As a public and member service, the California Association of REALTORS® offers a free assistance line, the Ombudsman Hotline, to foster dispute resolution. Belive it or not, occasionally, REALTORS® and/or their clients, find themselves embroiled in a dispute with another, or their own, REALTOR®. The C.A.R. Ombudsman Hotline is here to help. C.A.R. Ombudsmen receive … Continue Reading
Homeowner Legislative Update – August 4, 2014
Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Orange County homeowners and real estate professionals may be interested in the below “Homeowner Legislative Facts,” re-published with permission from the California Association of REALTORS®: Bill to Stop Tax on Loan Modifications Passes Legislature – updated 7/17/14If the principal on your mortgage was reduced with a loan modification new legislation may lower … Continue Reading
How’s Your Home’s Water Usage?
Attention Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Orange County homeowners, how’s your home’s water usage? Here’s a neat graphic from the California Association of REALTORS® showing a breakdown of an average three-bedroom single-family home in California and some areas where you can save water, and money. With 57 percent of the water used on landscaping, check … Continue Reading
Newport Beach Temporarily Waives City Building Permit and Plan Check Fees
Attention Newport Beach homeowners – the City of Newport Beach is temporarily waiving City Building Permit and Plan Check Fees. For anyone sitting on the fence (so-to-speak) of a home improvement project, of any scale, this might be an exceptional inducement, saving potentially thousands of dollars in your overall project expenses. This could be the … Continue Reading
Key Advertising Rules For REALTORS®, Teams and Brokers
Attention Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Orange County consumers, as well as REALTORS®, Teams and Brokers, there are key real estate advertising rules often being violated. One need only open a newspaper’s real estate advertising supplement, or read a recent letter or flyer received at home from an agent “with buyers looking for a home … Continue Reading
Thinking of For Sale By Owner (FSBO)???
Real Estate Attorney Devin Lucas can facilitate your For Sale by Owner or private sale with ease and security. We do countless For Sale by Owner, private sale and family sales throughout the state of California – it is a significant part of our business. Learn more about how we may be able to assist … Continue Reading
California Median Home Prices by County…
Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Orange County real estate owners and buyers, here’s a neat graphic from the California Association of REALTORS® showing the median home prices by county throughout California. They’re up, across the board. While great news for owners and sellers, more frustration for buyers. These statistics (like all statistics really) are somewhat … Continue Reading
Home Remodel 101 – Do Not Over Customize Unless You Plan to Stay
Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Orange County homebuyers love an updated property. Homeowners are wise to invest in occasional updating and remodeling, which is almost always a great idea, with many projects (such as tasteful kitchens and bathrooms) often instantly raising a home’s resale value. Be cautious however, as some remodeling projects go too … Continue Reading
Short Sale Debt Forgiveness In California Is Not Subject to State or Federal Income Tax
Finally settling a looming issue for many underwater homeowners, according to new clarifications from the IRS and California’s Franchise Tax Board (FTB), short sales in California are generally not subject to state or federal income tax pertaining to the cancellation of debt. (I.e. if you bought your home for $500,000.00 and “short sell” for $400,000.00 … Continue Reading
Orange County Ranked No. 2 in Nationwide Housing Recovery
More great news for Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Orange County housing as Orange County was ranked No. 2 in housing recovery, nationwide, in a recent analysis by realtor.com. Six California cities made the Top 10 list, further highlighting the robust desirability of California real estate. -Devin Lucas Author Devin R. Lucas is a Real … Continue Reading
