HFO Interview with Portland City Council member Eric Zimmerman
Release Date: 02/13/2025
Washington’s Apartment Squeeze: Permits Plunge as Residents Flee High Costs
HFO Multifamily Marketwatch
Seattle’s apartment pipeline is drying up as construction permits plunge and housing costs drive record out-migration from Washington. In this episode, HFO’s Michael Pierce breaks down the latest permitting data, rent trends, and policy debates every multifamily owner, investor, and developer needs to know.
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Permits Down, Pressure Up: Oregon’s Housing Reform and the Future of Multifamily Supply
HFO Multifamily Marketwatch
Permitting across the Portland metro is plummeting, but Oregon’s lawmakers are responding with bold new reforms to accelerate housing development. In this episode, HFO’s Michael Pierce explores the latest permit trends, housing bills, and investment opportunities multifamily owners, developers, and investors need to track across Oregon’s shifting real estate landscape.
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How Portland State is Preparing the Next Generation of Real Estate Managers
HFO Multifamily Marketwatch
Dive into the evolving world of property management with Michael Havlik, academic director of Portland State University's Real Estate Center. Havlik reveals how innovative undergraduate programs are bridging the gap between education and real-world property management, offering students unique insights into technology, ethics, and career opportunities. Learn about the critical skills needed to succeed in this dynamic field, from technical expertise to people skills, and how internships are shaping future industry leaders. Together with HFO Partner Greg Frick, they explore the exciting...
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Housing Solutions: Breaking Through Portland's Urban Development Challenges
HFO Multifamily Marketwatch
In this episode, consultant Jennifer Shuch of Leland Consulting Group shares insights into the challenges facing housing production, including economic hurdles, zoning restrictions, and the critical need for more flexible urban planning strategies. She discusses emerging solutions like public-private partnerships and state-level initiatives aimed at increasing affordable housing supply. Tune in to hear an expert's perspective on the complex landscape of urban housing development and the creative approaches cities are taking to address the housing crisis.
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Washington's 2025 Legislative Session: Major Housing Law Changes
HFO Multifamily Marketwatch
This episode reviews the most impactful housing legislation passed in Washington State’s intense 2025 session, including new rent control measures, changes to eviction procedures, and reforms to promote housing development. The following are among the laws signaling significant changes ahead for both renters and property owners across the state.
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Oregon Housing Legislation Update: Key Bills and Changes
HFO Multifamily Marketwatch
In this episode, we break down high, medium, and low priority bills that could impact renters, property owners, and the multifamily housing market, from changes to permitting and rent assistance to new rules for tax exemptions and rent control. Don’t miss this essential overview for anyone invested in Oregon's rental housing landscape.
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Updates from the April 2025 Multifamily NW Apartment Report
HFO Multifamily Marketwatch
This episode covers the April 2025 Multifamily NW Apartment Report with a tone of cautious optimism and a focus on digestible insights for a commuting audience.
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Portland's Multifamily Market Analysis
HFO Multifamily Marketwatch
This episode is all about reasons to feel confident in Portland's multifamily future! While some headlines are still catching up to what's really happening on the ground, here at HFO we are seeing a market that is quietly strengthening and setting up for long-term opportunity.
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Housing Crisis Exposed: Radical Solutions for Portland’s Broken Development Systems
HFO Multifamily Marketwatch
HFO partner Greg Frick interviews Ezra Hammer, an attorney specializing in land use and real estate with Jordan Ramis law firm. Their discussion explores the critical housing challenges facing Portland and the state of Oregon. Hammer discusses the region's significant housing shortage, with approximately 45,000 missing housing units and low development rates, highlighting systemic issues like infrastructure funding, overly localized community engagement, and restrictive urban growth boundaries. He advocates for radical policy changes, including state-level infrastructure funding reforms,...
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Q1 Apartment Lending Trends, Rates & Opportunities in OR and WA
HFO Multifamily Marketwatch
HFO's Greg Frick and Charlie Kokernak of Gantry, Inc. discuss the Q1 2025 Oregon and SW Washington multifamily market lending landscape. Despite political uncertainties, the market is finding stability. There's a significant pent-up demand for equity, driven by reasons like default and depreciation. Underwriting standards remain consistent, and rates have dropped, but uncertainty remains. Insurance costs are a growing concern, particularly for older properties. Lenders are competitive, offering tight spreads and flexible terms. Deal flow is expected to increase, and pricing stability is...
info_outlineIn this episode, we sit down with Portland City Council member Eric Zimmerman to discuss the city’s growing challenges and opportunities in multifamily housing; from tackling frustrating permitting delays to reducing regulatory burdens that weigh heavily on multifamily property owners, our guest shares candid insights into hurdles facing the housing market today. We also delve into the innovative incentives and tax breaks being proposed to encourage new development and support housing growth. Whether you’re a property owner, developer, or someone simply curious about the future of housing in Portland, this conversation sheds light on potential policies shaping the city’s housing landscape.