Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

  This is important information for anyone living in California - especially in fire prone areas.  If you have any questions, please call me.  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  

The real estate market is constantly evolving, presenting homeowners with challenges in determining the accurate value of their properties. In today's era of rapid fluctuations, it is essential to equip yourself with the right knowledge and tools to make informed pricing decisions. There are three crucial factors to consider when assessing your home's worth. Online estimators offer a convenient starting point for obtaining a rough estimate of your home's value. While they may not provide pinpoint accuracy, these tools, readily available on reputable real estate agents' websites and portals, can provide a general idea of where your property stands in the market. Traditionally, real estate professionals would consider comparative home sales data from the past six months. However, the current market volatility demands a shift towards using more recent comps. Notably, 2022 and 2023 witnessed a significant doubling of mortgage interest rates within a six-month ...

  This month's eNewsletter is full of good advice. There's a building boom on - if you want a new home pay attention to the details. Also, if you're going to buy, "right size" the home for your needs.    If you're thinking of buying or selling, please call! There's a lot to consider in today's market!    August - Ponder this  - “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” ― John Steinbeck,  Travels with Charley: In Search of America  We can’t appreciate the sun without knowing the clouds. Even though it’s hot the sun is shining and life is thriving in this summer heat.    As always, I am here for you, your family, and friends.   Hope Leitner, CRS, CalDRE #01874321 Hope Opens Doors   Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, California Properties Christie D. Horn and Associates 3790 Via de la Valle, Suite 201, Del Mar, CA 92014 Cell: (858) 382-3763 Website: HopeLeitner.com Email Hope       HO...

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Owning a home is not only a place to live but also a valuable asset that can contribute to long-term wealth accumulation. Two key factors that play a vital role in increasing a homeowner's wealth are appreciation and amortization. Understanding how these factors work can provide homeowners with insights into building substantial financial equity over time. Appreciation refers to the increase in the value of a property over time. Real estate markets tend to experience appreciation in the long run, although it can fluctuate in the short term. This appreciation can significantly benefit homeowners' wealth accumulation in several ways. As a property appreciates, the homeowner's equity, which is the difference between the property value and the mortgage balance, increases. This equity serves as an asset that can be leveraged for future financial endeavors. Capital Gains: When homeowners decide to sell their property, the appreciation becomes recognizable. The diffe...

  Sellers: Don’t Let These Two Things Hold You Back August 1, 2023 For Buyers For Sellers Buying Myths Selling Myths Many homeowners thinking about  selling  have two key things holding them back. That’s feeling locked in by today’s higher mortgage rates and worrying they won’t be able to find something to buy while supply is so low. Let’s dive into each challenge and give you some helpful advice on how to overcome these obstacles. Challenge #1: The Reluctance to Take on a Higher Mortgage Rate According to the  Federal Housing Finance Agency  (FHFA), the  average interest rate  for current homeowners with mortgages is less than 4% ( see graph below ): But today, the typical 30-year fixed  mortgage rate  offered to buyers is closer to  7% . As a result, many homeowners are opting to stay put instead of moving to another home with a higher borrowing cost. This is a situation known as the mortgage rate lock-in effect. The Advice: Waiting Ma...