Los Angeles Real Estate Blog & Market Updates

Selling a home you have lived in for 35 or 40+ years requires a different approach than a typical sale. The emotional attachment is real and deserves respect, the updates should be minimal and strategic rather than a full renovation, and the financial considerations (including capital gains, Proposition 19 tax transfers, and estate planning) need to be addressed before you list. The right advisor will walk you through all of it with patience and care.

The San Fernando Valley real estate market in Q1 2026 showed a slight cooling from last year, with the median single-family home price across the Valley sitting at $1,156,000 and a median of 26 days on market. Prices held in most neighborhoods, inventory remained tight, and well-priced homes continued to move. The biggest disruption was a temporary buyer pause in early March following the outbreak of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, but buyer activity has since rebounded h

If you are comparing Tarzana vs. Encino vs. Woodland Hills, the right neighborhood depends on your budget, lifestyle, and what kind of daily life you want. Tarzana is the smallest and most community-oriented of the three, with a strong south-of-Ventura premium. Encino carries the most prestige and the highest price points, with easier Westside access. Woodland Hills is the largest, offers the most inventory and the lowest entry point for single-family homes, and gives buyers

Multiple offers on a Los Angeles home do not automatically mean the highest price wins. The strongest offer is the one with the best combination of price, terms, contingencies, and certainty of closing. Sellers need to evaluate the full picture, and buyers need a strategy that goes beyond just raising their number.

The San Fernando Valley real estate market picked up momentum in April 2026 after a slow start to spring. The valley-wide median closed price is $1,034,250 across all property types, with single-family homes at a $1,224,500 median. Well-priced homes sold quickly with multiple offers, while 52.9% of all transactions included seller concessions, most commonly buyer agent compensation.

The 2026 World Cup will affect LA neighborhoods well beyond SoFi Stadium. Los Angeles is using a hub-and-spoke transit model that turns locations across the county into primary activation points for 39 days. Transit gateways in North Hollywood, Woodland Hills, Culver City, and Santa Monica will funnel fans to the stadium on match days. Fan zones at the LA Memorial Coliseum, Venice Beach, Hansen Dam, Union Station, Downtown Burbank, and other locations will bring event-day cro

The right time to sell your home in Los Angeles depends more on your personal readiness than market headlines. If you have equity, a clear plan for where you're going, a home that's prepped for the market, and the flexibility to price strategically, spring 2026 is a strong window. If you don't have your next move sorted out, you're not willing to do the prep work, or you're banking on a price that doesn't match what buyers are paying today, waiting may be the smarter call.

Luxury homes in Los Angeles generally start around $4 million, but what you get at that price depends entirely on the neighborhood. The ultra-luxury tier begins around $20 million, with trophy properties in Bel Air, Beverly Park, and Holmby Hills trading from $50 million into nine-figure territory. Roughly 25% of LA luxury deals happen off-market, and the market moves on a longer timeline than the general residential market.

Yes, open houses still help sell homes when they are run thoughtfully, and with the new buyer representation rules, they matter more now than they have in years. They are not right for every seller or every home, and safety and preparation always have to come first.

Most buyers in Los Angeles can go from starting the process to keys in hand in about 60 to 100 days, depending on preparation and how specific their search criteria are. The biggest factors that slow things down are skipping pre-approval upfront and making large purchases during escrow.

• You do not have to sell your current home before buying a new one. There are several ways to make it work. • A cross collateral loan lets you use the equity in your current home to purchase your next one without a traditional down payment. • Selling with contingencies and negotiating possession terms can create breathing room for a smoother transition. • Every situation is different. The right approach depends on your timeline, your finances, and your comfort leve

Tarzana has one of the strongest senses of community of any neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley. People know each other here. • The neighborhood has deep, fascinating roots dating back to Edgar Rice Burroughs, the author who created Tarzan and literally named this community. Ventura Boulevard offers walkable access to restaurants, shops, markets, and services that rival any neighborhood in Los Angeles.

Should I buy a house in LA right now? That is probably the question I get asked more than any other right now. And I am going to give you the honest answer. The truth is, I never tell anyone across the board that it is a good time to buy. Every person's situation is different, and your decision to buy a home in Los Angeles should be based on your finances, your timeline, your life, and your goals, not just what the market is doing on any given day.

Agent compensation is always negotiable. Listing side typically runs 2.5 to 4%, and buyer's agent compensation, if the seller agrees to pay it, typically runs 2 to 3%. • Closing costs, including escrow and title fees, typically run about 1.25% of the sale price. • All in, sellers in Los Angeles can expect total costs of roughly 4.25% to 8.25% of the sale price depending on what is negotiated. • Inspection findings, termite reports, and repairs can add

Real estate transactions are complex. There are title issues, inspection surprises, contractor questions, neighbor disputes, permit problems, HOA complications, appraisal gaps, and a hundred other things that can come up between the moment you decide to buy or sell and the moment you get your keys or your check. The question is not whether problems will come up. They always do. The question is whether your agent is going to solve them or hand them back to you. I am Leegie Par

Your timeline is the starting point for everything. Know it before you do anything else. • Buyers decide within the first 7 seconds of walking through the front door. Make that moment count. • Decluttering and de-personalizing are free and among the most powerful things you can do. • Small, targeted repairs and fresh touches go a long way. You do not need a full renovation. • Well-prepared homes sell faster and for more money. Every time.

Wooden blocks spelling out "MORTGAGE" are arranged on a table, with a small house-shaped keychain and keys beside them, symbolizing home ownership. By Leegie Parker | Real Estate Advisor, Compass | Los Angeles | DRE 01020534 I have been helping people buy and sell homes in Los Angeles since 1989. In that time, I have watched the mortgage business change dramatically. It has become more complex, more document-intensive, and more stringent with every passing decade. What w