Posts in category 'Weekly Snippet'

Jay Mattlin, Real Estate Broker with Key Realty

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Weekly Real Estate Snippet - This real estate trend probably won't affect you…but you might want to hear about it

November 2nd, 2025 by Jay Mattlin

I'm glad you're here!

I've put together a nice assortment of bite-sized pieces of real estate news, entertainment, and resources I think you're going to enjoy. (And maybe even learn a thing or two you never knew you wanted to know!)

Here's a sneak peek at what's on tap:

Where's the best place to live to survive a zombie invasion?
It's probably not a "trend" that will affect you, but…
All dressed up and ready to go!

But first, let's start it off with my...

Meme of the Week

Hope this one gives you a few... Snickers! Ba-dum-tss.

Where's the best place to live to survive a zombie invasion?

Any zombies knocking at your door this week were probably just kids in costume… but if the real deal ever started shuffling around town, where would you want to live?

A recent study ranked every U.S. state by how likely its residents are to survive a zombie apocalypse, based on things like food access, shelter, and defense readiness. Check out this New York Post article for the top 10 best and worst places to survive an undead invasion.

But if you don't want to read the whole thing, I'll save you some time…

Alaska topped the list! And you might want to scratch New Jersey off your list — it came in (ahem) dead last.

It's probably not a "trend" that will affect you, but…

As a real estate agent, it's not uncommon for a buyer to say they want to "sleep on it" before making an offer. But having one say they want to actually sleep in it is a whole different story!

Well, a recent article made it sound like home buyers requesting to take homes for an overnight "test drive" and actually live in it for a night or two is the latest trend in real estate.

It's not.

But just in case you come across this idea—either as a curious buyer or a wary seller—here's a recent article I published with some insight into why it's probably not such a great idea.

"How's the market?"

I get that question a lot, and I'm always happy to answer it! But there's no one-size-fits-all answer. That's why this newsletter doesn't include weekly stats or price updates.

Besides, most people don't care about real estate data until it actually matters to them. So instead of stats, I just try to keep this fun and entertaining.

Curious about a specific house? Wonder what your place is worth? Or just want a quick market snapshot?

Just hit reply and ask me! I'm always glad to give you any information, thoughts, or data you want. (And of course, no obligation or pressure! I love any opportunity to talk about the market.)

Trivia Time

What started to become popular around the Great Depression and was originally used as a way to distract teens from vandalizing and damaging peoples' homes around Halloween:

Click the answer you think is correct.

All dressed up and ready to go!

Halloween costumes are a ton of fun, but even if I don't have the chance to hit the store or put something together, I can always just say I'm something else while going about my day-to-day real estate work!

Check out this list of 7 creative Halloween costumes a real estate agent can claim they're wearing to your Halloween party, just by wearing their name tag.

The fact is…

I wonder if they change the town name in their MLS listings for the entire month!

That wraps it up for this week!

Be on the lookout for the next one!

Jay Mattlin

REALTOR®, Principal Broker

Key Realty

740-974-4190

jay@keytohomepropertygroup.com

Categories: For Buyers, For Sellers, Market Insight, House Tips, Home and Lifestyle, Weekly Snippet

October
26

Weekly Real Estate Snippet - Would you buy a haunted house? (There's a 50/50 chance you might!)

October 26th, 2025 by Jay Mattlin

I'm glad you're here!

Here's a sneak peek at what's on tap:

It looked good on paper…
Would you buy a haunted house?
6 ways to protect your home (& trick-or-treaters) on Halloween

But first, let's start it off with my...

Meme of the Week

I'm always curious to know which neighborhoods get the most trick-or-treaters. Do you typically get a lot of activity in yours?

It looked good on paper…

It's important for agents to make sure we draw attention to features of a home we're listing, and really make sure buyers can envision the possibilities.

But a real estate agent in the U.K. may have taken that a little too literally when trying to illustrate that a listing had ample parking by Photoshopping what looks like three paper cutouts of cars… on the front lawn.

