A high-end Mediterranean-style estate at twilight with warm interior lights, arched windows, and a serene pool in the foreground. Overlaid text reads “Installment Sales for Real Estate in California.” The Lucas Real Estate Group logo is displayed prominently at the bottom, unaltered, maintaining its transparent background and clean design.

Installment Sales for Real Estate in California

  • May 22, 2025
  • devinlucas

Explore how installment sales—also known as seller financing or carryback notes—can offer powerful tax deferral strategies and negotiation leverage in today’s luxury and investment real estate market. From federal and California tax rules to practical pros and cons, this guide breaks down what every Newport Beach and Orange County property owner should know about using installment sales to close more complex transactions with confidence.

Promotional graphic for Lucas Real Estate Group featuring the centered headline "Structured Installment Sales – A Niche Strategy for Tax Deferral" over a modern luxury home with clean architectural lines, expansive windows, and a reflecting pool. The Lucas Real Estate Group logo is displayed prominently at the bottom.

Structured Installment Sales in Real Estate: A Niche Strategy for Tax Deferral

  • May 22, 2025
  • devinlucas

Structured Installment Sales offer real estate sellers a niche tax-deferral strategy with long-term income potential. Learn how this IRS-approved method, backed by IRC § 453, works — and how Lucas Real Estate Group helps Newport Beach and Costa Mesa clients implement it seamlessly.

Professional graphic promoting real estate tax benefits through Real Estate Professional Tax Status, featuring the Lucas Real Estate Group logo on a clean, upscale background with elegant, modern design elements.

Real Estate Professional Tax Status: Maximize Tax Benefits in Newport Beach & Orange County

  • May 22, 2025
  • devinlucas

If you own rental property in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, or coastal Orange County—or if you’re a high-income earner looking for strategic tax savings—qualifying as a Real Estate Professional under IRS rules could unlock major benefits. From deducting real estate losses against your W-2 income to avoiding the 3.8% Medicare tax on rental profits, REP status can significantly reduce your tax liability. But strict documentation and time-based tests apply, and California doesn’t follow the same rules. Learn what qualifies, what doesn’t, and how to stay compliant in this essential guide.

Promotional graphic for Lucas Real Estate Group featuring the headline “1031 Exchanges with Limited Partnership Owners” over a background image of a modern high-rise building with beige stone cladding and glass balconies, accompanied by the Lucas Real Estate Group logo at the bottom.

Can You 1031 Exchange Out of a Limited Partnership That Owns Real Estate? Not Directly — But There Are Workarounds

  • May 16, 2025
  • devinlucas

Can you complete a 1031 exchange if you only own a limited partnership interest in real estate? Not directly—but strategic solutions like the “drop and swap” may provide a path forward. In this article, we explore the legal and tax complexities of navigating 1031 exchanges from within a partnership, with a focus on opportunities in high-value markets like Newport Beach.

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Partition Actions in California: What You Need to Know (and How to Avoid Them)

  • May 13, 2025
  • devinlucas

When co-owners of real estate can’t agree on what to do with a property, a partition action may be the only option — but it’s rarely the best first step. In this article, we break down how partition actions work in California, explain recent changes under the Partition of Real Property Act, and share how Lucas Real Estate Group helps clients avoid costly litigation through strategic planning, buyouts, and trusted legal referrals.

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How Remote Work Has Changed the Real Estate Landscape

  • May 12, 2025
  • devinlucas

Five years after the shift to remote work, homebuyers across Newport Beach, Eastside Costa Mesa, and surrounding coastal communities are rethinking what it means to live—and work—at home. From multifunctional floor plans and tech-integrated upgrades to outdoor office retreats, today’s luxury buyers are prioritizing properties that support a seamless work-life balance. Discover how remote work is shaping real estate trends and what features are now must-haves in the Southern California market.

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Update on a Newport Beach Icon: Balboa Island Ferry Going Electric? — With Help From a $7.9M Grant

  • May 9, 2025
  • devinlucas

The historic Balboa Island Ferry is here to stay—and it’s going electric. Backed by a $7.9 million grant and growing community support, the ferry is preparing for a zero-emission future while remaining fully operational. Learn how this transition impacts Newport Beach real estate and how Lucas Real Estate Group is keeping you connected to what matters most in coastal living.

nice pool home backyard with text overlay "governor extends protection from predatory real estate speculators in la fire impacted areas.

Ban on Predatory Real Estate Offers Related to LA Fires Extended Through July 1

  • May 9, 2025
  • devinlucas

Ban on Predatory Real Estate Offers Extended
Governor Newsom has extended through July 1, 2025 the executive order prohibiting unsolicited, undervalued real estate offers to homeowners in firestorm-affected Los Angeles ZIP codes. This crucial protection targets predatory investor behavior aimed at vulnerable property owners still recovering from disaster.

While this new order applies to property sales, it’s important to note that rental price caps and eviction protections remain in effect under earlier executive actions.

📖 Read our full article to learn how these protections impact real estate professionals, landlords, and property owners throughout Southern California.

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Forming an LLC to Hold Real Estate in California

  • May 6, 2025
  • devinlucas

Thinking about forming an LLC to hold real estate in California? Discover why LLCs are a powerful tool for privacy, asset protection, estate planning, and tax flexibility—especially for high-value properties in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Corona del Mar, and other Orange County coastal communities. This comprehensive guide from Lucas Real Estate Group covers everything from liability and tax benefits to Prop 19 strategies and long-term maintenance considerations.

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California Homestead Exemption: Protecting Your Home Equity in Newport Beach and Coastal Orange County

  • May 6, 2025
  • devinlucas

California’s homestead exemption—recently expanded and indexed for inflation—offers powerful legal protections for homeowners, especially in high-value areas like Newport Beach and Eastside Costa Mesa. In this article, the Lucas Real Estate Group breaks down the history of the homestead exemption, recent legal updates, and how to use it effectively as part of your real estate or estate planning strategy.