Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

  Don’t Make These Mistakes When Selling Your House Are you thinking about selling your house? Some common mistakes today can make the process more stressful or even cost you money. Fortunately, they’re easy to avoid, as long as you know what to watch for. Let’s break down the biggest seller slip-ups, and how an agent helps you steer clear of them. 1. Overpricing Your House It’s completely natural to want top dollar for your house, especially if you’ve put a lot of work into it. But in today’s shifting market, pricing it too high can backfire. Investopedia explains: “Setting a list price too high could mean your home struggles to attract buyers and stays on the market for longer. ” And your house sitting on the market for a long time could lead to price cuts that raise red flags. That’s why pricing your house right from the start matters. A great real estate agent will look at what other homes nearby have sold for, the condition of your house, and what’s happening in your market ...

  The Truth About Where Home Prices Are Heading There are plenty of headlines these days calling for a housing market crash. But the truth is, they’re not telling the full story. Here’s what’s actually happening, and what the experts project for home prices over the next 5 years. And spoiler alert – it’s not a crash. Yes, in some local markets, prices are flattening or even dipping slightly this year as more homes hit the market. That’s normal with rising inventory. But the bigger picture is what really matters, and it’s far less dramatic than what the doom-and-gloom headlines suggest. Here’s why. Over 100 leading housing market experts were surveyed in the latest Home Price Expectations Survey (HPES) from Fannie Mae . Their collective forecast shows prices are projected to keep rising over the next 5 years, just at a slower, healthier pace than what we’ve seen more recently. And that kind of steady, sustainable growth should be one factor to help ease your fears about the years ...

  Mortgage Rates Are Stabilizing – How That Helps Today’s Buyers Over the past few years, affordability has been the biggest challenge for homebuyers. Between rapidly rising home prices and higher mortgage rates, many have felt stuck between a rock and a hard place. But, something pretty encouraging is happening. While affordability is still tight, mortgage rates have shown signs of stabilizing in recent months. And that may finally make it a bit easier to plan your move. Mortgage Rates Have Stabilized – For Now Over the past year, mortgage rates have had their share of ups and downs, making it tough for buyers to know what to expect. But recently, rates have started to level out and have settled into a more narrow range ( see graph below ): As the graph shows, rates have stayed within that half-percentage-point since late last year. Yes, there’s been movement within that range, but wild swings and sudden ups and downs just haven’t been the story lately. And that’s a bigger deal t...

  Indoor-Outdoor Living Upgrades That Could Attract a Luxury Buyer to Your Listing By  Anna Baluch July 1, 2025 Getty Images A basic backyard won’t cut it anymore, especially if you're looking to attract a wealthy buyer. Jason Waugh , president of Coldwell Banker Affiliates, tells  CNBC’s Inside Wealth newsletter  that indoor-outdoor living upgrades are all the rage. According to Waugh,  buyers  are now on the lookout for high-end features. Think top-of-the-line smart fridges,  spa amenities , and indoor-outdoor upgrades such as fireplaces and  full outdoor kitchens . While these upgrades are attractive to buyers across all price ranges, they're especially appealing in properties on the market for higher-end buyers. The most in-demand indoor-outdoor upgrades—and what they’ll cost you Every buyer’s lifestyle, needs, and personal preferences will influence the indoor-outdoor upgrades they desire. However, here are several of the most popular options...

  Top 5 Reasons To Hire a Real Estate Agent When You Sell Some Highlights The  right agent  doesn’t just list your house – they help you sell smarter, faster, and with fewer surprises. With an agent’s help, you’ll know what’s happening in your local market and how  to price  your house right. You’ll feel confident filling out complex legal documents and at the negotiation table. And that’s priceless. Connect with an agent so you have that expertise on your side.​

  Selling and Buying at the Same Time? Here’s What You Need To Know If you’re a homeowner planning to move, you’re probably wondering what the process is going to look like and what you should tackle first: Is it better to start by finding your next home? Or should you sell your current house before you go out looking? Ultimately, what’s right for you depends on a lot of factors.   And that’s where an agent’s experience can really help make your next step clear. They know your local market, the latest trends, and what’s working for other homeowners right now. And they’ll be able to make a recommendation based on their expertise and your needs. But here’s a little bit of a sneak peek. In many cases today, getting your current home on the market first can put you in a better spot. Here’s why that order tends to work best (and how an agent can help). The Advantages of Selling First 1. You’ll Unlock Your Home Equity Selling your current home before you try to buy your next one all...

Fear of a recession is back in the headlines. And if you’re thinking about buying or selling sometime soon, that may leave you wondering if you should reconsider the timing of your move. A recent  survey  by  John Burns Research and Consulting  (JBREC) and  Keeping Current Matters  (KCM) shows  68% of people are delaying plans to buy or sell due to economic uncertainty. But it may not be for the reason you think. Not everyone is holding off because they’re worried.  Some buyers are waiting because they’re hopeful.  According  to  Realtor.com: “ In 2025Q1, 3 in 10 (29.8% of) surveyed homebuyers said a recession would make them at least somewhat more likely to purchase a home . . . This reflects a common dynamic where some buyers see a downturn as an opportunity.  If the economy enters a recession, the Federal Reserve may respond by lowering interest rates to stimulate activity, potentially putting downward pressure on mortgage r...