If you want a quick laugh, check out the listing photo in this article!

Would you buy a haunted house?

If every one of you reading this were to reply back with an answer to that question, I could safely bet that about half of you would say "yes" and half would say "no way."

Because according to a recent survey, 52% of Americans say they'd buy a haunted house. However, nearly three-quarters of the ones who said they would say they'd only go for it if they got a discount, and they'd offer below asking.

No matter where you stand, check out this article I just published! Turns out, many people who thought their house was haunted were actually experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

It's a good reminder to always get a home inspection when buying… and maybe call the gas company if you think you're seeing ghosts in your home.

"How's the market?"

I get that question a lot, and I'm always happy to answer it! But there's no one-size-fits-all answer. That's why this newsletter doesn't include weekly stats or price updates.

Besides, most people don't care about real estate data until it actually matters to them. So instead of stats, I just try to keep this fun and entertaining.

Curious about a specific house? Wonder what your place is worth? Or just want a quick market snapshot?

Just hit reply and ask me! I'm always glad to give you any information, thoughts, or data you want. (And of course, no obligation or pressure! I love any opportunity to talk about the market.)

Trivia Time

Why do people (typically in the South) paint their porch ceiling the color "haint blue":

Click the answer you think is correct.

6 ways to protect your home (& trick-or-treaters) on Halloween

According to Traveler's insurance, there are 17% more crime-related home insurance claims filed on Halloween than any other day of the year. With theft and vandalism prevalent, taking precautions is key.

Here's a list of six ways to keep your property—and the trick-or-treaters coming to your door—as safe as possible.

The fact is…

Do you have a local house that you find inspiring?

That wraps it up for this week!

Be on the lookout for the next one!

Jay Mattlin

REALTOR®, Principal Broker

Key Realty

740-974-4190

jay@keytohomepropertygroup.com

Categories: For Buyers, For Sellers, Market Insight, House Tips, Home and Lifestyle, Weekly Snippet

October
19

Weekly Real Estate Snippet - 8 ways house hunting is similar to trick-or-treating (But with way less sugar calories)

October 19th, 2025 by Jay Mattlin

I'm glad you're here!

Here's a sneak peek at what's on tap:

Would you stay here?
It's not always about what will build equity faster…
House hunting is basically trick-or-treating for adults

But first, let's start it off with my...

Meme of the Week

At this point it's difficult to shock me, but feel free to try!

Would you stay here?

What was once a public restroom beneath an Oxford, England street has been converted into a very tiny boutique hotel called The Netty. There's no reception desk, restaurant, or room service…but you do get a welcome cocktail arrival! (And presumably a toilet.)

It's not always about what will build equity faster…

A recent Realtor.com article explored whether single-family or multifamily homes build wealth faster. Spoiler alert: they say single-family homes win out.

First of all, that's not always true!

But more importantly, choosing between the two isn't only about equity. It's about what fits your lifestyle and goals.

For many buyers, multifamily properties offer a more practical, flexible, and even attainable way to own a home today—along with potential rental income, long-term investment value, and adaptable living options.

Check out this article on the types of buyers who can benefit most from a multifamily home, and feel free to reach out if you'd like me to pull a few examples so you can see what's currently available.

"How's the market?"

I get that question a lot, and I'm always happy to answer it! But there's no one-size-fits-all answer. That's why this newsletter doesn't include weekly stats or price updates.

Besides, most people don't care about real estate data until it actually matters to them. So instead of stats, I just try to keep this fun and entertaining.

Curious about a specific house? Wonder what your place is worth? Or just want a quick market snapshot?

Just hit reply and ask me! I'm always glad to give you any information, thoughts, or data you want. (And of course, no obligation or pressure! I love any opportunity to talk about the market.)

Trivia Time

In 2023, Glens Falls, NY firefighters raced to a home that was reportedly on fire, only to find that the flames a neighbor called 911 about were actually which of the following:

Click the answer you think is correct.

