By Jacob Lavian | Los Angeles Real Estate | jacoblavian.com Going into escrow is the point in a real estate deal where most people think the hard part is over. The offer was accepted. The price was agreed to. Everyone signed. It feels like the finish line is in sight. In reality, going into escrow […]
A complete plain-English guide to California property taxes — how Proposition 13 works, how your tax bill is calculated, what triggers a reassessment, and the critical rules every buyer, seller, and investor in Los Angeles needs to understand. By Jacob Lavian | Los Angeles Real Estate | jacoblavian.com Property taxes are one of the most
How Property Taxes Work in California: Proposition 13 Explained Read More »
Fire risk has permanently changed the calculus of buying a home in hillside, canyon, and foothill areas of Los Angeles. Here is everything buyers need to know before making an offer on a property in or near a fire hazard zone. By Jacob Lavian | Los Angeles Real Estate | jacoblavian.com The hills and canyons
What to Know Before Buying a Home in a Fire Zone in Los Angeles Read More »
A plain-English guide to home warranties for California buyers and sellers — what they cover, what they don’t, how much they cost, and the honest answer to whether they’re worth it. By Jacob Lavian | Los Angeles Real Estate | jacoblavian.com If you’ve been through a real estate transaction in California, someone has almost certainly
What Is a Home Warranty and Do You Need One in California? Read More »
In California, the listing agent works for the seller — not you. Here’s what a buyer’s agent actually does, why it matters in LA’s competitive market, and what changed in 2024 that every buyer needs to understand. By Jacob Lavian | Los Angeles Real Estate | jacoblavian.com If you’re buying a home in Los Angeles
What Is a Buyer’s Agent and Why You Need One in Los Angeles? Read More »
A street-level guide to Benedict Canyon Drive — the winding Beverly Hills canyon that connects Sunset to Mulholland, hosts some of LA’s most private estates, and remains one of the most underappreciated real estate corridors in the city. By Jacob Lavian | Los Angeles Real Estate | jacoblavian.com Of the four major canyon routes that
Benedict Canyon: The Road Less Traveled in Beverly Hills Read More »
A street-level guide to the exclusive gated communities tucked into the canyon walls as you drive Coldwater Canyon from Beverly Hills to the Valley — the gates most people drive past every day without knowing what’s behind them. By Jacob Lavian | Los Angeles Real Estate | jacoblavian.com Drive Coldwater Canyon on any given morning
A low appraisal doesn’t have to kill your deal. Here’s exactly what it means, what your options are as a buyer or seller, and the strategies that get transactions across the finish line when the appraised value falls short. By Jacob Lavian | Los Angeles Real Estate | jacoblavian.com You’re in escrow. The inspection is
Your Appraisal Came in Low: What Happens Next and What You Can Do About It Read More »
The honest answer to one of the most common questions LA sellers ask — when staging is worth every dollar, when it isn’t, what it actually costs, and what happens to sellers who skip it. By Jacob Lavian | Los Angeles Real Estate | jacoblavian.com If you’re getting ready to sell your home in Los
Should You Stage Your Home Before Selling in Los Angeles? Read More »
The corner lot that used to be a gas station. The dry cleaner that operated for 40 years. The auto shop with the drain in the floor. Before you buy commercial property in LA, understand what Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental assessments reveal — and how to protect yourself from an environmental nightmare. By
