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How Current Property Taxes Can Transfer When You Move | Prop 19

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California’s Proposition 19 , passed in 2020 and effective in 2021, changed important property tax rules that affect homeowners, families, and anyone planning to move or inherit property. If you own a home—or expect to inherit one—understanding Proposition 19 can help you make better financial decisions. What Is Proposition 19? Proposition 19 is a California law that impacts: - How property taxes transfer when you move - How property taxes are handled when a home is inherited It was designed to: - Help certain homeowners move without a large increase in property taxes - Change how inherited properties are taxed Part 1: Moving Without Losing Your Low Property Taxes One of the biggest benefits of Proposition 19 applies to: - Homeowners age 55 or older - People with severe disabilities - Victims of wildfires or natural disasters What It Allows If you qualify, you may be able to: - Sell your current home - Buy a new home anywhere in California - Transfer your existing (...
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Choosing The Right Real Estate Agent Is Crucial

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A seasoned real estate agent brings decades of experience to the table, which means they’ve seen market cycles rise and fall, learned how to predict trends, and know how to time your transaction for maximum benefit. They have a deep understanding of local neighborhoods, school districts, and community amenities, helping you choose the perfect location or market your property to the right buyers. Their professional network includes trusted mortgage lenders, inspectors, and contractors, saving you time and ensuring quality work. This is where Shawn Shai Halahmy comes into play. Shawn is a Real Estate Broker (not an associate) and consistently ranks in the top 10% of agents nationwide and has won top producer awards. He specializes in representing clients all over the Greater Los Angeles Area. Shawn has also successfully represented clients from Palm Springs to Paso Robles. One of the many reasons he was drawn to Real Estate is his desire to help and ensure clients have as flawless a tran...
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Your House Hasn't Sold! Rent it... Or Not? | Shawn Shai Halahmy

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When your house sits on the market longer than expected, it can get frustrating fast. You start asking: what now? And for a growing number of homeowners, that turns into: should I just rent it instead? While it sounds like a simple backup plan, becoming an “ accidental landlord ” is actually a much bigger decision than most people realize. That’s when someone planned to sell, didn’t get the price or traction they hoped for, and decided to rent the house out instead. And lately, that's happening more often. Why the Number of Accidental Landlords Is Rising If you’re faced with the same choice to rent or to sell, here’s what you need to know. First, you’re not alone. And that should actually be some comfort. According to Zillow, about 2.3% of homes available for rent were previously listed for sale. That may not sound like a lot, but it’s actually the highest share in almost 6 years. Before you go that route yourself, it’s worth slowing down and looking at the full picture. Ask your...
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Affordability Has Improved in All 50 States | Shawn Shai Halahmy

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Affordability Has Improved in All 50 States For the past few years, affordability has been what’s stopped a lot of buyers in their tracks. Maybe it stopped you, too. At some point you probably did the math, looked at the monthly payment, and decided to pause your search and wait for things to get better. But here’s something you may have missed while you’ve been sitting on the sidelines. Over the last year, housing affordability has improved in all 50 states . Yes, you read that right. It’s gotten better in every single state. That’s based on new research coming out of First American. And while housing is still fairly expensive compared to historical standards, the pressure buyers felt over the last few years is finally starting to ease. Some Areas Are Seeing Bigger Improvements The first thing you need to know is that this isn’t just happening in one region or in a small handful of cities. The trend is happening almost everywhere. Sure, individual states, cities, and even neighborhoo...
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 The Price You Set Can Make (or Break) Your Home Sale | Shawn Shai Halahmy

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There’s one decision you're going to make when you sell that determines whether your house sells quickly, or it sits. Whether buyers make an offer, or scroll past it. Whether you walk away with the maximum return, or you end up cutting the price later. And that’s your asking price . The #1 Mistake Sellers Make Today: Trusting the Wrong Number If you’re thinking of moving and trying to figure out what your house may sell for, it’s tempting to start with an online home value tool. They’re fast, free, and easy. And you don’t have to talk to anyone. But here’s the problem: they don’t know your house. And that can be a bigger drawback than you realize. Where Online Estimates Fall Short  Online tools often lag behind the market. They look in the rearview mirror, relying on closed sales and delayed information. And in that sense, they’re using incomplete data . That’s not a miss in how these systems are built. Some information just isn’t available online. Bankrate explains: “ While these ...
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 Southern California Real Estate Update | Shawn Shai Halahmy

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What Homebuyers in Southern California Need to Know in 2026 February 2026 Newsletter  |  Market insights + local stats   2026 Market Outlook — A More Balanced Playing Field The Southern California housing market in 2026 is showing signs of steadier conditions for buyers — but it’s still a competitive environment with high prices and affordability challenges. Across the state, home sales are forecast to  tick up modestly in 2026 , with tighter inventory easing slightly as  median prices are projected to rise to about $905,000  for California as a whole. Mortgage rates have dipped to their  lowest levels in over three years , with 30-year fixed rates around  ~6.06% , giving buyers more confidence in purchasing.   Los Angeles Market Stats (2025–2026) Here are key data points homebuyers should know in  America’s iconic — and still costly —  Los Angeles market:   Median Home Prices - City of Los Angeles median sale price:  ~ $1.0M+  (varies by source and neighborhood). - Countywide stat...
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FOR SALE! 20549 Romar Lane Saugus, CA 91350 | Shawn Shai Halahmy

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FOR SALE! 20549 Romar Lane Saugus, CA 91350 | Shawn Shai Halahmy
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