Section 04 · Journal
Journal
Field notes on buying, selling, HOAs, and rooms in 2026. Written for Korean-American homeowners, useful for anyone.
Four things to finish before you go house-hunting in LA
Pre-Approval, closing costs, inspection strategy, and how to pick a home. Tactical notes from the field.
No. 02How Prop 19 changed California real estate: moving without the property-tax shock
How homeowners 55 and over can transfer their existing low property-tax basis to a new home, and why this opens up inventory for first-time buyers.
No. 03Never cross this line in a real estate deal: a Fair Housing Act field guide
The seven federally protected classes, the most common (and costly) mistakes, and the objective criteria that keep a transaction defensible.
No. 042026 home design trends: the five details that move a buyer's eye
Stone fireplaces, black window frames, wood ceilings, two-tone kitchens, and the rise of the show-pantry. For sellers and buyers.
No. 05Selling a home in LA: the agent's checklist
Pricing, prep, photography, the first 14 days on market, and how to handle low offers without panicking.
No. 06HOA: what your dues actually cover
Reading a CC&R, decoding reserve studies, and the seven questions to ask before you commit.
No. 07Staging with original art: a quiet edge
Why one real painting outperforms ten framed prints in listing photos and in person.
No. 08For Korean-American buyers: the LA basics
Property tax, school zones, Mello-Roos, and the cultural translation between Seoul and SoCal real estate.
No. 09Buying a home in LA: every step, no surprises
Pre-approval, offer strategy, inspection traps, escrow timelines, and the closing day playbook.