Is 2026 the Best Time to Move to Oregon City?

If you’ve spent any time in the Portland metro area lately, you’ve probably felt the Oregon City "pull." It’s hard to ignore. Unlike the sprawling, cookie-cutter suburbs that feel like they were plopped down yesterday, Oregon City has deep roots. You’ve got the Willamette River, the thundering falls, and a downtown core that feels like a real community, not just a series of strip malls.

But let’s talk about the actual real estate market in 2026. We are finally out of the "frenzy" that defined the early 2020s. I call this the Goldilocks Market: home values are still ticking up at a steady, sustainable 3% annually, but that frantic, "offer-in-an-hour" energy is gone. You can finally take a breath before making the biggest financial decision of your life.

The Psychology of the 2026 Buyer For the last few years, buyers have been paralyzed by two things: high interest rates and low inventory. In 2026, those walls are finally coming down. Interest rates have moderated from their 2023 peaks, and for the first time in a decade, we actually have a healthy selection of new construction homes in Oregon City.

However, there is a "hidden" factor at play this year: the 2026 NW Natural Street of Dreams® presented by Community Financial Corporation/Banner Bank and Standard TV & Appliance.

This event is the 50th Anniversary of the Northwest’s most prestigious home show. Because it is being held right here at Serres Farm, it is creating a unique "micro-climate" in the local market. Usually, when a neighborhood hosts this event, home values in the surrounding area see a spike in awareness and demand. For buyers, the "sweet spot" is right now—buying before the show opens in July and the rest of the state realizes how incredible this location is.

The "New vs. Old" Trap: Don't Get Fooled by the Sticker Price I see this happen almost every weekend. A buyer sees a 1995 resale home in Oregon City listed for $540,000. Then they see our brand-new townhomes at Serres Farm starting in the low $500s. On the surface, the older home feels like a "deal" because maybe the lot is a bit bigger or it has some mature trees.

But let's look at the "True Cost" of that 90s home over the next five years:

1. The Roof: A 30-year-old roof is a ticking time bomb. Replacement cost? $15,000–$20,000.
   

2. The HVAC: Furnaces from that era weren't built for 2026 energy prices. Replacing a furnace and adding A/C? $10,000–$12,000.
   

3. The Windows & Insulation: 1990s building codes were "loose" compared to today. You’ll likely pay $150–$200 more per month in utilities just to keep that house warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

When you buy new at Serres Farm, your "To-Do" list is zero. You have a full builder warranty. You have modern insulation. And at Forrest Ridge, we include the A/C from day one. When you factor in the $25,000 rate buy-down we’re offering through Darby Lamping at Vision Mortgage Group, the monthly "carrying cost" of the new home is almost always lower than the "deal" on the resale.

Why the "Townhome Pivot" is the Smartest Move in 2026 In a market where a detached single-family home is pushing $650,000+, the townhome has emerged as the strategic winner. At Serres Farm, our townhomes range from 1,500 to 1,900 square feet. To put that in perspective, that’s larger than many 1970s ranch houses in the area.

You’re getting 3 to 4 bedrooms, a private fenced yard, and a garage—but you aren't paying the $100,000 "land premium" that comes with a standalone lot. You’re getting the square footage you actually live in, without the massive yard maintenance that eats up your Saturdays. It’s the "Goldilocks" of property types: all the space, half the headache.

The Local Edge: Living in Oregon City Oregon City is finally getting the recognition it deserves as a culinary and lifestyle hub. You’ve got McMenamins Oregon City Pub for a casual Friday night, Corner 14 for food carts and live music, and some of the best hiking in the region just a short drive away.

Commuters love Oregon City because it’s the "gateway" to the rest of the state. You’re 20 minutes from downtown Portland, but you’re also 45 minutes from the mountain and an hour and a half from the coast. It’s the perfect home base for a family that actually wants to do things, rather than just sit in traffic.

Why Wait? With only 28 homes in our collection at Serres Farm, the window is closing. Once the 2026 NW Natural Street of Dreams® opens its gates, the secret is officially out.

Reach out to Susie Hansen at Premiere Property Group today. She can show you the site, walk you through the numbers, and help you understand why 2026 is the year to stop renting and start building equity in Oregon City’s most anticipated neighborhood.

Contact the Team: Susie Hansen, Premiere Property Group | (503) 680-9748 Darby Lamping, Vision Mortgage Group | 503-298-7673