Like so many folks, Emily and Alex’s work shifted dramatically during the pandemic. With their physical location being less of a priority, they opened up their minds to the possibility of relocating. Having visited Emily’s cousin in Portland and loved it, it was top of the list. Emily and Alex are both people that make things happen and they decided to get the ball rolling by planning a trip to get into a few homes and explore the city. On their trip we toured a home that was quite simply, just what they were looking for. They acted with clarity and decisiveness in presenting an offer and found a delayed possession plan that worked for all involved. We are so excited to welcome them to the city and their new home!

Even real estate agents have to be buyers in this competitive market. My husband and I toured on a Monday afternoon and upon entry knew this was the perfect house that we had been waiting for. We drove away and I was hopeful that it would be a late season non-competitive situation… That hope quickly faded when I checked in with the agent.  She was already expecting about six offers and had set a deadline only hours away for all offers to be submitted. I quickly went to work and delivered a competitive offer, but learned only a little bit later that she had received 21 offers in full. We had little to no hope left, but did still amend our offer to try and make it stronger.
The stars aligned and we got the call at 8 PM that night that our offer was accepted! It was a good reminder of how slow the minutes pass as you await news! Never give up because it’s not always the sales price it’s the whole package… Terms matter!

The buying process is different for everyone – some folks have spent large swaths of time researching the market or have lived in Portland for decades, and so have clear perspectives on what areas of town will work well for them. Others are making the leap from miles away, maybe even buying a home sight unseen. What’s most important from our perspective, is that we are working within the parameters that are right for each individual buyer. For Zsofi and Eddy, they began their search after just moving to town and did not have a chance to let their sense of the city and what works for them develop before diving into the deep end. We met them after they nailed down a short term rental and so were able to proceed with less urgency and a keen eye toward what would make sense for them long term. As soon as they were allowed the space to solidify their priorities, they found the house they had been seeking. We always want buyers to travel at their own pace and embrace the process that is right for them as they make the jump toward this exciting milestone.

With a new teaching job to look forward to, Julie wanted to buy a home in a neighborhood that would be an easy commute to her school and afford her the space to invite her mom to move in with her. Equally important was the long term investment potential and rentability of the new place down the road. We began the search focused on detached homes within the budget and found that with location as the priority, compromising on condition felt inevitable. Once we expanded the radius of the search AND opened up to the possibility of attached homes, the options became exciting and Julie landed on an attached move-in ready home that will not come with the stress of needing to renovate immediately upon moving in. We are so glad to have been a part of finding the home that will work for Julie’s life.

Ayumi and Brent entered the market knowing they wanted a home in their current neighborhood, which they love. They also knew they wanted a newer home with more space for their family. Sometimes when you go into the search with pinpoint focus, it is all about the waiting game. When a great home in their preferred price range surfaced, we were thrilled and Ayumi and Brent took a swing, only to be offered the back-up position. To our delight the first place buyers backed out and they were offered an opportunity at the home they had fought for. That very day another promising candidate at an even better price point popped up on the market and they knew that in order to move on this new home, they would have to risk losing out on the other property. They took a big risk to great reward – they wrote their best offer and had it accepted within the day. We are so glad they followed their intuition and ended up in the best possible scenario for their family.

In this market it is hard to negotiate an under asking offer whether it is warranted or not.  Getting past the sellers expectations that every home receives multiple offers and sells well above the asking price is one of the largest challenges.  We toured this home and could not figure out why the home was not going crazy?  The finishes were great, the floor plan was ideal, the area lovely, so why?  There was no glaring reason except market timing.  The summer surge winding down, people going out of town for their end of summer vacations, and families preparing for in-person school to start were the only plausible reasons.  Entering the market with perfect timing and finding value without compromise is Mackenzie and Cory’s story.  Inspections were very clean, appraisal came in above the sales price… everything lined up and they are now the proud owners of their new home. Congratulations!!

Adrienne and Spencer set out to find a parcel of land to farm and raise their two sons.  They started the search 15 months before they needed to be settled for their oldest to enroll in school.  We definitely felt that was plenty of time, but it was barely enough.  Limited inventory, preferred school restrictions, commute times, and trying to find quality land for them to farm proved to make this journey feel almost impossible, to say the least.  They were open to all ideas and angles to make this happen, but settling on those major points was not one of them.  Many properties we considered had some major concessions, and the ones that worked were fiercely competitive.  Time had run out and hope was almost lost until they found an interim school that their son could attend to give them more time – I was so happy for them to have found an option to take the pressure off, but it is funny how things work out because once the school pressure was solved another home hit the market.  The land was perfect and the house would work.  They fought hard for it and came out victorious – now they are about to get the keys and finally put this chapter behind them and move into a new chapter for their family.  Every second of helping them has been a joy!

