Kathe’s Client Testimonial Archive

Client relationships are a focus for Kathe. Her hard work, attention to detail, decades of experience, excellent communication skills and going above and beyond have led her to become her clients’ realtor for life, and one of the most trusted names in Pittsburgh real estate.

“I love my clients and I really want to make their experience the best that it can be! It makes my day when they share their kind words with me.” –Kathe

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"she went above and beyond multiple times to keep things moving along."

“From our introductory meeting, Kathe listened to our needs and was always thinking a step ahead of us in figuring out how to meet our needs without overwhelming us. She broke things down into steps that made our downsizing experience much less stressful. Her endless resource lists helped us focus on tasks, one at a time, while having access to a variety of professional secondary services. Finally, she went above and beyond multiple times to keep things moving along. We thank God for Kathe Barge.”

James Forney
Home Seller 2022

"She’s a true professional and will do the work to get you top dollar."

“If you’re reading this – then you’re probably looking for a Realtor. What makes a good one? In my experience, market knowledge, a proven “system”, a strong network and follow through. Kathe Barge has all of these attributes and then some. She was our guide rails throughout the entire process of selling our home. From helping with paint colors, to a rolodex of contractors, to calming the day of closing jitters. She’s a true professional and will do the work to get you top dollar. You found your Realtor.”

Bill Marcotte
Home Seller 2021

"If we could give Kathe 10 stars we certainly would."

“If we could give Kathe 10 stars we certainly would. She is simply exceptional at her profession and here is why: she has deep knowledge and first rate instincts on the real estate market in Sewickley. Her approach to marketing and evaluating our home was not a science. And she let us know that up front. Getting to a listing price, wasn’t about what the house down the street sold for or the house with the same amount of bedrooms. It was a collection of many criteria that when all factored in, it just made sense and felt right. It wasn’t a black and white process, although some realtors felt it to be that way. It was an art form, steeped in her ability to draw upon her past deals/transactions with former clients, her current roster of clients and active listings and her amazing instincts. At every turn Kathe put us at ease and could always relate to either a current or past client’s experiences. This was re-assuring and gave us confidence throughout the process. Kathe is a steady hand who doesn’t get too high or too low and is a straight shooter. Our only regret is that we could not pack her up and take her with us to help buy our home in California. Amazing job Kathe – truly a pleasure working with you.”

Robbie Robinson
Home Seller 2021

"Kathe did an amazing job selling our house."

“Kathe did an amazing job selling our house. She was detail-oriented and focused on helping us get the best price possible.”

Sheridan Edmondson
Home Seller & Home Buyer 2020

"...we will recommend her to anyone and everyone looking for a home. Especially for those who are relocating"

“Kathe went above and beyond to find us our first home. We were moving from out of state and only had one weekend to see homes. Kathe listened to what we were looking for and hit the nail on the head with our absolute dream home. She gave us great advice and guidance and we will recommend her to anyone and everyone looking for a home. Especially for those who are relocating. Thank You, Kathe! You’re truly the best of the best.”

Ali Zaren
Home Buyer 2020

"Kathe exceeded our expectations throughout the entire process..."

“We knew Kathe’s reputation preceded her and that was why we used her to list our home in Sewickley. Frankly, Kathe exceeded our expectations throughout the entire process and provided us with the experience and results only she can deliver. Kathe was knowledgeable and confident in her recommendations; we followed her advice to a tee and ended up with the exact result she envisioned for us.”

James Plante
Home Seller 2020

"Kathe makes the whole process easy and streamlined."

“Five stars just isn’t enough for this amazing agent! Kathe makes the whole process easy and streamlined. She has helped us through the sale and purchase of our homes more than once and gets better every time!”

Paula Acheson
Home Seller & Home Buyer 2020

"We have now worked with Kathe on three real estate transactions during the past 20 years."

“We have now worked with Kathe on three real estate transactions during the past 20 years. She is extremely responsive, highly knowledgeable and simply the best in the business.”

Joesph Ahearn
Home Seller 2020

"I highly recommend using her without reservations or concerns and would use her again and again..."

“Kathe is a true professional and outstanding agent. Her years of experience, critical thinking skills as a former lawyer, efficiency, and caring about what is best for you (even if you may not know it) makes her among the best in Sewickley and the region. I highly recommend using her without reservations or concerns and would use her again and again…”

Kelly Close
Home Buyer 2020

"Kathe is exceptional in every way."

“Kathe is exceptional in every way. I appreciate her knowledge, experience, directness, honesty, transparency, among her other great qualities. She is so thorough, resourceful, and she cares deeply about her clients and her service to her clients. Kathe sweats the details and we trust her implicitly. In the past year, with Kathe as our agent, we bought 2 homes in Sewickley and are preparing to put ours on the market (with Kathe as the agent). Each property and transaction had unique properties to it– and she was exceptional at ever turn. We could not say enough positive, endorsing things about Kathe.”

Leslie Braksick
Home Buyer 2020

"She's terrific!"

“Kathe Barge is an outstanding professional. I have bought or sold at least 12 properties in the region and since working with her, there is no other professional that I recommend to others and no one else that I would choose to have representing me or my family. She is highly knowledgeable, pragmatic, and personable. We are honored to consider Kathe a family friend. She’s terrific!“

Bill Acheson
Home Seller & Home Buyer 2020

"Kathe was a true professional throughout the purchase process."

“Kathe was a true professional throughout the purchase process. Kathe’s market knowledge and diligent follow-up during the inspection/closing process were invaluable.”

Matt Lenhard
Home Buyer 2020

"Great to work with and gets results."

“Kathe is a top realtor in the area. Great to work with and gets results. We would highly recommend her.”

Robert Kocis
Home Seller 2020

"This is the second time I have worked with Kathe purchasing a home and I couldn't ask for more."

“This is the second time I have worked with Kathe purchasing a home and I couldn’t ask for more. She took the time to really understand my situation and what I was looking for and was able to make recommendations that fit my needs perfectly. Kathe always answered my questions (and there were a lot of them) and was able to help me navigate the home purchasing process during the ever changing conditions around Covid-19.”

Byron Evans
Home Seller & Home Buyer 2020

"We have referred Kathe to numerous people, they have been very happy with her as well."

