What does “home” mean to me?
Home has always been a feeling. It’s a place where friends new and old can gather, cookies can be baked, crafts can be crafted, and everyone is welcome to just be. It’s a place of belonging and acceptance, a sanctuary.
How did I choose Portland as my home? Honestly, sometimes it feels like Portland chose me. I stopped by to visit a friend just a couple days into a road trip that was slated to last for months. We rode bikes through all the quadrants, ate the best foods, and hung out on porches surrounded by the most beautiful home gardens. This road trip did not have a pre-planned destination – I was truly looking for my next home and Portland was it. About a week later I had settled into a stranger-turned-friend’s attic room, enrolled at Lewis & Clark and somehow felt very settled in my new home.
Real estate can feel big. Emotional. Sometimes a little overwhelming. My job is to make it feel steady.
I’m an educator at heart, so I naturally slow things down and walk you through what’s happening and why. I don’t rush people. I don’t talk over them. I believe in clarity, in good questions, and in making sure you understand your options so you can make decisions that truly feel like yours.
There will always be things we can’t control — interest rates, inventory, timing. But there are always thoughtful solutions within those realities. I’m good at spotting them. Together, we focus on what is possible and build a plan from there.
I’m honest and direct, but always kind. You’ll know where you stand. You’ll get real guidance, not pressure. I care deeply about creating a process where you feel informed, respected, and safe to say what you’re really thinking.
I also believe that homeownership and investment opportunities should feel accessible — not gatekept or confusing. Part of my work is helping demystify the process and advocating for equitable access so more people can see themselves here. Everyone deserves a fair shot at finding a place to belong.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just beginning to wonder what might be next, you don’t need to have everything figured out before we talk. We’ll sort through it together.
Think of me as a steady guide, a thoughtful strategist, and someone who genuinely wants you to feel at home — long before you ever get the keys.
How I Work
“We were second-time homebuyers who had a lackluster experience before, so we were thrilled that Monica went way above and beyond. She explained the ins and outs, reached out to contractors for details, and genuinely showed a passion for finding us the right house.”
Outside of Real Estate
Outside of real estate, I’m usually hosting something — a cozy dinner, a game night, a last-minute backyard gathering. Our house is the “stay a little longer” house. There are often freshly baked chocolate chip cookies on the counter, and I’m probably in the middle of a new creative kick — hunting for plants I definitely don’t have room for or buying yarn for a new project. Ask me about my favorite native nurseries and local yarn shops!
I love this city deeply — the parks, the people, the neighborhoods that each feel like their own little world. You’ll find me wandering a tree-lined trail with my family, lingering at a local market, or volunteering at my kiddo’s school. Community isn’t just a nice idea to me — it’s something I actively participate in and protect.
At my core, I believe homes and communities should feel safe, welcoming, and rooted in dignity. I believe all humans deserve respect, belonging, and access to opportunity. That belief shows up in how I move through the world, who I advocate for, and the kind of spaces I try to create.
If we work together, you’re not just getting a realtor. You’re getting someone who cares deeply about people, who believes in fairness and kindness, and who will always make room for one more chair at the table.
“Monica made the process as seamless as possible with her experience in the Portland area as well as her knowledge of resources to help with any questions along the way.”