Los Angeles Real Estate Market Update: September 2026

Los Angeles real estate is entering the fall market with a mix of opportunity and caution. Mortgage rates remain elevated, sales activity has cooled from early summer, and buyers are paying closer attention to value.

Los Angeles County prices have softened

The California Association of REALTORS reported a July 2026 median price of $888,120 for existing single-family homes in Los Angeles County, down 2.4% from June and 2.6% from July 2025. The broader Los Angeles Metro Area median was $849,450, roughly flat month over month and up 0.5% year over year.

What sellers should know

Pricing strategy matters. Buyers have higher borrowing costs and more information, so homes that launch too far above market can lose momentum. Sellers in Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Toluca Lake, Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills should focus on the most relevant recent comparable sales rather than broad county averages.

What buyers should know

Buyers may have more negotiating room on homes that have been sitting or need updates, while exceptional homes can still move quickly. Understanding neighborhood-specific comps before writing an offer is especially important in Los Angeles, where condition, lot, street and design can materially change value.

Mortgage rates are still a major factor

Freddie Mac reported an average 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.71% as of September 3, 2026. At Los Angeles price points, small rate changes can have a meaningful impact on monthly carrying costs.

Thinking about buying or selling? Text Artin Hovsepian directly for a neighborhood-specific market review.

Sources: California Association of REALTORS, July 2026 Home Sales and Price Report; Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, September 3, 2026.