HFO Multifamily Marketwatch for Oregon and SW Washington

The Great Portland Rent Debate: Trends, Shifts, and Forecasts

In this episode of the HFO Multifamily Marketwatch, HFO Investment Real Estate's Senior Research Analyst Mike Pierce analyzes Portland's rental market, discussing the slowdown in construction, the shift towards luxury inventory, and the resurgence of concessions. Delve into the pandemic's impact on renter preferences, Oregon's rent increase cap, and the structural shift in the market, as well as Portland's forecasted growth in employment, housing demand, and construction.  HFO’s podcasts a...

From Boardrooms to Bedrooms: How office conversions are changing the real estate game

In this episode of the HFO Multifamily Marketwatch, HFO Investment Real Estate's Senior Research Analyst Mike Pierce discusses the housing shortage in Oregon and the potential of office-to-apartment conversions as a solution. Mike delves into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the commercial real estate market, with a significant increase in remote work leading to a high rate of office vacancies, and specific efforts in Portland to support office-to-rental conversions. HFO’s podcasts a...

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch Oregon | Unlocking the Potential: Nonprofits and Religious Organizations as Catalysts for Change in Oregon's Housing Crisis

On this week's episode of Multifamily Marketwatch, Senior Research Analyst Mike Pierce dives into the innovative approach nonprofits and religious organizations are taking in addressing the housing crisis. Inspired by California's initiatives, these groups are converting their properties into low-income housing, bypassing expensive local permitting and environmental review processes.   HFO’s podcasts are sponsored J.R. Johnson, specialists in multifamily restoration and repair, and by Ga...

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - Washington - October 16, 2023

This week's topics include: 55 million vacant homes in the US; Governor Jay Inslee's eviction moratorium being upheld by the state Supreme Court, and Economist Matthew Gardner's predictions for Washington. 

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch Oregon | Portland's Housing Crisis: Multifamily Impacts & Innovations

On this week's episode of Multifamily Marketwatch, Senior Research Analyst Mike Pierce delves into the intricacies of the state's housing shortage to help understand the ripple effects this crisis has on renters and the rising tide of homelessness. But with challenges come opportunities. We dig into and share our expert insights on potential solutions, drawing from our extensive experience in the multifamily investment sector. Whether you're an established investor or exploring the multifami...

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - Washington - October 2, 2023

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - Washington - September 18, 2023

HFO founding partner Greg Frick welcomes Brad Kraus, a landlord-tenant lawyer, to discuss the state of Washington's landlord-tenant laws. Brad discusses eviction actions, security deposit obligations, and the impact of the CARES Act issue on Washington eviction notification.

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch Oregon | The Urban-Suburban Rental Market Gap: How Portland and Vancouver Compare

This week, Mike Pierce, the Senior Research Analyst at HFO, provides an overview of the apartment market in Portland and Vancouver, including the widening gap between urban and suburban rental markets during the pandemic.  HFO’s podcasts are sponsored J.R. Johnson, specialists in multifamily restoration and repair, and by Gantry Inc., the country’s largest independent mortgage banking firm focused exclusively on commercial real estate. 

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - Washington - September 4, 2023

HFO Director of Client Services Aaron Kirk Douglas welcomes Carl Whitaker, director of research and analysis at RealPage, Inc., to discuss the market Washington state multifamily market. Aaron and Carl delve into the impact of tech sector employment and AI hires on Seattle's rental market, the strong performance of suburban submarkets, increasing occupancy--despite slowed rent growth-- and the strength of the Spokane market.

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch Oregon: Making Sense of the Downtown Office Space Dilemma

In this episode, HFO Senior Research Analyst Mike Pierce discusses the challenges faced by downtown office building owners and landlords due to higher vacancies. The episode explores the idea of converting these vacant spaces into residential or mixed-use properties, and the value in keeping downtown office spaces as-is and encouraging professional services and businesses to lease them while repurposing older suburban office buildings for housing. We also explore the different investment beh...

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - Oregon - August 14, 2023

In the latest HFO-TV episode, Aaron Kirk Douglas interviews market analyst Carl Whitaker from RealPage Inc. Whitaker shares insights into Portland's real estate market, noting a less pronounced seasonal rent swing and lower retention rates than other West Coast cities. Looking forward to 2023 and 2024, he predicts a slowing rent growth and potential challenges in the tech-driven economy, particularly in chip manufacturing. The episode also touches on the performance of smaller markets, such ...

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - Washington - August 21, 2023

In this episode, Greg Frick, partner at HFO Investment Real Estate, welcomes Quinn Posner, founder and lawyer at Northwest Landlord Solutions, to discuss legislative changes in landlord-tenant law in Clark County and Washington. They cover the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, changes in eviction processes, rental assistance programs, the lack of state preemption leading to different rules in different areas, and the need for landlords to stay updated on the constant changes in landlord-te...

