The Home That Wasn’t Meant to Be

Have you ever fallen in love with a house that just didn’t love you back? We’ve seen it happen more times than we can count—and this time, it hit close to home.

A few months ago, we were working with a young couple searching for their first home in the Northeast Portland area. They found one that looked perfect: tree-lined street, big yard, and just the right mix of vintage charm and updates. But as soon as we started digging into the inspection report, small red flags started waving. Foundation cracks, old plumbing, and some moisture issues that the seller’s disclosure didn’t fully explain.

The couple’s excitement was contagious, and honestly, we wanted it to work out for them. But part of our job in Portland real estate is to protect clients from buying problems disguised as “potential.” We spent an afternoon walking them through every risk, repair estimate, and possible long-term cost. It wasn’t an easy conversation—but by the end, they decided to walk away.

A few weeks later, another listing popped up that checked even more boxes—with a clean inspection and solid bones. They closed on it just last month, and their first message after moving in said, “Thank you for helping us not make the wrong choice.”

That moment reminded us why we do this work. It’s not about closing every deal—it’s about earning trust through honesty, even when it costs us a sale.

In a fast-moving market like Portland real estate, it can feel risky to walk away from “the one.” But sometimes the best move is waiting for a home that loves you back.

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