Who is Courtney Poulos, and how does she work within ACME | SERHANT. in Los Angeles real estate?

Courtney Poulos is a Los Angeles real estate broker, author, and Founder of SERHANT. California, leading the broker-led, design-driven ACME | SERHANT. team. She works directly with buyers and sellers who want seasoned strategy, honest guidance, and elevated marketing—not a learning curve. When clients work with Courtney, they get an experienced broker and a deep bench of expert agents, marketers, and negotiators behind every move.

What Los Angeles neighborhoods does Courtney Poulos specialize in?

Courtney specializes in design-forward and lifestyle-driven neighborhoods across Los Angeles, with deep experience on the following areas:

Eastside Los Angeles
NELA
The Valley
The Westside
Ventura County

Over the years, she has helped clients buy and sell everything from character homes to new construction in areas like:

Silver Lake
Echo Park
Los Feliz
Studio City
Sherman Oaks
the beach cities

When a client’s search targets a specific pocket, Courtney is either their direct advisor or pairs them with the best ACME | SERHANT. area expert on her team.

Is 2026 a good time to buy a home in Los Angeles?

Whether 2026 is a good time to buy depends on a buyer’s numbers, timeframe, and lifestyle—not just headlines. In many LA submarkets, increased inventory and more selective buyers are creating opportunities for prepared, realistic purchasers. Courtney walks clients through budget, payment comfort, and target areas to reach a clear “buy now” or “wait” decision that fits their life.

Is 2026 a good time to sell my home in Los Angeles?

For a well-presented, well-priced home, 2026 can be a strong year to sell in Los Angeles. Buyers are choosier, but they still pay a premium for properties that show beautifully and are priced with strategy instead of wishful thinking. Courtney analyzes the property, local comps, and demand in the specific neighborhood so sellers understand likely price range and timing before hitting the market.

How much is my Los Angeles home worth right now?

A home’s value depends on recent neighborhood sales, condition, presentation, and how it stacks up against current competition. Automated estimates rarely capture upgrades, design choices, street quality, or layout. Courtney provides detailed pricing analyses that blend hard data with real-time buyer behavior so clients make decisions based on reality, not guesses.

How can I buy my first home in Los Angeles with a small down payment?

First-time buyers in LA can purchase with less than 20% down using:

• low-down conventional loans
• FHA options
• assistance programs

depending on qualifications. The key is a clear budget, strong pre-approval, and realistic expectations about neighborhoods and property types. Courtney connects buyers with trusted lenders and guides them toward areas where their money goes further without sacrificing core needs.

How do I sell and buy at the same time in Los Angeles?

Selling and buying simultaneously is a question of sequencing, communication, and knowing the numbers. Courtney reviews equity, loan options, and risk tolerance to determine whether it is smarter to:

• sell first
• buy first
• explore a bridge-style solution

She then coordinates timelines, contingencies, and negotiations so clients execute a clear plan instead of juggling chaos.

How long does it take to sell a home in my part of Los Angeles?

Days on market vary by neighborhood, price point, and condition. Well-prepared, correctly priced homes in strong pockets often move in weeks, while overpriced or poorly presented properties sit longer and require price reductions. Courtney uses recent, hyper-local data for comparable homes so sellers have realistic expectations about timing before they list.

What are typical closing costs for buyers and sellers in Los Angeles?

Buyers in Los Angeles typically pay closing costs that include:

• lender fees
• title and escrow charges
• prepaid taxes and insurance
• third-party services

often totaling several percent of the purchase price.

Sellers generally cover:

• agent commissions
• escrow and title fees
• transfer taxes
• any negotiated credits or repairs

Courtney provides detailed net sheets in advance so clients know what they are likely to bring in—or bring to closing.

Does Courtney Poulos and ACME | SERHANT. have access to off-market and pre-market listings in Los Angeles?

