Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

Managing an asset worth hundreds of thousands of dollars is a responsibility that requires attention to details such as timely payment of the mortgage, home repairs and maintenance, upkeep, and oversight on financial issues including taxes, insurance, and other things. Depending on how long you've been a homeowner, you may have faced some of the decisions common to homeownership.   Occasionally, there could be something new that you haven't had to deal with in the past.   This is where having resource you can rely on becomes valuable. During the buying or selling process, it is natural to turn to your agent for information and advice but during those periods in between where do you go for counsel?   Sure, you can turn to the Internet but that may not be the best place to get advice for your situation. We encourage you to think of us as your "source of real estate information"; someone you're comfortable to ask a question and confident that you'l

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Signs That Your House Has an HVAC Problem You rely on the HVAC system to keep your house at a comfortable temperature year-round. It can be easy to take it for granted until a problem arises, and you come home to a freezing house in the winter or a sweltering house in the summer. Knowing common signs of an HVAC problem and when to call a professional can help you avoid extreme temperatures and astronomical utility bills. Strange Smells You might notice an unusual odor. If you turned on the heat or air conditioning after it had been off for several months, there could be a slight burning smell. That is normal and should disappear within a day. If the odor lingers longer than that, there could be a problem with the system that needs to be diagnosed and repaired by an HVAC technician. If your home has gas heat and you smell rotten eggs, there could be a natural gas leak. Turn off the HVAC

  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 drawn up and o