THE STEVE SMITH BLOG
Your source for the latest real estate news, advice, and market reports spotlighting neighborhoods in the Michiana area.
April 11, 2021
Normally after a secondary selling season in the fall, we experience a lull in real estate over the holidays before things pick up as the weather warms up. But this is not like any other year. In fact, our lull came LAST March and April as we all tried to figure out what the pandemic was. As we slowly came to understand the importance of hand sanitizer, washing our hands, social distancing, mask wearing and so much more, real estate sales took off in May and June and haven't slowed since.
February 25, 2021
By Steve Smith I’ve lived in South Bend for almost my entire life and I don’t think I’ve ever said it’s hot here in February. We […]
October 26, 2018
Even in the digital age with today’s tech savvy buyers and apps everywhere you turn, the good old-fashioned open house still provides great value to both […]
December 21, 2017
2017 was another great year for not just the national housing market, but our regional market in South Bend. Here at the Steve Smith Team we […]
July 3, 2017
The number of people renting a home — as opposed to buying — is on the rise. Increased purchase prices in the major cities along with […]
June 27, 2017
Planning on buying a house this season? Go in prepared with advice from the pros. Summer brings longer days, warmer weather and more people out house-hunting […]
June 22, 2017
A guy walks into a bar … and he’s still in his own home. You could be that guy (or gal)! And it’s easier than you […]
June 20, 2017
You’ve paid your mortgage and property tax, but you’re not quite done yet. . . You learn a lot about a house once you live in […]
June 15, 2017
Before you list, tweak your home decor and finishes to up your odds of attracting a sale. When you’re putting your home on the market, you […]
June 13, 2017
Just because a lender approves you for a mortgage doesn’t mean you can comfortably afford it. If you ask Google “how much house can I afford,” […]
June 8, 2017
Your parents’ rite of passage may not make sense for you. When the Baby Boomer generation was venturing into adulthood, it was common to buy a “starter […]
June 6, 2017
Choosing the right mortgage is daunting, so we’ve demystified common scenarios to help you find the right loan. Tired of paying rent and ready to become […]
May 30, 2017
Your loan term might be fixed, but it doesn’t have to dictate when you’ll be mortgage-free. Find out how to speed up the process. A lot […]
May 25, 2017
While you save up your down payment, take these 5 steps to get you closer to closing. For renters planning to buy a home, preliminary steps like […]
May 23, 2017
Listen up, kids: Paying interest is painful. Really, really painful. Parental wisdom is easy to ignore until you’re left scratching your head over simple adult responsibilities […]
May 18, 2017
Map out everything you need to do, week by week, until the big day. Editor’s note: For many people, spring kicks off prime moving season. Wherever you’re headed, […]
May 16, 2017
When the home they loved was above their budget, this couple wrote an offer letter — and walked away with a win. After renting in Los Angeles, […]
May 11, 2017
Find out if teaming up to buy a second home is right for you and your pals. Given the current strength of the dollar abroad and […]
May 9, 2017
How maximizing time at an open house can help buyers land their dream homes. Even if you start your house hunt on Trulia, traditional home-buying methods […]
May 4, 2017
See how you can apply this hot look in any space. Shiplap may be overtaking subway tile as the wall accent everyone’s talking about. There’s just something about […]
May 2, 2017
Do you know what issues most often turn off buyers or kill a sale? Here are some of the big ones. From a leaky or aging […]
April 27, 2017
Don’t hold back — bright, bold colors are on trend and easier to incorporate than you might think. The next two years are all about […]
April 25, 2017
The key to saving money is knowing where to trim your budget. Paying bills is never fun, but it’s even less exciting when monthly expenses leave […]
