Home sellers across Northeast Ohio are cashing in, and Katy Dix Brahler of Re/Max, says you should be one of them
By Patricia Nugent
Local Re/Max Realtor Katy Dix Brahler has six words of advice to homeowners in the midst of this crazy real estate market: Strike while the iron is hot.
“In my 20-plus years in the business, I’ve never seen a market like this one,” she says. “A perfect storm has gathered to make right now the ultimate sellers’ market. First of all, there are very few homes on the market, so competition is intense for homes as soon as the For Sale sign goes up. And interest rates are historically low, which also makes the present the perfect time to buy. And, lastly, with the pandemic winding down, the real estate market is heating back up.”
Selling Now
“I’m telling my clients and friends, if you have even slightly toyed with the idea of putting your home on the market, do it now,” she says. “If you don’t and wait a few years when the market has settled down, interest rates have risen and demand has waned, you’ll want to kick yourself.”
Don’t worry about doing all the home improvement jobs you think you need to do to get your house ready for market, because Katy explains that she has a pool of pre-approved buyers who are paying over market price to get into a home.
“For people who say they won’t put their home on the market because they worry about being able to find another one to buy, I’m telling them they would still be better off renting for a year or two while looking for another home,” she says. “Opportunity like this will not knock twice.”
Put Katy’s sign in the yard and let the multiple offers negotiating commence.
The Edge
Katy’s vast experience in the local market, creativity and ingenuity have given her an edge over other Realtors.
“For sellers, I can always build time into a closing agreement for them to find another home,” she says. “And for buyers, things are stressful. They rush to get their bids in, only to find out they’ve lost to a higher bidder. I have a few secrets at my disposal for making their bid the one that gets a yes.”
Why Bay and River?
“There’s a lot of growth in Bay Village and Rocky River,” she says. “They’ve always been two of the most sought-after cities on the west side, but now more than ever, buyers are eyeing them. In Bay, there’s the new library, new restaurants and new condos going up. And in River, those new luxury condos and townhomes are going to be gorgeous. So is the new $2.4 million improvement to Bradstreet’s Landing pier. I live on a street off Lake Road in Bay, and raised my daughters in this community, so I can appreciate what buyers are looking for.”
Over the years, Katy has poured her boundless energy and enthusiasm into a myriad of philanthropies, including the VeloSano bike race to support cancer research and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This year she’s expanding her reach into the arts. She’s been asked to join the board at MOCA Cleveland, the museum of contemporary art.
Gracious Downtown Living
Housed within the historic Cloak Factory building, at the corner of West 6th and Lakeside, Katy is selling two spectacular condo units on the first floor.
“Downtown has become a super popular destination for gracious living, for singles and families,” says Katy. “Right in the heart of it all, these three-bedroom, three-bathroom condos have been completely gutted and renovated, yet they retain all the historic charm of the former factory, with exposed brick and sky-high ceilings. The open and airy 2,000-square-foot units are just steps away from some of the best restaurants in Cleveland, as well as the stadium and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”
Since the units are zoned both residential and commercial, they can be used as office space or a prime residence.
“Downtown real estate is skyrocketing in value, so these units would make a great investment,” says Katy. “In fact, I just personally bought another nearby condo as an investment.”
In addition to downtown, Katy’s reach stretches far——all the way to the Kent/Akron area where she just sold a higher-end duplex, on 2530 Broad Boulevard, for cash, with no inspection and landed the asking price. Check out KatyBrahler.com for all available properties.
Re/Max is located at 25021 Center Ridge Road in Westlake. Katy Brahler is a multi-million-dollar producer and is a distinguished member of the President’s Club and Executive Club of Re/Max. Call her cell at 440-724-4313 or visit KatyBrahler.com for more information.