By Stephanie Martin, January 13, 2026
If you’re preparing to sell your home in Portland, you might be picturing bidding wars, multiple offers, and buyers driving up the price. And yes, that still happens in some cases! But in today’s more balanced Portland real estate market, it’s essential to look beyond just the number on the offer.
Here’s the truth:
The highest offer isn’t always the best one.
Time and time again, we see sellers gravitate toward flashy offers that are well over asking—but those offers often come with strings attached. Maybe the buyer is banking on negotiating after the inspection, or maybe their financing isn’t quite as solid as it seems. These types of offers can lead to delays, price reductions, or even failed transactions.
As your trusted Portland real estate agent, I’m here to help you look at the full picture.
What Makes a Strong Offer?
A great offer isn’t just about the price—it’s about the terms. Here’s what to consider when reviewing offers on your home:
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Buyer motivation: Are they serious about closing, or just trying to “win” the deal?
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Financing strength: Are they fully pre-approved, or just pre-qualified?
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Realistic expectations: Do they understand your home’s true condition and market value?
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Likelihood of closing smoothly: Is their agent experienced and communicative?
Often, a slightly lower offer with cleaner terms—fewer contingencies, better communication, or faster timelines—can be more beneficial than a top-dollar offer that’s likely to fall apart during escrow.
Inspection & Appraisal: The Great Equalizer
Regardless of what’s on paper, your home still needs to pass inspections and appraise for the purchase to move forward. Major repairs—like roof issues, sewer line concerns, or electrical problems—can’t be ignored. But a well-informed buyer who’s ready to navigate those issues can keep the deal on track.
Even if a price adjusts post-inspection, you’re still landing close to the true market value of your Portland home—and that’s what matters most.
The Best Offer = The Right Offer
Your goal shouldn’t just be to get the highest offer—it should be to get the strongest, most reliable one.
Ask yourself:
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Are they pre-approved with solid financing?
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Are the terms clean, with minimal contingencies?
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Is their agent responsive, professional, and acting in good faith?
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Are they offering what the home is truly worth?
The best offer is the one that gets you to closing day with confidence, clarity, and minimal stress.
Ready to Sell Your Portland Home?
Selling a home in Portland requires more than just sticking a price tag on it—it’s about navigating offers wisely and choosing the one that will get you the result you want. As your local real estate expert, I’ll help you evaluate each offer carefully, negotiate strategically, and guide you every step of the way.
Let’s talk about what a smart, successful sale looks like in today’s Portland market.
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