HISTORY IS MADE!
I am officially the first and only Black Realtor to close a transaction with an African American owed title & escrow company in the state of Oregon! Let’s go Vanport Title & Escrow!
Tag: bipoc
Queer Representation and Why it Matters
Queer Representation and Why it Matters
A multitude of identities exist in this world; I should know — being a queer, non-binary, & transmasculine person of color myself. I am so grateful to live in a city like Portland where these attributes tend to be typically embraced and honored. Partaking in queer commerce comes naturally to me in both my personal and work life. As a licensed broker, I aspire to represent individuals of any and all marginalized communities; especially those that identify on the queer spectrum.
This is why queer representation matters. Being able to guide those who live similar lives and ultimately being in community with one another. We see each other in more ways than one; a deep understanding that transcends words even. I cannot begin to describe the deep bond my queer clients and I share in their homebuying journeys. Knowing I have their trust as not only their real estate agent but as their queer confidant means the world to me. I am grateful to have had many recent experiences with fellow queer people who saw a bit of themselves in me. How harmonious it is to not only guide them in one of the biggest investments of their lives but to also contribute to creating a safe sanctuary; especially in a system that wasn’t initially meant for us to succeed in.
My name is Río Palomares. I am your proud, queer realtor. Let’s make community together!
The 10 Best — and Cheapest — Cities for LGBTQ Homebuyers in 2022
Portland, OR
Median home list price: $550,000
“Portland has a huge queer population, so it isn’t surprising to me that it made the top,” says Rio Palomares, a real estate broker with Living Room Realty in Portland. “Portland has a small-town feel with a big focus on community—not just queer bars, but lots of different social groups. It holds space for lots of different identities.”
There is no shortage of gay bars with something for everyone—from laid-back Crush bar to the Eagle, a leather bar, home to the Oregon Bears. Portland also abounds with LGBTQ-friendly sports and recreation opportunities, including the Varsity Gay League, which organizes activities throughout the year such as kickball, soccer, yoga, strength training, and, yes, the occasional Mario Kart tournament.
Portland may be the most expensive city on our list, but home prices here are still substantially lower than other big cities on the coast—such as Seattle, with a median price tag of $850,000. That might explain why Palomares is working with many queer people looking to move to Portland from out of state.
“My clients have specifically shared with me that they are seeking a more welcoming and overall safer city to express themselves freely. Portland appears to fit the bill,” Palomares says.
Read up on the other cities included in the Realtor.com roundup HERE.
KEEPING THE ALBERTA ARTS ARTISTIC
Keeping The Alberta Arts Artistic
I knew this home was special when I laid eyes on her; a stunning red Craftsman beauty whose walls have more stories to tell than I ever possibly could — eager and waiting to be lovingly restored. I am so glad this home landed into the illustrative and loving hands of the very talented tattoo artist, Chaz Vitale. If there is anyone with the proper eye and admiration of architectural design, it is Chaz. The amount of queer magic and love being poured into this home is absolutely immeasurable and I am beyond ecstatic to have had any part of it. We connected in more ways than one, coming from the same marginalized communities of being queer and trans people. I deeply believe this made our experience feel more bonded and emotional at that. Chaz, thank you for bringing your necessary artistic flair to the Alberta Arts District. You are needed here and I am so dang proud of you!
I can only aspire to continue to build connections with more BIPOC, queer, non-binary, trans, etc. clients in the future. Curating connections in our communities is vital to both my business and, well…my soul. My role in real estate is to advocate for all of my clients but especially those that come from similar backgrounds and share familiar life experiences. I am so grateful to have the trust of my clients in an industry that hasn’t always held our best interests; rest assured, I, Río Palomares will advocate to the best of my ability and ensure you get the representation you not only seek but deserve.
One and DONE!
As many of us know the market in the Portland metro can be a bit hectic for buyers. Fortunately, when your able to dial in with your realtor on specific needs in conjunction with a timeline that can ease much of the stress and pressure of the market.
CONGRATULATIONS again to my wonderful clients- The Mejias on closing their first home!
They were open, upfront and honest with me about their needs/wants. With active listening and clear communication we were off to the races together.
In just ONE short week we were able to find the perfect home, put an offer in and have it accepted! Yes, the market does move fast, which is why it pays to be properly prepared and have quick feet so to speak.
Seeing The Stars & Recognizing My Privilege
In his final speech, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said “But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.” We are indeed seeing stars shine in these weeks of nationwide protests challenging the status quo of racism and the silent, and too often horribly public, injustices that stem from it.
With the arrival of the summer solstice on June 20th, we’re now in the longest days of the year (and perhaps even our lifetime). Our collective consciousness is being tested — and refreshed — and hopefully moving toward a new reality where BIPOC communities will be treated fairly and equally by our fellow citizens and by public institutions, law enforcement and economic policies. There is much work to be done, but these long days give us time to make the most of the light every day.
I recognize my distinct privileges and will work to more actively leverage them to end racism in all its forms and reallocate our public budgets to more fairly fund equitable, fundamental and humane policies and services. Each month for the rest of this year, I will match and donate 100% of my marketing budget to local and national organizations fighting to end racism, promote human rights, and preserve civil liberties.
This month, I’m proudly donating to the Fair Housing Council of Oregon, a statewide civil rights organization whose mission is to eliminate housing discrimination through access to enforcement and education.
Learn more about their work here: www.fhco.org
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ANDY MEEKS
Living Room Realty
Licensed Oregon Broker | Earth Advantage REALTOR®
andy@livingroomre.com | 971.400.0195 | PDX
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