Top 10 Cities Where It's Cheaper to Rent than to Own. Guess Where Portland Ranks?

Now that home prices are declining and rents are increasing, the advantages of renting over owning is reaching a tipping point in many metropolitan areas.  But not in Portland.  Click here to read more in Multifamily Executive. 

Portland Creates Plan for Central City through 2035 That Will Set Public Investment Priorities

It's been 40 years since the City of Portland last created a plan for downtown Portland. (Yes, that's right -- it was the "1972 Downtown Plan"!).

Now comes word there's a draft update of that plan based on priorities set forth in the recently unveiled "Portland Plan," among other things.

The new plan is called "Central City 2035".

THIS PLAN WILL ASSIST IN DECISION MAKING REGARDING INVESTMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS AND PRIORITIES.

DOWNLOAD THE DRAFT CENTRAL CITY 2035 PLAN BY CLICKING HERE.

PUBLIC COMMENT INVITED
The plan will be presented for public comment as follows:

Tuesday, September 11th
12:30-3:30pm
1900 SW Fourth Ave, Suite 2500A

For additional information visit the City's website at:  http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/47907

Will Your Multifamily Investment Property Lose Value As The Housing Market Recovers?

Rents are sky high in most of the largest U.S. markets, and vacancies are down and still falling. Multifamily housing starts were up 30 percent in July from a year ago, according to the U.S. Commerce Department, and multifamily permits were up over 47 percent... With the housing market "recovering" what does that mean for apartment investments? Read more at CNBC.

Oregon Posts Five Months of Job Gains

The state employment department reports that Oregon has sustained five months of slow job gains, the longest steady gain since March of 2007.  Last month government agencies accounted for nearly all of the job growth last month, according to the Oregon Employment Department. Public payrolls added a seasonally adjusted 1,700 jobs. Private hiring, meanwhile, slumped to a mere 100 jobs, seasonally adjusted. Construction posted the biggest gains, but manufacturers and private educators shed more than 1,000 positions apiece. Read More at Oregon Live.

Axiometrics: National Apartment Market Softer in June

Axiometrics Inc. reports that most apartment markets across the country, while still strong by historical standards, have moderated from peak effective rent growth levels recorded last summer. Weak job growth, as recently reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), appears to be having an impact on the apartment market as national sequential effective rent growth from May to June was just 0.52%, as compared to 0.76% in the same period of 2011. Still, despite the most recent slowdown, 2012 could be the third consecutive year that the national apartment market posts effective rent growth of 4.0% or more.  Read the full story - click here.

To see all of HFO's current listings - click here.

Apartment Market Hot Streak Continues - 18 Months of Growth

For the sixth quarter in a row, the apartment industry improved across all indexes in the National Multi Housing Council’s (NMHC) Quarterly Survey of Apartment Market Conditions. The survey’s indexes measuring Market Tightness (76), Sales Volume (54), Equity Financing (58) and Debt Financing (77) all measured at 50 or higher, indicating growth from the previous quarter.

Read the full story online at the National Multi-Housing Council.

Looking for an apartment investment in Oregon or SW Washington? Click here to see our currently available exclusive listings or call us today at 503-241-5541 to help you locate that perfect investment property.

Portland Apartment Buildings Built Without Parking, Some Complain

Apartment buildings are going up all over Portland, this summer. The construction is a positive trend in the sluggish economy. But nearly two-thirds of the recent projects are going up without any parking places.

OPB News reported today on this latest trend. Click here to listen to audio or read the report online.

Looking for an Apartment Investment in Portland? Click here to see HFO's current listings.

Portland Apartment Market Rent Growth Cools in Q2

A year ago, Portland ranked among the nation’s rent growth leaders.  In 2012’s 2nd quarter Portland fell below the U.S. average although it still compares favorably to many markets.  The slowdown to effective rent growth traces to units built since 2000.

Apartment Investments in Oregon and SW Washington - HFO Investment Real Estate has numerous exclusive listings! Click here. 

Apartment Investors! Five Ideas to Step-Up On-Time Rent Payments

How do you get the best bang for your buck when it comes to cultivating high-value, on-time payers? It’s a fact: seeking is easier than chasing. With that in mind, here are five ideas to consider for a low-cost, low-effort, proactive strategy to address payment compliance. Read the full story.

New Listings! Exclusive Apartment Listings throughout Oregon and SW Washington - Click Here.