Smart home technology has become increasingly popular with the rise of smartphone integration and in-home technology. From thermostats to televisions, smart locks to refrigerators, smart home features are becoming more and more prevalent in the 21st century home.

We've compiled a list of key smart home features that all tech-savvy homeowners should know about. 

When you watch shows like Fixer Upper, the intention of “fixing the home up” is for the homeowners to love their home for years and years to come. Not all home improvement projects are for this purpose, though. Some homeowners go into home improvements with one thing in mind: selling their home in the near future. When this is the case, you should get solid advice from your REALTOR® to ensure these projects will pay for themselves in the end.

There are a handful of projects that will not only pay for themselves in the long run, but will help sell your home in Central Florida when the time comes.

Paint your house.

A fresh coat of paint can go a long way to improve the appearance and curb appeal of your home -  this goes for the interior or exterior of the home. If you’re going to give your home a facelift with a new paint job, we recommend choosing a neutral paint color. We’ve pinned some of our favorite interior neutrals on our Pinterest account. If you're in need of some inspiration, Pinterest is one of the best places to look for trends in exterior color palettes, too!

Figuring out how much equity you have in your home is sometimes the determining factor in whether you're ready to purchase your next home.

More often than not, there's only a number of reasons you're looking to purchase your next home...

• You've outgrown your current home and need something bigger (which most likely means something that will cost more than you originally spent on your first home).
• You're relocating to a new area for work, family, or a change in lifestyle.
• You're downsizing, maybe later in life, as you prepare for retirement.

If you're looking for a larger home or even relocating to a new area (maybe a more costly area than you currently live in), knowing how much equity you have in your home is important. Your home equity is the difference between the appraised value of your home and your current mortgage balance. The more equity you have, the more options you'll have.