Summer finally decided to show up in Portland — and she’s a sweaty one. Mid-90s this week, which might not seem like much to someone in Phoenix, but for us pale Pacific Northwesterners who run on cold brew and cloudy skies, it’s basically hellfire.
If you’re house hunting right now, bless your brave little heart. Here’s how to survive July showings without melting into a puddle of regret.
☀️ 1. Only Tour Homes With A/C
This might sound obvious, but you’d be shocked how many listings still proudly say “ceiling fan in primary bedroom” like it’s 1997. If it doesn’t have central A/C or a heat pump, I’ll just wait in the car with the engine running while you go sweat through your shirt and question your life choices.
Kidding…Sort of.
🔥 2. Check for Wildfire Zones (Because, Oregon)
It’s beautiful living near trees until they’re on fire. Make sure we look into fire risk zones — especially if you’re hunting in areas on the outskirts of the metro.
Bonus tip: ask your insurance company how they really feel about your dream cabin in the woods before you fall in love.
📸 3. Don’t Fall for Wide-Angle Lies
That “open floor plan” you saw online? Yeah, it’s probably the size of a Cracker Jack box in real life. Photos lie, and wide-angle lenses are the original catfishers. If the backyard looks like a football field in the listing but turns out to be a patch of grass the size of a yoga mat…you’ve been played. This is why touring in person still matters. Filter out online for sure, but you still need to tour in person. I don’t care how good your VR Headset is.
🕶️ 4. Wear the Right Sh*t
This isn’t the time to get cute with your outfit. Wear breathable clothes, shoes you can kick off at the door, and skip the layers. And if a home smells like wet dog and mildew? Congrats, you’ve unlocked the “window unit + no airflow” combo package. I just toured a home yesterday that had enough dog hair piled up on the floor to make another dog!
💧 5. Hydrate Like It’s a Sport
I’ll bring water and/or some iced coffees. If the sellers were smart, they would leave cold drinks out and crank the A/C before a showing. If not? That tells you everything you need to know about how they’ve cared for the rest of the house.
Final Thought:
Summer is still a great time to buy — more listings pop up, daylight lasts forever here in the PNW, and you get a good read on how a home handles heat — especially the upstairs of an older home. But let’s be smart about it. This isn’t the time to go wandering through 12 vacant listings that have no shade or A/C.
Let’s plan wisely, tour smart, and keep your sweat to a minimum. I’m happy to help always, and life as a Realtor means we just have to buck up sometimes. However if ask me to show you a house with a swamp cooler at 3PM on a heatwave day, I won’t apologize for sweating on you.
Want to go house hunting and avoid a heatstroke? Let’s talk.
