By Jessica Ward, April 24, 2024
Hey!
- Have you ever thought about buying a home but didn’t know where to begin?
- Have you ever wondered what resources were out there for first time home buyers in Portland?
- Has down payment, closing costs or other financial components kept you from achieving your goal of home ownership?
Well, have you heard the news?! The City Of Portland is helping first time home buyers with down payment assistance loans.
Down Payment Assistance Loans award amounts can be up to $80,000 – $100,000 and include the opportunity for total loan forgiveness. That’s right, the city of Portland is helping qualified first time home buyers with financial opportunities to make home ownership a realty.
Want to find out if you qualify? Contact a home buying counselor at a partnering organization listed below:
In addition, PHB also partners with the following agencies to provide homebuyer counseling, education, and homeownership assistance:
This is a unique opportunity that I have personal experience with as a home buyer and a realtor. Please reach out to me directly for details on my personal experience with the down payment assistance programs.
I specialize in all first time home buyers!
❤️ Jessica_TheHomeGirl
Jessica Ward
Broker | ADU Specialist | OR & WA
She/Her
My life is fueled by a profound passion for serving others and making a positive impact on my community.
https://youtu.be/x1kSQm5UdQo?si=Wam5-ZRcj3VTRn_g I’m a Great NW native and— five years into this industry—a broker known for delivering results while making people feel genuinely taken care of. I grew up in Portland and Southwest Washington, and I know this market—its neighborhoods, culture, pricing nuances, and opportunities. That lived understanding informs every recommendation I make. I’m inclusive of all people, price points and committed to creating a space where clients feel safe, respected, and fully themselves. I’m a mother to my daughter, Wynter Katie, and a dog mom to a very cute Yorkshire terrier, which keeps me grounded in real life and real perspective.When I’m not working, you’ll find me hiking in the Gorge, wine tasting in the Willamette Valley, dining at local restaurants, hosting social gatherings, perusing an art gallery, flowing through hot yoga, drinking a good hazy IPA at a brewery, listening to an audiobook or podcast, attending a networking event, chaperoning my daughters field trips. boating on the river, or unwinding at local spas and bathhouses.
I stay deeply connected to my community through volunteering and board participation. I’m especially passionate about children’s needs—particularly those involved in the foster care system—climate impact and sustainability, justice and equity for people of color, and mental health advocacy.
My clients consistently rate their experience with me five stars, whether they are buying selling or simply attending one of the first time home buying classes I host for free to educate and empower the community. I’ve been called the “queen of resources and connections,” and I take that seriously. I’m known for navigating down payment assistance programs, grants, ADUs, seller financing, and non-traditional paths to ownership with ease and clarity. Think polished expertise with a side of “I got you.” Access is power. Education is leverage. And I believe everyone deserves both. I’m also a real estate investor who manages my own properties, including an ADU, so my guidance is grounded in lived experience. I understand long-term value, cash flow, development potential, and creative strategy—not just on paper, but in practice. As a black woman in real estate, I lead with excellence and purpose in an industry where representation is still very rare. I’m honored to be the first African American broker in Oregon state history to close a transaction with a Black-owned title and escrow company, but my greatest accomplishment is impact—helping clients secure stability, build wealth, and step confidently into ownership. I run a tight ship—transparent, strategic, and supportive—but don’t get it twisted, we’ll laugh too. I bring luxury-level service without the stiffness. Professional polish with real and genuine personality. To me, real estate isn’t just about property—it’s about security, freedom, and community. And when you work with me, you’re not just closing a deal… you’re building something bigger. Follow along: @Jessica_TheHomeGirlWhat Clients Are Saying:
Clients consistently share that working with me feels:
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Supportive and steady, even in high-pressure moments
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Clear and transparent, with no unanswered questions
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Strategic and informed, particularly during negotiations
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Personal, never transactional
First-time buyers say they felt educated and empowered. Sellers value my pricing insight and communication. Investors trust my numbers, perspective, and long-term thinking. Five stars—because the experience is intentional!
Affiliations and Accolades:
- ADU Specialist
- Earth Advantage Certified
- Portland NAACP (Member)
- LRR Diversity Chair Award Winner
- Lents Neighborhood Association (Former President)
- Youth Rights and Justice (Board Member & Sponsor)
- Asian Real Estate Association of America (Member)
- National Association of Real Estate Brokers (Member)
- Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors (Member)
- Broker Advisory Group at Living Room Realty (2024-2026)