As one of the top-producing real estate teams in Southern Oregon, the Millen Property Group has established itself as a powerhouse in the industry. While Patie Millen’s decades of experience and leadership are key to the team’s success, the group’s collaborative approach is what truly sets them apart. Comprised of talented professionals who bring their expertise, innovation, and dedication to every transaction, the Millen Property Group provides seamless service to clients across the Rogue Valley. From market analysis to personalized client care, their commitment to teamwork ensures unparalleled results for buyers, sellers, and families navigating the ever-changing real estate landscape.
Hi Patie, thanks for taking the time to speak with us today about real estate in Southern Oregon.
I always love starting the year off with you, Shields. Having this opportunity to give a glance at the past year as we step into the New and review the families and clients we have assisted is a rewarding time. Lots of changes this past year. I love business and I love navigating change, it is an exciting process.
To begin with, what makes the Millen Property Group one of the leading real estate teams in Southern Oregon?
There are a lot of talented real estate brokers in Southern Oregon. We have always ranked in one of the top spots in both Ashland and throughout the county, which is quite an achievement when you consider there are over 1,200 brokers in our area. Our clients have told us that they stay loyal to us and refer their family and friends to us year after year…for the past 31 years… for several reasons: our character and integrity, that is inherent in our brokers. That is the guiding post. If you don’t have that, you are not part of our brokerage. We have vast experience, with over 100 years of combined experience. I personally have sold close to 1000 homes, when you have that level of experience you know the solutions for difficult situations. We work very hard; we do not drop the ball.
We are innovative. Before starting our Millen Property Group and before that the Patie Millen Group, I worked for the largest area brokerage in Southern Oregon and won their innovation award. I have that reputation because I research all things real estate and monitor the national and local market in depth. I love data! I love to know what other companies are doing, how they are innovating and how that can be applied to our industry locally.
Patie, how does your team’s collaborative approach benefit your clients during the buying and selling process?
Real estate is inherently complex, but collaboration is our secret weapon. Every member of our team brings unique strengths to the table – negotiating skills, market analysis, creative problem-solving, expertise in residential, luxury, rural land and ranches, development, commercial or income properties. This synergy ensures that we’re tackling every challenge with a well-rounded, strategic approach. For our clients, this means they’re not just hiring one agent: they’re gaining the collective expertise and support of an entire team. We communicate constantly, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks, and our clients reap the rewards of seamless service from start to finish.
As a high-performing team, how do you tackle challenges in today’s competitive real estate market?
We see challenges as opportunities to innovate. Real estate is an ever-changing market, and we stay vigilant to those changes and how they impact our clients and their market position whether they are a buyer or a seller. In today’s fast-paced market, adaptability is key. Our experience allows us to anticipate potential hurdles, whether it’s navigating multiple offers, addressing unique buyer needs, overcoming logistical issues or a serious market change on the horizon that clients need to get ahead of. We leverage cutting-edge technology, local market insights, and a proactive mindset to keep our clients ahead of the curve. At the same time, we remain rooted in timeless values: honest communication, diligent preparation, and unwavering commitment and responsiveness to our clients’ success.
Patie, how does your team support the unique needs of families moving into or out of Southern Oregon, including younger families returning to the area and seniors transitioning to retirement living?
Our role extends far beyond buying and selling homes. For younger families, we provide insights into schools, neighborhoods, extracurricular activities and lifestyle options to help them make informed decisions. We consider who we know in the community who would be a great fit for our incoming residents to know. We work to make their move warm and welcoming. When we see our clients downtown and ask, “How do you like Southern Oregon?” they glow and respond by stating it has completely surpassed their expectations which were high! For seniors, we understand the emotional and logistical complexities of making a major life change of downsizing or transitioning to retirement living. Completing the transition to this new chapter may appear daunting, especially if their families live at a distance. We offer our Concierge Service to help our senior clients evaluate their situation and create a step-by-step action plan.
