Katz Is key 2 World Travel

10/21/2026

Are home prices going up or down? It depends on where you look.

Over the past year, prices in Chicago climbed almost 7%. In Seattle, they dipped about 1.6%. That’s a nearly 9-point gap between two major cities.

Look at little closer, though. Home prices are rising in 13 of the 19 major cities on this chart. And where prices are down, the dips are small (less than 2%).

So, this isn’t a crash. It’s just a market normalizing after overheating during the pandemic. And that’s hitting some areas differently than others.

Here’s what it really means. Your local market matters.

If you’re selling where prices are still rising, you may not need to cut your price. And if you’re buying where prices are softer, you may have more room to negotiate.

National headlines can’t tell you which side your neighborhood is on. Local...

💁🏻‍♀️ Andie Katz, Assoc. Broker | REALTOR®
📲 570-627-6017
📧 [email protected]
🌍 www.katziskey2poconoliving.com
🏛️ REAL of Pennsylvania
☎️ 855-450-0442

10/21/2026

Newly built homes now cost less than existing ones in about a third of major markets.

And nationally, the gap is pretty big. A newly built home typically sells for about $35,000 less than an existing one.

Prices can look very different from one area to the next, though. So, what neighborhoods do you have your eye on? Let’s tour a new home and an existing one, and see how they compare.

💁🏻‍♀️ Andie Katz, Assoc. Broker | REALTOR®
📲 570-627-6017
📧 [email protected]
🌍 www.katziskey2poconoliving.com
🏛️ REAL of Pennsylvania
☎️ 855-450-0442

10/20/2026

Buyers, this is big.

The housing market is giving you a level of negotiating power we haven't seen since the years following the housing crash.

According to Redfin, there are now 63% more sellers than buyers nationwide, and 41 of the 50 largest metros favor buyers. That means, in most places, you have more say in what you're willing to pay, what you're willing to accept, and what you want to negotiate.

And sellers have more reason to listen.

Of course this varies market to market, but this shift is creating opportunities for buyers who are ready to jump in – even with today’s higher rates.

DM me, and let's make sure you know how to take advantage of it.

💁🏻‍♀️ Andie Katz, Assoc. Broker | REALTOR®
📲 570-627-6017
📧 [email protected]
🌍 www.katziskey2poconoliving.com
🏛️ REAL of Pennsylvania
☎️ 855-450-0442

10/20/2026

New Homes Cost Less in 1 in 3 Major Markets

Newly built homes now cost less than existing ones in about 1 in 3 major markets. How much less, exactly? Nationally, a newly built home typically sells for about $35,000 less. So, brand-new could be more budget-friendly than you think. Want to see how newly built and existing homes compare where you’re looking? Let’s tour one of each.

💁🏻‍♀️ Andie Katz, Assoc. Broker | REALTOR®
📲 570-627-6017
📧 [email protected]
🌍 www.katziskey2poconoliving.com
🏛️ REAL of Pennsylvania
☎️ 855-450-0442

10/19/2026

What if your first home isn't a house at all?

If you've been struggling to find a traditional single-family home that fits your budget, don't overlook condos.

According to Zillow, the typical starter condo costs under $200k nationally. Part of the reason they can be more affordable than a single-family home is because they’re normally smaller.

Sure, you may trade some square footage or a backyard for shared walls and an HOA fee. But you could also get a lower purchase price, great amenities, and less maintenance to handle yourself.

And if that means getting your own set of keys sooner, it could be an option worth exploring.

Your first home doesn't have to check every box you originally imagined. It just needs to be the right fit for your life and your budget right now.

Let's look at what's available in our...

💁🏻‍♀️ Andie Katz, Assoc. Broker | REALTOR®
📲 570-627-6017
📧 [email protected]
🌍 www.katziskey2poconoliving.com
🏛️ REAL of Pennsylvania
☎️ 855-450-0442

10/19/2026

Want a More Affordable Home? Don’t Overlook Condos.

The first home you buy doesn't have to be a single-family house. If affordability has been holding you back, let's expand your search and see whether a condo could fit the price point you're looking for.

💁🏻‍♀️ Andie Katz, Assoc. Broker | REALTOR®
📲 570-627-6017
📧 [email protected]
🌍 www.katziskey2poconoliving.com
🏛️ REAL of Pennsylvania
☎️ 855-450-0442

When you picture buying your first home, chances are you’re imagining a traditional single-family house with its own yard, maybe a garage, and little extra room to grow. But with affordability still tight, getting everything on that list right away may come with a higher price tag than you’re co...

10/17/2026

Are you 1 in 4 million?

If you don't own a home yet, rent is probably the biggest monthly expense you have. And if you're not getting credit for paying it - now you can.

There’s a change rolling out now that lets renters opt in to counting their on-time rental payments toward their credit history. And that could help as many as 4 million more people qualify for a mortgage.

Maybe you’re one of them.

Even if you're not ready to buy a home today, there's no downside to taking simple steps to build your credit profile for the future.

It's time to take credit for bills you already pay. Ask me how.

💁🏻‍♀️ Andie Katz, Assoc. Broker | REALTOR®
📲 570-627-6017
📧 [email protected]
🌍 www.katziskey2poconoliving.com
🏛️ REAL of Pennsylvania
☎️ 855-450-0442

10/16/2026

The Biggest Credit Hurdle for Renters Who Want To Buy

The credit landscape is changing, but action is required on your part. You have to take credit for what you do. And the sooner you get started, the better.

Ready to see where you stand? A quick conversation with a loan officer costs you nothing and could show you you're closer to owning a home than you think.

💁🏻‍♀️ Andie Katz, Assoc. Broker | REALTOR®
📲 570-627-6017
📧 [email protected]
🌍 www.katziskey2poconoliving.com
🏛️ REAL of Pennsylvania
☎️ 855-450-0442

What's the biggest payment you make every month? If you’re a renter, it's probably your rent.

10/16/2026

Homes Are Still Selling – Even in a Slower Market

Don't let a headline about slowing home sales convince you no one is buying. Homes are still selling every minute of every day.

If you need or want to move, let's talk about what it'll take to make sure yours is one of them.

💁🏻‍♀️ Andie Katz, Assoc. Broker | REALTOR®
📲 570-627-6017
📧 [email protected]
🌍 www.katziskey2poconoliving.com
🏛️ REAL of Pennsylvania
☎️ 855-450-0442

If you’ve seen headlines saying home sales are slowing down, you may be wondering: is this really a good time to sell?

10/15/2026

Home sales may be slower than last year. But that doesn't mean buyers have disappeared.

At the current pace, almost 4 million homes are expected to sell this year. That's about 11,000 each day, 450 an hour, and nearly 8 every minute.

Why? Because even in this market, there are still buyers out there who have a reason to move.

People get new jobs, families grow, people retire, downsize, and move closer to the people they love. And those changes create buyers and sellers in every kind of market.

In fact, the latest report from NAR shows sales actually ticked up slightly in September, even though they're still below last year's pace.

So, don't let a headline convince you no one is buying. You don't need every buyer. You just need the right one – and a strategy that helps your house get their attention.

If you're...

💁🏻‍♀️ Andie Katz, Assoc. Broker | REALTOR®
📲 570-627-6017
📧 [email protected]
🌍 www.katziskey2poconoliving.com
🏛️ REAL of Pennsylvania
☎️ 855-450-0442