The holidays bring together family, friends, food… and a whole lot of real estate opinions.
In this episode, Kate breaks down why those dinner-table conversations feel so loaded—and how you can confidently navigate advice, anecdotes, and outdated market takes as you prepare for your 2026 home buying or selling goals.
Whether you're a first-time buyer gearing up for next year or simply trying to avoid a debate at the gravy boat, this episode gives you clarity, context, and practical talking points.
• Why “Don’t talk about real estate” never works at holiday partiesPeople love asking “How’s the market?”—and Kate shares why these conversations are unavoidable and how to approach them with ease.
• The Generational DivideOlder relatives aren’t wrong about their 12% interest rates from the 1980s—but that doesn’t negate the very real affordability challenges buyers face today. Kate explains how to acknowledge their experience without dismissing your own.
• The Geographic DivideBuying in Greater Boston or New Hampshire is nothing like buying in California, Georgia, Nevada, or rural areas. Learn how differences in disclosure laws, housing stock, and land availability shape market expectations—and why out-of-state advice often doesn’t translate.
• The Pandemic-Era DivideWhy pre-2020 buyers experienced an entirely different market dynamic than today’s buyers—and how shifting inventory, interest rates, and appreciation rates affect your strategy now.
• Should You Wait or Buy Now?Kate breaks down why “timing the market” is usually a myth and what to focus on instead: your numbers, your timeline, and your plan.
• How to Take Advice Gracefully—Without Taking It to HeartA simple, powerful reminder: You can listen to people’s advice without acting on it. Kate shares how to politely acknowledge well-meaning comments and stay grounded in your own strategy.
Key Takeaways- Real estate conversations at the holidays are universal—and often rooted in care.
- Generational, geographic, and market-cycle differences shape people’s advice.
- Your buying or selling decision should be guided by your plan, not someone else’s timeline.
- A polite “thank you” goes a long way—no need to argue or justify your choices.
- More inventory is returning to the market heading into 2026, offering new opportunities.
Want Help Before the Next Family Gathering?Send Kate a message! She’ll share custom scripts to help you gracefully deflect, redirect, or shut down unwanted real estate advice at the holiday table.
Real estate know-how with Kate Ziegler, on the go: while you're cooking, while you're wrapping, while you're on the road. Holidays are always hectic, but your real estate dreams won’t wait. Let’s go Home for the Holidays!
I’m Kate Ziegler Romano: Realtor, active investor, landlord, and renovation enthusiast who helps people buy, sell, and invest in Greater Boston and MetroWest without overpaying or leaving the communities they love.
Whether you’re:
- Buying your first condo or house (even in this market)
- House-hacking a 2–4 family so your tenants pay the mortgage
- Selling your city condo and sizing up to a single-family with a yard in the suburbs (“Boston → ’burbs”)
- Making any strategic move: sell + buy at the same time without going homeless
- Adding cash-flowing investment properties or executing a 1031 exchange
- Falling in love with a 200-year-old house that needs someone who actually understands old bones
…I’ve done it myself (again and again), and I’ve guided hundreds of clients through it.
Why podcast? My household spends a lot of time on the road, and podcasts are our preferred travel audio; when there’s a topic I want to take in, I want to take it with me. We all have enough to do this season, but it’s also the perfect time to get started–and a podcast format makes sure you’ve got information at the ready, when you’re ready, waiting in your podcast app.
Arborview Realty Inc. (MA)
Coldwell Banker Lifestyles (NH)
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)
https://uppbeat.iotoliver-massaauld-lang-beat
20 mins