What Salmon and First-Time Buyers Have in Common

Jun 24
2 min read

We felt compelled to share a story of some good news coming out of Northern California. After decades of effort, several dams have been removed—marking one of the largest river restoration projects in U.S. history. If you know Mike, you know he is an avid fly fisherman. So when we heard that salmon were returning to the Klamath River for the first time in 100 years as a result of the dam removal, it struck a chord—not just as nature-lovers, but as people who believe in the power of long-term thinking, collective effort, and doing what’s right for the whole system.

A fall run chinook salmon was spotted in the Klamath River Basin in Oregon for the first time in 100 years. (Credit: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)

This project was a wide-reaching, collaborative effort among Tribal nations, environmental groups, government agencies, energy companies, and local communities. Everyone had a stake. And yet, they found a way to move forward together through a shared understanding: if we take care of the river, the river takes care of us.

That philosophy isn't so different from the work we do every day with our clients, whether first-time homebuyers or families navigating life transitions. Like the Klamath River story, each homeownership journey involves multiple stakeholders, strategy, and the willingness to work towards a common goal. A real estate transaction requires a team—agents, clients, lenders, escrow, contractors, inspectors, family members, and more—working together toward a shared goal. And not every step is smooth. Helping people navigate bumps in the road with grace and clarity is part of the job.

We often say: if it’s not good for everyone, it’s not good. Real estate, like river restoration, isn't about powering through at all costs. It's about paying attention, adjusting course, listening to those who’ve been here the longest, and finding solutions that make sense for everyone involved. We believe in rolling up our sleeves, listening closely, and doing the sometimes-invisible work that brings things into balance.

There’s no one-size-fits-all path to homeownership—just shared goals, thoughtful plans, and the willingness to pivot when needed. It takes persistence, support, and a whole ecosystem working together. We’re proud to be part of yours.

The return of the salmon reminds us how interconnected we all are—and how powerful it is to protect the systems and relationships that sustain us. Whether it's a river, a community, or a home, when we care for it together, we all thrive.

If you are interested to learn more about the Klamath River restoration project, we highly recommend listening to this episode of the podcast Rewilding the World with Ben Goldsmith. On it, Chuck Bonham, Director of California Fish and Wildlife, speaks about his career-spanning work on this project and why it's so important.