Los Angeles Real Estate Blog & Market Updates

A general home inspection covers the overall condition of a home's major systems and structure, but it is an overview, not a deep dive into any one area. Specialty inspections, including sewer line, mold, termite, foundation, roof, pool, electrical, drainage, and plumbing, go far deeper and are often worth the extra cost, especially when nothing looks obviously wrong on the surface.

Selling a home in the San Fernando Valley or on the Westside comes down to three things: realistic pricing, a clear timeline, and focused preparation before you list. The data can tell you what similar homes have sold for, but the buyer determines your final sale price, not your agent and not the comps. Sellers who treat their list price as an invitation rather than a guarantee, and who prepare their home properly before it hits the market, are the ones who sell for the most

The most important questions to ask a realtor before selling your home are how well they know your neighborhood, how they approach pricing, how they handle negotiations and offers, and how they will guide you through premarketing and preparation. In the San Fernando Valley and on the Westside right now, real local knowledge and pricing discipline separate a trustworthy advisor from someone reciting a quick AI search.

Selling a home in Los Angeles takes longer than one week, and a quiet opening stretch is not a reason to panic. The first seven days produce data, not a verdict. Sellers who slash their price after week one almost always give up leverage they never had to surrender.

A quick update for those purchasing real estate through an entity (LLC/trust) using all cash or private financing. The FinCEN Residential Real Estate Rule (RRE), went into effect March 1, 2026, requiring mandatory reporting of non-financed residential property transfers involving legal entities, trusts, or LLCs to combat money laundering.

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

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.