Client Success Stories

“Working towards buying a home for the first time takes years of personal and financial consideration and preparation, especially as a single home purchaser. In my experience navigating properties both off and on the market working with a skillful, ethical, direct agent with experience and a commitment to your best purchase is the best of all options. I was extraordinarily lucky in finding an excellent choice in Rio Palomares. I spoke with multiple potential agents, many of whom had years of experience and client referral support. However, Rio surpassed the other options with an unmatched honesty in communication and gentle forthright assessment of strategic possibilities. Rio has been absolutely incredible. Professional, accurate, reliable, prompt, creative and kind. I am immeasurably grateful for the results of their grace and grit. I enthusiastically recommend their services and have already referred my dear ones. Rio Palomares exceeds every expectation.”

“Working with Río in 3 words: best decision ever. This was my first time selling and I had a lot of questions, needs, and complexity that felt overwhelming until my first call with Río. My NE Portland townhouse's HOA was replacing all the windows and roofs of our units, and many of the townhouses that listed weren't getting offers. The pace, candor, insight, compassion, and community-focus really exceeded my expectations for navigating this stressful affair. I had two great offers at the first deadline and both ended up being 25k over asking. The process was an adventure but with Río I felt we had the sale under control together. In fact, my mind was blown when I realized that Río was seamlessly navigating a handful of clients: it truly felt like I was the one and only given the attention and responsiveness. A+! Great human, great realtor!”

“I’ve worked with realtors for over a decade - my job was literally to meet with and market to them! I’ve also bought and sold homes in 3 states. When I say Rìo is the best of the best, I have credentials. We weren’t ready to buy this year, but we knew it was something we wanted next year so we started to get our ducks in a row. Our friends recently moved to Portland and had a great experience with their realtor, so I asked for their info and reached out. I immediately knew Rìo was the one They GET it, y’know? Life is crazy, the market is tough, the home buying process is stressful. Rìo brings realness and humor to it, and they always make sure their clients are heard and advocated for. What was going to be a ‘later when we have capacity’ turned into us getting the home of our dreams within 6 months and I can confidently say it’s all because of Rìo! I asked my partner what they wanted to say about Rìo in this review...’Every wonderful, amazing thing you can say about a human’. I couldn’t agree more. Seriously.”

“When my partner and I first met Rio, they told us that they truly cared about their clients and they made it clear that they would be by our side throughout the process. And that was proven repeatedly throughout our home search process. Rio is not just a realtor but an advisor and educator. From providing insights on neighborhoods, pointing out the good and bad of homes, and being a sounding board as we searched for our home, they made sure we ensured we had thorough understanding of everything.

During the contracting process, Rio continued their commitment to advising and educating us every step of the way, always providing us with our options and thorough explanations on any part we didn't understand.  At the very end of our closing period, a small issue arose that we could have moved forward without addressing but Rio, once again, advised that while moving forward without resolution was an option, they didn't believe it was in our best interest. They stayed with us all the way to the end.

When Rio says they care about their clients, they truly mean it. They put their clients' best interests first, no matter what. I cannot recommend Rio enough to anyone in need of a real estate agent; they are knowledgeable about the Portland market, communicate effectively, and most importantly, they are a wonderful person.”

“As I sit on the deck of our beautiful new home, soaking in the breathtaking view of the St. Johns Bridge and the rolling hills of Forest Park behind it, I can't help but feel a wave of gratitude wash over me.

I owe this immense feeling of gratitude to Rio Palomares - Portland's Queer Realtor - and in my opinion, the best real estate agent in Portland.

As first-time homebuyers, we were starting from scratch and didn't know what to expect but Rio was there every step of the way to educate and empower us. At every stage of our search and transaction, they prioritized our needs above their own, sharing insights beyond the basics and arming us with the information we needed to make confident, informed decisions.

Rio never took the easy route to expedite a transaction; instead, they provided guidance rooted in genuine care and compassion - always ensuring that we were making the right decision for us now and in the future.

Working with Rio felt like having a secret weapon in our corner — someone who genuinely believed in us and fought for our future — and I would recommend Rio to anyone looking for a trustworthy real estate agent in Portland.

Rio, we are incredibly grateful for your unwavering support and commitment to finding us our dream home. Thank you, Rio, for making this journey enjoyable and successful!

