Wednesday, November 5, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Why Your Home Equity Still Puts You Way Ahead (Even If You’ve Heard Prices Are Dropping)
Have you recently seen headlines warning about home prices dropping and started to wonder, “Is my home losing value?”
If you're planning to sell your home soon, that kind of news can feel unsettling. But here's what most of those headlines miss: even if prices have softened in some markets, your home equity is likely still in great shape—and may actually be higher than ever.
Let’s walk through why.
Home Equity Has Grown Significantly Since 2020
Here’s the reality: home equity tends to move in sync with home prices. When home prices go up, your equity grows. When prices level out, so does equity—but that doesn’t mean it vanishes.
After the intense home price surge of 2020–2021, it was inevitable that things would slow down. But that slowdown has not erased years of equity gains.
Even in cities that have seen recent declines, like Aus ...
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Wednesday, October 29, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Why Today’s Mortgage Rates Might Be Better Than You Think (For Buyers AND Sellers)
Let’s face it — mortgage rates have been the elephant in the room for a while now. Whether you're buying your first home or thinking about selling and moving up, you've probably found yourself hesitating.
If you're a homebuyer, maybe you're telling yourself: “I’ll wait until rates drop below 6%... THEN I’ll start looking again.”
And if you're a home seller, you might be thinking:“Buyers are waiting on lower rates — I should hold off until next year.”
But here’s the truth: waiting could cost you — and not just emotionally, but financially, too.
The Numbers Tell a Different Story
We all love the idea of snagging a 5.99% mortgage rate. But what’s the real impact on your wallet?
Take a look at this:
The difference between today’s rate (6.19%) and 5.99% on a $400,000 mortgage?Just $51.65 per month.
That&rsquo ...
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Thursday, June 12, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
If your house didn’t sell the first time it hit the market, you’re not alone. Many homeowners today are finding that selling a house requires a smarter, more strategic approach — especially in today’s market where buyers have more choices and higher expectations.
When your listing expires, it feels frustrating. You invested time, energy, and money into getting your home ready. You told your friends and family you were moving. And now you’re left wondering what went wrong.
But here’s what you may not know: Over 70% of homeowners who relist with a different agent go on to successfully sell their home. → Re-list with the same agent? That number drops to only 51.7%. That’s practically leaving your sale up to a coin flip — and you deserve better.
The key is this: same house, different strategy = better results. Let’s break down why your home may not have sold, and how a better plan — and the right agent — can he ...
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Thursday, June 5, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
When buyers have more choices, your home needs to stand out. That’s where staging comes in.
What’s Staging, Really?
It’s not about perfection. It’s about helping buyers imagine themselves living in your space. And it works. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), staged homes often sell faster and for more money.
Focus on the Right Rooms
You don’t need to stage every inch of your home. The key areas that impress buyers most? The living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen. That’s where they imagine daily life — and where staging makes the biggest difference.
Let Your Agent Be Your Guide
Your agent knows what local buyers want. They can help you decide:
What to declutter or rearrange
Whether to bring in a pro stager
How to make the biggest impact with your budget
NAR reports median costs of $500 for agent-led staging and $1,500 for professional staging — both can be worth it depending on your home.
B ...
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Thursday, May 1, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Talks of a potential recession are making headlines again—and naturally, buyers and homeowners are asking: “Will my home lose value?” “Will mortgage rates spike again?”
Let’s break down what typically happens in the housing market when the economy slows down—and why you may not need to panic.
A Recession Doesn’t Always Equal Falling Prices
Many people assume a recession means home prices will drop, like they did in 2008. But that downturn was unique—and driven by overbuilding, loose lending, and a foreclosure crisis.
In fact, home prices have actually increased in 4 of the last 6 recessions.
As you can see, only 1991 and 2008 saw declines, and 2008 was the real outlier at nearly -20%. Today’s market is very different—inventory is still tight, especially in Los Angeles County. Demand continues to outpace supply, and that’s keeping prices stable or rising in most markets.
So, if you're worried about a cra ...
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