Blog - Katie Brockman

Buying a home

How to Find a Home That Actually Fits Your Real Life

You know that moment when you’re mid-house tour and you catch yourself saying, “Well… we could probably make that work”? Yeah. That’s the moment to pause. Because if you’re trying to figure out how to find a home that actually fits your lifestyle, that little phrase is usually your first red flag that something’s off. […]
Buying a home, Selling a home

Time to Break Up With Your House? How to Know When to Move

Let’s be honest—most people don’t just wake up one day and decide to move. It’s more like a slow burn. A weird tension between “I love parts of this house” and “I think this house is lowkey ruining my life.” So if you’ve been wondering how to know when to move, here’s the real talk […]
Interior Design, Owning a home

How to Micro-Zone Your Home (and Why It’s a Game-Changer)

If your home has ever felt like one big blur of clutter, chaos, and “where do I even put this?!” energy, you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t need to knock down walls or buy all new furniture to make your home feel more functional. Enter: micro-zoning. Micro-zoning is one of my favorite interior […]
Interior Design

10 Budget-Friendly Decor Hacks That Transform Your Home

If you’re anything like me, you love making your space feel fresh and cozy—but maybe without the price tag of a full-blown renovation. Good news: you don’t need a sledgehammer or a demo day to make a big impact at home. With just a little creativity and a few simple decor hacks, you can elevate […]

Buying a home How to Find a Home That Actually Fits Your Real Life You know that moment when you’re mid-house tour and you catch yourself saying, “Well… we could probably make that work”? Yeah. That’s the moment to pause. Because if you’re trying to figure out how to find a home that actually fits your lifestyle, that little phrase is usually your first red flag that something’s off. […]

Buying a home Time to Break Up With Your House? How to Know When to Move Let’s be honest—most people don’t just wake up one day and decide to move. It’s more like a slow burn. A weird tension between “I love parts of this house” and “I think this house is lowkey ruining my life.” So if you’ve been wondering how to know when to move, here’s the real talk […]

Interior Design How to Micro-Zone Your Home (and Why It’s a Game-Changer) If your home has ever felt like one big blur of clutter, chaos, and “where do I even put this?!” energy, you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t need to knock down walls or buy all new furniture to make your home feel more functional. Enter: micro-zoning. Micro-zoning is one of my favorite interior […]

Interior Design 10 Budget-Friendly Decor Hacks That Transform Your Home If you’re anything like me, you love making your space feel fresh and cozy—but maybe without the price tag of a full-blown renovation. Good news: you don’t need a sledgehammer or a demo day to make a big impact at home. With just a little creativity and a few simple decor hacks, you can elevate […]

Interior Design Have You Heard of the Unexpected Red Theory? Have You Heard of the Unexpected Red Theory? Here’s Why Everyone’s Talking About It You know I love a good design trend, especially one that feels fresh and achievable. Lately, the Unexpected Red Theory has been making the rounds in the home design world, and I have to say… I’m into it. If you haven’t […]

Owning a home DIY vs. Hiring a Pro: What’s Right for Your Home Project? We’ve all had those moments: you’re scrolling Pinterest or watching a home reno show and suddenly think, “I can totally do that myself.” And hey, sometimes you absolutely can! But other times… well, let’s just say some projects are better left to the pros. So how do you decide whether to DIY a project or […]

Buying a home Budgeting for the Real Cost of a Home When you’re house hunting, it’s so easy to focus on that big, shiny price tag. But here’s the thing: the list price is just the beginning. The real cost of homeownership goes well beyond the number you see on Zillow. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat down with buyers who felt like […]

Selling a home From Seed to Sold: Gardening Tips That Boost Curb Appeal Spring is here, and if you’re thinking about selling your home (or just want it to look amazing for the season), it’s time to get those hands a little dirty. Because guess what? That first impression buyers get when they pull up to your home? It matters. And sure, we all know about mowing the […]

