My story, and how it shapes the way I work with you.
Karen Montgomery believes real estate is about more than buying or selling a home—it's about helping people navigate important transitions with confidence, clarity, and care.
Originally from Michigan, she and her family relocated to Hickory, North Carolina, after living in New Hampshire. As a Real Estate Agent and Broker with True North Realty, she specializes in listing and marketing properties, relocation, and helping clients navigate downsizing and senior transitions. Her approach is grounded in honest communication, attention to detail, and a genuine commitment to the people she serves.
Before building her career in real estate, Karen gained experience in teaching, sales, and management across higher education, health and wellness, and community initiatives. She holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Health Administration and is also a Certified Fitness Professional and Yoga Instructor. Her diverse background has shaped her ability to listen, communicate effectively, stay organized, and build lasting relationships.
Authenticity, kindness, respect, and discipline guide the way she works. She believes in showing up fully for her clients, communicating consistently, and following through from the first conversation to the closing table. Her goal is simple: for every client to feel genuinely cared for and confident in the decisions they make along the way.
She is also passionate about being part of the Hickory community and is involved with the Chamber of Catawba County, Leadership Catawba Class of 2027, and the Lenoir-Rhyne University Bears Club. Outside of real estate, she enjoys strength training, yoga, long walks outdoors, time with family, trips to the beach, and discovering great Mexican food.
An early riser by nature, she often starts her day before sunrise with a workout and a little time to focus on herself before the day begins. Her philosophy is simple: "Choose joy in the work, and success tends to follow."
With energy, persistence, and genuine care, she is committed to making every real estate experience feel a little more supported—and a lot more confident.
- ◆ Licensed North Carolina Real Estate Broker
- ◆ Master's degree in Health Administration
- ◆ Bachelor's degree in Health Administration
- ◆ Certified Fitness Professional
- ◆ Yoga Instructor
- ◆ Leadership Catawba, Class of 2027
- ◆ Chamber of Catawba County
A local guide, with a boutique brokerage's full weight behind them.
Karen pairs deep local knowledge with True North's marketing, technology, and distribution — so clients get concierge-level attention without giving up scale.
How Karen + True North actually market your home.
No cookie-cutter checklists. Every listing gets the same senior-level treatment.
A real comparative market analysis with live absorption data from Canopy MLS — plus an honest range, not a wish price.
Every listing includes pro photography, floor plans, and — where it earns its keep — drone, video walk-throughs, and twilight shots. No 'good enough' iPhone photos.
Your home hits Canopy MLS plus Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and Homes.com — all with correct data and pro media.
True North's Social Studio generates on-brand posts across Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, plus a targeted email push to our sphere and past-client database.
Karen negotiates with a full brokerage playbook behind them — pricing strategy, inspection response templates, and appraisal defense that a solo agent can't match.
A dedicated coordinator owns your timeline — inspections, appraisal, lender check-ins, closing — so you get updates, not scavenger hunts.
You get a real person on the phone, backed by the entire True North operation.
- ✓Direct access — you text Karen, Karen answers. No junior handoff.
- ✓Local expertise across Hickory, Conover, Newton — schools, commutes, HOAs, the stuff Zillow can't tell you.
- ✓Early access to True North's coming-soon listings and network-sourced opportunities before they hit the public MLS.
- ✓Preferred lender + inspector + attorney bench — vetted, not paid referrals.
- ✓A written buyer or seller game plan before you ever tour or list.
- ✓Transparent pricing — no junk fees, no surprise closing costs.
- ✓Post-close support: contractor referrals, tax appeals, refinance timing.
- ✓A brokerage that treats agents like partners, not seat-fillers — which is why your agent is here for the long haul.
True North Realty · Hickory, NC
Based in downtown Hickory and serving buyers and sellers across the Catawba Valley, Lake Norman, the High Country, and the greater Charlotte and Triad regions. Karen works with you virtually or in person.