Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

  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...

  With declining interest rates, I anticipate steady demand for homes this fall.   Below, you'll find the current month’s housing report along with data from previous months. San Diego County continues to face an inventory shortage, despite ongoing new construction.   Overall, home values remain stable. While there has been a slight dip in average prices, we are still within the same price range as we were at the beginning of summer. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, this is a balanced market.   If you’re considering a purchase or sale, I encourage you to reach out. Let’s discuss your options in the context of our unique housing market, ensuring your decisions reflect the latest trends and realities.   If you know anyone who would like to receive this monthly market update, please share this link for them to sign up.   I’m always here to support my clients and their friends and family. Your Forever Agent,   Hope Leitner, CRS (858) 382-3763   ...

  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...

  Since the supply of   homes for sale   is growing and   mortgage rates   are coming down, you may be thinking it’s finally   your moment   to jump into the market. To make sure you’re ready, you need to get pre-approved for a mortgage. That’s when a lender looks at your finances, including things like your W-2, tax returns,  credit score , and bank statements, to figure out what they’re willing to loan you. After that process, you’ll get a pre-approval letter to show what you can borrow. Here are two reasons why this is essential in today’s market. Pre-Approval Helps You Know Your Numbers While  home affordability  is finally starting to show signs of improving, it’s still tight. So, it’s a good idea to talk to a lender about your loan options and how today’s changing  mortgage rates  will impact your monthly payment. The pre-approval process is the perfect time for that. In addition to determining the maximum amount you can ...

Over 3,000 homes on the market - and we're still seeing the average cost of a home hovering around $1.2 million! It feels a little crazy - but there are willing and able buyers out there! Prices will decline slightly due to a seasonal drop in demand - but, over the next few years I believe home values will continue to hold steady.  Below you'll find the housing report for the current month along with data from the preceding months. San Diego County continues to have with an inventory shortage, even with lots of new construction. The average cost of a home has risen, but that doesn't mean there aren't still some affordable properties out there.  Whether you're contemplating a purchase or sale, I invite you to reach out. Let's discuss your options within the dynamics of our distinctive housing market, ensuring your decisions align with the current trends and realities.   Hope Opens Doors

Can you believe Labor Day is just around the corner? Kids are already back in School! This summer just zoomed by! But, it's not too late to squeeze some sunshine, heat and time outdoors from the steadily shortening days.  I don't know about you, but I feel the sunlight starts to take on that hazy golden glow this time of year - I LOVE the hot pink sunsets over the Pacific these days!   Below are so many great events and activities to help maximize the end of summer. Enjoy!    September - Ponder this -   “Happily we bask in this warm September sun, which illuminates all creatures.” — Henry David Thoreau   I am here for you, your family, and your friends. Whether you own a home or you are looking to buy or sell one, I'm here to help.   If you know anyone who might be interested in receiving this event calendar every month, please have them sign up at this  link.   Your Forever Agent,    Hope Leitner, CRS, CalDRE #01874321  

    August 2024 Colleen,                       In case you haven’t heard — changes are coming! Did you know that starting 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 age...