Friday, July 31, 2026 / by Vic Markarian
What Does Homeowners Insurance Really Cost? Here's What Every Homebuyer Needs To Know
How much is homeowners insurance? Is homeowners insurance required when buying a home? How can you lower your insurance costs? These are some of the most common questions homebuyers ask, and for good reason. While mortgage rates and home prices often grab the headlines, homeowners insurance is another important cost that deserves a place in your budget.
The good news? Although insurance premiums continue to rise, the pace of those increases is finally beginning to slow. Understanding how insurance works before you buy can help you avoid surprises and make more confident financial decisions.
Homeowners Insurance Is Becoming a Bigger Part of the Buying Decision
Buying a home involves more than your down payment and monthly mortgage.
Homeowners insurance is required by most lenders, and it's designed to protect one of your biggest financial investments. Your first year's premium is typically colle ...
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home buyer, home buying process, home buying, real estate market 2026, housing market 2026, home buyer tip 2026
Thursday, July 23, 2026 / by Vic Markarian
Is It Time To Move Up? Your First Home May Be the Key to Your Next Chapter
Thinking about upgrading to a bigger home? Is now a good time to sell your starter home? Can your home equity help you buy your next house? If you've been asking these questions, you're not alone. Many homeowners who bought their first home a few years ago are wondering if it's finally time to take the next step, and today's housing market may be creating an opportunity that's worth exploring.
Buying your first home was never just about having a place to live. It was the beginning of building your future. It gave you stability, memories, and one of the most powerful financial tools available: home equity.
Now, your life may look very different.
Maybe your family has grown. Perhaps you're working from home and need a dedicated office. Maybe you've simply outgrown the space that once felt perfect.
If that's the case, your first home may be doing exactly what it was always meant to do, helping you mo; ...
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home buyer, real estate tips, home buying process, for buyers, real estate market 2026, home buyer tip 2026
Thursday, July 2, 2026 / by Vic Markarian
Think You Need a Huge Down Payment To Buy a Home? Think Again.
One of the biggest myths in real estate is that you need a massive down payment to buy a home.
And if you've been sitting on the sidelines because you're worried you haven't saved enough yet, here's some good news: today's buyers are putting down less money than they have in years.
According to Realtor.com, the median down payment in early 2026 was approximately $23,396, the lowest level we've seen since 2021. At the same time, the average down payment share dropped to 12.8% of the purchase price.
This shift is helping more buyers make the move into homeownership sooner instead of waiting years to save a larger amount.
Why Buyers Are Putting Less Money Down
Several factors are making smaller down payments more common today.
A More Balanced Market
During the frenzy of the past few years, buyers often felt pressure to put down larger amounts to strengthen their offers.
Today's market is different.
With more inve ...
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home buyer, home buying process, home buying, housing market 2026, move-up buyers, homebuying, home buyer tip 2026
Thursday, May 28, 2026 / by Vic Markarian
Life Doesn't Wait for the Perfect Market, And Neither Should You
You've probably told yourself you'll make a move when rates come down. When prices soften. When the market feels less complicated.
But here's what a lot of people in Los Angeles County are quietly realizing right now: the market isn't what made them want to move in the first place.
Your home is still too small for your growing family. Or too big now that the kids are gone. Your parents are getting older and you need to be closer. You just went through a marriage or a divorce. Retirement is coming and this isn't where you pictured yourself living it.
Those things don't go away while you wait for better conditions. They just pile up.
Life Is the Real Reason People Move
According to the National Association of Realtors, 1 in 5 buyers last year said they felt they had to purchase a home at that time regardless of market conditions. Not because rates were low or prices were perfect. Because their life required ...
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home buyer, real estate tips, home buying process, home prices, home buying, housing market 2026, home buyer tip 2026
Wednesday, April 29, 2026 / by Vic Markarian
Top Real Estate Listing Agent in Granada Hills, CA, Advises Homeowners on Leveraging Mortgage Forbearance to Avoid Foreclosure
In light of recent economic challenges, many homeowners in Granada Hills, CA, are exploring ways to protect their homes from financial hardship. Vic Markarian, a leading real estate listing agent in Granada Hills, CA, is offering crucial advice on how mortgage forbearance can be an effective tool for homeowners looking to avoid foreclosure. With more than 30 years of experience, Vic provides homeowners with the knowledge they need to navigate temporary financial setbacks with confidence.
“Mortgage forbearance is a lifeline for homeowners facing temporary financial challenges,” says Vic Markarian. “It allows homeowners to pause or reduce their mortgage payments, giving them the time needed to recover without losing their homes.”
As one of the top real estate agents in Granada Hills, CA, Vic has seen firsthand how financial ...
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home buyer, home buying process, first time home buyers, real estate market 2026, first-time homebuyer, home buyer tip 2026
