Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

Waiting for the mortgage rates to come down before you buy a home may not be a good decision. If you are correct, and the rates do come down by two percent, the savings you benefit from a lower rate will most likely be devoured by the appreciated price increase. As of 12/8/22, the 30-year fixed-rate was at 6.33% which is close to the highest level since mid-2008.   If the rate drops to 4.7% in three years but the price increases by 5% a year, a $400,000 home today, will cost $463,050 three years from now. An increasingly, popular option that more buyers are considering is to purchase the home today with an adjustable-rate mortgage that could give them a 5.00% rate for five years.   Then, refinance to a fixed rate when rates come down. Not only will the buyer have lower payments with the ARM, but the buyer will also own the home, and benefit from the appreciated prices which will build equity in the home and increase their net worth. Mortgage rates have increase...

This eNewsletter strives to give you information that will help you make an informed decision around your real estate goals. And, this month I also have a fun article about lighting - and how to make it work for your home.  I am here to support you whatever your real estate needs might be.  When you are ready to make the decision to buy or sell, give me a call. PONDER THIS -  May is the end of Spring and the start of Summer - it's the season of possibilities. What possibilities will you turn into realities? The Real Estate Market is in a flux period - we don't know what the future holds. But, we do know interest rates are rising... we have choices to make.  As always, I am here for you, your family, and friends. HOME IMPROVEMENT, HOMEOWNERS, HOMEBUYERS, FINANCE House Flipping 101 Home improvement television makes flipping homes look so easy anyone can do it. But the reality is much different. You can make a lot of money or lose money to problems that slow down you...

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties How to Spot an Investment Scam Before It's Too Late If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And when it comes to money, these words may be hard to remember if someone is offering a financial return that sounds too good to pass up. According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), some of these types of investment fraud are called Ponzi schemes, where new money pays off early-stage investors to create the false appearance that investors are profiting from a legitimate business. Without a constant flow of money from new investors, Ponzi schemes eventually collapse. If someone approaches you with an investment, here are some red flags to be aware of: High rate of return that’s guaranteed with little or no risk.  Every investment has some degree of risk, and those with higher returns typically involve more risk. There is no such thing as a “guaranteed” rate...

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties 4 Ways to Slash Utility Bills With a DIY Energy Audit Fixing a few of your home’s most likely trouble spots can improve energy efficiency and save you a bundle on utility bills. Consumer editors at  ThisOldHouse.com  provide a starting point for your DIY energy audit: Drafty Windows On a windy day, close all windows and exterior doors, as well as the chimney flue damper. Light a stick of incense, move it around the perimeter of each window and watch for air that stirs the rise of smoke. If you find a culprit, scrape out any cracked or dried caulk on the outside where the casing meets the siding. Apply a fresh bead of paintable acrylic latex, such as DAP’s Alex Plus. For doors, add new weather stripping. The work may shave off up to $20 from your annual bill for each window and door you weatherize. Damaged Fireplace Damper Up to 20 percent of your home’s warmed air can be ...

Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Signs That Your House Might Have an Electrical Problem A problem with the electrical wiring, an outlet, or the circuit breaker or fuse box in your home needs to be taken seriously. An unaddressed electrical issue could spark a fire that could engulf your entire house and put your family’s lives in danger. Circuit Breaker or Fuse Box Trips Repeatedly A circuit breaker or fuse box is designed to stop the flow of electricity to the house to prevent the circuit from overloading and causing a fire. If the unit trips frequently, especially when you use a particular outlet, the circuit may be overloaded. Call an electrician. Lights Dim or Flicker Light fixtures use less electricity than other appliances. If lights dim or flicker, it’s probably because a major appliance is using so much energy that the circuit cannot handle both it and the lights. Ask an electrician to wire the lights to another...

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Wood Floor Alternatives Worth a Second Look Wood floors are a top choice for modern homeowners. Proponents believe they offer warmth as well as elegance, but they do require care to maintain their luster and are costly. Fortunately, say flooring exerts, technology makes it easy to achieve the look and feel of wood flooring without the need for special care—and at a far lower cost. Check out the look and feel of these alternatives at local flooring or big box stores. (If you don’t plan to do it yourself, factor in $30 to $45 an hour for professional installation): Bamboo Bamboo flooring is an eco-friendly alternative to hardwood that is easy to clean, shrugs off wear and tear, and results in a similar look. Available in vertical, horizontal or strand-woven varieties, it will cost $2 to $5 per square foot. Engineered Wood Designed to handle moisture and wear, engineered wood flooring...

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Adding a Dog to the Family? Here Are Some Expenses to Consider Getting a dog can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. Seeing your cute pet’s tail wag when you get home from a long day at work can be a heartwarming experience that makes the responsibilities of dog ownership worthwhile. But don’t forget those responsibilities, including financial ones, when determining whether now is the right time to bring a dog into the mix. New owners can expect to pay $1,400-$2,000 in the first year of having a puppy, and $14,500 over their dog’s lifetime, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA. Here are some costs to consider, according to the ASPCA: Food Don’t underestimate the cost of feeding your dog. Premium brand dry dog food for large dogs costs an average of $400 per year. Taking care to not overfeed your pet will lower the food...

