HFO Multifamily Marketwatch for Oregon and SW Washington

Permitting across the Portland metro is plummeting, but Oregon’s lawmakers are responding with bold new reforms to accelerate housing development. In this episode, HFO’s Michael Pierce explores the latest permit trends, housing bills, and investment opportunities multifamily owners, developers, and investors need to track across Oregon’s shifting real estate landscape.

Dive into the evolving world of property management with Michael Havlik, academic director of Portland State University's Real Estate Center. Havlik reveals how innovative undergraduate programs are bridging the gap between education and real-world property management, offering students unique insights into technology, ethics, and career opportunities. Learn about the critical skills needed to succeed in this dynamic field, from technical expertise to people skills, and how internships are shaping future industry leaders. Together with HFO Partner Greg Frick, they explore the exciting developments in real estate education and the promising future of property management from an insider's perspective.

In this episode, consultant Jennifer Shuch of Leland Consulting Group shares insights into the challenges facing housing production, including economic hurdles, zoning restrictions, and the critical need for more flexible urban planning strategies. She discusses emerging solutions like public-private partnerships and state-level initiatives aimed at increasing affordable housing supply. Tune in to hear an expert's perspective on the complex landscape of urban housing development and the creative approaches cities are taking to address the housing crisis.

This episode reviews the most impactful housing legislation passed in Washington State’s intense 2025 session, including new rent control measures, changes to eviction procedures, and reforms to promote housing development. The following are among the laws signaling significant changes ahead for both renters and property owners across the state.

In this episode, we break down high, medium, and low priority bills that could impact renters, property owners, and the multifamily housing market, from changes to permitting and rent assistance to new rules for tax exemptions and rent control. Don’t miss this essential overview for anyone invested in Oregon's rental housing landscape.