About

A homeowner first. A guide, second.

Palmhaus is the personal practice of Xiaolin Li — REALTOR® at Compass, investor, renovator, and devoted student of California houses.

Portrait of Xiaolin Li

The beginning

The right home — not the next deal.

My real estate journey didn't start at a brokerage. It started when my husband and I bought our first home and renovated it ourselves. Walking through walls being opened up, tile being laid, light flooding into a room for the first time after a remodel — I didn't expect to fall in love with that process the way I did.

I worked alongside seasoned contractors and designers and learned, project after project, what makes a California home truly sing. Spanish-revival arches in Hancock Park. The geometry of a Silver Lake mid-century. The patina of a Pasadena Craftsman. The cool restraint of a Sherman Oaks modern. Each one its own world.

That experience — as a homeowner, as an investor — shaped how I work with my clients today. I'm not here to close the next deal. I'm here to help you find the right home, on the right terms, at the right time. Sometimes that means walking away from a property you love. Sometimes it means waiting six more months. Whatever it takes for the answer to actually be right.

In their own words

★★★★★

"Xiaolin was absolutely one of the best agents I have ever worked with. We were buying from across the country and she made the whole process manageable and easy."

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★★★★★

"She patiently accompanied me in searching for houses for more than half a year. Incredibly patient, responsive, and always prompt. I truly trust her."

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★★★★★

"Incredible agent, very precise on every detail. We got the exact home we wanted at a better price and lower interest rate than we expected."

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★★★★★

"Xiaolin impressed us with her professionalism, knowledge, and dedication. Her communication made us feel well-informed and confident every step of the way."

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★★★★★

"What sets Xiaolin apart is her ability to anticipate problems before they happen. She's detail-oriented, honest, and exceptionally responsive."

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★★★★★

"Her expertise in the market's geographic area helped us determine a competitive purchase price. Friendly, responsive, and always great advice."

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★★★★★

"It was my first time buying a home and Xiaolin helped me step by step — valuation, negotiation, inspections, and a smooth close."

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★★★★★

"Our first time house buying experience went so smoothly. We had great communication throughout — every question and concern addressed."

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★★★★★

"Xiaolin planned the route every weekend to show us houses. It was such a wonderful experience buying our first home with her."

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★★★★★

"She made house hunting a breeze with a curated folder of listings. Closing in just two weeks was an exceptional feat — I'm now happily settled."

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California interior

My approach

Strategy with soul.

I bring a background in business development, product management and real estate investment — so I read deals analytically. But I also know firsthand what it feels like to fall for a house, to negotiate from the heart, to wonder if you can really make it work. I treat both sides with care.

For buyers — I listen first. We start with how you want to live, then narrow down neighborhoods, then homes. I'm honest about what a property is and isn't, and I'll walk away with you from one that's wrong, no matter how far into the process we are.

For sellers — I treat presentation as marketing. From pricing strategy to staging to photography to the story we tell in the listing, every detail is intentional. Your home has a particular character. We make sure the right buyers see it.

3
Languages

English · Mandarin · Cantonese

$30M+
Closed volume

Across LA County and beyond

17
Cities served

Greater LA & partial Orange County

5★
Client-rated

On Zillow & Google

Languages & culture

English · 國語 · 粵語

Fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese, I work easily with multilingual households and multi-generational families. I'll handle the contracts and disclosures in English, then walk through every line with you, your spouse, and your parents in the language they're most comfortable in.

Many of my clients are first- or second-generation immigrants navigating the U.S. real estate market for the first time. I know the financing questions and the family-dynamic questions that come with it — and for everything outside my lane, I have a trusted network of CPAs, lenders, escrow officers, contractors and designers I'm happy to connect you with. You shouldn't have to find the right people alone.

A California Spanish-revival home in warm afternoon light

Tell me about the home you're imagining.

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