Summers with the Kaplan Crew
If you ask me, my birthday, July 3rd, is the best birthday on the calendar. It sits far enough from the winter holidays to feel special and comes with a guaranteed day off the next day. As a kid, it meant pool parties, barbecues, and always, fireworks. Now, as a …
How to Relocate for a New Career Without Losing Your Mind, Money, or Time
Guest blog by Alice Robertson Career relocation can feel like trying to steer a ship through a storm. There’s a new job waiting on the other shore, but between here and there are endless moving boxes, hidden costs, and sleepless nights wondering if you’ve made the right choice. It doesn’t …
Is U.S. Government Debt Still a Safe Haven Asset?
If you’ve been watching mortgage rates tick up again recently, contrary what you might assume, this latest rise isn’t primarily due to a spike in inflation. Instead, a more complex financial storm is brewing; one tied to rising deficits, a recent U.S. credit downgrade, and growing global skepticism about U.S. …
A Tale of Two Phases: How Playa Vista’s Real Estate Market Is Splitting in Two
Playa Vista has long been admired as one of Los Angeles’ most thoughtfully designed and livable communities, along with a thriving real estate scene. But a growing divergence has caught the attention of agents and homeowners alike: the widening performance gap between Phase I and Phase II homes. For those …
Why This Summer Could Be Playa Vista’s Smartest Selling Season Yet
If you’ve ever thought “spring is the best time to sell,” you’re not alone – it’s long been real estate gospel. But Playa Vista is no ordinary market, and this summer may be shaping up to be surprisingly strong for sellers who are ready to make a move. As a …
What is Stagflation and What Does it Mean for Real Estate?
In the aftermath of the pandemic, the United States, and much of the world, has experienced elevated inflation. CPI inflation has reached an annual rate as high as 9% in this cycle, and while we are now closer to 3%, this still requires restrictive monetary policy. Despite elevated interest rates …
Recapping our Week and Feelings of Loss from the LA Fires
The week of January 6th began as the first full work week of the new year. It was sunny, and I was somewhat well-rested after enjoying our holiday travels and optimistic about a solid year to come with a few deals in the pipeline. My meteorologist father, who occasionally sends …
What to Expect in the Playa Vista First Quarter 2025 Housing Market
In the fast-paced Los Angeles housing market, spring typically comes early. With the help of milder weather than in most of the country, within a few weeks after the start of the year, buyers who are looking to get an early start on the spring housing market begin shopping. For …
25 Things that Make Me Feel Old in 2025
We’re days away from the 25th anniversary of Y2K. Remember back when computer programmers were scrambling to modify a glitch in operating systems that only allowed for a 2-digit year before December 31st, 1999 at midnight to ensure computers wouldn’t think it was 1900 again? For you younger folks, this …