Whether it’s finding the perfect home for the next chapter or coordinating services we ensure every family feels supported and cared for during their journey.
Your team coordinates estate sales, property clean-ups, moving logistics, and more. How do these services set you apart in delivering a full-service experience?
Moving is one of life’s most stressful events, and our goal is to alleviate as much of that stress as possible. By offering Concierge Services – by coordinating estate sales, property staging, clean-ups, and even moving logistics – we make the process smoother and more manageable for our clients. These additional services reflect our philosophy of going above and beyond, ensuring our clients feel supported at every step. It’s part of why so many trust us to handle their most significant transitions.
How does the team work together to ensure each client feels seen, supported, and calm throughout the real estate process?
It starts with active listening. From the moment we meet a client, we’re tuned into their unique goals, concerns, and circumstances. Every decision we make is client-focused, and we maintain open, transparent communication throughout the process. By sharing responsibilities as a team, we’re able to respond quickly and keep everything running smoothly. Our clients know they’re in experienced, capable hands, which brings confidence and ease to what can be a daunting situation.
Patie, can you tell us about the unique skills and backgrounds of your team members and how they contribute to the group’s success?
Each team member brings something extraordinary to the table. From backgrounds in marketing and finance, teaching, customer service, hospitality, design and development to deep community ties and years of real estate expertise, our diversity is our strength. These varied perspectives allow us to approach challenges creatively and meet the specific needs of our clients. We’ve built a culture where everyone thrives, and that energy translates into exceptional service for our clients.
What are the top strategies your team recommends for sellers to prepare their homes for the market and attract buyers?
Presentation is everything. We are all familiar with the word decluttering. It is highly important. Once your property goes on the market, it becomes a product. Most often the sellers also need to live there. Buyers want to walk into an uplifting environment where they can envision living their lives. We like surfaces to be free of belongings so that a smooth and clear form emerges. We emphasize decluttering, deep cleaning, and staging to showcase a home’s best features. We also offer advice on strategic updates—sometimes small changes like a fresh coat of paint or updated fixtures can make a huge impact. Our marketing strategy ensures maximum exposure through professional photography, video tours, and targeted online campaigns, attracting the right buyers quickly.
How does your team stay ahead of current trends to understand what buyers are looking for in 2025?
Staying informed on design trends, eco-friendly features, and smart home technology is a priority. Buyers today value lifestyle, and we understand what appeals to them—whether it’s open-concept layouts, energy efficiency, or proximity to outdoor activities. By combining industry research with firsthand knowledge of Southern Oregon, we’re always ready to advise clients on what’s most in demand.
How does the Millen Property Group approach working with clients going through difficult life transitions with specific needs, such as divorce, health issues, dementia, and other difficult family situations?
Compassion and patience are the cornerstones of our approach. We recognize the unique challenges faced by our clients. Some transitions are joyous – a new birth, a new job, a marriage – and some transitions are due to life’s more difficult challenges: divorce, illness, or death. Our team takes the time to understand each client’s specific needs and we offer tailored support, from simplifying communication to managing timelines. Over the years I have assisted sellers and buyers in all kinds of life situations. This thoughtful, client-first approach ensures dignity and ease during significant transitions. It is essential to have a grounded, kind, capable team of support during these times.
What is the overarching vision for the Millen Property Group, and how does the team align with that vision in their day-to-day work?
Each of our brokers is highly professional and more importantly they are very good human beings. You must be both to be a member of our brokerage. We are widely known for our honesty, our vision is simple: to be in integrity in all that we do, to be the trusted name in Southern Oregon real estate. For our clients, this means providing high-caliber service rooted in trust and results. For our team, it’s about fostering a supportive environment that allows us to excel both professionally and personally. Every day, we align with this vision by prioritizing relationships, embracing innovation, and remaining true to our values.
Patie, why do you see Southern Oregon continuing to be a great place to live?
