September 11 Newsletter

Nic Wilson

17 hours ago

4 min read

SEPTEMBER 11th NEWSLETTER

September 11

25 years later

A Day I’ll Never Forget

I thought I would take some time to do something a little different with this newsletter. Anniversaries have a way of making us pause and reflect, and today marks one that I - and so many others - will never forget.

Twenty-five years ago today, I was deployed with the U.S. Army in Kosovo, working with informants alongside my team. I was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, although at the time our team was attached to the 101st Airborne Division.

That morning, we had traveled a little farther from our base and were on our way to meet some new contacts in an Albanian town. Our work involved developing relationships with both Serbian and Albanian sources, and much of our time was spent moving between the two communities.

During the mission, we received a radio transmission instructing us to return to base immediately.

Our chief was a bit of a firecracker, so on the drive back I remember wondering what we had done this time to upset the Battalion Commander. We weren't exactly the golden children of the unit, and we had a knack for occasionally pushing a few buttons.

That deployment was filled with memories that, at the time, seemed ordinary but have stayed with me for 25 years. Meals at the Burger King on base. The Mongolian Grill and the surprisingly good food in the enormous dining facility. Every morning, I would fill a huge personal carafe with black coffee and Swiss Miss to take with me for the day - something that inevitably caught up with me later.

A good friend and I spent many hours guarding vehicles and listening to the latest techno music on pirated CDs we bought from local vendors. We traded with other military units from around the world, and several guys in our platoon eventually ended up with nearly complete Russian military uniforms. Those became the uniforms of choice for our spontaneous pellet-gun wars, with the pellet guns also purchased from local vendors.

Looking back, there was a lot of camaraderie, a lot of laughter, and a lot of memories.

But that day, on the drive back to base, we knew something was different.

When we arrived, we went into the dining facility and began seeing the images of airplanes striking the World Trade Center towers. At first, it was difficult to comprehend what we were watching. We were already overseas, already deployed, and suddenly the world had changed.

I have never seen so many adults crying in one place.

We knew immediately that our lives - and the lives of millions of Americans - were going to be different.

I eventually returned to the United States in November. Then, in January, I learned that the Army wasn't quite ready to let me leave and continue on with civilian life. Because of my job classification, I was required to remain in the Army beyond my planned separation date. Eventually, our unit was sent to Afghanistan as part of the second wave.

That deployment has its own stories for another day.

Twenty-five years later, I find myself thinking less about the events of that day and more about the people. The people I served with. The people we lost. The families whose lives changed in an instant. And the many people who simply woke up that morning expecting an ordinary day and went to bed in a very different world.

Life has a way of reminding us how quickly things can change.

That is one reason I am grateful for the relationships I have built throughout my life and career - including the relationships I now have with so many of you through real estate. Buying or selling a home may be a business transaction, but the people involved are what make this business meaningful to me.

So, on this anniversary, I wanted to share a little more of my story and some of what was on my mind today.

Thank you for allowing me to share it with you - and, more importantly, thank you for the relationships and trust you have placed in me.

Twenty-five years later, I still remember.

Your August PDX Home & Community Update

The image showcases the Portland Japanese Garden with beautiful spring blooms and tranquil walking paths, perfect for families to visit.

The Portland Metro market slowed a bit in August compared to this time last year. New listings totaled 2,440, compared to 2,476 in August 2025. Closed sales were 1,902, compared to 2,021 a year ago, while pending sales were 2,013, compared to 2,275 last August. The average sale price was $607,200, compared to $620,500 last year. Average total market time was 57 days, compared to 62 days a year ago.

Overall, August saw less activity than this time last year, with fewer pending and closed sales and slightly lower prices.

Highlights

Average Sale Price: $607,200 ↓ 2.1% from August 2025

Average Total Market Time 57 days ↓ 8.1% from August 2025

Closed Sales: 1,902 ↓ 5.9% from August 2025

New Listings: 2,440 ↓ 1.5% from August 2025

Local Portland Events This Month

Explore Portland on First Thursday

If you're looking for an excuse to get out and explore Portland, First Thursday is always a great choice.

The Pearl District and Old Town come alive with art galleries, local artists, shops, and plenty of opportunities to wander, browse, grab a bite, and experience one of the things that makes Portland such a unique place to live.

Best of all, First Thursday is free to attend. Whether you're an art enthusiast or simply looking for a fun evening in the city, it's an easy way to discover something new and support local artists and businesses along the way.

📍 Pearl District & Old Town Portland 🎨 Free to attend 🗓️ First Thursday of the month

One of my favorite things about living in the Portland area is that there is always something new to discover. Get out, explore a neighborhood, and enjoy the city!