My name is Jack Spaeth. As part of my Master’s of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) at Portland State, I am conducting a study about leasing strategies at Affordable properties in the Portland Metro.
Here you will find a summary of the study and survey, why I am doing this research, tips for taking the survey, the questions I will answer in my analysis, and how to see the results.
Only properties in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties are eligible to participate. Extremely limited identifying information will be collected regarding the specific property - all results will be presented in aggregate and anonymously. Research Title
Converting to Perm: Leasing Strategies at Income Restricted Properties in Portland, Oregon
Why this?
Source: Network for Oregon Affordable Housing
Source: Network for Oregon Affordable Housing
N=112The affordable housing industry is facing a ‘death by a thousand cuts’ in Oregon. While oversimplified, these two graphs summarize the challenge quickly.
We know there are few levers to pull to navigate these challenges, but my goal is that this study will show not just which leasing and marketing levers to pull, but rather how to pull to them. The survey is designed to understand how organizations are and are not using data, software, budgets, and staff to meet occupancy goals. Ultimately, this survey is meant to understand the level of leasing and marketing sophistication in income restricted housing in the Portland Metro.
Survey Overview
TopicsLease-up and Occupancy - Property Characteristics - Pricing - Leasing Data Ownership and Management - Marketing
QuestionsMinimum: 35
Maximum: 42
Time20-30
Minutes
Tips for Taking the Survey
Have this data accessible
Month of Certificate of Occupancy
Occupancy at time of receiving certificate of occupancy
Monthly occupancy for April-September of 2025
Unit Mix
Average size (sqft) of units
Current average price of units by bedroom count
The Questions I Want to Answer
Leasing
What is the average lease-up time in months for Affordable properties? Are there patterns between properties related to leasing and marketing practices?
Do properties that use a dedicated CRM for prospective tenant communication have higher occupancy than those that don’t?
Do properties collect/track prospective tenant lead sources, tour conversion rates, application conversion rates, and denial rates?
Marketing
Do properties with a dedicated website with real time pricing and availability have higher occupancy than those that don’t?
Do properties that use promotions or concessions have higher (economic and leased) occupancy?
Do properties that spend more on marketing have higher (economic and leased) occupancy?
Ownership, Staff, and Management
Do off-site and on-site staff have the same level of knowledge about leasing at the property?
Do the leasing and marketing approaches of national and local property management companies differ?
Do the leasing and marketing approaches of for-profit and non-profit entities differ?
About the Researcher
I joined the Master’s of Science in Real Estate program after 5 years in the multifamily property management industry - I did lease-ups, marketing, and compliance for a small 3rd party property manager, a fully integrated developer-builder-manager, and a private equity start-up.
At these three companies, I found the same lack of thoughtfulness in the use of data and communication in leasing and marketing - they were afterthoughts. While there are exceptions, I have since learned that this ‘standardization’ isn’t unique. This study is part of my effort to change that.
I currently work for New Narrative in the Landlord Liaison program which supports housing providers and case managers navigate locally funded rental assistance programs.
Thank you for being here. Please contact me with any questions or feedback.
The final report will be available for download here in January 2026. You can also request a copy via email. Participating organizations may also request a presentation of the findings.
You can learn more about me here or on LinkedIn.
Jack Spaeth
jspaeth@pdx.edu