What Local Homeowners Are Doing to Prepare for the Next Market Wave.

What Local Homeowners Are Doing to Prepare for the Next Market Wave

By Debra Rhea | Pacesetter Properties | Portland Real Estate Specialist

You Can Feel It Coming — a Market Shift Is in the Air

Real estate moves in cycles.

Sometimes it’s loud and obvious—bidding wars, record prices, “sold in a day” stories.
Other times, it’s quiet—inventory creeps up, sellers get cautious, buyers start re-entering carefully.

Here in the Portland metro, we’re in one of those in-between moments right now. The data says we’re past the volatility of 2022–2023, and homeowners are starting to plan again.

The smartest ones aren’t guessing what’s next—they’re preparing for it.

1. The Market’s Breathing Again (And That’s a Good Thing)

After three years of swings, 2025 is shaping up as a year of stability.
Here’s what we’re seeing across Washington and Multnomah Counties:

• Inventory: up roughly 25–35% from the same time last year.
• Days on market: averaging 40–60, giving sellers time to plan instead of panic.
• Prices: mostly flat or up modestly—steady, not spiking.
• Buyer activity: increasing among families and professionals who waited out the chaos.

Translation? The market is breathing again.

This middle ground—where sellers have equity and buyers have options—is the perfect environment for preparation.

2. Homeowners Are Shifting from “Wait and See” to “Plan and Strategize”

For much of 2023 and 2024, hesitation ruled.

Homeowners were unsure if rates would rise, if prices would fall, or if it was even worth listing.
Now, they’re realizing that waiting too long can be its own risk.

The new mindset I’m seeing in consultations:

“We may not sell tomorrow—but we don’t want to be caught off-guard when the next wave hits.”

This is what I call “pre-market positioning.”
It’s how savvy sellers quietly prepare months ahead so they can act fast when opportunity knocks.

3. They’re Starting with Equity Awareness

If you bought before 2020, chances are you’re sitting on a small fortune in home equity.

Between 2014 and 2022, the average Portland-metro homeowner gained 60–90% appreciation.
Even with a slight correction, that equity remains intact.

Smart homeowners are:

• Requesting professional equity reviews (not just Zestimates).
• Consulting their CPAs and financial planners about timing and tax implications.
• Exploring bridge loans or buy-before-you-sell options for flexibility.

Why? Because clarity equals confidence.
When you know exactly where you stand financially, the market feels less like a gamble and more like a strategy game.

4. They’re Investing in Smart, Not Flashy, Upgrades

When the market is balanced, presentation matters again.

The trend? Homeowners are focusing on high-ROI, stress-reducing improvements—the kind that make buyers fall in love and appraisers nod approvingly.

Here’s what’s popular right now:

• Fresh exterior paint and modern house numbers for instant curb appeal.
• Energy-efficient upgrades: heat pumps, windows, and insulation.
• Kitchen refreshes: new hardware, lighting, and counters without full remodels.
• Outdoor living spaces: covered patios, tidy landscaping, functional decks.

These aren’t extravagant overhauls—they’re confidence boosters.

Buyers entering the 2025 market are practical. They want turn-key homes that feel well cared for. Sellers who prepare now are positioning themselves to meet that demand head-on.

5. They’re Studying Micro-Market Behavior, Not National Headlines

Portland’s real estate story isn’t one broad brushstroke—it’s a mosaic of neighborhoods, each with its own rhythm.

Here’s what’s happening locally:

• South Hillsboro & Reed’s Crossing: Early-phase owners are preparing to list and trade up before new construction adds competition.
• Orenco Station & Tanasbourne: Townhome sellers are using this year’s balanced demand to move into detached homes with yards.
• Bethany & Forest Heights: Still strong with relocation buyers, particularly professionals from Seattle and California.
• West Hillsboro & Reedville: Long-term owners are realizing their large lots have developer appeal.

The most successful homeowners understand their micro-market, not just the metro average.
They know what’s moving, who’s buying, and what’s trending locally.

6. They’re Thinking Beyond the Sale—They’re Planning the Transition

A big reason homeowners delay selling is fear of the unknown:

“Where will we go next?”

The difference between a stressful move and a smooth one lies in timeline alignment.

