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Proudly Serving The Tampa Bay Area Since 1991
Serving Tampa Bay Since 1991.
Katherine Sakkis has been a successful RealtorÂŽ since 1991 and was blessed to have her son, Nick, join her in 2005. Combined, they have over 40 years of experience, selling residential real estate in the Tampa Bay area.
They are dedicated to helping you have a smooth and successful real estate transaction. Their focus on YOU, the consumer, has led to the development of many consumer-centric programs, such as Luxury Concierge, Move Before You Sell, Freedom Moves and Military Appreciation. All four save you money and deliver top results. They have successfully completed over 1,500 transactions, giving them the experience to meet any challenge.
Katherine is a Certified Residential Specialist â a designation given only to the top 3% of the agents in the world. She is a leader in the industry and stays abreast of top industry education and trends, serving as a District Vice President for Womenâs Council Florida, the 2020-2021 Womenâs Council of RealtorsÂŽ Tampa President, a Florida REALTORS Director, and Florida RRC (CRS) Vice President.
Aside from his real estate expertise, Nick is an internet marketing trendsetter. He is known nationwide, for his innovative social media reach and podcasting successes. He uses those skills to market your home to the widest possible audience.
You can trust Katherine and Nick to be your real estate resource. They pledge unsurpassed knowledge of the marketplace, total commitment to your needs and goals, and outstanding customer service.
Over 750 Million
Value of Real Estate Sold
Over 1,500
Number of Properties Sold
550k
Average Listing Price
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REAL ESTATE BLOG
Is Wall Street Really Buying All the Homes?
Is Wall Street Really Buying All the Homes?
Letâs be real â buying a home right now is tough. Youâre scrolling through listings, rushing to open houses, and maybe even losing out to more competitive offers. Somewhere along the way, you mightâve heard the reason itâs so hard to find a home is because big Wall Street investors are swooping in and snatching up everything in sight.But hereâs the thing: thatâs mostly a myth. While investors are part of the market, according to Redfin, theyâre a relatively small part:Hereâs what that means. Five out of every six homes are being purchased by everyday homebuyers like you â not big investors.So, before you get discouraged, letâs take a look at whatâs really going on. You might be surprised to learn that Wall Street isnât the competition you may think it is.Most Investors Are Small Mom-and-PopsMost investors arenât the mega corporations youâve probably heard about. In fact, many are your neighbors. A recent report from CoreLogic shows most investors are small, mom-and-pop types who own fewer than 10 properties. They arenât massive companies with endless resources. Picture your neighbor who has another home theyâre renting out or a vacation getaway.Only about 1% of the market is owned by large, mega investors with thousands of properties. The majority are still owned by individuals and smaller investors â not the Wall Street giants.Investor Purchases Are DecliningNot only are most investors small, but overall investor purchases have been on the decline. As the same report from CoreLogic says: âInvestors made 80,000 purchases in June 2024, compared with 112,000 in June 2023, and a nearly 50% percent drop from the high of 149,000 purchases in June 2021 . . .âAnd what does this mean going forward? CoreLogic goes on to point out this downward trend is expected to continue into 2025.So, if it seems like competition with investors is pushing you out of the market, it might help to know that investor activity is actually slowing down.Bottom LineThe idea that Wall Street is buying up all the homes is largely a myth. Most investors are small ones, and the share of homes purchased by investors is declining â so you can take this one off your worry list.If you have questions about the housing market, talk to a local real estate agent. They can explain whatâs really happening.
