Key Conversations

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...