The Place Portland Team

DM us if you’re thinking about selling and want to position your home correctly from day one

How do you buy and sell a house at the same time?

It’s one of the most common questions we get—and the answer is usually less about luck and more about strategy.

Every situation is different. We look at things like whether you need the proceeds from your current home to purchase the next one, how competitive the market is, and whether it makes more sense to buy first or sell first. The right approach depends on your goals, finances, and timeline.

One concern we hear often is:

“What if my home sells and I haven’t found the next one yet?”

That’s where options like a rent-back can be incredibly helpful. A rent-back allows you to stay in your home temporarily after closing while you continue searching for your next property. It creates breathing room, flexibility, and helps remove some of the pressure from the process.

We also work with a lender that offers a strong Buy Before You Sell program. For some homeowners, that means securing the next home first, then taking the time to fully prepare, stage, and strategically launch the current home afterward. In many cases, that can reduce stress and help maximize the final sales price.

There are a lot of moving parts when you're buying and selling simultaneously, but with the right plan, clear communication, and experienced guidance, the process can be much smoother than most people expect.

The goal is simple: reduce stress, create clarity, and make sure you always know what your next step is.

Questions about your situation? Send us a message and we're happy to walk through your options.

Ben Droukas & Amy Walsh-Droukas
Principal Brokers with Windermere Realty Trust in OR, Brokers with Compass in WA

DM us if you’re thinking about buying your Portland dream home

One of the most common questions we hear from both buyers and sellers is:

**"What fees should I actually expect during the real estate transaction process?"**

The truth is, every transaction is a little different, but understanding the major costs upfront can help you plan with confidence and avoid surprises later.

For buyers, the biggest upfront expenses are typically your down payment, closing costs, inspections, and moving expenses.

Closing costs can include lender fees, title fees, prepaid taxes, and insurance. And in today's Portland Metro market, we're still seeing sellers frequently contribute toward things like a buyer's agent commission and, in some cases, buyer closing costs as part of the overall negotiation. Since commissions are always negotiable and every brokerage structures services differently, it's important to understand how these costs apply to your specific situation.

When seller contributions are available, they can help buyers preserve more cash for their down payment and future reserves.

For sellers, costs often include REALTOR® commissions, title and escrow fees, potential repairs, staging, prep work, and sometimes concessions toward buyer closing costs.

That's why we make it a priority to walk our clients through estimated net sheets and detailed cost breakdowns before the transaction moves forward. The more clarity you have at the beginning, the smoother the process becomes from contract to closing.

If you're planning to buy or sell and want a realistic picture of what the numbers look like, we're always happy to help.

Ben Droukas & Amy Walsh-Droukas
Principal Brokers with Windermere Realty Trust in OR, Brokers with Compass in WA

One of the questions we get asked most often is: What does your experience in real estate actually look like?

One of the biggest advantages of working with a husband-and-wife team is that our backgrounds complement each other in ways that directly benefit our clients.

Together, we bring more than 30 years of combined experience helping buyers, sellers, investors, and developers throughout Oregon and Washington.

Ben spent nearly a decade in new construction, giving him a deep understanding of building quality, materials, and home systems. He also specializes in multifamily and investment real estate, regularly working alongside developers and bringing valuable investment and development insight to every transaction.

My focus is primarily on residential real estate, where I help sellers strategically prepare, position, and market their homes to maximize value and attract strong buyer interest. Beyond serving clients, I'm actively involved in our local real estate community through leadership within our REALTOR® association and housing advocacy work with the Portland Housing Center.

When you work with us, you're not just getting a real estate agent. You're getting a team that combines construction knowledge, investment expertise, strategic marketing, and deep community involvement—all working together to help you make confident real estate decisions.

If you're thinking about buying, selling, investing, or developing, we'd love to be a resource for you.

Ben Droukas & Amy Walsh-Droukas
OR License #201216055 | WA License #135022 | OR License #200401007
Principal Brokers, Portera Group with Compass WA