JIM ARNAL BROKER ABR E-PRO

Jim Arnal is, hands down, the most intelligent, considerate, loyal, and undaunted realtor we have worked with in three decades of buying and selling homes. To have a realtor that knows the ins and outs and bottoms and tops of a home is invaluable. Jim takes this to another level. When I met Jim in the early 2000's, he was literally raising his entire home in the West Hills off its foundation and pouring a new one on his own. I have never seen anything like that. In the two decades I have known Jim, I have learned so much about residential structure and design. I have watched him build and remodel homes with publishable quality and finishes. Futhermore, Jim knows Portland neighborhoods like nobody else. We consider Jim more than a realtor, but a friend and part of our family. Thank you Jim for the outstanding experience in helping us buy and sell two homes in the Portland area. We just wish you were licensed in other states as well.

We have known Jim since he helped us find our family home back in 2006 which we have lived in now for over 15 years as it has been a perfect fit for us. Since then, we have been involved with several other real estate transactions with Jim on rental properties and a second home. He can tell you just about anything you want to know about construction, design, neighborhood, and especially the market. His attention to detail is impeccable. He makes the entire process so easy. He is so much more than a realtor in everything he brings to the process of buying or selling a home!

Jim Arnal is a consummate professional whose commitment to his clients, expertise on all-things Portland, and negotiation skills are second to none. Jim made the selling of our townhouse and the buying of our first home a seamless process. Every step of the way Jim showed an amazing attention to detail, unbelievable knowledge of all parts of the selling and buying process, and a dedication to our goals above all else. Jim is incredibly thoughtful, invested, and passionate about what he does. We have recommended him to anyone needing to buy or sell a home and every one of our friends cannot believe how lucky they are to work with Jim. It is impossible to overstate his talent, knowledge, and heart. Hiring Jim Arnal as your realtor will make a challenging and complicated process a fun and educational adventure. We cannot imagine working with anyone else.

Selling a house during the 2020 pandemic was never going to be easy. Selling our house, though…we were worried. We loved the house, but it was going to take a special kind of buyer to love it like we did, and with schools and families locked down at home, and all the desirable shops and restaurants of our block closed for COVID, plus trying to sell it during the slow November/December months, we had a lot going against us. Enter Jim Arnal. Jim had helped us sell and buy before, but this was a different challenge, and yet Jim exceeded every possible hope and expectation that we had. Even more, Jim made the stressful process relatively easy, and his guidance, advice, and hard work was nothing less than exemplary. Jim helped us identify what we needed to do to prepare the house for sale, providing honest, fair, and very thoughtful advice on what we could do (and what we absolutely needed to do) to prep the house for sale, being mindful of our budget and time constraints. His marketing plan for our house blew us away - he focused on positive aspects we’d not even thought about despite living there for years, and indeed the “hooks” he identified ended up being the difference makers in the sale, not the improvements and positives we’d thought would have been important. Jim also knew the challenges our house had, and extrapolated what types of buyers would be most and least turned off by those aspects, and layered all this into both the marketing plan, the digital and print campaigns, and the pricing/market positioning. And, to conclude, Jim crushed it. In less than 3 weeks, we had a committed buyer at our target price. (Meanwhile, the house two blocks north sat on the market for months, despite a competitive price point and a garage we didn’t have ourselves!) Because of Jim’s astute understanding of the local market and thoughtful approach to marketing and positioning a “quirky” property, we were able to get a quick sale, comfortable rent-back, and could make the offer we needed to make on our new home! In conclusion, Jim is amazing. I couldn’t find a single fault in his approach, and he’s the hardest working realtor I’ve ever known. 10/10 would absolutely be my first call for buying or selling a home in Portland!

We met Jim about 12 years ago and have worked with him across numerous real estate transactions including buying and selling rental properties as well as looking for our own next home. The one thing that always struck me was how differently Jim approaches real estate and how he cares so much more about showing you something that will be a strong fit and isn’t just trying to force you into something. He just isn’t your typical realtor where you get a list of every single thing in your price range then you drive around looking at an endless number of properties and it's all on your shoulders to decide. Instead, Jim gets to know you and understands what you're looking for, and then only shows you those things that will best fit your needs. This saves you so much headache and time and just simplifies the entire experience. His architecture knowledge and construction background are also a huge benefit because this allows him to identify potential problems at only a glance or to set your mind at ease if you think it might be bigger than it truly is. It also allows him to find some real gems that others may overlook. Lastly, when it comes to closing a deal, he also seems to know all the right knobs to turn as his track record is impeccable. We have recommended Jim to numerous people and will continue to do so.