Salud, dinero, y amor - see you at the asada!”

“I'd give Rio 100 stars if it were possible. When my partner and I first started the home buying process, I had so much fear. Not just about the process itself (which is daunting!) but about being judged as well. My partner is trans and a Mexican immigrant, and we were both navigating divorces at the time. Needless to say, I wasn't going to work with just anyone. When I found Rio and read their bio, experience and all the reviews from other happy clients, I knew they were the realtor for us.

First all, Rio is just an exceptional human being. Kind, compassionate, understanding and genuinely just enjoyable to be around. And as a realtor? So knowledgeable, attentive, and available. I never felt like I was asking too many questions (and oh my god, I had SO many questions). I think best of all, Rio was so fiercely protective of us as clients. They always had our best interest in mind first and foremost no matter what situation arose and never, ever pressured us to make any decisions.

At our initial meeting, Rio said something to my partner and I that will always resonate with me: As an LGBTQ couple, we're allowed to take up space. And tonight, I'm sitting in my new home, writing this from my office that overlooks TWO freaking koi ponds, waiting for my partner to get home from work so I can run and meet him at the top of the stairs as soon as I hear the key in the door. Not just taking up space but thriving in it. And Rio made this happen for us. We are so eternally grateful for them.”

“Where to begin on the amazing person and realtor that Río is. They made my multigenerational house buying experience a breeze in comparison to what I was expecting. They are kind, patient, diligent, honest, compassionate all while providing tough love and harsh realities; which makes me trust them more. In a world of greedy, money hungry people — Río prioritizes fair and equitable practices that respects their clients and helps to bolster the community of vendors in PDX.

I literally cannot recommend them enough, they are the realtor you dream of. We weren’t rushed or pushed, we were listened to and respected. They helped my parents sell their house and buy the house that our two families are going in on. They made sure we all felt heard and valued. They were so easy to work with, and frankly I’m sad it has come to an end after a year of searching. They are more than a realtor, they are a friend and person who wants to make sure you have a safe space to land.

You literally cannot go wrong by hiring them, that is if you are lucky enough to be taken on as a client”

“I don't know where to start with how amazing Río is and how supportive they've been throughout the entire process of finding our dream home. We made a cross-country move, and it never felt like it was creating kerfuffles - Río easily handled everything when we couldn't be in person. I always felt like I could ask a question (no matter how silly I thought it was), and they were so great at keeping us updated at every step and ensuring we understood what was going on. Río listens to what you're looking for and helps you find your dream home - I am so grateful to have found them and would absolutely recommend that anyone looking to buy a home in PDX work with Río - especially if you're a part of the QTBIPOC, LGBTQIA+ community. They are a kind, supportive, attentive, and all-around genuine person. We couldn't have done this without them”

“Rio provided an amazing home purchasing experience, far better than I ever believed was even possible! Rio did everything they possibly could to make my homeowner dreams come true at every step - from searching until the day I had my keys in hand. They're very knowledgeable about the Portland area. A wealth of knowledge and they absolutely have the buyer's best interest in their best interest while maintaining objectivity on the "facts" while considering what matches our desires. They will not - and would never - let you walk away uninformed if there's any sense of a health or safety issue - and they'll fish it out if they think there's a good reason to. Extremely responsive all days of the week, outside of "normal business hours" and supportive through busy holidays. They represent everything I value in good personal business - respect, community, value-based decisions, and a very high-standard of professionalism throughout every form of communication. I have every ounce of confidence when I say everyone that's fortunate enough to work with Rio will have an amazing experience. Putting all my trust in Rio was hands down the best decision I've made in my entire life. You'll always feel at home in Rio's presence.”

“Rio has been an absolute joy to work with! They are an incredible communicator and they were so patient and present through our entire house buying process. As a queer and neurodivergent couple, we really found a perfect match in Rio. They were able to meet us where we were at and hold our hands through what can be a difficult and intimidating process. Rio is kind, patient, detailed, a fierce advocate, and all around wonderful. We highly, highly recommend them to anyone who's felt like they don't belong in the homeownership game. Thank you Rio!!!”

