A Year of Gratitude: Reflections from Our Team

A Year of Gratitude: Reflections from Our Team

As this year comes to a close, gratitude feels like the perfect place to begin. When you spend your days helping people navigate one of the biggest decisions of their lives, the word thankful can start to feel routine—but this year reminded us just how meaningful this work really is.

This reflection comes from our buy-side team, but it’s rooted in something bigger: the people, culture, and foundation that made our growth possible. Here’s a look back from the buyer team.

Jessica | Lead Buyer Agent

Gratitude with a side of puppy photos

This work year, I’m feeling incredibly grateful.

Team synergy is the foundation of everything we do—and also the reason we genuinely enjoy our days. Whether we’re sending puppy and kitten photos, coordinating tours and inspections, sharing wisdom and humor, or jumping in to support one another when things get busy, we stay deeply connected. Jenessa has been my rock for the past seven years—keeping us anchored, organized, and making sure every “i” is dotted and every “t” is crossed (often with a perfectly timed witty comeback). Sofi joined us this year and brought not only an incredible work ethic and heart for clients, but also daily joy—especially in the form of videos featuring whatever surprise made her jump while filming a house that day.

That kind of connection made it possible for us to continue serving at a high level—and finally achieve a long-time goal of mine: taking an entire month off to travel. This is exactly why we built our team the way we did. With three amazing Realtors working together, no one is ever left holding it all when someone steps away.

I’m endlessly grateful for our clients. Being trusted with life-changing moments—from first homes to investment properties, from growing families to age-in-place transitions—never stops feeling like an honor.

This year we helped 33 families find homes—without constant chaos, burnout, or running on empty. That balance didn’t happen by accident. It came from strong systems, mutual trust, and a team that truly has each other’s backs.

Each day, I get to show up with this team and our amazing clients and genuinely have fun doing meaningful work. I’m deeply grateful for a year that proved you can grow, serve well, laugh often, and still make space for life outside of work.

— Jessica

Sofi | Buyer Agent

Finding joy in collaboration and connection

What a year.

Back in March, I joined forces with a spectacular group of people, and I couldn’t be happier with where I’ve landed. Jessica and Jenessa have been such breaths of fresh air in an industry that can often feel imbalanced, stressful, and pretty stinkin’ lonely. Finding a team rooted in collaboration, trust, and genuine care made everything click into place.

As I reflect on the year, what stands out most is the people we’ve had the privilege of serving. Every conversation, showing, and closing represents a family, an individual, or a next chapter that we’re trusted to help guide. That trust is something I never take lightly—and it’s what motivates me to show up every day.

Working alongside such thoughtful, hardworking professionals has been a gift. Jessica is a true master in the field, and learning alongside her has been the highlight of my real estate experience so far. Jenessa brings a cool, calm, and collected presence that creates clarity and confidence when it matters most. Together, we’ve supported one another through challenges, celebrated wins big and small, and built a culture that always puts the client experience first.

There is so much to be grateful for as the year comes to a close—and I’m incredibly excited for what’s ahead.

— Sofi

Jenessa | Operations Manager

The culture behind the joy

The authenticity and heart Jessica and Karim have brought to this work since they started this team is reflected in the wonderful people we get to work with. When you love what you do, it is magnetic and that is what I’m grateful for—that the foundation of our team is the real life human values of some of the best people I know. It makes work a joy and leaves room for everyone to show up as their whole selves.

Also, we added the amazing Sofi to the team this year! Not only is she a kickass agent and smart cookie, but she’s got a killer sense of humor. I’m grateful that Jessica and Sofi make me snort laugh regularly.

— Jenessa

Honoring the Roots of Our Team

Before this buy-side group came together, Karim and I were laying the groundwork—building trust, setting standards, and shaping a culture rooted in service and care. Our growth wouldn’t have been possible without that original foundation, and Karim Alaeddine continues to bring us together through his intuition, thoughtful counsel, fierce Realtor skills, and unmistakable “I’m here for you—let’s figure it out” spirit.

Kim Parmon and Andee Zeigler are the dynamic duo leading—and absolutely slaying—the listing side of our team. 