Now that retirement was on the horizon, the time had come to consider living closer to their daughter and leaving behind the hurricanes and destruction they had dealt with over the decades.  After a few exploratory trips and counsel, the idea of building a home transitioned into finding a beautiful condo.  The amazing views, easy-care, and walkability became very seductive, so when they came to town again with the goal of finding their next home, we visited many great options, but the first unit we toured was breathtaking and no other home we saw came close – the decision was clear.  We are so excited to have been a part of this journey with Stephen and Janice – Congratulations!

What an honor to help this family once again! When Nicky and Noah reached out and mentioned the family they were a part of I was once again honored and super excited at another opportunity to help. Every person in their family radiates kindness, grace, and excitement to become a homeowner and it has been such a pleasure to help each and every time.  Nicky and Noah were no exception, my only selfish regret is the search was so short because an amazing home had a price reduction in the first week of their search and became an option for them.  We toured the home and could not believe that it satisfied every one of their needs and wants.  Amazing things happen to amazing people, period!

Wow, when entering this amazing home it was hard to look past the amazing view, but once our eyes peeled away from the windows the house wowed Danish as well.  He knew this house was meant to be his.  In a very competitive scenario, Danish showed up and came out victorious on his first offer.  Today he gets the keys to a great home with secondary living quarters for family and friends to stay in when they come to visit him in his new home!  Congratulations Danish, we are very excited for you!

Elaine and Greg were ready to jump into Portland’s competitive market and had heard all of the intimidating tales of multiple offer scenarios and long term buyers spinning their wheels for months unable to successfully purchase a home. We believe that even in a seller’s market, buyers can and should feel empowered in their decision to purchase. One of the ways we arm buyers with the reclamation of their power in a competitive landscape is building a foundation of information, a strong understanding of each home’s value and shortcomings (there is no perfect home), and being a living reminder of the values buyers entered the market with so we can help uphold those values when challenging decisions emerge. For Elaine and Greg, starting the search with clear needs and a thorough understanding of where it made sense to compromise led them to an ideal home and neighborhood immediately upon entering the market. The introspection that foregrounded their search made things deceptively easy! We are thrilled that things aligned so elegantly and can’t wait to celebrate.

Mallary and James entered the market excited to find their new home, but after listening to a lot of their friends’ stories they were also realistic about the possibility of it taking a while. To their surprise that was not their experience. Their clarity on what was most important and their commitment to make time to look at possibilities brought them to the finish line quicker than the average buyer in this limited inventory, competitive market. The most exciting part is they did not need to concede on anything.  Today they received the keys to their lovely three-bedroom home, with amazing natural light, and an oasis of yard to enjoy. Congratulations Mallary and James, it was such a pleasure helping you!

This amazing family of four set out to make their dream come true of settling into the neighborhood they had come to love. In a fierce market with limited inventory the hope of making dreams come true can feel impossible and at times it did. They adjusted expectations, sought council, and put trust in their real estate team, which all led to an amazing outcome and a beautiful home to raise their family and make roots. Congratulations Abra and Jeff, it was an honor to help you!

Shadiin is the kind of person whose vibrancy is contagious. It was simply a joy to be a part of her process as she transitions to this next phase of her life. With her kids moving away for college, Shadiin was able to focus on her own values and needs in her home search and made the decision to leave Eugene for an amazing job opportunity in Portland. She wanted a place where she could host large family gatherings, have a space for her kids to stay when they visit from school, and if possible, have enough room to entertain the possibility of an AirBnB and income potential. We are beyond thrilled to see her close on a home today that HAS IT ALL. It’s such a privilege to advocate for our amazing clients.

Jen and Donny were past clients that we had the joy of helping find their first home – a home that has served their growing family for many years. But in anticipation of the kids getting older and all of life’s expanding elements, having a flexible space with room to stretch felt like a crucial next step. It’s true that in some sense the farther outside of inner Portland you travel, the more house you will get for the money. But in ever changing Portland, the allure of this has not been lost on the general public and peripheral Portland areas are no exception to the competition. Jen and Donny had a few hard losses, but in the end their resilient attitude and pragmatic approach landed them a home in their ideal neighborhood in Happy Valley.

A home is often the largest purchase a person will make in their lifetime. It can feel counterintuitive to spend such a large amount of money as a means of saving and investment, particularly when you are a first time home buyer. It can be a great choice for the future, but it is not necessarily the right choice for everyone. We want our buyers to feel informed and empowered within the home buying process, relieved of the frenzy of the market enough that when it comes time to decide on a home, it can be a decision made with calm and eyes wide open.