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Tech for Efficient Remote Working Digital nomads who work while traveling need to keep their tech devices updated and in good shape if they want to succeed. Without them, their productivity could suffer and could cost them their jobs. Here are some tech must-haves for the remote worker: Portable Wi-Fi Router Internet connections at hotels, coffee shops, libraries and other public places can be unreliable. Having your own portable Wi-Fi router that allows you to wirelessly connect multiple devices at the same time can be a lifesaver. You can buy a Wi-Fi hotspot, such as a  Karma Go , for immediate online access. The easiest way may be through your smartphone, which allows you to create your own private Wi-Fi network wherever there’s cellular coverage. Check with your phone carrier for what type of Wi-Fi router service is offered on your phone. Wi-Fi Range Extender If you’re in ...

   Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Studies have shown that looking at certain colors can impact your mood, so if you’re looking to brighten your days, look at the walls. Orange This color boosts social connection, so paint a wall in your living room or kitchen a vivid orange and enjoy deeper, longer, joyous conversations. Yellow This sunny color is one of the most obvious mood brighteners, and there are many shades of yellow soft enough for an entire room. Green This earthy tone is a stress reliever. Roll it onto the wall across from your bed and smile your way into sleep. Violet This royal hue fosters creativity and intuition. Add it to your home office for more satisfaction in your work life. Fuchsia While this color is a tad bright for most rooms, fuchsia accent walls can still splash around enough of the color to make an impact.

  brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Few household maintenance routines pay off better than checking out your central air conditioning unit before the hot weather sets in. Preparing the unit for heavy duty now will not only save on energy costs, but will up your chances of staying cool all summer and avoiding an emergency service call. Air conditioning experts suggest these routine tips for ensuring trouble-free performance: Turn off power to the unit . Turn off the switch and unplug the unit to allow for safe handling. Clean or replace the filter . Most likely located behind the air return grille on the wall or ceiling in a central part of the house, the air filter can accumulate dirt, dust and allergen particles over the winter months. This makes the system work harder than it needs to, and costs in terms of efficiency and utility dollars. If the filter is disposable, replace it, and keep a couple more on hand for replacement ever...

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Retro Colors Make a Comeback: What's Hot in Decor Right Now Everything old is new again, and that goes for decorating with color. While the last decade in home décor has largely been defined by white and varying shades of beige and gray, today’s designers are harking back to yesteryear with paint colors, furniture and even kitchen appliances. Part art deco, part ‘50s suburban and part ‘60s mod, these awesome retro colors are fresh and refreshed to fit today’s tastes, say the color mavens at Sherwin Williams, whose wall color faves this year include shades of pink, aqua and pale or mustard yellows with accents of slate or peppery coral—great ways to set off the stark white of baseboards, crown moldings and door frames. Big Chill, a retro appliance company launched in 2001, is finding huge success with its growing line of refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers in pink, aqua, yellow an...

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties 9 Sneaky Storage Tricks for Tiny Bathrooms Small bathrooms with limited storage space make it tough to stow all the stuff you use daily and still keep the space looking tidy. Check these smart solutions discovered by Good Housekeeping Magazine: Expand cabinet space.  If your under-sink cabinet is stuffed to the gills, invest in an over-the-door storage basket that can hold your hair dryer, curling iron, and more. Use the corners.  Suction cups keep a tower of small storage spaces—as many as you’d like—firmly tucked into a corner of the shower. Narrow organizers fit anywhere.  Three-tiered organizers less than 5 inches deep fit into any space, even between the wall and a sink with no vanity. Slim storage carts can hold your toilet paper and lots of other stuff.  Outlet shelf.  This ingenious little “power perch” creates a shelf over your electrical outlet to...

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Top Benefits of Having Kids Share a Room If you have or plan to have children and you’re shopping for a new home, one of the most important deciding factors will likely be the number of bedrooms. While many parents seek out homes that are large enough for each child to have his or her own room, some choose to have their children share bedrooms because of the clear benefits. It Teaches Important Social Skills Sharing a bedroom with a sibling teaches kids respect. Children who share rooms have to learn to respect each other’s belongings, space, and need for peace and quiet. They need to learn to clean up after themselves, to share possessions, to respect each other’s privacy and to keep the noise level down so a sibling can study or sleep. Respect for others will be valuable when children go off to college and share a room with a new roommate or when they live with a spouse or partne...

  Information brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Changing Up the Flooring? How to Remove Carpet Glue If you’ve recently moved into a new home, you might decide to change out the carpets in the house either to expose the wood flooring underneath or to add in a newer rug or carpet design. The challenge is, once you start ripping out the carpet, you’ll notice glue marks that are stuck due to years of working to keep the carpet in place. These problematic remnants are often more challenging to get rid of than the actual carpet itself. Thankfully, some elbow grease combined with the following basic DIY instructions will help. Are you an expert on glue? Probably not, which is why you need to figure out the type of glue you are dealing with before you begin. You see, there’s a bunch of different carpet glues and removing the various kinds requires different solutions and steps. In the simplest terms, tar-based adhesives are dark brown or t...

Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties 3 Ways to Clean Your Sponges Sponges are a kitchen staple, but a clean sponge can spread grime all over your eating space. How often should you clean your sponge, and how should you do this? Don’t just trash a sponge when it begins looking spotty. Instead, clean them weekly, and toss them out monthly or sooner, depending on frequency of use. Our friends at Good Housekeeping offer the following solutions: Soak ’em.  Mix a third-quarter cup of bleach in one gallon of water. Soak the sponge for five minutes, then rinse. How effective is this? In testing, the bleach solution kills 99.9 percent of the three bacteria strains from the test sponges, which is the benchmark based on the EPA’s requirement for sanitization of non-food-contact surfaces. Brine ’em . Not a fan of bleach? Vinegar is nearly as effective, killing 99.6 percent of bacteria. Simply soak your sponge in full-strength vinegar for five minutes, then rinse w...