Shawn Halahmy

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 ...

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...