Is 2026 finally the year the housing market finds its footing—or is another curveball coming?
In this episode, we break down what’s actually ahead for buyers and sellers in the Portland metro real estate market.

🏡 Episode Summary

2026 is shaping up to be a recovery year—but not a boom. In this episode of Off the Record: Talking Real Estate, Joe and Makayla unpack what buyers and sellers should realistically expect in the year ahead, blending national forecasts with real, on-the-ground Portland market data.

Using insights from the National Association of Realtors, the conversation explores why experts are predicting a 14% increase in existing home sales nationwide, why mortgage rates may ease toward the 6% range, and why confidence—not headlines—will ultimately drive buyer behavior.

Locally, they dig into Portland-area trends: stabilizing prices, longer days on market, neighborhood-by-neighborhood performance, and why the luxury segment ($1.3M+) continues to outperform. They also discuss what today’s buyers care most about—move-in ready homes, lifestyle upgrades, staging, and design—and why sellers need to price strategically to win in a savvy market.

If you’re wondering whether to buy, sell, wait, or explore off-market opportunities, this episode gives you clarity without the hype.

⏱️ Episode Highlights

• 00:02:30 – 00:07:20 | 2026 National Housing Outlook: Why experts predict a recovery year—not a boom
• 00:10:50 – 00:12:15 | Mortgage Rates Explained: What “rates easing toward 6%” really means for buyers
• 00:12:55 – 00:15:45 | Portland Market Snapshot: Median prices, days on market & neighborhood surprises
• 00:15:45 – 00:16:35 | Luxury Market Strength: Why $1.3M+ homes are outperforming expectations
• 00:16:40 – 00:19:40 | What Buyers Want Now: Move-in ready, lifestyle features & wellness spaces
• 00:20:40 – 00:21:55 | Off-Market Opportunities: A growing trend savvy buyers should know about
• 00:22:30 – 00:28:30 | Mailbag Q&A: Is now a good time to buy? How sellers should price in 2026
• 00:31:15 – 00:33:35 | Tool Spotlight: Why the team is excited about RealScout

👥 Hosts

Joe & Makayla are trusted Portland-area real estate professionals with LivPortland, known for their honest insights, data-driven advice, and client-first approach. Together, they help buyers and sellers navigate changing markets with clarity and confidence.

👉 Learn more at LivPortland.com

Thinking about buying or selling in 2026?
👉 Subscribe for more insider real estate insights
👉 Leave us a review if this episode helped you
👉 Visit LivPortland.com to explore the market, off-market opportunities, and personalized tools

Thank you for listening to this episode. Stay up to date on the latest trends and insights by subscribing to our podcast and following us on social media.

For more information about buying or selling in the Portland Metro real estate market, please visit www.LivPortland.com or contact us directly.

We appreciate your feedback, so please leave a review and let us know what topics you would like to hear more about.

What do Christmas cookies, blue lights, and holiday movies have in common?
They all make this festive episode unexpectedly fun—and very opinionated.

🎙️ Episode Summary

In this special holiday episode of Off the Record, Joe and Makayla step away from their usual format and lean into something more personal: holiday traditions, strong opinions, and the little things that make the season memorable.

From Christmas cookies and stocking stuffers to controversial décor choices and favorite holiday movies, the conversation is light, unscripted, and full of genuine laughs. Joe shares memorable Christmas experiences and travel stories, while Makayla dives into family traditions, festive routines, and why dogs absolutely deserve their own stockings.

You’ll also hear about favorite seasonal treats, background holiday music, and what each of them is loving right now—from Trader Joe’s finds to Tillamook ice cream. It’s a cozy, easy listen that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the personalities behind Off the Record—perfect for playing while decorating, cooking, or just soaking up the holiday spirit.

