Katy Dix Brahler of Re/Max is rooted in real estate
Home selling, home buying, home staging, estate sales and property management.
Re/Max Realtor Katy Dix Brahler (standing) offers home staging complete with furnishings, accessories and more. This service can be utilized independent of securing her real estate expertise. She’s pictured with Simon Lade, her driver and fellow stager.
Over the past 30 years, local Re/Max Realtor Katy Dix Brahler has built her successful business by looking ahead to assess the direction of the market. She’s deeply entrenched within the industry on a national and local level and constantly undergoes continuing education.
For 2025, her watchword is: diversify.
“About a year ago, I decided to diversify my talents and connections by launching a business called A-OKAY, which offers staging, property management and estate liquidation services,” Katy says. “The name is derived from my name and my daughters’ names—Amy and Olivia.”
“For anyone who lists homes with me, staging is included. I was noticing people reaching out to me with an interest in only staging, especially for vacant homes where the homeowner has already moved.”
Katy did what Katy always does, rolled up her sleeves and got busy. She rented a 1,500-square-foot warehouse and went shopping for everything needed to beautify a living space, from luxurious furniture to lighting, faux show plants, bedding, linens and home decor accessories.
“A recent study from the National Association of Realtors found a professionally staged home can fetch a selling price around 10% higher than one that isn’t staged,” she says.
Not surprisingly, the business has taken off.
“We do it all after you make the call,” she says. “My driver and fellow stager Simon Lade loads the commercial van and helps put all the pieces in place.”
On the property management end, Katy’s uniquely qualified as a rental property owner herself.
“I understand contractor connections and the importance of getting things fixed fast for less,” she adds, noting that she only charges 8% while the average rate for most property managers is around 10%.
When people downsize, it can be a hassle to hire an estate liquidator. Not with Katy. She has an excellent grasp of the value of items and homeowners can make substantial dollars from her superbly run estate sales.
Don’t Be Obsessed with Interest Rates
People often come to Katy asking about the current market and if now is the right time to buy or sell.
Here’s her sage advice:
- “You can’t let interest rates dictate when you buy. People don’t realize when they dropped down to 3%, that was a historic low. Where we are now, hovering around 6.5%, is what a normal rate is. I bought my own home 30 years ago at 9.5%.”
- “Rents have skyrocketed in the Cleveland area the past few years. Investors are coming in from out of town and gobbling up properties to rent and driving up the rental prices. In both the short and long run, it’s crazy to pay them instead of buying a home and building your own personal wealth.”
- “There is such a low number of homes for sale on the west side—only 16 in Bay Village currently—and that sparks competition. Now is a great time to sell, and we’re seeing offer prices way over asking price.”
New to Market
Every home has a unique story to tell, and Katy Dix Brahler excels at cultivating that while crafting a strategy to spotlight each one’s unique selling points, such as the mechanicals or curb appeal. And, of course, location, location, location.
Here’s the skinny on a few new listings of Katy’s that are just coming on the market.
Situated on over a half-acre lot at 1587 Wooster Road overlooking the Rocky River Reservation, the 2,004-square-foot, potential build, custom-designed home seen here offers spectacular panoramic views.
“The plans are designed to capture the best of the river views while allowing for the convenience of single-floor living with an open floor plan,” says Katy. “The decor is modern farmhouse. Another plus is the future homeowner can put in a dock, as there’s access down to the water.”
The home is base priced at $1.4 million. Lot can also be purchased independently for $499,000. Builders renderings will convey if lot is sold independently.
“It’s a rare opportunity in Rocky River to find a lot with these views that’s a short walk to downtown while affording the chance for a new build and all the high-end finishes,” says Katy. “This isn’t just a home. It’s a lifestyle. The new homeowner can enjoy water adventures and sunset sails as well as sought-after lakefront sunsets from the back deck.”
Moving on to her hometown of Bay Village, she’s thrilled to offer a three-bedroom condo in Cahoon Ledges, an uber-desirable, 22-cluster home development overlooking Cahoon Creek.
“It’s quiet and secluded, yet just steps from downtown Bay Village and Lake Erie,” she says. “This ranch offers the finest in first-floor living with a gorgeous open kitchen, living room and soaring fireplace. The homeowner recently gutted the kitchen and renovated, so it’s now a gourmet cook’s and entertainer’s dream. There’s also an amazing patio surrounded by lush landscaping.”
Priced at $450k, she says this steal will probably be sold by the time this issue of Mimi Magazine hits mailboxes.
Re/Max is located at 25021 Center Ridge Road in Westlake. Katy Brahler is a mega-million-dollar producer, a distinguished member of the Chairmans Club of Re/Max and the 2024 top producer of all of Re/Max Above & Beyond (6 offices). Call her cell at 440-724-4313 or visit KatyBrahler.com for more information.
Situated on over a half-acre lot at 1587 Wooster Road overlooking the Rocky River Reservation, the 2,004-square-foot, potential build, custom-designed home seen here offers spectacular panoramic views.
Cahoon Ledges is a 22-cluster home development overlooking Cahoon Creek offered for $450,000.
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