Long story short: Inventory is coming back up and the number of days on market is lengthening. On the other hand, mortgage rates in Portland are also going up again, and the average home price remains high. For first-time home buyers, getting into their first home might still be tricky. According to the blog post, “The combination of higher interest rates and home prices mean households have to devote a...

Portland Condo Ownership: FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

April 2, 2018

Who lives in Portland condos? Everyone! Families and pet owners, community-minded people and folks that want privacy. Really, most of the stereotypes you hear about condo living are untrue — there are condo communities that will be a good match for just about anyone, but it’s a good idea to take a close look at the Homeowners’ Association rules before you buy. Nationally, there are two distinct demographics who are especially excited about condos right now. One is millennials — twenty and thirty somethings just out of college or starting their careers. For them, condos are an affordable option in Portland, and they know they won’t have to spend extra time or money on maintenance because it’s all covered (usually)...

Buying a Condo in Portland: Ten Things to Know

April 4, 2017

Buying instead of renting in a tight housing market may seem counterintuitive. Portland renters, however, know that availability is low and rents are high. (Most would say it is easier to buy a Portland home than rent one right now!) Meanwhile, mortgage rates are still low. All of this adds up to mean that in many cases, overall home ownership costs including the mortgage, is more affordable than rent! One affordable option for buying a home in Portland is to find a condo or townhome. Unfortunately, many buyers don’t consider this option because there is a perception of a lot of red tape and extra fees. However, with a great Portland real estate agent on their side, buyers can navigate...