Thursday, April 24, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Let’s talk about something most people don’t check nearly as often as their bank account— their home’s value.
But when it comes to your financial health, your home is likely your biggest asset, and it’s been working for you behind the scenes—quietly building wealth. Especially if you’ve owned it for a few years or more, you might be sitting on equity that could open up big opportunities.
So, how much is your house really worth today?
What Is Home Equity and Why Does It Matter?
Home equity is the difference between what your home is worth and what you still owe on your mortgage. It grows two ways:
As you pay down your mortgage
As home values rise
Let’s say your house is worth $500,000, and you owe $200,000 on your loan. That’s $300,000 in equity—and many homeowners in Los Angeles County are in a similar or better position.
In fact, according to Cotality (formerly CoreLogic), the average homeowner with a mortga ...
Read More
home seller, selling homes, competitiveness, market value, for sellers, 2025 housing market, real estate market trends 2025, seller tips 2025, mortgage update 2025, spring housing market 2025, what’s your home really worth
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Retirement isn’t just a milestone. It's the beginning of something really special. After years of hard work, it’s finally time to slow down, explore new passions, and live life on your own terms.
But with this exciting chapter comes some big choices. And one of the biggest is this: does your current home still make sense for the lifestyle (and budget) you want in this next phase of life?
That’s an especially important question right now. Just in the past five years, the cost of living has jumped by 23% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That’s based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is how changes are tracked in the average price consumers pay for goods and services (see graph below):
When you’re thinking about how to make your retirement savings last, those rising expenses matter. And if you’ve started to wonder whether your money will stretch as far as you need it to go, don’t worry. You may have more control tha ...
Read More
real estate tips, home seller, selling homes, los angeles, glendale, pricing strategy, for sellers, real estate advice for 2025, real estate tips 2025, real estate trends 2025, real estate market trends 2025, seller tips 2025, seller guide to get your house sold, spring housing market 2025, does your current home fit your retirement plans
Thursday, March 20, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Whether you’re buying or selling a house, here’s something to think about that most people don’t. Your decision doesn’t just impact your life and your family’s, it sparks a ripple effect that has a positive impact on your entire community.
Every year, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) puts out a report that breaks down the financial impact that comes from people buying and selling homes.
The data shows that if you buy an existing (previously lived-in) home, you're giving the local economy a boost of just over $60K. And if you buy a newly built home, that number goes up to over $125K (see visual below):
That’s because of all the people needed to build, fix up, and sell homes. Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), explains how the housing industry adds jobs to a community:
“. . . housing is a significant job creator. In fact, for et ...
Read More
home buyer, home seller, selling homes, buyer's market, los angeles, homeownership, glendale, real estate advice for 2025, real estate tips 2025, real estate trends 2025, 2025 housing market, buyer tips 2025, how buying or selling a home helps your local economy
Thursday, March 13, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
For years, sellers have had the upper hand in the housing market. With so few homes for sale and so many people who wanted to purchase them, buyers faced tough competition just to get an offer accepted. But now, inventory is rising, and things are starting to shift in many areas.
So, is the market finally balancing out? And does that mean buyers will have it a bit easier now? Here’s what you need to know.
What Makes It a Buyer’s Market or a Seller’s Market?
It all comes down to how many homes are for sale in an area compared to how many buyers want to buy there. That’s what ultimately determines who has the most leverage.
A Seller’s Market is when there are more buyers than homes available, so sellers hold the power. This leads to rising prices, multiple offers, and homes selling quickly – often above the asking price – because there isn’t enough to go around.
A Buyer’s Market is when there are more homes k ...
Read More
home seller, home prices, selling homes, competitiveness, market value, pricing strategy, real estate expertise, real estate advice for 2025, real estate tips 2025, real estate trends 2025, 2025 housing market, real estate market trends 2025, seller tips 2025, top realtor, millennials, is the housing market starting to balance out
Sunday, March 2, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Recent natural disasters have left many homeowners in Granada Hills, CA, and surrounding areas facing financial uncertainty. For those struggling to keep up with mortgage payments, Vic Markarian, a top local real estate expert, is encouraging homeowners to explore mortgage forbearance as a valuable relief option.
What is Mortgage Forbearance?
Mortgage forbearance allows homeowners to temporarily reduce or pause their mortgage payments during financial hardship. This option can be crucial for those affected by recent disasters, providing much-needed relief while they recover.
How Homeowners Can Benefit from Forbearance
According to Vic Markarian, a trusted real estate professional with over 30 years of experience, homeowners should immediately contact their mortgage lenders to discuss available forbearance programs. Lenders often provide temporary payment relief, ensuring homeowners don’t fall into foreclosure while recovering from unexpected challenges.
"Many homeowners k ...
Read More
home buyer, real estate tips, home seller, mortgage, home buying, los angeles, homeownership, real estate expertise, real estate advice for 2025, real estate tips 2025, real estate trends 2025, 2025 housing market, buyer tips 2025, homebuying, glendale real estate agent, first-time homebuyer, seller tips 2025, top realtor, millennials, mortgage forbearance, real estate agent in granada hills, california wildfire, mortgage forbearance options, wildfire in california
