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Are you thinking about making your first home purchase in Oregon in 2026? If so, keep reading. Here’s a look at home prices, real estate market trends, and other information related to buying a home in Oregon in 2026.
Buying a home is a big deal, and as such, you want to make sure you’re making the right decision when it comes to the type of home you buy and the mortgage you take out. If you’re looking to buy a home in Oregon in 2026, you’ll want to do what you can to increase your odds of experiencing a successful transaction.
According to the latest data from Zillow, the median home value across the state of Oregon dipped to around $487,843 as of January 2026. That was a decrease of 0.8% over the same month a year earlier. In Portland, the median home value is about $28,000 higher than the statewide median.
Having said that, experts suggest that home prices in Oregon will increase in 2026, albeit at a modest pace. So, even though home prices will increase slowly this year, they are expected to increase nonetheless.
That’s the first thing to know when buying your first home in Oregon in 2026. Buyers will likely encounter higher house prices in 2026, compared to those who purchased over the last couple of years.
As a result, it’s important to enter the real estate market with a realistic sense of what you can get for the money. First-time buyers in Oregon can benefit from doing some price research, while paying particular attention to recent sales prices.
The entire Pacific Northwest has suffered from a lack of housing inventory over the last couple of years. This is particularly noticeable in major cities like Seattle and Portland. It’s another important trend that all home buyers should know about.
If you are buying your first home in Oregon in 2026, you could experience a high level of competition due to limited supply. First-time buyers should be well-prepared, with pre-arranged financing and awareness of local market conditions.
Related: Oregon First-Time Homebuyer Guide For 2026
When this article was published, near the end of January 2026, the average rate for a 30-year fixed home loan was 6.09%. That’s based on the weekly industry survey conducted by Freddie Mac.
Rates have been decreasing over the past few months. This is news that first-time home buyers in Oregon should understand, because it will impact the cost of a mortgage.
Related: Frequently asked mortgage questions
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, mortgage rates are expected to dip to 6% or even lower by the end of the year.
Granted, these are just predictions. But if they turn out to be accurate, those who end up buying a home in Oregon later in 2026 could find higher house prices, though potentially lower interest rates.
Not long ago, we wrote about an Oregon mortgage lender survey conducted by Fannie Mae, which indicated that mortgage loan requirements in Oregon and across the country have eased in recent months. This information is still relevant, and it’s something you should know about when buying your first home in Oregon in 2026.
The bottom line here is that you don’t need perfect credit and a down payment of 20% to buy a house in Oregon. Nor do you have to be debt-free to qualify for a home loan.
In fact, mortgage requirements have eased a bit over the last couple of years. Most of the financing programs available today have some degree of flexibility. For some first-time buyers in Oregon, this could simplify the path to homeownership.
If you have questions about mortgages or are ready to apply, Sammamish Mortgage is ready to step in and help. We’ve been helping home buyers across Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Idaho, and California since 1992, and offer many mortgage programs to choose from. Visit our website to get an instant rate quote or use our mortgage calculator. Or contact us if you have mortgage-related questions about buying a home in Oregon or to get pre-approved.
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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