“Kathe Barge is the best realtor we have worked with! She gives honest and fair opinions, considering our goals and advocating for us. We trust her expertise in all things – real estate! We have referred Kathe to numerous people, they have been very happy with her as well.“

Allada Family
Home Seller 2020

"She is highly knowledgeable about the real estate market in the region..."

“My wife and I enjoyed working with Kathe. She is highly knowledgeable about the real estate market in the region and also provided valuable insights about specific details regarding each property we viewed. We highly recommend Kathe to anyone looking for a new home”

Bobby Kapur
Home Buyer 2019

"Kathe has excellent experience and professionalism."

“Kathe has excellent experience and professionalism.“

Mark Garvey
Home Seller 2019

"I can't thank Kathe enough!"

“Kathe was great. I sold my parents’ home from long distance, and Kathe made the whole process simple. She was super prepared with well laid out comp analysis, listing of all the utility companies that I would need to contract as well as handyman & cleaning services that were also great to work with. The house was well priced and sold quickly. I can’t thank Kathe enough!“

David Stilwell
Home Seller 2019

"Very pleased with level of knowledge, organization, and process."

“Very pleased with level of knowledge, organization, and process.“

John Barnes
Home Seller & Home Buyer 2019

"She is amazing, tenacious and VERY thorough."

“This is the 3rd home I have purchased with Kathe. She is amazing, tenacious and VERY thorough. Even pre and post sale she is there when you need her and always quick with THE answer.”

Jamie Hammond
Home Buyer 2019

"She was extremely responsive..."

“Kathe was a pleasure to work with Her assessment of my home was well researched and data driven. This allowed me to quickly sell my home Kathe gave great guidance and managed expectations very well. She was extremely responsive and made the entire home buying process so seamless Leaving a home after 26 years is stressful but selling the home was not because of Kathe. I am so happy I chose Kathe I will definitely recommend her to my friends in Pittsburgh because she goes above and beyond for her clients.”

Susan McCaffrey

Home Seller 2019

"Kathe is the consummate professional."

“Kathe is the consummate professional. She is extremely knowledgeable and highly effective, knows the business inside and out. She advised us every step of the way in selling our home. Kathe told us what changes we could make to help it appeal to buyers, advised us on the market, and helped us through negotiations. The house was under contract within a week of hitting the market and closed in about 45 days. She helped us handle the minor roadblocks swiftly and effectively. Kathe responded to every communication almost instantly. We could not be happier with her services. We recommend her highly to anyone who wants to sell or buy a home.“

Jeff Moersch

Home Seller 2019

"Have never sold a house so fast in my life."

“Have never sold a house so fast in my life. Would highly recommend Kathe given her level of professionalism, knowledge, and attention.“

Craig Jarvie
Home Seller 2019

“It took a lot of stress off us to be able to rely on her expertise!”

Kathe was wonderful to work with! We purchased our home with Kathe about eight months ago. She was very highly recommended to us by people we knew in the area. Working with her still helps us out now, as we have depended on her for references for various vendors such as movers, painters, and plumbers (and she keeps extensive lists of others as well), which we will undoubtedly call upon her for in the future! She seems to know everyone, and everyone seems to know her!

Her knowledge of the market is extensive and well-researched, and she has provided us with invaluable information to help guide us. We trusted her completely throughout the process. Being unfamiliar with the local market, we depended on Kathe on factors such as deciding on a reasonable asking price. It took a lot of stress off us to be able to rely on her expertise!

The house we were most interested in was already under contract. However, given our particular set of circumstances, Kathe felt we should put in an offer anyway. We did, and our sellers decided to take our offer instead of going with the original buyers! (As I recall our offer was either still below or at asking price).

A few issues came up during our house inspection, and again, Kathe guided us through the process with very little angst. Our issues were resolved with barely any effort on our end, other than being patient.

In addition to being completely professional, Kathe has a very kind, warm demeanor. It was a pleasure working with her.

And boy, does she stays on top of things– I swear the woman never sleeps!

Jean Marquis – Home Buyer 2015

“She earned her commission in the negotiation process alone."

I negotiate deals for a living, but Kathe brought a level of local expertise that provided additional value in buying our home. She earned her commission in the negotiation process alone.

No one knows more about the Sewickley market. If you want a local expert, she is the best. We were new to the area and needed information on everything from property taxes to what restaurants work best for large parties. I still text her months after the transaction asking more questions – and she answers every one.

Luke & Amanda Glass – Home Buyer 2015

“Kathe has continued to help after our purchase.”

Kathe helped us negotiate the process of buying a new home as we negotiated a long distance move to Pittsburgh, and we were very pleased with her service throughout all of the steps. Beyond helping us understand the local real estate market, she also talked at length with us about the factors in each of the communities we were considering that contribute to a smooth transition for newcomers, like community spirit and options for volunteering. Not knowing exactly what we wanted, she took the time to show us options in a range of categories from single homes to condominiums and in a range of cities and locations (e.g., rural vs. in city). She responded quickly to our emails and calls which was particularly important for us because we were so far from Pittsburgh during the buying process. When we reached the stage of negotiations, we cannot say enough about her ability to help us get a fair price, far below what we expected. Kathe has continued to help after our purchase and has been a good source for suggestions about services and providers in the area.

Joe & Debra DeMeis – Home Buyer 2015

“We never felt pressured; she always had our best interests at heart”

Once we found out we were being relocated to Pennsylvania we knew we wanted to begin the house hunting process with Kathe. From the very beginning she was warm and welcoming to us as newcomers to the area and really took her time showing us around Sewickley and all the special things it had to offer. We never felt pressured; she always had our best interests at heart, and in the end we were able to find a house that has brought us so much joy. We appreciate all her hard work and would highly recommend her to others.

Brent & Brittney Eilis – Home Buyer 2015

"I would not hesitate for a moment to work with her again."

“Kathe used to live in my street but didn’t know her that well. Once I decided to work with her to market and sell my home, I was elated with her professionalism, responsiveness and knowledge. AND she was simply a pleasure to work with. I would not hesitate for a moment to work with her again.“

Doug Alpern

Home Seller & Home Buyer 2019

"Kathe knows the market..."

