Cortnie Smith

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WORK WEEKENDS - HERE'S MY TO DO LIST FOR THE DAY -Chug coffee -Schedule showings... -Tour houses -Meet a new buyer -Respond to emails -Set up custom home search for new buyers

From the windows to the walls... 3 FORGOTTEN FEATURES TO BUDGET FOR WITH NEW CONSTRUCTION: 1. The yard - grass, driveway, patio/deck and landscaping 2. Blinds and window treatments 3. Appliances ... If new construction has been on your mind, consider this a friendly reminder that I can help you navigate that process as well! Drop all your new construction questions below!

Home Staging Made Simple: SWIPE FOR YOUR CHECKLIST

COFFEE Q&A: How do I know which rooms need staging? A: Your homework for figuring out which rooms in your home need staging: Grab a notebook and head outside to get started. Start by walking through the front door and then touring your home through the eyes of a buyer. As you go from room to room, make notes of things you think you should change simply from focusing on one area at a time.... This might be as simple as adding neutral bedding to the kids rooms (and removing the Mickey Mouse stuff) or re-styling those bookshelves. List out each room in your notebook and pay attention to things like do you need to add or remove things to each room, is the style and decor neutral of specific, would the room photograph well as is or could it use some lighter paint and a different furniture arrangement? Bonus: As you’re walking through, actually take a photo of each room. Compare the notes to the photos and then see if there’s anything you want to add once you’re scrolling through the photos.

What do homeownership and #nationalpizzaday have in common? Picture this: It’s moving day and you just got the keys to your new house! You pop open a bottle of wine, which you pour into plastic cups while cheersing to your new home. That's followed by ordering pizza from your favorite place, your go to Spotify playlist turned on in the background, and eating pizza straight from the box as you unpack and talk about all the plans you have for your new home!... PS: Did you peep that pizza party order form in the photo? Let me explain! Because I believe that a pizza party should happen on every single moving day, I decided to make it happen for my clients! So I created this special form for every client to fill out so that I can have pizzas delivered with their favorite toppings on moving day! Whether you're selling your house or buying a new house, pizza is a must! What's your favorite pizza topping?

Coffee Q&A: How much money do I need to have saved for the home buying process? A: Some of the expenses you’ll want to prepare for when house hunting go beyond the down payment (but the good news is, you don't need 20% down to qualify for a mortgage)! Here are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when budgeting for the home buying process. Home Inspection ($250+ depends on the sq ft)... Earnest Money (1-3% of the purchase price) Appraisal (Around $500+) Down Payment (Depending on the loan type you qualify for, this can vary but can be as low as 3% - check with a mortgage professional for exact numbers and percentages)! Closing Costs (Some of the items I mentioned above are part of your closing costs but the total closing costs may vary and can be determined by your lender) Taxes & Homeowner's Insurance If you want to learn more about these expenses and the details on what you can expect to spend for each of them, I cover all of this in my home buyer consultations where my goal is to set you up for success and on the road to homeownership!

It's Game Time! I thought I'd share a few things about your Real Estate coach! -Today I'm cheering for Tampa Bay... -Mostly, I'm excited for all the Super Bowl commercials and the half time show (Let’s not forget the food) -My goal is to give you a custom game plan for the home buying process (you can't get to the Super Bowl without one either)! -I have a team too! Mine is made up of lenders (they give you the financial game plan to buying your home), home inspectors (the game plan to knowing the ins and outs of how your home works), and insurance agents (they give you a game plan for how to protect your home and family). Want to be on my Home Team? I'll coach you through every step from Zoom consult to closing day!

I know what you're thinking... I'm going to save what I'd spend on commission, put a sign in the front yard, let the neighbors know and try to get my house on Zillow The market is hot, your neighbor sold their house on their own and you're ready to make a move. ... Before you put the sign up, just know: a for sale sign is not a marketing strategy. Neither is putting your home on Zillow. Your home is likely your largest asset and selling it involves a lot more steps than you might think. I know we as agents make it look easy - but that's because this is what we do for a living every single day. We've gone through this process over and over and over. We know the red flags, the timelines, and all the ins and outs of the contracts. Here are a few things to consider before putting up the For Sale by Owner sign: 1. Do you truly know the value of your home and how much money you can net from selling it? 2. Without the online marketing strategies used by an agent, your home isn't going to have the built up demand that many homes are experiencing. The demand is what drives up the sale price. 3. Statistics show that you net more money when using an agent 4. It's not just about the offer price - there are several pieces between accepted offer and closing that can cost you money. Do you know how to navigate these turning points? My goal is for homeowners to make smart real estate decisions and net the most money possible from their home sale. If you want to learn more about how I help my sellers prepare their home for the market, join me for my Home Seller Bootcamp Video series later this month!

The shortest month of the year is packed full of fun so I put together a list for you to save! CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH MAKE A LIST OF WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR HOME DO A WINE TASTING ON NATIONAL WINE DAY... ORDER YOUR FAVORITE PIZZA ON NATIONAL PIZZA DAY START A NEW NETFLIX SERIES CHANGE YOUR DESKTOP BACKGROUND JOIN ME FOR MY HOME SELLER BOOTCAMP SERIES SHOW YOUR HOUSE SOME LOVE WITH MY MONTHLY CHECKLIST SWIPE FOR A LOCAL LIST TOO! Comment below and tell me what you're currently binge watching on Netflix and what your favorite pizza delivery spot is!