HFO Multifamily Marketwatch for Oregon and SW Washington

This episode features the latest Oregon wins and woes for landlords from the 2025 legislative session. Andor law co-founder Marcel Gesmundo discusses the recent Oregon legislative session. Discover the latest housing provider wins, including the defeat of several bills that would have had a negative impact on the industry. Additionally, Gesmundo discusses the ongoing efforts to promote housing pro...

Brad Kraus, a partner at Warren Allen, breaks down the latest legislative changes impacting rental housing providers in Washington State. Discover the new rent increase caps, mandatory forms, and service of process requirements that are now in effect. This episode is crucial for  understanding how to navigate these updates and avoid costly management mistakes.

Seattle's affordable housing is unraveling—1,100 units for sale, rising costs, and legal battles. In Portland, a major nonprofit is selling 80 homes, hoping to turn renters into owners. Crisis or opportunity?

Bond yields are bouncing and lender sentiment is shifting. In this episode of HFO's Multifamily Marketwatch, Michael Pierce breaks down the recent Treasury market volatility, explains the role of credit spreads in loan pricing, and shares what multifamily owners and investors need to know to navigate today's cautious lending environment.

Seattle's apartment pipeline is drying up as construction permits plunge and housing costs drive record out-migration from Washington. In this episode, HFO's Michael Pierce breaks down the latest permitting data, rent trends, and policy debates every multifamily owner, investor, and developer needs to know.

Permitting across the Portland metro is plummeting, but Oregon's lawmakers are responding with bold new reforms to accelerate housing development. In this episode, HFO's Michael Pierce explores the latest permit trends, housing bills, and investment opportunities multifamily owners, developers, and investors need to track across Oregon's shifting real estate landscape.

Dive into the evolving world of property management with Michael Havlik, academic director of Portland State University's Real Estate Center. Havlik reveals how innovative undergraduate programs are bridging the gap between education and real-world property management, offering students unique insights into technology, ethics, and career opportunities. Learn about the critical skills needed to suc...

In this episode, consultant Jennifer Shuch of Leland Consulting Group shares insights into the challenges facing housing production, including economic hurdles, zoning restrictions, and the critical need for more flexible urban planning strategies. She discusses emerging solutions like public-private partnerships and state-level initiatives aimed at increasing affordable housing supply. Tune in to...

This episode reviews the most impactful housing legislation passed in Washington State's intense 2025 session, including new rent control measures, changes to eviction procedures, and reforms to promote housing development. The following are among the laws signaling significant changes ahead for both renters and property owners across the state.

In this episode, we break down high, medium, and low priority bills that could impact renters, property owners, and the multifamily housing market, from changes to permitting and rent assistance to new rules for tax exemptions and rent control. Don't miss this essential overview for anyone invested in Oregon's rental housing landscape.

This episode covers the April 2025 Multifamily NW Apartment Report with a tone of cautious optimism and a focus on digestible insights for a commuting audience.

This episode is all about reasons to feel confident in Portland's multifamily future! While some headlines are still catching up to what's really happening on the ground, here at HFO we are seeing a market that is quietly strengthening and setting up for long-term opportunity.

HFO partner Greg Frick interviews Ezra Hammer, an attorney specializing in land use and real estate with Jordan Ramis law firm. Their discussion explores the critical housing challenges facing Portland and the state of Oregon. Hammer discusses the region's significant housing shortage, with approximately 45,000 missing housing units and low development rates, highlighting systemic issues like infr...

HFO's Greg Frick and Charlie Kokernak of Gantry, Inc. discuss the Q1 2025 Oregon and SW Washington multifamily market lending landscape. Despite political uncertainties, the market is finding stability. There's a significant pent-up demand for equity, driven by reasons like default and depreciation. Underwriting standards remain consistent, and rates have dropped, but uncertainty remains. Insuranc...

Dive into this week's Multifamily Marketwatch! Washington Governor Bob Ferguson tackles housing affordability challenges with zoning reforms and rent stabilization efforts. Seattle's ambitious 20-year housing plan faces roadblocks that could delay new developments. Meanwhile, Portland's vibrant market sees growth with key projects like Sellwood Bluff and Reed's Crossing as rising insurance costs a...

Explore the latest legislative updates impacting multifamily housing investments in Oregon and Washington! In this episode, we cover Oregon's new mandates like air conditioning requirements (SB 54), changes to rent cap exemptions (SB 722), and Washington's push for innovative housing solutions such as commercial conversions and zoning reforms. Learn how these policies affect supply, affordability,...

In this episode of HFO Multifamily Marketwatch, Greg Frick interviews Wayne Achen, Project Coordinator at Pacific Exteriors NW. They explore common exterior issues in multifamily buildings in the Pacific Northwest, emphasizing the significance of regular maintenance and early problem detection, such as water intrusion, failing windows, and improper deck installations. Wayne highlights that many is...

In this episode of HFO Multifamily Marketwatch, we delve into the contentious debate surrounding the Portland Supportive Housing Services (SHS) tax, which funds homeless services and is set to expire in 2030. A proposed 20-year extension would lower the tax rate from 1% to 0.9%, yet concerns remain about the tax's high rate and its implications for attracting high-income residents. The discussion...

Explore Oregon's critical housing shortage as this episode examines low vacancy rates, rent burdens, and the influence of second homes. It dives into the contrasting legislative approaches between Republicans and Democrats on issues like homelessness and governance, while also discussing new requirements for cooling systems in multifamily housing and updates to Oregon's building code.

This episode covers groundbreaking measures reshaping multifamily housing, including rent increase caps in manufactured home parks and streamlining kit home permits in Washington. It also highlights the transformative role of AI in real estate and discusses the ripple effects of NIH grant cuts on OHSU.

In this episode, newly elected city councilor Olivia Clark shares her bold vision for tackling housing and development challenges. She discusses streamlining the permitting process, revising zoning regulations, and fostering a more collaborative environment at City Hall to support sustainable growth. Olivia highlights her approach to reducing administrative burdens, lowering operational costs, and...

In this episode, we sit down with Portland City Council member Eric Zimmerman to discuss the city's growing challenges and opportunities in multifamily housing; from tackling frustrating permitting delays to reducing regulatory burdens that weigh heavily on multifamily property owners, our guest shares candid insights into hurdles facing the housing market today. We also delve into the innovative...

This week's episode dives into the legislative discussions shaping housing policy in Oregon and Washington. From proposed caps on rent increases to measures promoting condo development and tenant protections—plus new requirements for air conditioning in multifamily properties—these debates could transform the housing landscape in the Pacific Northwest. Tune in for an inside look at what's on the t...