“Kathe knows the market and specifically the history of Sewickley homes. It was important to us that the person selling our home had their ear to the ground for our particular area.“

Alexander Tomey

Home Seller 2019

"She has superior insight into the Sewickley market..."

“We highly recommend choosing Kathe Barge as your next realtor for buying and/or selling your home. She is very professional, organized and on time for every meeting. She has superior insight into the Sewickley market which enables her to strongly advocate for her clients on both the buying and selling side of contract negotiations. She is extremely helpful providing recommendations and contact information for local service providers. In addition, her email communications provide significant information about available properties as well as the Sewickley market in general.”

Andrea H. – August 2019

"The overall process from ‘start through closing’ was incredibly well managed..."

The partnership with Kathe Barge exceeded all of my expectations. She is truly a professional in her field possessing a unique blend of personality, integrity, and education that immediately instills confidence in the home buyer.

• Unparalleled market knowledge and awareness

• A keen sense of property value and intuition on pricing

• Consistent and targeted communication throughout the process

• Qualified contacts to address the ongoing requirements of a home purchase

During our initial conversation Kathe assimilated the property requirements most meaningful for me. She quickly filtered many options down to a select group of homes for my consideration. This refined starting point was incredibly helpful for the required timing of my purchase. Throughout my search, she offered candid advice and opinions on different aspects of each property. The overall process from ‘start through closing’ was incredibly well managed and a very memorable experience. Without hesitation, I would highly recommend her to anyone interested in buying or selling real estate.

mliggett15 – January 2019

"We can't thank you enough for the excellent guidance and support..."

Kathe, you’re a true real estate star! We can’t thank you enough for the excellent guidance and support (pre and during listing) to get a full priced offer on our home in under 40 days! Working with you was key to making sure we were visible to the right buyer. Thanks again for everything!

Thomas & Nora Boyd – October 2018

"Kathe knows her market, gives solid advice and makes sure the transaction goes smoothly."

“We have worked with Kathe for fifteen years and have always been impressed with her knowledge of the area, work ethic and professionalism. She sold our house before we even had a sign in the front yard. It was the best real estate experience we have had since we bought our first property in 1982! We have purchased two homes and sold one home in the Sewickley area with Kathe. She has done an outstanding job each time. Kathe knows her market, gives solid advice and makes sure the transaction goes smoothly. If there are kinks to be worked out, she helps find solutions. We enjoyed working with her!”

James and MaryBeth Bonomo

"...she treated us in the middle range with the same degree of professionalism and focus as any other client."

Working with Kathe was great. While she has her signs on many very high end properties, she treated us in the middle range with the same degree of professionalism and focus as any other client. I was really impressed with her knowledge of the area and her accuracy around pricing. Most importantly, she helped negotiate the price of our new home down to a better range for us and ensured a smooth transaction with the seller. I’ve referred her to others planning to move to the area and will continue to do so.

Kirk Gibson – October 2018

"...even after the purchase is all done, she is just one text away from us when we need help."

We were fortunate to have Kathe as our realtor. We gave her the difficult task of finding us a village home with our very specific requirements and she surely made it happen. She worked with us for 2 years till she got the perfect home for us. We never felt rushed. She has great knowledge of the area and the education and experience to help her clients in the best way possible. From finding the home to the closing process and even now she was there for us herself and had the right contacts to make things happen smoothly. I call her my Angie’s list because even after the purchase is all done, she is just one text away from us when we need help. She surely builds relationships not just clients.

Leena Yusufzai – August 2018

"Kathe is the best!"

“Kathe is the best! Totally knows her market, is responsive, creative and truly goes the extra mile for her clients. I have both bought and sold a home with Kathe and would never use another realtor in the Sewickley market.”

Lisa Lisanti
Home Seller 2018

"Truly, we couldn’t design a better realtor."

We were very grateful to have Kathe as our realtor in the purchase of our Sewickley village home. We chose her because she seemed dedicated and knowledgeable – and is she ever! Her knowledge of the market, the area, home construction/remodeling, and other valuable insights is unparalleled. She was also patient, understanding, and honest as we navigated our decision. We relocated from across the country, so much of it was remote for us. We were able to trust that she was interested and motivated by our unique best interest throughout the process. Truly, we couldn’t design a better realtor. She is a smart, funny, good person who was a pleasure to work with and we’re sure we’ll use her when we’re ready to sell!

B. Lelme – February 2018

"Wonderful to work with. She knows the business."

“Wonderful to work with. She knows the business.”

Jimmy Amato
Home Seller 2018

"Excellent customer service, highly knowledgable, and a great negotiator."

“We were moving to Sewickley from California as part of a relocation. We had a very short window to find and buy something and almost everything had to be done remotely. Kathe’s expertise and local knowledge made the process much easier. She was very responsive and easy to get in touch with. When my husband and brother came for a whirlwind house hunting trip of just a few hours (I was too pregnant to make the trip), Kathe made sure they saw all the options and understood the pros and cons of the available properties. In the end, we found the perfect house at a good price in a great location. Kathe helped us with every step along the way and even checked in after we closed. Excellent customer service, highly knowledgable, and a great negotiator-– I can’t recommend her services highly enough!”

David Bloomberg
Home Buyer 2018

"She is not only a pure professional but smart and personable as well."

“I cannot say enough about Kathe Barge. She is not only a pure professional but smart and personable as well. We chose Kathe because of her incredible marketing abilities…..primarily thru newspaper and postcards. It was obvious to us, when enlisting Kathe, she would give us 110% of her efforts. Kathe made suggestions as to what changes to make to have our home be more marketable. It worked! Our home sold much faster than we ever anticipated. Thank you, Kathe!”

Randall Carter
Home Seller 2018

"...she makes you feel like you are her only and most special client."

“Howard Hanna is lucky to have Kathe Barge. What a pleasure to be guided through our relocation process by someone so talented, honest and knowledgeable. The North Hills and Sewickley are her speciality and not only did she know each and every community inside and out, she has established relationships with other realtors from all companies throughout the region. We were lucky to get first dibs on listings about to come to market. Many of these listings sold in 1-3 days which we were lucky to preview. Even though Kathe has tons of listings and is in high demand she makes you feel like you are her only and most special client. We will happily refer friends moving to Pittsburgh directly to her and her team. Thanks again KATHE!!”

