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New plant hardiness map shows only subtle shifts in Oregon

Warming winters impact which plants thrive.

News

Policies guiding Portland police's use of body cameras

The city is one of the last of its size to implement the devices across its police agency.

Portland holiday lights guide

Don't miss the sing-a-long at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Things to Do

Who picks up Portland's trash?

You might have to first pick up the phone.

How long it takes to break even on your home in Portland

That's far longer than the traditional advice.

Real Estate

As mortgage rates get <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closer to 8%" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/26/homes/mortgage-rates/index.html" data-vars-content-id="0b625aa3-06f3-46a8-b1eb-515521e336ea" data-vars-headline="How long it takes to break even on your home in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/26/homes/mortgage-rates/index.html" target="_blank">closer to 8%</a>, it will take a lot longer for new homeowners <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to break even" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/22/us-home-sales-profit-years" data-vars-content-id="0b625aa3-06f3-46a8-b1eb-515521e336ea" data-vars-headline="How long it takes to break even on your home in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/22/us-home-sales-profit-years" target="_self">to break even</a> on their purchase, per Zillow data exclusively shared with Axios.Driving the news: In the Portland metro area it could take more than a decade to break even on a typical house at current rates with a 20% down payment.<ul><li>That&#x27;s how long you have to stay in your house before you can sell to make a profit and recoup expenses like mortgage interest, fees, and maintenance.</li><li>For Portlanders who put down 3%, the time needed to break even is estimated at 12.5 years.</li></ul>Why it matters: That&#x27;s far longer than the traditional advice that you will recover purchase costs if you stay in your home for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at least five years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-long-should-you-live-in-house-before-selling/#:~:text=Though%20five%20years%20is%20a,idea%20of%20your%20breakeven%20point." data-vars-content-id="0b625aa3-06f3-46a8-b1eb-515521e336ea" data-vars-headline="How long it takes to break even on your home in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-long-should-you-live-in-house-before-selling/#:~:text=Though%20five%20years%20is%20a,idea%20of%20your%20breakeven%20point." target="_blank">at least five years</a>.How it works: Zillow used typical price increases for each market to forecast the value of a median home and compare it to equity based on down payments of 3% to 20%.Go deeper:<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" The problem with America&#x27;s high homeownership rate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/26/housing-crisis-homeownership-nimby-mortgage-rates" data-vars-content-id="0b625aa3-06f3-46a8-b1eb-515521e336ea" data-vars-headline="How long it takes to break even on your home in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/26/housing-crisis-homeownership-nimby-mortgage-rates" target="_self"> The problem with America&#x27;s high homeownership rate</a>

A graph that reads it will take homeowners in Portland 12.5 years to break even on their homes with 3% down.

Why a fence and plywood are still up on downtown courthouses

At a glance, it might feel like nothing has changed in three years.

You asked, we answer. From the Unstumped inbox, we have this question: Why are courthouses downtown, where the 2020 protests took place, still covered in plywood and fencing?Catch up quick: The protests were largely concentrated near the former Multnomah County Courthouse, its first floor now fully encased in plywood, and the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse, its entrance surrounded by a high metal fence and concrete barricades, which first went up during the protests.

One building with plywood boarding up the front door and another with fencing and concrete blocks around it.

Most Portland Gen Z renters are cost-burdened

Two-thirds are spending 30% or more of their income on rent.

​​Two-thirds of the Portland metro area&#x27;s youngest renters spend at least 30% of their income on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rent" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/33086851.6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL2Jvc3Rvbi8yMDIzLzAyLzAxL2Jvc3Rvbi1yZW50cy1tYXJrZXQtaGlnaD91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/643434d786fd93081b09895fB58b05987" data-vars-content-id="5041a9a8-4174-41c6-b992-c73a09d189c4" data-vars-headline="Most Portland Gen Z renters are cost-burdened" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/33086851.6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL2Jvc3Rvbi8yMDIzLzAyLzAxL2Jvc3Rvbi1yZW50cy1tYXJrZXQtaGlnaD91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/643434d786fd93081b09895fB58b05987" target="_blank">rent</a>, according to the latest U.S. census data.Why it matters: The data shows the financial pressure on the region&#x27;s youngest workers and students at a time when the Rose City is seeing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record-level outmigration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/08/16/portland-migration-leaving-cost-multnomah-county-1-billion" data-vars-content-id="5041a9a8-4174-41c6-b992-c73a09d189c4" data-vars-headline="Most Portland Gen Z renters are cost-burdened" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/08/16/portland-migration-leaving-cost-multnomah-county-1-billion" target="_self">record-level outmigration</a>.

A graph showing how much each generation spends on rent. Over two-thirds of Gen Zers in Portland metro spend more than 30% of their income on rent.

Homes in Portland metro still selling fast

Portland-area homes go off-market after a median of 13 days.

More than half of Portland-area homes listed in July were snapped up in two weeks or less, according to Redfin data shared with Axios.<ul><li>That&#x27;s above the national average, which saw roughly 41% of listings marked pending, contingent or sold within that window, Redfin found.</li></ul>

Illustration of two hammers forming an "X" shape. 

Portland condo prices keep falling

With mortgage rates inching closer to 8%, buyers need to squeeze every ounce of buying power they can.

