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os Angeles real estate endured a brutal 2025. January’s wildfires ripped through Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and other neighborhoods, forcing brokers to scramble for temporary and permanent housing while the market was already strained by stubbornly high interest rates, construction costs, permitting delays, and a new mansion tax. “People are still digesting the complete loss of their community,” says veteran broker Cindy Ambuehl.

    Despite the turmoil, the city’s elite agents—selected on sales volume, media presence, and celebrity clientele—have adapted and continued to close multi‑million‑dollar deals. “Long‑term, I’m bullish on luxury real estate,” says Aaron Kirman, who sees Los Angeles as a perpetual magnet for global wealth and creativity.

    ### Notable Transactions

    - **$110 M – The Manor**

     Aaron and Candy Spelling’s former Holmby Hills estate sold to Eric Schmidt. The deal, brokered by Linda May, remains one of the year’s largest.

    - **$110 M – 630 Nimes Road**

     Australian billionaire James Packer purchased the childhood home of Gigi and Bella Hadid. Drew Fenton and Kurt Rappaport represented the transaction.

    - **$63 M – 9214 Nightingale Drive**

     Christie’s agent Aaron Kirman handled this luxury property with sweeping views.

    - **$49.9 M – 36 Pelican Crest, Newport Beach**

     Listed by The Altman Brothers, the sale added to their $1.3 billion in 2025 first‑half volume.

    - **$44 M – 1414 Donhill Drive, Santa Monica**

     Sally Forster Jones closed the deal in a single day, showcasing her strength in post‑wildfire resettlement.

    - **$63 M – 9214 Nightingale Drive**

     Christie’s agent Aaron Kirman represented this property, highlighting the continued appetite for high‑end listings.

    - **$18.9 M – Castillo del Lago, Malibu**

     Linda May listed the former Madonna residence.

    - **$4.6 M – 3813 Ronda Vista Place, Los Feliz**

     Patricia Ruben’s listing of Shepard Fairey’s home demonstrates the market’s diversity.

    ### Agent Highlights

    - **The Altman Brothers (Josh, Matthew, Heather, Jacob)** – Closed $1.3 billion in the first six months, on track for $1.5 billion. Clients include Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, and Tyler Perry. “Quality is key in uncertain times,” they say.

    - **Cindy Ambuehl** – $315 million in sales last year; notes a rise in international buyers but domestic capital remains dominant.

    - **Santiago Arana** – After losing his Pacific Palisades home to fires, he pivoted to high‑profile clients like Ben Affleck and LeBron James. “Some deals came because of the fires, others were pulled off the market.”

    - **Rochelle Atlas Maize** – With $3.55 billion in career sales, she handled the $70 million Brentwood ranch and the $17.95 million Walden Estate.

    - **Ernie Carswell** – Brokered Raquel Welch’s Bel‑Air home for $3.1 million. He stresses market‑tuned pricing amid uneven regional performance.

    - **Blair Chang** – Despite losing his own home, he sold Frank Sinatra’s former “Farralone” estate for $5 million and the adjacent property for $2.99 million.

    - **Dennis Chernov** – $329 million in 2024 sales; sees a buyer’s market with more inventory and motivated sellers.

    - **Jordan Cohen** – $358 million in volume; represents over 150 celebrity athletes and recently listed Anthony Davis’s Bel‑Air estate for $39.9 million.

    - **Chris Cortazzo** – Dominates Malibu with $316 million in sales; emphasizes fire‑resistant construction and resilience.

    - **Sandro Dazzan** – $235 million in 2024; sold a Malibu Colony home three times, each time at a higher price.

    - **Drew Fenton** – $8.5 billion career volume; closed the $110 million Spelling estate sale and the $110 million Schmidt purchase.

    - **Sally Forster Jones** – $580 million in 2025 sales; highlighted the swift sale of 1414 Donhill Drive.

    - **Tomer Fridman** – $6 billion career sales; advises navigating celebrity teams while keeping client voices front and center.

    - **Carl Gambino** – $203.9 million in 2024; known for handling high‑profile clients like Mark Wahlberg and Harry Styles.

    - **Ginger Glass** – $435.2 million in 2025; represented the sale of 71 Beverly Park to Paris Hilton for $63.1 million.

    - **Jack Harris & Michael Fahimian** – $500 million career sales; closed $28 million on 521 N. Canon Drive.

    - **Juliette Hohnen** – Former journalist turned broker; doubled her 2024 volume in the first half of 2025, focusing on fire‑displaced clients.

    - **Aaron Kirman** – $1.4 billion in 2024; completed a record‑time cryptocurrency transaction, accepting a major crypto coin as payment.

    - **Linda May** – Represented the $110 million purchase of The Manor and the $18.9 million Castillo del Lago.

    - **Jade Mills** – Ranked No. 1 agent worldwide for Coldwell Banker; $285 million in 2024 sales; recalls early celebrity client Kevin Costner.

    - **Cooper Mount** – Malibu native; over $1 billion in career sales; prides himself on matching clients with the right property.

    - **Myra & Michael Nourmand** – Trusted by Sheryl Crow and Steve Martin; advise buying early to avoid price hikes.

    - **Jason Oppenheim** – $4 billion in luxury sales; listed Kanye West’s damaged Tadao Ando home, selling it for $21 million.

    - **David Parnes & James Harris** – $940 million in 2024; handled the off‑market sale of the “Funny Girl Estate” and the $110 million 630 Nimes Road.

    - **Lea Porter** – Global broker; sold Gwyneth Paltrow’s $22 million Brentwood mansion; lists historic estates like Harry Warner’s.

    - **Kurt Rappaport** – Represents Jay‑Z, Beyoncé, and Larry Ellison; listed Sean “Diddy” Combs’ $61 million Holmby Hills mansion.

    - **Joyce Rey** – 50‑year veteran; sold Shelley Winters’ property after a memorable pool‑testing anecdote; $195.4 million in 2024 sales.

    - **Heather T. Roy & Learka Bosnak** – Known for Hollywood’s quirky crowd; adapt to market changes with less whimsy.

    - **Patricia Ruben** – Since 1999; $4.6 million listing of Shepard Fairey’s home; favors Los Feliz for its vibe and Griffith Observatory.

    - **The Shevin Team** – Marc and daughters; $3 billion in sales; clients include Kris Jenner and Reggie Miller.

    - **F. Ron Smith & David Berg** – $540 million in 2024; top medium‑size team; run digital zine “Tacos & Tequila.”

    - **Solomon Property Group** – $35 million triple‑lot estate sale; emphasizes reputation as currency.

    - **Tracy Tutor** – 25‑year broker; $90 k confidence story; client list includes Rebel Wilson and Ellen DeGeneres.

    - **The Umansky Team** – Exclusive for Four Seasons Private Residences and 8899 Beverly; $24 million units sold; optimistic about a rebound.

    - **Branden & Rayni Williams** – $1.4 billion in 2025; early adopters of TV and social media in real estate.

    - **Jonah Wilson** – Represented Ted Sarandos, Trevor Noah, and others; notes a return to classic architecture.

    ### Market Outlook

    The wildfires and high rates have tested the luxury segment, yet the top agents remain resilient. They emphasize quality, resilience, and the enduring allure of Los Angeles for global wealth. As the market stabilizes, buyers and sellers alike are poised to move forward, continuing the city’s tradition of high‑profile, high‑value real estate transactions.