Marcy Smith Realtor

Hey new homeowners! You just moved in... NOW WHAT?!
It's time to prioritize your post-move-in checklist. ✔️
— Do a walkthrough of your house and make a note of any changes you want to make, the furniture you need, paint, etc.
— Change the locks
— Deep clean from top to bottom
— Prioritize any renovations
— Change your address with the post office and bank, as well as any subscriptions
— Change the toilet seats (trust me on this one)
— Check smoke & CO detector batteries
— Unpack, settle in, and have a housewarming party! 🎉
I love the first few days after move-in day — the excitement is palpable! I also love answering buyer questions as they get settled in and start to make their new home — 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘴.
Dreaming of finding a home of your own this year? I'd love to help!

Completing your own home improvement projects can be incredibly rewarding, and save a lot of money — and I am all for rolling up my sleeves for a DIY renovation project — but there are certain tasks that should be left to the professionals.
Here are a few situations in which you may want to consider hiring a professional:
• 𝙴𝚕𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚕 𝚁𝚎𝚙𝚊𝚒𝚛𝚜
• 𝙼𝚊𝚓𝚘𝚛 𝙿𝚕𝚞𝚖𝚋𝚒𝚗𝚐
• 𝚁𝚘𝚘𝚏 𝚁𝚎𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝
• 𝚆𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚠 𝚁𝚎𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝
• 𝚁𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚍 𝚙𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚝/𝚊𝚜𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚜
In the end, there are far more factors to consider than just saving money. When or if something goes wrong, the best-case scenario is having to pay someone else to come out and fix it, but in the worst cases, it could mean property loss, serious injury, or worse. YouTube, HGTV, and other online resources are great starting points, but they are no substitute for a professional with the right experience and tools.
Protect yourself and your home, and know when to hire a professional to get the job done safely.
Are there any projects that you've regretted taking on?

Ready to move, but unsure which option is best for you? The key factor to a successful move is finding the right moving company. Below are 3 of the most common types of moving companies, and how they differ:
✔️ 𝙻𝚘𝚌𝚊𝚕 𝙼𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜 will help you relocate within a 100-mile radius and charge on an hourly basis. These movers typically won't cross state lines.
✔️ 𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚛 𝙲𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚎𝚜 are big, metal containers, such as PODS. The container company drops it off in your driveway and you load it with all of your belongings. Once you are done and ready to move, they will come and pick it up and deliver it to your new home, or keep it in a storage space for you.
✔️ 𝙵𝚞𝚕𝚕-𝚂𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚛 "𝚆𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝙶𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎" 𝙼𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜 take complete ownership of the entire process. From finding the truck, packing your belongings, loading, and unloading. All you have to do is delegate and relax!
Not all moving companies are created equal! Remember, they are handling all of your valuable items and furniture, so it is important to do your research and get recommendations from friends and family before you make a decision. Pro tip: Do NOT go with the cheapest... there is typically a reason why they are the least expensive.

So you're thinking about doing a renovation, but don't have the cash. Don't worry, there are various options to help finance home improvements and renovations!
Let's dive in a little deeper to the most common financing options:
✔️ 𝙲𝚊𝚜𝚑 𝙾𝚞𝚝 𝚁𝚎𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎
This type of refinancing replaces your existing mortgage with a new home loan for more than your current loan amount — with the difference being the extra cash. Lenders will generally let you borrow enough to pay off your current mortgage and take out more cash, usually up to 80% of your home’s value. You must have equity built up in your house to use a cash-out refinance.
✔️ 𝙷𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝙴𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝙻𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝙲𝚛𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚝
A HELOC is another way to borrow against the value of your home. With a HELOC, you receive a line of credit — usually up to 80% of your home’s value, minus the amount of your current loan amount.
✔️ 𝙷𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝙴𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝙻𝚘𝚊𝚗
With a home equity loan, instead of getting a line of credit that you can tap into as needed, you would receive a lump sum of money. A home equity loan could make sense if you don’t want to do a cash-out refinance because you have a low interest rate.
✔️ 𝙲𝚛𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚝 𝙲𝚊𝚛𝚍
Another option for smaller home improvement projects is to use a credit card. This may be a good idea if you can get a 0% introductory rate, and you plan on paying off the amount before the higher interest kicks in. Also, look for sign-up bonuses and cashback incentives
It is equally as important to know how much money you will need for the renovation. If you're hiring a contractor, get a bid for labor and materials, and add on 10% for surprises. If doing the work yourself, compile materials, quantities, costs, to get a total. Be sure to include permit fees, and equipment rental.
If you're considering a renovation, I can provide lender recommendations, as well as I contractors trust, to help make your dream home a reality! Message me today with any questions you may have.

Buying a fixer-upper can seem like a great idea — getting to turn that shabby house into your dream home. If you have the vision and the wherewithal to see beyond the overgrown yard, peeling wallpaper, and rundown roof, you can land a property that you (or another buyer) will love someday. However, before you decide to sign on the dotted line, there are a few things you should consider when purchasing a house that needs repairs. Generally speaking, cosmetic repairs cost much less and are easier to complete than structural, electrical, or plumbing repairs.
Here are a few red flags that may mean walking away from a fixer-upper:
• Structural concerns and foundation issues
• Potential water issues
• Old, dangerous electrical and wiring
• Walls that need to be moved, particularly those that are load-bearing
• Significant window replacement
It's best to speak with a contractor or builder before you make any decisions to see if the home is worth the investment, and always opt for an inspection so that you can understand what you are getting into, and find any hidden "defects" ahead of time.
Have questions about purchasing a fixer-upper for yourself or as an investment? Reach out to me today!

If you've been thinking that this is the year to fall in love with a new place, I'd love to help!
So unbelievably thankful for all of my wonderful buyers & sellers! Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day! ❤️

ℝ𝕖𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣! Your monthly homeowner to-do list. ✔️📋
February — the month of love — is the perfect time to put some 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 into your home and tackle some maintenance tasks to keep your house clean, organized, and warm for the remainder of the winter.
And don't forget to make something special for the people you love! Custom-made baked goods or handmade gifts are always welcomed by family and friends this time of year. Don't forget to treat yourself to some chocolate and flowers while you're at it!
Save this post for later and pick 1 or 2 off the list every weekend to keep your home fresh and functioning at its best! What are you tackling first?

For anyone who's new here, welcome to my little home on Instagram! Today I want to share just a few reasons why I LOVE what I do...
𝙈𝙮 𝙘𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨
Everyone has a story, and each one is fascinating. I love learning about my clients and getting to know them throughout the home buying or selling process. It is such a rewarding experience to watch their subtle reactions as they discover that they actually ARE a priority of mine; that they matter to me; that I am accessible; that I genuinely care about them; that their interests always come first.
𝙀𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙚𝙬.
Sure, there are regular tasks. But every day brings a combination of new people, new properties, and new obstacles to get past. No two days are the same, and that keeps me on my toes.
𝙄 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜.
It can be intimidating not to have an answer for everything, but it makes me better at what I do and helping my clients. It's important to me that I am always on top of legal changes in the paperwork, creative ways to help my clients win an offer, and marketing strategies to sell your home faster. No deal is the same, and many have obstacles to overcome, but each one is rewarding when I see my clients' faces when they get the keys!
𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙨!
Old, new, big, small, rehabbed, outdated. I get to experience them all and help my clients express their creativity.