Blair4Homes, Blair Thompson

09/05/2026

Wondering what the next few years will bring in regard to housing values in Sherman Oaks? It looks like a steady slow rise with stable but slightly lower interest rates according to Fannie Mae Research and predictions. I have never found timing the market and interest rates to be a successful strategy. Buy and sell your home based on your needs not like a stock market.

09/02/2026

How Much Can You Save by Making Extra Payments on Your Mortgage?
There are several ways to do this, and it can make a huge difference in your equity position in your home.
Make weekly payments rather than monthly. This means that instead of paying interest for a whole month before making a principal payment, your payment is split into four. The amount you pay in week one will reduce the interest you owe for weeks two through four. Compound that with weeks two and three as well, in lesser amounts, and your savings over 30 years can be immense. You are taking roughly the same amount out of your pocket, but you could owe considerably less interest in the end. With autopay being so easy now, this can simply become a habit.
Make an extra payment one time a year. On a 30-year mortgage, even one extra payment per year can take years off the term of the loan. 1 extra payment can take 6 years off the term of your loan, 2 extra can mean 10+ years, and 3 will bring the time down by as much as 14-18 years.
Add principal to your monthly payment. On a typical loan, making your payment just $100 more per month can make it so your loan is paid off years early. That can greatly reduce the total interest you pay. Typical savings can be 1-2 years early.
Recast your loan by making a large principal payment or increasing your monthly obligation. This can reset your loan parameters. It can be used to either reduce your monthly payment or reduce the term of the loan. Unless the lender is offering an incentive to do this in the way of reduced interest or something else advantageous to you, you may be able to accomplish the same thing with the other techniques without committing to a new strategy.
These techniques can be especially helpful in the first years of a mortgage, when you are paying primarily interest. Be sure to research the correct way to make all these extra payments so you get the full benefit. If making additional principal payments, designate them as such. The mortgage company may otherwise just apply them as early payments, which may not work as well.
These steps can help build your future wealth and security.
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08/31/2026

Are you starting to think about your future housing needs. Will you stay in Sherman Oaks? Downsize or move to an easier residence? As we start to transition into different homes that plan needs to start sooner rather than later.

https://thenextstephomes.com/

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Are you starting to think about your future housing needs. Will you stay in Sherman Oaks? Downsize or move to an easier residence? As we start to transition into different homes that plan needs to start sooner rather than later. https://thenextstephomes.com/

08/28/2026

Do You Love Sherman Oaks?
I have lived in Sherman Oaks for 31 years and have been in Los Angeles for 34 years. Sherman Oaks is a great neighborhood to live in, and after all these years, I still appreciate how much it has to offer.
One of the biggest advantages of Sherman Oaks is its location. We have easy access to numerous freeways, including the 101, 134 and 405, providing access to the North, South, East and West. The 170, 118, 5, 10 and 110 are all relatively close by as well.
This plethora of options means that getting just about anywhere is convenient, if not always speedy. Downtown LA is easily accessible via the 101. Beverly Hills is just a hop over the hill, Santa Monica is down the 405, and Santa Clarita is up the 405. Head west on the 101 and you are on your way to Ventura, Santa Barbara and Ojai. Pasadena and Burbank are close neighbors, while Studio City and North Hollywood are right next door. And we are located a comfortable distance from historic Hollywood.
For those who like to get out of town, skiing in Big Bear, the beaches, San Diego and numerous desert destinations are all reasonable day trips.
Public transportation is also available through many different modes and continues to grow, with subway, bus lines, light rail and dedicated bus routes providing more options than ever.
Longer-distance travel is also made easier by our proximity to LAX, Hollywood Burbank Airport, Orange County Airport and the very busy Van Nuys Airport.
More Than a Bedroom Community
Sherman Oaks is often referred to as a bedroom community, but today it has a much broader identity.
There are excellent public and private schools, from preschool through high school, as well as several post-high-school options. Los Angeles Valley College and Pierce are right here in the Valley, while UCLA, USC and numerous other colleges and universities are within reasonable reach.
Healthcare is also close and convenient, with world-class facilities including Cedars-Sinai, UCLA, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Kaiser Permanente, Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, Providence Saint John's Health Center and many other options for just about any medical need.
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08/26/2026

How Much Equity Are You Holding in Your House?

For most people, their home is their biggest financial holding. You have spent years paying the mortgage, principal, interest, property taxes, insurance, and all the other costs that come with home ownership.

As we get older, we have to ask ourselves: “Is this still the best place for my wealth to be held?”

The first part of that question is important. Your home is not simply an investment. It is the roof over your head. No matter what you do, you will always need someplace to live. So the decision about what to do with your home does not exist in a vacuum.

The second question may be even more important:

“Is this the life I want to have?”

Could you be just as happy—or perhaps happier—in a different living situation?

Maybe closer to your kids or grandchildren. Maybe in a resort-type setting. Maybe somewhere quieter. Or perhaps closer to restaurants, entertainment, and other activities.