Meredith and George Mestre
Home Buyer 2017

"Kathy worked hard to get our house sold during a slump in our price range."

“Kathy worked hard to get our house sold during a slump in our price range. She planned many open houses and offered advice on staging the house.”

Carol and Bob Miloszewski
Home Seller 2017

"Kathe did a great job getting us into a home we never expected to be able to purchase."

“Kathe did a great job getting us into a home we never expected to be able to purchase.”

Bridget & Jerry Clarke
Home buyer 2017

"I like her determination and advice and her legal background is another nice to have."

“Kathy has spent slot of time enthusiastically marking my house with a lot of energy. I like her determination and advice and her legal background is another nice to have. I would recommend Kathy to be your agent.”

Cornelia Wendzicki
Home Seller 2017

""Knowledgeable, likeable, efficient..."

“Knowledgeable, likeable, efficient, skillfully utilizes a wealth of marketing forums. Keeps us well informed of the sale process.”

Alfred Doyle
Home Seller 2017

"Her expertise, honesty and integrity are unsurpassed in the industry."

When it comes to buying or selling a home in the Sewickley area, there is only one choice for a Realtor if you want the very best result: Kathe Barge! Kathe represented us as both sellers and buyers. Kathe was an impressive advocate every step of the way, reflecting her background as an attorney. Her expertise, honesty and integrity are unsurpassed in the industry. She was instrumental in helping us find cost effective solutions to maximize the dollars we were able to achieve in the sale of our home. Kathe understands exactly what product a seller needs to give the market in order to deliver the highest return on investment. She developed a customized and comprehensive marketing strategy that promoted the outcome we desired which was then achieved. Kathe always kept us informed and partnered with us in both finding the perfect home for our family and in finding the right buyer for our unique home. We always knew what to expect before it happened. If you are considering selling or buying a home, interview Kathe. You will be glad you did.

AAE – November 2017

"We wanted to hire the best Realtor that we could find...we are so thankful we partnered with Kathe Barge."

Selling a house is not a frequent occurrence for most folks so the help of a professional is often needed. In our situation, we knew well in advance that we would be relocating to another city. We wanted to hire the best Realtor that we could find.

Our relationship with Kathe started almost a year before we entered into a contract with her. Since she had listed and sold two houses directly across the street from our home we decided to reach out to her for her thoughts on the neighborhood and the market in general. She was gracious enough to spend several hours over the course of a few visits to give us her professional opinion on improvements to make, rooms to paint including popular color palettes that show well, and upgrades to avoid. She was very honest, blunt and full of great ideas. It required a bit more work on our part to paint several rooms in more neutral colors, but the results were well worth it. Again, all this work was done before we formally entered into an agreement with her. We were so impressed by her straight forward approach we never gave a thought to hiring anyone but Kathe.

Once we signed on the dotted line, Kathe did everything she promised to do. The photography, which is critical in this fast-paced world we live in, was first class. She even had additional outdoor shots added once the trees and shrubs were in bloom. Throughout the showing process Kathe communicated promptly and never wasted our time. We talked often during the three months before we received an offer and listened to her advice to hold on our price and wait for the right buyer. After three months, we had the offer we were looking for and Kathe then lead us through the negotiating process which resulted in a successful sale.

Overall, while selling a home can be stressful, we are so thankful we partnered with Kathe Barge to be our Realtor. It could not have gone any smoother for us!

John Sobecki – September 2017

"Her knowledge of the market, hard work, honesty, and..."

Simply put, Kathe is the best. I have been involved with 4 real estate transactions, and working with Kathe was by far my best experience. Her knowledge of the market, hard work, honesty, and efforts to do her best are obvious from the minute you begin working with her. Kathe was able to help us find what we wanted, and made the transaction processes very smooth. She is able to help from so many different aspects by having a strong team that she is able to set up. Would work with Kathe again, as a seller or buyer.

Ben P

“She is smart as a whip, knows the Pittsburgh market ... and listens to her clients”

Kathe Barge is one of the best realtors I have ever worked with. She is smart as a whip, knows the Pittsburgh market incredibly well, and listens to her clients on what is most important to them. I would highly recommend using Kathe either to sell your home or to find you your dream home!

Lisa & Mark Witte – Home Buyer 2015

“I would use her again and would highly recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.”

Kathe knew the area, what was available and the pros and cons of each property. She provided honest and trustworthy recommendations and perspectives on every property with my interest in mind. Most realtors I have dealt with seemed only to be interested in the sale. Kathe was not that way at all. I would use her again and would highly recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.

Aimee Vickers – Home Seller & Home Buyer 2015 (Repeat Client)

“Within less than 24 hours of putting our house on the market, Kathe had a buyer for our house”

Within less than 24 hours of putting our house on the market, Kathe had a buyer for our house. Our success was a result of her reputation in the market, as the buyers’ agent called her directly to discuss homes that might meet the buyers’ requirements. This is a testimony to her professionalism and market knowledge, and we are so pleased that we decided to hire Kathe. We highly recommend her for anyone considering buying or selling in the area!

Ryan & Krista Miller – Home Seller 2015, Home Buyer 2013 (Repeat Client)

“I can’t say enough good things about Kathe”

Having Kathe as our agent has truly been a great experience. She worked with us for almost a full year as we tried and finally found the right home to purchase. Kathe was able to get us in to see multiple houses before they were on the market which was a tremendous advantage and is how we found the home we ended up purchasing. Her knowledge of the local market helped us make informed decisions and the analysis she does of properties helped ensure that we didn’t overpay for a house. I can’t say enough good things about Kathe and our overall experience working together and would highly recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell in the Sewickley area!

Dan & Rachel Morin – Home Buyers 2014

“...her personal commitment to customer satisfaction made my home selling experience very satisfying”

Kathe Barge is an exceptional real estate representative whether you are buying or selling a home. Her wise counsel, her immediate response to any/all questions and concerns, and her personal commitment to customer satisfaction made my home selling experience comfortable and very satisfying. Kathe is highly professional, very respectful and most importantly, someone in whom I could put my trust. I would, without hesitation, recommend Kathe Barge to assist with any real estate needs.