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Donât Let These Two Concerns Hold You Back from Selling Your House
Donât Let These Two Concerns Hold You Back from Selling Your House
If youâre debating whether or not you want to sell right now, it might be because youâve got some unanswered questions, like if moving really makes sense in todayâs market. Maybe youâre wondering if itâs even a good idea to move right now. Or youâre stressed because you think you won't find a house you like.To put your mind at ease, hereâs how to tackle these two concerns head-on.Is It Even a Good Idea To Move Right Now?If you own a home already, you may have been holding off because you donât want to sell and take on a higher mortgage rate on your next house. But your move may be a lot more feasible than you think, and thatâs because of your equity.Equity is the current market value of your home minus what you still owe on your loan. And thanks to the rapid appreciation we saw over the past few years, your equity has gotten a big boost. Just how much are we talking about? See for yourself. As Dr. Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, explains:âPersistent home price growth has continued to fuel home equity gains for existing homeowners who now average about $315,000 in equity and almost $129,000 more than at the onset of the pandemic.âHereâs why this can be such a game-changer when you sell. You can use that equity to put down a larger amount on your next home, which means financing less at todayâs mortgage rate. And in some cases, you may even be able to buy your next home in cash, avoiding mortgage rates altogether.The bottom line? Your equity could be the key to making your next move possible.Will I Be Able To Find a Home I Like?If this is on your mind, itâs probably because you remember just how low the supply of homes for sale got over the past few years. It felt nearly impossible to find a home to buy because there were so few available.But finding a home in todayâs market isnât as challenging. Thatâs because the number of homes for sale is growing, giving you more options to choose from. Data from Realtor.com shows just how much inventory has increased â it's up almost 30% year-over-year (see graph below):And even though inventory is still below pre-pandemic levels, this is the highest itâs been in quite a while. That means you have more options for your move, but your house should still stand out to buyers at the same time. Thatâs a sweet spot for you.Itâs important to note, though, that this balance varies by local market. Some places may have more homes for sale than others, so working with a local real estate agent is the best way to see what inventory trends look like in your area. Bottom LineIf youâre thinking about selling, hopefully these concerns havenât kept you up at night. With this information, you should realize you donât have to let the what-ifâs delay your move anymore.Connect with a local agent so you have the data and the local perspective you need to move forward.
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The Big Difference Between Renter and Homeowner Net Worth
The Big Difference Between Renter and Homeowner Net Worth
Some HighlightsIf youâre torn between renting or buying, donât forget to factor in the wealth-building power of homeownership.Unlike renters, homeowners gain equity as they pay their mortgage and as home values rise. Thatâs why, on average, a homeownerâs net worth is nearly 40x higher than a renterâs. Connect with an agent if you want to learn more about the financial benefits of homeownership or the programs that can help make buying possible.
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Should You Sell Your House or Rent It Out?
Should You Sell Your House or Rent It Out?
When youâre ready to move, figuring out what to do with your house is a big decision. And today, more homeowners are considering renting their home instead of selling it. Recent data from Zillow shows about two-thirds (66%) of sellers thought about renting their home before listing, with nearly a third (28%) taking that possibility seriously. Compared to 2021, when fewer than half (47%) of homeowners considered renting before selling, itâs clear this trend is on the rise.So, should you sell your house and use the money toward your next home or keep it as a rental to build long-term wealth? Letâs walk through some important questions to help you determine the right path for your financial and lifestyle goals. Â Â Is Your House a Good Fit for Renting?Before you decide what to do, it's important to think about if it would make a good rental in the first place. For instance, if youâre moving far away, managing ongoing maintenance could become a major hassle. Other factors to consider are if your neighborhood is ideal for rentals and if your house needs significant repairs before itâs ready for tenants.If any of these situations sound familiar, selling might be a more practical choice.Are You Ready for the Realities of Being a Landlord?Managing a rental property involves more than collecting monthly rent. Itâs a commitment that can be time-consuming and challenging.For example, you may get maintenance calls at all hours of the day or discover damage that needs to be repaired before a new tenant moves in. Thereâs also the risk of tenants missing payments or breaking their lease, which can add unexpected stress and financial strain. As Redfin notes: âLandlords have to fix things like broken pipes, defunct HVAC systems, and structural damage, among other essential repairs. If you don't have a few thousand dollars on hand to take care of these repairs, you could end up in a bind.âDo You Understand the Costs?If youâre considering renting primarily for passive income, remember, there are additional costs you should anticipate. As an article from Bankrate explains:Mortgage and Property Taxes: You still need to pay these expenses, even if the rent doesnât cover all of it.Insurance: Landlord insurance typically costs about 25% more than regular home insurance, and itâs necessary to cover damages and injuries.Maintenance and Repairs: Plan to spend at least 1% of the homeâs value annually, more if the house is older.Finding a Tenant: This involves advertising costs and potentially paying for background checks.Vacancies: If the property sits empty between tenants, youâll lose rental income and have to cover the cost of the mortgage until you find a new tenant.Management and HOA Fees: A property manager can ease the burden, but typically charges about 10% of the rent. HOA fees are an additional cost too, if applicable.Bottom LineTo sum it all up, selling or renting out your home is a personal decision. Make sure to weigh the pros and cons carefully and consult with professionals so you feel supported and informed as you make your decision. A real estate agent can be a great person to go to for advice.
