Key Conversations

When your home feels overwhelmed by stuff, deciding what to keep is only part of the challenge. The next question is what should be sold, donated, recycled, or simply let go. In this episode of Key Conversations with CJ and Katy Norman, we welcome Missi Mills from Clear Spaces Organizing back to the podcast. Missi first joined us in Episode 13, where we shared more about her story and the work she...

What is it really like to buy, own, or sell a home on the west side of Lake Minnetonka? In this episode of Key Conversations with CJ and Katy Norman, we break down the ins and outs of Lake Minnetonka real estate, including how the experience can change from bay to bay, the feel of different lakeside communities, and what buyers and sellers should understand before making a move. We talk about why...

We brought a little debate energy to this episode. In this episode of Key Conversations with CJ and Katy Norman, we go back and forth on real estate hot takes and decide whether we agree, disagree, or land somewhere in the middle. We talk through common buyer and seller beliefs, the advice we hear often, what we agree with, what we push back on, and how these ideas show up in real real estate conv...

Real estate does not always come with a perfect playbook. In this episode of Key Conversations with CJ and Katy Norman, we put each other on the spot with common real estate scenarios and answered in real time with no prep. From buyer and seller situations to the types of decisions that come up during a transaction, this conversation gives a candid look at how we think through problems, strategy,...

There is a lot that happens behind the scenes in real estate that clients never see, and a strong managing broker plays a huge role in supporting both agents and the people they serve. In this episode of Key Conversations with CJ and Katy Norman, we sit down with Kassie Rinnet, Managing Broker at Pemberton Real Estate, to talk about her role within the brokerage, how she supports nearly 300 agents...

Home remodeling can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming, messy, and full of unknowns if you do not have the right team guiding the process. In this episode of the Key Conversations Podcast with CJ and Katy Norman, we sit down with Nate Mielke, owner of Skäpar, to talk about design, remodeling, and what it takes to create custom living spaces that truly fit the way people live. Nate and...

Home maintenance is one of those things every homeowner knows is important, but it can be easy to put off until something stops working or becomes expensive. In this episode of Key Conversations with CJ and Katy Norman, we sit down with Ron Conner, Relationship Manager for Marigold Home Inspections, to talk about preventative home maintenance and the program Marigold offers to help homeowners stay...

Home inspections are one of the most important parts of the home buying process, but many buyers do not fully understand what they can reveal until they are in the middle of a transaction. In this episode of Key Conversations with CJ and Katy Norman, we sit down with Blake Pederson-Perovich, General Manager at Marigold Home Inspections, to talk about what a home inspector is really looking for, th...

Video is no longer optional in real estate. It is one of the most powerful ways agents can build visibility, tell better stories, and help homes stand out online. In this episode of Key Conversations with CJ and Katy, we sit down with Nick Worpole, the creative director for Pemberton Real Estate and the person behind the scenes who helps bring our podcast to life through shooting and editing. Nick...

Relocation is a big move, especially when you are buying and selling at the same time. This year, we have seen a major increase in clients relocating to the Twin Cities, and we have also helped families make smooth moves out of Minnesota. Whether you are moving here for work, family, lifestyle, or a fresh start, the process takes more than just finding a house. In this episode, we talk about how w...

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Gustafson, a Certified Professional Retirement Coach through The Retirement Project LLC and founder of MBG Coaching LLC, to talk about a stage of life we see all the time in real estate. We work with people who are getting close to retirement or have already retired all the time, and we know it is a major life change that goes far beyond leaving a job or down...

In this episode, we sit down with Missi Mills, professional organizer and owner of Clear Spaces, to talk about how creating a more organized home can have a real impact on your everyday life. We talk about what professional organizing actually looks like, who it is for, and how having systems in place can make your home feel calmer, more functional, and less overwhelming. Missi shares how she help...

In this episode, we sit down with Andy Gregory of Andy Gregory Law to talk about estate planning, what it actually means, who it is for, and when it makes sense to start the conversation. We know estate planning can feel like one of those things people put off, either because it sounds overwhelming or because they assume it is only for certain stages of life. Andy does a great job breaking it down...

In this episode, we sit down with John Simeone, a State Farm agent based in Saint Louis Park, who has spent the last 10 years helping protect families across Minnesota and Wisconsin. We talk about how John serves families through insurance, what helps him stand out as a leader in his space, and why relationships, trust, and guidance matter so much when it comes to protecting what matters most. Joh...

In this episode, we are sharing more about who we are, how we think, and how we approach some of the most common real estate questions buyers wrestle with. We get into real estate would you rather scenarios like buying the worst house in the best neighborhood, stretching your budget for the perfect home, choosing between new construction and an older home with character, deciding whether to renova...

What does a financial planner actually do, and who is financial planning really for? In this episode, we sit down with Isaac VanLoon, a financial planner with Primerica since 2002, to talk about how financial planning helps people create a stronger future, no matter where they are starting. We talk about the stereotype that many financial advisors only take on clients once they reach a certain lev...

Zillow is one of the most popular real estate platforms out there. Buyers search for homes, sellers track their home values, and for many people it’s the first place they go when they start thinking about making a move. But most people don’t really know how Zillow works behind the scenes. In this episode of Key Conversations with CJ and Katy, we break down how Zillow connects buyers, sellers, and...

About 4 in 10 first marriages end in divorce. Divorce may not be something you are personally facing, and we hope it never is. But when a marriage ends and a home is involved, the financial decisions can feel overwhelming. The wrong move can get expensive fast. In this episode of Key Conversations, we sit down with Brett Leschinsky, a Divorce Mortgage Specialist, to unpack what really happens when...

Divorce is hard. Selling a home is hard. Doing both at the same time is a completely different level. In Episode 6 of Key Conversations with CJ and Katy, we’re talking about what really happens when divorce and real estate collide and why it’s nothing like a typical buying or selling process. We cover:• Why divorce transactions are different• The big question everyone asks: What happens to the hou...

New construction can feel exciting, overwhelming, and full of unknowns all at once. In this episode of Key Conversations, we break down what new construction really means and who it is best suited for. We walk through:• What qualifies as new construction• The types of buyers who typically choose to build• The differences between spec homes, semi custom homes, and fully custom homes• The advantages...

Buying or selling a home comes with a lot of questionsAnd most people are asking the same onesIn this episode, we’re answering the most common questions we hear from buyers and sellers both in person and onlineWe talk through what sellers want to know before listingHow pricing really worksWhat adds value and what doesn’tHow long selling actually takesWe also cover the questions buyers ask early in...

Thinking about selling in the next 6 months for the spring or summer market? This episode is all about getting ahead of the rush, so selling doesn’t turn into a stressful scramble. Here’s what we see all the time. Planning ahead doesn’t cost a dime and it’s all upside, even if you’re not 100 percent sure you’re moving yet. Because by the time you feel “ready,” you’re often already behind. In this...

This week in Key Conversations, we’re tackling a question a lot of homeowners get stuck on:Should you renovate your home… or sell and move on? We break down a simple way to make the decision without regret, including:- How to tell the difference between a smart upgrade and a money pit- When renovations actually increase value (and when they just increase stress)- The “hidden costs” most people for...

In this first episode of Key Conversations, we’re keeping it simple and personal. We’re CJ and Katy Norman, the husband and wife Realtor team behind Norman Homes in Mound, Minnesota, and this is an intro to who we are, how we work, and what you can expect from the show. We talk about how we got into real estate, what it’s like doing this together as a married team, and the kind of guidance we’re k...