Hey, I’m Ellen Payne.

A woman with long brown hair smiling and wearing a white t-shirt, sitting in a vibrant flower garden filled with red, pink, yellow, and white flowers.

87

80+

Closed Sales

5-Star Reviews

I’m Ellen Payne, a Portland realtor but originally from the mountains of North Carolina. I moved to Portland in 2014 and quickly fell in love with all things Pacific Northwest. As an avid hiker, gardener, and sustainability advocate, I knew I’d found the right community for me.

I want to understand what you’re really looking for in a realtor, what you’re nervous about, and what would make this feel like a win. From there, I’m a steady advocate and a sharp negotiator. You’ll get honest guidance without pressure, scripts, or sales-y nonsense. Because I know and love Portland’s older homes, I can also help you make sense of an inspection report, understand what a repair may actually cost, and connect you with contractors and tradespeople I trust.

Through it all, my goal is simple. I want you to feel informed, supported, and like you have a knowledgeable friend in your corner. In the end, I want you to have more than a property. I want you to have a place that genuinely feels like home.

If you’re selling, I’ll be hands-on from the very beginning. I’ll walk through your home with you and offer honest guidance about where your money is best spent, what buyers in your neighborhood are responding to, and what you can skip.

I’m a realtor but also…

  • A girl with long dark hair wearing a colorful tie-dye shirt, shorts, and hiking shoes, standing on a rocky trail with a backpack, overlooking a large winding river surrounded by green forested hills under a clear blue sky.

    I'm an avid hiker and outdoor adventurer.

  • A young boy standing on a sandy beach near the water, wearing a white shirt, patterned shorts, and sandals, looking out at the ocean with a clear sky overhead.

    I'm the mom to a boy with a gentle soul and infectious laugh.

  • A woman in a green shirt looking at an electrical breaker panel on a beige wall.

    I find joy in learning about home systems and construction.

  • Display of vintage toilets and sinks in pastel colors arranged on the floor in a novelty bathroom decor setting.

    I love getting lost in a hardware store and I'm a big fan of retro home features.

  • A woman standing on a soccer field, holding a championship belt above her head, smiling.

    I'm known to score a couple goals on the soccer field.

  • Woman painting window frame inside a house, smiling

    I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty to help my clients.

  • A white wire basket filled with various tomatoes, including red, black, yellow, and a single red chili pepper on a speckled white countertop.

    I love gardening, mostly because I enjoy sharing the harvest.

  • A woman with long brown hair, wearing a red and white patterned blouse, is smiling and handing a flyer to another woman with long black hair sitting across from her at a wooden table. The table has papers, magazines, and brochures on it, and the background features a colorful mural of rolling hills and trees.

    I'm a former teacher so education is a big part of my process with clients.

A woman smiling and talking on her cellphone while sitting on a sofa in a brightly lit room.

I’ve gotten to know this city block by block: which streets go quiet after 6 p.m., which coffee shop might become your Saturday ritual, and which pocket of a neighborhood actually fits the life you’re trying to build. I’m an especially great fit for first-time homebuyers, people who are new to the area and want help understanding Portland’s neighborhoods, and anyone looking for a smoother, more human buying or selling experience.

Two women having a meeting at a wooden table, with colorful landscape artwork in the background.

I love helping my clients become confident, informed home-buying and home-selling experts. I lead with listening, explain the process in plain language, and make sure you always know what’s next, what your options are, and what questions to ask. I’m diligent, organized, and committed to bringing care and empathy to every client relationship.