Donna Panazzi – Home Seller 2015

“Kathe guided us through every step of the process.”

We wanted a bigger home and less debt. We wanted to stay in the Quaker Valley School District. And we wanted to move from a 100-year-old house in the village to a new home in the hills. Sound impossible? You don’t know Kathe Barge.

My wife and I made a decision to work with the best. We researched Realtors in the area. Two stood out from the pack. We interviewed each and chose to work with Kathe because, not only did she have an exceptional understanding of the marketplace, she was tech savvy. She presented strategies to make our property stand out to buyers on realtor.com, Trulia, and Zillow – the very tools that we were using to peruse the housing market.

Kathe guided us through every step of the process. She helped us to prepare our home to attract buyers. She taught us what to expect in the marketplace and she handled negotiations masterfully.

When we sold our home, we had less than a month to find a new home, negotiate a sale, secure a mortgage, and then actually move. Kathe connected us with competent professionals in every phase of the operation. She provided helpful suggestions at every twist and turn. What could have been – what should have been – a highly stressful event was, in fact, a process that was superbly well managed.

How did we do? We have 50% more living space, 300% more storage space, and a three car garage as opposed to having no garage. Best of all, we reduced our mortgage by over $180,000.

Every so often you will meet a person who has mastered every aspect of their profession and still manages to become your three year old’s best friend. That is Kathe Barge.

Bill & Paula Acheson – Home Buyer & Home Seller 2015

“Kathe made our move ... far less stressful”

Kathe made our move from Washington, DC to Sewickley far less stressful than it would have otherwise been. Her knowledge of the area and the market, as well as her connections to local resources, made our lives much easier. She was very patient in showing us options but also provided very helpful guidance so that we could make decisions more quickly and feel comfortable making them. I would highly recommend using Kathe to anyone moving to the area.

Robert & Jacqui Weinberg – Home Buyer 2015

“Kathe was there handling every little detail”

Kathe was invaluable to us as we made our move to Sewickley. We had been casually looking for 6 months when a friend recommended we call Kathe. Kathe knew the market inside and out and was extremely patient with us. When we found the house we wanted, Kathe knew the history of the house and helped us imagine how to renovate. We ran into some trouble at closing where the deal could’ve easily fallen apart, but Kathe was there handling every little detail from plumbers to roofers!

I would highly recommend Kathe and truly couldn’t have made the move without her help.

Elliot & Beth Davis – Home Buyer 2015

"She provided honest and trustworthy recommendations”

Dean Datre – Home Buyer 2015

“Her attention to detail went above and beyond.”

Kathe Barge is an exceptional broker. Her attention to detail went above and beyond. She researched all aspects of the property {house and land} leaving no questions unanswered. She took charge of whatever had to be done quickly and made it happen. She has a wealth of contacts to handle property issues or legal matters. The closing couldn’t have gone more smoothly because of her organizational skills.

Karen Jones – Home Seller 2014

“She made things happen that we didn’t think were possible.”

Kathe really knows her stuff! She was our guide and our advocate every step of the way. She made things happen that we didn’t think were possible. And she was enjoyable to work with. I highly recommend her!

Sharon Castle – Home Seller & Home Buyer 2014

“Excellent negotiation skills and wonderful advice.”

Kathe is a very experienced and knowledgeable realtor. I have worked with her not only selling my house but also buying a new one at the same time. She knows the process from a legal background as well as having many years experience in this market. She helped us get our home show ready and sold with only a few months. Excellent negotiation skills and wonderful advice. I highly recommend Kathe for any real estate needs in this area!

Aimee Vickers – Home Seller & Home Buyer 2014

“Kathe is communicative and will work hard to sell a property.”

Kathe helped sell a 50+-year-old house that was part of an estate. The Executor of the estate lived out of state so communications were an important part of the transaction. She had over 55 prospects look at the house and after recommending some changes and minimal improvements at a reasonable cost, the house sold. Kathe also found the necessary people to do the improvements at a reasonable cost. Kathe is communicative and will work hard to sell a property. I highly recommend using Kathe to sell a property and implement any suggestions/advice she gives to make the property more desirable.

Judy Iwler – Home Seller 2014

“Kathe was head and shoulders above any other real estate agent”

I would give Kathe the very highest recommendation. Over the years I have bought and sold several homes but Kathe was head and shoulders above any other real estate agent that I have worked with in the past. Her knowledge of the local housing market, suggestions about each house that we were considering, referrals to other professionals we need (home inspector /closing agent, etc.), information and reminders about the closing process made the entire process smooth. Kathe’s background, experience, and attention to detail make her the best person to work with if you are buying or selling a house in the Sewickley area

Maggie Setler – Home Buyer 2013

“Kathe’s knowledge related to the contract aspect of the process was impressive”

We selected Kathe based on her professional, business approach to real estate. The added value was from day one she took the time to get to know our personal motivation for selling and never pushed us beyond our comfort level. Her knowledge of the local and industry market was extremely strong. During the final negotiation, not only was Kathe strategic for us as sellers but we found that the buyers’ agent also relied on her for guidance. Kathe’s knowledge related to the contract aspect of the process was impressive and once again made the closing very smooth. We would recommend Kathe to anyone looking to buy or sell.

Kelly Pfenninger – Home Seller 2013

“Her knowledge of the Sewickley market is extraordinary”

I would give Kathe the highest recommendation possible! Her real estate knowledge is incredible and we were fortunate to have worked with Kathe on our relocation from Los Angeles to Sewickley. Her knowledge of the Sewickley market is extraordinary and her analysis of the housing market is detailed and accurate. I was so impressed how prepared she was prior to my arrival to PA. We did a lot on the phone before I met her to discuss my search. She listens intently to your specific needs – what you are looking for in your next home and then she gets down to business, showing you all the possibilities so you can narrow it down to just the right one. She is full of ideas to make your choice just right for you, making concrete suggestions of changes you might consider. We are big fans and appreciate her professionalism and qualifications and would recommend Kathe to anyone interested in purchasing a new home!!! She is simply the BEST!

Roxana Boglio Branigan – Home Buyer 2013

“...the best and most professional and hardest working real estate agent...”