House hunting is basically trick-or-treating for adults

There's no definite answer as to how old is "too old" to go trick-or-treating. But let's face it, if you're old enough to buy a house, you're probably going to get some nasty looks if you throw on a costume and go knocking on people's doors looking for candy handouts.

However, you can relive the childhood thrill of trick-or-treating… as a home buyer! Check out this list of 8 ways house hunting is similar to trick-or-treating.

(And let me know the next time you want to put on your homebuyer costume and join me for some fun looking at houses to buy! I always have my agent costume on…)

The fact is…

Which, unfortunately, probably hurt toilet paper and egg sales in October ever since… ?

That wraps it up for this week!

Be on the lookout for the next one!

Jay Mattlin

REALTOR®, Principal Broker

Key Realty

740-974-4190

jay@keytohomepropertygroup.com

Categories: Weekly Snippet

October
12

Weekly Real Estate Snippet - Ever dream of living in a mall? (You might after reading this funny list!)

October 12th, 2025 by Jay Mattlin

I'm glad you're here!

Here's a sneak peek at what's on tap:

Ever dream of living in a mall?
Friends don't let friends list without professional feedback…
5 lighthearted (yet solid) reasons to sell your house around Halloween

But first, let's start it off with my...

Meme of the Week

Go ahead…groan if you think this pun is cornier than the fields scarecrows were meant to protect.

(Or better yet, send me a pic of your own scarecrow if you've got one up as a decoration on your porch or lawn!)

Ever dream of living in a mall?

It's getting harder for many malls to stay open—but apparently they're thriving in peoples' dreams!

According to the New York Post, complete strangers have reported dreaming about the same mall, right down to the food court and escalators, and are comparing notes in online forums.

Meanwhile, developers are actually turning real malls into apartments and townhomes in real life. Here's a fun article that takes a look at 10 things they should consider keeping to make living in a converted mall more appealing. Would keeping any of those things make living in a mall appealing to you?

Friends don't let friends list without professional feedback...

Before putting your house on the market, it definitely helps to take a step back and look at it through a buyer's eyes. But let's be honest, it's hard to be objective about your own home. You might overlook things that feel perfectly normal to you but could stand out to someone seeing it for the first time.

Which is why Realtor.com recently suggested what they call a 'friend inspection' before putting your house on the market. They suggest inviting your most brutally honest friend to walk through it and tell you what they see.

Not a bad idea…

But I'd rather see you invite me over instead! I have a trained eye, market expertise, and a professional network to help you do just the right things when prepping your house for sale. In fact, check out this article that explains how I help sellers see their homes through buyers' eyes right from the start.

"How's the market?"

I get that question a lot, and I'm always happy to answer it! But there's no one-size-fits-all answer.

That's why this newsletter doesn't include weekly stats, new listings, or price updates. Most people don't care about real estate data… until it actually matters to them. For everyone else, a stream of numbers is like elevator music—easy to ignore, occasionally annoying.

Instead of filling your inbox with stats that don't mean much, I'd rather keep it fun and entertaining.

Curious how much that house down the street is listed for? Wonder what your home is worth? Or just want a sense of the local market?

Just hit reply and ask me! I'm always glad to give you any information, thoughts, or data you want. (And of course, no obligation or pressure! I always love a good reason to talk about the market.)

Trivia Time

Why did Nicolas Cage buy a haunted mansion in New Orleans?

Click the answer you think is correct.

5 lighthearted (yet solid) reasons to sell your house around Halloween

Everyone thinks spring is the best time to sell a house. But the truth is, there are benefits to selling during any time of the year. Every season has a host of reasons and benefits for sellers to put their house on the market.

But October offers up some truly unique advantages for homeowners looking to sell! Check out this article with 5 lighthearted (yet solid) reasons for you to sell your house around Halloween!

The fact is…

Certainly sounds easier than digging a moat around your house!

That wraps it up for this week!

Be on the lookout for the next one!

