In the stock market, it is prudent to buy low and sell high. In the housing market, you want to buy low and buy high!

Over the past 3 years, interest rates have been on the rise. Previously they were at 5.75% and now a jumbo fixed 30 year loan is at 7.5%...and rising!

Foreclosure homes are at a 20 year all time high in California.

If you want to maximize your investment in the Los Angeles real estate market, you want to take advantage of these market conditions and buy when the inventory is high, when the foreclosure rates are high, and when the interest rates are still on the low end.

My golden rule in real estate is this- You can always negotiate a lower price, but you can't negotiate your interest rate. Strike when the investment parameters are to your advantage!

First time buyers and renters should be running out their rental doors to find a home now and get on the equity building elevator. Once interest rates start to rise and the inventory starts to moderate, those that didn't follow this advice will be left at the train station for another 10 years.

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Paul Aragon is a highly awarded real estate professional in the San Fernando Valley. He has been noted as one of the top two realtors in all of Los Angeles County by the 2008 LA Daily News Readers Choice Favorite Awards. He is availale for free real estate advice at paul@aragonestates.com