Agent Artin

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  • National Real Estate Market Update: What July 2026 Data Means for Buyers and Sellers

    The national housing market is moving slowly rather than dramatically. That matters for Los Angeles because mortgage rates, buyer confidence and national inventory trends influence local behavior even when neighborhood-level conditions remain very different.

    Existing-home sales eased in July

    The National Association of REALTORS reported that existing-home sales declined 1.7% from June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.06 million in July 2026. Sales were still 0.7% above July 2025.

    The national median existing-home price was $434,100, up 2.0% from a year earlier. Unsold inventory was 1.54 million homes, equal to a 4.6-month supply.

    Affordability has improved somewhat

    NAR’s Housing Affordability Index improved from a year earlier, including a 7.3% year-over-year improvement in the West. Mortgage rates remain a challenge, but slower price growth and changes in financing costs are creating a different environment than buyers faced at recent peaks.

    Why Los Angeles still has to be evaluated locally

    National statistics are useful context, not a pricing model for Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino or any other Los Angeles neighborhood. A local property’s condition, lot, street, architecture, school preferences and competing inventory can matter much more than a national headline.

    For sellers, the takeaway is to price from current local evidence. For buyers, it is to stay prepared because desirable homes can still outperform broader market trends.

    Want the national picture translated into your Los Angeles neighborhood? Text Artin directly.

    Source: National Association of REALTORS, July 2026 Existing-Home Sales and August 2026 Research Update.

  • Where to Buy in the San Fernando Valley and Nearby Los Angeles: A 2026 Neighborhood Guide

    Choosing where to buy in Los Angeles is often less about finding one best neighborhood and more about matching lifestyle, architecture, commute patterns, lot preferences and budget with the right micro-market.

    Studio City

    Studio City is a strong fit for buyers who want a central Valley location with access to Ventura Boulevard, established residential streets, newer luxury construction and hillside options. The market can vary significantly from one pocket to another, so street-level comparables matter.

    Sherman Oaks

    Sherman Oaks offers a wide range of housing, from traditional single-family homes to contemporary new construction and larger properties south of Ventura Boulevard. Buyers often compare it directly with Studio City and Encino.

    Toluca Lake

    Toluca Lake has a smaller, more intimate feel with convenient access to the studios and nearby Burbank. Inventory can be limited, which makes preparation especially important when a strong property appears.

    Encino and Tarzana

    Encino and Tarzana can offer larger lots, gated properties, newer estates and a broad range of price points. Buyers focused on space and privacy often include both neighborhoods in the same search.

    Woodland Hills

    Woodland Hills appeals to buyers who want more room and access to the western Valley. Property style, heat exposure, hillside location and proximity to major roads can all influence value.

    Burbank and Glendale

    Burbank and Glendale are distinct markets with their own neighborhood identities, school considerations, architecture and inventory patterns. They are often attractive to buyers who want access to the Valley while staying close to major employment centers.

    West Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills

    West Hollywood offers a denser urban lifestyle with condos, townhomes and single-family pockets, while the Hollywood Hills is driven more by views, privacy, access, lot usability and architecture. Both require a very property-specific approach to valuation.

    How to compare neighborhoods intelligently

    Look beyond the list price. Compare recent sales, lot size, usable outdoor space, renovation quality, school preferences, commute patterns, resale demand and the specific block. In Los Angeles, the value difference between two nearby streets can be substantial.

    Not sure where to focus your search? Text Artin Hovsepian directly and share the neighborhoods, price range and property type you are considering.

  • New Construction Update: What Los Angeles Buyers Should Watch in 2026

    New construction remains an important part of the Los Angeles market, especially for buyers who value newer systems, modern floor plans, energy efficiency and fewer immediate renovation projects.

    National construction data are mixed

    The U.S. Census Bureau reported that privately owned housing permits rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.443 million in July 2026, up 5.0% from June and 3.1% from July 2025. Housing starts, however, fell to 1.239 million, down 12.4% from June and 13.5% from a year earlier.

    That does not directly predict what will happen on a specific Los Angeles block, but it shows why buyers should pay attention to both the pipeline of future supply and what is actually being built today.

    What matters locally

    In Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Toluca Lake, Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, Burbank and nearby neighborhoods, new construction can vary dramatically in quality and value. Two homes with similar square footage may have very different construction standards, layouts, lot utility and resale appeal.

    Questions to ask before buying new construction

    • Who is the builder and what have they completed nearby?
    • Were permits finalized and are major systems documented?
    • How does the lot, street and orientation compare with nearby resale homes?
    • Are finishes durable or simply visually impressive?
    • How does the asking price compare on a price-per-square-foot and total-value basis?

    New construction often carries a premium. The goal is to determine whether that premium is supported by location, design, quality and long-term marketability.

    Considering a new-construction home? Text Artin directly before you write an offer.

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau New Residential Construction release for July 2026, published August 18, 2026.

  • Mortgage Rates This Week: What 6.71% Means for Los Angeles Buyers

    Mortgage rates remain one of the biggest variables affecting Los Angeles buyers this fall. Freddie Mac reported an average 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.71% and a 15-year fixed rate of 6.04% as of September 3, 2026.

    Why small rate changes matter more at Los Angeles price points

    On a $1 million 30-year mortgage, principal and interest at 6.71% is roughly $6,459 per month. At 6.50%, it is about $6,321 per month. That difference is before property taxes, insurance and any HOA dues.

    For buyers looking in Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Toluca Lake, Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, Glendale, Burbank, West Hollywood or the Hollywood Hills, the rate environment can change the price range that feels comfortable even when home prices have not moved much.

    Three strategies buyers can discuss with a lender

    • Compare fixed-rate options rather than focusing on only one advertised rate.
    • Evaluate whether seller credits could be used toward closing costs or a temporary rate buydown when appropriate.
    • Re-run monthly payment scenarios before submitting an offer so the purchase price and financing structure work together.

    Do not wait for a perfect rate without watching the home

    A lower future rate could improve affordability, but it can also bring more buyers back into the market. The right decision depends on the property, your timeline, available inventory and whether the monthly payment works today.

    Want to see what is realistic in your target neighborhood? Text Artin directly.

    Source: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, September 3, 2026. Payment examples are principal and interest only and are illustrative, not a loan quote.

  • Los Angeles Real Estate Market Update: September 2026

    Los Angeles real estate is entering the fall market with a mix of opportunity and caution. Mortgage rates remain elevated, sales activity has cooled from early summer, and buyers are paying closer attention to value.

    Los Angeles County prices have softened

    The California Association of REALTORS reported a July 2026 median price of $888,120 for existing single-family homes in Los Angeles County, down 2.4% from June and 2.6% from July 2025. The broader Los Angeles Metro Area median was $849,450, roughly flat month over month and up 0.5% year over year.

    What sellers should know

    Pricing strategy matters. Buyers have higher borrowing costs and more information, so homes that launch too far above market can lose momentum. Sellers in Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Toluca Lake, Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills should focus on the most relevant recent comparable sales rather than broad county averages.

    What buyers should know

    Buyers may have more negotiating room on homes that have been sitting or need updates, while exceptional homes can still move quickly. Understanding neighborhood-specific comps before writing an offer is especially important in Los Angeles, where condition, lot, street and design can materially change value.

    Mortgage rates are still a major factor

    Freddie Mac reported an average 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.71% as of September 3, 2026. At Los Angeles price points, small rate changes can have a meaningful impact on monthly carrying costs.

    Thinking about buying or selling? Text Artin Hovsepian directly for a neighborhood-specific market review.

    Sources: California Association of REALTORS, July 2026 Home Sales and Price Report; Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, September 3, 2026.