KRISTEN SPELLMAN

Buying a home in the Pacific Northwest — whether in Columbia County, Oregon, or Cowlitz County, Washington — starts with preparation and clear expectations. Before you begin touring homes, get pre-approved by a local lender so you understand your true budget and can move quickly when the right property appears. Work with a local REALTOR® who knows the area, zoning, wells, septics, and neighborhood trends. In a competitive market, your agent’s negotiation strategy and relationships with other brokers can make all the difference. Be realistic about your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves, and don’t skip the home inspection — it’s your chance to understand a home’s condition before committing. Finally, stay flexible: inventory, interest rates, and local regulations in Northern Columbia County, St. Helens, Rainier, Clatskanie, and the Lower Columbia region can change quickly.

If you’re preparing to sell your home in Columbia County, Oregon, or Cowlitz County, Washington, start with a clear strategy — pricing, presentation, and timing matter more than ever. The first step is to partner with a local REALTOR® who understands your market’s nuances — from Rainier and St. Helens to Clatskanie, Scappoose, Longview, and Woodland — and can back their recommendations with current data. Before listing, focus on first impressions: deep-clean, declutter, and handle small repairs that make your home feel well cared for. Consider professional staging or photo prep to highlight your property’s best features — today’s buyers often start their search online, so curb appeal and high-quality photos can drive more showings. Pricing your home right from the start is crucial. Overpricing can cause your listing to sit, while strategic pricing can create excitement and multiple offers. Trust your agent’s comparative market analysis (CMA) to guide the best price range based on recent local sales, market absorption, and condition. Finally, stay flexible and responsive during showings and negotiations. The homes that sell fastest in the Pacific NW are those presented beautifully, priced competitively, and marketed by an experienced local professional who knows how to reach qualified buyers.

Over the years, I’ve worked with a wide range of clients throughout Oregon and Washington, helping both buyers and sellers reach their real estate goals across Columbia County, Cowlitz County, and the North Oregon Coast. My clients include: First-time homebuyers looking for guidance through every step of the process. Move-up sellers and families who need to sell one home before purchasing their next. Investors seeking multi-family, rental, or commercial properties such as RV parks, manufactured home communities, and mixed-use buildings. Rural and acreage buyers interested in land, equestrian properties, farms, or homes with wells and septic systems. Luxury and relocation clients who want seamless, data-driven support and strong market insight. No matter the property type or price point, my focus is on education, communication, and advocacy — making sure every client feels confident and informed from start to finish.

One of my favorite recent transactions involved helping a pair of investors purchase a single-family vacation home in Long Beach, Washington. The property included a manufactured home and a large shop with an apartment, all listed together as a single sale. When their lender discovered that each structure had its own septic system, financing was denied — a roadblock that could have ended the deal. Instead of walking away, we developed a creative solution. I worked with all parties to split the property into two separate transactions — a small cash purchase for the shop and apartment, and a financed purchase for the main home. This approach allowed my clients to move forward, stay within their budget, and close both purchases in under 30 days. Throughout the process, I kept communication clear and proactive — connecting my clients with local inspectors, contractors, and title professionals so they could make informed decisions. Together, we negotiated a significantly reduced price on this As-Is listing, allowing them to close with immediate equity and secure the vacation property they truly wanted. I appreciated how seriously these buyers approached every step, trusted the guidance, and remained engaged from start to finish. Their determination — paired with my experience navigating complex rural and multi-use properties — turned what started as a “no” into a successful investment and a long-term client relationship.

After working in healthcare for more than 13 years, several family members suggested I would be a great fit for real estate. They were right. As I was preparing to welcome my third child, I realized that building a business where I could manage my own schedule, growth, and success was exactly what my family and I needed. My background in the medical field taught me the importance of listening carefully, paying attention to details, communicating clearly, and earning trust — skills that translate directly into real estate. In both fields, the goal is the same: to help people make informed decisions that improve their lives. I stayed in real estate because I truly enjoy guiding clients through one of life’s most meaningful milestones. Whether buying or selling, my focus is on education, communication, and genuine care, ensuring each client feels confident and supported from start to finish. I knew this was the right career when I discovered how much it encourages lifelong learning, constant growth, and connection. Over the years, I’ve built a business centered on honesty, equality, and a down-to-earth approach, helping clients build wealth and stability through real estate. I started at a traditional brick-and-mortar brokerage while earning my secondary state license, then joined Real Broker — a dynamic, innovative brokerage — where I built a team I’m proud of. Together, we serve clients throughout Oregon and Washington, combining local expertise with a forward-thinking mindset to deliver results that matter. Key search terms:

Yes. My foundation in healthcare gave me a deep appreciation for precision, communication, and advocacy — all of which directly benefit my real estate clients. I’m licensed in both Oregon and Washington, which allows me to guide buyers and sellers confidently across state lines throughout Columbia County, Cowlitz County, and the North Oregon Coast. Beyond standard licensure, I invest continuously in advanced real estate education. This includes specialized training in: Rural, acreage, and agricultural properties — understanding wells, septics, water rights, and land-use rules. Investment and commercial real estate, including manufactured home parks, RV parks, and mixed-use properties. Luxury and residential marketing, contract negotiation, and market analytics. Buyer education — as a certified instructor for first-time homebuyer courses, I help clients feel empowered, informed, and financially confident. I believe knowledge is one of the strongest tools in real estate. The more informed I am, the better I can protect my clients, anticipate challenges, and guide them toward confident, well-researched decisions.