Kate Darrow, Realtor

03/23/2026

A lot of the buyers I’m talking to right now have reached that point where rent keeps rising, space feels limited, and they start wondering if buying might actually make more sense.

But the smartest first step isn’t opening up Zillow or rushing into house hunting — it’s getting clarity.

Here’s how I help my clients start with their best foot forward:

🏡 We start by comparing your rent costs to what homeownership might look like
📊 Then we look at your credit, savings, and income to see what options exist
💡 I help you explore loan programs or price ranges that fit your lifestyle and goals
🧭 Then we build a realistic plan together — whether that means buying soon or preparing over the next year

Sometimes the biggest relief people feel is simply understanding what’s possible.

If you’re in that “I think I’m ready for something more” stage, feel free to message me and we can walk through your options together.

03/22/2026

This is one of the most common (and most vulnerable) questions I hear from potential homebuyers.

If you’re a freelancer, business owner, contractor, commission-based employee, or someone who’s had job changes in the last few years, it’s easy to assume homeownership is off the table.

Especially right now, when nothing feels “traditional” anymore, here’s what I want you to know:

Not having a W-2 doesn’t automatically disqualify you.

But it does mean the strategy matters more.

When I work with customers who have non-traditional income, we look at things like:

• Two-year income trends (not just one strong month)
• Business write-offs and how they impact qualifying income
• Bank statements and documented deposits
• Debt structure and monthly obligations
• Whether waiting 3–6 months could actually improve approval odds

Sometimes the answer is “yes, you’re ready now.”
Sometimes it’s “you’re closer than you think — here’s what to tweak to get you there.”

Either way, you deserve clarity — not assumptions.

And the biggest mistake I see? People ruling themselves out before ever having the conversation.

If your income isn’t cookie-cutter and you’re wondering where you stand, message me INCOME so we can look at your real numbers and build a plan together.

03/21/2026

The buyers I work with who feel the most confident — and avoid the last-minute stress — usually follow a few simple principles.

They don’t try to perfectly time the market. Instead, they focus on preparation.

That usually means:
✔ Starting the conversation early (even if they’re months away from buying)
✔ Getting pre-approved so they have real numbers to work with
✔ Working with someone who can clearly explain the process and keep communication simple

When you take those steps early, you give yourself more flexibility, fewer surprises, and a lot more confidence when the right home comes along.

If buying a home this year is on your radar, starting the conversation now can help you understand your options and build a plan that fits your timeline.

💬 Message me PLAN if you’d like to walk through what preparation could look like for you.

03/20/2026

Monitoring your score helps you track progress when building credit. Got questions? Ask away!

03/20/2026

If you guessed C) 54%, you’re right (though I feel anyone who answered D).

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. rent increased by about 54% between 2015 and 2025 — roughly double the pace of general inflation.

That means a renter paying about $1,500/month in 2015 could be paying around $2,300/month today.

Meanwhile, homeowners with fixed-rate mortgages saw something very different ⬇️

Their principal and interest payments stayed largely the SAME month after month.

In my experience, those are two of the biggest long-term advantages of homeownership:

1️⃣ Predictable housing costs
2️⃣ The ability to build equity over time
And here’s something many people don’t realize:
💡 You don’t necessarily need 20% down
💡 Some loan programs allow down payments as low as 3–5%
💡 Many renters are closer to qualifying than they think

This isn’t about saying renting is wrong — renting makes sense for a lot of people at different stages of life.

But if you’ve ever wondered whether buying could be possible for you, it might be worth taking a look at the numbers.

If you’re curious how your current rent compares to a potential mortgage payment, comment or message me COMPARE and I’ll send you the details to run a quick comparison – no credit pull required!

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index – Rent of Primary Residence.

08/20/2024

Open House Sunday 2-4pm for this beautiful home with over 3,000 sq ft! Listed at 525,000!!! This home has so much to offer, its a must see!

08/13/2024

Over the last 2 years I have helped almost 100 families with their real estate needs. If you are looking to buy or sell, or both, feel free to check out my website or send me a message. I'd love to connect and see what you real estate goals are!

Greenville SC Real Estate & Homes for Sale | Distinguished Realty Of South Carolina

10/11/2023

01/30/2022