Ask a Real Estate Agent | Kathy Passon

Kathy Passon’s experience and dedication have made her one of the top agents at Matt Curtis Real Estate, consistently providing exceptional service to a wide range of clients. This conversation highlights her approach to five-star service, the importance of communication, and how she helps clients feel prepared and confident throughout the buying or selling process. Kathy shares insights on working with first-time buyers, out-of-state relocations, and high-profile clients, along with advice for buyers navigating the current market.

Getting to Know Kathy Passon

Matt: We're excited to have Kathy Passon with us today. Kathy is one of our top agents at Matt Curtis Real Estate and has been part of the team for years. We're going to learn more about her experience and get a behind-the-scenes look at the real estate market. I can't wait to share her knowledge with our audience. Let's start with an introduction to you and your experience. How long have you been with the team, and how many homes have you sold during your career?

Kathy: I've been with Matt Curtis Real Estate for seven and a half years, and I’ve sold approximately 250 homes.

Matt: That's incredible. To give our audience some perspective, half of the agents in our area sell between zero and two homes a year. The average agent sells about four to six homes annually. Kathy has essentially done 40 to 50 years' worth of work in seven and a half years, selling 50 homes a year. That puts her among the top agents in our market. Congratulations!

Kathy: Thank you very much.

Life Outside of Real Estate

Matt: What do you like to do outside of real estate?

Kathy: I love spending time with my family. My husband and I have two daughters, two sons-in-law, and three grandkids. They keep us busy. I enjoy the flexibility real estate provides, allowing me to make time for them. We love going to the beach, and we’re big Disney fans. We often go to Disney World with the kids or sometimes just the two of us.

Matt: I always joke with Kathy that she should have a Disney season pass.

Kathy: I know, it would probably save us a lot of money.

Matt: One of my favorite stories about Kathy is from a team trip to the mountains. We played a game where you take a tortilla, and the goal is to get someone to spit out their water by making them laugh. Kathy's husband and I went head-to-head, and I think he left a bruise. He was really competitive!

Kathy: Yes, he took that game seriously.

Matt: The funny part was when Kathy was paired with my wife, Courtney. Kathy couldn’t bring herself to hit Courtney with the tortilla because she thought she was too sweet. It was a great time.

Working with Clients

Matt: Let's talk about clients. What are some of your favorite things about working with them?

Kathy: I love working with all types of clients. First-time home buyers are especially fun. I like being prepared to answer their questions, give them things to think about, and make sure they’ve talked to their lender. It’s important they know what they can afford.

I enjoy sharing insights while we look at homes, pointing out things they might not have noticed. I make sure we get their questions answered and that they’re ready before we even visit a property. It's rewarding to see them move into their first home, sometimes planning for a family down the road. Their excitement makes it worth it.

I also enjoy working with out-of-state clients moving to Huntsville. We've lived here for 34 years, so I know the area well. I can answer questions about the best locations, commute times, and other local details. I really enjoy that part of the job.

Matt: One of the things I appreciate about you is the five-star service you provide. You're one of our top-reviewed agents. You've worked with some of my personal friends and past clients, including high-profile clients like politicians and former NFL players. But no matter who it is—a first-time buyer or an NFL player—you give everyone the same level of care.

Kathy: I like to approach each situation assuming we’ll become friends. That makes it easy to have natural conversations. I’ve become friends with many clients, and we stay in touch, grab lunch, and catch up over the years. That means a lot to me.

Advice for Buyers

Matt: What advice would you give to buyers right now?

Kathy: I’m telling everyone to be ready. Talk to your lender now. If you don’t have one, I can connect you. It's important to know what you can afford. Just because you're approved for $500,000 doesn’t mean you want to spend that much.

Ask your lender what the mortgage payment looks like on a $500,000 home, what the closing costs are, and what the minimum down payment will be. Know what your homeowner’s insurance and taxes will cost in places like Madison or Huntsville. Some buyers are pre-approved for $400,000 but don’t realize the full costs involved. When it’s time to buy, they might not have the cash they need. Calling the lender first is crucial.

I think 2025 will pick up after a slower fall. Buyers should be ready with their finances and have a good idea of what they’re looking for. Get an agent early to help with a personalized search. Online searches are helpful, but you’ll need guidance too.

Matt: Absolutely. November showed us that 2025 could be busy. November was likely the best we’ve had, with 80% growth over November 2023. Next year could be more competitive for buyers, but there are more homes on the market now. I’m excited for buyers to get out there.

Kathy: Right now, buyers have more time to think. They can look for a few weeks or even months before making decisions. Things might pick up, so buyers should know what they want ahead of time.

I don’t think it will be as hectic as 2021 during Covid. That was a crazy year—I didn’t get much sleep. I expect 2025 to be more normal, but buyers should still be prepared.

Funny Stories from Real Estate

Matt: What's funny about real estate is that we always joke about writing a book one day with all the crazy stories. What are some of the craziest things you've seen?

Kathy: It's funny, after seven and a half years, you'd think I would've seen all kinds of crazy things, but I really haven't experienced anything too out of the ordinary. There have been two times, though, when I went to show a house to a client. We had an appointment, it was confirmed, and when we walked in the front door, someone was sleeping on the sofa.

They woke up and said, "Oh, come on in." I just said, "No, that's okay. We'll come back another time." Another time, I was with a different client, and we walked through most of the house. When we got to the master bedroom, someone was sleeping in the bed. I quietly closed the door, and they never woke up. We had been walking around their home the entire time. We left immediately.

I called the agent, and she apologized. I guess they forgot. It's one of the strangest feelings to be in someone's home without them knowing you're there, but so far, I've been pretty lucky and haven't had anything too crazy happen.

What Five-Star Service Means

Matt: You're one of the top agents on our team in terms of reviews and sales, and one of the top agents in town. What does five-star service look like to you for your clients?

Kathy: It can mean a lot of different things. I think it starts with being prepared for them from start to finish, always being available to answer questions, and making them feel comfortable. Some clients feel like they're bothering me or that their questions are silly, especially if they've never bought a home before. There aren't any stupid questions.

I always try to sit down with clients at the beginning and go over the entire process so there aren't any surprises. I introduce them to our team and explain how great it is to work with a real estate team, not just one person. I want to make sure they feel comfortable and know they can ask me anything.

I try to answer the phone when they call, and if I can't, I send a quick text to let them know when I'll call back. Being there for them when they need you is important. Many clients appreciate that and thank me for responding quickly. I think that's one of the most important things I try to do for everyone.

Working with Kathy

Matt: Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, a former NFL player, or somewhere in between, Kathy provides that same five-star service. If you feel like you've connected with Kathy and want her to help you buy or sell a home, it's easy. Call our office at (256) 270-9393 and ask for Kathy. She'll take great care of you. And if you need more proof, check out our reviews on Google. Look for the ones with Kathy's name.

Kathy: Thank you.

Whether buying or selling a home, you can contact Kathy Passon directly at (256) 801-1618 or email her at kathy@mattcurtisrealestate.com .

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