When Patience Paid Off

It’s tough being a buyer in Portland real estate right now. Competition is fierce, and it can feel like if you don’t make a move today, you’ll never get a chance tomorrow.

One of my clients—a single dad looking for a place in Sellwood—was right in the middle of that tension. We toured a handful of homes, and one in particular caught his attention. It was okay: decent space, decent location, decent price. He was tired of searching and ready to be done, even if it meant settling.

But I could see it in his face: it wasn’t excitement, it was exhaustion. So I asked him the question I always ask in moments like this: “Can you picture yourself coming home here after a long day, and does it feel right?” He paused, and finally admitted, “Not really.”

We waited. Two weeks later, another home came on the market just a few blocks from his son’s school. Bright kitchen, cozy backyard, the kind of place that felt lived-in and welcoming. This time, his face lit up. We wrote the offer, and a month later, he was unlocking the door to a home that felt like his.

That experience reminded me how important it is to slow down, even in a fast-moving market. Patience doesn’t mean losing opportunities—it means making sure the opportunity you take is the right one.

In Portland real estate, the difference between “good enough” and “just right” is more than cosmetic—it’s the difference between buying a house and finding a home.

Every home has a story. We’re here to help you write the next chapter.