Karen Kikalo Realtor

10/17/2026

Sorry, Mom 🤷🏻‍♀️ Turns out ignoring stranger danger was the start of a job I love 🔑

10/14/2026

You paid off the house so the kids would have it someday. Then someone suggests the "easy" way to pass it on.

I hear this one at a lot of kitchen tables: "Should Mom just add me to the deed?"

It sounds like the simple fix, and sometimes it works out fine. But adding a child to the title is a bigger step than most families realize, and it's hard to undo. Swipe through for the part most families miss: a tax break called the step-up in basis, and how adding a child to the deed can affect it.

This isn't about fear, it's about awareness. I'm a Realtor, not an attorney or tax advisor, so please take the specifics to one before anyone signs a deed.

📖 The full version is on my blog, link in bio.

📩 Know someone helping a parent with their house? Send this their way.

💬 What's a question your family keeps putting off? Tell me below, and it may be the next Kitchen Table Conversation.

10/13/2026

Now that the weather is finally beginning to feel more like fall in LA, it’s time to think about those who need extra help staying warm in the months ahead.

Karen, a realtor with Pinnacle Estate Properties, Inc., recently organized a collection for Bundles of Kindness, gathering coats, sweatshirts, and umbrellas for people experiencing homelessness.

A special thank you to One Warm Coat for connecting Karen with Bundles of Kindness and helping bring this community effort together!

Karen, thank you for taking the initiative and inspiring others to give. We truly appreciate your generosity and the difference you’re making in our community.

Interested in hosting a collection? Contact us at [email protected], and let’s work together to help people experiencing homelessness prepare for the colder months ahead.

10/10/2026

Walter’s costume is ready… his vaccination schedule didn’t get the memo! 🎃🐾

We’re so sorry to miss Legacy of Love 805’s Halloween Howl this evening while we wait for his final vaccinations, but we couldn’t resist sharing his Halloween look!

My kids have nicknamed him “Wally the Walrus,” so naturally, he had to dress the part. 😂🤎 Have a wonderful time tonight, we’ll be cheering you on from home!

10/09/2026

Some clients become friends. Delton and Sandy are two of my favorites.

From our very first conversation they were warm, curious, and so easy to talk to. They asked great questions about the home buying process and the market, and we took the search one comfortable step at a time. No pressure, no rush.

Seeing them get the keys to their new home was the best part.

Delton and Sandy, thank you for these kind words. Working with you both was a joy, and I’m so glad our paths crossed. 🤍

If buying a home feels a little intimidating, you’re not alone. I’m always happy to sit down, answer your questions, and help you figure out what’s right for you. Send me a message or call anytime.

Karen Kikalo | Chatsworth & Simi Valley Realtor | SRES | Probate & Trust Certified

10/07/2026

10/07/2026

And just like that… we’re in escrow! 🏡
One week on the market. Multiple offers. An exciting next chapter for this Chatsworth home, and for the family who entrusted me with its sale.

Selling a home held in a trust comes with extra steps, extra paperwork and a lot of emotion. My job is to carry the details so the family doesn’t have to.

If you’re a trustee, or you’ve inherited a home and don’t know where to start, send me a message. Happy to walk you through it, no pressure.

Karen Kikalo | Pinnacle Estate Properties | DRE 01882587

10/01/2026

We’re ready, are you? 🍻🥨

Join us for the Chatsworth Kiwanis Club’s Annual Oktoberfest Fundraiser this Saturday! German food, craft b**r, live music, games, raffles, and a kids zone. Grab your lederhosen and bring the whole family.

📅 Saturday, Oct 3 | 11am–5pm
📍 Chatsworth Junior Baseball League, 21350 Mayall St
🎟️ Adults $20 | Youth $15 | Under 5 free

Every ticket supports local youth programs, scholarships, and community projects. 💙

🍻🥨Real us, real outfits, AI-upgraded b**r tent 😄

09/26/2026

It’s not too late to share a little warmth. 🧥

I’m out collecting coats, umbrellas, and gloves from Chatsworth neighbors today for our annual warm coat drive. If you have something to contribute, text me your address at 818-426-3310 and I’ll add you to my pickup route.

Thank you to everyone who has set something aside. I love seeing our neighborhood come together for others. ❤️

09/25/2026

Will or living trust—aren’t they basically the same thing?

Not quite.

As a Realtor who helps families sell inherited homes, I’ve seen how questions about a home’s ownership can become especially difficult after someone passes away. That’s why I’m starting these Kitchen Table Conversations: so families have a chance to ask questions while there’s time to plan.

A will explains how you want your property distributed after you pass away, but having a will does not necessarily keep your estate out of probate.

A living trust can hold and manage assets during your lifetime and direct what happens to them afterward. When properly created and funded, it may allow those assets, including your home, to pass to your beneficiaries without going through probate.

But here’s the detail many families miss: simply creating a trust isn’t enough. Your home must actually be transferred into it.

Many estate plans include both a will and a living trust because they serve different purposes. What’s appropriate for you depends on your family, your property, and your wishes—something to discuss with a qualified estate-planning attorney.

These conversations are much easier to have before there’s a crisis.

Next at the kitchen table: Is your home actually in your trust?

This is general information, not legal or tax advice.