Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

  Here I have this month's Market Report for San Diego County. And, below is last month's report. The decrease in the number of houses on the market is a normal seasonal change. Families tend to move in the summers when kids are out of school. But the decrease is also contributing to the already tight market. There just aren't enough houses on the market.    Whether you're considering buying or selling, give me a call so we can talk about your realistic options in our unique housing market.    If you know anyone who might be interested in receiving this market update every month, please have them sign up at this  link.   September - Ponder this,  “All the months are crude experiments, out of which the perfect September is made.” — Virginia Woolf. This quote is quite magical - I love September, summer isn't really gone yet, but new beginnings are all around, the harvest, and back-to-school are full of possibilities and promise.    I am al...

Navigating a real estate transaction, which often involves substantial financial investments and emotional considerations, can understandably induce stress. To streamline this process, adopt these effective strategies that promote a smoother journey. Begin by clearly outlining your primary motivations for either buying or selling a property. By eliminating distractions and maintaining a focused perspective, you can mitigate potential anxieties. For instance, if your primary goal is to secure more space for your family, evaluating properties without this essential feature becomes a straightforward decision. Whenever feasible, allocate ample time to prevent hasty decisions or setting unrealistic deadlines. While external factors like a sudden job relocation or a booming market might necessitate swift responses, it's crucial to differentiate between preparedness for action and arbitrarily shortened time frames. Remember, orchestrating a successful transaction requires co...

Are you thinking about selling your house as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO)? If so, know there's a whole lot more time and expertise needed in that process than you might think. While the idea of doing it all by yourself might seem tempting, it's important to recognize the challenges you may face if you take it on all by yourself. As a recent article from   Bankrate   explains : “Choosing the right price, crafting a compelling listing, marketing to potential buyers, coordinating showings, preparing paperwork: All of these are tasks that, in the absence of a real estate agent, you will have to do yourself.” Here’s a bit more information on just a few of those things and how you may miss out if you don’t use an agent. You May Not Price it Right Pricing  your house right is key to a successful sale.  Real estate  agents have experience navigating this housing market and understand the art of pricing a home to sell today. Unfortunately, homeowners who sell on their own ...

  When it comes to  selling your house , you’re probably trying to juggle the current market conditions and your  own needs  as you plan your move. One thing that may be working in your favor is how few homes there are for sale right now. Here’s what you need to know about the current  inventory  situation and what it means for you. The Supply of Homes for Sale Is Far Below the Norm When you’re selling something, it helps if what you’re selling is in demand, but is also in  low supply . Why? That makes it even more desirable since there’s not enough to go around. That’s exactly what’s happening in the housing market today. There are more buyers looking to buy than there are homes for sale. To tell the story of just how low  inventory  is, here’s the latest information on active listings, or homes available for sale. The graph below uses  data  from  Realtor.com  to show how many active listings there were in September of t...