Kathe is by far the best and most professional and hardest working real estate agent I have ever met. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell a home in the Sewickley area.

Suku Powers – Home Seller 2013

“She is a true advocate for the buyer.”

Kathe was a pleasure to work with – a true professional. Her knowledge of the local area helped our family truly find the right home for us. We really got to know her during this process and we could not be more pleased that we selected her as our agent. She is a true advocate for the buyer.

Jamie Rogers – Home Buyer 2013

“Kathe has an incredible eye for detail”

We were fortunate to work with Kathe both on the sale of our home and the purchase of our new one. Kathe has an incredible eye for detail in all aspects of home buying and selling. She doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to everything from intricate contracts/negotiations to staging preparations. She knows the area very well and is well respected by those who work closely with her. Anytime a referral for something is needed, she is quick to provide very good resources. I have heard several people say, “Kathe is the hardest working lady in Sewickley real estate.” I definitely agree and highly recommend her.

LeAnn Kowalyk – Home Buyer 2012 & Home Seller 2013

“...provided expert insight and guidance on the entire relocation and negotiation process...”

We were very fortunate to work with Kathe in our relocation to Sewickley from Washington, DC. Kathe knew the market intimately, provided expert insight and guidance on the entire relocation and negotiation process, and was a wealth of knowledge regarding schools, local activities and contractors. I would highly recommend Kathe.

Ryan Miller – Home Buyer 2013

“She was very conscientious about listening to our needs...”

As a corporate executive for Fortune 500 firms my entire career, I have had occasion to employ real estate agents on numerous occasions throughout the years. In fact, my wife and I have bought and sold eight homes, in five different states, over the past fifteen years. We are admittedly very demanding when it comes to real estate agents. We have historically not been bashful about “firing” agents that did not satisfy our needs or expectations. When you move as often as we do, there is little time or patience for dealing with anyone other than a top-flight professional.

When we relocated to Pittsburgh from San Francisco in early 2002, we came upon Kathe somewhat by chance. She was the listing agent for a house in a neighborhood that we had targeted to buy a home – the village of Sewickley. I was first impressed with Kathe by the detail and thoroughness of her listing. The house was available on the internet, with multiple pictures, a virtual tour, and a very detailed and well-written description of the house and property. Kathe writes the most eloquent house and property descriptions that I have ever seen – anywhere. If we were to ever move again, I wouldn’t want anyone but Kathe to list and market my home.

However, I was even more impressed with Kathe as a buyers’ agent. Kathe was extremely knowledgeable about the local housing market, schools, and property values. She was very conscientious about listening to our needs and showing us only the properties that met our requirements – saving valuable time and energy. She worked around our busy schedule, and was available whenever we needed her. But I was most impressed with Kathe by her ethical standards and personal commitment to helping us make a good buying decision. On more than one occasion, Kathe actually talked us out of buying a home – due to technical concerns, or because the sellers’ price did not represent a fair value for the home. Kathe wasn’t interested in just selling us any old house – she wanted to find us a home that we would truly be happy in, and for us to pay a fair price for it.

I have since recommended Kathe to both friends and colleagues for their real estate needs. I will continue to do so, without hesitation, in the future. Kathe is an outstanding real estate agent, who can satisfy even the most demanding of clients.

Sincerely,
Robert K. Julian – Home Buyer (& Subsequent Home Seller)

“She also is a great negotiator”

Kathe is very good at dealing with busy people with little time to commit to finding a house, and she is extremely knowledgeable of the housing communities surrounding Pittsburgh. She also is a great negotiator, perhaps stemming from her former career as an attorney. She helped us get a great price on our house.

Jay Odell – Home Buyer (& Subsequent Home Seller)

“…we were thrown curve-balls and change-ups ... and Kathe was unflustered”

Kathe is amazing. Through a very difficult period in my family’s life, Kathe made our transition to a new home smooth and easy. Professional, reliable, insightful, creative and informative, Kathe helped me handle the purchase of my family’s new home when I many times it didn’t look like it would happen. I was amazed at how swiftly and surely she moved when divorce-monkey-wrenches kept falling on the table. Prior to this, buying our homes or properties was an ordeal, but with Kathe’s help, this one was extremely easy, in fact, it was amazing…we were thrown curve-balls and change-ups because of my divorce proceedings and Kathe was unflustered. Closing the deal was amazing and she did it. Kathe continues to be a resource for us: whenever I have a question, need a contractor or assistance with any real estate or property legalities, or want to network in the community, I call Kathe and she responds with perfect answers.

Prior to dealing with Kathe, I dealt with Real Estate Agents as a necessity only. I now have a tremendous respect and gratitude for what a Professional Agent can do and I highly recommend Kathe to anyone interested in a smooth transaction and a lifelong resource for any Real Estate or community needs.

Thank you Kathe, more than you know.

Fawn Chang – Home Buyer

“Kathe handled it all.”

If we could put down on paper what we really think of Kathe Barge, she would appear too good to be true.

For our family, the sale of our home came at a time when so many other changes were occurring that it was hard to devote the time necessary to do everything right. That is when Kathe’s real value shone. Her knowledge of the market and her professionalism became apparent very early in the process. But it was the thoroughness and thoughtfulness with which she went about every big and small task that lay on the long road from preparing for sale, to marketing, to contract, to closing that leads to her receiving our highest recommendation.

When we couldn’t get any contractor for three weeks, she had one there within one. When it came time to decide on an offer price, she didn’t present just marked comparables, she prepared a marketing plan, analyzing not just the sell side of the market, but profiling potential buyers so that we could best position our home. By the time the closing occurred, we were comfortable enough to not even bother showing up. Kathe handled it all.

Jon and Chris Anderson – Home Seller

“She was always a step ahead of everyone else.”

Kathe handled all phases of the house-buying process with competence and professionalism:

Search. Kathe was tireless and patient, as she showed us (and our two teenagers) dozens of houses. She quickly learned that we liked, and selected a variety of houses that met our needs. No one knows the Quaker Valley area better than Kathe. She recognized that weren’t just buying a house; we were reestablishing our family in a new community.

Offer. This was actually the most enjoyable part of the whole process. Kathe knows the market. She approached the negotiation process strategically, and evaluated possible scenarios. It was fun to watch her in action. She was always a step ahead of everyone else. When the negotiations were over and our offer accepted, we knew we were making a good investment.

