It is the most wonderful time of the year... if you are a seller.

Condo and Single Family Home inventory continues to be exceptionally low.  If you would like to see all MLS listed condos in Portland, please visit my website www.portlandlistings.com

Photo of the John Ross Condos in Summer

The holidays have past, and we were in the depths of winter.  A lot of people in Portland get depressed this time of the year because of the lack of sunlight, but people who want to sell condos or homes in Portland are in full party mode.  They are dancing a jig.  It is still the most wonderful time of the year if you have real estate to sell.

Inventory is of condos and homes is pathetic... leftovers from last year that were over priced or poor quality.    Yesterday I went on "Broker's Tour" to see if I could come across some decent homes for buyers that I am working with, and I found some!!  However, the listing agents were talking about multiple offers.  I was looking for homes for one particular buyer, and she will not be available to look at homes until January 19th. I am afraid that it will be too late for the nice properties that I looked at yesterday.

I wrote an offer on a bank owned condo in downtown Portland last week, and I received an email from the listing agent that said, we have multiple offers, please submit your highest and best offer.  My client instructed me to write an above list price offer, and now we wait.  This is the state of the market.  Condos and homes that are appropriately priced are selling very fast.

One very interesting opportunity that I have identified is condos at the John Ross and the Atwater at the South Waterfront.  These two buildings are not subject to pending litigation, and for the next few months the only inventory available to non-cash purchasers will be at the John Ross and the Atwater.  The Meriwether is still mired in the lawsuit against the developer, and this means that roughly 50% of the condo inventory at the South Waterfront is still frozen.  Once the lawsuit is resolved, Katie bar the door.  There is going to be a waterfall of inventory coming out of Meriwether buildings... no pun intended.

The John Ross Condos... What is it like to live in a condo?

I live in The John Ross Condominiums at the south waterfront in Portland Oregon, and there are a few things about living in condos that I would like to share with readers.

I have a great view.  Because many condos are high rises, many condos have great views.  I love the great view, especially at night.

They build condos where people want to live, so the location plays a huge role in the decision to buy a condo.  There are no free standing homes in the South Waterfront or the Pearl District, so if you want the convenience of living downtown in these neighborhoods, condos, townhouses and apartments are your only options.

Living in a condo is very convenient is some ways, and awkward in other ways.  It is super convenient having a trash chute just a few feet away from my door.  Underground parking is awesome. Having a concierge is fantastic.  There aren't any bugs on the 19th floor.  Seriously, I haven't seen a single spider, ant or moth since I live here.

Riding the elevator is awkward.  You are in a box with a stranger for 30 seconds or a minute.  Grocery shopping is awkward.  If you have more than what you can carry in one load, you have to get a cart or make more than one trip.

There is almost no noise transfer in this building, but I would never play loud music.

I love living in a condo.  It is a lifestyle choice that really works for me.

brian porter