09/21/2026
Los Angeles Buyers Gain Negotiating Room
Los Angeles buyers are finally seeing some negotiating room open up—something I’ve been tracking closely as both a Realtor and Mortgage Broker serving our area. With average 30-year fixed mortgage rates holding near 7% through mid-Q3 2026, affordability is still a real challenge. But if the numbers work for you now, there may be more flexibility at the negotiating table than we’ve seen in years. My advice: focus on whether the monthly payment fits your budget. If it does, you’ll have the option to refinance down the road if rates ease. Just remember—waiting for rates to drop can bring a surge of new buyers back into the market, often driving prices higher and erasing any gains from lower financing. For first-time buyers especially, the best opportunities come when your savings, credit, and comfort with the monthly payment all line up. It’s a great time to take a thoughtful, unrushed approach to your home search in a market that’s a bit less hectic.