it's January 7, 2026, and if you're like me, you're probably still recovering from the holidays while gearing up for tax season. But before you dive into those Schedule E deductions for your rental properties, there's one federal requirement that sneaks up on a lot of us every year: issuing 1099-NEC forms to contractors. Miss it, and the IRS can hit you with penalties that start small but add up fast. Trust me, I've seen too many good landlords get caught off-guard by this, s

If you rent to Housing Choice Voucher (HCV, better known as Section 8) holders through Home Forward, you've probably already seen the letter dated December 3, 2025, announcing a full pause on approving any rent increases effective on or after April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027. Yeah, that's a full year with no bumps allowed, even on lease renewals.

But here's the good news: Knowledge is your best anchor in choppy waters. I'll break down the top headlines statewide, zoom in on Portland Metro specifics, and wrap with some no-nonsense steps to keep your portfolio steady. Let's dive in—because staying informed isn't just smart; it's how we turn potential headaches into profitable opportunities.