Gema Smith's Blog

Posted on 01/06/2025

Time in the Market Beats Timing the Market

Trying to decide whether it makes more sense to buy a home now or wait? There’s a lot to consider, from what’s happening in the market to your changing needs. But generally speaking, aiming to time the market isn’t a good strategy – there are too many factors at play for that to even be possible. That’s why...

For Buyers

Equity

+ 6 more

Posted on 01/06/2025

Home Staging FAQ: What You Need To Know

You may have heard that staging your home properly can make a big difference when you sell your house, but what exactly is home staging, and is it really worth your time and effort? Here are a few quick FAQs that can help you decide how much you should prioritize staging as you prep for your move. What...

For Sellers

Selling Tips

+ 6 more

Posted on 01/05/2025

"Should I refinance my mortgage?" 3 Common reasons homeowners refinance

Homeowners refinance their mortgages for an assortment of...

Home Finance

Home Loans

+ 3 more

Posted on 12/30/2024

The Personal Joys of Having a Home To Call Your Own

There’s no doubt that owning a home comes with significant financial benefits. And this time of year is a great time to reflect on the other reasons why owning a home is so meaningful. A house is more than four walls and a roof – it’s a place where memories are made, connections are built, and life happens....

For Buyers

First Time Buyers

+ 6 more

Posted on 12/30/2024

How Eco-Friendly Features Can Boost Your Home’s Value

Selling your house? Or just looking to increase the value and appeal of your home for when you do? Here’s something you should know – homebuyers are increasingly looking for homes with environmentally friendly features. What Energy Efficient Features Do Buyers Want? According to recent data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), when buyers think about eco-friendly...

For Sellers

Selling Tips

+ 6 more

Posted on 12/29/2024

Party hosting tips: How to entertain kids at home

It can be tricky to think of ideas for how to entertain...

Home Entertaining

Kids

+ 3 more

Posted on 12/23/2024

The Truth About Down Payments

Some Highlights There’s a misconception going around that you have to put 20% of the purchase price down when you buy a home. But the truth is, many people don’t put down that much unless they’re trying to make their offer more competitive. And if you want to give your savings a boost, look into down payment assistance....

For Buyers

First Time Buyers

+ 8 more

Posted on 12/23/2024

How Home Equity May Help You Buy Your Next Home in Cash

Building equity in your house is one of the biggest financial advantages of homeownership. And right now, homeowners across the country are sitting on record amounts of it. Here’s a look at how that equity could be a game changer for you, and why it’ll flip your perspective from “Why would I move right now?” to “Why wouldn’t...

For Sellers

Equity

+ 7 more

Posted on 12/23/2024

Struggling To Sell Your House? Read This.

When you sell your house, ideally, you want it to go something like this: your house sells for top dollar, you get it sold quickly, and it all goes down without a hitch. But what many people don’t realize is that even in today's market where there are more buyers than homes for sale, there are still things...

For Sellers

Selling Tips

+ 7 more

Posted on 12/22/2024

The 3 Key Parts of Your Home to Hurricane-Proof

Hurricanes can cause damage to your property in a variety of ways. Luckily, there are also many ways you can protect your home from the catastrophic effects of strong winds, rain and everything else a hurricane can bring. Here are three areas to focus on when hurricane-proofing your home: Windows Windows are an important feature to focus on...

Emergency Preparedness

Home Safety

+ 4 more

Posted on 12/16/2024

What Homebuyers Need To Know About Credit Scores

Some Highlights Data shows 7 out of 10 prospective homebuyers don’t know the minimum credit score required by lenders or that it varies by lender and loan type. According to Experian, the range is anywhere from 500 to 700 for the minimum credit score. That means you don’t need perfect credit to buy a home. Your credit score...

For Buyers

First Time Buyers

+ 7 more

Posted on 12/16/2024

Only an Expert Agent Can Give You an Accurate Value of Your Home

In today’s digital age, it’s tempting to rely on automated tools for everything — including figuring out how much your house is worth. But be careful. The automated estimates you’re seeing online often miss key details that affect the true market value of your home. Before you toss a for sale sign in your yard and expect to...

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