Colleen Mckinney-Reese

Don’t start with the house—start with the plan. Before you fall in love with a property, know your budget, understand your financing options, and determine what monthly payment you’re genuinely comfortable with—not just what a lender says you qualify for. I also recommend getting pre-approved before you begin seriously shopping, because it puts you in a stronger position when the right home comes along. Then, focus on the things that truly matter: location, condition, resale potential, and whether the home fits your lifestyle and long-term goals. No house is perfect, so knowing your must-haves versus nice-to-haves can save you a lot of stress. Most importantly, don’t let the excitement of buying a home pressure you into making a decision that doesn’t feel right. A good real estate agent should help you understand your options, protect your interests, negotiate on your behalf, and make the process feel manageable.

Prepare strategically, price realistically, and don’t let emotion drive the process. Your home is personal to you, but to a buyer, it’s an investment. That means the right price should be based on the current market, comparable properties, condition, location, and what buyers are willing to pay—not simply what you need or what you hope the home is worth. Before putting your home on the market, take the time to make it show-ready. You don't necessarily need to spend thousands on renovations, but addressing obvious repairs, decluttering, improving curb appeal, and presenting the home well can make a significant difference. I also believe sellers deserve a clear marketing strategy, not just a sign in the yard and a listing on the MLS. Professional photography, compelling marketing, targeted exposure, strong online presence, and consistent communication all matter. Finally, remember that selling a home is a process. The goal isn't simply to get an offer—it's to achieve the best overall outcome based on price, terms, timing, and your individual goals. A great agent should give you honest advice, explain your options, negotiate fiercely when it matters, and keep you informed every step of the way. Selling your home doesn't have to be overwhelming.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of clients, including first-time homebuyers, move-up buyers, downsizers, homeowners selling their properties, real estate investors, and clients relocating to a new area. I especially enjoy working with people who may feel overwhelmed by the real estate process or who have a unique situation that requires a little more strategy and creativity. Every client has different goals, finances, timelines, and circumstances, so I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. I also have a particular appreciation for working with military members, veterans, law enforcement officers, first responders, and their families. Having a personal connection to that community has given me a real appreciation for the sacrifices they make and the unique needs that can come with relocations, deployments, career changes, and buying or selling on a specific timeline.

A very young couple with a baby (18 & 20 yrs old) were referred to me by some of my VIP clients. They were remarkable in that they had some savings built up and the husband was making pretty good money for his age. We carefully had a plan and executed it before looking at any houses. When the right one came along, they knew it was the one we negotiated a good price and some extra closing cost assistance so they could keep some of their cash at closing. Snice it was an FHA loan there was one requirement that the old shed in the back yard had to be torn down and removed before closing. The seller refused to do it, so the buyer and a friend jumped in there and had it done in one afternoon. There were just a few other hiccups but in the end the buyers remained focused and calm and we were able to get to closing without a hitch. 2 years later, they welcomed another child and still love the house, it had room to grow thankfully lol!

I have an entrepreneur background and always had an interest in real estate but more in the investing side of things. After some life changes in 2018 I decided the best way to get into investing was to learn the business from all aspects, so I decided to get licensed and help buyers and seller with their home buying goals too!

I have been studying real estate since 2002. I have read so many books and publications, listened to podcasts etc on investing and related topics that I feel it is ingrained into my DNA at this point. I have a lot of experience in my past businesses with sales & marketing, graphic design, web design, photography etc that I am able to combine all of my skills into being a very unique Realtor! I also and very health and stress management focused, so helping my clients remain calm in stressful situations goes a long way as well!