Portland does this thing at the end of March where you can't quite tell if winter is done with you yet. One day it's sideways rain, the next you're squinting at actual sunshine wondering if you imagined it. I've been driving around a lot lately — showing homes, scouting neighborhoods, just looking — and there's this collective energy of people shaking off the gray and starting to make moves. That's usually when interesting things happen in real estate.
🏡 THE DEEP DIVE: Cedar Hills
Cedar Hills is where I live, and for good reason. It's a quiet, well-kept older neighborhood close to downtown — low crime, good neighbors, and plenty of people out enjoying it. You'll see joggers, dog walkers, and couples heading down to the lake. Most streets meander gently through the area, and there's a distinct sense of calm that settles over you on the drive home.
Cedar Hills has a particular quality that's hard to name but easy to feel — as though the neighborhood was designed with the people in mind, not just the property. Wide streets, mature trees, and ranch homes set back from the sidewalk with room to breathe. There's no rush here. And in a city that has been moving fast for a long time, that kind of quiet is worth more than most people realize.
📊 The Real Estate market right now in Cedar Hills:
1️⃣ Homes here are moving fast — we're talking days, not weeks. According to Redfin, Cedar Hills homes were selling in just 6 days on the market Redfin — compare that to the broader Portland market where homes are averaging around 54 days Redfin.
That gap is significant. What it means for you: if you're a buyer and you're even thinking about Cedar Hills, the window between "let me think about it" and "someone else bought it" is a lot shorter than most people expect.
2️⃣ The price-per-square-foot story is compelling. The median sale price per square foot in Cedar Hills is $394 Redfin, against Portland's overall median of $307 per square foot Redfin.
Cedar Hills commands a premium — but when you factor in the lot sizes, the housing stock, and the neighborhood quality, that spread makes sense. The value relative to comparable inner-Portland neighborhoods is still real.
3️⃣The 26/TV Highway corridor keeps improving in ways that make the surrounding neighborhoods more livable - more on that in a future issue.
🎣 On the Water
Commonwealth lake
I live just a short walk from this lake and am always amazed by how much wildlife such a small body of water can support. What's especially interesting is that despite its size, people regularly fish here and pull out surprisingly large catches. I love walking the trail in the mornings — there's something about being surrounded by nature that restores a sense of quiet and calm. I'm also grateful for the conservation efforts that have helped so many species thrive here. If you're ever on the west side of Portland, come out for a stroll — maybe we'll cross paths on the trail.
🏆 This Week's Win
An old school friend, Kevin Rumgay, received an offer on his property this week — the kind of moment that reminds me why I love this work. Lately, I've been connecting with a lot of Oregon City Alumni through Facebook, and it's been wonderful to reconnect with familiar faces. Even better is seeing how much value Kevin was able to get for his property. Since COVID, the Redland area near the Clackamas River has appreciated substantially — In some cases, properties have tripled in value.
One More Thing
My friends and I came across G-Love by chance. We were in the neighborhood, it caught our attention, and we decided to go in. It turned out to be one of the best meals I have had in Portland, and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
G-Love is located in Portland's Slabtown neighborhood and is owned and operated by Chef Garrett Benedict, who brings over 20 years of experience from some of the finest kitchens in the country. The restaurant takes great pride in sourcing locally, with a dedicated partnership with Olde Moon Farm in Silverton, just an hour south of Portland in the Willamette Valley.
The team behind G-Love is equally impressive. Chef de Cuisine Jackson Hallenburg trained at Le Cordon Bleu and has a deep passion for farm-to-table cooking. Sous Chef Eden Buckendahl is a Portland native who worked his way up from the ground floor at one of the city's most respected restaurants. Director of Operations Shade Ruston has been with G-Love since it opened in 2019 and brings warmth and attention to every aspect of the dining experience.
The beverage program is also worth noting. Beverage Director Quintin Scalfaro crafts exceptional cocktails, and Wine Director Kelsey Malfliet oversees a thoughtfully curated wine selection.
If you are looking for a great meal in Portland, I encourage you to give G-Love a try. You can learn more or book a table at g-lovepdx.com.
What’s next: Next month I'll be diving into Oregon City. If you have questions about the area — or anywhere else in the Portland region — reach out anytime.
As always, thanks for being in my corner. I don't take it lightly that you let me show up in your inbox.
And if someone in your world is thinking about buying or selling, I’d love to help them out. Feel free to connect me with them.
See you out there,
9755 SW Barnes Rd Ste 560 Portland, OR 97225.