Each month we break down the RMLS Market Action Report to help Portland homeowners and buyers understand what’s actually happening in the market. The Portland Metro Residential Market Action Report is a monthly snapshot provided by RMLS, the regional database where real estate agents list homes across the area.
May was fairly mild compared to April’s spring selling season kick-off:
Inventory rose 3.2% to 3.2 months
Median sale price increased 1.8% to $560,000
Total market time decreased 9.5% to 57 days
Note: “Total market time” only counts listings that went from active to pending during the month. Homes that were withdrawn or canceled after extended time on market are not included.
Based on both our firsthand experience and the May market data, we're seeing less new inventory come to market than we typically do this time of year. Combined with a decrease in average market time, this means buyers are facing increased competition for well-priced homes.
If you're actively searching, keep a close eye on your saved property alerts and be prepared to act quickly when the right opportunity appears. Having a current pre-approval letter and a well-crafted offer strategy can make all the difference in a competitive situation.
That said, not every home is moving quickly. We're still seeing a number of properties that have been on the market for 90+ days, and these "stale" listings may present excellent opportunities for buyers willing to take a second look. In many cases, sellers may be more open to negotiation on price, terms, or concessions.
While active listing competition isn't as intense as it has been during some previous spring markets, pricing remains the single most important factor in determining how quickly a home sells. Today's buyers are well-informed, and homes that are accurately priced from the start continue to generate the strongest interest.
The longer a property sits on the market, the greater the risk of buyer hesitation and perceived value loss. That's why we're encouraging sellers to focus on the fundamentals: thoughtful preparation, professional marketing, standout presentation, and strategic pricing from day one.
If your home is currently on the market and showing activity has slowed, it may be time to reassess your pricing, presentation, or overall positioning. Sometimes even a few strategic adjustments can reignite interest and help move a sale forward.
Inventory levels are a leading indicator of market strength. This metric is calculated by dividing the total number of active listings at the end of the month by the number of homes that sold during the same period.
The inventory level for May was 3.2 months, meaning that if no new homes came on the market, it would take 3.2 months for all existing inventory to sell at the current pace of sales.
The median sale price for May was $560,000, representing:
+1.8% compared to last month
-1.7% compared to May 2025
Lake Oswego / West Linn maintained the highest median sale price in the Portland Metro area at $905,000.
West Portland: $745,000
North Portland: $500,000
NE Portland: $535,000
SE Portland: $525,000
If you’d like to learn more about the Portland Metro real estate market, or how these trends may impact your home, feel free to reach out anytime.
Email: [email protected]
Call or Text: 503-545-5094
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Address 4200 Mercantile Dr #700 Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Address 4200 Mercantile Dr #700 Lake Oswego, OR 97035
