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 ...
Read More
home buyer, home buying process, home buying, housing market 2026, move-up buyers, homebuying, home buyer tip 2026
Thursday, February 27, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Are you having a hard time finding the right home in your budget? Or maybe you already own a home but could use some extra income or a designated space for aging loved ones. Either way, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) could be the smart solution you’ve been looking for in today’s market.
What Is an ADU?
According to Fannie Mae, an ADU is a small, separate living space that’s on the same lot as a single-family home. It must include its own areas for living, sleeping, cooking, and bathrooms independent of the main house. And they can take shape in a few different ways. Fannie Mae adds, an ADU can be:
Within a main home, such as a basement apartment
Attached to a main home, such as a living area over a garage
Detached from the home entirely; it could even be a manufactured home
The Benefits of ADUs
ADUs are growing in popularity as more people discover why they’re so practical. In fact, a recent surk ...
Read More
home buyer, home buying process, home buying, buyer's market, homeownership, buying a home, rent vs. buy, tips to buy a house, real estate advice for 2025, real estate tips 2025, real estate trends 2025, move-up buyers, 2025 housing market, buyer tips 2025, housing market updates, homebuying, glendale real estate agent, first-time homebuyer, is an accessory dwelling unit right for you, is an adu right for you
Thursday, February 20, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
After years of suburban and rural migration during the pandemic, cities have been making a comeback in the past couple of years. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the percentage of people moving to cities has risen to 16%. While that may not sound like a big number to you, it is the highest level in a decade – and that’s a big deal (see graph below):
And data from BrightMLS seems to confirm this trend. In a recent survey, 1 in 5 (20.6%) people looking to buy say they want to live in the city.
So, what’s behind this ongoing shift back to urban living? Let’s break down the top three reasons why people are trading quiet suburbs for bustling cityscapes. You may find out you want to sell your house with a big yard and move to an urban oasis, too.
1. Vibrant Culture
Cities have always been hubs of culture, entertainment, and community. They’re packed with energy and there are always endles ...
Read More
home buyer, home buying process, buyer's market, los angeles, for buyers, real estate advice for 2025, real estate tips 2025, real estate trends 2025, housing market 2023, move-up buyers, 2025 housing market, buyer tips 2025, buying myths, homebuying, first-time homebuyer, why more people are moving back to cities
Thursday, February 13, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
If you’re like a lot of aspiring homebuyers, there’s a major hurdle standing in your way — the cost of living. From groceries to gas, eggs, and just about everything else, prices have gone up. And that rings true for home prices, too.
But even when everything feels expensive, there are still ways to make homeownership more than an item on your wish list. You may just need to think about where you plan to buy a bit differently.
Think of Your First Home as a Stepping Stone
One of the biggest misconceptions among buyers is that their first home has to be their forever home – or that it has to check all the boxes of what they want right out of the gate. In reality, it’s just a starting point.
Once you own a home, you start to build equity, which grows over time as home prices rise. Down the road, if you want to move — whether to a larger space, a better location, or both — the equity you’ve gained can ...
Read More
home buyer, real estate tips, home buying process, home buying, los angeles, homeownership, glendale, real estate advice for 2025, real estate tips 2025, real estate trends 2025, move-up buyers, 2025 housing market, buyer tips 2025, buying myths, housing market updates, glendale real estate agent, homebuying, realtor in glendale, first-time homebuyer, real estate market trends 2025, breaking into the market smart moves for first-time buyers, smart moves for first-time buyers
Thursday, December 26, 2024 / by Vic Markarian
There’s no doubt that owning a home comes with significant financial benefits. And this time of year is a great time to reflect on the other reasons why owning a home is so meaningful.
A house is more than four walls and a roof – it’s a place where memories are made, connections are built, and life happens.
From the sense of accomplishment that comes with owning your own home to the joy of creating a space that’s uniquely yours, the emotional connections we have to our homes can be just as important as the financial ones.
Here are some of the things that turn a house into a happy home.
1. It’s an Accomplishment You Can Be Proud Of
Buying a home is a significant milestone, whether it’s your first or your fifth. You’ve worked hard to make it happen and achieving this goal is a reason to celebrate. There’s nothing quite like stepping through the door of a home that’s yours and knowing you’ve accomplished somethink ...
Read More
home buyer, home seller, home buying, homeownership, los angeles, glendale, for buyers, buying a home, buyer tips 2024, real estate market 2024, homeowner tips 2024, rent vs. buy, tips to buy a house, move-up buyers, real estate tips 2025, glendale real estate agent, home seller tips 2024, homebuying, 2025 housing market, real estate advice for 2025, real estate trends 2025, buyer tips 2025, realtor in glendale, first-time homebuyer, renting vs. buying, the personal joys of having a home to call your own