After dipping their toes in the market for months, it was time to get serious about their search. Home prices were rising and an already challenging market was becoming even more difficult to compete within. Kristen and Matt bumped up against some roadblocks and withstood heartbreak during the offer writing process, but weathered the setbacks and have found an amazing home for their family. It is always so rewarding to see such diligence and long term commitment pay off. We are thrilled for them.

Mary and Phil simply deserve the best — they are an amazing couple centered on family connection and were seeking a place to not only age in place, but to provide spaces for all their beloved family. They knew this was going to be hard based on some of their needs, but when buyers are crystal clear on what they need and ready to act when the right one hits, only good things happen!  Their house hit the market and they jumped, beating out 5 other super strong offers on their first try.  Helping this family was such an honor — we are so excited that they found a home to host large family events and have all their sisters and grandchildren visit!

Julia and Scott entered the market with hopes to secure a great home in their current neighborhood.  They had been warned about the “crazy” market and were honestly a bit scared.  Those fears were answered with strong counsel, realistic expectations, and an advocate that helps empower buyers to navigate through safe realistic concessions.  As we ventured out into the market to find their home we never thought that not only would they find a home with little to no concessions, but that they would be successful with their first offer! We are so excited for them to get keys today to their dream home!

Sarah and Dan were renting in the St.John’s neighborhood when we began their search. While we set the search up to stretch the boundaries of this neighborhood, as we toured in different areas of town it became clear that St. John’s was where their hearts lived and so we continually returned to the possibilities there. Sarah and Dan came into the market clear-eyed about the fact that there are no signs of it slowing and weighed their options with graceful and grounded perspectives. They ended up striking a balance between wanting a home with built-in charm and knowing that opting for more of a “blank slate” increased their chances of success. They landed a home with a perfect combination of the two – room to add character, but with enough mid-century flair that they felt they were not settling for something that lacked charm. But most importantly, they are moving within the neighborhood they are committed to and love.

Suzanne and Charles were like a pair of eagles flying over Hillsdale waiting to swoop down on a great option near their daughter’s house!  We had passively watched the market for over 2 years as they prepared to sell their home — moving 40+ years of life was a daunting task, but a successful one indeed.  Their house sold and they were ready to swoop into the Portland market and claim a new homestead. Shortly after their arrival, the perfect house with amazing views and gardening space hit the market. They set their eyes on catching this outstanding mid-century home on a lovely 1/3 acre parcel and were successful!  Congratulations, we are thrilled for you both.

Shasta and Joe flirted with the idea of upgrading their current pad last year, but after some initial research decided to hunker back down and do more preparing with plans to start the official hunt in the spring of 2021. Despite the rapid growth in the market and scarcity of options Shasta and Joe were still positioned well.  Once the house search ramps up, staying organized is crucial, and with so many forms of communication, this can be difficult, especially around text messages. We have found a simple group thread that avoids text messages getting lost and multiple threads getting started – genius, you say – Nah, but kinda feels that way :).  This thread is critical for quick questions, property sharing, and updates, BUT with Shasta and Joe, it also was full of witty banter, hilarious references, and spot-on GIF sends.  Their light-hearted attitude was so much fun and will be missed — Congratulations on scoring such a beautiful house.

Meghan, Luke, and their son were living in a cute as a button home of approximately 700 sq. ft. before they started the house hunt. It takes a particular kind of innovation to thrive in an environment that small, which they certainly did! (As a business owner specializing in quilting, Meghan spent a good deal of time producing beautiful quilts from her kitchen table.) As much as they loved their cozy space, they were ready for a little more elbow room and the search began. With a strong love for vintage homes, Meghan and Luke sought a home with some charm that they could pour their love into and one that would have enough bonus spaces to complement their busy lives. Next week we will hand them the keys to a home triple the size! We can’t wait to see the difference this makes in their lives.

Finding a home that would not eat them alive, provide spaces for a family, and allow Ayala to work from home felt like climbing Mount Everest.  We put on our gear, and I was their sherpa. Our climb began in August of 2020, we headed out with hopes of getting to the top safely and quickly, but this mountain grew as we traveled and the journey threw roadblocks we could not see coming in our way. We made adjustments and detours along the way, experienced many disappointments and failed attempts, but we kept putting one foot in front of the other, learning and adjusting with each step.  The cold hard truth was that without extra tools, it was looking like they could not compete against uncontrollable forces.  This journey was hard but was full of growth, education, and most of all, their AMAZING spirits to make it to the end.  I have been a sherpa (aka REALTOR) for 16 years and used every bit of knowledge I have to help them make it and loved being of service to them.  On March 3rd they started the descent off this mountain and have arrived back at base camp. Today is a day of celebration for them and me because the home they are getting keys to is AMAZING and will provide many years full of enjoyment instead of years of projects.

