3 Days That Changed How I See Real Estate

I walked into a three-day real estate investing training with Surge this weekend thinking I already knew a lot about property. I've helped Portland families buy and sell homes, I spent years as a financial advisor, and I've had investment property myself. I walked out three days later with a completely new way of seeing every house I drive past, and a full heart.

I'm now a Master student in the program, and I'm still a little in awe of how much those three days shifted for me.

Thinking about selling in the next few months? Start with my free Sell Your Home Without the Overwhelm Checklist. It's the simple, step-by-step version of the planning I talk about below.

What the three days were like

It was intense in the best way. Long days, a room full of people who wanted more for their families, and teachers who didn't just talk about ideas. They walked us through real numbers, real deals and real decisions.

There were moments that were practical and moments that were deeply personal. I came in focused on spreadsheets. I left thinking just as much about mindset, discipline and what I want my life, and my kids' lives, to look like in ten years.

What I learned (and keep thinking about)

Value is something you prove, not something you guess. One of the most useful sessions was on after-repair value, or what a home should be worth once it's fixed up.

The rule of thumb is to compare it with at least three or four truly similar homes:

• Within about 200 square feet in size

• The same bedrooms and bathrooms, and the same type of home

• Built within about 10 years of each other

• Close by (under a mile in the city) and sold within the last six months

  
  

I've pulled comps for clients, but seeing it laid out this strictly made me even more careful. It's exactly the discipline I want to bring to every pricing conversation.

A plan beats a feeling. The best investors in that room weren't the boldest. They were the most prepared. That's the same thing I tell sellers: give every job a week, know your numbers before you list, and you won't make rushed, expensive decisions.

Your home is part of your financial plan. Whether you ever buy a rental or not, the home you live in is likely your biggest asset. The training reminded me to help every client see their home that way: what to fix, what to skip, when to sell and when to hold.

What this means if you're buying or selling with me

You get a Realtor who looks at your home the way a careful investor would. That means sharper pricing, honest advice on which repairs are worth it, and a clear-eyed view of the numbers, whether you're moving across town, relocating to Portland, or deciding whether to keep your first home as a rental.

To be clear, I share what I learn as my own experience, not as investment advice. Every situation is different, and big decisions deserve your own research and the right professionals around you.

If you're deciding whether to keep your home or sell it, I built the Keep or Sell? Home Decision Toolkit for exactly that question. It's a spreadsheet planner for Oregon homeowners with six connected calculators, so you can see your estimated net proceeds, your next monthly payment and whether you can buy before you sell, using your own numbers.

Want the step-by-step version first? Read Buying and Selling at the Same Time? Know Your Numbers First, and if you're getting ready to list, my 6-week plan to get your home ready to sell.

So blessed and grateful

I'm so grateful to the Surge team and teachers, to the people I sat beside for three long days, and to my family for giving me the space to go all in. This felt like the start of a new chapter, and I can't wait to keep learning and sharing what I find along the way.

Thinking about your next move?

If you're wondering what your Portland-area home is worth, or whether it makes more sense to sell or keep it, I'd love to talk it through. Reach out here. If you're getting ready to sell, start with my free Sell Your Home Without the Overwhelm Checklist or get a master plan with my Home Sale Prep Calendar.

Cindy Main, Broker | Eleete Real Estate · Licensed in Oregon