The prepared homeowners I work with are:

• Mapping buy and sell timelines 90–120 days ahead.
• Talking to lenders early about bridge or equity access programs.
• Identifying neighborhoods where they’d want to land next—often before they even list.

They treat the move like a project plan, not a reaction.

7. They’re Building a “Pre-Listing Team” Months in Advance

If you want your home to sell quickly and profitably, it’s not just about listing—it’s about staging your success.

Forward-thinking sellers are assembling their team now:

• Agent: to analyze data, build a timeline, and coordinate everything.
• Contractor & stager: to prioritize upgrades and visuals that yield the best return.
• Lender: to explore financing options for the purchase side.
• Tax/financial advisor: to align real-estate goals with overall wealth strategy.

By the time they’re ready to go live, everything’s done—photos, pricing strategy, marketing plan, even pre-inspection reports.

That preparation is what separates homes that sell in a week from those that sit for two months.

8. They’re Paying Attention to Buyer Psychology Again

In 2021, homes practically sold themselves.
Today, emotion is back in the driver’s seat.

According to the National Association of Realtors, over 70% of buyers say they “knew” within minutes whether a home was right for them.

That means homeowners preparing for the next wave are leaning into presentation:

• Creating emotional connection through light staging and storytelling.
• Using professional photography and video to highlight lifestyle, not just layout.
• Keeping spaces clean, open, and decluttered so buyers can imagine their story.

The mantra? “If it feels good, it sells faster.”

9. They’re Watching for the “Confidence Curve”

Here’s a trend that isn’t about rates or prices—it’s about psychology.

In every market cycle, there’s a Confidence Curve—a moment when sellers begin to feel comfortable again, and listings start to rise.

We’re entering that moment right now.

Once the first wave of prepared sellers hits the market—and sees solid results—the next wave follows quickly.
That’s why early preparation pays off: you’re ready before the crowd.

10. They’re Partnering, Not Guessing

Finally, the savviest homeowners are leaning on expert guidance—not DIY instincts or social media noise.

They understand that real-estate success is less about predicting the future and more about positioning intelligently for what’s next.

They’re asking:

• How do I time my sale to match my next purchase?
• Which upgrades are truly worth it?
• What are buyers valuing in my neighborhood today?

Those conversations—months before listing—lead to decisions that save money, time, and stress later.

Story: A Local Homeowner Who Saw the Wave Early

Last fall, I met a couple in West Hillsboro who had owned their home for 22 years.
Their kids were grown, the house was bigger than they needed, but they weren’t sure whether to sell in 2024 or wait.

Instead of guessing, we spent three months preparing quietly:

• Updated paint, lighting, and landscaping.
• Pre-inspection and minor repairs done before listing.
• Professional photos and a pricing strategy built on neighborhood data, not emotion.

We listed just as inventory tightened slightly in early spring.
They sold above asking, closed smoothly, and used their equity to purchase a single-level new build in South Hillsboro.

By acting before the wave, they caught the momentum—not the competition.

11. Takeaways: How to Prepare Like a Pro

If you’re thinking of selling—or simply want to be ready—here’s your homeowner checklist:

✅ Get your numbers. Know your home’s equity and net proceeds.
✅ Tidy and tune-up. Small updates often matter more than major remodels.
✅ Talk early with your agent. Six months’ notice is ideal for strategy.
✅ Study your micro-market. What’s hot in your neighborhood may surprise you.
✅ Stay emotionally neutral. Focus on timing, not attachment.

Remember, markets reward the prepared.

12. The Bottom Line

No one can time the next wave perfectly—but you can be ready to ride it.

The homeowners who will win in 2025 are the ones who start planning now:

• Understanding their equity,
• Making smart updates,
• And having a plan in place before the market gets noisy again.

Preparation creates peace of mind—and profits.

What About You?

Are you curious how much equity you’ve built or when the next market wave might hit your neighborhood?

Send me a DM here or schedule a private Home Equity & Market Strategy Session at DebraRhea.com.

I’d love to hear:
👉 What’s one thing you’d change about your home if you decided to sell in the next year?
👉 Are you more focused on timing, updates, or lifestyle?

Let’s talk strategy—because the next wave is already forming, and the calm before it is where the best plans are made.