Mortgage rates averaged 6.5% during Q2 2026 after the Iran war disrupted global markets, but the Westside Los Angeles housing market proved more resilient than many expected. This market update examines how higher rates affected buyer demand, home values, and negotiating power across Brentwood, Mar Vista, Venice, Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, and Pacific Palisades, and what it means for buyers and sellers moving forward.

Nialaya founder Jannik Olander turned his last $5,000 into a global jewelry brand, then bought a Hollywood Hills trust sale most buyers walked away from. Inside: his renovation playbook, why trust sales are LA's hidden value play, and why he says buyers waiting for rates to drop are making a costly mistake.

Joe Roth just sold his Beverly Hills home for $21.45 million, $1.55 million less than he paid in 2021. The headline says a Hollywood titan took a bath. The data says the opposite: 19 days on market, 97.5% of ask, and nearly double the price per square foot of the $5M+ tier. I break down 46 Beverly Hills sales from the last six months, including a full-ask close in 29 days and a 24% haircut after 157, to show why the first number a seller picks matters more than it has in years.

Venice sales volume fell 27% this spring, but price per square foot actually rose, proof that activity cooled while values held. This week's report breaks down the four Venice price tiers behaving completely differently, and the 30-day cliff that quietly costs sellers six figures.

The fight over LA's mansion tax is over, and the tax won. With ULA locked in until at least 2028 and new thresholds at $5.4M and $10.9M, here's how Westside sellers near the line should price, structure, and time their sale.

With highly diverse neighborhoods, fluctuating inventory, international buyers, and strong architectural demand, navigating the market requires strategy, timing, and experience.

From Beverly Hills to Venice, every area offers a completely different living experience.

An expired listing doesn’t mean a home cannot sell. In many cases, it simply means the property needs a different strategy.

For buyers seeking a balance between city access and residential tranquility, Brentwood is one of the best places to live in Los Angeles.