Oregon

Thinking about renting out a property in Oregon? Whether you own a bungalow in one of Portland’s little neighborhoods, a house with mountain views on the dry side of the Cascades, or a small building somewhere in between, the state offers it all. With offices in Portland, Gresham, Bend and Redmond, we know a thing or two about managing rentals here — including the fact that Oregon was the first state in the country to pass a statewide rent control law, and that it has been tightening it ever since.

Those four offices look after single-family homes, condominiums, small multifamily buildings and commercial space. The work is the same in each city — marketing the property, placing a resident, collecting the rent, handling maintenance, sending you a statement every month — but Portland is not Bend, and the relocation assistance a Portland landlord may owe on a large increase has no equivalent in Deschutes County. A good many of the owners we do this for do not live in Oregon at all.

Portland is well known as one of the most unique cities in the United States — it’s no wonder the city motto is “keep Portland weird”. Prized for their craft beer, quirky streets and shops, and food trucks, experiencing Portland is not quite like any other city in Oregon, or all of the United States. It is a city packed with unique little neighborhoods booming with community pride, and with its laid-back vibe, focus on the environment and outdoor recreation, and surplus of locally-owned restaurants and shops, this city remains a hot spot for young people. Whether a tenant is looking for apartments for rent in Portland or somewhere to buy, Portland offers a little something for everyone — which is why a well-presented unit here moves quickly and why a citywide average is close to useless when you are pricing one particular house.

Portland has incredible diversity in landscapes. From the windsurfing capital of the world in the Columbia Gorge to Crater Lake National Park, there is no shortage of terrain to explore, and the city can be a wonderful place to raise a family in due to its proximity to nature and recreational sports and clubs. Gresham, immediately east along the I-84 corridor, is the other half of that market: lower entry prices, more space for the money, and tenancies that tend to run longer than they do closer in. It is a Multnomah County address, so the same city and county rules follow the property.

Bend, Oregon is known for its stunning mountain views, loads of outdoor recreation, and lively culture. Located in central Oregon, Bend is a nature enthusiast’s paradise with close proximity to Crater Lake National Park, the spectacular views of Newberry National Volcanic Monument, the Deschutes River Trail, and many more wondrous outdoor attractions. When they’re not out exploring the great outdoors, locals get to enjoy the thriving art and live entertainment scene with a variety of galleries, theaters, venues, and festivals celebrating the vibrant culture of the city and its residents. Thriving industries in Bend include healthcare and bioscience, technology, brewing, and tourism and recreation.

One thing worth knowing before you model returns in Bend: the apartment vacancy figure and the single-family figure are not the same story, and blending them will mislead you. New apartment supply has been absorbing slowly while houses stay tight. Redmond, twenty minutes north, is the same market with lower entry prices and a steadier tenant profile. Each office page carries its own pricing, the manager responsible and a direct number.

Portland is a city packed with unique little neighborhoods booming with community pride, and the differences between them matter far more to a rent figure than any citywide average does.

Walkable, bustling streets, locally-owned businesses, and small-town charm are just a few traits that bring visitors to the highly desirable neighborhood called St. Johns. The tight-knit community hosts several annual events, street fairs, and festivals throughout the year including their annual Jazz Festival held in the beautiful Cathedral Park. Living in St. Johns also puts you near some beautiful natural gems such as Sauvie Island, located in the Columbia River, which gives you access to beaches, hiking, fishing, bird watching, and seasonal U-Pick farms.

Sellwood-Moreland touts both safety and community pride and happens to be more affordable when it comes to the average of Portland homes. This historic neighborhood is a bit more quiet while also giving you and your family access to plenty of shopping and delicious and diverse cuisine. You’ll also find 170 acres of winding trails, picturesque meadows, and wetlands tucked into the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge located along the Willamette River. This neighborhood also happens to be home to the historic Oaks Amusement Park which has been around since 1905.

You’ve probably seen the iconic statue of Paul Bunyan welcoming you to Kenton either in person or on a postcard. This north Portland neighborhood is filled with friendly charm, parks, restaurants, and a library making it a great pick for families. Kenton Park features a basketball court, a splash pad, picnic benches, a playground, and plenty of green space to enjoy, and there are many local restaurants, coffee cafes, and cute vintage shops making it easy to spend the entire weekend with the family right in your neighborhood.

The Highland neighborhood in Beaverton has been considered one of the most desirable neighborhoods in all of Oregon. Living in Highland offers residents a nice mix of urban and suburban with its vast collection of bars, restaurants, and cafes combined with its beautiful parks and green spaces. The public schools in this area are also highly rated, making this a great option for families with children getting ready to start school.

The job market underneath all of it is strong and continues to grow with major company headquarters like Nike, Intel, Columbia Sportswear, and Vacasa. It is also a thriving startup hub for smaller businesses making it a popular destination for entrepreneurs and innovators looking to start a new project. Portland is known for its green initiatives, bike friendliness, and sustainability efforts making it an attractive city to those looking to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, and there are plenty of craft breweries, live music venues, art galleries, and green spaces making Portland a wonderful city to call home.

In Bend, when it comes to selecting a neighborhood, it all comes down to your lifestyle and preferences. Old Bend is a historic district with lots of history and culture and is nearby a few restaurants, shops, art galleries, and museums. River West is a desirable area with some of the most beautiful views of the Cascade Mountains and the Deschutes River. Boyd Acres has a tight-knit community and is in close proximity to schools, parks, and trails. Bend has also been rated among the safest cities in Oregon, with fantastic schools, beautiful parks, and plenty of recreational and club activities geared toward families and kids. Being a dog owner in Bend is a plus as it has been named one of the most dog-friendly cities in the US, so there is no shortage of wagging tails.

Oregon was the first state in the country to pass a statewide rent control law, and Senate Bill 611 changed the way the ceiling is calculated. Landlords here still set their own rent, with a few caveats, and those caveats have teeth. The Office of Economic Analysis recalculates the figure every September for the following calendar year, so last year’s number is wrong rather than merely old. Every line below links to the page it was taken from so you can check it yourself.

Cities may layer their own rules on top of the state’s. Portland requires relocation assistance from a landlord who raises the rent by 10% or more, or who ends a tenancy without cause, and the amount is set by the size of the unit rather than by the size of the increase. That schedule sits on the Portland office page, where it can be read against the city code it comes from. Bend has no ordinance of its own; state law is the whole of it there.