What should the average price be for a small, single family home in the west LA area?

[Samoi137]

Unless you're just compiling statistics, average home price (even completed sales) in a large area isn't meaningful. Average price may be $x but that doesn't mean you'd get a home for that amount-- at least not one you'd want. A few super expensive homes, or some dives, skew the average. The fact that you first included Glendale makes one think you have just a very general idea of where you want to buy. Prices can vary tremendously. Maybe you could first look at Web sites, even contact a few realtors, and see what's availble within your budget.

"Comps" are useful if you're finding prices of homes comparable to what you're looking for. 750-1000 sq. ft. is very small. More like a bungalow, to my mind. You don't give an idea of your budget. If you did, people might have more specific ideas.

[NeedlesToLA]

Budget is $500k. And yeah honestly I don't have a very specific area to buy. I would be fine with any decent area in West LA or the San Fernando Valley. <3

[JohnG72]

Originally Posted by NeedlesToLA

Meh, couldn't find a completed sales search on redfin but when searching for recently sold homes on Zillow the majority in the Burbank area seem to be selling for $200-$300K

You must be searching sun valley or North Hollywood, not burbank. Either that or you are looking at zestimates, not actual closed sales. Currently there are around 35 homes pending in Burbank. Fewer than 5 are under 300k, all are tiny, all need major work.

Redfin allows search options, one of which is to search completed sales only and you can further restrict the search to those within the past three months.

If you want an accurate picture of what homes cost at tge moment in Los Angeles and surrounding areas, this is as good as it gets.

[Mike121]

Originally Posted by NeedlesToLA

Budget is $500k. And yeah honestly I don't have a very specific area to buy. I would be fine with any decent area in West LA or the San Fernando Valley. <3

500k is an awkward price range. Everything seems to be less than $400k or over $600k.

If you want to go cheap, I'd check Jefferson Park, like desert_scene suggested.

[BRinSM]

$500k will get you a 3/2 house with approx 1500sf in sherman oaks or encino if you prefer a bit more space. on the westside, $500k will get you 2/2 townhouse in a dated building.

[bophisto]

I second the recommendation of using Redfin.com it's a great site. You access to all the MLS listings for L.A ,and the service is free so it's pretty awesome.

With the housing bust, you should be able to get a house in the nicer parts of the valley such as Sherman Oaks, Encino,Tarzana for around 500k.

[robertpolyglot]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

$500k will get you a 3/2 house with approx 1500sf in sherman oaks or encino if you prefer a bit more space. on the westside, $500k will get you 2/2 townhouse in a dated building.

Best answer so far. And be sure to add that, in Sherman Oaks or Encino, it will be NORTH of Ventura Boulevard. I think that the southern SFV, close enough to 405, is nicer and newer than Culver City or West LA, but is a little toastier in the summer. Also, ditto on $500K being an awkward price range in LA for single family detached housing. It's either less than that, and in a marginal neighborhood, or more than that, and in an area that is fairly nice, such as Westchester.