Housing

For current market conditions in the state of Oregon: Market Condition Reports and Reality Times - Oregon Market Conditions (this site also contains buyer/seller tips)

Portland's median home price is about $290,000, 33% above the national median. Portland Monthly April 2008.

Regional Multiple Listing Search Search by number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square feet, price, county, city and more.

From Portland Monthly April 2008,
"And in February the Economist reported that Portland was one of only three U.S. cities - we were joined by Seattle and Charlotte, North Carolina - where housing prices actually increased in 2007. While we saw a 6.3 percent increase, the rest of the country, alas, saw a collective drop in property values of 8.9 percent."

More from Portland Monthly April 2008,
"Portland hasn't seen a decline in housing prices since the mid-1980s, and our average annual increase is typically under 10 percent."

Portland homes spend an average of 58 days on the market. Portland Monthly, April 2008

Neighborhood "Awards" (info from Portland Monthly April 2008)
- Sylvan Highlands: Biggest One-Year Price Growth
According to Portland Monthly, Apr 2009, Healy Heights had the largest average 1-year price growth percentage, 44. The largest drop in average 1-year price growth percentage, -19, was the Southwest Hills.
- Northwest District: Most Homes for Sale Over $500,000
- Sauvie Island: Best 5-Year Price Growth
Portland Monthly, Apr 2009, Hayden Island, 85
- Powellhurst-Gilbert: Most Homes For Sale Under $300,000
- Hollywood (NE)/Healy Heights (West Hills) (tie): Fewest Days on the Market.
Portland Monthly, Apr 2009, the neighborhood with the lowest average days on the market was Grant Park at 34 days. Hollywood was 94 days and Healy Heights, 124.

Useful descriptions of different neighborhoods
Portland Neighborhood
Portland Maps (stats)

Average Sale Price for a 3 Bdrm Home
Figures are based on multiple listing data (Windermere) for homes sold Jun 2007 to Nov 07
- Corvallis $279,000 (home of Oregon State University – Beavers)
- Eugene $262,000 (home of University of Oregon – Ducks)
- Hood River $396,000
- McMinnville $296,000
- Salem $234,000
- Central Oregon: Bend $389,000; Redmond $287,000 (see post on Central Oregon)
- Coastal Towns: Astoria $265,000; Cannon Beach $595,000; Florence $254,000; Gearhart $391,000; Lincoln City $351,000; Manzanita $567,000; Newport $365,000; Salishan $663,000
- Portland: North $281,000; Northeast $319,000; Southeast $284,000; West $584,000
- Portland Metropolitan Area: Beaverton $297,000; Clackamas $326,000; Gresham $281,000; Hillsboro $276,000; Lake Oswego $501,000; Vancouver WA $259,000; West Linn $616,000; Wilsonville $413,000
- Southern Oregon: Ashland $497,000; Klamath Falls $282,000; Medford $296,000; Roseburg $243,000

State of Oregon Housing & Community Services

Rent
Rates are going up in 2008, by about 10% in the suburbs and 15% in the city, according to Mark Barry, an apartment appraisal specialist. About 38% of Portlanders don't own their homes. City-wide vacancy rates are hovering at about 4%. Portland Monthly 2008.

April 2008 Willamette Week article on rent

Vancouver
Yes, it's outside of Oregon but it's a common question. Link is to Willamette Week article, 2007.