Blog - Susan Derksen

Luxury Real Estate

Luxury Market Insights: What Affluent Buyers and Sellers Should Understand About the Southern California Market in 2026

In luxury real estate, successful decisions are rarely made based on headlines alone. Markets evolve, buyer behavior shifts, inventory fluctuates, and timing becomes increasingly nuanced — especially throughout Southern California’s high-end communities. Today’s luxury market is not driven by urgency or fear. It is being shaped by strategy, lifestyle alignment, and long-term wealth positioning. For […]
Neighborhood Guide

The Art of Quiet Luxury: Why Westlake Village is Southern California’s Best Kept Secret

In the world of high-end real estate, there is a distinct shift happening. The era of “loud” luxury-massive gates, gold-plated fixtures, and “look-at-me” architecture-is making way for something far more sophisticated. It’s called Quiet Luxury, and nowhere is this lifestyle more perfectly realized than right here in Westlake Village. As a Realtor and Coldwell Banker […]
Neighborhood Guide

Why Valley Circle Estates Is One of Woodland Hills’ Most Coveted Neighborhoods — Expert Perspective by Realtor Susan Derksen

Welcome to Valley Circle Estates — A Neighborhood Close to My Heart I’m Susan Derksen, Realtor and Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Specialist based in Westlake Village. For more than 25 years, I proudly called Valley Circle Estates home. Although I no longer reside there, this community remains the cornerstone of my real estate career […]
Real Estate Tips

Finding the Right Lender

The Value of Finding the Right Lender in Real Estate Navigating the world of real estate can often feel like a labyrinth, with many twists and turns, potential pitfalls, and opportunities for success. One of the key components in this journey, often underestimated, is the importance of finding the right lender. Securing the right financial […]