Is Your Condo Becoming a Depreciating Asset?

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 meeting minutes a disaster, or clear and professional?

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.

How You Protect Your Condo’s Value

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:

1. Maintain the building proactively — don’t wait for things to break
2. Adjust dues to meet rising costs — it’s better than assessments
3. Keep clean, detailed HOA minutes — they’re part of every deal
4. Fund reserves properly — or you’ll pay more later
5. Communicate with owners — good buildings run like a team

“We’ve seen buildings turn around in under a year,” Brian says.
“When the leadership gets serious, the culture changes. The value comes back.”

Final Thought: You’re in This Together

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.

 Want to Talk?

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