Closing. Kathe made sure all “the bases were covered” so that the closing went smoothly. Her oversight and follow-through were impeccable. She told us exactly what needed to be done, when it needed to be done, and who could do it. There were no last-minute surprises. She is definitely the person you “want in your corner” to look out for you interests.

Working with Kathe was a delightful experience. Our only regret is that we had only one house to buy. If we ever move again, our only call will be to Kathe.

Sincerely,
Ken and Sally Paillé – Home Buyer (& Subsequent Home Seller)

“...she brought us an offer in less than 48 hours.”

We knew we had a unique house, but that, although we loved it tremendously, it might prove difficult to sell. Therefore, we were quite surprised (and pleased) when Kathe told us how much our property value had increased in just four years and what she thought was a reasonable asking price. We were even more excited as she brought us an offer in less than 48 hours. Given that we had already committed to move, her swift action was very welcome.

As we discussed the initial offer and counter offer her calm demeanor and confidence quieted our nerves and allowed us to view the process rationally and without excess emotion. Her breadth of knowledge regarding the legal and practical aspects of a real estate sale allowed us to work with the buyers’ offer.

We have now settled into our new home, though our closing here did have to be postponed three days (how we wish that you could have handled this side of our move too). We hope that your career is going wonderfully. It should, you are great. We highly recommend you to anyone buying or selling in the Sewickley area. Your intimate knowledge of the community, the available properties, and the current economic conditions make you eminently qualified to handle any transactions from the most simple to the most complex.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth and Kevin Daley – Home Seller

“...the most important single factor in making it such an easy transition was having such a fantastic real estate agent...”

In retrospect, our move from San Francisco to Pittsburgh went very smoothly, and the most important single factor in making it such an easy transition was having such a fantastic real estate agent helping us through it. We were very lucky to be referred to Kathe Barge, and we will be vigorously recommending her to friends and associates for years to come.

Kathe did a fantastic job helping us thoroughly research neighborhoods, school systems, and specific properties in the weeks prior to our visits to Pittsburgh. That homework and multiple phone calls with Kathe really prepared us for our initial house-hunting trips. Because of scheduling problems, we each had to take separate house hunting trips, and Kathe did a fantastic job in helping each of us get the most out of our visits.

That fantastic service continued through our negotiations, in which Kathes advice proved afterward to have been spot-on, as well as through the closing and getting settled once we took possession. We didnt even attend the closing in person, as Kathe was able to handle everything for us.

We couldnt be happier with the smoothness of the move, our wonderful house, and our fantastic neighborhood and neighboring families, and for that we owe Kathe a huge vote of thanks. Without any reservations, we strongly recommend Kathe to anyone looking for a top notch agent in the Pittsburgh area.

Andy and Cindy Forssell – Home Buyer (& Subsequent Home Seller)

“She was also very proactive during a difficult period where we needed to tap her legal expertise and advice.”

I think that anyone would be hard pressed to find a more dynamic and capable real estate agent. We were very fortunate to have access to Kathe’s diverse skill set. She continuously demonstrated her ability to understand our needs.

Kathe has a unique balance of soft skills that helped us navigate a variety of listings as well as legal knowledge and resources that we also leveraged during our process. She quickly interpreted our feedback and moved us toward options that were aligned with our desires. She was also very proactive during a difficult period where we needed to tap her legal expertise and advice. That effort provided us with a sense of confidence and comfort while we worked through those issues.

Kathe has an unbelievable ability to visualize the optimal use of space. Much of this must come from her efforts to completely remodel her own home. We quickly learned that we could defer to Kathe’s opinion on layout and future home modifications because once she walked us through her ideas, they were spot on. We often now say that we will never make any major home modifications while living in Pittsburgh without consulting Kathe.

In sum, we could not have asked for a better advocate for our familys housing needs.

Jason, Christine & Dylan Reed – Home Buyer 2012

“We found a goldmine in Kathe”

We recently purchased a home in Franklin Park with Kathe Barge as our agent. While words will not do her justice, we will try to explain what an amazing agent we found in Kathe.

Kathe’s understanding of service far surpasses any other human’s definition of that word. We truly believe that Kathe treated our search for a home as though it was her own. From taking us on a tour of the area, to answering our calls and emails promptly at any time of the day or night, Kathe helped us to develop a sincere trust in her as our agent.

We had a unique set of expectations for our future home and Kathe helped us to navigate the listings. She assisted us through the devastating discovery of mold in a beautiful old home that we were planning to purchase, and ultimately, she picked a house to show us when time for our relocation was running short that has now become our new home.

While we were not first time home buyers, we were buying for the first time in the Pittsburgh market and needed a LOT of guidance and information. We found a goldmine in Kathe. Every question we asked she either knew the answer to or was able to direct us to the appropriate resource. Kathe never rushed us and she listened so well to what we were saying as well as what we THOUGHT we were saying!

Of course Kathe always worked professionally and tirelessly on our behalf, that goes without saying. She is a woman who dots her “i”s and crosses her “t”s, someone a client can always have confidence in and feel secure with her working on their behalf. We feel beyond blessed to have had such an amazing Realtor to make our home finding and buying experience successful. We will highly recommend Kathe to anyone we know in need of an agent, and when the time comes to move, we hope she will be available to work with us again!

Kelly & Mike Ross & Family – Home Buyer 2011

“[She] stayed with us through the ups and downs...”

Jon and I want you to know how lucky we feel that you were the one manning the office that day he called looking for an agent. You stayed with us through the ups and downs of selling our little house as if it were a mansion worth several million. You went so far beyond any expectations we had of a real estate agent that we would sing your praises and recommend you to anyone buying or selling a house. All of your advice, help and reassurance during the purchase of our new house was also much appreciated! Thank you for holding our hands – Many thanks to the best real estate agent!

Very Sincerely,
Gayle York – Home Seller

“... calm, logical advice ... knowledge of all the requirements, and ...[able] to firmly negotiate on our behalf.”

Thank you so much for your help through this whole process. You’ve helped us so much this last month as well as the years!! We so appreciated your calm, logical advice, your knowledge of all the requirements, and your ability to firmly negotiate on our behalf.

