Off the Record: Portland Real Estate Insider

🍼 A safer home starts before your baby takes their first steps. Whether you're planning for your first child or preparing your home for a growing family, the right layout—and a few simple safety upgrades—can make everyday life much easier. 🏡 Episode Summary Preparing for a baby changes the way you look at your home. In this episode of Off the Record , Joe Reitzug and Makayla Mast discuss wh...

Episode Summary Dreaming about owning a home at the Oregon Coast? In this episode, Joe and Makayla take a tour of the North Oregon Coast, breaking down the real estate markets in Rockaway Beach, Pacific City, Manzanita, Cannon Beach, Seaside, and Gearhart. They discuss current home prices, inventory levels, investment opportunities, luxury beachfront properties, and which towns offer the best valu...

 The small details, emotional reactions, and hidden dealbreakers that shape buyer decisions fast.  What actually changes a buyer’s mind during a showing — and what are sellers wasting time worrying about? In this episode of Off the Record, Joe and Makayla break down the subtle things that instantly influence buyers emotionally when walking through a home… from smell and lighting to deferred mainte...

Inside Oregon’s Largest Master-Planned Community South Hillsboro is growing fast — and buyers across the Portland metro area are paying attention. In this episode of Off the Record , Joe Reitzug and Makayla Mast break down why communities like Reed’s Crossing continue attracting buyers looking for new construction, walkability, parks, restaurants, and modern home designs. They discuss the scale be...

Episode Summary In this episode of Off the Record , Joe and Makayla walk through the five most expensive homes currently on the market in the Portland metro area. From hillside estates with sweeping views to riverfront properties and legacy homes with decades of history, this episode gives a clear look at what defines luxury at the highest level right now—and why this segment of the market is stil...

 Thinking about buying new construction? Here are 12 things most buyers don’t realize—until it’s too late.  🏡 Episode Summary Buying a brand-new home sounds simple—but new construction comes with a completely different set of rules, costs, and risks that most buyers don’t fully understand upfront. In this episode, Joe and Makayla break down the 12 most important things to know before buying new c...

 Thinking about making an offer? Make sure you’re asking the right questions first.  🏡 Episode Summary Writing an offer on a home can feel exciting—and honestly, a little overwhelming. Most buyers focus on one simple question: Do I like this house? But in today’s market, that’s not enough. In this episode, Joe and Makayla break down the three key questions they ask behind the scenes before advisi...

🏡 Episode Summary Timing isn’t everything in real estate—but when it comes to listing your home, the first 72 hours might be the most important window you have. In this episode of Off the Record , Joe and Makayla break down why your home’s launch strategy can directly impact your final sale price, time on market, and negotiating power. From preparation and pricing to timing your listing for maxim...

🏡 Episode Summary Where is the Portland housing market headed over the next 20 years? In this episode of Off the Record , Joe and Makayla break down past trends, current numbers, and economist forecasts to project what Portland real estate could look like by 2046. From $300K homes in 2006 to today’s $500K+ median, the trajectory tells a powerful story. If you’re deciding whether to buy now or wai...

🏡 Episode Summary If you’re renting in the Portland area, chances are you’ve asked yourself: am I just throwing money away? On the flip side, if you’ve looked at home prices lately, buying might feel completely out of reach. This episode breaks down the real numbers behind renting vs. buying —without the fluff or misleading internet advice. Joe and Makayla walk through a realistic snapshot using...

 Are listing photos telling you the truth—or just part of it? 👀  🏡 Episode Summary Most buyers start their home search online—but the reality is, listings only show part of the picture. In this episode, Joe and Makayla break down the top 5 things buyers consistently miss when browsing listings , and why those overlooked details can impact everything from pricing strategy to long-term costs. From...

Is it smart to buy a home with friends? Should you drain your 401(k) for a down payment? What happens if you break up after buying a house together? In this episode of Off the Record , Joe and Makayla answer some of the most common (and most honest) home buying questions people are asking online right now. 🏡 Episode Summary People ask the most honest real estate questions when they’re anonymous o...

🏡 Episode Summary Buying vacant land sounds simple: find a great lot, design your dream home, and build. But in the Portland real estate market, “buying dirt” comes with layers of due diligence that can make or break your project. In this episode of Off the Record , Joe and Makayla break down the 15 most important factors to consider before purchasing land—from zoning and setbacks to utilities, f...