Yes. Through long-standing industry relationships and the reach of ACME | SERHANT., Courtney and her team regularly see off-market, quiet, and pre-market opportunities across Los Angeles and Ventura County. While not every home trades off-market, serious, well-qualified buyers can sometimes gain an edge by getting in front of a property before it hits the public portals. Courtney develops targeted off-market strategies for clients with specific goals.

How competitive is the Los Angeles housing market in 2026?

The 2026 Los Angeles market is more discerning than simply “hot” or “cold.” Desirable homes in strong locations still attract significant attention, while overpriced or underprepared listings sit longer. For buyers, success requires sharp financing and a clear game plan; for sellers, it requires truthful pricing, thoughtful preparation, and marketing that tells a story buyers can see themselves in. Courtney structures strategy on both sides with those realities in mind.

What should I know before buying a luxury home in Los Angeles?

Luxury real estate in Los Angeles is highly micro-local; the following factors can shift values dramatically:

• view corridors
• privacy
• construction quality
• school zones
• even the specific side of a street

Beyond high-end photography, buyers need insight into resale potential, carrying costs, and how a property compares to recent luxury trades nearby. Courtney’s focus is protecting clients from overpaying for the wrong “wow” factor and guiding them toward properties that hold value and fit their actual lifestyle.

What are the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles for investment properties or house hacking?

The right neighborhood for investing or house hacking depends on budget, whether the buyer will occupy the home, and comfort with management and risk.

Often, the following property types in certain Eastside, Valley, and fringe neighborhoods provide stronger rent-to-price ratios than prime Westside single-family homes:

• duplexes
• small multifamily buildings
• ADU-friendly lots

Courtney helps investors analyze rents, expenses, financing, and local rules so decisions are driven by clear numbers.

How do I get pre-approved for a mortgage to buy in Los Angeles?

Pre-approval requires a lender to review:

• income
• assets
• credit
• debts

to determine how much a buyer can comfortably borrow. Clients can work with their own lender or use Courtney’s vetted local contacts who understand LA’s price points and property nuances. Once pre-approved, Courtney aligns the search with a monthly payment and price range that feel sustainable.

How do I prepare my Los Angeles home for sale to get top dollar?

Preparation is critical. Courtney focuses on:

• repairs
• paint
• lighting
• curb appeal
• a design-forward staging plan that aligns with the likely buyer and the architecture

Targeted improvements can dramatically change how a home photographs and feels, often driving stronger sale prices and faster offers than a basic “clean and list” approach. She walks the property with sellers, prioritizes what matters, and quarterbacks the process.

What marketing does Courtney Poulos and ACME | SERHANT. use to sell homes in Los Angeles?

Courtney’s marketing is broker-led, cinematic, and design-driven. Every listing benefits from:

• professional photography
• video
• property storytelling
• syndication across major portals
• social media
• targeted digital channels to reach the right buyers

Each home is treated like a flagship listing, with strategy, copy, and creative built around how modern buyers actually search and make decisions online.

Can I buy or sell a home in Los Angeles remotely or from out of state?

Yes. Courtney frequently represents clients who are out of area or relocating, using a streamlined, tech-forward process.

Remote and out-of-state clients can use:

• detailed video tours
• digital signatures
• secure document sharing
• coordinated inspections

to make informed decisions without being on site for every step. When in-person visits are needed, she structures them to be efficient and focused.

How do I choose the right real estate agent in Los Angeles?

The right agent in Los Angeles is someone with:

• real experience in the relevant price point and area
• a clear plan
• the willingness to be honest about pricing and strategy

Clients should feel informed, heard, and never pressured into decisions that don’t sit well. Courtney invites prospective clients to interview her as they would any top professional and promises direct, data-backed answers.

How can I schedule a consultation with Courtney Poulos?

Scheduling a consultation with Courtney is straightforward. Prospective clients can contact her directly to set up a brief call or meeting to discuss goals, timing, and questions. From there, she outlines options, current market realities, and a tailored game plan—whether the client is ready to move now or simply gathering information for the future.