Alia Marie Hazen, The Agency

04/14/2026

RMLS data is accurate, but in April we are still looking at numbers from about a month ago.

From what I am seeing in real time, the market feels a bit more competitive than the stats suggest. Homes that are clean, updated, well located, and look great online are still getting strong attention and competitive offers. The issue is not just low inventory. It is also a lack of truly compelling homes hitting the market.

Buyers are out there, but they are selective. They are not chasing everything. They are waiting for the right one, and when it shows up, things can move fast.

I am hopeful spring brings more inventory, because the last 30 days have felt busier than the numbers might lead you to believe.

04/06/2026

The condo market has been a bit of a wild ride and now we are finally seeing some real shifts behind the scenes. Fannie Mae is raising reserve requirements, which is basically them saying what many of us have known for a long time… a lot of HOAs have not been saving enough.

Why does that matter? Underfunded reserves can lead to deferred maintenance, surprise assessments, and real financial stress for owners.

Here is the upside. Knowledge is power.

There are some really great values out there in condos right now. I am seeing pricing that actually makes sense again, especially for buyers who want to be in close in neighborhoods. But you have to look past the price and dig into the reserves, the budget, and the long term plan for the building.

Do not just look at the number. Know your data.

The buyers who win in this market are the ones who understand both the opportunity and the risk and know how to balance the two.

The mortgage industry finally catches up to […]

04/06/2026

Twilight open this Friday 4-6.

03/17/2026

This is a good read and really lines up with what we have been seeing. I think some of the drop in condo values may be the market catching up to the true cost of owning in older buildings with aging infrastructure and underfunded reserves.

There may be some good deals out there, but buyers need to understand what risk may be coming with future assessments or higher HOA dues. That is why having the HOA documents reviewed by a lawyer is so important. You need to understand not just the building’s finances today, but what may be coming next.

The HOA Detective™ | March 17, 2026: […]

03/10/2026

You only get one debut on the market.

When a home first goes live, it gets the most focused attention it will ever have. Buyers are curious, watching closely, and aware that other buyers may be looking too. That early window creates urgency, and urgency is what often leads to stronger offers.

Once a home sits, the conversation changes. Buyers start wondering why it has not sold, what may be wrong, or how much room there is to negotiate. Even if the price is adjusted later, the feeling of being new is gone.

That is why pricing and preparation matter so much. The goal is not to test the market. The goal is to come on strong, make a great first impression, and attract serious buyers right away.

In the Portland market, I see this often. Homes that are well prepared and priced thoughtfully tend to create more activity early. Homes that start too high usually lose momentum and give buyers more confidence to negotiate.

The market will do what it does, but how your home enters it is something we can control. A strong launch gives you the best chance to capture attention, create competition, and put yourself in a stronger position from the start.

That is the advantage of getting it right the first time.

02/11/2026

People keep asking why there are plenty of buyer conversations right now, but fewer offers actually getting written. It makes sense. Buyers are watching closely, doing the math, and waiting for a little more certainty before they commit.

In Portland, the vibe is different than the last couple years. Buyers have more choices, things are taking longer, and that takes the panic out of the process.

The tricky part is for homeowners who bought in 2021 and 2022. A lot of people paid a premium to win in a hyper competitive moment, and today’s buyers are more selective, especially with condos and smaller entry level homes. In some cases, the value just has not caught up to those peak purchase prices yet, and that can sting.

This is where good data and honest advice matter. Not wishful pricing, not sugarcoating, and not doom scrolling headlines. Just clear comps, a real strategy, and a plan that meets today’s market so you can actually move forward.

01/27/2026

Meet 2025 SE Caruthers Street Unit 24.

If you have been trying to get into the Ladds Addition and Division pocket without paying peak neighborhood pricing, this is your opening. This 626 square foot studio lives way bigger than expected and just had a price improvement to $231000.

Why it works
No shared walls
Minimal stairs entry
Private entrance
Gas fireplace stainless heating stove
Gas and stainless kitchen
Updated bath with classic subway tile
In unit laundry
Two walk in closets
Secure 8 by 8 storage right outside your door
Indoor bike storage

All wrapped in a charming 1940s stucco building with a quiet courtyard and BBQ area. Pet friendly HOA with dues at $418 per month.

Minutes to New Seasons, Hawthorne, Division, and the Ladds Loop. Message me if you want a tour or the numbers.

01/19/2026

Back in my heyday, I spent way too many nights in this building and it has honestly been sad watching it sit vacant for nearly a decade. This was my go to for a cocktail and coconut shrimp.

Now it’s finally getting new life. Let them eat steak. The Pearl is doing what it does best, reinventing itself one new opening at a time, and I love seeing it.

The building, last home to Oba!, finally lands a flashy new tenant

01/11/2026

Not all real estate deals are the same, and that is never more true than with condos. They can look simple on the surface, but the details matter a lot. Sold comps, HOA assessments, reserves, rental caps, and time on market can change the whole story. Do the research, know the numbers, and you will know if there is a real deal to be had. Also worth saying out loud: sometimes a sale just is not realistic because a seller may be upside down compared to current market value, and it is better to learn that early than after months of frustration. SOLD

01/11/2026

Early 2026 is a solid moment for buyers who have been waiting for a smarter entry point, and this one checks a lot of real world boxes in the Ladds and Division area. It is technically a studio, but it feels closer to a one bedroom because the layout has real breathing room and the value shows up in the price per square foot. The building is a classic 1940s stucco with a calm courtyard and BBQ space, and the unit itself is refreshingly private with its own entrance, no stairs, and no shared walls. Inside you will find a roomy kitchen with gas and stainless appliances, an open living and dining setup, an updated bath with subway tile, in unit laundry, and two walk in closets. Storage is also unusually good with an eight by eight secure room right outside the unit plus indoor bike storage on the main level. Pet friendly HOA, low dues, strong reserves, and you are right by New Seasons plus all the favorites along Hawthorne, Division, and the Ladds loop. The seller is motivated, which is rare here, and it makes this a strong chance to get into a neighborhood people love without stretching.