The Top 2 Things Homeowners Need To Know Before Selling in Los Angeles & Beverly Hills

The Top 2 Things Homeowners Need To Know Before Selling in Los Angeles & Beverly Hills | Christophe Choo at Coldwell Banker Global Luxury is Your Local Real Estate Expert

If you're thinking about selling in today’s market—especially in Los Angeles or Beverly Hills—here’s the truth: the homeowners who win aren’t the ones who wait. They’re the ones who understand the market from day one and adapt strategically.

Many sellers across L.A. didn’t get the outcome they hoped for in the past year. Not because the Southern California market is weak—it’s not—but because their expectations weren’t aligned with the realities of today’s buyer behavior.

Realtor.com reports 57% more homes were pulled off the market this year compared to last. They listed… but they didn’t sell. And in Los Angeles, especially in the luxury corridors of Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, and the Westside, those withdrawn listings almost always come down to the same two issues: price and timing.

Here’s what you can learn from them—before you list your own home.

1. Price It Right from Day One

Pricing is the single biggest success factor in today’s Los Angeles housing market.

Across the country, 8 in 10 sellers expect to get their asking price or more. But in reality, Redfin reports that only about 25% actually achieve above their list price.

In Beverly Hills and Los Angeles’ prime neighborhoods, expectations are often even higher. Many sellers anchor their price to 2020–2021 peak conditions—when anything you listed would receive multiple offers and sell over asking, regardless of condition or price point.

But that’s not the market today.

Here in L.A.:

• Buyers have more options than they’ve had in years

• Luxury buyers—especially international buyers—are highly selective

• High-end homes must justify their price with architecture, condition, land, privacy, and lifestyle value

• Overpricing leads to immediate buyer disengagement

If the price feels even slightly out of sync with comparable properties in Beverly Hills Flats, Trousdale, Bel Air Crest, Hancock Park, or Pacific Palisades, buyers scroll right past it.

And here’s what’s surprising: many withdrawn listings could have sold with just a minor course correction. HousingWire reports the average price cut right now is only 4%.

Four percent is the gap stopping many sellers from a successful sale.

If they had listed at that more strategic price upfront, they likely would’ve sold quickly—and for a strong number.

Why Pricing Matters Even More in L.A.

The Los Angeles market is micro-localized.
A home on the west side of Beverly Hills may have a completely different value profile than a similar home east of Canon, or a contemporary in the Bird Streets compared to a traditional in Los Feliz.

That’s why pricing based on national headlines—or Zestimate fantasies—is a mistake.

The good news?
Most homeowners in L.A. and Beverly Hills have built enormous equity over the years. That gives you the flexibility to price competitively from the start and still come out significantly ahead.

2. Don’t Rush the Process

The second major pitfall is unrealistic timing expectations.

Many sellers remember when L.A. homes sold in 24–72 hours with 10 offers. That was the pandemic market—unrepeatable, unsustainable, and not the benchmark today.

Currently, the typical timeline to go from listed to closed is about 60 days, which is perfectly normal in a balanced market.

In Los Angeles, it’s often:

• 1–4 weeks to secure the right buyer (especially in the luxury tier)

• 30+ days for escrow, inspections, verifications, appraisal, and contingencies

• Longer for complex estates, trust sales, or architectural properties

This is not a slow market—it’s a healthy one.

Today’s buyers are intentional.
They’re comparing neighborhoods (Beverly Hills vs. Brentwood vs. Hollywood Hills), the lifestyle value, architectural pedigree, walkability, school access, and long-term desirability.

They’re taking the time to make the right choice.

Your home not selling in the first weekend doesn’t mean anything is wrong.
It just means you’re in a normal L.A. market—not the frenzy of 2021.

Want to shorten the timeline?

In Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, presentation sells.
Here’s what moves the needle:

• High-end staging that complements the architecture

• Cinematic photography and video

• Twilight shoots (critical for Beverly Hills & Bel Air views)

• Dedicated property websites

• Paid global exposure

• Strategic pricing

• A listing agent who understands the neighborhood nuances and luxury buyer psychology

Even in a measured market, the right preparation still leads to swift, successful results.

Bottom Line

If you're planning to sell your home in Los Angeles or Beverly Hills, don’t be discouraged by the market—use it to your advantage.

The listings that didn’t sell this year weren’t doomed. They were simply launched with expectations that didn’t align with reality.

Success today comes down to three things:

• Accurate pricing

• Patience with the timeline

• Partnering with a local expert who understands the nuances of the L.A. luxury market

In a market this competitive and this specialized, winning isn’t about waiting for conditions to change.
It’s about getting your strategy right from day one.

Call Christophe Choo at (310) 777-6342 to tour your future home "HERE" or click "HERE" to estimate your home value