Their thoughtful guidance, deep market knowledge, and commitment to serving clients as whole humans (not transactions) set the standard for how we show up. Kim’s leadership, strategic insight, and unwavering dedication to client care raise the bar for excellence, while Andee’s calm presence, local expertise, and ability to guide clients through complex transitions with clarity and compassion continue to shape how we support both our clients and one another.

This team was built intentionally—layer by layer, relationship by relationship—and we’re deeply grateful for the people who planted the seeds that allowed it to grow.

Looking Ahead

This year reminded us that real estate is never just about houses. It’s about trust, connection, growth, and yes—having a little fun along the way.

To our clients: thank you for letting us be part of your stories.
To our teammates: thank you for making this work joyful and meaningful.
And to the year ahead: we’re grateful, energized, and ready for what’s next.

PORTLAND LIFE: SNOWY DAY STEWS

SNOWY DAY STEWS

      .     

It’s really cold outside. Are you ready?

Here are three warming stews to keep you nourished and comforted in the cold of winter! They are PACKED with flavor and can be made plant-based.

Click below or through the photos above for recipes!
POSOLE – A Mexican stew with hominy and pork or tripe.
AFRICAN PEANUT STEW, MAAFE – A West African stew made with chicken or beef, veggies, and peanuts.
MINESTRONE– Italian soup made with beef or pork, pasta, beans, and veggies.

PORTLAND LIFE: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024!

ANNUAL YEAR IN REVIEW COLLAGE

As 2023 comes to a close, we want to send thanks for your continued support! We have helped you find your dream home or your new chapter home and helped you sell your home. You have sent us your friends, and family to help with their real estate needs. We are ever grateful and are so lucky to have you in our lives!

THANK YOU!


GET YOUR GROOVE ON IN 2024

WITH THIS CHILL AND FUN PLAYLIST! 

SCAN BELOW OR CLICK HERE


New Year, New Home: Homebuying in 2024

Time to gear up for the holidays (or not, for those who don’t partake) and think of those new year “resolutions”. With the new year looming upon us, what better way to start it than with a new home of your own? Whether you’re a first time buyer or upgrading to the next bigger & better thing, now’s a great time to kickstart a plan for your housing goals!

You’ve likely heard the rumors; mortgage rates are coming down in 2024. Some projections include numbers coming down as low as the high 4-percent range (whoa!). While it’s important to note that these are all predictions, we are likely going to see some sort of positive change with mortgage rates sometime in the new year.

While any sort of drop in rates is most certainly helpful for homebuyers, keep this in mind: lower rates, higher competition. Read that one more time to really let that (likely possibility) sink in. It may not come as a surprise that the housing market starts to heat up once rates come down; it totally makes sense! How can you avoid a potential homebuying frenzy and multiple offer situation, you ask? Get started on your homebuying journey while it’s still seasonably slow! This will also create an opportunity to refinance as soon as you’re able — especially if those rates do fall to some reasonable numbers in the near future.

Want more info? Reach out to me directly, I’d love to assist with your home buying and selling needs!

Pass the Butter Please

Secure bike storage, a space for a bike workshop, and a kitchen with room for a 36 inch stove, somewhere close-in around the Hawthorne neighborhood so Todd could bike to work comfortably everyday. These were the small requests of what Ashley and Todd were asking to find in their purchase of their first Portland home. No problem, I thought. Six months, endless laughs, a few “almost winners”,  and over one hundred homes later, we found it! I couldn’t be more happy to have these two wonderful people as clients and now friends. The night after closing, I brought over a bottle of champagne to celebrate, and I saw this super sweet lil butter dish on the counter, the only kitchen item currently in their brand new home. I asked about it, and they shared this butter dish has been a meaningful part of every single one of their homes together, and it’s the first thing Todd asked Ashley to make sure to bring the day they got the keys to their home. To all of the incredible meals to be made in this befitting home and all of the bikes to be wrenched on in that expansive basement, I raise my glass with so much excitement and joy for you two. Happy 2020 Todd and Ashley!