“Rio was a wonderful help in finding a house - they advocated and negotiated on our behalf when we had five other competing offers, and in the end my partner and I won thanks to them! We had to do a 1-day inspection period to seal the deal, and they managed to not only get an appointment for THE NEXT DAY, but had the best inspector I've ever gotten a report from, and I've seen a lot in my time assisting other sales. Genuinely couldn't have found such a special house, let alone purchased it, without them. After the winning offer, they've been an excellent resource for finding contractors for repairs/improvements, and managing contractor quotes and scheduling with the seller. They're still helping us with recommendations as I write this. Thanks for all of your hard work Rio, we couldn't have done it without you.”

“Wow, words cannot even begin to express how amazing it was to work with Rio! As first time homebuyers, we were TERRIFIED of beginning this process. From our first call, Rio was soo kind, funny, patient, knowledgeable, and honest with us, they truly helped demystify the process. Once we found our little home, Rio was ON TOP OF EVERYTHING. No question was too small, there was no irritation re-explaining things they had already told us a million times, they truly held our hand every step of the way and I didn’t know that was even possible. Thank you Rio!!!”

“I bought my first house with Río's help; they made a complicated process feel exciting and accessible, always being available for any questions big or small. They worked super quickly and diligently on every step of the buying process, reaching out with any updates soon after they happened since I was out of town. Their communication was so comforting and encouraging, and most of all felt very available. They have the perfect balance of professional but warm, kind, and an empathetic demeanor. I'm so happy I got to work with Río! They have also recommended a network of contacts that are more inclusive and reflective of the community as a whole, which are awesome resources to have(electrician, inspectors, ect.).”

“Buying a house is usually a very stressful experience, but Río managed to make the whole process simple and dare I say even fun! This was my third time buying, and the entire process was so much smoother and faster than my previous experiences.
Río did a great job of negotiating on my behalf and working with my lender to keep everything moving along. They touched based regularly to keep me updated on where we were in the process, and they were always extremely quick to respond to any questions, and to reach out to the seller's agent to get answers as needed.
They also recommended a fantastic inspector and took care of setting everything up so I didn't have to deal with the logistics.
Overall, Río was absolutely fantastic to work with, and I highly recommend them to anybody looking for a realtor in the Portland area, and especially to anybody looking for a queer/trans/BIPOC friendly realtor.”

“I wish I could give Rio more than 5 stars!! There were some stressful bumps in the road while selling my home but Rio was so incredibly helpful, patient, and communicative throughout the process. They feel like a trusted close friend who really really cared about both me and my house. They helped schedule everything that needed to be done and had incredible recommendations for everything from landscapers to roof cleaners. They really know what they’re doing and are passionate about making the experience as easy as possible. Today is closing day and honestly I will be sad not to get daily texts from Rio anymore. Couldn’t possibly recommend them more highly!!! Everyone hire Rio!”

“I would give Rio all the stars if I could! Rio made this entire process comfortable and painless for us. They always made sure we knew what was going on, what to expect, and ensured there weren’t any surprises. They’re a wealth of knowledge when it comes to home buying, and all the things that come with it. We always felt like they had our backs, and negotiated and protected us like we were family. I’m truly so grateful to have met them, and had them there to support, guide, and accompany us through this process! If you’re reading reviews to see if Rio is the one, I assure you, they are!”

“Rio is empathetic, knowledgeable and open to feedback. They bring a welcomed laid back energy to make your real estate goals happen. You will experience honesty and authenticity. We are seasoned at buying and selling. Rio listened to what we wanted and brought their best even as they managed other client needs. If you are a member of the global majority, queer or trans and wish to be treated with dignity and respect, Rio is here FOR YOU.”

“As first time homebuyers, we were nervous about the process of buying a home - we had no idea how to go from seeing houses to actually buying a house. Thankfully, we found Río! They were able to guide us through the entire process with clarity, compassion, & wisdom. Whenever we had a question, big or small, Río was quick to respond with an answer or an introduction to someone that could answer. Formal process aside, as chicano queer trans people, we felt so much love from them which put us at ease and made us feel comfortable and relaxed. We could not have been more lucky to find Río and have them guide us on this exciting journey!”

“Río is a wonderful realtor, and did a stellar job with every step of the home-buying process. They made the process quick and easy to understand, always had great advice to offer, and helped navigate tight timelines and frequent communications with the seller. And being able to work with lgbtq+ community members was a delightful bonus!”

