June 18, 2025

Your home isn’t just where you live… it’s a powerful financial tool. If you’ve built up equity, you might be wondering: Should I use a HELOC or a home equity loan? Both options let you access cash without selling your home. But they work differently, and choosing the right one depends on how you plan […]

June 10, 2025

Sometimes, your home stops fitting your life. Maybe the kids are sharing rooms. Maybe your work-from-home setup is a little too close to the laundry room. Or maybe… you’re just ready for something more. If that sounds familiar, you might be what we call a move-up buyer—someone who’s ready to sell their current home and […]

A split-scene banner showing the Smoky Mountains on the left and a Florida beach on the right, with text reading "Is It Time to Upgrade Your Home? A Guide for Move-Up Buyers in Tennessee and Florida."

June 3, 2025

Not every rental strategy fits every lifestyle—and that’s the beauty of it. Whether you’re just getting started with your first property or already thinking about scaling your portfolio, the strategy you choose can completely shape your experience as an investor. It’s not just about cash flow or ROI—it’s also about how hands-on you want to […]

Young woman sitting on a couch with a clipboard and coffee, reviewing rental property numbers on a laptop in a cozy, minimalist living room — used as a blog banner for a post about different real estate rental strategies.

May 27, 2025

Starting a hobby farm might sound like something out of a Hallmark movie or a Yellowstone storyline… but if you ask me, it’s more about lifestyle than livestock. I grew up on a 100-acre working farm in East Tennessee that my great-grandparents purchased initially. It started in the 1950s with about 10 cows and was […]

Young woman in a field petting a horse, with sunlight and rolling pastures in the background, promoting hobby farm lifestyle near Knoxville

May 20, 2025

Sometimes your next investment opportunity isn’t “out there”… it’s right under your roof. If you’re thinking about upsizing, relocating, or simply moving on from your current home, it might be time to ask: Should I keep this place as a rental? Spoiler alert: the answer might be yes. Let’s walk through some smart investor strategies […]

Smiling family standing in front of their new home, symbolizing real estate investing and homeownership.

May 13, 2025

Being self-employed comes with freedom, hustle, and a healthy dose of pride. You’re building something of your own, and that deserves to be celebrated. But when it comes time to buy a home, that freedom can start to feel like a roadblock. Suddenly, lenders are asking for documents that don’t quite fit your situation, and […]

Smiling self-employed woman holding a document and laptop in front of her new home with blog title text overlay: “Self-Employed? Here's How to Buy a Home Without W-2s.”

May 6, 2025

Sometimes, life gives us subtle (or not-so-subtle) signs that it’s time for a new chapter, and a new place to call home. If you’ve been dreaming of mountain views, more space, and a slower pace, Tennessee might be exactly where you’re meant to be. Here are 5 signs it’s time to relocate to Tennessee: 1. […]

Scenic view of the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee with early morning mist and layered ridges

February 15, 2024

Are you eyeing homeownership as a top priority for 2024? With tax season upon us, now is the perfect time to turn that dream into a reality. Did you know that you can utilize your tax refund strategically to pave the way to owning your own home? Whether it’s boosting your down payment, paying off […]

February 8, 2024

Are you considering diving into the world of real estate investment, particularly fix-and-flip properties? Understanding the intricacies of financing is crucial for success in this venture. Let’s break down the essentials of bridge loans and fix-and-flip financing, shedding light on key terms and steps involved in the process. Key Definitions: ARV (After Repair Value): The […]

February 1, 2024

Embarking on the journey to homeownership involves navigating through various financial considerations, with your credit report being a crucial guide. Explore the pivotal role of credit reports in the mortgage approval process. The growing prevalence of aggressive trigger leads, and the solution offered by OptOutPrescreen. Whether you’re planning to finance a new home or any […]

Katherine Blazer

Realtor, Lender, Investor