Thinking about buying a home in 2026—but not sure where to start?
Before you fall in love with a kitchen… let’s make sure your strategy is stronger than your emotions.

🏡 Episode Summary

In this episode of Off the Record, Joe and Makayla break down exactly how to prepare to buy a home in 2026 — financially, strategically, and emotionally.

This isn’t just “get pre-approved and start shopping.” It’s the real, behind-the-scenes buyer consultation process they walk through with every client in the Portland Metro market.

From clarifying your why, to understanding micro-markets, to writing a strong offer (without necessarily offering the highest price), this episode gives buyers a clear roadmap to move forward with confidence.

Whether you're planning to buy this spring or just starting to think about 2026, this episode will help you:

✔ Avoid emotional missteps
✔ Understand today’s market dynamics
✔ Build the right buying team
✔ Prepare financially the smart way
✔ Know when to lean in — and when to walk away

If you want to buy with clarity instead of chaos, this is your starting point.

⏱️ Episode Highlights

00:01 – Why 2026 Buyers Need a Strategy
Joe and Makayla kick off with what today’s market really looks like — and why preparation matters more than ever.

04:30 – Step 1: Get Clear on Your “Why”
Is this purchase about lifestyle, stability, investment — or all three?
Plus: Why location vs. size vs. price clarity changes everything.

06:00 – Understanding Today’s Market Conditions
Why most homes aren’t selling at full list price — and where competition still exists in Portland.

08:20 – Step 2: Financial Reality Check
Why getting pre-approved early is non-negotiable — and why it’s easier (and less scary) than you think.

12:00 – Step 3: Build Your Buying Team
Why you should interview at least two brokers — and what to look for beyond experience.

13:30 – Micro-Markets & Smarter Searching
How understanding neighborhood trends gives buyers leverage.
Plus: How RealScout’s AI-powered home search helps uncover hidden opportunities.

15:30 – Preparing Emotionally (Yes, Really)
How to balance logic and emotion when house hunting — and why “a good deal” isn’t always the right home.

19:00 – What Makes a Strong Offer (It’s Not Just Price)
Contingencies, appraisal strategy, inspections, and knowing when to walk away.

🌐 Website: https://livportland.com

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@livportland

🔗 Resources Mentioned

• LivPortland Home Search
• RealScout Buyer App
• Mortgage pre-approval process
• Market analysis strategy (Comparative Market Analysis / CMA)

If you’re thinking about buying, start here:
👉 https://livportland.com

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.

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.