Brian EustisRarebird Real Estate

Buyers

Buying a home in Portland, with someone in your corner

I’m Brian Eustis, a licensed REALTOR® here in Portland. I’ll explain each step before we reach it, lay out your options, and help you buy with confidence.

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Buying a home is a big decision, and it’s easy to feel buried in it — listings to sort, lenders to talk to, terms nobody explains. You want someone local who answers your questions honestly and doesn’t push.

That’s the part I care about most. I’m Brian Eustis, a real estate agent working under Rarebird Real Estate in Portland. My job is to make the process clear: to tell you what’s coming next, what it means for you, and what your choices are at each step. You set the pace. I’ll handle the moving parts and keep you informed.

You don’t need to have it all figured out before we talk. Most buyers don’t. A short conversation is enough to get started, and there’s no obligation to keep going. (Reaching out is an inquiry only — it doesn’t make me your agent. See the Oregon agency disclosure.)

The process

How buying a home usually works

Here’s the path most buyers follow, from our first conversation to the day you get the keys. Every purchase is a little different, and the order can shift, so think of this as a map, not a fixed schedule. I’ll define any term that isn’t plain English as it comes up.

  1. We talk first.

    You tell me what you’re looking for — the area, the kind of home, and a rough budget. I answer your questions and explain how I work. No cost, no commitment.

  2. You get pre-approved.

    Before you shop seriously, it helps to talk to a lender about a pre-approval — a lender’s written estimate of how much you can borrow. It tells you your price range and shows sellers you’re a serious buyer. I can point you to lenders to compare; the choice is always yours.

  3. We search together.

    Once we know your range, we look at homes that fit. I’ll set up listings that match what you want and go see the ones you like. I’ll point out things to consider in each home — the good and the not-so-good.

  4. You make an offer.

    When you find the right home, I help you put together a written offer: the price, the terms, and the conditions that protect you. I’ll explain earnest money — a deposit that shows the seller you’re committed — and what your contingencies mean before you sign anything.

  5. We negotiate.

    The seller may accept, decline, or counter. I’ll tell you what each response means, lay out your options, and negotiate on your behalf to get terms that work for you.

  6. You do your due diligence.

    After an offer is accepted, this is the window to check the home out. That usually includes a home inspection — a professional’s review of the home’s condition — and may include an appraisal ordered by your lender. We review what comes back and decide on next steps together.

  7. You finalize the loan and details.

    Your lender finishes underwriting, and we work through any remaining conditions, the title review, and the paperwork. I’ll keep track of dates and what’s owed at each one so nothing slips.

  8. You close, and you get the keys.

    At closing, you sign the final documents and the purchase becomes official. After everything records, the home is yours. I’m still around after closing if questions come up.

Why work with me

What you get with me as your buyer’s agent

Honest reasons, not bragging. Here’s what you get when I’m representing you.

  • A local agent who knows the Portland area. I work across Portland and the surrounding counties, so I can speak to specific listings and locations with context, not guesswork.

  • Plain-English guidance. I define the terms as they come up, with no jargon left unexplained. You’ll always know what’s going on and why.

  • Someone on your side at the table. As your buyer’s agent, I represent you — not the seller. I help you write a strong offer, think through the terms, and negotiate on your behalf.

  • Honest input on each home. I’ll tell you what I’d want to know if I were buying it, including the drawbacks. My job is to help you make a good decision, not to close any deal.

  • One point of contact. You work with me directly. When you call or text, you reach the person handling your search — not a call center or a rotating team.

  • A connected process. I coordinate with lenders, inspectors, and the title company so the pieces move in the right order, and I keep you posted along the way.

What to expect when we work together

I try to make working with me feel straightforward and low-pressure.

  • I follow up personally. When you reach out, you hear back from me, not an auto-responder chain.

  • I’ll use whatever’s easiest for you. Call, text, or email — tell me your preference and I’ll stick to it.

  • I keep you informed. When something needs your attention or a date is coming up, I’ll tell you in plain language what it is and what to do.

  • No pressure, ever. You decide whether and when to move forward. If now isn’t the right time, that’s a fine answer.

Where I work

Across the Portland metro area

I help buyers across the Portland metro area:

Portland
Multnomah County
Washington County
Clackamas County

If you’re looking in or near these areas, let’s talk. If you’re searching somewhere just outside them, reach out anyway — I’ll tell you honestly whether I’m the right fit or can point you to someone who is.

