When Is the Best Time to Buy a Home in Portland?
What 24 Months of Market Data Tell Us
If you’ve been thinking about buying a home, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Should I wait until spring? Is winter better for a deal? When will I have more options?” The truth is, the best time to buy is when you’re ready to make a move. But if you’re planning ahead, the last 24 months of Portland Metro market data give us some patterns worth noting.
Prices don’t swing dramatically
The median sale price line shows a steady upward trend, with only small dips here and there. Portland isn’t a market where waiting six months is likely to save you tens of thousands. The bigger factors for buyers are competition and inventory, not chasing a “perfect” price point.
Inventory gives buyers some leverage
Looking at months of inventory, Portland has mostly hovered between 2.3 and 3.8 months. That’s technically still a seller’s market (anything under 4 months is). But those higher points—like late summer 2024—can give buyers more breathing room and sometimes more negotiating power.
More homes to choose from in spring and summer
Our chart of new listings vs. closed sales makes one thing very clear: spring and summer are the busiest seasons. That’s when the floodgates open with fresh homes hitting the market. If having more choices is important to you, those months will feel like a bigger buffet. The flip side? You’ll likely be competing with more buyers too.
Winter buyers face less competition
The Days on Market heatmap shows that homes tend to sit a little longer in winter. That means less pressure, fewer multiple-offer situations, and sometimes a seller who’s more motivated to negotiate. We’ve even had Januaries where our phones quiet down so much that we sneak in a holiday—we know those buyers who are out shopping are serious.
So what’s the move?
Here’s how we frame it with our clients:
Spring and summer = more options, more competition.
Fall and winter = fewer options, but more negotiating room and motivated sellers.
Across the board = prices are steady, so focus less on “timing it perfectly” and more on being prepared.
At the end of the day, the right time to buy is when your lifestyle, finances, and goals all line up. But this 24-month snapshot shows you the rhythms of the Portland market so you can shop with confidence.
Data sourced from the RMLS Monthly Market Reports from September 2023 - August 2025
Kim Campbell & Francisco Salgado
Licensed Oregon Realtors
We help demystify the process!
Want to know how these trends apply to your home purchase goals? Let’s talk. We’ll walk you through the timing, prep, and pricing strategy that fits your goals.
Call or text us at 503-951-8547