Oregon has always had strict zoning laws. This has protected our forests and agricultural lands which retains a stunning natural beauty for all to enjoy. Our neighbor to the south, California, has a population of 40 million people. Oregon has about 4 million people and most live in the northern part of the state. This creates a highly livable area that is not only beautiful, we have a well-educated, vibrant arts community, with a welcoming, close-knit vibe. It’s a place where people can truly connect with their surroundings and each other. Whether it’s hiking in the mountains, enjoying world-class theater, visiting world-class wineries, rivers and lakes or simply appreciating the slower pace of life, Southern Oregon offers a quality of life that’s hard to match.
What advice does your team have for buyers and sellers looking to make smart decisions in today’s evolving market?
For buyers: Be prepared. Have your financing in order and work with an experienced agent who understands the local market. They must be responsive. A good broker will be notified in seconds of a new listing. A good broker is working with multiple buyers but the minute they see that listing; they will know if it is for you and reach out within just a few minutes. Make sure you have a good, responsive lender. For sellers: Presentation and pricing are key. Not everyone is good at pricing. Make sure you review the pricing with your broker and that you understand how they arrived at the price they are proposing.
Partner with professionals who can help position your home to stand out by assisting you with strategies to prep your home, those that employ the top photographers and marketing venues, those that implement the technologies that are most effective. It is fine for a broker to state we share your home on the Internet 10,000 times, but if those views are going to people not interested in moving to Oregon, it doesn’t matter. Understand the marketing. And for everyone: Stay informed and trust the process, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
How does the Millen Property Group see the future of real estate evolving in Southern Oregon, and what are your team’s plans to stay at the forefront of the industry?
Real estate is becoming more dynamic, with technology playing a greater role in how homes are marketed and sold. There is more innovation than we have ever seen. I research everything and there are exciting third-party companies that are utilizing AI in remarkable ways. We utilize some of that to free us from mundane tasks so that we can increase our one-on-one interactions with our clients. We’re first movers in adopting these innovations while staying true to the human element that defines our success. By combining cutting-edge tools with personalized service, we’ll continue to provide an unmatched experience for our clients as the market evolves.
No one clearly knows how the real estate market will roll out in 2025. The market expands and contracts like all markets. The base we have developed over the years keeps us steadily busy year after year. People are always buying and selling real estate regardless of rates, pandemics, stock markets etc. Last year many area brokers had off years, again, our business continued to thrive and increase. When we are committed to achieving our clients’ goals, we cannot be distracted. We have a job to do for our clients. And although we keep a very close eye on the local, national and global situation, we recognize when we need to quickly adapt, enact a change or stay steady to our course. We will get our job done. An example of this is that I had a client that very much wanted to move east and be with her family. She had her home priced way too high and for nine months it had lingered on the market. She was becoming distraught; it had been listed with other brokers with no results. I could see a change coming to our market, it was barely starting to emerge, and I knew it would impact her further. It is not always easy to tell someone the truth, but you must, especially where important life decisions are being navigated. She said, “I have to have $550,000.” I looked at her and with kindness, but directness said, “No, you do not. That is a number you made up in your head and it has you trapped here. You need to move your price to $495,000, get it sold and go be with your family. They love and miss you and you have no way of knowing how long you will live. If you do not have that extra $50,000 your family is not going to put you out on the street. Go live life and enjoy your family.” She was taken aback, but two days later she called and said, “Let’s do it, thank you for telling me the truth.” We had her home sold 1½ weeks later. About 3 months after that I received a postcard, telling me how happy she was. How wonderful it was to be with her family after all of these years and thanking me for telling her the truth. That made my day. I felt so much love for her and that she was in such a great place for her remaining years. Life is good!
We invite you to stop by our office at 545 A Street, just below 4th Street. It is a welcoming, comfortable office and we would like to meet you, just stop in. If you would like monthly local market reports to be sent to you, let us know. You can call, text or email us at
541-301-3435 or patie@ashlandoregon.com.
