Britta Schwartz
Real Estate Broker
Licensed in Oregon + Washington
Coming from an eclectic background of academic research studying the neuroscience of decision-making and hospitality, Britta found real estate to be the perfect marriage of her analytical and creative sides. She loves looking at the practical investments that help clients reach long term financial goals; at the same time, she's a complete real estate romantic when it comes to dreaming up real property possibilities. She thrives on seeing how a space could expand to create income and lay a path to retirement (she built her own ADU in 2018) and be a cherished home. She also enjoys studying market statistics and trends as much as she loves picking out paint and tile. Having grown up in the vibrant Portland food and beverage industry, she has a special affinity for helping those working in hospitality to use homeownership as a vehicle for lasting investment.
Her perfect urban Portland day : Her favorite way to experience the city is on foot, so her ideal Portland day is all about walking around while drinking excellent coffee. She likes to play tourist and browse books at Powell’s and she enjoys taking her son to explore new parks in parts of the city they don't often visit. In the summer the perfect evening is dinner in the backyard with friends, good wine, and a movie on the projector. In colder weather, evenings at home by the fire hit the mark.
Her Superpower : Britta's superpower is problem solving. She gets immense satisfaction from being able to fix a problem or find a solution, and it’s one of her favorite parts of being a Realtor. Most of the issues that arise in real estate are solvable, and she loves analyzing and finding the right solution for everyone.
Superpower she wish she had : Britta wishes she could speak any language fluently. She dreams of being able to meet people from all different backgrounds and converse with them in their own languages.
Favorite moment in real estate : She feels like she should say closing day because it is very satisfying to watch a client get the home they have been searching for or sell a beloved home to embark on their next adventure, but she always finds closings a little bittersweet. She's happy for her buyers and sellers but sometimes she doesn't want her job to end because that means saying goodbye to her beloved clients. Instead she prefers the moments in the job where she gets to know people through the lens of their home search. Whether they are an old friend, or a recent referral from a past client, she thinks real estate is a fascinating way to get to dig down deep with someone. Deciding what space you want to live in and how it will fit into your life is such an intimate process and it’s an honor for her to play a role in that experience.
Favorite Portland neighborhood/why : Britta is biased towards her North Portland neighborhood of Piedmont. There’s a good chance that a disproportionate number of her clients end up buying there because she's so clearly in love with that location that she sings its praises. The neighborhood’s living room is Peninsula Park, with its fragrant rose garden and vibrant Community Center. Piedmont also boasts excellent food, coffee and bars, as well as her favorite Portland Community College campus (Cascade). The architecture in Britta's neighborhood cannot be beat and has a rich history, ranging from gorgeous stately Victorian mansions to 1950’s courtyard apartments. It’s a great location for walking and appreciating homes while listening to a podcast. Her other favorite thing about Piedmont is its proximity to other neighborhoods she loves to explore: Woodlawn, Mississippi, Alberta, Overlook, Arbor Lodge, and Kenton are all just a stone’s throw away.