Portland buyers have a bit more power in the condo market as prices fall and single-family homes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sit on the market slightly longer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redfin.com/city/30772/OR/Portland/housing-market" data-vars-content-id="029744c9-8e20-49e3-908a-c5da7b34199d" data-vars-headline="Portland condo prices keep falling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redfin.com/city/30772/OR/Portland/housing-market" target="_blank">sit on the market slightly longer</a> than in previous years.Why it matters: With mortgage rates inching <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closer to 8%" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/22/mortgage-rates-current" data-vars-content-id="029744c9-8e20-49e3-908a-c5da7b34199d" data-vars-headline="Portland condo prices keep falling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/22/mortgage-rates-current" target="_self">closer to 8%</a>, buyers need to squeeze every ounce of buying power they can.

Illustration of a row of condo buildings with one wall rising up into the sky and forming an upward pointing arrow

Portland's share of million-dollar homes

Oregon's share of million-dollar houses has risen 4% since 2019.

Roughly 6.7% of homes in Portland&#x27;s metro area are worth at least $1 million, down from nearly 7.5% a year ago, per a new report from Redfin.Why it matters: As Portland and other cities struggle with a lack of affordable housing, home prices have been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="skyrocketing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/17/housing-prices-affordability-rise-fall-2023-goldman-sachs" data-vars-content-id="a035416e-47e3-4b87-b1a2-c34843d5309a" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s share of million-dollar homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/17/housing-prices-affordability-rise-fall-2023-goldman-sachs" target="_self">skyrocketing</a> into seven-figure territory.

Illustration of a house with a long arrow-shaped shadow pointing upwards.

Unstumped: Why Portland's westside got downtown

Development

Why is Portland&#x27;s central business district on the west side of the Willamette? An Axios Portland reader wanted to know.Why it matters: Central business districts — including Portland&#x27;s — have typically been the recipient of all kinds of resources and attention, from government headquarters and cultural institutions to skylines symbolizing much larger areas and communities.

Illustration of a beaver carving a log into a question mark symbol.

Construction ramps up at Pop Blocks development

It may still be a decade before we see the site developed to its fully intended glory.

After a few hiccups, construction on the mixed-use, mixed-income complex at the corner of NE 27th Avenue and Sandy Boulevard is speeding along — adding several new levels since earlier this year.Catch up quick: Seven years ago, Seattle-based developer Security Properties bought the &#x27;60s-era <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pepsi Cola Bottling Plant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.docomomo-oregon.org/resources/pepsi-cola-bottling-plant/" data-vars-content-id="d776cf9d-1d09-4ebe-a052-59163368d8e9" data-vars-headline="Construction ramps up at Pop Blocks development" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.docomomo-oregon.org/resources/pepsi-cola-bottling-plant/" target="_blank">Pepsi Cola Bottling Plant</a> for $27 million with the intent to turn the 4.7-acre site into a combination of housing (about 500 to 1,300 apartments), parks, retail and commercial space — now referred to as Pop Blocks.

A photo of construction on an eight-story building with an arched pavilion. 

More metro Portland homes selling at a loss

Most still make money on their homes, but losses are creeping up in Portland and nationally.

A small but growing share of Portland area homeowners are selling their houses for less than they paid for them, per national data Redfin.Why it matters: Losing money on as big an investment as a home can be a huge hit.

Illustration of a real estate sale sign shaped like a downward point arrow

Portland's fifth tiny home shelter site opens

The St. Johns site can house up to 65 in the 8-by-8-foot homes.

On Wednesday, Axios toured the newest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Safe Rest Villages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.portland.gov/safe-rest-villages/safe-rest-villages-program-overview" data-vars-content-id="b710c915-cfe1-4d1a-83c6-3c12499ac0cf" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s fifth tiny home shelter site opens" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.portland.gov/safe-rest-villages/safe-rest-villages-program-overview" target="_blank">Safe Rest Villages</a> site — Peninsula Crossing in St. Johns, right off North Macrum Avenue.Why it matters: This is the fifth tiny home shelter site to open in Portland, and based on Multnomah County data, the program has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shown early success" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/05/17/safe-rest-village-portland-oregon-success-homelessness" data-vars-content-id="b710c915-cfe1-4d1a-83c6-3c12499ac0cf" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s fifth tiny home shelter site opens" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/05/17/safe-rest-village-portland-oregon-success-homelessness" target="_self">shown early success</a> in moving people experiencing homelessness into permanent housing.

A photo of seven tiny homes part of Portland's Safe Rest Villages program.

You need $150K a year to afford a typical Portland-area home

That's up up 15.6% from last year, a new report finds.

You need to earn a cool $149,000 a year to afford <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a typical home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/07/06/down-payment-savings-timeline-portland-oregon" data-vars-content-id="a85e32c4-bb41-40b6-b160-375341115bd0" data-vars-headline="You need $150K a year to afford a typical Portland-area home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/07/06/down-payment-savings-timeline-portland-oregon" target="_self">a typical home</a> in Portland, up 15.6% from last year, a new report finds.Reality check: The median annual household income in the census-designated Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metropolitan statistical area <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="was a little more than $89,000" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/09/15/share-of-wealthy-grow-lower-income-shrinks" data-vars-content-id="a85e32c4-bb41-40b6-b160-375341115bd0" data-vars-headline="You need $150K a year to afford a typical Portland-area home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/09/15/share-of-wealthy-grow-lower-income-shrinks" target="_self">was a little more than $89,000</a> last year, per census data.

Illustration of a door knocker in the shape of a dollar sign