✨ Episode Highlights

• 00:02:30 – Holiday pet peeves: daylight savings & blue Christmas lights
• 00:05:30 – Favorite Christmas cookies and must-have holiday treats
• 00:08:25 – Real vs. fake Christmas trees (smell, convenience, and nostalgia)
• 00:11:08 – Favorite Christmas experiences and travel stories
• 00:15:43 – Dogs, stockings, and festive pet traditions 🐾
• 00:20:22 – Favorite Christmas movies (Elf, Christmas Vacation, Die Hard)
• 00:24:00 – Seasonal favorites: Trader Joe’s cookies & Tillamook ice cream

👤 Guest Bio

No guest this episode—just Joe and Makayla, keeping things relaxed and festive for a holiday edition of Off the Record.

🔗 Resources Mentioned

• LivPortland – https://livportland.com
  
  
• Tillamook Ice Cream – Sea Salt Honeycomb Toffee
• Trader Joe’s – Everything But the Kitchen Sink Cookie Mix
• Holiday movies discussed: Elf, Christmas Vacation, Christmas with the Kranks, Die Hard

Enjoyed this holiday episode?
🎧 Subscribe to Off the Record for more conversations you’ll actually want to listen to.
⭐ Leave a review and share this episode with someone who loves Christmas traditions as much as you do.
🏡 Visit livportland.com for more episodes, blogs, and updates.

Thank you for listening to this episode. Stay up to date on the latest trends and insights by subscribing to our podcast and following us on social media.

For more information about buying or selling in the Portland Metro real estate market, please visit www.LivPortland.com or contact us directly.

We appreciate your feedback, so please leave a review and let us know what topics you would like to hear more about.

Buying or selling a home soon? Before you make a major move, there’s one decision that can make or break your experience:
👉 How do you choose the right real estate broker to represent you?

This episode gives you the inside scoop you won’t get anywhere else.

📝 EPISODE SUMMARY

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, prepping to sell, or relocating to a new city, choosing the right real estate broker is everything. In this episode, Joe and Makayla walk you through the exact qualities, questions, red flags, and expectations that buyers and sellers should look for when hiring an agent.

They cover the most reliable ways to start your search—open houses, reviews, online presence—as well as how to conduct an effective “interview” with a potential broker. You’ll learn why responsiveness matters, why market data trumps vibes, and how to tell whether a broker actually understands your needs.

From evaluating communication style, to spotting unrealistic promises, to understanding the importance of neighborhood-level expertise, this episode gives you a clear, practical roadmap to choosing a broker who will advocate for you, negotiate well, and guide you with confidence from start to finish.

⏱️ EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

00:04 — Why choosing the right broker matters for BOTH buyers and sellers
Joe & Makayla share how a thoughtful choice affects your entire transaction.

06:00 — Where to start your search if you don’t have referrals
Open houses, Google reviews, content, and why Zillow isn't always the best indicator.

09:03 — Dig deeper than a brokerage website
How Instagram, YouTube, and podcast content reveal an agent’s true style and values.

10:45 — How to interview a broker (buyers & sellers!)
What professionalism, responsiveness, and clarity really look like.

12:57 — Market knowledge: your broker must understand your neighborhood + your goals
Why hyperlocal insight benefits both sides of the transaction.

16:00 — Experience with your type of transaction
Condos, land, estate homes, first-time buyers—every category requires different skill sets.

19:00 — Red flags for any consumer hiring a broker
Vague answers, pressure tactics, overpromising, poor communication, and more.

22:30 — The bottom line: how you know you’ve found the right fit
The best brokers are data-driven, communicative, strategic, and aligned with your priorities.

👤 GUEST BIO

No guest this episode — Joe and Makayla take the mic solo to deliver candid, experienced-backed insights from years of helping buyers and sellers navigate the Portland market.

Learn more at: https://www.livportland.com

🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED

• LivPortland Website: https://www.livportland.com
  
  

👉 Buying or selling in 2025? Visit LivPortland.com to connect with our team.
👉 Love the show? Subscribe for more insider real estate conversations.
👉 Found this helpful? Leave us a review—it helps others find the podcast!

Thank you for listening to this episode. Stay up to date on the latest trends and insights by subscribing to our podcast and following us on social media.

For more information about buying or selling in the Portland Metro real estate market, please visit www.LivPortland.com or contact us directly.

We appreciate your feedback, so please leave a review and let us know what topics you would like to hear more about.