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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Thursday, June 4, 2026 / by Vic Markarian
What Rising Inflation Means If You're Thinking About Buying or Selling in Los Angeles County
Inflation is back in the headlines and if you own a home or are trying to buy one in Los Angeles County, you are probably wondering what it means for you. Here is what the data actually shows, why it matters for mortgage rates, and what your real options look like right now.
Inflation Went Up, Here Is What That Actually Means
The government measures inflation in several ways. One of the most closely watched is the PCE, the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index. It tracks how much more people are paying for goods and services compared to a year ago.
That number has been climbing. A major driver is rising gas and energy prices tied to ongoing global conflict, which has pushed overall inflation to a 3-year high.
But look at the two lines in that chart. The yellow line shows overall PCE, that is the number spiking. The blue line shows core PCE, which strips out gas and ener ...
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Wednesday, April 16, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
If you’ve been dreaming of owning a home in Los Angeles, you’re not alone — and if you're expecting a tax refund this year, you may be closer to getting those keys than you think.
As Freddie Mac explains:
“Your tax refund from the IRS can be a useful supplement to your homebuying budget.”
Whether you're saving up for your first home or trying to cover those last few upfront costs, your tax refund could give your plans a real boost.
Tax Refunds Are Up This Year — Here's Why That Matters
This year, the average tax refund is up by 3.9% compared to last year, according to the latest data from the IRS.
While refund amounts vary depending on your personal tax situation, even a small boost in your refund could help you take meaningful steps toward homeownership in LA's competitive market.
Smart Ways to Use Your Tax Refund to Buy a Home in LA
Here’s how you can make your refund work harder for your homebuying goals:
1. Boost Your Down Pa ...
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Wednesday, April 9, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Headlines are talking about the inventory of new homes and how we’re back at the levels not seen since 2009. And maybe you’re reading that and thinking: oh no, here we go again. That’s because you remember the housing crash of the late 2000s and you’re worried we’re repeating the same mistakes.
But before you let fear take hold, remember: headlines are designed to be clickbait. And a lot of the time, they do more to terrify than clarify. That’s because they don’t always give you all the context you need. So, let’s take a step back and look at what the data really says.
Why This Isn’t Like 2008
While it’s true the number of new homes on the market has reached its highest level since 2009, that’s not a cause for alarm.
Here’s the context that matters most. When the data is turned into a graph, it’s clear the amount seen in 2009 wasn’t the peak of oversupply – not even close. That high point ...
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Thursday, March 27, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Spring is here, and so is the busiest season in real estate. More buyers are out looking for homes, which means more competition for you. If you want to put yourself in the best position to buy, there’s one step you can’t afford to skip, and that’s getting pre-approved for a mortgage.
Some buyers think they can wait until they’ve found a home they love before talking to a lender. But in a season where homes can sell fast, that’s a risky move. Getting pre-approved before you start your search is a much better bet.
Here’s what you need to know about this early step in the buying process.
What Is Pre-Approval?
Pre-approval gives you a sense of how much a lender is willing to let you borrow for your home loan. To determine that number, a lender starts by looking at your financial history. Here are some of the things that can have an impact, according to Yahoo Finance:
Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio: This is how much money you owe divided by how ...
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