Katie Phillips Realtor

09/24/2026

Home inspections can produce some intimidating reports. Twenty or thirty pages of findings can make it feel like the house is falling apart when half the list might be loose outlets and missing caulk.

The point of an inspection isn't to find a flawless house. It's to understand what you're buying.

I pay much more attention to things involving safety, structure, water, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and potentially expensive repairs.

Then we can separate the things worth discussing with the seller from the normal maintenance that comes with owning a home.

A good inspection gives you information. What we do with that information is where strategy comes in.

09/23/2026

One of the first questions sellers ask is, “What should I update before we list?”

Sometimes the answer is... less than you think.

Not every older countertop needs replacing, and you don't necessarily need to make your house look like the latest Pinterest trend.

Start with maintenance, cleanliness and presentation. Take care of obvious repairs, declutter, brighten darker spaces and make it easy for buyers to see the home instead of your stuff.

Then decide whether any larger improvement will actually help the sale enough to justify the cost.

Spend money where it matters, not just because you think you're supposed to update everything.

09/22/2026

Officially saying hello to my favorite time of year. 🍁

There’s just something about fall. The changing leaves, cooler weather, neighborhood events, comfort food and that first day when you realize you can finally turn the AC off.

Here’s hoping we get a nice, long fall this year before Iowa skips ahead three seasons overnight.

09/21/2026

09/19/2026

If selling has been in the back of your mind, you don't have to wait until spring to start figuring out your options. 🏡🍂

Fall can mean fewer competing listings, but today's buyers are also taking their time and paying close attention to value.

Before making any big decisions, let's look at your home, what's selling around you and what the numbers actually look like.

Sometimes knowing your options makes the decision a whole lot easier.

09/18/2026

If live music is your favorite part of Fall Fest, this one's for you! 🎶🍂

09/18/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear from buyers is that you need a huge down payment or perfect credit to buy a home.

There are actually several types of financing available, and each has its own requirements and advantages. FHA, conventional, VA, USDA and even lender-specific programs may all be worth exploring depending on your finances and the property you're buying.

And the loan with the lowest down payment isn't automatically the best deal. Interest rate, mortgage insurance, closing costs and your total monthly payment all matter.

A good lender can walk you through the options and help you compare the actual numbers before you decide what makes the most sense.

09/17/2026

Beaverdale Fall Festival is almost here! 🍂🎶

Two days of live music, food, local vendors, the parade, family activities and plenty happening around the neighborhood.

See full list of events here: https://www.fallfestival.org/schedule

09/17/2026

Buyers tend to notice the shiny new listing first. I get it.

But don't automatically scroll past the homes that have been sitting a little longer.

Longer market time is much more common right now, and there are plenty of reasons a perfectly good house might still be available.

That's when it's worth doing a little homework. Has the price changed? Did a previous deal fall apart? How does it compare with similar homes? Is the seller becoming more flexible?

Sometimes the house everyone else overlooked is exactly where you find a little more negotiating room.

09/16/2026

Apparently National Guacamole Day is a thing, and honestly, this is a national holiday I can get behind. 🥑

So now I need to know...

Chunky or smooth?
Tomatoes or absolutely not?
Mild or enough jalapeño to make you regret your decisions?

And most importantly: what’s your secret ingredient for really good guacamole?

I’m always willing to conduct further research on this topic. 🌮