Is Now a Good Time to Sell in Portland or Vancouver? Check Your Equity First.

Your Equity Could Change Everything About Your Next Move

A lot of homeowners in Portland and Vancouver are asking the same question right now: “Is it even a good time to sell?”

With interest rates higher than they were a few years ago, the hesitation is real. But for many Pacific Northwest homeowners, the answer is a strong yes.

Why? Because of one major factor working in your favor: Your Equity.

If you have owned your home in Oregon or Washington for even just a few years, you are likely sitting on a significant amount of wealth. And that number might just change everything about your next move.

The Hidden Wealth of PNW Homeownership

Here is the local reality: The real estate market in the Portland metro area has seen incredible growth over the last decade.

When you own a home, you build wealth in two ways:

1. Paying down the loan: Every month, you own a little more of the house.

2. Appreciation: This is the big one for us. Home values in Clark County and Multnomah County have risen consistently over the long term.

When you put those two together, you’re building wealth automatically.

According to Realtor.com, nearly half of today’s homeowners have lived in their home for more than 15 years. If that’s you, the numbers are staggering.

What That Really Means in Dollars (Local Data)

Let's look at the numbers. Recent data indicates that Oregon home values have risen roughly 40% in just the past five years.

Here is what that looks like for the typical homeowner:

• Bought in the Mid-90s? You could be sitting on over $400,000 in equity.

• Bought in the Early 2000s? Even surviving the 2008 crash, long-term appreciation in the PNW means you likely have over $330,000 in equity.

• Bought in 2015? In just 10 years, typical homeowners have built nearly $285,000 in equity.

Whether you are in Beaverton, Camas, Lake Oswego, or Ridgefield, your home has been your best savings account.

How Your Equity Powers Your Next Move

Here is why this matters right now. That equity is the key to unlocking your next home, even in today's market.

• Beat the Interest Rates: Worried about trading a 3% rate for a 6% rate? Your massive equity check can fund a huge down payment (40-50% or more), drastically lowering the loan amount and your monthly payment.

• Become a Cash Buyer: If you are downsizing—say, moving from a large family home in West Linn to a condo in the Pearl District or a smaller home in Felida—you might be able to use your equity to buy your next home all cash.

  • Why this wins: Sellers love cash offers. No financing contingencies, no appraisal stress. It puts you in the driver's seat.

Bottom Line

If you haven’t had a professional help you value your home in 2024 or 2025, you are flying blind.

You might be sitting on hundreds of thousands of dollars that could make your dream move not just possible, but comfortable.

Curious what your true equity position is? Let’s connect. I can provide a custom Professional Equity Assessment (far more accurate than a Zestimate) so you can see exactly how far your equity can take you. CALL (503) 915-7475