From Apartment Living to a Home That Felt Just Right
One of the best parts of this job is helping people step into a new chapter and I recently had the joy of doing just that alongside my teammate and fellow Bridge to Portland Group agent, Genmae Rianelli.
We were lucky enough to work with a wonderful buyer who was so ready for a change. She was a seasoned homeowner and, after life changes kept her in an apartment for a while, she knew it was time for a space of her own again—somewhere quiet, with lots of light, a yard she could garden in, and room to really settle in.
Getting Started: A Whirlwind Tour
She’d already been doing some online searching and had a few places in mind when she reached out. We hit the ground running, lining up a group of tours that turned into quite the adventure. We saw homes in a wide range of conditions, layouts, and backyard setups. Seeing so many in a short window helped us all get a better sense of what really felt like her. And from the very beginning, there was no shortage of laughs—she made the whole process feel fun, even when the houses didn’t quite hit the mark.
The Wishlist: Move-In Ready and Low Maintenance
From the beginning, our client said she wanted 3 things in her next home:
To be within a 30 min drive to her family
To have a tub in the primary suite
To have a space to garden
Our early focus was on homes built in the 1990s and early 2000s, ideally ones where the big-ticket items—HVAC, roof, siding—had already been taken care of. She wanted something move-in ready, and at her desired price point, it was important to find a home that wouldn’t need major repairs anytime soon.
A Setback with a Silver Lining
Eventually, we found one that seemed promising: a move-in-ready place in a walkable neighborhood that was close to her family. We were excited heading into inspections—but not even 10 minutes in, we discovered that the siding wasn’t just due for repairs, it needed a full replacement! That was a dealbreaker for her, and although walking away was disappointing, it helped to define what really mattered in her next home.
An Unexpected Encounter and a Shift in Focus
Soon after, we toured another property, and something unexpected happened: the seller came home while we were still inside. She was elderly and visibly emotional—it was clear this had been a beloved home full of memories. The seller told us that her kids had encouraged her to move somewhere without stairs, something that would be more manageable long-term. That interaction really left an impression on our buyer, sparking a new priority: she wanted to find a home she could age in comfortably, with everything situated on one level.
The One That Had It All
From that point on, we narrowed our focus to single-level homes and it didn’t take long to find the one that checked every box.
She had visited an open house on a whim and hadn’t stopped thinking about the home since. When we all came back together for a second look, everything clicked. The home had a peaceful backyard with space to garden, a dreamy kitchen with an attached sunroom, and an enlarged primary suite complete with a soaking tub and walk-in shower. It was well cared for, thoughtfully updated, and had a warmth that was impossible to ignore.
Offer, Inspections, and a Sweet Send-Off
We wrote an offer that evening—something that felt just right for her but was also attractive to the sellers—and soon after, we were under contract. As with every home, there were a few things that popped up on inspections, but we were able to negotiate a price reduction to help cover the cost of those repairs after closing. Before the finish line, we had a sweet walkthrough with the sellers and got to hear more stories about the love and care that went into the home over the years.
And then, the best part: we handed her the keys.
Helping this buyer open the door to her next chapter—complete with her garden dreams, a luxurious tub, and a space that’s truly her own—was such an incredible moment. There’s nothing better than watching someone find their spot and know they’re truly home.
