If you need assistance, please call 818-248-8668

Buying A Home | The Markarian Realty Guide Blog

Thursday, February 6, 2025   /   by Vic Markarian

The Perks of Buying a Fixer-Upper

There’s no denying affordability is tough right now. But that doesn’t mean you have to put your plans to buy a home on the back burner.
If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves (or hire someone who will), buying a house that needs some work could open the door to homeownership. Here’s everything you need to know so you can decide if this is the right move for you.
What’s a Fixer-Upper?
A fixer-upper is a home that’s livable but requires some renovations. Think cosmetic updates like wallpaper removal and new flooring or more extensive repairs like replacing a roof or updating plumbing.
While fixer-uppers need a little TLC, here’s why they may be worth considering, especially right now:
They Usually Have a Lower Price Point. Because of the repairs involved, these homes are usually less expensive up front than move-in-ready options. According to a survey from StorageCafe, fixer-uppers come with price tags that ...

  home buyer, home buying process, home prices, home buying, buyer's market, homeownership, los angeles, glendale, buying a home, real estate advice for 2025, real estate tips 2025, real estate trends 2025, buyer tips 2025, homebuying, top realtor, the perks of buying a fixer-upper

Thursday, January 30, 2025   /   by Vic Markarian

Two Resources That Can Help You Buy a Home Right Now

A recent report from Realtor.com says 20% of Americans don’t think homeownership is achievable. Maybe you feel the same way. With inflation driving up day-to-day expenses, saving enough to buy your first home is more of a challenge. But here’s the thing. With the right resources and help, you can still make it happen.
There are options that can help make buying a home possible today — even if your savings are limited or your credit isn’t perfect. Let’s explore just two of the solutions that could help get you into your first home no matter the market.
1. FHA Loans
If your down payment savings and your credit score aren’t where you want them to be, an FHA loan could be your pathway to buying a home. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Bankrate, the big perks of an FHA home loan are:
Lower Down Payments: They typically require a smal ...

  home buyer, vic markarian realty, home buying, buyer's market, glendale, for buyers, buying a home, for sellers, rent vs. buy, real estate advice for 2025, real estate tips 2025, real estate trends 2025, 2025 housing market, buyer tips 2025, glendale real estate agent, homebuying, realtor in glendale, first-time homebuyer, real estate market trends 2025, two resources that can help you buy a home right now

Thursday, January 23, 2025   /   by Vic Markarian

Smaller Homes, Bigger Opportunities: The Homebuilder Trend Buyers Love

It’s no secret that affordability is tough with where mortgage rates and home prices are right now. And that may have you worried about how you’ll be able to buy a home. But, if you don’t need a ton of space, you may find you have more cost-effective options in an unexpected place: new home communities.
Builders Are Building Smaller Homes 
Since smaller homes typically come with smaller price tags, buyers have turned their attention to homes with less square footage — and builders have shifted their focus to capitalize on that demand. As U.S. News notes:
“The combination of higher home prices and mortgage rates has strained a lot of people's budgets. And that's something builders recognize. To this end, they may be leaning toward smaller spaces . . .That, in turn, can lead to savings for buyers.”
Data from the Census shows the overall builder trend toward smaller, single-family homes has be ...

  home buyer, home buying, buyer's market, for buyers, buying a home, first time home buyers, real estate advice for 2025, real estate trends 2025, 2025 housing market, buyer tips 2025, smaller homes, bigger opportunities, the homebuilder trend buyers love

Thursday, January 9, 2025   /   by Vic Markarian

What To Save for When Buying a Home

Knowing what to budget for when buying a home may feel intimidating — but it doesn’t have to be. By understanding the costs you may encounter upfront, you can take control of the process.
Here are just a few things experts say you should be thinking about as you plan ahead.
1. Down Payment
Saving for your down payment is likely top of mind. But how much do you really need? A common misconception is that you have to put down 20% of the purchase price. But that’s not necessarily the case. Unless it’s specified by your loan type or lender, you don’t have to. There are some home loan options that require as little as 3.5% or even 0% down. An article from The Mortgage Reports explains:
"The amount you need to put down will depend on a variety of factors, including the loan type and your financial goals. If you don’t have a large down payment saved up, don’t worry—there are plenty of options available . . ."
k ...

  real estate tips, home buying process, home prices, home buying, buyer's market, for buyers, buying a home, real estate tips 2025, real estate advice for 2025, real estate trends 2025, buyer tips 2025, realtor in glendale, first-time homebuyer, top realtor in granada hills, top realtors in granada hills, what to save for when buying a home

Thursday, January 2, 2025   /   by Vic Markarian

New Year, New Home: How To Make It Happen in 2025

This is the time when a lot of people take a moment to reflect and set their goals for this year. And as you picture what you want your 2025 to look like, one thing that may pop into your mind is the vision of you in a new home. But how do you get there? And where do you start?
Here’s some advice that can help you get the ball rolling.
Focus on Your Why
To lay the foundation, you need to focus on your why. While the dollars and cents are important, so is the driving force behind your desire to move. Maybe you need more space for a growing family, want to sell so you can downsize, or are finally ready to buy your first home. Whatever your reason, it’s important to keep it front and center.
Your why is what helps you stay focused. Share your motivation with your agent and they’ll use their expertise to help support that goal, no matter what the market looks like. With a great agent by your side, you’ll have someone to guide you, problem-solve, and ...

  home buyer, home buying, buying a home, real estate tips 2025, 2025 housing market, real estate advice for 2025, real estate trends 2025, buyer tips 2025, realtor in glendale, first-time homebuyer, new year, new home how to make it happen in 2025

Markarian Realty Group
3237 N. Verdugo Rd.
Glendale,, CA 91208
818-248-8668
DRE# CalBRE# 01059771

Based on information from California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. as of February 10, 2025. This information is for your personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties you may be interested in purchasing. Display of MLS data is usually deemed reliable but is NOT guaranteed accurate by the MLS. Buyers are responsible for verifying the accuracy of all information and should investigate the data themselves or retain appropriate professionals. Information from sources other than the Listing Agent may have been included in the MLS data. Unless otherwise specified in writing, Broker/Agent has not and will not verify any information obtained from other sources. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.
This site powered by CINC: www.cincpro.com