Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

  For years, sellers have had the upper hand in the housing market. With so few homes for sale and so many people who wanted to purchase them, buyers faced tough competition just to get an offer accepted. But now,  inventory  is rising, and things are starting to shift in many areas. So, is the market finally balancing out? And does that mean buyers will have it a bit easier now? Here’s what you need to know. What Makes It a Buyer’s Market or a Seller’s Market? It all comes down to how many homes are for sale in an area compared to how many buyers want to buy there. That’s what ultimately determines who has the most leverage. A Seller’s Market  is when there are more buyers than homes available, so sellers hold the power. This leads to rising prices, multiple offers, and homes selling quickly – often above the asking price – because there isn’t enough to go around. A Buyer’s Market  is when there are more homes than buyers. In this case, the tables turn. Sellers...

  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   ...

  You won’t find anyone who’s going to argue that  mortgage rates  have had a big impact on  housing affordability  over the past couple of years. But there is hope on the horizon. Rates have actually started to come down. And, recently they hit the  lowest point  we’ve seen in 2024,  according  to  Freddie Mac  ( see graph below ): And if you’re thinking about  buying a home , that may leave you wondering: how much lower are they going to go? Here’s some information that can help you know what to expect. Expert Projections for Mortgage Rates Experts say the overall downward trend should continue as long as inflation and the  economy  keeps cooling. But as new reports come out on those key indicators, there’s going to be  some volatility  here and there. What you need to remember is it’s not wise to let those blips distract you from the larger trend. Rates are still down roughly a  full percentage point...

Thinking about buying a home? While today’s   mortgage rates   might seem a bit intimidating, here are two solid reasons why, if you’re ready and able, it could still be a smart move to get   your own place . 1. Home Values Typically Go Up Over Time There’s been some confusion over the past year or so about which way  home prices  are headed. Make no mistake, nationally they’re still going up. In fact, over the long-term,  home prices  almost always go up ( see graph below ): Using  data  from the  Federal Reserve  (the Fed), you can see the overall trend is home prices have climbed steadily for the past 60 years. There was an exception during the 2008 housing crash when prices didn't follow the normal pattern, but generally, home values kept rising. This is a big reason why  buying a home  can be better than  renting . As prices go up and you pay down your mortgage, you build  equity . Over time, this growing eq...

  Should I Wait for Mortgage Rates To Come Down Before I Move? If you’ve got  a move  on your mind, you may be wondering whether you should wait to sell until  mortgage rates  come down before you spring into action. Here’s some information that could help answer that question for you. In the housing market, there’s a longstanding relationship between mortgage rates and buyer demand. Typically, the higher rates are, you’ll see lower buyer demand. That’s because some people who want to move will be hesitant to take on a higher mortgage rate for their next home. So, they decide to wait it out and put their plans on hold. But when rates start to come down, things change. It goes from limited or weak demand to good or strong demand. That’s because a big portion of the buyers who sat on the sidelines when rates were higher are going to jump back in and make their moves happen. The  graph below  helps give you a visual of how this relationship works and wher...