First draft - feel free to add, move, change or delete anything. I have been working with Jim Arnal for over 15 years and have transacted multiple millions of dollars of real estate with him. I was referred to him through a friend after having a few negative experiences with other realtors. Our relationship has transformed from that of a customer /  business partner to trusted advisor and blossomed into a lifelong friendship. This transition has been earned through consistently strong advice, hard work and an open honest communication. Jim has proven himself time and again to follow through on everything he promises and is a shrewd negotiator who strives for Win-Win deals in all of his transactions. Jim has a very keen eye for detail, deep knowledge of home construction as well a discerning taste for fashion / function and livability.  Jim is one of the most caring and unscrupulously honest people I know. He is willing to have the hard conversations around the largest personal capital investment that individuals make in their life with reason and care. I refer him at every opportunity to my family, friends and co-workers. 

Jim was able to sell our home in the middle of the challenging times that were the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the entire process I felt like he had our best interests covered as he approached every decision as if the home were his own, but was able to bring in the measured opinions of someone with his unparalleled experience. We felt, as I'm sure many do, that selling our unique house was far more than just a transaction and therefore deserved a team to represent it that matched our adoration for the property. Having worked with Jim previously on purchasing a place we knew we'd be getting that. It was assuring having Jim's architectural and construction experience at our disposal as we worked through challenges that arose during inspections. I wouldn't want to ever try and sell a home during a pandemic again, but if I did, I'd call Jim. What I like most about working with Jim (as both a buyer and seller) is the confidence that comes from the procedural and financial acuity that he brings but in a way that is still aligned with my and our community's values.

Jim is an exceptional person and realtor. In the three real estate transactions I made with Jim (buy, sell, sell), he was the personification of attentive, caring and dedicated. Jim helped me buy my first house, making an extremely daunting and scary process feel manageable, comfortable and exciting. Jim offers the ideal blend of friendly and caring with professional and motivated. His knowledge base of every aspect of the transaction is unequaled. He is a strong, creative negotiator with a passion for working with integrity and positivity. His education and experience in general contracting and construction combined with a keen eye for style and detail give his opinions, critiques and suggestions infinitely more value. I'd recommend Jim for any real estate work in the greater Portland area. He knows the area better than anyone.

The sale closed in short order. Jim charged me a 5% commission, which is on the lower side. He was professional and personable throughout the process and even gave me a gift at the end. I couldn't have been more pleased.

I can say that I have and will continue to recommend Jim to all people looking to buy homes. Especially in this tumultuous market he has been our saving grace. Jim has been the ultimate advocate and just plain amazing through this process. My husband and I have trusted him through this difficult market, especially since our price range is highly competitive and has very little inventory. We came in with our vision and Jim helped us realize it through a decent amount of ups and downs. He never once pressured us or made us feel uncomfortable and advocated for us at every turn through a very difficult seller/listing agent relationship. He is the perfect agent for first time home buying, and I can say that his expertise in building and home construction have been invaluable with a market full of older homes and hair and lipstick flip jobs. Thanks to Jim we'll be settling in our bungalow with room to grow and have a mortgage that's well BELOW our price range. His professionalism, realism, kindness, and exceeding drive, knowledge of home construction and the Portland real estate market make him the ultimate agent.

I would unhesitatingly recommend him to anyone. And let me be clear, we managed to buy at the peak and sell after (he helped us find a place we really loved). We went through vacillating buyers, a sudden market collapse, and a comepetitive bid on our second house. We had the right contract, the right negotiation (Jim), and ended up with the right deal.
During all this time Jim has helped us find good contractors, good prices, and even recommended different work on the house. We get good recommendations on good people.
We didn't have everything go perfect--it is easy to say he was great because a standard purchase went well: we had almost all varieties of nonstandard purchases, repairs, work, and changes on both sides (buying and selling)...and it went well.
Perfect is sometimes easy. Jim is good in tough times.

Jim has invariably contributed significant value to each transaction. He has a good eye for design, an ability to identify potential, and has always provided good counsel. He is a tireless and skilled negotiator. He is perhaps at his best on challenging transactions. I can think of several transactions where I believe a lesser agent would not have been able to hold the deal together.

