The Coffee Shop Conversation That Turned Into a Listing

Sometimes the best real estate meetings don’t happen in an office.

A few weeks ago, I was grabbing a cup of coffee at a favorite spot in Northeast Portland when I ran into an old friend I hadn’t seen in years. We caught up—work, kids, the usual—and before long, the conversation shifted. They had been thinking about selling their home but weren’t sure if the timing was right.

It wasn’t a hard pitch moment. In fact, I told them the truth: the market in their neighborhood was strong, but there were a couple of small things they might want to do before listing. We talked about timing, strategy, and what would make the process less stressful for their family. By the time we finished our lattes, they said, “You know, we’ve been waiting for a sign. I think this is it.”

A week later, we were walking through their home together, making a plan to bring it to market.

That coffee shop conversation reminded me of something important: real estate isn’t built on transactions—it’s built on relationships. Years of staying connected, showing up, and being real with people create the trust that makes these moments possible.

In Portland real estate, every listing has a story. Sometimes it starts with a sign in the yard, and sometimes it starts with a chance meeting over coffee.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in the Portland area, we’d love to be part of your story.