Latest Articles
Winter PCS Orders: Buying or Selling Over the Holidays
Got orders with a winter report date? The holiday housing market is quieter but full of motivated buyers and sellers. Here’s how to buy or sell over the holidays and plan around closures and moving dates.
Heating Season Safety: Carbon Monoxide Checks for Your Home
Heating season is here, and carbon monoxide is the hidden risk in many homes. Learn where CO comes from, where alarms belong, and the three checks to make this week, especially after a PCS.
Labor Day: The ROI of Annual Maintenance
Honor Labor Day with Smart Sweat Equity Labor Day originated in the late 19th century […]
Nicole Strom
REALTOR, Associate Broker, MRP, ABR #100085955
The Platinum Group, REALTORS®
6760 Corporate Drive, Ste 300
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919
(719) 922-0102
About
Nicole is an approachable and experienced full-time REALTOR® who is dedicated to providing exceptional service to her clients. As a retired Army military spouse, she understands the unique needs and challenges that relocating families may face when it comes to buying or selling a home. With her extensive knowledge and personal experience, Nicole is able to offer valuable insights and support throughout the entire real estate process.
Nicole holds a Bachelor Degree in Marketing, which gives her a solid foundation in effective strategies to market properties and reach potential buyers. She leverages her expertise to create compelling listings that highlight the unique features and selling points of her clients' homes. By utilizing the latest marketing techniques, Nicole ensures maximum exposure for her clients' properties, thus attracting the right buyers and achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients.
One of Nicole's passions is educating her clients. She firmly believes that well-informed clients make the best decisions. Nicole takes the time to patiently explain each step of the transaction process, empowering her clients to make confident and informed choices.
Nicole is committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in the real estate industry. She actively seeks out and embraces the latest technologies to benefit her clients. From virtual reality tours to drone photography, Nicole harnesses the power of technology to provide her clients with a competitive edge. By utilizing advanced data analysis and other innovative resources, she ensures that her clients have access to the most cutting-edge solutions available in the real estate industry.
When she is not helping her clients achieve their real estate goals, Nicole enjoys staying active and exploring the great outdoors. She also believes in giving back to her community and dedicates her time to volunteering with local organizations that support military families and veterans.
If you are looking for a REALTOR® who is both approachable and professional, committed to excellence, armed with marketing expertise, passionate about educating clients and dedicated to utilizing the latest technologies, Nicole is the ideal choice.
Military Affiliation
Resources
Free Guide
Neighborhood Comparison Guide
Free Guide
VA Loan Toolkit
Don't Let the Fear of a Buyer Backing Out Scare You Away from Selling What if you finally get an offer on your house... and then the buyer backs out? It's every seller's nightmare. And with headlines about canceled contracts on the rise, it's a concern worth talking about. But here's what those headlines aren't telling you: 85–90% of home sales still make it to closing. And there's more good news. You can actually take steps to protect your sale before your house even hits the market. According to a Redfin survey, 70% of agents say inspection or repair issues are a reason buyers back out. That's the biggest reason reported, by far. So, what's one smart move you can make? Consider getting a pre-listing inspection. It could help you spot potential problems early, decide what to fix, and avoid surprises that might send a buyer running. And that's just one piece of the puzzle. The right preparation, pricing, and negotiation strategy can make a real difference. Selling your house doesn't have to feel like a gamble. A little preparation can give you a much stronger start. Thinking about selling? Send me a message, and let's talk about how to set your sale up for success.
Ever wonder what those view and save counts on Zillow actually mean? Zillow Research looked at two years of listings and compared first-week activity with what happened at sale. The typical listing went under contract in 15 days and sold for 98% of its list price. Homes with more engagement in their first week did even better. Here is what stood out, measured per day during the first week: Views: 250 or more usually meant pending within a week. 500 or more often meant selling above list price. Saves: This was the strongest signal. 5 or more saves per day meant an offer was likely within a week, compared with 41 days for homes with no saves. 10 or more was a strong sign of selling above list. Shares: 10 or more and most homes went pending within a week. 20 or more pointed to selling above list price. A few things I always keep in mind: These are daily numbers, not totals. They are national averages, so a home here in the Pikes Peak region should be compared with similar local homes. And saves matter more than views. If a home gets plenty of views but few saves, buyers are seeing it and moving on, which usually comes back to the photos, the price, or the description. The first week is a seller’s best window to learn from the data and adjust while a listing is still fresh.
Who’s Buying Homes with Cash Right Now? More than 1 in 4 homes are being bought with cash right now. But here's something that might surprise you about who's buying them. It's not just wealthy investors swooping in with deep pockets. A lot of these cash buyers are everyday homeowners who've built up serious equity over the years. And that equity is giving them more buying power than they may have ever imagined. According to Cotality, the average homeowner with a mortgage has about $310,000 in equity. Think about what that could mean for your next move. You might have enough equity to buy your next home outright. No mortgage payment. No worrying about today's interest rates. And even if you can't pay all cash, that equity could help you borrow significantly less. But what if you're buying with a mortgage? Here's some good news: Nearly 3 out of 4 homebuyers are still using financing. You're actually in the majority. So don't let the headlines about cash buyers make you second-guess what's possible for you. Whether you're buying your first home or using equity to make your next move, there may be more opportunities than you think. Wondering how you stack up in today's market? Send me a message. Let's talk about your options.
