By Stephanie Martin, February 11, 2026
If you love scrolling through real estate websites like most people, you’re probably dreaming of your first home. Or maybe you’re deep in the house-hunting trenches, feeling overwhelmed. I’ve been there—truly. Today, I want to share my personal journey to homeownership. It wasn’t a fairy tale, but looking back, it became one of the best chapters for me and my family. If you’re a first-time buyer facing high prices, low savings, and endless “what ifs,” this story might give you the nudge you need.
The Early Days: Dreaming Big but Facing Reality
About ten years ago, we lived in California, renting a cramped apartment that felt smaller every day. I was pregnant with our second child and dreading another rent hike or noisy neighbors. Our savings? Almost nonexistent. We scraped together just enough for a down payment after years of pinching pennies. Homeownership sounded like the ultimate win: stability, a yard for the kids, and a place to call our own.
But reality hit hard. I had a Pinterest-perfect vision: a charming house in our dream neighborhood, granite countertops, a big backyard, and walking distance to great coffee shops. Spoiler alert: none of that happened. We got outbid on every offer, outpriced by cash buyers, and discouraged faster than you can say “open house.” It took three years of weekend showings, late-night Zillow scrolling, and being way too picky about things like kitchen light direction (who even cares?).
The Wake-Up Call: Compromise or Keep Renting
Our patient real estate agent finally said, “Get in now or you might never get in at all.” California’s market was brutal, with prices climbing faster than we could save. So, we compromised. We bought a house outside our dream zip code. It was affordable, had decent schools, and checked the must-have boxes. It wasn’t fancy, but it was ours. We told ourselves, “We’ll live here for two years, then move up.”
The First Years: Scary Repairs and Growing Roots
Those first years scared us. Every repair felt like a punch to the budget. I remember panicking over a $5,000 plumbing fix and basic updates. “What have we done?” I wondered, staring at the bills. But then something changed. Homeownership started to feel rewarding. We painted rooms, planted a garden, and made it our own. It taught us resilience, budgeting, and the joy of DIY weekends (mostly my husband’s joy, but I supervised with snacks).
Building Equity and Confidence
We stayed in that house for seven years—five years longer than planned. During that time, we built equity, refinanced when rates dropped, and watched our investment grow. That gave us the confidence and funds to upgrade. Finding our second house took years again—hello, unrealistic expectations round two! But we found a bigger, better place for our growing family.
COVID and a New Chapter: Moving to Portland
Then COVID hit. Living through it in our own home was a blessing but sped up our next move. California equity builds fast—much faster than in many states. We sold for a nice profit, packed up, and chased a lower cost of living. Hello, Portland! We bought a decent-sized house here for a price that felt reasonable compared to California. Now, we enjoy a low mortgage, a fantastic location, and room to breathe without breaking the bank.
The Takeaway: Start Small, Think Long-Term
What’s the moral of my story? If you’re grinding toward your first home—especially with limited savings, kids on the way, or in a pricey market—don’t wait for perfection. Get in when you can, even if it means compromising on your “dream” details. Being too picky can keep you renting forever. That first big repair bill stings, but it gets easier. The rewards? Building equity, creating memories, and upgrading on your terms.
Homeownership isn’t always glamorous. But it’s empowering. Start small, think long-term, and your “good enough” house might just become your forever home. If you’re ready to stop scrolling and start owning, remember: progress beats perfection every time.
Stephanie Martin
Broker | OR
she/her
Originally from the Bay Area, Stephanie is a wife, mom of two, and daughter navigating the realities of aging parents. After moving more times than she can count, she became a professional problem-solver long before becoming a real estate broker.
As a transplant herself, Stephanie understands what it truly takes to uproot your life and start fresh in a new place. She and her husband have moved across the country—west to east, east back to west—and ultimately put down roots in Portland. They’ve relocated with kids, without kids, for work, for family, and in pursuit of a better quality of life. When they moved to Portland, they toured 30 homes in a single weekend, called school districts, mapped commutes, researched neighborhoods, and did everything possible to find the right place to land. Those experiences shaped Stephanie deeply, building resilience, resourcefulness, and a firsthand appreciation for the value of having a knowledgeable, supportive guide by your side.
Today, Stephanie brings that same clarity, empathy, and lived experience to her work as a Portland real estate broker, Certified Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA), Certified Staging Expert (CSE), and Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES). Caring for aging parents gives her a personal connection to her SRES training, allowing her to help older adults and their families navigate transitions with dignity, understanding, and confidence. Her PSA certification equips her to deliver data-driven pricing strategies and clear, thoughtful guidance at every stage. Stephanie believes a home is more than square footage—it’s where life is lived.
Before entering real estate, Stephanie built her career in people-centered roles, including hairstyling, pastry work, real estate administration, and transaction coordination. Each chapter strengthened her ability to listen deeply, anticipate needs, communicate clearly, and support people through meaningful life moments.
Whether clients are buying their first home, relocating to Portland, upsizing, downsizing, or preparing a longtime property for market, Stephanie approaches every goal with warmth, strategy, and a deeply service-driven mindset. She loves bringing people together—matching clients with the right home, neighborhood, resources, and even the perfect local coffee spot. As a Certified Staging Expert, she also helps sellers elevate their home’s presentation to maximize value and leave a lasting impression.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys hiking, yoga, exploring Portland’s food scene, thrifting, and adventuring with her family and their pit bull, Vince. Portland has given her a true sense of home, and she would be honored to help others find theirs.
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- T: 510-926-7721
- stephaniemartin@livingroomre.com