Every year, somebody tells me they’re “waiting for the crash.”
Not waiting for the right house.
Not waiting for the right job transition.
Not waiting for their kids to finish school.
Waiting for the Los Angeles housing market to completely collapse.
And honestly?
People have been saying this for over a decade.
Meanwhile:
- Rents exploded
- Inventory stayed tight
- Construction costs skyrocketed
- Interest rates changed
- Life kept moving forward, whether people participated or not
Everybody Wants Perfect Timing
There’s this fantasy that somewhere out there exists a magical moment where:
- Prices collapse
- Interest rates are low
- Inventory is high
- Competition disappears
- Buyers somehow glide effortlessly into their dream home while angels sing softly in the background
That’s not really how Los Angeles works.
Especially not desirable Los Angeles neighborhoods. It is always good to know how much house can you REALLY afford in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles Is Not a Normal Housing Market
One mistake people constantly make is comparing Los Angeles to random national headlines.
Los Angeles has:
- Limited inventory
- Geographic restrictions
- Aggressive demand
- International money
- Zoning issues
- Slow construction
- Deeply desirable neighborhoods, people genuinely want to live in long-term
Silver Lake.
Los Feliz.
Highland Park.
Echo Park.
Venice.
South Pasadena.
People don’t stop wanting to live in these places simply because interest rates move around.
Fear Disguises Itself as Strategy
Sometimes buyers convince themselves they’re being “smart” by waiting indefinitely.
But occasionally, what’s really happening is:
- Fear
- Uncertainty
- Analysis paralysis
- Fear of making the wrong decision
And look, some caution is healthy.
Buying property is a huge decision.
But there’s a difference between being thoughtful and permanently spectating your own life from the sidelines while waiting for perfect conditions that willl never fully arrive. This is why buyers keep losing the house they actually wanted.
Some Buyers SHOULD Wait
This is the part most real estate people won’t tell you.
Not everybody should buy right now.
Some buyers:
- Need more reserves
- Need more stability
- Need to improve income
- Need to pay down debt
- Simply aren’t emotionally ready for homeownership (need big people pants)
And that’s okay.
Buying a house because somebody on Instagram told you real estate only goes up is not exactly a sophisticated financial strategy.
But Timing the Market Perfectly Is Almost Impossible
The people who obsess over perfectly timing the market often miss something important:
Your life timing matters too.
Marriage.
Kids.
Schools.
Commutes.
Career opportunities.
Aging parents.
Lifestyle changes.
Mental health.
Quality of life.
Those things matter.
Sometimes far more than trying to perfectly shave 4% off a purchase price while spending three extra years waiting.
Interest Rates Changed the Psychology
Today’s market is definitely different than the frenetic years.
- Buyers are more cautious.
- Sellers are negotiating more.
- Overpriced listings are getting punished.
- Condition matters again
But that doesn’t automatically equal a catastrophic market collapse.
What’s actually happening is the market is becoming more rational and more property-specific.
Honestly?
That’s probably healthier.
The Wealthiest Buyers Think Differently
One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that sophisticated buyers usually focus less on perfectly timing the market and more on:
- Long-term ownership
- Quality locations
- Lifestyle alignment
- Opportunity
- Does the asset still make sense over time?
They understand that trying to perfectly predict short-term fluctuations is mostly guesswork.
Especially in Los Angeles.
Final Thoughts
Could parts of the market soften further?
Absolutely.
Could certain homes drop in value?
Of course.
Could some buyers benefit from waiting?
Definitely.
But people waiting for the perfect crash scenario often underestimate how quickly:
- Inflation
- Rent increases
- Interest rate shifts
- Life itself changes the equation.
The truth is, there’s no universally perfect time to buy real estate.
There’s only:
- The right property
- The right financial structure
- The right timing for your life
- A strategy that makes sense long-term
Everything else is mostly noise. Some of that noise is understanding why some Los Angeles listings sit while others sell immediately.
About Glenn Shelhamer
I’m Glenn Shelhamer, broker of The Shelhamer Group and founder of Silver Lake Blog. I’ve spent the last 15 years helping buyers and sellers navigate the constantly evolving Los Angeles real estate market.
If you’re trying to figure out whether buying now, waiting, or restructuring your strategy makes sense, I’m always happy to be a sounding board and talk through the bigger picture with you.
Call or text directly:
310-913-9477
Instagram:
@theshelhamergroup
Email:
glenn@shelhamergroup.com
