Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

If you’re selling a home, choosing your real estate agent is an important decision. The agent you should work with is one that both understands your goals and objectives and also sees the importance of meeting your needs. Your agent is the key to a successful real estate experience. Choosing the right agent doesn’t have to be a painful experience, but it should involve some questions. Start the process by asking your friends, family, and coworkers for recommendations. Look at agent reviews on websites like Yelp to see what others are saying. When you’ve narrowed down your list, select two to five agents to meet with for a preliminary interview. Once you’ve selected a few agents, it’s time to start the interview process. Avoid real estate agents that promise unrealistic attainable suggestions. For example, don’t hire the agent that gives you the highest list price, just because he or she gave you the highest price. Instead, use these questions as a guide to helping you find the mos...

The weather outside is probably not … you know what … so the holiday season in Southern California can be downright delightful. Without the snow and chill, visitors might think our region is short on holiday traditions. But they should think again. Want chestnuts roasting on an open fire? Find them in the many neighborhoods where homeowners outdo each other by adorning their houses with spectacular light displays. With no slush to drive through and comfortable nighttime temperatures, families can marvel at the illuminated residences every evening now through New Year’s Day, and sometimes beyond. Many residents offer hot chocolate, cider, coffee, cookies, and other homemade treats at nominal prices in their driveways. Check hyperlocal online sites for lists of the best streets to cruise, including maps and directions. As for regional traditions, we’ve rounded up some of the most enduring and unusual in each county, from south to north. Get out there and have a jolly old time! San...

I’m inspired by the following story to set some New Year’s resolutions, not only about being kind to others, but also about being kinder to myself. What do you think? Here’s the story: On the way back from work every evening, more often than not, there would be a homeless man standing at the exit ramp of the freeway. He waved at every car. He was always happy and smiling and sometimes almost dancing. Every day after work I would gather my spare change, and put it aside to give to him if I saw him. A feeling of joy would come over me whenever he was there as I came off the ramp.   He had that effect. His joy was infectious. Occasionally the red light would be on for a minute and we would ask each other about our day. His answer would always be the same, “I’m blessed!”   Then one day I was called into my boss’s office and told that I was being let go due to some mistakes I had made on a recent project. Needless to say that on my way home that day I was upset...