Buying or selling a home is often one of the biggest (and most stressful) decisions you’ll ever make. I’m here to make your experience as seamless (and fun) as possible.

Looking to buy? Whether you’re a design-minded dreamer looking for that mid-century unicorn, an investor on the hunt for a fixer (or a 5-plex) to tear into, or a first-time buyer in need of a gentle guide – I’m a skilled negotiator with an eye for design and a knack for finding homes with “good bones.” I’m on a mission to ensure you feel empowered and cared for throughout the home-buying process.

Ready to sell? If you want to maximize your sales price, you’ve come to the right place! With a background in landscape/interior design and construction/project management, I’ve got the tools it takes to make your house shine. When it comes to catching buyer attention, I go beyond the traditional (ex. open houses, RMLS, etc.)- incorporating cutting-edge tools and outside-the-box strategy to build the hype. When it’s time to negotiate, my years of experience bargaining contracts mean I’m calm under pressure and know what it takes to get to YES.

Like many folks working in real estate, I’ve got a grab-bag of past lives that inform how I show up. Most of my 20’s and 30’s (17 years), I worked as a union organizer/negotiator on the state and national level- helping workers across sectors and industries join together and become leaders in the fight for better wages & benefits, a voice on the job, and political power. I’ve been an entrepreneur, a landscape designer, freelance florist, and have a deep well of personal experience with home renovation & property management under my belt.

Aside from working with buyers & sellers, I volunteer my time as the Integrity Chair on Living Room Realty’s Broker Advisory Group.  In that role, I serve as Living Room’s broker representative for our B-Corp status.

A portion of every one of my paychecks goes to Taking Ownership PDX, a community collective of contractors, realtors, neighbors, and businesses who support Black homeowners to age in place, generate wealth, and deflect the gentrification process by deterring predatory investors and realtors.

 


About Me:

I was born in Memphis, raised in the Sonoran desert (Phoenix), and have been in the PNW since 2003. I identify as queer, and use she/they pronouns. I’m married with sweeties (i.e., I practice ethical non-monogamy) and nest with my spouse, dog, and two cats in the Lents neighborhood of outer SE Portland. I’m a people person, music nerd, avid gardener, and seed-sower/organizer.

Since coming to Portland in 2004, I’ve witnessed many iterations of the city. I’m bullish on the future here- and excited about all our region has to offer. Good food, proximity to nature, an incredible local music scene, and an inclusive community are just a handful of the reasons I love this area.

As your realtor, I promise to show up as myself. I’ll hustle hard on your behalf with patience, a good listening ear, professionalism, and a goofy sense of humor. What you see is what you get, friends. And if we decide to work together, that’s the kind of authenticity I hope you feel comfortable showing too.

Ready to make magic happen? Feel free to shoot me a text/email, or give me an old fashioned ring. I’m excited to meet you!


Land Acknowledgement & Mission Statement

As a Realtor, the land I do business on is unceded Indigenous land. The Portland Metro area rests on the ancestral lands of the Cowlitz, Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Tumwater, Tualatin Kalapuya, Wasco, Molalla, Watlala, Bands of the Chinook, and so many other nations who made this area their home. In addition to the federally recognized tribes mentioned, there are numerous “unrecognized” tribes and Indigenous groups whose stories are also important.

I recognize these tribes’ legacy, lives, and descendants, and acknowledge my role and responsibility as a guest on stolen lands.

I am committed to using my voice and influence as a real estate professional (and, as a human being) to actively contribute to a more just and equitable future- one that promotes dignity, respect, and repair for the damaged caused by systemic oppression, white supremacy, homophobia/transphobia, and exploitative capitalism.

If you can’t get behind all that. We’re probably not a good fit. 🙂

 

 

Lydia's Testimonials

Lydia was very enjoyable to work with. She is knowledgeable about Portland neighborhoods including their amenities and possible drawbacks. She is a great communicator and always prompt to get back to you and follow up on anything that needs to be investigated. She was able to quickly arrange homes tours (even when she was out of state for the holiday) when a house popped up that we were interested in. I always felt like she had our best interests in mind and helped steer us away from some homes that wouldn't have been a good fit. All of these are qualities that you can find in any good realtor, what set her apart was her charming personality, enthusiasm, and willingness to help you accomplish your specific home goals. She is a great listener and trusted ally for talking through big decisions. Working with Lydia was a pleasure! I almost wish it had taken us longer to find a house because I will genuinely miss chatting with her about all things real estate!

Alison

Well-prepared, highly responsive, and professionally connected. Lydia Hallay's work through our recent Lake Oswego home purchase was easily the best experience we've had in relocating to a new area and trying to find a home. She was well-prepared, highly responsive, and professionally connected to all of the resources we needed from the beginning of our search to post-closing. She was efficient, effective, and genuinely felt like a partner. We wouldn't hesitate to work with her again.

Bill

Five Stars!. Lydia is such an amazing realtor, she made my house buying process a fun experience! I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish one of my biggest goals of home ownership without her, highly recommend.

Elijah

A brilliant negotiator. Working with Lydia was a blast, they are a true pro. We met one Saturday and took a tour of several homes within our price range. They helped us get a view of what was available at the time and when we found a house we really liked they made an aggressive offer on our behalf. It was accepted (!) and Lydia was a brilliant negotiator throughout the entire closing process. I really appreciated their patience with us as first time buyers and would recommend them to anyone looking for a new home.

Zach

Refreshing, honest, and enjoyable. My partners and I recently purchased a small apartment complex and we worked with Lydia on this project. What an incredible experience we had. Lydia brings a personal touch and approach to real estate that is refreshing, honest and enjoyable. I highly recommend working with her on a purchase.

Brian Simmons

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