Welcome home to your lovely new home, a place to nest and get ready for your first child and maybe someday a puppy too!

Jessica LeDoux

Realtor, Sherpa, Advocate

Searching for a home when your priorities are so clear and focused still requires a lot of patience and trust.  Marilyn and Don knew what mattered — 1) Distance to their daughter and the grandbaby on the way! 2) One level – move-in ready condition.  This narrowed our search to a very small radius in an area with a lot of fixers.  They knew they would be giving up a lot, but only the basic amenities mattered because achieving the main goal was what was motivating their move.  With limited inventory and prices on the rise, this felt like an almost impossible task, but they patiently waited and trusted the home would come, and it did!  A home in better condition and with better amenities than they had hoped for —  Love and Family was their driving force and trusting that led them to the optimal outcome!

Marissa and Danny entered the market with determination, but not a lot of knowledge on what is needed to buy a home, so education was so important. They had financing in place, closing costs saved, but did not know 100% what other costs they would incur and the actual dollars needed.  Clarifying this piece was critical and they went back to saving. Once ready to re-enter the market the loan product once available to them was gone due to the pandemic, but the months of saving bridged that gap.  I am proud to say NO time was lost, every valuable minute of their life was preserved and focused on real efforts to make their dream of homeownership come true.  Nearly a year later the hunt was on and it was not an easy path, but every turn added to their knowledge base, empowering them to find an amazing home with more space than they ever thought possible.  Congratulations Danny and Marissa, you both are simply the best!

We had the pleasure of helping Jenny and Will purchase a great home in Alameda when they moved to Portland. While they’ve loved a lot about this home, the characteristically small living spaces of their bungalow were not quite working when their home became the hub for ALL aspects of work, life, and education. They explored ways of expanding their spaces, but that option was not ideal and the idea of moving was hard because they absolutely LOVE their neighbors. On walks, Jenny and Will admired a more expansive craftsman style home on their street that was for sale, but at that time not obtainable. The home was taken off of the market, but when the possibility of moving became a viable option they called us, hoping to learn more about the home and see if it would become available again. This spurred our team into action and we reached out to the former listing agent to see if the seller was still planning to sell and would consider an off market offer. At first this did not look hopeful, but with patience and persistence the conversation started to advance! Immediately after touring this home they knew it was exactly what they wanted and on the same street… this home would be a dream come true for their family! Immediately we presented an off market offer and it was accepted! It was such a delight to hand over the keys to such an awesome family and it was truly an honor to work with these fantastic people again!

Being frugal or conservative are both very sound ways of analyzing huge financial decisions. These characteristics are critical when entering the real estate market, but they also can cause you to chase a growing market. It is important to balance this nature with a broader perspective by not simply analyzing each home fiscally.  Home ownership is more than an investment, it is shelter and security. If one can shift their conservative thinking to focus on longevity, the unchangeable elements of a home, and future options within their means, this will inherently protect one’s investment no matter what direction the market goes. This balanced perspective is what our team works diligently to help buyers see because if you purchase a home wisely, that home will provide you with many years and will prevent the feeling of having to move. Instead it will allow you to time your sale in the most optimal market for a return on your investment when the time comes to sell.

Ali and Matt were in the market for quite some time before they succeeded at getting into contract on their new home. As strategic buyers, one of their strengths was being able to walk away from homes that became overly competitive and shot above and beyond their comfort zone. They remained true to themselves. But during their search, the market took a swing upward and they worried they would not be able to compete in any of the locations they sought. So when a home with some rough edges, but all the potential they were looking for popped up in their favorite part of town, they moved confidently and were victorious. Their position was truly strengthened by the expanded knowledge that formed during the searching process and broadened their ability to see potential in the less than shiny. This process is different for everyone and it is wonderful to see buyers in a hyper competitive price range emerge empowered.

Brian sat in the co-seat of his sons’ purchases and got to watch their aspirations of homeownership come true. We got to watch a great family, rooted in service, help each other.  What we did not acknowledge is Brian was also watching how our team works, and our commitment to the people we serve.  So when his boys sent him a badass North Portland condo in an attempt to get him closer, he took the bait and when they asked him what he wanted to do next, he replied, “call Jessica”.  When he shared this with me I felt joy and appreciation at another chance to help this family. What an honor that we are so pleased to have earned from such amazing people.  Welcome to Portland, Brian!

