When Is the Best Time to Sell a Home in Portland?
Timing the Market
We hear it all the time: “Should I wait for spring? What about summer? Is winter a bad idea?” Truth is, the best time to sell is when it’s right for your life. But if you’ve got the luxury of planning ahead, the data gives us some helpful clues.
We pulled together 24 months of Portland Metro market stats—tracking median prices, days on market, inventory, and how new listings stack up against actual sales. Here’s what stood out to us.
Prices hold steady (and keep inching up)
Looking at median sale prices over the past two years, Portland’s market has stayed surprisingly resilient. Even when interest rates bumped around, prices kept a gentle upward climb. Sellers who list in the spring and summer often ride the wave of stronger buyer activity—but even the winter months didn’t show dramatic dips.
Inventory makes all the difference
When there are fewer homes available, buyers compete harder. Over the past 24 months, inventory has hovered in the 2.3–3.8 months range. Anything under four months is considered a seller’s market, and Portland has stayed firmly there. That means even in slower months, sellers often still have leverage—just fewer showings and a little more patience required.
New listings vs. sales—spring rush is real
The bar chart comparing new listings and closed sales shows the seasonal flood: more sellers put homes on the market in spring and summer, and more buyers close during those months too. It’s a bigger pond, with more fish swimming in it. The takeaway? You’ll likely see more competition for buyers in the spring, but also more buyers out hunting.
Days on Market tells the seasonality story
Our heatmap of Days on Market really shows the rhythm of the year. Homes tend to move fastest in late spring and summer, while winter months can stretch timelines a bit. We’ve had Januarys where the phones go quiet—quiet enough that we sometimes sneak in a short getaway. Then spring hits and it’s back to a full sprint.
So when’s “the best time”?
Here’s our perspective after 10+ years of helping Portland sellers:
Spring and summer bring more activity, faster timelines, and bigger crowds of buyers.
Fall and winter can mean fewer showings, but the buyers out looking are usually serious and motivated.
Overall, Portland has stayed remarkably steady—if you’re ready to sell, you’ll find your market.
At the end of the day, the right time to sell is the time that works for you. But armed with this 24-month snapshot, you can see the patterns and plan 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 and neighborhood? 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
