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    Dawn M. Smith

    Dawn M. Smith has made a career out of being a relocation pro. As a military spouse with 10+ moves under her belt, she's evolved from a reluctant mover to a master of converting cardboard box mountain nightmares into customized homes. She's constantly updating her skills to improve all aspects of moving. Her specialties include strategic (with a dose of luck) house hunting, home buying, selling, and renting, and attempting to create Pinterest-worthy spaces within landlord-approved decorating. When not decoding neighborhood demographics for readers, Dawn teaches companies how to serve military families and their best interests. She also travels and explores historic districts with her family, always scouting her next possible address after Army retirement. In addition to MilitaryByOwner, Dawn's relocation advice has appeared in Angi, The Spruce, Forbes Home Advisor, the PODS Blog, and Military OneSource.
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    Posts By Dawn M. Smith

    March 10, 2023

    Home Renovation Loans: Make Repairs on a Budget

    Home Buying

    Where do you find the money to buy a home and include the costs of the repairs and updates? With several options to choose from, whether rolling the repairs into your loan or utilizing a home renovati...

    March 01, 2023

    Home Renovation Reality: What Those Fix-Up Shows Don't Tell You

    Home Maintenance

    Watching home renovation shows on cable TV, it seems so easy to make upgrades or even flip a house! What's the reality behind the scenes?

    February 27, 2023

    10 Reasons Not to Sign a Lease

    Renting a Home

    What's a deal breaker for you before signing a lease? Take a look at some of the red flags you should pay attention to before deciding where you'll live for the next two to three years.

    February 15, 2023

    11 Common Issues Found During Home Inspections

    Selling a Home

    Don't let your home inspection derail your buyer's financing. Here are common issues to look for, whether the buyer is using a VA or conventional loan.

    February 06, 2023

    Learn the Secrets Home Stagers Use to Draw Buyers In

    Selling a Home

    Home staging is usually a big part of a home seller's prep. As a homebuyer, understand what features and concerns to take notice of behind a beautifully staged home!

    February 03, 2023

    What to Know About the 2023 Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act

    Military Life

    Get the latest news for military spouses transferring professional licenses with the new Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act and Military Spouse Licensure Reimbursement program.

    January 16, 2023

    2023 Real Estate Trends: What Military Home Sellers Need to Know

    Selling a Home

    Military home sellers, stay strong! If you market and price your home correctly in 2023, chances are that you'll find buyers in no time.

    December 19, 2022

    How to Help Your Holiday Guests Feel at Home

    Military Life

    Guests over the holidays are a given for military families. Go the extra mile and provide personal touches to add extra coziness!

    November 30, 2022

    How You Can Volunteer in the Military Community

    Military Life

    There are hundreds of organizations that support the military community year round. Here's how to find one that you connect with.

    November 04, 2022

    3 Tips for Finding Home Maintenance Providers

    Home Maintenance

    While you may be proficient at some aspects of maintaining your home, some jobs are better left to professionals. Learn how to find reliable home maintenance help!

    October 24, 2022

    8 Ideas for Family Outings near Offutt AFB

    Air Force Bases

    Omaha, Nebraska, might be unfamiliar right now, but once you learn about the most popular things to do, Offutt Air Force base will feel like home in no time.

    October 21, 2022

    What to Know for a PCS Move to Charleston, South Carolina

    PCS Moves

    Did you recently receive orders for a military PCS to the Charleston area? Read on for helpful information about neighborhoods, schools, and more!