The Home That Almost Wasn’t

Have you ever fallen for a home that just felt perfect—until it wasn’t?

A few weeks ago, one of our buyers found what they were sure was “the one.” The home had the big backyard, the updated kitchen, and it was even in their dream neighborhood in Northeast Portland. On paper, everything looked great. But after walking through the inspection report together, we noticed red flags that didn’t show up during the tour—foundation issues, drainage concerns, and some expensive surprises hiding under the charm.

They wanted to move forward anyway. It’s easy to understand why—when you’ve been searching for months in a competitive Portland real estate market, it’s tempting to compromise just to end the process. But we had to be honest: the repairs could turn this “dream” into a financial headache.

We talked it through, line by line. It wasn’t the conversation they wanted to have, but it was the one they needed. In the end, they chose to walk away. A few weeks later, the right home came along—better location, cleaner inspection, and less stress. The gratitude they expressed at closing reminded us why we always put honesty above everything else.

Moments like that reinforce what we believe about real estate: it’s not about rushing into a sale—it’s about protecting people’s futures. Every buyer deserves a team that will slow things down, even when emotions are high, and help them see the bigger picture.

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