Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

  Don’t Let Student Loans Hold You Back from Homeownership Did you know? According to a recent study,   72%   of people with student loans think their debt will delay their ability to buy a home. Maybe you’re one of them and you're wondering: Do you have to wait until you’ve paid off those loans before you can buy your first home? Or is it possible you could still qualify for a home loan even with that debt? Having questions like these is normal, especially when you’re thinking about making such a big purchase. But you should know, you may be putting your homeownership goals on the backburner unnecessarily. Can You Qualify for a Home Loan if You Have Student Loans? In the simplest sense, what you want to know is can you still buy your first home if you have student debt. Here’s what  Yahoo Finance  says: " . . . student loans don’t have to get in your way when it comes to becoming a homeowner. With the right approach and an understanding of how debt impacts your...

  More Homes for Sale Isn’t a Warning Sign – It's Your Buying Opportunity Maybe you’ve heard the number of homes for sale has reached a recent high. And it might make you question if this is the start of another housing market crash. But the reality is, the data proves that’s just not the case. In most areas, more inventory isn’t bad news. It’s actually a sign of the market returning to a more stable, healthy place. What’s Going on With Inventory? Based on the latest   data   from   Realtor.com , inventory just hit its highest point since 2020, shown with the white line in the graph below. But what you need to realize is, at the same time, inventory levels still haven’t returned to pre-pandemic norms ( shown in gray ) : That means there are more homes for sale now than there have been in quite some time. And while it’s true inventory is up significantly compared to where it was over the last few years, the number of homes on the market is still well below typical lev...

Spring is still in full bloom and so is your inbox (in the best way)! My June 2025 Newsletter is dropping soon, and it's packed with everything you need to kick off the season right. From can't-miss San Diego events and community highlights, this newsletter is designed to keep you informed, inspired, and connected all month long. 🏡🌴 ✨ Want in? Make sure you're on the list! Just take a quick second to fill out the sign-up form here: https://contacts.byreferralonly.com/Form3.aspx?Key=39A817F48BF5F0FAD50B49EC6C0D3442 Let’s make the most of this summer together—whether you're exploring the city, making a move, or just soaking up the vibes. 📬 Join the list. Get inspired. Stay in the know.

  Why Would I Move with a 3% Mortgage Rate? If you have a 3% mortgage rate, you’re probably pretty hesitant to let that go. And even if you’ve toyed with the idea of moving, this nagging thought may be holding you back:   “ why would I give that up?” But when you ask that question, you may be putting your needs on the back burner without realizing it. Most people don’t move because of their mortgage rate. They move because they want or need to. So, let’s flip the script and ask this instead:  What are the chances you’ll still be in your current house 5 years from now? Think about your life for a moment. Picture what the next few years will hold. Are you planning on growing your family? Do you have adult children about to move out? Is retirement on the horizon? Are you already bursting at the seams? If nothing’s going to change, and you love where you are, staying put might make perfect sense. But if there’s even a slight chance a move is coming, even if it’s not immediate...

  Why Buyers Are More Likely To Get Concessions Right Now Especially in areas where inventory is rising, both homebuilders and sellers are sweetening the deal for buyers with things like paid closing costs, mortgage rate buy-downs, and more. In the industry, it’s called a concession or an incentive. What Are Concessions and Incentives? When a seller or builder gives you something extra to help with your purchase, that’s called either a   concession   or an   incentive .  A   concession   is something a seller gives up or agrees to in order to reach a compromise and close a deal.  An   incentive , on the other hand, is a benefit a builder or seller advertises and offers up front to attract and encourage buyers. Today, some of the most common ones are: Help with closing costs Mortgage rate buy-downs (to temporarily lower your rate) Discounts or price reductions Upgrades or appliances Home warranties Minor repairs For buyers, getting any of thes...

  Home Projects That Boost Value Whether you’re planning to move soon or not, it’s smart to be strategic about which home projects you take on. Your time, energy, and money matter – and not all upgrades offer the payoff you might expect. As   U.S. News Real Estate   explains: ". . . not every home renovation project will increase the resale value of a home.   Before you invest in a swimming pool or new addition, you should   consider whether the project will pay itself off by getting prospective buyers in the door when it’s time to sell. " That’s why, before you pick up a power tool or call a contractor, your first step should be talking to a local agent. Planning Ahead Pays Off If you plan to move relatively soon, you’ll want to get a jump start on your to-do list. And even if moving isn’t on your radar yet, life can change quickly – and a new job, a growing family, or shifting priorities can fast-track your plans. You don’t want to be scrambling to fix up your...

  What’s Your House Worth Now? The Answer May Surprise You Let’s talk about something you might not check nearly as often as your bank account – and that’s how much your home is worth. But when it comes to your financial situation, it’s an important thing to remember. When’s the last time you had a professional show you the value of your home? Think about it. For most people, your house is probably the biggest asset you have. And if you’ve owned your home for a few years (or longer), chances are it’s been quietly building wealth for you in the background. And honestly? You might be surprised by just how much.  What Is Home Equity? This wealth you may not even realize you have comes in the form of home equity. Home equity is the difference between what your house is worth and what you still owe on your mortgage. It grows over time as home values rise and as you pay down your mortgage each month. Here’s an example to help you really understand how this works. Let’s say your hous...