Gema Smith's Blog

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...

For Sellers

Selling Tips

+ 7 more

Posted on 12/15/2024

Protect your home with a smart smoke detector

Smoke detectors are not a want, they are a need....

Smoke Alarm

Smoke Detectors

Posted on 12/09/2024

Why Owning a Home Is Worth It in the Long Run

Today’s mortgage rates and home prices may have you second-guessing whether it's still a good idea to buy a home right now. While market factors are definitely important, there’s also a bigger picture to consider: the long-term benefits of homeownership. Think of it this way. If you know people who bought a home 5, 10, or even 30...

For Buyer

Home Prices

+ 8 more

Posted on 12/09/2024

Why More Sellers Are Hiring Real Estate Agents

Putting your house for sale on your own – often called “For Sale by Owner” or FSBO – might be on your mind. But you should know that it gets complicated very quickly, especially in today’s complex market. That’s why data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows a record low number are going the route of...

For Sellers

Selling Tips

+ 8 more

Posted on 12/08/2024

5 Real estate terms for first-time homebuyers

For many first-time homebuyers, knowing common real estate...

Appraisal Value

Closing Costs

+ 5 more

Posted on 12/02/2024

How Co-Buying a Home Helps with Affordability Today

Buying a home in today’s market can feel like an uphill battle – especially with home prices and mortgage rates putting pressure on your budget. If you’re feeling stuck, co-buying could be one way to help you get your foot in the door. Freddie Mac says: “If you are an aspiring homeowner, buying a home with your family...

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