During the course of buying our first home, Jim saved me and my wife from buying a property that may well have become a money pit for us. He was diligent to review prior listings of this particular home, and what he found raised questions about the integrity of the home’s foundation. That was just one of a half dozen or so homes Jim talked us out of buying. Times when we were dazzled by a certain feature of a home—or blind to one or more of its defects—Jim did a great job of providing perspective and reminding us about the things we had said we were and weren’t looking for in a home. We ended up getting a home that was a great fit for us.

We were so pleased with Jim’s knowledge, integrity, and responsiveness, that we worked with him again several years later (last year). He was very patient with us, as this time around we were a little pickier (having formed stronger opinions about what we were and weren’t looking for). Despite our near-obsessive searching online for the several months our house hunt lasted, in the end the house we ended up buying was one Jim found for us. He really listened to us and understood our needs and hopes.

Around that same time, some friends of ours were also looking to buy a house. Over dinner one night, we traded stories about the different homes we’d been looking at and how the process was going. They were impressed with the level of expertise and attention to detail Jim was providing. Shortly after that dinner, they switched realtors, and within six weeks they became the second satisfied couple we’ve referred to Jim.

Very recently, we referred yet another couple to Jim. He’s a great guy and a great realtor.

Jim Arnal is a leader in Oregon real estateand ndash; one of the finest professionals I have had the pleasure to work with. He is exceedingly bright and knowledgeable about the real estate market, and is a true advocate for his clients. His attention to detail and skills with negotiation lend a sense of security and confidence in even the most stressful of property acquisitions and sales. Several years ago, my husband and I bought our first home through Jim and his kindness and support kept us sane during our first-time homebuyer's experience. He has saved our family from costly sewer repairs and radon exposure and a variety of other potential costly repairs. Our experience was so positive; we just bought our second home with Jim. He found us our house and ndash; a property that wasn't even on the market for sale - after listening to our list of wants and likes. Because of Jim Arnal we are in our dream home where we have started our family and plan to grow old together. Jim Arnal's background and higher education in the fine arts and architecture and his willingness to share his expertise also add a valuable search component when looking to buy or sell a property. He has the vision for possible remodels, interior design, and landscaping that help highlight the pro's and con's of each property. In our years working with Jim, he has never pressured us or pushed our budget. We also worked with Jim Arnal to sell our first home, which sold in 4 days and ndash; above our asking price! A more respectful, bright, and diligent professional I have yet to meet. Without hesitation I fully recommend Jim Arnal as the best real estate broker in the city of Portland, an ally in the field to both buyers and sellers.

I'm honestly shocked that there are positive reviews for Jim Arnal. Granted, he had been recommended to me, so that is why I chose him. My experience was very different than what was described in the prior reviews. Jim cultivates a clientele of young doctors. Doctors are generally not intelligent about money management, since they have had their heads stuck in books for 10 years. Jim and I viewed homes for one day together. There was one particular house that I had seen online that I really liked. It had come back on the market, and we went to view it. I loved this house. Home buying is an emotional experience for the first time home buyer. I trusted Jim to help me navigate this situation. I was proved this was not an intelligent decision. The house was attractive and in a good location. However, it had been flipped by another real estate agent/broker. Also, it had a stucco exterior. I questioned both of these facts, and was basically bullied into thinking that I was silly to question these facts. He didn't treat me like these were valid questions nor provide any solid proof to refute my doubts. We went through the whole process together. I used the home inspector he recommended (this is a horrible idea, do not do this. Hire an independent home inspector, a contractor, and an attorney to go over all paperwork.) I specifically asked the home inspector about a tile shower that was installed by an amateur (the seller) without permits. The inspector passed everything. I moved in within the month. After I moved in, I tested the tile shower to code recommendations (i was assured that it would pass code by the seller, despite that fact that he had not gotten it permitted). Within two hours of performing a leak test, my dining room ceiling was destroyed by the leak from the tile shower. When I called Jim about this, he was less than helpful. As it turns out, there are very specific state laws about flipping a house that were not followed by the seller. Jim claimed it was not his responsibility to be informed of these laws. I ended up calling his boss to get the company involved and help me get the seller to address the poorly constructed shower. There were multiple transactions like this regarding this house. Unfortunately, the most expensive repair, a leak in the south side of the house, I did not complain about. I was suffering from complaint fatigue. It was struggle every time to get repairs addressed. So, I didn't complain about the leak in the south side of my house. Just so the public knows, you have one year to complain about nondisclosed leaks. I have come to find out that all of my neighbors were aware that my house leaked (from the previous tenants). The house has been leaking for at least 10 years. This was not disclosed in the sale of the house. I am now facing a $30-50,000 repair bill to replace the entire south side of the house and treat any mildew and dry rot that has occurred. Let me be clear; I said to Jim, "I have a very busy life. I don't have time to rehab a house." Jim's famous reply,"I won't let you buy a "hair and lipstick flip."" No Jim, I feel like I bought a "hair, lipstick, miniskirt, and high heels flip". Thanks for nothing. I would strongly recommend to try a different real estate agent. Any Angies list member is welcome to contact me and I can provide proof of this interaction. I strongly feel that no one should have to deal with this type of treatment from a real estate professional.