Common buyer questions

How do I get started?
The easiest way is to tell me a little about what you’re looking for, using the buyer form below or a quick call or text. We’ll set up a short conversation, no cost and no obligation. You don’t need to be ready to buy today — even “I’m just starting to think about it” is a fine place to begin.
Does a buyer pay for a buyer’s agent?
This is a fair and common question, and the honest answer is that it depends on the deal. How a buyer’s agent is paid can vary, and it’s something we’ll go over clearly before you commit to anything — in writing, with no surprises. I’d rather talk through the specifics for your situation than print a number here that might not apply to you.
What is pre-approval, and do I need it first?
A pre-approval is a written estimate from a lender of how much you can borrow, based on your finances. It’s worth doing early for two reasons: it tells you your price range, and it shows sellers you’re a serious buyer. You don’t need it before our first conversation, but it’s usually one of the first steps once you’re ready to shop. I can suggest lenders for you to compare — the choice of lender is always yours.
How much money do I need to buy a home?
The amount varies a lot depending on the home, your loan, and your situation, so I won’t quote a figure that might be wrong for you. Generally, buyers plan for a down payment plus closing costs, and your lender can give you real numbers once you talk. Some buyers qualify for programs that change what’s needed up front — ask your lender what you’re eligible for, and I’ll help you factor it into your search.
What is earnest money?
Earnest money is a deposit you include with your offer to show the seller you’re serious. It’s typically held by a neutral third party and, in most cases, applied toward your costs at closing. The amount and terms are spelled out in your offer, and I’ll explain exactly how it works for your purchase before you put anything down.
What happens in a home inspection?
A home inspection is a professional’s review of the home’s condition — things like the roof, systems, and structure. It helps you understand what you’re buying and whether anything needs attention. After the inspection, we’ll review the findings together and talk through your options, which can include asking the seller for repairs, renegotiating, or moving forward as-is. It’s your call, and I’ll help you weigh it.
I’m a first-time buyer. Can you help?
Yes. A lot of the people I work with are buying their first home, and I’ll explain everything as we go — no assumed knowledge and no jargon left undefined. We’ll take it one step at a time, and you can ask me anything, including the questions that feel basic. There are no silly questions here.
Should I buy a condo or a house?
That depends on what fits your budget, your plans, and how much maintenance you want to take on. A condo often means less upkeep and may include shared amenities and monthly association dues; a single-family house usually means more space and more responsibility for the property. There’s no single right answer — we’ll talk through the trade-offs for your situation. You can tell me your housing type on the form below.
Can you help with new construction?
Yes. Buying a newly built home works a little differently from buying an existing one, and it helps to have your own agent representing you — not just the builder’s sales staff. I’ll tell you what’s coming at each stage of the builder’s process, the contract, and the choices along the way, with your interests in mind.
How long does it take to buy a home?
It varies, and I won’t promise a timeline I can’t guarantee. The search can take days or months depending on what you’re looking for and what’s available, and the period from accepted offer to closing depends on your loan and the details of the deal. What I can promise is to keep things moving and to tell you honestly where you stand at each step.
Do I have to sign anything to talk to you?
No. Reaching out — by form, call, text, or email — is just an inquiry. It doesn’t make me your agent and doesn’t commit you to anything. Any representation begins only after the required Oregon disclosures are provided and a written agreement is signed. See the agency-disclosure note by the form, or the Oregon agency disclosure on the legal page, for the exact wording.

Get started

Start your home search

Tell me a little about what you’re looking for, and I’ll follow up personally. There’s no cost and no obligation — just a real conversation about your next home.

Reach Brian directly

(503) 490-4001
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No pressure and no obligation — a call or a text is just a conversation, and we’ll go at your pace.

What can I help you with?

Brian will call or text — whatever's easiest for you.

Where are you hoping to buy? A city, county, or area is fine.

A rough range is fine — we'll refine it together.

Optional — share as much or as little as you'd like.

By submitting this form, you agree that Brian Eustis may contact you by phone, text, or email about your real estate inquiry. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time. See our privacy practices.

Contacting Brian through this form is an inquiry only and doesn't create an agency relationship. Read the Oregon Agency Disclosure.

Free, no obligation — Brian will follow up personally.