Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

If  you’re thinking about   buying   or   selling   a home, you probably want to know what’s   really   happening with home prices, mortgage rates, housing supply, and more. That’s not an easy task considering how sensationalized headlines are today. Jay Thompson, Real Estate Industry Consultant,   explains : Bottom Line “Housing market headlines are everywhere. Many are quite sensational, ending with exclamation points or predicting impending doom for the industry.  Clickbait, the sensationalizing of headlines and content, has been an issue since the dawn of the internet, and housing news is not immune to it. ” Unfortunately, when information in the media isn’t clear, it can generate a lot of fear and uncertainty in the market. As Jason Lewris, Cofounder and Chief Data Officer at  Parcl ,  says : “ In the absence of trustworthy, up-to-date information, real estate decisions are increasingly being driven by fear, uncertainty, and doubt. ” But it doesn’t have to be that way. Buying or s

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Warning Signs Your Identity Has Been Stolen Identity theft affects millions of Americans every year, with thieves draining people’s bank accounts, destroying credit scores and even ruining reputations. Unfortunately, many victims aren’t aware of an issue until significant damage is done, but by learning the telltale signs of identity theft, you have a much better chance of detecting any problems before it’s too late. LifeLock, a part of credit reporting agency TransUnion, suggests watching out for the following red flags: Personal Banking You receive a call, email or letter from your bank notifying you of possible fraud on your account. You see withdrawals you can’t explain on your bank statement, or charges you didn’t make on your credit card statement. Your interest rates go up due to unknown credit activity. Your credit report shows accounts you didn’t open or credit checks by compa