Carina Slepian, Independent Broker

Los Angeles Late Summer Home Checkup | Real Estate Guidance You Can Trust for Life

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Los Angeles Buyers Gain Negotiating Room | Real Estate Guidance You Can Trust for Life
In the current Los Angeles market, buyers who can comfortably handle today’s payments are finding a bit more space to negotiate—an opening that hasn’t always been available. While average 30-year fixed rates hovered close to 7% in mid-Q3 2026, affordability remains front and center for many clients I advise. My approach is always rooted in clarity: If a home fits your budget and feels right today, there’s always the option to refinance should rates dip in the future. I’ve seen firsthand that waiting for rates to drop can bring a surge of new buyers back into the mix, sparking renewed competition and driving prices up—sometimes erasing any benefit from a lower mortgage rate. For first-time buyers especially, I encourage patience and mindfulness; when your savings, credit, and monthly comfort are all in sync, you can make confident decisions without feeling rushed. As always, my goal is to provide steady guidance and skilled negotiation, so you can move forward with peace of mind.

US Buyers Gain Slight Affordability Relief | Real Estate Guidance You Can Trust for Life
After several challenging years for buyers, we’re finally seeing a modest shift in affordability—welcome news for many navigating today’s market. Recent data reveals that while the typical US household still earns less than what’s needed for comfortable homeownership, the gap has narrowed. Household incomes have grown slightly faster than housing costs, allowing more flexibility in purchase budgets, even as overall affordability remains tight. This year, housing expenses are taking a smaller bite out of buyer incomes compared to last year, and more listings are now within reach for median-income households. Across much of the country, we’re in a buyer’s market with increased options and stronger negotiating positions for buyers—a dynamic I’ve seen firsthand in recent transactions. Economists anticipate a bit more relief by year-end, though external factors like higher interest rates, oil prices, or inflation could affect this trajectory. As someone who has guided clients through all market cycles since 2005, I know that strategic, informed decisions—and calm, clear negotiation—make all the difference when opportunity arises.

Picture a Pacific Palisades condo with hardwood floors, a fireplace, ocean breezes through windows, quiet gardens, two saltwater pools, tennis courts, just steps from the beach and vibrant city life