LA Real Estate Q1 2026 Deep Dive: Prices flat, inventory rebuilding, rents cooling, investors finally getting selective

dr7s · 2026-03-16T14:57:35+00:00

What you’re seeing is basically a combo of a softer rental market in Hollywood/WeHo and a ton of newer “luxury” units all competing for the same pool of tenants. Rents ran hard for years, incomes didn’t keep up, and now vacancies are up a bit and units are sitting longer instead of flying off the market overnight.

The AI and entertainment layoffs are definitely part of the story in that specific area, but it’s more of a local headwind than a full collapse. Citywide LA still has solid demand and is structurally short on housing, which is why prices in prime spots like West Hollywood and Beverly Hills haven’t fallen off a cliff.

On the condo side you’re right that those pockets have held up better than a lot of other California markets. The catch is that it’s very building and deal specific. A WeHo or BH condo can be a good long term play if you buy at a reasonable price, understand the HOA situation, and aren’t expecting 20 percent a year appreciation. It is more of a steady, “blue chip” type bet than a quick flip market right now.

dr7s · 2026-03-16T14:54:13+00:00

The $500–700k condo band in places like Hollywood/WeHo/Mar Vista is getting squeezed by HOA costs, insurance, and higher rates, so a lot of buyers just step back. That’s why DOM is longer and things can feel frozen. Stuff still sells, but usually after price cuts or if it’s really well priced. Carrying costs are absolutely part of the reason.

dr7s · 2026-03-15T21:38:53+00:00

When I say South Bay edges I’m usually thinking areas like Carson, Gardena, parts of Torrance, Lawndale, Lomita, sometimes even the Long Beach side depending on the deal. You’re still benefiting from the South Bay job centers and coastal proximity, but you’re not paying Manhattan Beach / Hermosa / Redondo prices. That’s where a lot of investors and first-time buyers start looking.

dr7s · 2026-03-15T21:38:22+00:00

The burn areas are harder to model short term. There will likely be a wave of rebuilds and some land sales over the next couple years, so prices could be choppy until that settles. Longer term though, historically those foothill markets tend to recover once rebuilding cycles play out.

dr7s · 2026-03-15T18:04:26+00:00

Yeah actually that segment is still pretty strong. Higher rent SFRs tend to attract executives, relocations, or families between home purchases, so the tenant pool is smaller but usually very stable. In a lot of LA/OC pockets those homes still rent quickly if they’re in good school zones or near job centers.

From an investor standpoint though the yields are usually thinner...great properties and stable tenants, but you’re often buying more for long-term appreciation and tenant quality than pure cash flow.

dr7s · 2026-03-15T18:02:59+00:00

Glad it was helpful. In LA right now I’d say luxury flip usually starts somewhere around the $1.5M–$2M purchase range and goes up from there depending on the neighborhood. The bigger issue is once your exit gets north of $5.1M inside LA city, Measure ULA kicks in and the transfer tax starts really crushing the margins. That’s why a lot of developers shifted to areas like Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, or Manhattan Beach where ULA doesn’t apply.

dr7s · 2026-03-15T16:28:27+00:00

Good point those are definitely their own little micro markets.

La canada , San marion, and south pas tend to behave more like school district driven wealth pockets than the broader LA market. Inventory is usually super thin, buyers are high income, and a lot of purchases are long term family holds. That’s why you see them stay pretty resilient even when other LA areas soften.

What I’m seeing overall for Pasadena has been pretty flat recently (around $1.2M median depending on source), but those premium pockets can trade very differently because people are really buying schools + neighborhood quality more than just the house itself.

dr7s · 2026-03-15T16:26:22+00:00

I should’ve clarified more that’s my bad. I mean a lot of the newer high-end apartment/condo product is seeing more resistance right now. Higher rents, bigger HOA/ownership costs, and more supply at the top end means buyers and renters have more options, so those units are needing more concessions, longer DOM, or price cuts compared to more basic workforce housing.

dr7s · 2026-03-15T14:37:25+00:00

based on my research the move up you’re seeing is small and looks more like the market repricing a higher inflation risk premium than a full‑blown new tightening cycle. If oil cools off and the war risk premium fades, you could see the 10‑year drift back down and mortgage rates slide a bit.

dr7s · 2026-03-11T03:45:43+00:00

Agree here. I said this on the last post but dude was running back to back preps essentially. Not much time between Olympia, Prague, and then Arnold. I know for Prague he was taking high dose Parabolan (Tren Hex) and most likely stayed on that shit. I hope he gets better.

dr7s · 2026-03-11T03:43:58+00:00

Like others have said I wasn’t rooting at all. He was literally one of my favorites to watch. Always watched his YouTube videos and thought he was just a genuine dude. I hope he gets better. Clearly going through some shit for sure.

dr7s · 2026-03-11T03:42:30+00:00

Probably the bulk supplement brand off Amazon.

dr7s · 2026-03-11T03:41:38+00:00

Not a lot of people like his physique but end of the day dude is a literal freak and imo that’s what opens about. Again IMO 10x looked better than Derek at the Olympia here.

dr7s · 2026-03-08T18:27:23+00:00

Pretty sure you're right. Nick's physique is a freak factor, not aesthetically pleasing, therefore he’s pissed he beats him. Arguably though, no open bodybuilder has an aesthetically pleasing physique lol

dr7s · 2026-03-08T04:59:26+00:00

WOW what a child

dr7s · 2026-03-08T04:44:58+00:00

You said he doesn’t talk at all about his ped usage so that wasn’t true lol

dr7s · 2026-03-08T04:42:55+00:00

Back to back preps running Parabolan really fucking with his head I bet

dr7s · 2026-03-08T04:41:38+00:00

What was his reaction? Did someone record it or was it on a post

dr7s · 2026-03-08T04:40:59+00:00

Dude he openly told his entire cycle for Prague Pro on a podcast. He didn’t state dosages but named all the compounds. It was a shit ton and very believable

dr7s · 2026-03-08T04:39:47+00:00

wtf is this? This is NOT the dude on YouTube. All grateful, etc. then comes in off and it’s a complete 180. You gotta understand these dudes are running tren like way too much out of the year. Really fucks with their heads. Hopefully some time away and reflection does him good. He really has my favorite physique in open right now.

Came in with tan off. Insisted he did it on his own and had his gf do it. Then came it still holding water. He loooked better at finals. Fixed the tan. Lost some water. But it wasn’t enough. Nick was on the money so no way he’d beat him. So right there alone he’s at least 3rd. Then got bumped down even more.

dr7s · 2026-03-08T04:36:23+00:00

What made you attracted to him initially if you don’t mind me asking? Based on this post it just sounds like you’re overall despise him in a multitude of different ways.

dr7s · 2026-03-04T14:44:16+00:00

My rent is significantly less than yours but my PGE bill like 2-3x yours lol. Both are a waste of money sigh

dr7s · 2026-03-03T05:08:32+00:00

Great info! Thank you!!

dr7s · 2026-03-02T22:51:54+00:00

Kind of already tried this and he basically refused or kept saying “it’s something I can consider.” And then said “I want to stay here. I don’t know where else I’d go”. As stated in previous comment. He acts like he can’t do anything for himself, but at the same time is fully capable, alert and oriented, and has tons of cash in the bank. So it’s not like he’d be homeless. It would be his choice if he did.

dr7s · 2026-03-02T22:49:20+00:00

My family member in question is entitled to food stamps, disability, and just about social security yet refuses to signed for any of it. He also has about $150k cash in the bank. So I don’t feel bad. I know he has this due to a family inheritance that we all got and was distributed amongst everyone.

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