C
hris Ramos' life was marked by instability until he found his footing in Portland, Oregon. At 21, he moved to the city and immersed himself in its urban culture as a young gay man. However, it wasn't an easy transition - he worked multiple jobs, including at a nightclub, coffee shop, and restaurant, just to make ends meet. "I was taking care of myself," he recalled.

    Seeking steadier income, Ramos cycled through jobs in Portland and later in San Francisco. A stint at an architecture firm introduced him to the city's charm, while a decade-long gig with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy provided stability. He also pursued a degree in urban study and planning at San Francisco State University.

    Ramos eventually landed a well-paying job overseeing facilities management at a Silicon Valley firm, but he still yearned for something more - a home of his own. "I always had that worrier in me about being secure," he said. With the help of his boyfriend, Ramos bought and converted a van to live in, saving money on rent and aiming for a down payment in the expensive Bay Area housing market.

    By summer 2024, the market had shifted in his favor, and Ramos was ready to buy. He met Michael Baldassara, an agent with Christie's International Real Estate, through a mutual friend. "I felt aligned with his goal," Baldassara said. "Chris had sacrificed a lot to get here." With about $100,000 saved for a down payment, Ramos set a top-end purchase price of $600,000 and began searching for the perfect place - in San Francisco or potentially in the East Bay if the price was right.