October 2025 — Market Action Report for Portland Metro, Polk & Marion Counties
- The McCreith Team
- Nov 7, 2025
- 4 min read
Reach out to Amy, Catherine, Amy, or Joni— your trusted local experts. They’ll break down the numbers, explain the trends, and help you understand what it all means for your next move.
(Download the Market Action Report PDF here)
Fall Activity: Some Good Signs
October brought a few surprising bright spots. While new listings tapered off in most areas (a seasonal norm), closed sales climbed and prices held steady through fall negotiations. Let's talk about the numbers, and what this means if you are thinking about buying a home or selling a home in the Portland Metro & Salem markets.
Region | Avg Sale Price Change (YoY) | Median Sale Price Change (YoY) | Closed Sales Change (YoY) | Inventory (Months) | Avg Market Time (Days) |
Polk & Marion Counties | +2.5 % | +2.5 % | +21.2 % | 3.1 | 54 |
Portland Metro | +0.6 % | +0.9 % | +4.6 % | 3.1 | 69 |
Regional Highlights
Polk & Marion Counties
Closed sales jumped 21 % year-over-year—189 → 229.
New listings (255) were down 15 %, a seasonal slowdown.
Average price: $476,900 (+2.6 % YoY)
Median price: $449,900 (+2.5 % YoY)
Market time: 54 days, down 10 days from September.
Most activity remained between $400–600 K, but sales $700–800 K grew to 10 % of closings.
Inventory dropped to 3.1 months— lean but not frantic.
Portland Metro
Closed sales up 4.6 %: 1,975 → 2,066 transactions.
Average price: $614,900 (+0.6 % YoY)
Median price: $550,000 (+0.9 % YoY)
New listings: 2,366 (+3.6 % YoY)— a modest rebound.
Market time: 69 days, showing buyers are taking longer to commit.
Inventory levels at 3.1 months - a balanced pace and matching the annual trends.
Affordability: a median-income household ($124 K per HUD) can cover ~93 % of a median mortgage on a 20 % down loan (6.6 % rate)
What Sellers Should Know
Steady pricing means condition matters more than ever. Buyers will pay top dollar for turn-key homes but skip over projects.
If traffic is slow, adjust price within 2–3 weeks; missing the mark on pricing is the number one reason for a home not selling right now. Homes that are priced right still sell very quickly.
With inventory stable around 3 months, patience pays off for buyers. For sellers, refresh staging and update photos and if you are priced well, the right buyer will come.
What Buyers Can Expect
Competition is lighter than last spring, so buyers can negotiate and even win repairs again.
Rates are still a factor, but price growth has flattened— offering a chance to buy before the next rate cut brings a rush of demand. This is key, because most economic forecasters are predicting rate cuts in the new year.
Gearing Up for the Next Market Cycle
October’s data shows a market catching its breath but holding its ground. The government shutdown and job uncertainties are certainly impacting home sales. But these inventory levels are still not indicative of a strong buyer's market. It does mean that buyers have time to think, and they have a bit more negotiating leverage too, but sellers can still control outcomes through strong presentation and pricing. With inventory steady and prices creeping up, we see wins for both sides before year-end.
Sharing a Win:
Remember Amy's buyers from last month who were 1 of 4 offers on a home they wanted? Well, she got them under contract on another great home, and they were 1 of 2 offers. Yes, multiple offer situations are still very common in certain pockets or the real estate market! With the offer negotiations being so competitive (the other buyer was placed in a back-up position), Amy's clients had agreed to purchase the home as is, pending their home inspection. When the report arrived, it showed some significant repairs needed, and the concern was that the buyers would have to terminate this transaction and keep looking. But that is where having a skilled negotiator in your corner is so, so key. Amy got to work getting the necessary bids and presented all the facts for the listing agent. She was able to secure over $25,000 in needed repairs for her first-time home buyers who close next week!
Move Forward With the #1 Brokerage in the Market
The market keeps moving, and every season brings new opportunities and new challenges. Whether you’re looking to sell your home before the year wraps up or you want to get a head start on your plans to buy a home in 2026, preparation is everything. A clear plan, good timing, and a strategic and skilled partner make all the difference; that’s exactly what we offer.
At Bella Casa Real Estate Group, we’re proud to say that we are the #1 brokerage in our market for both volume and units sold. That success comes from decades of a brand that prioritizes our clients through strong relationships, as well as a deep commitment to excellence in the real estate industry. We help our clients make informed, successful moves. When you partner with us, you’re gaining the reach of a top-performing firm and the care of a team that handles every transaction with a personal and experienced touch.
Comments