How Patience Saved Our Clients Thousands

They had been saving for years, scrolling through listings every night, and attending more open houses than they could count. So when my clients—an excited young couple—walked into a sweet little Portland bungalow with a big backyard and a sunny kitchen, I could see it in their eyes. This was “the one.”

The photos online had been charming, but in person, the house’s quirks were starting to show. The roof had patches that told a story of too many winters, the electrical panel looked like it belonged in a history museum, and that steep driveway made me imagine sliding down it like a ski slope in January. Most of all, the price just didn’t line up with the amount of work that would need to be done.

We stood in the kitchen, the sunlight pouring through the windows, and I asked them the question no buyer wants to hear: “If you had to spend $40,000 on repairs in the first year, would that still feel like your dream home?” They didn’t answer right away. The excitement in their faces softened into thoughtfulness. By the end of the conversation, they agreed—this wasn’t the right house for them, not right now.

Walking away wasn’t easy for them. But a few weeks later, we found another home—similar price, far fewer repairs, in a neighborhood they loved even more. They told me they wouldn’t have had the patience to wait if we hadn’t had that tough talk.

Sometimes the best part of this job isn’t handing over the keys. It’s knowing when to say “Not yet,” even if it means hitting pause. In Portland’s fast-moving real estate market, the right guidance can mean the difference between buying a house you like and buying one you truly love.

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