Coffee, Rain, and Home Shopping: Surviving Portland House Hunts with a Smile
Armed with a warm brew and a hearty laugh, touring Portland homes on a rainy day can feel more like a cozy adventure than a soggy slog. Even though PDX is famous for drizzle, we only see about 36 inches of rain each year (travelportland.com), Seattle gets more! In fact, Portland averages about 144 sunny days annually (travelportland.com), so there will be dry days to celebrate your new home. Meanwhile, the rainforest-like weather means lush yards – and no dust to ruin white carpets. Wear layers and pack an umbrella, bring along that latte from Stumptown or Coava, and enjoy watching raindrops on the windowpanes of each potential new home.
Stay positive: a little rain can even help you see how a house handles water (look for well-built roof overhangs and properly sloped foundations). On tours, pay attention to drainage: does the yard flood or does a rain garden keep stormwater in check? (Portland’s Clean River Rewards program will give you a discount on your water bill if you install an approved rain garden - portland.gov.) Schedule visits mid-day when showers are often lighter, and shuffle houses around so you’re not caught in worst weather on the freeway. After each tour, compare notes back at a dry café over a second coffee – this will keep you optimistic and let you find the silver lining of every soggy outing.
Despite the weather, the Portland market still moves briskly. Redfin reports that April 2025 homes in Portland averaged 3 offers and sold in about 16 days, up just slightly from last year (redfin.com). More good news for you: inventory is up modestly, meaning more choices. One local market report shows ~1,017 active listings in March 2025 versus 881 a year earlier (realestateagentpdx.com). More houses = more opportunities to find the one. In short, don’t let grey skies cloud your house hunt. Stay upbeat and remember: the right home will feel just right in any weather.
If you need a cheerleader or an umbrella holder on your search, give me a call. I know where to find that perfect home – rain or shine – for you.
