California is home to a number of highly sought-after localities. Calabasas is one. This beautiful city is mostly in demand for its luxury residences, upscale lifestyle, scenic beauty, impressive amenities, and safety track record.
The area is also known for high-ranking schools and economic stability, with lower unemployment rates and an income per capita that’s way above the California average.
Overall, it can be an excellent choice whether you are looking to invest in real estate or settle down with family.
For anyone new to the city, there are several ways to find information about any property in Calabasas. In this guide, we’ll take you through the top options for discovering that perfect home with minimum hassle.
Do Your Homework
Researching a city and its neighborhoods is a top priority before you rush to buy a property. Remember, like any other area, Calabasas has pros and cons.
Its upmarket perks, for instance, come coupled with high living costs. The city is also located away from the metropolitan hubs. As a result, accessing amenities quickly can often be a problem. Then, there is the dreaded traffic, especially during the peak hours. Knowing all this is vital before making a decision that involves an expensive price tag.
Now, within Calabasas, there are various localities with their own unique vibe. They may have different amenities, features, and lifestyles. House types and prices can also vary between them.
By learning more about the neighborhoods that make up Calabasas, you can pinpoint the areas that best meet your needs and lifestyle preferences. A quick online search using Google can usually get you up to speed on this.
Drive Around
Sometimes, the picture you create in your head after reading an online review or a promotional article could be starkly different from ground reality. To get a realistic idea about an area, you need to be there in person. So, once you identify a few potential neighborhoods, you must spend some time in them.
Clean streets, families with kids, crowded parks, well-maintained properties, and lots of greenery are all positive signs of a safe and peaceful community. While you are at it, watch out for red flags, too. Boarded-up homes, poor upkeep, and signs of vandalism should all ring alarms. (Although these are rare in most parts of Calabasas, they are not unheard of, either).
Don’t forget to chat with local residents and shop owners who could give more insights into life in their communities. And if you notice any properties that come close to your dream home, note down the house number and street. You could use them later to discover more information with an online reverse address search.
Reach Out to Your Network
If you know someone living in Calabasas (or has lived there in the past), it is time to reach out to them. This could mean friends, family, coworkers, and anyone else from your social circles.
Why is this important? To begin with, they might already have properties for sale, or perhaps they can connect you with someone who does. Personal references and introductions can go a long way in getting access to exclusive real estate (we’re talking about ones like celebrity homes that aren’t advertised publicly) and even during negotiations.
Besides, people you know from Calabasas can also share insider tips on buying and selling properties in the area. This can be important for making informed decisions and enjoying a smoother purchasing process (especially if you are new to the city). And even if those in your immediate network don’t know much about Calabasas, they might still know someone who can help you. So, asking around from your trusted contacts is definitely worth a try.
Check Online Real Estate Marketplaces
Sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin have made buying and selling real estate effortless. They have created a platform for homeowners to advertise on their own when they want to list their properties. And for buyers, finding a house or apartment has never been easier thanks to these marketplaces.
They can be particularly useful for getting a feel of the real estate market in an area in terms of the types of properties available, the average selling price, and the overall demand and supply. (If you are looking to invest in a rental property in Calabasas, you can also learn about the average rent fees).
But property prices can vary based on a range of factors, like the square footage, number of bedrooms, features, updates, and location.
So, make sure you do an apple-to-apple comparison to get a rough estimate of the current prices.
Speak to a Real Estate Agent
Finding and purchasing a house can be a fairly complex process for any first-time homebuyer. There’s a lot you need to look into, and one wrong move could mean a costly mistake you will forever regret. A real estate agent could help you navigate all these without much stress.
They typically have wide industry connections that give them access to lots of listed properties, saving you the hassle of finding listings on your own. And their expertise in local property markets and trends can be useful when determining a home’s value and negotiating with sellers or their agents.
A real estate agent can also guide you through other critical areas of the purchasing process, including inspections and financing, which makes them an invaluable resource.
But ensure you find someone local, well-connected, and with a solid reputation in the industry. (Such professionals can boost your chances of accessing a larger pool of properties).
A Few Final Thoughts
Real estate in Calabasas doesn’t come cheap. According to Zillow, the average home value in the area hovers around $1,715,331. So, before you start hunting for a property there, it is essential you get your finances in order.
Consider your funding options and what you can realistically afford to pay. Take note of fees, commissions, taxes, insurance, and other expenses, too, when arriving at a budget.
Spending enough time to understand the market is also necessary. After all, buying a property is a major decision that involves a substantial investment. So, it is not something you want to rush.
