By Ella Gray, February 27, 2019
I met Rebecca last summer after the closing of “Tangerine Dream”, a house in Alberta Arts where I represented the buyer. She was impressed my buyer got the house “at list price” versus an amount her original agent had advised her. We set up a meeting to go over various strategies, philosophies, the changing market in general, and other details, and she decided to make a switch and work with me!
We started looking in earnest at homes in her criteria in the winter of 2018…very slim pickings coming on the market at that time (a historical norm). Once the new year hit, more inventory started coming on in her criteria – the quintessential “dialed-in” older home that had been remodeled and updated, but still retained the older charm and character, and in a walkable neighborhood. This criteria, PLUS a turnkey ADU or a rentable space in a popular price range put us in the “unicorn” territory. They are out there, highly desirable, hard to find, and when you do find one, everyone else wants it for a good deal too!
So we started off the new year in several multiple offer situations. We kept coming in at the right price, but there were terms that continued to “win” over the 5-8 other offers at each house. Terms that no agent normally recommends any buyer to use…folks were outright releasing appraisal contingencies, skipping inspections, lots of insanity to land the house (usually these buyers have lots of experience buying, and/or an endless amount of cash).
Finally a new listing came up that we both knew WAS.THE.ONE. A beautifully renovated Cape Cod with all kinds of modern updates, a mother-in-law suite with a separate entrance, in a walkable area, at a great price. THE UNICORN! I was the very first agent to call about it, and we were one of the first groups to see it a few hours after it hit the market.
Rebecca and I knew the other buyers that were still out there that were waiving inspections, waiving appraisal contingency, etc. We sat down and she agreed to deploy the SURGICAL STRIKE of offers (and still kept all contingencies!). After going through a few rounds of previous offers, she trusted me and the process. We wrote the offer that same evening it hit the market and had it accepted within 12 hours before the first open house! Just in time too, as the listing received more offers throughout the weekend, but we were already in contract thanks to the Surgical Strike Strategy!
CONGRATULATIONS, Rebecca! I wish you many happy years here!
Ella Gray
Broker | OR
She/Her
Hi! I'm Ella Gray, a seasoned real estate agent with roots as diverse as my experience:
- Born in Nashville, TN, and raised in the suburbs of Atlanta & Athens, GA (Go Dawgs!)
- I spent my 20s in Los Angeles building a career in Advertising/Producing
- My early-mid 30s were spent navigating the energy of New York City and working for worldwide acclaimed ad agencies
- Since 2016, I've been happily rooted in Portland, Oregon, bringing my love of city life and community to every transaction.
- With a career in real estate since 2017, I combine local insight with a wealth of experience, helping my clients sell and find their perfect home in Portland's unique market
When I’m not touring houses or prepping listings, you'll find me:
- chasing kiddos around a soccer field
- volunteering at my local elementary school
- learning/playing piano (modeling for the kids!)
- socializing, attending, and hosting occasions of all kinds
Ella
- T: 971-222-6010
- ella@ellagrayre.com
