By |

I’ve been selling real estate in the LA area for fifteen years, and during that time I’ve seen dramatic swings in market demand, countless revisions to purchase contracts, and major procedural shifts—most recently around how agent commissions are disclosed. Technology alone has completely transformed the day-to-day business of real estate. When I started, electronic signatures were barely a thing, and most clients signed every document in person with me. But I think the most significant change I’ve experienced is a shift in buyer mindset—specifically, how buyers approach the search for and purchase of a home.

Today’s first-time buyers grew up online. They’re immersed in constant streams of information: videos, 3D walkthroughs, street views, social media stories, and advice from countless “experts” offering opinions on pricing, timing, and market trends. These tools didn’t exist when I began my career.  Buyers are now more informed than ever, but all that accessible information can lead to second guessing. Many buyers feel overwhelmed by competing perspectives, and because of that they struggle to make decisions with confidence.

Agents often joke that we’re part Realtor, part therapist—and that feels especially true today. With anxiety levels rising, buyers need more reassurance throughout every stage of the process. Ultimately, understanding buyer perception is key to a successful transaction on both sides. Homes in niche neighborhoods like La Canada Flintridge often hold decades of memories, and translating that value to today’s buyers takes both care and perspective. Sellers must think more like advertisers, tailoring their marketing to the specific mindset of today’s buyers, while buyers benefit most from guided confidence—focusing on their own goals rather than an idealized version of the home-buying experience.  

Kari Carson

DRE #01903828

(818) 424-5537

kari@karicarson.com

Neighborhoods Served: La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, Glendale, Pasadena, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Greater LA area

By |

The answer to this question is determined by many different factors, including the type of property you are selling, the city in which the property is located, local rent control ordinances and the length of time the tenant has been in the property. I’m going to treat this scenario as a single-family home, not under rent control, with tenants on an existing lease.

If the intention is to close your home sale without the tenants in place, the first step is to give them notice that you do not plan on continuing their tenancy. You’ll need to give 30 days’ notice if they have lived there less than a year and 60 days’ notice for a year or more. Legally, you may proceed with listing the house while the tenants are still living in the property. However, this can pose significant marketing challenges. 

With tenants in place, you have very little control over how the property looks for showings. It complicates your ability to do pre-marketing prep work such as painting, cleaning and staging, and these steps are extremely important if you are trying to maximize your profit. Your tenants would need to cooperate with your requests for showings, which need to be made at least 24 hours in advance. They are under no obligation to tidy the house or leave the property during showings. Listing with tenants in place can also be a red flag for buyers who want to owner occupy, because they may be concerned about the possibility of the tenants refusing to leave. 

The bottom line is if you are looking for the highest possible sale price, and your tenants only have one month left on their lease, your best option is likely to wait until the property is vacant to put the home on the market. That being said, if you absolutely need to sell as quickly as possible, an experienced Realtor can help you to navigate a tenant occupied property sale to minimize the impact of these challenges as much as possible. 

Kari Carson

DRE #01903828

(818) 424-5537

kari@karicarson.com

Neighborhoods Served: La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, Glendale, Pasadena, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Greater LA area

By |

“How important is having a pool when selling a home in La Cañada Flintridge and how much value do buyers place on it?”

This is an excellent question that does not always have a clear answer. It has been my experience that buyers either desperately want a pool or they strongly do NOT want a pool. That being said, both types of buyers are generally willing to compromise if the house itself fits all their other needs.  Remember that the overall value of the property is going to be determined more by the condition and marketing of the home itself than it will be by the inclusion or absence of a pool. 

The biggest factor that influences the added value of a pool is the size and configuration of your lot. If you put a pool in but are able to keep a large area for grass or landscaping, then buyers who don’t want a pool may still be willing to move forward. The same is true for buyers specifically looking for a pool – if it is easy to install a pool in the future and they love the house, they will likely still purchase it without an existing pool.  All this said, neither type of buyer will be happy if the pool takes up the majority of your usable outdoor space.

I recommend taking some caution if you are considering installing a pool specifically to add value to your property. The cost of a pool installation varies so wildly depending on the size and design that it is difficult to say whether you will make a profit or even get a dollar for dollar return when selling.  Currently the inventory in La Canada is so low that the lack of a pool isn’t likely to overly influence a buyer unless something about the lot makes it extremely difficult to install one in the future.  

If instead you are planning on staying in your house for at least five years and plan to use the pool often, the value it adds for your own enjoyment will likely outweigh any concerns about the rate of return on your investment. As long you are careful about the design and location of the pool, the overall value of the home will definitely increase. 

Kari Carson

DRE #01903828

(818) 424-5537

kari@karicarson.com

Neighborhoods Served: La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, Glendale, Pasadena, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Greater LA area

By |

In today’s sellers’ market, homes that are priced appropriately and show well very often receive multiple offers. This is great news for sellers – the more offers you have to choose from, the better chance you have of getting a higher price and more favorable terms. However, reviewing multiple offers can sometimes be a stressful process. It can be difficult to decide which potential buyer is going to be the best choice to proceed into escrow with when you are overwhelmed by ten or more offers. Luckily, part of your listing agent’s job is to break down each offer and explain to you the pros and cons of each potential scenario. Here are a few of the elements that you will need to consider with each offer and some tips to help you as you make a final choice. Continue reading →

By |

If you have decided that the time is right for you to sell your home, the first step in the process is to partner with a Realtor. Picking the right listing agent can be an interesting journey for homeowners, one that sometimes evolves over many years. If you are an established homeowner and have owned your house for a long time, you’ve probably met a few Realtors at open houses in your neighborhood. Continue reading →

By |

If you are a homeowner, the idea of selling your house has undoubtedly crossed your mind at least once. There are countless reasons why people consider selling their homes. Maybe it’s time to trade up to something larger or downsize to something smaller. Maybe your kids are nearing school age and you’d like to be in a better district. You could be considering a job transfer or a change in family situation. Making the leap from “considering” a home sale to actually listing your house can be a difficult process with many considerations. Here are some things to consider as you make your decision. Continue reading →