March ‘09 – Residential Market Highlights

Portland metro area market activity continued to grow over last month, but fell short of reaching March 2008 levels.

When comparing March 2009 with February 2009, closed sales grew 38.2% (1,184 v. 857) and pending sales were up 28.3% (1,637 v. 1,276). New listings grew 6.2% (3,685 v. 3,471).

Pending sales typically rise from February to March, but this year it increased at a steeper rate (28.3% in 2009 – vs. 5.5% in 2008 and 8.3% in 2007).  Inventory also dropped to 12 months, its lowest point since October 2008. Active residential listings in March numbered 14,158 – down slightly from 14,188 in February.

This is notable, as active listings have typically grown over that same time frame (7% in 2008 and 6.6% in 2007). 

Sale Prices

The average sale price for March 2009 was down 11.8% compared to March 2008, while the median sale price dropped 14%.

Month-to-month, the average sale price and median sale price are both down when compared with February levels; the average sale price decreased a slight 0.5% ($297,000 v. $298,500) and the median sale price was down 4.9% ($246,400 v. $259,000).

Year-to-Date

Comparing January-March – 2009 with the same period in 2008, closed sales dropped 30.0%. Pending sales also fell 15.5%. New listings decreased 28.5%.

Regional Comparsion Chart

City

Portland

Region N NE SE W
RMLS Area 141 142 143 148

March

Active Listings 486 1,027 1,544 1,837
New Listings 141 355 423 473
Expired/Canceled Listings 99 204 315 384
Pending Sales 2009 82 180 230 152
Pending Sales 2009 vs. 2008 -25.5% -16.3% -17.6% -29.6%
Closed Sales 68 117 169 97
Average Sale Price ($) 216,600 290,000 237,400 522,900
Total Market Time 114 130 149 179

Year-To-Date

New Listings 477 1,064 1,376 1,420
Pending Sales 2009 193 430 573 358
Pending Sales 2009 vs. 2008 -36.3% -22.9% -24.2% -36.1%
Closed Sales 132 303 423 257
Average Sale Price ($) 232,000 296,000 239,000 462,700
Median Sale Price 229,600 260,000 210,000 346,000
Average Sale Price % Change -2.0% -2.0% -5.1% -1.7%

Data courtesy of RMLS.

Additional ‘Regional Comparison” data is available for other Portland Metro areas, please feel free to give me a call at 503.467.9997 or send an email.

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