Could you live in a home that is smaller, requires less maintenance, and is simply easier to manage?

Many people point out that Sherman Oaks is an expensive place to retire. As retirement approaches, or as your career becomes more mobile, perhaps you don't need to be quite as tied to the big city.

There is no one right answer. Every person's circumstances, priorities, and financial situation are different.

But at some point in our lives, we need to actively ask these questions.

And there are other factors to consider as well. California has several tax programs that can affect mature homeowners who are considering a move, including property tax transfer opportunities and Proposition 19. Understanding these rules and how they might apply to your situation can be an important part of the decision.

Your home is more than an investment. It is your home, your security, and potentially a very large part of your wealth.

At some point, it may be worth asking whether it is still serving you in the best way possible.

If you are beginning to think about these questions, call me. I can help you start the conversation and point you in the right directions to get the information you need to make an informed decision.
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How Much Equity Are You Holding in Your House?

For most people, their home is their biggest financial holding. You have spent years paying the mortgage, principal, interest, property taxes, insurance, and all the other costs that come with home ownership.

As we get older, we have to ask ourselves: “Is this still the best place for my wealth to be held?”

The first part of that question is important. Your home is not simply an investment. It is the roof over your head. No matter what you do, you will always need someplace to live. So the decision about what to do with your home does not exist in a vacuum.

The second question may be even more important:

“Is this the life I want to have?”

Could you be just as happy—or perhaps happier—in a different living situation?

Maybe closer to your kids or grandchildren. Maybe in a resort-type setting. Maybe somewhere quieter. Or perhaps closer to restaurants, entertainment, and other activities.

Could you live in a home that is smaller, requires less maintenance, and is simply easier to manage?

Many people point out that Sherman Oaks is an expensive place to retire. As retirement approaches, or as your career becomes more mobile, perhaps you don't need to be quite as tied to the big city.

There is no one right answer. Every person's circumstances, priorities, and financial situation are different.

But at some point in our lives, we need to actively ask these questions.

And there are other factors to consider as well. California has several tax programs that can affect mature homeowners who are considering a move, including property tax transfer opportunities and Proposition 19. Understanding these rules and how they might apply to your situation can be an important part of the decision.

Your home is more than an investment. It is your home, your security, and potentially a very large part of your wealth.

At some point, it may be worth asking whether it is still serving you in the best way possible.

If you are beginning to think about these questions, call me. I can help you start the conversation and point you in the right directions to get the information you need to make an informed decision.

https://thenextstephomes.com/

08/25/2026

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How much is my home worth? This is the wrong question to ask when getting ready to sell your home. It is just one question to determine in a very complex puzzle of factors. I approach the sales process holistically for your best future.
https://thenextstephomes.com/
25s

08/18/2026

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Considering a Reverse Mortgage?

Reverse mortgages can be a good solution in the right situation, but they also come with complicated financial considerations that deserve careful review.

Before deciding, it’s worth exploring the alternatives. HELOCs, lines of credit, refinancing, downsizing, or other housing strategies may provide a better fit depending on your goals and circumstances.

My goal isn’t to tell you what you should do—it’s to help you understand your options and make an informed decision.

📘 Check out my free Next Step Homes Guide to Housing Transition & Downsizing for ideas and strategies to consider as your housing needs change.

https://thenextstephomes.com/

08/17/2026

A Word About Reverse Mortgages
I often get questions about reverse mortgages, and I hear a lot of disparaging comments about them.
Is a reverse mortgage a good thing?
My answer is a qualified: It depends.
Under the right circumstances, a reverse mortgage can be one of the best financial tools available to a homeowner. Given the right set of circumstances, it can solve problems in ways that other financing arrangements simply cannot.
But there is a big word of caution.
Reverse mortgages can be complicated. The terminology can be confusing, and the long-term financial implications need to be clearly understood. If you don't fully understand the loan, you could make a decision today that creates a significant financial problem down the road.
That's why education is the first step. Some states actually mandate a seminar before proceeding to arranging a Reverse Mortgage.
There are also financial incentives within the mortgage industry that can influence how these products are presented. That makes it particularly important to work with a reputable, experienced professional who will explain not only the benefits, but also the costs, risks and alternatives.
And a reverse mortgage isn't the only option.
Depending on your circumstances, a HELOC, refinance, second mortgage or another type of home-equity product may be a better fit. Each has different costs, requirements, risks and long-term consequences.
Your home may represent one of your largest financial assets. If you're considering tapping into that equity, don't let the convenience of obtaining a loan substitute for understanding what you're actually doing.
Banks and lenders can sometimes make accessing your home equity seem remarkably easy. That doesn't necessarily mean the decision is simple.
Before you sign anything, understand the numbers, understand the terms, understand the alternatives—and make sure the strategy actually fits your long-term plans.
When it comes to your home equity, education should come before action.
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