By Brian Maser
President & Broker | The Condo Experts
Over 700 condos sold. 400+ renovations managed. 20+ years in the Los Angeles market.
Condo owners across Los Angeles — especially in Santa Monica and the Westside — don’t always think of their unit as an investment that can go backwards.
But we’re seeing it happen more and more.
In today’s market, buyers are waking up to the realities of what it means to own a condo. And as a seller, owner, or HOA board member, you need to pay attention to what’s happening right now.
“Buyers aren’t just buying a unit. They’re buying the whole building.”
“We’re in these deals every day,” says Brian Maser, founder of The Condo Experts.
“We’ve sold in most of the buildings across the Westside, and we can tell you — the deal doesn’t come down to the finishes inside the unit. It comes down to the building itself.”
Here’s what buyers are asking:
Are the reserves funded? Are dues keeping pace with inflation and operating costs? Is the roof near the end of its life? Are there leaks, lawsuits, or infighting?Buyers see this now. And when the answers are bad, the offers disappear, or the price drops fast.
“Low reserves and low dues aren’t a badge of honor. They’re a red flag.”
“Too many buildings confuse ‘keeping dues low’ with being financially responsible,” Brian says.
“But if you’re underfunded, behind on maintenance, and avoiding the tough decisions, your building is losing value — and dragging every owner down with it.”
That’s not an opinion. That’s what we see in the field, every week.
The buyers are there.
The agents are calling.
But when the building’s not ready… the deals don’t close.
If you’re an owner or board member in Los Angeles — even if you’re not selling — here’s how you protect the value of your investment:
“We’ve seen buildings turn around in under a year,” Brian says.
“When the leadership gets serious, the culture changes. The value comes back.”
If you’re living in a building that’s falling behind — it affects every unit, not just yours.
If you’re planning to sell your condo or refinance — the building will be part of your appraisal.
And if you’re staying long-term — you’ll want pride of ownership and peace of mind.
If you’re curious how your building stacks up — we’ll gladly give you an honest, expert look.
We’ve helped buildings all over Los Angeles organize, repair, and rebuild trust.
Call us at 310-795-8010
Email: [email protected]
www.condosalesexperts.com
“We’re not just selling condos. We’re protecting the value of condo living.”
— Brian Maser
Why More Buyers Are Walking Away — And How to Protect Your Condo's Worth in 2025
Avoid Escrow Headaches: What Every Condo Buyer and Seller Needs to Know
Avoid fines, delays, and unhappy neighbors — here’s how to upgrade your condo the right way before listing it.
Get Top Dollar Without Over-Renovating: What Move-In Ready Means to LA Condo Buyers Today
Renovate Smart: The Most Cost-Effective Condo & Townhome Upgrades
From New Agent to Trusted Condo Specialist—How Mike Pines Scaled His Business with Systems, Coaching, and Confidence
Most condo deals fall apart because of the building — not the unit. Here’s how smart sellers and buyers stay ahead.
Panic, not property issues, is the real deal killer — here’s how to avoid it.
Most buyers don’t get cold feet because of the property — it’s because no one is helping them understand the process. We fix that.
You’ve got questions and we can’t wait to answer them.