Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

The choices you make every day impact our environment. Be an environmental steward by thinking locally and acting locally and do the right thing at your curb! Over 80% of our materials are recyclable, make sure you are recycling right. Consider donation first for gently used household items such as furniture, appliances, electronic waste and other similar items. Make sure your carts are not damaged or inoperable.  Reduce your waste size by searching for alternatives to your disposables. Don't place plastic bags, film plastic, or foam food containers in your recycling cart and/or green waste cart.  Don't overload your carts. Maximum weights can be found on the cart lids. Don't place hazardous waste, sharps, and construction materials in your residential carts. 

Green waste goes in the compost . Green waste includes the following: Lawn clippings Leaves and weeds Tree branches and shrubs Garden trimmings Sawdust Wood (untreated, not painted) Dirty or food soiled paper (this is also considered compostable, it's just not green waste) Waste goes in the landfill . Waste includes the following: Waxed paper Food wrapping Floor sweepings Candy wrappers Paper towels and tissues Broken glass and mirrors Food waste Ceramic dishware and pots (consider reuse or donation of these products) The following are considered recyclable : Plastic containers Water bottles/juice bottles/milk jugs Aluminum/tin cans Cardboard/12-pack soda boxes Junk mail/magazines/phone books Glass bottles/jars Newspapers/office papers Clean paper/plastic to-go containers Cardboard egg cartons Empty aerosol cans Pie tins Computer/white paper Coupons Brown paper bags Cereal boxes (lining removed) Tissue boxes Clean pizza boxes Laundry det...

In the ever-changing world of real estate and title industry, there are a wide range of requirements and procedures associated with recording documents. In order to operate more efficiently for you and your clients, it is beneficial to have a broad understanding of what the County Recorder requires to prevent issues.  First is a complete, correct and legible notary acknowledgement. The names of the parties being acknowledged must match the names on the documents. The name of the notary needs to be the same as shown on their stamp. The correct form of acknowledgement must be used.  Second, the document must be complete, legible and with no blank sections. The best way to review the document from top to bottom is to start at the top of the instrument and work your way down, one blank section at a time. For example on a deed, there is usually a "recording requested by" section, a "return address" area, and a "transfer tax declarati...

According to CareerBuilder.com, the three most common months people receive a promotion are January, July and September.  Experience shows many people find and move into their next home within 6-12 months of getting a new job or promotion. More responsibility, extended working hours and longer commute times can be offset by living in a house closer to the office. Moving quickly will diminish time pressure and let family and friends enjoy well-earned financial rewards together.  The next time you're in a conversation with a friend, family member or neighbor and they tell you they finally got that promotion, please don't keep me a secret - take our your cell phone, look up my number and call or text me immediately. My service is designed to help people find the home that best fits their situation. 

Just like you do an annual tax return, it's equally important to do an "Annual Home Review". Your home may be your biggest investment, so it's critical to keep up-to-date on the answers to these five crucial questions: 1. What have homes near you sold for, and how does this impact you today? 2. What new tax laws give you deductions or credits on home improvements? 3. What's happening in your neighborhood that will impact the value of your home? 4. What changes have occurred in your life that will alter your goals over the next five years, and how to prepare now to take full advantage of them? 5. What's occurring with your current mortgage, and what new possibilities would benefit you now?  The next time you are in a conversation with a friend, family member or neighbor who is talking about their home's value, remember the future always belongs to the person who prepares. I am completely prepared to help you and the people you care about. Call o...

If you’re selling a home, choosing your real estate agent is an important decision. The agent you should work with is one that both understands your goals and objectives and also sees the importance of meeting your needs. Your agent is the key to a successful real estate experience. Choosing the right agent doesn’t have to be a painful experience, but it should involve some questions. Start the process by asking your friends, family, and coworkers for recommendations. Look at agent reviews on websites like Yelp to see what others are saying. When you’ve narrowed down your list, select two to five agents to meet with for a preliminary interview. Once you’ve selected a few agents, it’s time to start the interview process. Avoid real estate agents that promise unrealistic attainable suggestions. For example, don’t hire the agent that gives you the highest list price, just because he or she gave you the highest price. Instead, use these questions as a guide to helping you find the mos...

The weather outside is probably not … you know what … so the holiday season in Southern California can be downright delightful. Without the snow and chill, visitors might think our region is short on holiday traditions. But they should think again. Want chestnuts roasting on an open fire? Find them in the many neighborhoods where homeowners outdo each other by adorning their houses with spectacular light displays. With no slush to drive through and comfortable nighttime temperatures, families can marvel at the illuminated residences every evening now through New Year’s Day, and sometimes beyond. Many residents offer hot chocolate, cider, coffee, cookies, and other homemade treats at nominal prices in their driveways. Check hyperlocal online sites for lists of the best streets to cruise, including maps and directions. As for regional traditions, we’ve rounded up some of the most enduring and unusual in each county, from south to north. Get out there and have a jolly old time! San...