Buying a home How to Look Beyond Outdated Decor and Spot Your Dream Home House hunting is exciting, but let’s be real—it can also feel like an emotional rollercoaster. You walk into a home with the perfect layout, the right number of bedrooms, and an amazing backyard… but then, bam—you’re hit with outdated wall-to-wall floral wallpaper from the ‘80s and a carpet that looks like it’s lived through a […]

Buying a home Buying The Right Home Is Like a First Date You step inside, take a look around, and instantly start forming opinions. The kitchen? Love at first sight. The outdated carpet? A little questionable. The backyard? Full of potential. But just like dating, first impressions only tell part of the story. I’ve seen it happen time and time again—buyers walk into a house, take one […]

Selling a home Thinking About Selling One Day? Why It Pays to Start Prepping Now Maybe you’ve thought about selling your home—someday. Not right now, but in the near future. Maybe the idea pops up when you realize you need more space, or when maintaining your current home feels like more work than it used to. Whatever the reason, if selling has even been a thought in the back of […]

Buying a home Navigating a Multiple Offer Situation: Quick Tips for Homebuyers If you’ve found the home and you’re ready to make an offer, only to hear there are other buyers competing for it, take a deep breath—it’s not over yet! A multiple offer situation can be stressful, but with the right strategy and mindset, you can put your best foot forward. Here are some quick tips […]

Buying a home Don’t Overlook Storage: The Unsung Hero of a Functional Home When you’re touring potential homes, it’s so easy to get swept away by the stunning kitchen, the cozy living room, or that dreamy primary suite. But can I let you in on a little secret? One of the most important things to pay attention to is something you don’t always see right away: storage. Yup, […]

Selling a home Selling Your Home During the Holidays? Don’t Put Your Life on Hold! The holiday season is magical—twinkling lights, the smell of fresh-baked cookies, and the joy of gathering with loved ones. But if you’re selling your home this time of year, it’s easy to feel like you need to press pause on your traditions to focus on the process. Here’s the good news: you don’t have to […]

Buying a home Why You Shouldn’t Call the Listing Agent When Buying a Home If you’re in the market to buy a home, you’ve likely browsed online listings and found one that caught your eye. Your first instinct might be to call the listing agent directly. After all, their name and number are right there! But before you pick up the phone, it’s important to understand why calling the […]

Buying a home Real Estate Market Now: What You Need to Know Let’s take a moment to dive into the real estate market now as of November 2024, with some honest, straightforward advice. November 2024 is shaping up to be an interesting time for both buyers and sellers, and navigating these conditions can feel a bit tricky. Here’s my take on what’s going on and what to […]

Buying a home Expensive Mistakes First-Time Home Buyers Make (And How to Dodge Them) Buying your first home is a huge milestone—it’s exciting, a little nerve-wracking, and let’s be honest, a whole lot of paperwork. But as thrilling as it is, jumping into homeownership without all the right info can cost you big time. Let’s dive into some of the most common (and expensive) mistakes first time homebuyers make […]

Buying a home Buying a Home in Today’s High-Rate Market Thinking about buying a home, but those high mortgage rates have you feeling a bit uneasy? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! The good news is there are ways to make buying a home more manageable, even in today’s market. Here are two smart strategies to help you prepare and get the best deal possible. 1️⃣ […]

Interior Design Make a Beautiful Fall Centerpiece with a Pumpkin and Garden Flowers As the seasons shift from summer to fall, bringing that cozy, autumn vibe into your home is as easy as repurposing what you already have in your garden. One of my favorite ways to celebrate fall is by creating a pumpkin centerpiece using fresh flowers. Not only is it stunning, but it’s also super simple […]

Interior Design Fall Decor on a Budget: 3 Simple Tips for a Cozy Home Fall is here, and there’s nothing quite like that warm, cozy feeling when the weather turns crisp. If you’re looking to refresh your home for the season with some new fall decor but don’t want to break the bank, I’ve got you covered! These budget-friendly tips will have your space looking autumn-ready in no time, […]

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