Jay Mattlin

REALTOR®, Principal Broker

Key Realty

740-974-4190

jay@keytohomepropertygroup.com

Categories: Weekly Snippet

October
6

Weekly Real Estate Snippet - 3 potential ways to cash in on your home appliance warranty (Even if nothing breaks!)

October 6th, 2025 by Jay Mattlin

I'm glad you're here!

Here's a sneak peek at what's on tap:

Time to buy a new doorbell?
I may be your therapist…but I'm not your housekeeper
3 potential ways to cash in on your home appliance warranty

But first, let's start it off with my...

Meme of the Week

I'm probably not going to be much help if you're making spaghetti, but if you find yourself guess-timating your home's value, by all means please just give me a call!

(And it doesn't matter why you want to know. I'm always glad to give you an accurate sense of the value free of charge, even if you're not thinking about selling.)

Time to buy a new doorbell?

A bunch of residents in an apartment complex in Germany were woken up in the middle of the night when their doorbells kept going off. It got so bad, some of them even called the police thinking it had to be someone ding-dong-ditching…minus the ditching.

It turns out it was just a slug slip sliding away all over the buzzer panel!

OK, so here's a question for you: if that happened to your doorbell, are you cleaning it, hiring someone else to clean it, or just getting an entirely new one installed?! (Not a formal poll, but hit reply—I'd love to hear what you'd do!)

I may be your therapist…but I'm not your housekeeper

There's no definitive list of job responsibilities for a real estate agent, and I've certainly found myself doing things I never thought would be on my list of duties. (For instance, I've felt like a therapist or marriage counselor on more than one occasion!)

But one thing many agents find quite surprising is how often they find themselves becoming their client's cleaning service!

It's pretty common for an agent to show up to one of their listings before the photographer, an open house, or a buyer appointment to do a quick walk-through and turn on the lights, open the blinds, and make sure the home shows its best only to end up doing one of the following:

Making the bed that somehow didn't get made.
Scooping up laundry (including underwear—always a career highlight).
Folding a few towels to make the bathroom look less chaotic.
Loading dishes into the dishwasher.
Hiding toys in a bin or closet.
Picking up after the dog in the backyard so buyers don't step into an unpleasant surprise.

Fortunately I haven't had a whole lot of clients put me in any of those positions! So it's probably not something any of you need a deep dive into, but here's an article with some tips on keeping your house "show-ready" when you're selling.

Trivia Time

Speaking of cleaning…

Which of the following household cleaning supplies do many people have a superstition about, believing that it's bad luck to bring the one you used in your old home into your new home?

Click the answer you think is correct.

3 potential ways to cash in on your home appliance warranty

To buy an extended warranty on an appliance or not—that is the question. There's plenty of debate over whether they're worth it, with plenty of "not worth it" opinions floating around online.

But it's easy to get talked into one when you're standing in front of a smooth-talking salesperson, or you'd rather just play it safe and get one "just in case" something breaks.

However, even if your fridge or washer never breaks, that doesn't mean the warranty money is wasted. In fact, there may be hidden perks you can still cash in on—if you know where to look.

Check out this article with three surprising ways you might get value from an appliance warranty (even when nothing goes wrong).

The fact is…

Hmmm, if only this applied to windows, floors, tubs, toilets, sinks… Really, anything else in the house would be a bigger help, right?!

That wraps it up for this week!

Be on the lookout for the next one!

Jay Mattlin

REALTOR®, Principal Broker

Key Realty

740-974-4190

jay@keytohomepropertygroup.com

Categories: Weekly Snippet

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Posts in category 'Weekly Snippet'

Weekly Real Estate Snippet - This real estate trend probably won't affect you…but you might want to hear about it

Weekly Real Estate Snippet - Would you buy a haunted house? (There's a 50/50 chance you might!)

Weekly Real Estate Snippet - 8 ways house hunting is similar to trick-or-treating (But with way less sugar calories)

Weekly Real Estate Snippet - Ever dream of living in a mall? (You might after reading this funny list!)

Weekly Real Estate Snippet - 3 potential ways to cash in on your home appliance warranty (Even if nothing breaks!)

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