Portland real estate agents spin open houses into neighborhood sightseeing trips

3142 SW Fairview Blvd. in Portland's Arlington Heights is for sale by Betsy Menefee and Tamra Dimmick of Windermere Realty Trust.

3142 S.W. Fairview Blvd. in Portland's Arlington Heights is for sale by Betsy Menefee and Tamra Dimmick of Windermere Realty Trust.Windermere Realty Trust

Do your weekend plans include exploring a new-to-you neighborhood by dining at a restaurant popular with locals, shopping at a store recommended by someone friendly and strolling around a few blocks, just to check out the scene? Sounds like you’re attending an open house.

Real estate agents, who have traversed the ups and downs of open houses as either a marketing opportunity to distinguish a home when shoppers have a large selection or an unnecessary effort during bidding wars, have landed on a welcoming way to make seeing a property for sale feel like a getaway. Roll in a stop at an open house as part of an afternoon of sightseeing the area’s highlights.

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