Market Reports

The Portland multifamily market continues to slowly improve in spite of the unemployment rate stalemated at 10.6 percent — now entering its 10th month. When Portland headed into the recession, many believed its multifamily market would experience a similar plight to that seen in the Southern California and Arizona multifamily markets. It certainly dipped, but fortunately didn’t hit their low values estimated to be 50 to 60 percent below the original prices for some properties there. Rents have returned to pre-recession levels, concessions temporarily came into the market and net operation income went down, causing apartment values to decrease between 15 to 20 percent. But through the worse of the recession, and even today, vacancy has held around 5 percent. However, it should be noted that in some pockets of the Portland market, like Gresham, certain areas of Beaverton and outer Hillsboro submarkets, vacancies are somewhat higher. At first glance, when comparing Co-Star year-to-date multifamily sales numbers (August measure for transactions ≥ $1 million) of $196 million with $116 million in 2009, it appears that transaction sales numbers are up by 59 percent. Yet, on closer inspection, a different story emerges. Since the beginning of the year, there have been …

Three significant Portland multifamily buildings delivered downtown in the first two quarters: Cyan/PDX (352 units developed by Gerding Edlen Development) and the Ladd (332 units developed by Opus Northwest) and the Riva on the Park (294 units developed by Trammell Crow). Downtown Portland has historically been a healthy submarket for multifamily, and much recent construction has been centered there, so the area is now becoming very competitive. All three of the aforementioned projects are also pursuing LEED certification, which appeals to Portland’s urban tenant. Vacancy is an important factor in Portland’s multifamily market as it is an indicator of the overall market’s health. The vacancy rate has been trending upward in recent quarters, which should continue in the second half of the year. It’s important to note that the increase in vacancy is due to economic pressure on tenants, not migration of people out of the metro area. Expect vacancy to regain its footing next summer or when economic conditions improve. Portland’s Urban Growth Boundary sets it apart from other multifamily markets in the West. The UGB has prevented overbuilding in both the single-family and multifamily markets in the last 5 years. This means that despite the recession, Portland’s apartment …

What area is your expertise? Apartment brokerage in Portland What trends do you see presently in multifamily development in your area? Downtown development is strong. Large, high-end transactions from late 2007 continued into first quarter 2008. The high level of acquisition activity on the institutional front will continue in 2008. By the end of 2007, activity of smaller (below $5,000,000) properties was down 20 percent from 2006. This will be the trend for 2008. Who are the active multifamily developers in your area? Opus Development, Trammell Crow, Unico and Gerding Edlen. Please name one or two significant multifamily developments in your area. What impact will these projects have on the market? The Wyatt — Northwest submarket — just completed — Bob Ball and Evergreen Signature, LLC, developers. It was converted from condos to high-end apartments – will fit growing demand for luxury apartments. The Lovejoy — Northwest submarket — under construction — Unico, developer. Mixed-use with Safeway grocery store, 231 units of multifamily space and office. Supplying grocery to an area of Northwest/downtown neighborhood that has not had a grocery store. Where is the majority of development taking place? Why is this area doing well? Downtown core – close-in (to …