Lynn Rinner

Buying a home is exciting but can feel overwhelming without the right guidance. My best advice is to get pre-approved before you start shopping... this gives you a clear budget and strengthens your offer when the right home comes along. Work with an experienced local REALTOR® who understands the neighborhoods, pricing trends, and competition (that’s where I come in!). Be prepared to act quickly in our competitive San Diego market, but don’t skip important steps like inspections and contract review. Most importantly, focus on your needs and long-term goals, not just the latest “hot” property, so you’ll love your home for years to come.

Preparation and pricing are key. Start with a strong first impression: declutter, make minor repairs, and consider professional staging and photography. Buyers form opinions within seconds online, so your home needs to stand out visually. Price it strategically based on market data, not emotion, to attract the most buyers and drive competition. Work with a REALTOR® who has a proven marketing plan that includes professional photos, video, online exposure, and negotiation expertise. My goal is always to sell for the highest price possible, in the shortest time, with the least stress.

I work with a wide variety of clients, including first-time homebuyers, military and VA buyers, move-up and relocation buyers, 55+ downsizers, and investors. Over the years, I’ve represented everyone from clients purchasing their very first condo to families buying multimillion-dollar coastal properties. I also have specialized experience in VA loans (including assumable VA loans) and short sales from my early career, which taught me advanced negotiation strategies that still benefit my clients today.

A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of helping Maria and Anthony, a sweet couple from the East Coast, buy their first condo in Oceanside. They loved everything about it... the neighborhood, the California sunshine, and most of all, their dogs loved having their humans home more. But as time went on, their dream shifted. They wanted a home with a yard where their pups could run free. The challenge? Single-family homes felt out of their comfort zone price-wise, and nothing in their preferred budget and location was for sale. I couldn’t stand the thought of them settling, so I got creative. I wrote letters, knocked on doors, and made calls to homeowners in a quiet little Oceanside neighborhood of twin homes that would be just right for them. It took a few months of persistence, but it paid off and we found a perfect off-market property! The day they got the keys, Maria and Anthony were beaming, and their dogs already had their favorite spot picked out in the backyard. Helping them turn that dream into reality reminded me why I love what I do.

When my family moved from Costa Mesa to Oceanside in 2003, we bought our first home, a brand-new construction in a great neighborhood. I was hooked from day one! I loved every part of the process: picking the perfect lot, watching the home take shape, choosing finishes, and eventually decorating and landscaping. It didn’t feel like a transaction; it felt like building a dream from the ground up. A few years later, the company I worked for relocated, and the commute became overwhelming. I started thinking about what was next. The truth was, I had never stopped touring model homes or going to open houses and real estate had become my hobby. A good friend who was a broker finally said, “You know, you could actually get paid to do what you love.” That was all it took. I got licensed, jumped in full-time, and never looked back. Seventeen years later, I still love what I do and can’t imagine doing anything else.

Before becoming a REALTOR®, I spent 16 years with Marriott, where I mastered the art of world-class customer service, something I still bring to every client interaction today. After finishing college a little later in life, I worked in marketing for a health supplement company, where I gained experience in online marketing, project management, direct mail, and content creation—all skills I now use to give my listings maximum exposure. In addition, I regularly invest in ongoing training on everything from marketing strategies and compliance to social media advertising, market trends, and best practices. This combination of education, corporate experience, and continuous learning allows me to provide my clients with exceptional service, cutting-edge marketing, and expert guidance in every market condition.