If there’s one thing we’ve learned in real estate, it’s that who you know changes everything. And that doesn’t just mean knowing the best stagers in Portland or which lender can pull off a tricky buy-sell shuffle (though we’ve got that down, too).
It also means knowing who to trust when you, or someone you care about, needs an agent outside of Portland. Because spoiler: Googling “best Realtor near me” is basically Russian roulette.
And while Maria and I are firmly planted here in Portland, we’ve spent years building a coast-to-coast (and sometimes international) network of Realtors we trust. The kind of people we’d want handling our own move: people who are ethical, smart, not conservative scumbags (yep, I said it), and who actually give a damn about their clients.
ABOUT TEAM DIVA (SEATTLE’S REAL DEAL)
Before we tell our own referral story, let us brag a little about our friends. Team Diva is one of Seattle’s top real estate teams, founded by two women in love who wanted to create the kind of real estate business they wished existed. Their team is tight-knit, wildly well-trained, and obsessed with client care.
They set the bar high: solid marketing, better than anyone else in their market, deep community roots, a serious commitment to social justice, and yes, a reputation for throwing fabulous themed parties. Around here, we like to say, “If you’re buying or selling in Seattle, you want a Diva on your side.”
WHEN THE DIVAS TRUSTED US (AND WHEN WE TRUSTED THEM)
A while back, Team Diva sent one of their best friends our way. He needed to sell his dad’s house here in Portland, and let’s just say it came with some challenges. The house was essentially a tear-down, not the kind of property that shows easily, and not the type of listing we typically take on. But when a trusted referral comes our way, the relationship always comes first.
With the right vendor coordination, strategy, and positioning, we still pulled in multiple offers right out of the gate. For us, it wasn’t just about the property; it was about helping someone through a personal transition and honoring the trust of the friends (thanks, Team Diva!) who sent them our way.
And it goes both ways. When our client, Taylor and Harris, needed a new home in Seattle, we didn’t hesitate: “We’ve got the perfect people for you.” Team Diva stepped in, guided them through multiple offers, and ultimately landed them in a Burien home with everything on their wish list: room for motorcycles, a garden, a workshop, and space for their dog Hemi. You can read the full story on Team Diva’s blog.
That’s the beauty of referrals done right—seamless care on both sides.
REFERRALS COME IN ALL FORMS
Not all referrals are cross-country. Sometimes they’re just across the internet.
Take the couple we’re working with now, referred by our friend Lisa Dubois. Lisa went viral (we’re talking millions-of-views viral) for the sweetest hide-and-seek video, and suddenly she had people from all over reaching out to her. When one couple asked if she knew anyone cool in Portland, she sent them our way.
They run a knife-sharpening business (how cool!), they’re first-time buyers, and from the first conversation, it was clear: these were our people. That’s what a good referral does—it matches not just on logistics, but on vibes and values.
THE FLORIDA CONNECTION
And sometimes referrals are about more than convenience; they’re about carrying someone through. Anne Marie reached out to me on Instagram after her father passed away. She needed to sell his house in Florida, all while grieving and living a few thousand miles away.
I connected her with Raena Ratcliff, a realtor I trust in Florida, and she quickly became more than just her broker—she became her person through the process. The client later told me, “She saved my life. She feels like family now.” That’s why this matters: when you can’t be there, the right referral makes all the difference.
HOW I BUILT THIS NETWORK
This isn’t luck; it’s years of intentionally building relationships with the right people.
A lot of that comes from Genuine Hustle, the only real estate conference I actually bother with. Genuine Hustle started back in 2015 as a grassroots, agent-led event, and it’s grown into this traveling community of people who are sharp, generous, and values-aligned. It’s where I met folks like the Divas, Lisa, and my good friend Leslie Heindel in New Orleans. It’s also where I learned from Marguerite of Move to Tacoma, who built her entire business around referrals. Marguerite taught me the art of matchmaking: really listening to who the client is and pairing them with an agent who fits not just their price point but their personality and values.
And values matter. Early in my career, I once sent clients to an L.A. Realtor I didn’t vet well, and the clients came back like, “Uh, she’s homophobic.” Cue horror. Never again. Now, I screen carefully. My network is full of people who share our values: ethical, progressive, client-first humans who give a damn.
REFERRALS AREN’T JUST A FAVOR
Here’s what most people don’t realize: referrals aren’t just me tossing you a name. When I connect you with another agent, I stay involved. I check in. I make sure things are running smoothly. And yes, when the transaction closes, I receive a small referral fee from that agent’s commission.
Why does that matter? Because it means this is part of my job—not just a favor. When you ask me for a referral, you’re still our client. And you can count on me to treat it with the same level of care as if you were buying or selling right here in Portland.For more details on the behind-the-scenes of how it all works, check out this post: How My Referral Network Works.
MOVING IN OR OUT OF PORTLAND
If you’re moving to Portland, we’ve got you covered. From long-distance video tours to inspection Zooms, we’ve fine-tuned a system for remote buyers. Katie and Nick’s cross-country move from D.C. to Portland is a perfect example—read it here: How to Buy a House Remotely in Portland.
If you’re moving away from Portland, the same principle applies. Start with us. We’ll match you with someone who’ll treat you the way we do, no matter the zip code.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Moving is stressful enough without having to gamble on whether the realtor you found online actually knows their stuff (or won’t say something gross at the showing). Whether it’s Burien, New Orleans, Florida, or right here in Portland, you don’t have to start from scratch. We’ve already done the work of finding the agents who give a damn.
So if you or your sister, your dad, or your coworker’s cousin is moving, call us first. We’ll connect you with someone who’s not just good, but our kind of good.
xo,
Lauren + Maria
