STRATEGIES OF HOUSING IN OREGON IS IT BETTER TO BUY OR TO RENT A HOME 
                     STRATEGIES OF 
HOUSING 
IN OREGON: 
IS IT BETTER TO BUY 
OR 
TO RENT A HOME?

To buy or to rent, that is the question. It seems like a co
nstant dilemma, to which the solution depends on sever
al factors. One factor is related to how long you’re plann
ing to stay in the new home. If you plan to move after a 
few years (up to five, for example), renting is a better op
tion. 
But, if you plan to settle down for good, then buying a h
ome and making a lifetime investment will suit you bette
r. Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Leban
on, Oregon, or elsewhere around this lovely Pacific No
rth-Western state, in this article we will try to provide yo
u with clear information on affordable rental or ownershi
p housing.
 
Oregon Housing Str
uggles in the Times 
of Strong Migration
After the recession in 2007-2008, Oregon recovere
d successfully and became one of the leading and f
astest-growing economies in the US. This was due t
o the emergence of new high-paying jobs, as well a
s the new residents who came from across the who
le country, looking for work and life in the mild clim
ate surrounded by nature.
Other than that, smaller towns and rural areas star
ted to have their own housing struggles, related m
ostly to low-income households. Brokers in Leba
non, Oregon can testify to that as well. On the flip
side of that coin, the main issue that big cities start
ed to face was fast growth, followed by strains on i
nfrastructure, including freeways, public transporta
tion, and schools.
The Most Recent Tr
ends in Oregon’s H
ousing Market
The latest trends in the real estate market around t
he state showed how various and unexpected varia
bles can influence the changes in housing costs. Th
e outreach of the COVID-19 pandemic is the most o
bvious one. What happened in 2020 is that the ho
mes in Oregon became even more valuable than th
ey used to be. 
Undoubtedly, this is especially true for the Portland 
area, however, the same does go for the suburbs, 
which experienced expansion, thus attracting thos
e who are looking for more living and yard space. L
ebanon, Oregon real estate market is just one o
f the examples for this statement. Due to the social 
distancing measures, people across the US have st
arted rethinking their living habits and searching fo
r homes outside big cities.
Perks and Flaws of 
Renting vs Buying 
Home
The average sale price per square foot in Portland i
s around $300, while the same price for the suburb
an square foot is around $200. The average house 
for sale in Lebanon, Oregon sale price per squa
re foot is $215, which makes it among the most aff
ordable in the state.
Owning a home can be a long-term investment. By 
buying a home, you build up capital that can be rec
aptured once you sell it, depending on the real est
ate market conditions. Since the housing market in 
Oregon has been blooming for the past few decade
s, this kind of capital can be quite profitable, especi
ally right now.
Before you consider buying a house or an apartme
nt, try to think about what kind of mortgage you wi
ll apply for, as well as how much of a down payme
nt can you afford. Additional worries you may face 
are related to the potential mortgage insurance an
d real estate taxes around the area in which you ar
e looking for property. 
If buying is not your option, renting is always a pos
sibility. Do not hesitate to search for real estate a
gencies in Lebanon, Salem, Portland, or elsewher
e around the state to help you get through this pro
cess more efficiently, and to find a solid, healthy pl
ace to live.
windermerewillamettevalley.com
Lebanon
744 S Main St
Lebanon, OR 97355
Office: (541) 405-4944
windermerewillamettevalley.co
m
Lebanon
744 S Main St
Lebanon, OR 97355
Office: (541) 405-4944