A Buyer’s Perspective
Advantages of Homeownership: Stability, Equity, and More
There are numerous advantages of homeownership: Equity and Investment: As you pay down your mortgage, you build equity in your home, which can be a valuable financial asset. Real estate often appreciates over time, potentially providing a g...
Why is there a housing shortage
Why is there a housing shortage? It is due to the mortgage rate trap, creating a persistent challenge for the Los Angeles housing market. One major issue currently hurting the housing supply is the "mortgage rate trap." Many homeowners a...
Using the same Realtor for buying and selling
Ask Phyllis: a blog series of frequently asked real estate questions. Using the same Realtor for buying and selling Dear Phyllis, I listed my Glendale home with the Realtor who sold it to me twenty years ago. As I plan to move to La C...
National Association of Realtors Commission Lawsuit
You might have heard about the recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) commission lawsuit. It will impact how Realtors are paid and the costs borne by home buyers and sellers. Let me try to explain my understanding of the lawsuit. ...
Escrow Closed for First-Time Home Buyers
Harb and Co. is happy to report that escrow has closed for our first-time home buyers on their charming 2-bedroom townhome with a loft. Our client toured eight townhomes. They submitted an offer for a townhome that the assessor had legal...
What are the requirements for a room to be considered a bedroom?
Ask Phyllis: a blog series of frequently asked real estate questions. Dear Phyllis, My son has an accepted offer on a condo. He went to a busy open house; there were other offers, and he felt pressured into making a strong offer. The uni...
Are Bidding Wars Here to Stay?
If you've been considering the purchase of a home, you may have hoped that higher interest rates would lead to fewer bidding wars. However, despite rates and the economy pushing some buyers out of the market, bidding wars are here to stay for n...
What is a buydown?
Temporary buydowns can be a strategy for buyers to access lower mortgage payments initially, providing initial payment savings. Sometimes it can be negotiated that the seller funds these temporary buydowns to make the property more at...
