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
For a long time, sellers had the upper hand. Homes were flying off the market, bidding wars were everywhere, and buyers had to move fast and offer big.
But today? Things are shifting.
Some markets are still competitive, while others are cooling down—giving buyers more time, more choices, and more negotiating power.
What’s the Difference Between a Buyer’s Market and a Seller’s Market?
In a buyer’s market, there are more homes for sale than buyers. That means:
Homes sit longer on the market
Prices stabilize or drop
Buyers can negotiate more
In a seller’s market, there are more buyers than homes available. That means:
Homes sell quickly
Multiple offers are common
Sellers often get top dollar
The Market Is Starting To Balance Out
For years, nearly the entire country was deep in a seller’s market. But that’s changing. According to Zillow, the market is cooling and heading toward neutral territory.
As shown in the grap ...
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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 ...
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Wednesday, April 16, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Lately, a lot of people are asking the same thing: “Is the housing market about to crash?”
If you’ve seen dramatic headlines or social media predictions, you’re not alone. According to recent data from Clever Real Estate, 70% of Americans are worried about a housing crash in 2025.
But before you hit pause on your real estate plans, let’s set the record straight: The market isn’t crashing — it’s correcting. And that shift could actually work in your favor.
What’s Keeping the Market Stable in 2025?
The main thing holding up the housing market right now is simple: Inventory is still low.
As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, puts it:
“There’s just generally not enough supply. There are more people than housing inventory. It’s Econ 101.”
When there’s less of something and demand is strong — like concert tickets — prices hold or go up. And that’s exactly what’s t ...
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