Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

I consider myself to be fairly successful in life. I've worked hard, been smart, and pushed when the going got tough. I know that success isn't a straight road, and that along the way, there can be a lot of bumps and potholes. But I believe that pushing through is what leads us to success. Sure, I know that sometimes there are detours. But we need to keep going towards our destination rather than turning back or quitting. I believe that failing at something is merely a set-back, and that failing is not the same as quitting! You might be familiar with the quote by Thomas Edison, Inventor of the light bulb, who said: "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." I think some of the greatest gifts we can give our children are the capacity to endure failure, the strength to persevere, and the occasional tough love they need so that they aren't allowed to quit...so that they learn to recognize the capacity for resilience within themselve

How often have you heard someone say this: "I wish my kids (grand babies) were closer?" While technology has made it easier to connect with loved ones remotely, we've also become far more fragmented and disconnected - feeling more isolated and alone. A changing economy has left more families living apart in different time zones than ever before. Many of us barely know our extended family at all. It use to be the norm to grow up with grandsparents, aunts, cousins, and uncles nearby. They were very present in our lives. In many ways we've not only lost memories for a lifetime, but a true support system right down the street. If you know someone who lives too far away or hear someone mentioning that their loved ones are too far away, take out your cell phone, look up my number (858-382-3763) and call or text me immediately. I belong to a national network of realtors and lenders and I can help them find a new home that reunites them with their loves ones!

Many people have a favorite restaurant, a place they enthusiastically recommend to friends because of the great experience they have whenever they visit. Part of the experience comes from great food and service, but the experience is more than just that. The experience comes from how things are done, how they feel when they're served throughout the whole process, as well as the great food. This restaurant is always hopping, and probably doesn't do much advertising. Most of their business comes from repeat customers and referrals. So, for a moment, can you imagine that I am just like your favorite restaurant? Like your favorite restaurant, my purpose is for you to be so outrageously happy with both the product and the process - the complete experience of buying or selling a home - that you gladly introduce people you care about to me, because you want them to have the same kind of experience. Know that I can help you, or the person you feel comfortable introducing me to.

Typically, an active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Children, nursing mothers and people who are ill will need even more water. In addition to drinking water, additional water is needed for food preparation and hygiene. Follow these tips on how to properly store water to assure that you will have the water you need in case of a disaster or emergency. Store enough water for everyone in your family and pets to last for at least 3 days: One gallon of water, per person, per day is adequate for general drinking purposes. Three gallons of water, per person, per day will give you enough water to drink, cook and for limited personal hygiene. Store water in thoroughly washed plastic, glass, fiberglass or enamel-lined metal containers. Plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles, are best. Never use a container that has held toxic substances. Store water containers in a cool, dark place. If you store tap water, date each container and replace the water

Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you, or the person you feel comfortable introducing me to. Many of my friends, coworkers and family members have been telling me about their experience of being pushed and pulled in all directions. They call themselves the “Sandwich Generation.” Their homes have more people than space. You may know someone in one of the following situations who needs my help: 1.    Someone caring for aging parents while supporting and caring for their own children. 2.    Someone in their 50s and 60s, sandwiched between aging parents, adult children and grandchildren. 3.    Someone in their 30s or 40s with young children, aging parents, and perhaps even grandparents. 4.    Someone involved with elder care, special needs care, or sibling care. The one thing the people of the Sandwich Generation have in common is that they need more space. As you think about people who may need my help, feel comfortable taking out your cell phone a

Creating a video record of your possessions is a good idea, especially if you describe the items out loud as you record. Be sure to make backup copies as well. Creating a home inventory for insurance doesn’t need to be complicated. All you really need is a pencil and paper. The key is to have a record of your possessions in the event you experience a theft or casualty loss from flood, fire, or other disaster. But the more thorough the documentation of your belongings, the less likely you are to run into problems when you file an insurance claim. That’s why you should consider using a digital camera, fireproof safes, and other equipment to create and store your home inventory. Devote a full day to the task. Take pictures of your belongings Photos of your belongings go a long way toward demonstrating ownership and value. Digital photos are preferred, since they’re easier to print and store. A decent digital camera costs less than $100. Be sure to get full-room shots, as well as close-ups

Leaving boxes by the curb alongside the trash lets burglars know you've got new toys inside. You come home to an open front door, a ransacked house, and missing valuables. How did a burglar know you’d be gone? How did they get in? In these 10 thank-you notes, your friendly neighborhood burglars share advice on how to stop lending them a helping hand. 1. Thanks for the ladder! Call me a social climber if you will, but I did discover a ladder in your back yard. Thank you for leaving it where I could lean it against your home and easily reach a second-story window. I really love it when upper story openings aren’t wired to a home security system! So, if you want to keep me out, store your ladder in the basement or a locked garage. And call your security company to wire upper-story windows into your alarm system. Vertically yours, A rising star 2. Loved your trash Can’t tell you how much fun I have driving around neighborhoods on trash day (especially after big gift ho