“Río helped us find our dream house from out of state. They coordinated everything so seamlessly. I am a highly detailed person and like to know everything that will happen and how the process will go. Río communicated with us consistently and efficiently. They listened to everything we wanted and needed and helped us find something that worked. Home buying can be a stressful process, but Río made it easy. Thanks for making our dreams come true!”

“I found and purchased a home from across the country with Río's help. They were so communicative, helpful, thoughtful, caring, and professional, I wish I had more than five stars to give. You will have such a smooth and joyful time finding your next home with their help. I literally cannot recommend them enough. Río is amazing.”

“So the thing is, Río is literally the fairy godparent u deserved but never had. They'll deal with all the weird annoying things, AND ALSO EXPLAIN THEM, so u can make actual decisions and have a sense of what is going on. Never would have dreamed an experience with a realtor could be this positive and yet somehow, here they are, available to help you buy a house!!! HIRE THEM RIGHT NOW YA HEAR ME? But srsly, amazing experience, amazing team, 10/10 would buy another house, except i wouldn't actually bc i already have one and they are a lot of money. Which is why u need a literal team of people helping u deal with the complicated logistics, which is why u should hire Río!”

“We recently had the pleasure of working with Rio to find our first home in Portland. They truly went above and beyond to make the home-buying experience smooth, stress-free, and successful. From the first interaction to the closing day, their exceptional dedication and professionalism were evident at every step of the process. They took the time to understand our desires, providing valuable guidance throughout the entire journey. Furthermore, their extensive network of contacts proved invaluable, allowing us to have peace of mind knowing that we had a team of competent individuals supporting us throughout. But what really set Rio apart was their extraordinary level of service. They promptly responded to our queries and concerns and gave us the level of attention we felt that we deserved. Overall we cannot recommend Rio highly enough!”

“I was looking for a professional, trustworthy, queer or trans realtor who would be able to help my partner and I relocate from Florida to Portland. I found Rio and was immediately impressed with their passion for their job and ability to be three-steps ahead at all times. Whenever I felt that we may run into a hiccup, Rio already had a plan to keep everything on track. A true miracle worker. They are well connected and have a deep understanding of Portland real estate. I would highly recommend anyone looking, to work with Rio.”

“I have never met someone who was better suited to the real estate business. Rio has an intimate knowledge of the local market , takes the time to really listen to what their clients want and then works tirelessly to get them there. We recently had the good fortune to work with Rio as our buyers agent. The home we wanted had multiple offers but Rio was able to craft us the winning offer. It’s not always about money, it’s about communication and having an agent pull out all the stops for you. Thank you Rio!!”

“Rio is an amazing agent! Not only are they a great negotiator, communicator, and professional, they are a genuine ray of light. I will never work with another agent in Portland. If you are looking to work with someone who cares and operates with integrity and transparency (and has ALL the good recommendations for services after you close), Rio is your person. If I could give 100 stars I would. Thank you for helping make our dreams come true.”

“Rio Palomares was a superb realtor. They were attentive to the criteria we outlined and they proceeded to find us the perfect home. Perhaps most important, Rio guided us though the bureaucratic maze for both securing the mortgage and for achieving a swift closing. Throughout the process, Rio was patient, knowledgeable, and attentive without being overbearing or making us feel naive; they are an excellent communicator. We have absolutely no reservations in recommending Rio to everyone seeking a new home.”

“Río was phenomenal to work with — efficient, professional, very responsive, and a great advocate for my first home-buying experience! I always felt informed and prioritized in what ended up being a tight timeline for my purchase. I highly recommend working with them for any of your real estate needs!”

“After being overwhelmed with the PDX housing market Río was an amazing advocate for us during our home search. They were genuinely interested in our needs and wants and diligently worked with us in finding a home for us and our fur-babies. I cannot recommend Río enough! Our house hunting experience was so fun with them guiding us through it all. They provided great references to work with and along with their team kept the lines of communication always open.”

“I can't recommend Rio enough! They perfectly blend professionalism with personality, and they made the scary process of buying a house fun and easy. Even my mortgage lender said Rio was one of the best agents they ever had the chance to work with! I would put more than 5 stars if they would let me, and I wouldn't want to work with anybody else for this process!”