March 27th, 2025

Happy Thursday

Avoiding Competition Might Cost You More Than Facing It​
Last week we talked about PROS of buying off market. What about cons?

Yesterday, I met with a buyer who told me she only wanted off-market deals. No bidding wars, no stress.

I get it—competing can be exhausting. But here’s the twist: by avoiding competition, she might end up paying more.

It’s a common myth that off-market = better deal. In reality, active listings—yes, the ones with multiple offers—often bring more transparency and pricing pressure.

Off-market sellers? They usually want a premium, and without other buyers in the mix, there’s less leverage to negotiate. (can be good for sellers!)

If you’ve been eyeing off-market properties, make sure you’re not ruling out solid opportunities just because there’s competition. Sometimes, that pressure actually protects your budget.

There are times where buying & selling off market is a win-win. Like most things, it's highly situational.

Here’s what’s happening in real estate today:

3 properties to watch, 2 news updates on market trends, and 1 thought-provoking insight from me + a snapshot of current market conditions.

Active inventory is back above 5,000 homes.​
We hit this mark toward the end of last year, but it dipped during the holidays and early January. For context, pre-COVID inventory typically ranged between 6,000 and 8,000 homes on the market at any given time. Seasonally, we're heading into the busiest stretch of the year, with inventory usually peaking in April.

Median Prices This Week

3 Properties to check out

3119 Salina Rd Carlsbad, CA 92010 $1,350,000 Just minutes from the beach & lagoon, this coastal house sits on a spacious, pool-sized lot with no HOA. A rare find in a prime location that blends lifestyle and value. View property

418 3rd St Encinitas, CA 92024 $2,300,000 Location, location, location—this one puts you steps from the best of downtown Encinitas. With some interior updates, it’s an opportunity to live in one of North County’s hottest spots. View property

5992 Calle Camposeco Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 $28,880,000 This Rancho Santa Fe estate is truly next-level, with over 31,000 square feet across a main residence, two guest villas, a clubhouse, gym, media room, and more. Designed for grand living and hosting, the property includes 19 bedrooms and 10 ensuite guest suites—yes, really. View property

2 News Articles

• ​San Diego Ranked 3rd-Happiest U.S. City – 34th Worldwide​

Shocking? No way... we know this! But cool to see.

San Diego just earned a top spot on the happiness scale according to a new report by British think tank Institute for Quality of Life. The ranking highlights San Diego’s strong sense of community, access to nature, and overall quality of life. Yet another reason why living—and owning real estate—here is about more than just the sunshine.

• ​How to Add Value to Your Home​

Zillow recently shared a helpful guide on how to add value to your home, and it’s packed with smart, budget-friendly tips for homeowners. From boosting curb appeal with fresh landscaping to updating kitchens and bathrooms, even small improvements can make a big impact. Whether you're planning to sell soon or just want to invest in your space, these upgrades can increase both your home's value and your day-to-day enjoyment.

Here are the top 3 ways to add value to your home, according to Zillow:

1. Boost Curb Appeal – First impressions matter! Simple upgrades like fresh landscaping, a new front door, or exterior paint can significantly improve how your home looks (and sells).
2. Upgrade the Kitchen – You don’t need a full renovation—swapping out hardware, updating light fixtures, or repainting cabinets can modernize the space and appeal to buyers.
3. Refresh the Bathroom – Clean, updated bathrooms are a big win. Think new faucets, regrouting tile, or adding better lighting for a quick value lift.

Small changes, big return!

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1 Tip or Thought

Did you know you can improve your mortgage rate even after you're in escrow?

One of my clients last year did a credit rescore—a quick recalculation of their credit after paying down a balance—bumping their score above 720 and saving thousands over the life of their loan. If you're close to a rate threshold, ask your lender if a credit rescore is an option.

Every point counts when it comes to mortgage rates. If buying is in your future, best to keep that credit up!

Josh Meltzer DRE 02098859 REALTOR® M: 858.585.0309​ ​Josh@Talechia.com​

P.S. There are TONS of great local events happening this spring. Check out the calendar here. Cars, beers, Ironman, dog festivals, easter, Carlsbad 5000, tattoos, race for Autism... there's something for everyone!

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DISCLAIMER: Due to recent changes by California Association of Realtors, and the SDMLS Clear Cooperation Policy (the “Policy”), Brokers are limited in their ability to share off-market properties. It is the intent of this letter to be in compliance with the Policy. For this reason, Talechia & Associates can only share such property information with clients of Talechia & Associates. If you would like more information on our properties that are not publicized in the MLS, and becoming a client of Compass, please contact Josh (858) 585-0309 or Talechia (858) 229-2181

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628, 01527235, 01527365. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. If your property is currently listed for sale this is not a solicitation.