Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

  If you’ve been hesitant to   list your house   because you’re worried no one’s buying, here’s your sign it may be time to talk with an agent. After months of high rates keeping buyers on the sidelines, things are starting to shift. Rates are already coming down due to a number of economic factors. And yesterday the  Federal Reserve  cut the Federal Funds Rate for the first time since they began raising that rate in  March 2022 . And while they don’t control mortgage rates, this sets the stage for mortgage rates to fall even further than they already have – especially since more cuts from the Fed are expected into next year. And lower  mortgage rates  are bringing more buyers back into the market. Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at  Bright MLS , says: “A drop in the cost of borrowing will help fuel more homebuyer demand . . . Falling rates will also bring more sellers into the market.” The best part? You can  take advantage  of th...

  Every  seller  wants to get their house sold  quickly , for as much money as they can, with as few  headaches  as possible. And chances are, you’re no different. But did you know one of the biggest things that could jeopardize your success is the  asking price  for your home? Pricing your house correctly is one of the most crucial steps in the selling process. So, how do you know if you’re missing the mark? Here are four signs your high asking price might be turning potential buyers away—and why leaning on your  real estate agent  is the best way to course correct. 1. You’re Not Getting Many Showings or Offers One of the most obvious signs your house may be overpriced is a lack of showings. If it's been on the market for several weeks and only a few buyers have come to see it—or worse, you haven’t gotten any  offers —it could be a clear indication the price isn’t matching up with what buyers expect. Because buyers who have been lo...

  In case you haven’t heard — changes are here! As of August 17th a realtor can no longer show you a property without a signed written agreement. It can be exclusive or non-exclusive but it MUST be signed. This means they can’t even unlock the door without it. Doing so as an agent can result in thousands of dollars in fines.  A buyer's agency agreement legally binds you to that particular agent for an agreed-upon timeframe, spells out their compensation, and details their duties to you.  There is no such thing as a "free service" for using a buyer's agent. Hiring an agent that has many years of experience and continually stays up to date to benefit you, the client, matters more than ever before. Sellers always interview agents, and now so will buyers. Not all buyer’s agents will be offering the same value. Yes, sellers can still pay a buyer’s agent’s compensation (and I expect that will still happen often) but it’s no longer listed in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service...

  This article is a good reflection of what I'm seeing as an agent.  I thought you would find it as interesting as I did.   If you have any questions about this projection, please give me a call! (858) 382-3763   Your Forever Agent,   Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS,  CA DRE #01874321   Chairman’s Circle Diamond Level 2022  – Top 1/2 of 1% BHHS Agents Nationwide   Christie D. Horn and Associates Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices | California Properties 3790 Via de la Valle, Suite 201, Del Mar, CA 92014    Cell: (858) 382-3763 Email: Hope@CDHorn.com   Website:   hopeleitner.com Blog:   http://hopeleitner. blogspot.com Experts Project Home Prices Will Rise over the Next 5 Years Even with so much data showing  home prices  are actually rising in  most of the country , there are still a lot of people who worry there will be another price crash in the immediate future. In fact, a  recent survey  from...

  The following report features Case Shiller stats on the Nation's real estate markets. This is long established resource that agents use to understand the trends and developments in the market. I found this very relevant to our current market and thought my network would appreciate it as well. Read it below.    If you have any questions about this summary, please give me a call! (858) 382-3763   Your Forever Agent,   Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS,  CA DRE #01874321   Chairman’s Circle Diamond Level 2022  – Top 1/2 of 1% BHHS Agents Nationwide   Christie D. Horn and Associates Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices | California Properties 3790 Via de la Valle, Suite 201, Del Mar, CA 92014    Cell: (858) 382-3763 Email: Hope@CDHorn.com   Website:   hopeleitner.com Blog:   http://hopeleitner. blogspot.com These Top Cities Show Home Prices Are Still Climbing If you’re considering  buying a home  or selling your current ...