This past year my husband and I sold our condo downtown and bought our dream house in Lake Oswego so that we could raise our family. We researched realtors and decided to interview a few to ensure that all of our desires could be met. Jim Arnal was at the top of our list due to his ability to meet all of our needs. He is very personable and knows the real estate market inside and out both of which are extremely important qualities in a recession. We were more than pleased with his ability to listen to us and give us expert and sound advice both with the selling and purchasing of our homes this year. His strategies are ethically sound and his professionalism are two qualities which are hard to come by in today's day and age. If you are looking for someone to help with the sale or purchase of your new home my husband and myself would not hesitate to recommend Jim Arnal.

Jim helped us purchase our first home in Multnomah Village. He was available almost 24/7 and made every effort to work with our schedule as much as possible. I really appreciated the organization Jim demonstrated when it was time to tour several homes, allowing us plenty of time to walk around the house. It is a great asset to have a realtor that brings more to the table than just the purchase. Jim has a great knowledge of building techniques, a great eye for architecture and a ton of experience to help you gain information about a house. He was eager to dig around in the basement to figure out what the heating system was, climbed on the roof to inspect the roofing materials and crawled on his knees to determine whether there was hardwood flooring underneath the carpet. After all that, the most impressive thing about Jim was that he never steered you one way or the other. He provides information, lots of it, but really leaves the more personal decision of whether you like a house to you, the buyers. Objectivity and integrity are good things to have in a realtor. Even months after the purchase, Jim stood with us as we had some issues to deal with the previous owners. It is that kind of hard work and personal dedication that makes Jim an outstanding realtor. We are now gearing up for the purchase of a new home, and I could not imagine not asking Jim for his advice and services.

Jim is very thorough from start to finish. He adds many personal touches and takes time to know you as clients. He provides whatever information you need and was a strong advocate on our behalf in negotiations. I believe this is one of his strengths. He was always available and offered times outside of business hours to fit scheduling constraints. I would highly recommend him as a broker.

As first-time homebuyers, we were really grateful for Jim's patience, guidance, expertise, and advocacy. When we met him we spent almost two hours while he listened to what we wanted in a house. He showed us about 20 houses before we made an offer. He actually talked us OUT of several houses - he pointed out things that as lifelong renters we had never considered - things like age of piping, electrical wiring, woodwork, and a lot more. At the price point we were looking at, the market was very competitive and we ended up in a competitive-bid situation. In what was a nervous time for us, Jim kept it cool and provided sound advice that led us to winning the contract. After we won the contract, Jim continued to advocate for us in the inspection period. His advice led to us testing the sewer line, and when we found that it was damaged, he negotiated with the seller so they replaced it at no cost to us (a roughly $5,000 job). We continue to stay in touch with Jim, and consider him a friend. If you like to play ping pong, make sure to schedule an appointment at the "dojo." :)

Jim is not just our Realtor, but someone we consider a friend. He went the extra mile at every turn of our home buying experience and he answered calls, emails and requests on days, evenings and weekends. He was polite to a fault. He was even willing to re-show several houses to our parents who flew in to town to help us look at houses and make a decision when we put in our offer. If anyone has experience with older, first generation Asian parents, they can be hard to please, but Jim was able to answer all their questions with patience and tolerance for much repetition. Ultimately, Jim helped us purchase our first home and we are very grateful for all his expertise and support.