Blog

What is Earnest Money?

Congratulations to our very own, Bryson Smith!

February 6th, 2025 We are honored and proud to share with you that at this years annual awards hosted by the Peoria Area Association of Realtors, our fearless leader –…

Welcome to the BST Family, Jordan!

Welcome to the BST Family, Jordan! We, at the Bryson Smith Team, are so excited to bring new recruits into our ranks and help them along on their journey to…

Meet Our Newest Agent!

Get in Touch with Cydni! Cydni Potter, Buyer Specialist Cydni spent most of her life in Chicago before moving to Nevada briefly post high school. Wanting to be closer to…

10 Tips for Selling Your Home During the Holidays: Attract Homebuyers This Season

Life often takes unexpected turns, and sometimes unforeseen events can lead us to list our homes for sale during the holiday season. Maybe you’ve decided to downsize, a career shift is moving you to a different city, or simply you long to embrace a warmer climate like Miami, FL, or San Diego, CA. Whatever the reason, you’re ready to sell. Believe it or not, the holiday season can be a great time to sell your home. While it’s true that the housing market typically heats up during the spring, the holidays are often overlooked as a prime time to sell. Why? First of all, there is typically less inventory in the housing market this time of year, allowing your home to easily stand out among the available inventory. And though there are technically fewer buyers overall, the homebuyers that are looking are far more serious about finding a home within a specific timeframe. So, make your home warm and inviting and open it up to those looking to buy, because selling your home during the holidays might be your best present this year.

What is Considered a Fixture When Selling a House?

A dining room chandelier — the crown jewel of your home — convinced potential buyers to write an offer because they fell in love with it. Hey, wait a minute! You’re only selling the house, not the chandelier, and don’t want to leave your treasured heirloom behind. But, if it’s considered a fixture when selling a house, the buyer could be correct in thinking your gem should glisten over their future family dinners.

Renting an Apartment vs. Renting a House: How To Choose Which Is Right for You

All rental properties, both houses and apartments, offer unique characteristics. Apartments are usually smaller and located in bustling neighborhoods, while houses are typically more tranquil and in relaxed communities. Either could make the perfect home for renters, depending on their needs. So, if you’re in the process of finding your next home, you might be wondering which option makes the most sense for you. Below, we break down the pros and cons of each option, as well as how to make your next rental search easier.

Christmas Tree Farms in Greater Peoria

There’s no midwestern holiday experience more authentic than bracing the chill of winter to pick the perfect pine, spruce or fir. Not to mention, nothing says “happy holidays” more than the natural evergreen scent filling your home throughout the season. Greater Peoria offers plenty of spots ranging from muddy and rustic BYOS (bring your own saw) farms to elaborate, Instagram-worthy holiday backdrops with homemade cookies and hot chocolate. No matter what holiday movie you envision yourself in this season, you’ll enjoy holiday cheer and beautiful scenery while finding your perfect holiday tree.

Stuck Inside? 6 Easy Winter DIY Projects To Spruce Up Your Space

Chilly winter weather means you’re likely spending lots of time indoors. And we hope you’re staying cozy (perhaps by your wood-burning stove). But once you shake off that long winter’s nap, you might want to tackle a few projects around the house. And while it could be tough to get excited about adding chores to your to-do list, these aren’t the same tedious tasks you’ve been avoiding since last summer. Each project on this list is not only incredibly doable—but pretty darn satisfying, too. So, here are six of our favorite cold-weather DIY projects that will upgrade your home’s look and feel during this hygge season.

9 Wonderfully Simple Ways to Make Your House Smell Like the Holidays

Sugar cookies. Fresh-cut pine trees. Hot apple cider. Some of the best things that come with the holidays are the wonderful smells that fill your home courtesy of all the traditional trappings of the season. Winter holidays would not be the same without this warm, cozy goodness. “One way to evoke holiday memories into your home is by infusing the nostalgic scent of Christmas trees, vanilla, cinnamon, warm burning fires, and of course peppermint,” says Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy trend expert and a judge on NBC’s “Making It,” a DIY competition show. So where should you turn to source these wonderful scents and make your house smell as festive? Follow these scent-sational tips from the experts.