Q – So the big question is should you sell now or wait until spring?

A – I’m seeing huge activity in the market, many homes that are new to the market are getting multiple offers. There just isn’t that much to choose from right now and buyers in the winter are serious buyers.

Q – Who would you advise to wait until summer?

A – I think waterfront homes and properties with acreage do better in the spring and summer. In the winter no one is using their boats are wanting to take care of a large parcel of land but in the summer those things become assets to the property.

Q – For sellers that are waiting until Spring what is the ideal time to list?

A – I like to go on the market right around Valentines Day. You have buyers starting to look but not a lot of competition from other sellers. There’s a window of opportunity there as well.

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I’m predicting around 700 closed sales in Portland (RMLS areas 141, 142, 143 & 148) in June. Seasonally speaking, average prices generally start to drop after the summer peak, bottoming out in winter; I expect investors to bolster the market through the winter. Yet, 2011 shows the market bottomed out in Fall and started to rise in Winter. It will be interesting to see if the positive trend continues into Summer.

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Wild cards: Mortgage interest rates remain stable. The rental market remains robust so expect investors to start buying up distressed properties in much greater numbers. Well priced new listings are selling quickly in the close-in market, helping to satisfy pent up buyer demand.

I’m predicting around 600 closed sales in Portland (RMLS areas 141, 142, 143 & 148) in April. Seasonally speaking, average prices generally start to drop after the summer peak, bottoming out in winter; I expect investors to bolster the market through the winter. Yet, 2010 shows the market bottomed out in Fall and started to rise in Winter. It will be interesting to see if the positive trend continues into Summer.

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Wild cards: Mortgage interest rates are staying close to 5% with most lenders quoting 5%. The rental market remains robust so expect investors to start buying up distressed properties in much greater numbers. Much of the inventory is stale so expect sales to jump when more new homes hit the market this Spring.

I’m predicting around 450 closed sales in Portland (RMLS areas 141, 142, 143 & 148) in March. Seasonally speaking, average prices generally start to drop after the summer peak, bottoming out in winter; I expect investors to bolster the market through the winter. Yet, 2010 shows the market bottomed out in Fall and started to rise in Winter. It will be interesting to see if the positive trend continues into Spring. PORTLAND SALES VOLUME 03012011

A – On average buyers get 4% off list price for cash purchases. What’s an even better buy are homes sold on contract with 7% off asking price. Buyers getting loans are getting 2-3% off asking price right now.

Q – What about number of bedrooms – does price go up based on having more bedrooms?

A – Most of the homes sold have 3 beds and an interesting thing happens with bedrooms and price. Price goes up per bedroom up to 7 beds but once you get to 8 beds the price plummets back down to the same price range you’d get for a 3 bed home.

View the statistics from RMLS here