As Los Angeles grapples with wildfire recovery and a cautious economy, the city’s top brokers have been navigating a notably slower luxury market — and adapting fast. Their results over the past year show where opportunity and risk now sit for anyone buying or selling in L.A., from neighborhood-by-neighborhood differences to shifting buyer priorities.
Across the board, many agents describe the market as favorable to purchasers. That’s changing how homes are marketed, priced and renovated, and it helps explain why some firms posted banner results despite broader uncertainty.
The new buyer advantage
Several leading brokers told reporters they believe buyers currently hold the upper hand, citing longer decision cycles and more negotiating room. For sellers, that means adjusting expectations after the pandemic-era peak — particularly those who turned down offers in 2020–2022 and expect the same prices today.
At the luxury end, however, the story is more mixed. Well-priced, well-presented properties are still drawing quick, aggressive bids. In short: exceptional product continues to command attention, even as average homes take longer to move.
How top agents are responding
Successful teams are combining traditional relationships with stronger digital strategies and creative partnerships. Many reported that social media and targeted marketing delivered higher-quality leads, not just big traffic numbers, and that carefully engineered deal structures can turn interest into closed sales.
Other practical shifts have emerged. Brokers say buyers increasingly prioritize amenities tied to health and convenience — think high-end fitness and recovery spaces — while design trends are moving away from ultra-minimalism toward warmer, more personal interiors.
Key trends affecting buyers and sellers:
- Neighborhood nuance: Market strength varies widely across L.A.; pockets like the Westside, Malibu and parts of Beverly Hills are showing different paces of recovery.
- Wellness amenities: In luxury listings, dedicated gyms, saunas and plunge pools are increasingly expected.
- Post-fire recovery: Rebuilding and redevelopment in fire-affected areas have created new inventory and sparked investor interest.
- Targeted digital campaigns are favored over broad, high-traffic tactics — brokers say one qualified buyer beats a million page views.
Standouts from July 2025–July 2026
Even in a cooling market, many agents closed headline-making deals. A few highlights reported to industry press include:
The Altman Brothers team produced more than $1 billion in transactions, including a local-record sale in Encino and a high-profile Hollywood Hills co-listing. Cindy Ambuehl posted strong Westside results with several celebrity estates and designs by high-profile architects. Santiago Arana handled a high-end Malibu beachfront purchase for prominent clients and emphasized that current conditions are a rare opportunity for buyers.
Other notable performances: Rochelle Atlas Maize continued to leverage media-driven campaigns on historic and celebrity properties; Ernie Carswell transitioned his team to a global brokerage and landed co-listings on storied estates; and Aaron Kirman’s Christie’s operation recorded nearly $1 billion in sales over the last 12 months.
Where luxury buyers are spending
From Malibu beachfront lots to Bel‑Air megamansions, luxury buyers remain active where product matches price. Brokers point to several repeat patterns: trophy sales cluster in safe, private neighborhoods; buyers favor homes that are move-in ready; and celebrity transactions still shape market headlines and buyer interest.
At the same time, many agents report that purchasers are relocating within the region, trading Westside prices for greater space in the Valley or Encino — a trend that broadens demand outside historically dominant enclaves.
Voices from the market
Longtime brokers describe a market in pause rather than collapse. One veteran noted that buyers are “thoughtful and selective,” while another argued that when the broader economy stabilizes, the window for advantage will close. Several agents highlight that the best properties — correctly priced and well-presented — continue to stand apart.
Social media’s role also came up repeatedly. Some teams warned that a large online following does not always equal sales; others said a disciplined digital strategy can surface the right buyer quickly.
Industry recognition: Power Broker nominees
The Hollywood Reporter’s annual Los Angeles Power Broker Awards, now in its sixth year and presented by The Society Group, will take place Sept. 16. Among the nominees across categories are industry heavyweights and rising teams. Selected nominees include:
- Team of the Year: The Altman Brothers; Aaron Kirman; Kurt Rappaport; Smith & Berg Property Group; Branden & Rayni Williams
- Philanthropic Impact: Cindy Ambuehl; Santiago Arana; Rochelle Atlas Maize; Carl Gambino; Neyshia Go
- Agent of Historic Architecture: Drew Fenton; Aaron Kirman; David Offer; David Parnes; Lea Porter
- Condo Sale of the Year: A slate of top agents and teams representing major coastal and Westside transactions
- Media Maverick: Farrah Brittany; Sally Forster Jones; Jack Harris & Michael Fahimian; James Harris; Shelton Wilder
- Stratospheric Sale of the Year: A group of brokers recognized for extraordinary high-end closings across the city
- Celebrity Property Portfolio: Ernie Carswell; Ginger Glass; Marci Kays & Jonathan Mogharrabi; Jade Mills; Nicole Plaxen & Shauna Walters
- Rising Star: Antonio Bruno; Amir Ensani; Max Rubinstein; Sara Shevin; Alexia Umansky
The awards are selected by editorial review based on year‑over‑year sales and the prominence of properties represented.
What this means for readers
If you’re considering buying in L.A., the current environment offers negotiating leverage, neighborhood-specific opportunities and access to unique, high-quality properties — but timing matters. Sellers should recalibrate pricing and presentation expectations to match buyer sentiment, and both sides benefit from working with agents who combine deep local relationships with targeted marketing.
For the broader market, the lessons are clear: resilience, creative deal-making and an emphasis on authentic product will determine who succeeds as Los Angeles moves toward recovery and renewed demand.
