Oregon Rent Control Is In Effect

Oregon House Bill 608 has passed and it’s full of complex new rules for landlords and tenants. There is a cap on annual rents, plus new restrictions for evictions. Some exceptions are allowed, but not many. If you are a landlord or a tenant, you’ll want to stay up on these new laws and hire an attorney to help you with any questions along the way. Multifamily NW is one resource to keep you ahead of all of these changes; they offer classes, updated legal forms, and can answer questions over the phone.

Here is the entire House Bill.
See a summary of the Bill here.

Remodeling: Cost vs. Value

I get asked a lot what projects provide the highest return on investment. The main thing to know is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. That is because the neighbors directly around you have everything to do with what your house value is. If your neighbors take good care of their house, it impacts your value. Additionally, if your neighbors are putting in high end finishes in their remodel then you can probably expect a higher return on yours than if your neighbors all have outdated kitchens and bathrooms. You don’t want to “over-improve” for your particular location and market.
There are some general guidelines that are helpful. Here are a few example Portland statistics for you:

Mid-range Major Kitchen Remodel:
Cost $58,124  –  Home Value Increase $44,268  –  Cost Recoup 76.2%
(That is 10% higher return than the national average)

Mid-range Average Bathroom Remodel:
Cost $17,360 – Home Value Increase $12,798 – Cost Recoup 73.7%
(Right about at the national average)

The takeaway: it might be a great time to add upgrades to your home. But be mindful about the cost of finishes and to not over-improve for your neighborhood. If you’d like me to come by and give you my take on you ideas, I’d be more than happy to!