What Every Real Estate Agent Wishes Buyers and Sellers Understood

After years in Portland real estate, I have perspective on what buyers and sellers should understand—things agents wish were obvious but aren’t.

Price Right from Day One

Overpriced listings die. They get no showing traffic. Three weeks later, sellers panic and drop price anyway—after losing weeks of market exposure.

I wish sellers would listen to initial pricing guidance instead of testing market with inflated price. Price right day one. You’ll sell faster and for more money than starting high and dropping.

Contingencies Protect You—Use Them

Some buyers waive inspection contingencies to “compete.” This is foolish. I wish more buyers understood: contingencies exist for reason. Use them. A home without inspection contingency can destroy finances. Foundation problems, hidden damage, major systems failing—these aren’t negotiable without contingency protection.

Your Agent Isn’t Your Friend—They’re Your Professional

This sounds harsh, but boundaries matter. I’m your agent, not your friend. My job is representing your interests professionally, not being buddy. Clients appreciate this clarity.

Local Market Knowledge Matters More Than You Think

Buyers relocating to Portland often ask which neighborhood is “best.” There’s no best—there’s best for you. Lake Oswego is excellent but different from Pearl District. West Hills is different from Tigard. I wish people understood neighborhood differences matter: schools, commute, appreciation patterns, rental demand, walkability. Match neighborhood to your priorities.

Timing Is Real

Winter market in Portland is slow. Spring/summer is busy. Buyers have more power in winter. Sellers have more power in spring.

I wish more people timed transactions strategically instead of listing/buying when personal schedule required it.

You Need Professional Representation

I see buyers try to negotiate without agents, thinking they’ll save commission. They get destroyed in negotiation. I wish more people understood professional negotiation is worth paying for.

Inspection Findings Are Normal

Every property has issues. I wish sellers didn’t panic when inspections reveal problems. Everything needs maintenance. That’s normal.

Negotiating repairs is expected. If you sold without inspection contingency, you’d still have problems—now it’s your problem forever.

Your Real Estate Agent Isn’t the Authority on Everything

Some agents give tax advice (wrong—talk to CPA), legal advice (wrong—talk to attorney), or investment advice (wrong—talk to financial advisor). I wish agents stuck to real estate expertise and referred clients to appropriate professionals.

Communication Matters

I appreciate clients who communicate clearly. “I want a walkable neighborhood in SW Portland, max $600,000, need to close in 60 days.” Clear direction gets results.

Vague requests make my job harder: “I’m looking for investment property in Portland area, somewhere between $200-$800K.” Too broad.

Market Cycles Matter

Buying at peak (2022) and selling in downturn (2024) is frustrating. I wish people understood market cycles and timed purchases/sales accordingly when possible.

Bottom Line

Work with agents professionally, communicate clearly, price intelligently, use contingencies, and understand local markets. These simple things prevent problems and get better outcomes.