KT Sold Me

🔥 HOT TAKE TUESDAY 🔥

I know, I know…..

Yesterday I was talking about National Homeownership Month, and today I’m saying homeownership isn’t for everyone.

But both can be true!

One thing I’ve learned from working in real estate is that getting the keys is the easy part. Keeping the house, maintaining the house, and being financially prepared for the unexpected is where the real work begins.

Homeownership isn’t just pretty closing photos, giant SOLD signs, and housewarming parties. It’s replacing a water heater when it quits, paying for a roof when insurance won’t, budgeting for maintenance, and being prepared for expenses that don’t care what your plans were for the month.

So no, homeownership isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay.

Some people genuinely prefer renting. Some people love the convenience of apartment or condo living. Some people would rather invest their money elsewhere than spend weekends dealing with maintenance, lawn care, or snow removal. There is nothing wrong with that.

While real estate can absolutely be a powerful tool for building wealth, it isn’t the only way to build wealth.

The goal shouldn’t be homeownership just because everyone says it’s the next step. The goal should be making the decision that’s best for your lifestyle, finances, goals, and long-term plans.

What do you think? Is homeownership for everyone? 👇🏾

Krista Thomas
Maryland REALTOR, Salesperson
Transaction Coordinator
Compliance Officer
Realty ONE Group Universal
📲 443-362-1527 (Direct)
☎️ 443-991-5942 (Realty One Office)
📧 [email protected]

Hot Take Tuesday 🔥

Cash is NOT the same as hard money.

One thing I see from time to time in transactions is an offer being presented as “cash,” but then when proof of funds is requested, what shows up is a pre-approval letter from a hard money lender. That’s not the same thing.

Hard money can absolutely be a great tool, especially for investors and certain acquisition strategies. This isn’t anti-hard money. But hard money is still financing.

Depending on the lender and transaction, there may still be:

⚠️ Lender review and approval
⚠️ Property evaluations or inspections
⚠️ Appraisal requirements
⚠️ Funding conditions
⚠️ Verification that the investment numbers or exit strategy make sense

Any one of those things could impact timing, approval, or whether funds are ultimately released. Which means the deal could still fall through or be delayed!

A true cash transaction generally means the buyer already has access to the funds and can demonstrate that through verifiable assets, such as:

✔️ Bank account statements
✔️ Brokerage (investment) accounts
✔️ Retirement assets (when accessible/ liquidatable)
✔️ Other verified available funds

In other words: available money ≠ approved money. Because fast financing and cash are not interchangeable.

Words matter in contracts.How an offer is structured matters.How expectations are set matters.

Agents, ask one extra question:“Are we paying cash… or are we obtaining financing?”

(This is general education, not legal, lending, or financial advice. Lending requirements can vary.)

S/N:
❌ Pictures of mattress and shoebox money are not sufficient POF (proof of funds)/ cash in this industry either! You will not be able to show up to the title company with 3 Nike boxes full of your “cash to close” 😆

Looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate in Maryland? Contact me today. I am accepting and looking for new clients.

Krista Thomas
Maryland REALTOR, Salesperson
Transaction Coordinator
Compliance Officer
Realty ONE Group Universal
📲 443-362-1527 (Direct)
☎️ 443-991-5942 (Realty One Office)
📧 [email protected]

Hot Take Tuesday 🌶️🥵

When real estate deals start falling apart, somehow it always becomes the REALTOR’S fault. 😅

But the reality is, a real estate transaction involves a LOT of moving parts and multiple people behind the scenes. Lenders. Underwriters. Title companies. Appraisers. Inspectors. Contractors. Buyers. Sellers. Transaction Coordinators. Timelines. Paperwork. Conditions. Communication. All of it matters.

And yes… sometimes clients play a role too. 😬

Sometimes documents are submitted late. Sometimes communication goes silent. Sometimes expectations are unrealistic. Sometimes people make decisions that directly impact their own transaction. Sometimes people leave out information. Sometimes people simply do not follow professional advice.

But when things go left, it usually turns into:
“Well my REALTOR didn’t tell me…”
“My REALTOR didn’t do…”
“My REALTOR should’ve…”

Meanwhile your REALTOR is over there trying to hold together 17 moving pieces, prevent the transaction from imploding, answer everyone’s questions, calm emotions, solve problems, and keep the deal moving forward. 😂

A good REALTOR cannot control every single thing that happens in a transaction. What we can do is educate, communicate, advocate, problem solve, negotiate, and guide our clients through the process as professionally as possible.

As someone who works both on the client side and behind the scenes in transaction coordination/compliance, trust me when I say: real estate deals are rarely as smooth and simple as social media makes them look. That’s why proper representation matters.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling and want a REALTOR who will keep it real with you, educate you throughout the process, and help navigate the unexpected, let’s connect. 🏡

📩 DM me “BUYER” for my free Buyer’s Guide
📩 DM me “SELLER” for information on getting your home market-ready and sold

Krista Thomas
Maryland REALTOR, Salesperson
Transaction Coordinator
Compliance Officer
Realty ONE Group Universal
📲 443-362-1527 (Direct)
☎️ 443-991-5942 (Realty One Office)
📧 [email protected]

April showed slightly improved market conditions for sellers. Sellers received an average of 2.5 offers, and 21% received more than the asking price of the home. Days on market remained higher than last year at 32 days, but dropped considerably since last month.