We are blessed to help such amazing people like Juno and Nick. Juno has been a friend since we first picked up weights together at the Refinery. I was a new gym rat, exploring the early morning scene, and instantly felt she would be a great workout buddy. My instincts were right! I have long left the Refinery, and miss working out side–by–side with Juno, but luckily we have stayed in contact, and Juno has followed her instincts to trust the entire team! It has been such a joy to help them navigate the difficult and stressful process of buying and selling a home. If she were writing this, she would say something to the effect that they were needy — as she often expressed this out of concern, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth! We pride ourselves on breaking this process into bite-sized pieces to help focus efforts where progress can be made and worries can be answered. Being of service is what makes this career fulfilling; we would not have it any other way. Education, exploration, and preparation was an enjoyable 1-2 year process with life and covid delaying the start, leading us to concrete plans to enter the market in the spring of 2021 and start touring options as they hit in the New Year. Juno and Nick were prepared, knew what they wanted, and relied on us to make it happen, and this was the perfect balance to deliver success on their first very competitive offer they made. Celebrations are underway as their new house closes, and they head out of town for the debut of their current home hitting the market!

Grace and Mike began their search with open minds. Though they loved the part of town they were in, they did not want to limit their search to only nearby neighborhoods. They hit the ground running in a highly competitive market, with record low inventory, and explored new areas of town. But when an amazing home (with room to grow!) hit, in the area of town they know and love, they jumped at the opportunity. They had found their dream home, in their dream neighborhood, and with friends close by, instant community. All with plenty of space to start a family someday. Congratulations!

Meggie and Jamie started the hunt right before COVID hit. Like so many, the uncertainty surrounding 2020 made them take a step back to evaluate their next move. Disengaging from the market for several months helped clarify what they were looking for – space to grow into, to garden. Simply put, they were after their long-term dream home. Meggie and Jamie are savvy buyers, with a keen eye for investment potential. This flair for recognizing possibilities and their love for mid-century design led them to an outstanding mid-century home that just needed a little elbow grease to shine. We can’t wait to see the transformations as they make it their own for years to come.

Emily and Matt had been touring for some time and were smitten with a sweet home that hit the market in the Roseway neighborhood. The home went pending with another buyer and they continued their search, believing they had missed their opportunity at this dream home. A few weeks into the transaction, the buyer of the home backed away from the sale and Emily and Matt jumped at the opportunity to submit their best offer quickly, before the home was released into the open market once more. Their surety about the home was clear and their offer was accepted. We just had the great pleasure of handing them the keys to their new home! Their story is proof that sometimes staying hopeful about a long shot pays off.

Molly was on the hunt for a home she could thrive in with her kids, within a certain driving distance to the primary locations of their lives. Some thoughtful strategy around her desired commute time radius left open the possibility of moving to different neighborhoods in Portland. Molly was also interested in a home with long term investment potential. Sometimes the second you jump into the market the right one hits, and such was the case when Molly recognized the potential in a 1911 Craftsman with an oversized garage, seemingly MADE for an ADU conversion. This home was too good to let slip away, so she played her strongest cards in a highly competitive scenario and it paid off!

In a market of record-low inventory, increasing prices, and fierce competition, Stefan had the right formula to find a home quickly.  He put less emphasis on the charm and more emphasis on functionality.  The home Stefan found is solid, practical, and on a huge lot.  It will provide him with space for roommates, low maintenance, a quarter acre of yard, and an awesome outbuilding.  The home truly has it all and Stefan saw that so he dove in, threw down, and scored a fabulous home in a growing NE neighborhood well within budget!  Finding a quality home under $450,000 with good spaces and condition in Portland is hard to say the least and Stefan came out victorious!

Nathan was looking for a home in Sellwood that would be close to family and a great spot for his girls. At Nathan’s price point, homes in Sellwood came with a bit of fixing, but Nathan was motivated and clear on his priorities. He is embracing the idea of future projects, knowing the tradeoff is remaining connected to his community and staying in the best location for his kids. Congratulations Nathan!

Amber and Jared were selling their home out of state and had a limited timeline to purchase their new Portland home, so they were motivated buyers with their eyes on the goal! Amber grew up in Oregon, but Portland has changed so dramatically since her time here that their search was in part about becoming reacquainted with the city and finding neighborhoods that would be compatible with their lifestyle. They were moving from a community they LOVED, so finding a neighborhood that fosters connection was important to them. Luckily, they still have close friends and family in town, and those that know them best pointed them toward the Maywood neighborhood. When they drove down Maywood’s tree-lined streets, busy with neighbors walking and socializing, it simply felt like home.