April 24th, 2025

Happy Thursday

An idea I’ve been thinking about lately: agency.
​Sure, I’m a real estate agent — but what about agency as a character trait?

High agency means happening to life, not letting life happen to you. It’s defined by your willingness to initiate action, solve problems independently, and persist even when circumstances aren't ideal. High agency is recognizing that your brain isn’t just reacting to life — it’s predicting it, based on past experiences.

Which means:
​Agency is the conscious, active remodeling of those predictions to gain more choice, more control, and more intentional influence over your emotions and actions. It’s about realizing you have more power than you believe — and learning to reshape your mind through deliberate experiences.

With everything going on in the world — tariffs, inflation, elections, wars, social media, AI — it can feel like we’re all just puppets getting yanked around. The news is omnipresent, and the only true antidote is agency.

It’s fascinating to watch the real estate market react to world events. At almost every showing, someone mentions the latest headlines. Some people say, "Just ignore it" — but I think that's naive. On the flip side, getting consumed by it (which I’ve definitely been guilty of) isn’t the answer either.

The real answer?
It lies in the messy middle — the space where agency lives.

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.

Things are moving fast right now — and honestly, there’s a lot up in the air. Rates are just one piece of it.

If I’m being real, I could see two very different paths:
One where fear and inflation slow everything down to a crawl...
Or one where we somehow flip to full-blown optimism and everyone’s back in the game.

Most likely, we’ll land somewhere in the middle — but it’s too early to call it.
Right now, everything I’m seeing in the data points to a pretty stable short-term picture, with some softening around the edges.

Quick heads up though:
These predictions assume mortgage rates hang between 6.5%–7.5%.
​ If rates swing way outside that window, the market will react fast — and areas with more cash buyers [like North County San Diego] will hold up better than others.

Median Prices This Week

3 Properties to check out

569 N Vulcan Ave Encinitas, CA 92024 $1,995,000 Walk to Pannikin Coffee, the beach, shops, and downtown Encinitas & Leucadia—this sleek new build nails SoCal coastal living. Thoughtful finishes, modern lines, and walkability off the charts. Tucked in a tight-knit 12-unit enclave that’s all about location, location, location. View property

2409 Dunstan St Oceanside, CA 92054 $1,750,000 This South O’side gem serves up panoramic ocean views and laid-back vibes in one of the coast’s most underrated neighborhoods. Chill on your deck, bike to breweries, and soak in that salty air. It’s a vibe—and a smart buy. View property

5170 Carlsbad Blvd Carlsbad, CA 92008 $7,200,000 Front-row coastal living on Carlsbad Blvd. This is the modern dream come true. With ocean breezes and prime walkability, it's perfect as a beachside escape or a killer short-term rental. Rare air, right here. View property

2 News Articles

• ​Zillow’s latest forecast indicates a decline in home values coupled with an increase in existing home sales for 2025. ​

Zillow just revised its 2025 outlook—home values are now expected to dip 1.9% nationally by year-end, instead of rising. While that sounds dramatic, it's more of a soft slide than a cliff drop [Here in North County San Diego we have steady demand. Our market moves differently than the broader US].

Meanwhile, mortgage rates are forecasted to hover near 6.5%—still high compared to pandemic lows, but far from the 8%+ scare we saw in 2023. For North County buyers, this creates room to negotiate (especially with price cuts creeping in). For sellers, smart pricing and prep matter more than ever. It’s not about panic—it’s about playing the current hand wisely.

​
​Takeaway: Be strategic, not emotional. This market rewards well-informed moves, not wishful thinking.

• ​5.2 earthquake strikes Julian in East San Diego County​

Did you feel that earthquake last week!? No big damage—but it’s a solid reminder: your standard home insurance does not cover earthquakes. That means if “the big one” hits, you could be paying out of pocket for repairs. In North County, we’re not immune just because we’re coastal. Earthquake insurance isn’t required, but it’s worth exploring—especially for older homes or hillside properties.

​
​Takeaway: Protect your equity like it’s your biggest asset—because it is. Don’t wait for a quake to find out you’re not covered.

1 Tip or Thought

Markets Shift. Agency Wins.

In uncertain markets, most people default to two reactions: freeze or flee.
Both are mistakes.

The real skill — especially now — is agency.

High-agency buyers, sellers, and investors don’t wait around for perfect clarity. They gather real data, make intentional moves, and position themselves ahead of the crowd. They understand:

• No headline can predict your personal timing.
• No market condition can replace smart strategy.
• No one is coming to hand you the perfect opportunity.

The people who win in real estate — in any market — aren't the ones who panic or procrastinate. They're the ones who stay active, stay intentional, and stay in the game when others sit on the sidelines.

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

P.S. The Encinitas street fair is this weekend Sat, Apr 26 & Sun, Apr 27 [9am-5pm both days]

Was this forwarded to you? Get on the list here!​

Have a question or comment?

​​​

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.