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The Real Estate Market - Fourth Quarter 2024

Dear Home Sellers and Home Seekers:

The two most important factors influencing the real estate market are interest rates and inventory. October’s 2024 mortgage interest rates are hovering around 7.1%, which is slightly lower than this summer’s rate, but still quite a bit higher than the low interest rates of three years ago which got as low as 2.65%. Historically, rising interest rates exert downward pressure on prices. That did not happen because inventory remained low - classic Supply and Demand. Buyers had the worst of three worlds: high prices, high interest rates and slim pickings.

Now, though, inventory is increasing. As of this writing, October 27th, San Diego inventory increased by 80% over last year. Home prices remain historically high but numerous signs show a softening market: no buyer frenzy, no bidding wars, no piles of offers, notices of price reductions (often called, “price improvements”), homes sitting on the market longer, buyers daring to ask for repairs or price reductions.

Buyers are becoming more selective. Desirable homes still fetch premium prices but homes that have deferred maintenance or are not in prime locations have to price accordingly.

Now, more than ever, owning a home is still one of the greatest aspirations of Americans. In addition to financial security, building wealth, pride of ownership, we are now working from home more, homeschooling, entertaining and relaxing at home.

Hiring the right agent to represent your best interests continues to be a home seller’s most important decision, likewise, hiring the right agent to guide and secure the purchase of a home is equally important.

April 1st, 2024 was my 22nd anniversary of the start of my real estate career. For over two decades I have helped 1000+ of my treasured clients sell and buy $600,000,000 in local real estate regardless of a sellers’ market or buyers’ market. I hold the distinction of most homes sold in La Mesa per MLS data and was named a Top 1.49% Agent Nationwide by RealTrends and the Wall Street Journal 2022 and 2023.

First Quarter 2024, I ranked 32nd in sales production out of over 20,000 active agents in San Diego County and remain in the Top 1% going into the Fourth Quarter.

Experience and a stellar reputation matters.

Selling or Buying? Call Me. I can’t wait for us to get started!

Thank you.

Laura Lothian

It takes extraordinary creativity, effort, and investment to create house buzz, so Laura markets properties the way producers put on a show!

Every one of her listings is professionally photographed. Particularly large homes, estates, and homes with acreage and/or near the ocean also enjoy aerial photography. Photos are taken only during blue skies and twilight - no hazy, cloudy, or gray skies for Laura's listings! Homesellers are guaranteed gorgeous, artistic interior and exterior shots that bring traffic and offers. Look at the home photos in the slide show and throughout this site - ALL Laura Listings! All photo shoots are directed by Laura and taken by one of the best real estate photographers in Southern California! 

In addition to superb photography, Laura deploys her journalistic background and writing skills to infuse her clients' listings with color and vivacity! All homes enjoy Internet saturation, prominent signage with custom riders, Broker networking, email blasts to every Realtor in San Diego County, Event Open Houses, and prominent inclusion in local print media, including the San Diego Union-Tribune and Dream Home Magazine. In 2022, Laura joined the roster of some of the most successful, prominent luxury real estate agents featured in San Diego’s Dream Home Magazine by becoming an official “Dream Agent!”

Laura offers practical advice for homeowners wanting to put their home on the market: best times of the year to go on the market, what should or should not be done to get a home ready, best ways to present or stage (or even de-stage!) homes and so on. See practical tips here:

Laura knows home selling is more than marketing. Laura is a hard-working professional, a master negotiator, and very experienced with the complex contracts required by the Department of Real Estate and the State of California. She and her clients also have a perfect, transactions legal record: no insurance claims, no mediations, no arbitrations, no lawsuits - not even a letter of complaint!

With close to $1/2 Billion in local real estate sales - and in a litigious society - that says a lot about Laura's ethics and fidelity to her clients!

Your Personal Home Shopper!

The process for buyers starts with their preferred locations and a list of their Must Haves/Must Not Haves. Predicated on those criteria, Laura builds a custom MLS search that emails buyers new listings and price change listings every day directly from the MLS. Those properties with potential are seen by the buyers with Laura. For out-of-area buyers, Laura tours the homes and sends those buyers her own photos, videos, and comments. If a home becomes a serious contender, Laura researches value and advises buyers before writing any offers. In a competitive market, Laura's offers are written to get the seller's attention. Negotiation goes far beyond pricing. There are many aspects to consider: inspections, contingencies, length of escrow, structuring deposits, and so on.