💥 Can You Still Buy a Home Under $600K in Portland — and Get Into a Great School District? Affordability is dominating headlines… but what does it actually look like on the ground in the Portland metro market? In this episode of Off the Record , Joe and Makayla break down where buyers can still find homes under $600,000 — and how those areas stack up when it comes to school districts. Whether you...

Thinking about buying a home in 2026—but not sure where to start? Before you fall in love with a kitchen… let’s make sure your strategy is stronger than your emotions.  🏡 Episode Summary In this episode of Off the Record , Joe and Makayla break down exactly how to prepare to buy a home in 2026 — financially, strategically, and emotionally. This isn’t just “get pre-approved and start shopping.” It...

Is 2026 finally the year the housing market finds its footing—or is another curveball coming? In this episode, we break down what’s actually ahead for buyers and sellers in the Portland metro real estate market. 🏡 Episode Summary 2026 is shaping up to be a recovery year—but not a boom . In this episode of Off the Record: Talking Real Estate , Joe and Makayla unpack what buyers and sellers should...

What do Christmas cookies, blue lights, and holiday movies have in common? They all make this festive episode unexpectedly fun—and very opinionated.  🎙️ Episode Summary In this special holiday episode of Off the Record , Joe and Makayla step away from their usual format and lean into something more personal: holiday traditions, strong opinions, and the little things that make the season memorable...

Buying or selling a home soon? Before you make a major move, there’s one decision that can make or break your experience: 👉 How do you choose the right real estate broker to represent you? This episode gives you the inside scoop you won’t get anywhere else. 📝 EPISODE SUMMARY Whether you’re a first-time buyer, prepping to sell, or relocating to a new city, choosing the right real estate broker is...

 Are Zillow’s Zestimates your secret weapon—or your biggest home-selling trap? 👀  🏡 Episode Summary In this episode of Off the Record , Joe and Makayla pull back the curtain on Zillow’s Zestimate —that number every homeowner loves (or hates) to check. They break down how Zestimates are calculated, what they get right, and the major blind spots that can seriously mislead buyers and sellers. From...

💡 Rates finally dipped — but will you move fast enough? Joe and Makayla share what the smartest homebuyers are doing right now while everyone else is still waiting for 5%. 🏡 Episode Summary The real estate world just got interesting again — rates are now sitting in the high 5s to low 6s , and buyers who’ve been on the sidelines are starting to make their move. In this episode, Joe and Makayla br...

Think the Portland luxury market is slowing down? Think again. From $1.2M remodels flying off the shelf to million-dollar buyers moving fast while everyone else hesitates—Joe and Makayla break down what’s really happening this fall. 🏙️ Episode Summary The Portland Metro luxury real estate market is defying expectations this fall. While much of the market is sensitive to rates, the $1.2M+ segment i...

🏠 The government’s shut down—so what does that mean for your home purchase or sale? Joe and Makayla unpack the real impact of the current U.S. government shutdown on Portland’s real estate market , including loan delays , rate volatility , and buyer confidence —plus what smart buyers and sellers should do right now . 🎙️ Episode Summary As of October 8, 2025, the federal government is officially s...

Dreaming of a beach house on the Oregon Coast? 🏖️ With record inventory, shifting prices, and fewer buyers competing, this might be your moment. 📋 Episode Summary In this episode of Off the Record , Joe and Makayla dive into the Fall 2025 Oregon Coast housing market —covering Seaside, Gearhart, Cannon Beach, and even Manzanita. They break down why inventory is higher than ever, how interest rate...

Thinking about upgrading your home without leaving your child’s school district ? Here’s how to make the move stress-free and successful. Episode Summary Moving to a bigger home while staying in the same school district can feel overwhelming—especially when you need to juggle selling your current home and buying the next one at the same time. In this episode of Off the Record , Joe Reitzug and Mak...

Thinking about buying a home in Portland but not sure if it’s the right time? This episode gives you the no-fluff, straight-up advice Joe & Makayla would share with their best friends . Episode Summary In this episode of Off the Record , Joe Reitzug and Makayla Mast cut through the noise and share what they’d honestly tell their closest friends about buying in Portland’s 2025 housing market. F...