Poppen SOLD

08/29/2026

High cancellation rates mean fresh opportunities for my buyers! 🏡💡

Redfin recently reported that 14% of purchase contracts fell through in July—the highest rate in nearly three years. We call this BOM or Back On Market and Sellers are feeling the pressure, which gives us strong leverage to negotiate incredible deals:

✅ Lower purchase prices or lump-sum repair credits

✅ Seller-paid closing costs to keep your out-of-pocket expenses low

✅ Seller-funded rate buydowns to reduce your monthly mortgage payments for the first 1–3 years

✅ Flexible closing dates to win over sellers who haven't found their next home yet

If you’ve been waiting on the sidelines or waiting for the right moment to make a move, now is the time to strike. Reach out to me today—let’s discuss your home-buying goals and capitalize on these seller concessions! 🔑✨

08/28/2026

🏛️ Could Portable Mortgages Fix the Housing Market?

The "mortgage lock-in effect" has millions of homeowners staying put to keep their low rates. If you have a 2.5% locked rate, it's hard to give up. But a proposed bill in Congress could change that!

Key features of The MOVE Act (H.R. 10028):

🔑 Keep Your Rate: Take your current mortgage rate, balance, and terms with you to a new primary home.

⏳ 90-Day Window: Gives sellers 90 days post-sale to transfer their loan.

📈 More Inventory: Aims to unlock millions of listings held back by rate hesitancy.

The Catch? Unspecified rules for buying a higher-priced home, potential higher rates for future buyers, and regulatory hurdles.

What do you think—would you sell if you could bring your rate with you? Let's chat below! 👇

08/28/2026

This is a new listing in our brokerage. Minutes from Big Barnes Hospital, Wash U, Forest Park and more. Contact me for showings.

08/27/2026

Today, I helped dreams come true. I LOVE MY JOB! 🥰

08/27/2026

We are in a shift folks...
U.S. existing-home sales declined 2.4% from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.09 million units, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Regionally, sales increased in the Northeast but declined in the West, South, and Midwest. Compared to a year earlier, existing-home sales rose 2.8%, with gains in the Midwest, South, and West while remaining unchanged in the Northeast.

New listings increased 11.6% for residential homes and 8.5% for townhouse/condo homes. Pending sales decreased 1.4% for residential homes and 6.5% for townhouse/condo homes. Inventory increased 15.2% for residential homes and 9.2% for townhouse/condo homes.

Median sales price increased 5.9% to $350,000 for residential homes and 6.3% to $227,000 for townhouse/condo homes. Days on market remained flat for residential homes but increased 24.4% for townhouse/condo properties. Months supply of inventory increased 13% for residential homes and 15.2% for townhouse/condo homes.

Nationally, the median existing-home price hit a new record of $440,600, a 1.8% increase from a year earlier, NAR reported. Home prices have now increased on an annual basis for 36 consecutive months, reflecting continued demand despite inventory remaining below historically balanced levels. Heading into July, there were 1.56 million properties for sale, down 0.6% month-over-month but up 1.3% from the same period last year, representing a 4.6-month supply at the current sales pace. Homes spent a median of 28 days on the market, with first-time homebuyers accounting for 33% of home purchases.

08/26/2026

"Hey Katherine, what's an appraisal gap?"

An appraisal gap occurs when a professional appraiser values a home for less than the purchase price agreed upon in the sales contract.

When a buyer secures a mortgage, the lender uses the home as collateral and will only lend based on the appraised value (or the purchase price, whichever is lower). If the home appraises low, a gap is created between what the seller wants to charge and what the lender is willing to finance.

Example Scenario:

Contract Price: $400,000

Appraisal Value: $380,000

Appraisal Gap: $20,000

Because the bank will only base its loan percentage on the $380,000 valuation, the buyer is suddenly left $20,000 short of the agreed purchase price.

A real estate transaction involves high financial stakes and heavy emotions, making strong negotiation skills essential for both buyers and sellers to protect their bottom line and ensure the deal actually crosses the finish line.

Will this scenario make it cross the finish line? It could. Call me and we can talk about this, and other scenarios that can make or break a deal.

Katherine Po**en - Realtor
Keller Williams Realty St. Louis
314-520-5469

08/21/2026

On average, the Buyers I represent save $$.

What does LP to SP = 96.5%* mean?

On average, my buyers are spending 3.5% under list price for the homes they purchased. Yeah. So more money stays in their pockets after closing.

*The average LP to SP in St. Louis County is right at 100.00 %

08/21/2026

You can call your brother's, girlfriend's friend who has had two real estate transactions in the last year, or you can call me. Proven Results Matter.

08/15/2026

08/14/2026

TIPS to consider before putting your home on the market? 🏡✨

Selling a house is a big move, but a little preparation goes a long way toward getting top dollar. Before you list, here are the top 5 things to consider:

1️⃣ Smart Pricing Strategy 📈

Overpricing can cause your listing to sit, while underpricing leaves money on the table. A local Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) helps you hit the pricing sweet spot.

2️⃣ Curb Appeal & Staging 🪴

First impressions matter! Declutter, deep clean, and polish up your front yard to help buyers fall in love the moment they pull up.

3️⃣ Timing & Market Conditions 🗓️

Are you selling in a seller’s or buyer’s market? Local inventory and seasonal trends play a huge role in your leverage and timeline.

4️⃣ Repairs vs. Selling As-Is 🛠️

Addressing minor cosmetic fixes and visible maintenance before listing can prevent buyers from demanding major credits during escrow.

5️⃣ Net Proceeds & Closing Costs 💰

Remember: the sale price isn't your final payout! Factor in agent commissions, escrow fees, and mortgage payoff to know your exact bottom line.

As always, feel free to reach out to me if you have questions about selling your house.

-Katherine