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - Washington - August 7, 2023

In this episode: Washington State rent growth trends, the question of whether Seattle's new energy codes are leading to a drop in permit applications, and renters rights groups rattling city councils in Seattle and Tacoma.

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - Oregon - July 31, 2023

This Week: •    Housing production slows in West Coast cities; What’s happening in PDX? •    Bend vacancy rate may be on the rise •    Update on the Q2 Multifamily Market HFO’s podcasts are sponsored J.R. Johnson, specialists in multifamily restoration and repair, and by Gantry Inc., the country’s largest independent mortgage banking firm focused exclusively on commercial real estate. 

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - Washington - July 24, 2023

In this podcast episode, we cover significant developments affecting the multifamily housing sector in Washington State: (1) The Federal Housing Administration's raising the threshold for large multifamily loans, potentially expanding property eligibility for standard underwriting. (2) Despite concerns about a hard landing, demand for apartments remained strong, and the state is making a historic investment in affordable housing projects. (3) Although still alive, Seattle's proposed rent con...

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - Oregon - July 17, 2023

This Week:  Oregon Senate Bill 611: New restrictions on rent increases Multifamily forecast for the rest of 2023 Portland apartment construction surges, but the rebound may be brief HFO’s podcasts are sponsored J.R. Johnson, specialists in multifamily restoration and repair, and by Gantry Inc., the country’s largest independent mortgage banking firm focused exclusively on commercial real estate. 

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - Washington - July 10, 2023

This week: Eviction moratoria continue expiring, relieving distraught landlords; national rental rates remain flat, and The Urbanist asks: How many new homes could be created with denser housing limits near transit? The answer may surprise you.

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - Oregon - July 3, 2023

This week: The Runaway Cost of Portland's Affordable Housing, Multi-Family insurance costs rising, and Should you allow Airbnb rentals at your property?

Multifamily Marketwatch - Washington - June 26, 2023

Among this week's stories: Seattle City Council member Alex Pederson proposes adding $5-8k per unit in housing impact fees, estimating the fees will raise $200-$760 million in the next 10 years for infrastructure.   

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - Washington Edition - June 12, 2023

Reports on CMBS loan delinquencies, rising national insurance rates, and the latest land sale demonstrating that developers are bullish on Bellevue.  

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - June 5, 2023

This week: Discussing Multifamily housing occupancy in Portland $1 trillion-plus of multifamily debt will mature by 2027 Multifamily sales drop 74% YOY  HFO’s podcasts are sponsored J.R. Johnson, specialists in multifamily restoration and repair, and by Gantry Inc, the country’s largest independent mortgage banking firm focused exclusively on commercial real estate. 

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - Washington - May 29, 2023

Seattle is #1 in the US for population growth, and tech jobs are growing as well, focusing on A.I. and Blockchain; the state building code council delays new rules banning natural gas for heat in new commercial and residential construction. 

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - May 22, 2023

In this episode: A quick update on the national multifamily market The growing buzz around converting offices to apartments  A round-up of the May Oregon ballot measures and their impacts on multifamily investment

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - May 15, 2023

Governor Jay Inslee touts housing bills, $1 billion in housing spending National and regional rent growth forecasts for 2023 A roundup of recent multifamily transactions in the Puget Sound region    

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - May 8, 2023

In this episode, we discuss how Measure 26-238 would introduce a 0.75% capital gains tax in Multnomah County and how it could affect the multifamily industry. HFO’s podcasts are sponsored by J.R. Johnson, specialists in restoration and emergency repair work for multifamily properties, and Gantry Inc, the country’s largest independent mortgage banking firm focused exclusively on commercial real estate. 

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - May 1, 2023

In this episode: A final wrap-up of housing industry legislation of interest to multifamily owners and developers in Washington State A roundup of development and transaction news from around the state A new tenant rights group has formed in Whatcom County, threatening lawsuits and legislative initiatives

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - April 24, 2023

The big stories from this past week:  Developers Say Building in Portland Has Become Unaffordable Lee Fehrenbacher, HFO Senior Broker: Portland Multifamily Investors Are Voting With Their Money  

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - April 17, 2023

A roundup of final housing bills moving through the state legislature and likely to become law are featured in this special editition of HFO Multifamily Marketwatch for Oregon and SW Washington. For ongoing Washington-specific industry updates, be sure to subscribe to HFO's Washington Multifamily Marketwatch.    

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - April 10, 2023

The big stories from this past week:  1    What House Bill 2001 means for multifamily owners in Oregon 2    Fraudulent accommodation requests for assistance animals is a growing problem 3    State of multifamily in Q1 2023

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - April 3, 2023

A special update on the status of pending legislation of interest to multifamily owners and management companies in Washington State.

