Leslie Smith, Licensed Realtor

08/18/2026

Home Prices Are Rising in 80% of Markets

Still waiting for home prices to come down? That's becoming less likely. Home prices are now rising in 80% of housing markets. That’s up from 71% last quarter. In other words, more markets are seeing prices go up — not down. Before you put your plans on hold, let's look at what's happening in our market. Waiting may not save you as much as you think.

08/17/2026

This home will wait for no one. Be the first to see it!

Well maintained red brick home in Postmasters Village. The garage has been converted to a primary suite with full bath. Off the living room is a Florida room which could serve as a fourth bedroom. There is an attached one car carport and a large detached garage/workshop on the adjoining lot. The pro...

08/17/2026

Love to ? Follow these tips to have the right tools on hand.

These tools can save you frustration during your home improvement project.

08/17/2026

Own a house with room for multiple generations, with features like an in-law suite or a finished basement with a separate entrance? Buyers are looking for that right now.
These houses tend to get 13.5% more online views than standard homes. They also command a higher list price per square foot – 22% higher, thanks to the extra square footage and special features.
Thinking about moving and want to know what buyers would pay for your house? Reach out and let’s chat about it.

08/16/2026

Want to know who's got the upper hand in today's housing market? One number tells you almost everything you need to know. It's the months' supply of homes for sale.

If there's fewer than 4 months? Sellers have the advantage.
Between 4-6 months? Buyers and sellers are on equal footing.
More than 6 months? Buyers have the power.

Right now, nationally, this is the most balanced market we've seen in years. But balanced doesn’t mean the market’s the same everywhere.

Some places are already leaning much more toward buyers. Others still strongly favor sellers.

If you're wondering who's got the upper hand where we live, let's talk. I'll show you what the numbers look like in our market and what they could mean for your next move.

08/15/2026

Stop the rinse and repeat mistakes that wear out your .

Changing the way you use your dishwasher can significantly extend its lifespan. Here are the most common ways you might be shortening the life of your dishwasher.

08/15/2026

It's deals like this that hardly ever stay on the market!

BUYER BONUS! The builder is offering a $5,000 incentive with an accepted offer! Use it toward closing costs, new furniture, or even a riding lawn mower, the choice is yours. More value, more savings, and more reasons to make this beautiful home yours! Welcome to this beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bath home...

08/15/2026

Mortgage rates aren’t random. They’re affected by 2 numbers.

The 10-year treasury yield and something called "the spread." That's the gap between the 10-year treasury yield and mortgage rates, and it usually sits around 1.76 percentage points.

Back in 2023, the gap in the spread ballooned up to 3.19 in response to economic uncertainty. If it were still that wide today, rates would be pushing almost 8%.

But the good news is the gap has narrowed to 2.01 (a lot closer to the long-term norm). And that’s a big positive for rates. It’s why today’s mortgage rate is in the upper 6s instead of touching 8%.

Here's the part a lot of people miss. Where rates are right now are already pretty close to what a totally normal spread would produce – a mortgage rate around 6.5%.

In other words, the fact that the spread has narrowed in recent years has helped mortgage rates. Sure, they’re still higher than you may want, but it could be worse.

Wondering if...

08/14/2026

Reading comprehension grows with practice and focus.

Strategies for improving reading comprehension skills. Improve your performance in class, on tests, and in your career.

08/14/2026

This 2 BED home won't last long! Ping me for details or a showing.

Captivating Nature Views & Extra Space in The Ravines!Discover the perfect blend of tranquility and comfort in this ground-floor condominium nestled within the highly sought-after, gated community of The Ravines. Offering 1,268 square feet of living space, this unit is priced well to allow you to br...