Blog - Katie Brockman

Buying a home

5 Red Flags to Watch Out for During a Home Inspection

Buying a home is exciting, but it can also be a bit nerve-wracking, especially when it comes to the home inspection. You want to make sure that the dream home you’ve found doesn’t turn into a nightmare after you move in. That’s where a good home inspection comes in. But what should you really be […]
Buying a home

How to Tell When Your Agent Is Only Working for Themselves

Buying a home is one of the most exciting, and sometimes nerve-wracking, experiences of your life. You’ve done your research, saved up for a down payment, and now you’re ready to find that perfect place to call home. But what happens when the real estate agent you’ve hired to guide you through this journey seems […]
Buying a home, Selling a home

Debunking Common Home Buying Myths

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by all the things people say about buying or selling a home? It seems like everyone has an opinion, and it can be hard to know what’s true. That’s why it’s so important to have a trusted real estate agent on your side (Hi! That’s me!), especially in today’s market. […]
Buying a home

Is The Affordability Crisis Improving?

Over the past few years, buying a home has been tough for a lot of people because of the affordability issue. While it’s still not easy, there are signs that things are getting a bit better and might continue to improve as the year goes on. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of […]

Buying a home 5 Red Flags to Watch Out for During a Home Inspection Buying a home is exciting, but it can also be a bit nerve-wracking, especially when it comes to the home inspection. You want to make sure that the dream home you’ve found doesn’t turn into a nightmare after you move in. That’s where a good home inspection comes in. But what should you really be […]

Buying a home How to Tell When Your Agent Is Only Working for Themselves Buying a home is one of the most exciting, and sometimes nerve-wracking, experiences of your life. You’ve done your research, saved up for a down payment, and now you’re ready to find that perfect place to call home. But what happens when the real estate agent you’ve hired to guide you through this journey seems […]

Buying a home Debunking Common Home Buying Myths Have you ever felt overwhelmed by all the things people say about buying or selling a home? It seems like everyone has an opinion, and it can be hard to know what’s true. That’s why it’s so important to have a trusted real estate agent on your side (Hi! That’s me!), especially in today’s market. […]

Buying a home Is The Affordability Crisis Improving? Over the past few years, buying a home has been tough for a lot of people because of the affordability issue. While it’s still not easy, there are signs that things are getting a bit better and might continue to improve as the year goes on. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of […]

Buying a home Should You Buy a New or an Existing Home? If you’re considering selling your house and moving, you’ve probably noticed that there haven’t been many options available. But here’s some good news: more homes are hitting the market this year, both new and pre-owned. So, the big question is: should you buy an existing home or a brand-new one? The choice is yours, and […]

Buying a home Navigating Today’s Affordability Issues for Home Buyers If you’ve been keeping an eye on the housing market lately, you’ve probably noticed that buying a home feels a bit like reaching for the stars. Prices are soaring, interest rates are climbing, and it seems like the dream of homeownership is slipping further out of reach as affordability issues continue to arise. As your […]

Buying a home Understanding Your Home-Buying Budget: The 28/36 Rule Explained One of the most frequent questions potential homebuyers ask is, “How much can I afford?” Determining a realistic home-buying budget is crucial to ensure you can comfortably manage your mortgage and other expenses. We’ll break down a straightforward method to help you set a sustainable budget: the 28/36 rule. What is the 28/36 Rule? The […]

Buying a home The True Cost of Waiting to Buy a Home Imagine this: You’re at an amusement park, eyeing the roller coaster that everyone’s talking about. The line is long, but you decide to wait, hoping it will shorten later in the day. Instead, more and more people arrive, and the line only grows. By the time you decide to join, the wait is twice as […]

Selling a home Stop Underestimating the Power of Curb Appeal: It Can Make or Break Your Home Sale When it comes to selling your home, first impressions matter more than ever. While many sellers focus on staging the interior and setting the perfect price, one crucial aspect often gets overlooked: curb appeal. It’s time to stop underestimating the power of curb appeal, as it can truly make or break your home sale. […]

Selling a home Maximizing Your Home’s Value: Top 5 Renovations That Pay Off Renovating your home before selling can be a strategic move to enhance its market value and attract potential buyers. However, not all renovations are created equal. To ensure you get the best return on your investment, focus on these top five upgrades that are proven to add significant value to your home. Kitchen Makeover […]

Uncategorized Why Choosing a ‘Relationship First’ Agent is the Best Decision You’ll Make If you’re in the market to buy or sell a home, you’ve probably been inundated with advice, tips, and recommendations. The real estate world can be overwhelming, to say the least. But let me share a little secret with you: the most crucial factor in your real estate journey isn’t the house, the neighborhood, or […]

Buying a home How Much House You Can Actually Afford If you’re in the market for a new home, first off, congrats! It’s an exciting journey. But let’s be real for a second—figuring out how much house you can actually afford can be a bit tricky. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and start dreaming big, but I’m here to give you […]

Selling a home Should I Wait To Sell? Or Make The Move? There’s no denying mortgage rates are having a big impact on today’s housing market. And that might leave you wondering if it still makes sense to sell your house and make a move, or if you should wait to sell. Let’s dive into three top questions you might have and look at the data to […]

Buying a home Buying Your First Home? Consider Buying a Condo! Struggling to find your first home that fits your budget? Here’s a hot tip: consider buying a condo! Condos are typically smaller than single-family homes, and that’s a big plus for your wallet. According to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), condos generally cost less than single-family homes. So, if you’re […]

Buying a home New Construction: How Builders Are Making Affordable Living a Reality Are you tired of endless house hunting, only to find that dream home you’ve been eyeing is way out of your budget? Well, hold onto your hats because I’ve got some exciting news for you. Builders might just hold the key to your homeownership dreams with new construction! In today’s fast-paced world where housing prices […]

Buying a home Closing Costs: What Every Home Buyer Should Know Are you planning to buy a new home? Exciting times are ahead, but before you start picturing yourself in your dream home, it’s crucial to understand the financial aspects involved. One significant aspect that often catches buyers off guard is closing costs. In this guide, we’ll break down what closing costs are, what they typically […]

Buying a home Why Renting Might Be Better Than Buying While buying a home is often touted as the ultimate investment, it’s crucial to recognize that renting can also offer significant advantages. In this blog we’ll explore why in some cases renting might be the right choice for you. Understanding the Financial Perspective 1. Flexibility Over Commitment: Renting provides flexibility that homeownership often lacks. With […]

Selling a home Unlocking the True Value of Your Home: The Power of Decluttering Selling your home is more than just putting up a “For Sale” sign and waiting for offers to roll in. It’s about presenting your property in the best possible light to attract potential buyers and secure top dollar. Yet, many sellers overlook a crucial step in this process: effective decluttering. The #1 mistake hindering homeowners […]

Buying a home Unlocking Your Dream Home: The Critical Step You Can’t Afford to Miss As a real estate agent, I’ve guided countless clients through the exciting journey of finding and purchasing their dream homes. While the process is filled with anticipation and excitement, it’s crucial to address one significant obstacle that often stands in the way of homeownership: your financial status. The #1 mistake many prospective homebuyers make is […]

Selling a home Home Staging: The Key to a Quick Sale In the competitive world of real estate, sellers are constantly looking for ways to stand out in the market and maximize their profits. While some may argue against the necessity of staging, the truth is that it can play a pivotal role in the success of your home sale. First Impressions Matter: When potential buyers […]

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