Tom and Becky Musial – Home Buyer

"She is knowledgeable and on top of the market."

Kathe is excellent. She is knowledgeable and on top of the market. I would use her again if the need arose.

Dean Datre

"She is a true professional and the best in the business."

“Kathe was extremely knowledgeable and on target with changes we should make and who would by our home. When we weren’t happy with the first offer the buyer made she worked with us on how to get our house sold. We highly recommend her. She is a true professional and the best in the business.”

William Dyer
Home Seller 2017

"She is our first call for everything real estate related."

Kathe has assisted my wife and I on two purchases in Quaker Valley (we have come to learn that moving within the Sewickley area is fairly common), one real estate sale, and rental of another property. She is our first call for all things real estate related. Her knowledge of the local market, and just houses in general, separates her from her peers. Whether it was connecting us to the right contractors to use to remodel a 130 year old home, suggesting paint colors for either the interior or exterior of our house, or drafting the relevant contractual language, Kathe truly is in a class of her own. I have referred her to multiple people, and will continue to do so in the future. She is a preeminent real estate professional and your one stop shop for a effective real estate transaction.

Jamie & Pam Rogers

“We wouldn’t have gotten into the house that we did without her local knowledge”

Kathe represented us wonderfully as we searched for our dream home. She got to know us well enough to help us move across the country and right into a house that was a perfect fit for our family and young children. As an attentive listener, she was very well informed about the area and even knew of options that weren’t yet on the market – one of which was “the one”. We wouldn’t have gotten into the house that we did without her local knowledge, and for that we are truly grateful!

Dan Monahan – May 31, 2017

“We couldn’t have made a better choice!”

In May 2016, my wife and I hired Kathe to help us find and purchase a home in the Quaker Valley School District before the start of school in August. We chose her because she has some educational credentials not all realtors have and because, when I interviewed her, she seemed smart, honest, and easy to relate to. Now that out home buying process is over, I think we couldn’t have made a better choice!

Our home search was not simple. We weren’t exactly sure what we wanted when we started. We toured some homes numerous times before deciding whether to make an offer. We cancelled one purchase agreement after a scary inspection. Through it all, Kathe was unfailingly patient and incredibly helpful. She read us very well, sensing accurately when we wanted advice or input, even before we asked, and when we just needed a moment to think. She always returned emails, phone calls, and texts quickly, even if she was away on a long-scheduled vacation. When we dithered or got delayed, Kathe helped us stay focused on our goal. She helped us find better financing than I had found on my own. When the bank tried to delay our closing date, Kathe negotiated with them and got us the date we wanted. In fact, our biggest misstep occurred when we ignored her advice and made an offer on that house that ended up receiving a scary inspection report; Kathe saw that coming. Moreover, she is delightful to be with, which made the process less stressful and more enjoyable.

Kathe has continued to be helpful and kind to us since we closed on our house. We needed to renovate a bedroom very quickly; Kathe found someone who did an excellent job. She has answered numerous miscellaneous questions I have had. She even sent us a holiday card with a recent picture of our house.

Because she is exceedingly competent, caring, and congenial, I would recommend Kathe to anyone. And when we are ready to sell this house and buy another, we will definitely ask her to represent us.

George Branch-Trevathan

“Kathe was right there with us through it all.”

I am very picky when it comes to picking a house. It took my SO and I 3 YEARS to pick a house. We went back and forth between Sewickley and Washington County. We went out and looked at probably 50-100 houses. I realize that all of this makes me sound like a crazy person. Kathe was right there with us through it all. She was helpful, giving her opinions when we needed it, steering us in the right direction when I “loved” a house that was probably going to be a money pit, and not tossing us to the curb when we would spend .25 seconds in a beautiful house before looking at each other and declaring “we hate it.” She is super knowledgeable, she knows someone to fix or estimate or give advice on absolutely everything. She came recommended by my financial planner as well as a few friends that had also used her to buy/sell their houses. Basically, I can’t say enough about how happy we are with her!!! THANK YOU KATHE!!!!

Becki Gazda

“She was always available to answer any questions that we had and address any issues that came up.”

Kathe is the consummate professional. She listed our Sewickley Heights home. She had it under agreement and closed within five months. That is quite impressive considering the size and listing price of our former home. She was always available to answer any questions that we had and address any issues that came up. At the time, we were so focused on the sale of our prior home and the physical move to our current home that we truly did not appreciate the fantastic job that she did with the purchase of our Shadyside home. Kathe is outstanding. Five stars are not enough to adequately describe Kathe’s performance!

Jackie Anderson

“Her background as a CPA and attorney made her a trusted and invaluable advisor.”

Kathe did a terrific job for my wife and me as we searched for our new home in the Sewickley area in early 2016. Her encyclopedic knowledge of the housing market was very helpful, and her background as a CPA and attorney made her a trusted and invaluable advisor. We would highly recommend Kathe to anyone either buying or selling a home in Sewickley.

Greg Ross – Home Buyer 2016

“She really made it easy for us.”

We highly recommend working with Kathe – her knowledge of the Sewickley area and of the market was exactly what we needed as first-time home buyers new to the area. Kathe is great to work with, we had a ton of questions about the process of buying a home and Kathe always had prompt answers as well as advice based on her vast experience. Once we found the right house, she really helped us with negotiating – Kathe gave us great advice on what to offer and when, and before we knew it we were closing! She really made it easy for us. We’ve been in our house for 3 months now and it’s perfect. If you are looking in the Sewickley area, no one knows more than Kathe!

Molly & Jeff Kessler – Home Buyer 2016

"We cannot recommend Kathe highly enough!"

We cannot recommend Kathe highly enough! When my mother-in-law suffered some serious health issues we were faced with the difficult task of getting her townhouse sold from several states away. Kathe guided us through the process swiftly and efficiently. Her knowledge of the Sewickley market was so beneficial to me as someone completely unfamiliar with the area, and it was wonderful to have someone that I could lean on to guide me step by step. Kathe tells it like it is and fights for her clients which is so necessary in such a huge transaction. If you want knowledge and experience and someone who will be your partner in the real estate process, call Kathe!

Liz Signet – Home Seller 2016

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