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More Homes, Slower Price Growth â What It Means for You as a Buyer
More Homes, Slower Price Growth â What It Means for You as a Buyer
There are more homes on the market right now than there have been in years â and that could be a game changer for you if youâre ready to buy. Letâs look at two reasons why.You Have More Options To Choose FromAn article from Realtor.com helps explain just how much the number of homes for sale has gone up this year:âThere were 29.2% more homes actively for sale on a typical day in October compared with the same time in 2023, marking the twelfth consecutive month of annual inventory growth and the highest count since December 2019.âAnd while the number of homes on the market still isnât quite back to where it was in the years leading up to the pandemic, this is definitely an improvement (see graph below):With more homes available for sale now, you have more options to choose from. As Hannah Jones, Senior Economic Research Analyst at Realtor.com, explains:âThough still lower than pre-pandemic, burgeoning home supply means buyers have more options . . .âThat means you have a better chance of finding a house that meets your needs. It also means the buying process doesnât have to feel quite as rushed, because more options on the market means youâll likely face less competition from other buyers.Home Price Growth Is SlowingWhen there arenât many homes for sale, buyers have to compete more fiercely for the ones that are available. Thatâs what happened a few years ago, and itâs what drove prices up so quickly.But now, the increasing number of homes on the market is causing home price growth to slow down (see graph below):In certain markets, the number of available homes has not only bounced back to normal, but has even surpassed pre-pandemic levels. In those areas, home price growth has slowed or stalled completely. As Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of ResiClub, explains:âGenerally speaking, housing markets where active inventory has returned to pre-pandemic 2019 levels have seen home price growth soften or even decline outright from their 2022 peak.âSlower or stalled price growth could give you a better chance of finding something within your budget. As Dr. Anju Vajja, Deputy Director at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), says:âFor the third consecutive month U.S. house prices showed little movement . . . relatively flat house prices may improve housing affordability.âBut remember, inventory levels and home prices are going to vary by market.So, having a real estate agent who knows the local area can be a big advantage. They can help you understand the trends in your community, which can make a real difference in finding a home that fits your needs and budget.Bottom LineMore housing options â and the slower home price growth they bring â can help you find and buy a home that works for your lifestyle and budget. So donât hesitate to reach out to a local real estate agent if you want to talk about the growing number of choices you have right now.
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Whatâs Motivating Homeowners To Move Right Now
Whatâs Motivating Homeowners To Move Right Now
Over the past few years, some homeowners have decided to delay their move because they donât want to sell and take on a higher mortgage rate on their next home. Maybe youâre thinking the same thing. And honestly, thatâs no surprise. Itâs a very common roadblock and is one of the biggest factors thatâs kept the number of homes on the market so low for so long. But a growing number of homeowners are deciding they just canât wait any longer. Often, itâs because of personal or lifestyle change. As Redfin explains:âSome homeowners are opting to bite the bullet and give up their low rate in order to move. Many are selling because a major life event like a job change, or divorce . . .âIf youâre weighing the decision to move, take a look at some of the top reasons others are choosing to sell. You might find those are reason enough for you to move now, too.Itâs Time for a Change A new job in a different city, a desire to be closer to family, or simply wanting a change of scenery can all spark the need to sell. Letâs say youâve landed a great job offer that requires relocating, listing your current home quickly may be the next logical step.Thereâs Just Not Enough Space in Your Current HouseSometimes, your current home just doesnât fit your lifestyle anymore. A growing family, the need for a home office, or more room for entertaining can all drive the decision to upgrade to a larger space.As an example, if you live in a condo and have a baby on the way, selling might be the next best move so you can find a larger home that suits your needs.Retirement or Wanting To DownsizeOn the flip side, some homeowners are ready to downsize. This could be due to children moving out, retirement, or simply wanting less to maintain.If youâre newly retired and dreaming of a simpler lifestyle, downsizing to a smaller home could free up both time and resources to enjoy this new chapter of life.Changes in Relationship StatusBig changes like divorce, separation, or marriage often lead to a need for new living arrangements. If you just went through a divorce, selling the house you once shared may allow both of you to move forward and find a living situation that works better for you now.Health and Mobility NeedsHealth concerns, especially those that affect mobility, can also drive the decision to sell. A home that once worked well might no longer suit your needs.If this sounds like your experience right now, selling your current home to move into a more accessible space, or even using the proceeds for assisted living, could significantly improve your quality of life.Bottom LineSelling your home isnât just about market conditions or mortgage ratesâitâs also about making the best decision for your lifestyle and future. As Bankrate says:âDeciding whether itâs the right time to sell your home is a very personal choice. There are numerous important questions to consider, both financial and lifestyle-based . . . Your future plans and goals should be a significant part of the equation.â If a major life change has you thinking about moving, now might still be the right time to sell. Work with a trusted real estate professional to help you navigate the process.
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