Many homes that have stucco as an exterior coating have cracking issues, but most of them can be repaired quite easily. There are different kind of cracks that appear and knowing how to go about fixing them is half the battle.
Tape each joint after applying a layer of compound. Water may assist embed the tape if the compound is thinned down a little. Using the 6-in. knife, smooth out any bubbles in the tape by dragging the tape outward from the center toward the ends.