Katy Dix Brahler of Re/Max is the best of the best
By Patricia Nugent
Recently named to the Top 10 list for production out of 3,000-plus Re/Max agents in Northeastern and Central Ohio, Katy Dix Brahler credits the honor to staying closely in tune with her clients and listening to her instincts.
From both ends of the home ownership spectrum—from first-time buyers to downsizing empty nesters—and everyone in-between, Katy has spent the last 18 years honing her craft to make their experience a smooth and easy one.
Conjuring that Cape Cod Charm
Earlier this spring, 30-something schoolteacher Margo Bell had been house-hunting on her own, exhaustively searching homes online and going to open houses. She was pretty sure of what and where she wanted to be, in a craftsman-style bungalow in the heart of Lakewood.
“I had clicked on a home for additional information on Zillow and Katy was the Realtor who called me back right away,” says Margo. “She was dynamic and enthusiastic—a really good listener who knew how to ask the right questions.”
For one month Katy went through homes with Margo, always fleshing out details, home attributes and values, and evaluating if each home fit with Margo’s parameters for a dream home…old world charm that didn’t require a lot of maintenance.
“Then one day Katy called and said she found an adorable Cape Cod in West Park I had to see right away,” she recalls.
“Though I had never looked there before, we toured the home and I knew right away it was ‘the one.’ It had all the interesting architectural details I wanted, and we were able to get it at a much lower price than I initially had wanted to pay, which was nice.”
Margo says in addition to Katy’s breadth of expertise, she appreciated her quick decisiveness.
“She would literally walk into a house and in less than 60 seconds tell me what was wrong and right about it,” Margo adds.
Why Does a Realtor Matter?
Sue Olson of Bay Village learned the hard way how important the role of Realtor is when an interested party approached her about selling her stunning Lake Road home.
“I thought to myself, how easy would this be? I can do this. I’ll just sell it myself and never even worry about putting it on the market,” she recalls.
But then negotiations began to lag, and drag on. Four months later the other party backed out of the deal and Sue had wasted a considerable amount of her time.
“Lesson learned,” she says.
“There is so much more to being a Realtor than I ever imagined. It’s not just about square footage and market prices. When I asked Katy to sell my home, she was part salesperson and part psychologist. She expertly went over every inch of my home to stage it for a fast sale. It worked. My home was only on the market for one week when the offer came in.”
Sue says one of the things she appreciated most about Katy was how easy she made the process for her.
“So much was done electronically,” she says. “Katy is always working. She would answer my questions at night, on weekends, or whenever I needed her—she was there.”
For Sue, who is a soon-to-be empty nester, with most of her kids having grown up and moved out, having someone help with the emotional decisions it took to part with a home she’s lived in for 20 years was a big help.
Cycling the Open Road for a Cause
Katy believes in the power of philanthropy and getting involved. This year—in honor of an old friend who passed away from cancer—she’s taking to the open road in the VeloSano Bike to Cure Cancer.
This Cleveland-based initiative is a 12-mile team ride that takes place Friday through Sunday, July 21-23.
“This effort appealed to me because every dollar we raise is applied to cancer research at the Cleveland Clinic,” she says.
If you’d like to help Katy raise money and cancer awareness, visit VeloSano.org.
Check Out This Steal...
Nestled at the end of a long cul-de-sac in the secluded Glen Lyon neighborhood of Westlake, Katy’s newest listing, at 31035 Logan Court, offers dreamy appeal for growing families.
“From pristine white-on-white walls and carpeting to crown molding and arched, pillared entryways and windows, plus a two-story great room that opens from the gourmet kitchen, this home has it all,” she says.
“The back is a wall of windows looking on to a rounded sandstone patio, where you’ll find a tree-lined oasis complete with a soaring stone fountain that’s skirted by stone walls and lanterns.”
And, she notes, even though the neighborhood is quietly tucked back off Bradley Road, it’s still within walking distance to Crocker Park. With a price that just dropped to $529,000, this steal of a deal will soon be going, going, gone.
Re/Max is located at 20006 Detroit Road, #201, in Rocky River. Katy Brahler is a multi-million-dollar producer and is a distinguished member of the President’s Club and Executive Club of Re/Max. Call 440-333-1230, ext. 705. Her direct line is 440-724-4313. Visit KatyBrahler.com for more information.