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - March 27, 2023

The big stories from this week:  Office-to-multifamily conversions Key points from Portland multifamily reporting in Feb 2023 AI effects on the multifamily industry

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - March 14, 2023

The big stories from this week:  Multifamily and Silicon Valley & Signature bank collapses Why you should focus on tenant retention in 2023 Multifamily construction outpaces demand in Portland

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - March 5, 2023

This episode offers the very latest on bills at play in the Washington State Legislature. Bills need to be moved out of their house of origin by 5 pm Wednesday, March 8th. 

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - February 27, 2023

The big stories from this past week:  Multifamily is evolving in 2023 Portland requires mixed-use use buildings to have EV charging Transforming office to Multifamily   

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - February 19, 2023

Controversial legislation heats up in the Washington State legislature; a roundup of announced multifamily projects; plus the latest on Portland's EV charging mandate.  

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - February 13, 2023

This week, HFO Investment Real Estate's research analysts dig into:  Investing in multifamily in 2023 Multifamily housing rents flat in January, developers remain optimistic Transforming multifamily properties for an aging population

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - February 5, 2023

Highlights of bills currently pending in the Washington State Legislature and their impact on multifamily owners and developers are featured.

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch – January 30, 2023

This week, HFO Investment Real Estate's research analysts dig into:  Apartment sales volume drops 17% in 2022 Will multifamily have a soft landing in 2023? Multifamily starts up in 2022 to highest levels the since '80s Labor, material, and land prices may ease in 2023

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch – January 16, 2023

This week: MBA Projects Drop in Multifamily Mortgage Financing in 2023, Strong Rebound in 2024 Fourth-Quarter Property Sales Post Worst Slowdown Since the Great Recession Despite Interest Rates, Multifamily Lending Continued to Grow in 2022

HFO Washington Multifamily Marketwatch - Interview: Washington State's Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck on Washington's Housing Crisis and the 2023 Legislative Session

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch – December 12, 2022

This week: Leasing remains soft, as rents continue to fall, small signs point to increasing delinquency rates, and apartment transactions are falling.

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - Interview: Executive Director Andrea Bell on Oregon Housing & Community Services'​ "Audacious and Appropriate"​ Proposed Budget

HFO founding partner and broker Greg Frick talks to Andrea Bell, executive director of Oregon Housing & Community Services (OHCS), about the agency's 2023 legislative agenda and the "audacious and appropriate" proposed budget that is the largest request in OHCS history. 

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch – November 14, 2022

This week: The multifamily construction boom is fading, Fannie and Freddie buy fewer multifamily loans as property sales fall, Voters say YES to affordable housing, and apartment sales in brisk quarter for Portland, Oregon.

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch – October 31st, 2022

This week: Rents remain flat in September, will there be a recession Q4 2022?, and U.S. apartment sales outpace last year despite higher interest rates. 

Special Edition: Washington Multifamily Marketwatch

Subscribers to HFO Multifamily Marketwatch can subscribe now to our Washington Multifamily Marketwatch on all podcast markets.

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - Interview: Catie Gould, Climate & Transportation Researcher, Discusses the History & Future of Parking Mandates

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - Interview: Author Nolan Gray Explains Zoning's History as a Barrier to Affordable Housing

This month on HFO-TV, we spoke to Nolan Gray, research director for California YIMBY and author of Arbitrary Lines: How Zoning Broke the American City and How to Fix It. Nolan joins HFO Broker Aaron Kirk Douglas to discuss his new book and the history and role of zoning in where we live and work. Find Arbitrary Lines on Amazon or the publisher's website, islandpress.org/books/arbitrary-lines.

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch - Interview: Oriana Magnera on Heat Response Programs & Cooling Devices in Oregon Apartments

This week on HFO-TV, we spoke to Oriana Magnera, nonprofit Verde’s Energy, Climate, Transportation Program Manager, about the resources available to landlords through Oregon's new heat-response programs. These programs are the result of legislation that went into effect following the heatwave that occurred in the Pacific Northwest in 2021, when extreme temperatures caused the deaths of more than 100 people in June and July.  Listen to the interview here and learn more about Verde's resourc...

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch – September 19th, 2022

This week: How the Inflation Reduction Act will affect the multifamily sector, Oregon max rent increase for 2023 explained, Multifamily rent growth stalls in August 2022.

HFO Multifamily Marketwatch – September 6th, 2022

This week:  We explore why single-family built-for-rent construction is surging, and consider what the rest of the year holds for multifamily on a national level, and why the Portland multifamily market is well-positioned for the rest of 2022.