Construction Rates, ADUS, and Zoning

Supply vs. demand drives the Portland real estate market. Increased zoning density, ADU opportunities, and new home construction rates can create more supply or their lack can indicate a shortage.

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If you’re considering buying a home 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
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Portland, Oregon New Home Construction Numbers into 2023

October 5, 2022

It’s happening. The Portland real estate market is cooling after a two-year hot streak. Home prices have slowed and started to drop in some areas. Likewise, new home construction is down across the country, according to the U.S. Census July, 2022 report. Portland, Oregon has done a lot to try to increase the amount of available housing with recent updated high density zoning laws, but in terms of new home construction, those efforts have yet to bear any fruit what-so-ever. This is most likely due to the increased cost and shortage of materials, and lack of available labor over the past few years. Portland New Home Construction Numbers in 2022 Portland New Home Construction 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020...

RIP2 Portland Residential Infill Project Update

August 1, 2022

In our recent article, Top 5 Portland Real Estate Market News Stories so Far 2022, we touched on the most recent update on the Portland Residential Infill Project (RIP1): the development and implementation of RIP2. Portland’s residential infill project, in addition to new home construction rates, and updated ADU (additional dwelling unit) guidelines, help us understand whether or not Portland’s housing supply will increase enough (or not enough) to meet housing demand over time. Here, we’re delving deeper into the expansion of Portland’s new zoning, RIP2, that will allow the construction of multiple additional dwelling units (ADUs) on single-family lots with fewer restrictions. In June, 2022 RIP2 passed and is in effect throughout Portland, Oregon. First, let’s look at what...

Portland’s Housing Supply: What Kind, Where? 2022 Report

June 22, 2022

The continuing real estate topic at the forefront of everyone’s focus is the shortage of single-family homes. And not just in Portland, but across the entire country. Demand will likely remain high (at least for single family detached homes) while the real estate market slows down. New construction has slowed significantly for both single-family and multi-family housing, due to supply chain issues and a shortage of laborers (and more recently due to increased borrowing costs). Curious about what Portland’s housing supply will look like in the future? How single-family homes and multiple unit dwellings will shake out? And what about homeowners versus renters? We reviewed the numbers from the past decade, the current numbers, and new legislation to see what...

Alpenrose Dairy Real Estate Project 2022 Update

June 13, 2022

We’ve written about Portland’s real estate inventory crisis over and over for the past two years. And like everyone else, we’re watching to see how the city and developers are dealing with a growing population alongside this shortage of homes—in both real estate and rental housing. One step has been the Residential Infill Project. Another proposed effort that could be a step the direction to alleviate some of the inventory pressure is the potential Alpenrose Project started in 2021. The 56-acre Alpenrose Dairy/Shattuck Road property could become the location for a new 193-home subdivision. After the contentious sale of the property, which put the business in the hands of Seattle-based Smith Brothers Farm, with the land on Shattuck Road still...

Portland Homes with ADUs Sell for 8% More – 2022 Report

November 26, 2021

When most people think of adding an ADU to their property, they immediately think of rental income potential. Or maybe they simply want extra living quarters for a family member or for frequent guests. While having the ability to add more space and generate income is a bonus, did you know that having an ADU on your property also increases future resale potential an adds value to your overall property? Finding a Home for Sale with Additional Living Quarters is Easier than Ever Thanks to our patent-pending technology, Portlanders can search for homes that have ADUs on a dynamic real estate map. Our software indexes every word written about every property for sale in our local MLS, RMLS, and then...

Portland New Home Construction Up or Down by the End of 2021?

September 27, 2021

2020 marked a noticeable drop in residential construction in the Portland Metro area due to the pandemic. In 2021, not much has changed. In fact, we’re seeing a marked slump in new home construction, despite recently passed, truly historic, higher density zoning rules in Portland. Let’s see how the Rose City is faring so far this year. This city of Portland website shows the numbers of issued, under review, and finaled (building has been completed) new home construction permits in Portland, Oregon. Let’s compare Portland’s 2021’s new home construction numbers to date with the past six years. 2015 931 2016 980 2017 917 2018 967 2019 697 2020 500 2021 571 Portland New Home Construction Permits Issued by Year As...

Portland ADU Guide, 2022. Two Per Lot and Less Restrictions

September 24, 2021

Now that Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are allowed in every city in Oregon, Portland will likely see an influx of home additions and new ADU construction, especially with the passing of the city’s Residential Infill Project (RIP) that went into effect this August 2021. If you’ve been toying with the idea of adding an ADU to your property, the new ADU guidelines will make it easier than ever before. Use the link to see the new 2021 official ADU rules. It is only six pages long, but packed with all the necessary information to get started. Additional Dwelling Units can enable you house a family member or make steady passive income, and you’ll also help manage Portland’s density problem. Two...

A 6,000 Square Foot, 35 Foot High, Six-Plex can be built next to Your Portland Home.

September 13, 2021

The Portland residential infill project is now live. The high density Portland plan went into effect August 1st, 2021. Initial public comments on the revolutionary, highly contested plan exceeded 15,000. The details of the plan are so extensive, the City of Portland has assigned a dedicated phone number and email for it, and the RIP PDF manual is nearly 300 pages long. Portland Residential Infill Project Map Most of Portland city proper is affected by the RIP plan and most areas will allow a 6,000 sq. ft. Six-plex to be built next to your Portland home. These huge buildings won’t be restricted to busy streets or street corners. One can expect to see them pop up next to any home...

Portland Housing Supply: Here’s What the Future Looks Like

July 5, 2021

All year we’ve been covering the big real estate story of the pandemic: the lack of single family homes. With inventory at an all time low, and demand through the roof, it’s only a matter of time before buyers begin considering other options – not to mention developers. Now, the current situation in Portland’s housing supply can be at least partly explained by the pandemic. But with no sign of demand abating, we can also assume that the need for more homes won’t go anywhere anytime soon. Given these conditions, then, what does the future of Portland’s housing supply look like? In the long term, how will single family homes fare versus multiple unit dwellings? What about owners versus renters?...

SW Portland Alpenrose Dairy could turn into 193 Home Subdivision

June 7, 2021

In what could be good news for Portland’s housing shortage, the former Alpenrose Dairy property in Southwest Portland might soon be the site of a new, 193 house subdivision. In August of 2019, Alpenrose sold to Smith Brothers Farms of Washington State. Since then, the fate of the 56 acre property on Shattuck Road has been uncertain. In late May, however, the Florida-based Lennar Corporation submitted documents to Portland’s Bureau of Development Services, proposing the new development. Both the 2019 sale and the prospect of new housing elicited a mixed reception from the community. Most notably, many feel saddened by the loss of this Southwest Portland fixture. While the future of this huge property lies in doubt still, its past...

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Stephen FitzMaurice

Team at eXp Realty