Attention Newport Mesa parents…. Davis Magnet School lottery is now open. Newport Mesa Unified School District (serving all of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa) has some amazing schools… including Davis Magnet School. How do I get my child in?… you literally have to win the lottery. Lottery applications are now open – now through March … Continue Reading
This Fall, throughout Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and most Orange County communities, there are more and more active listings and less and less closed sales, leading to a flurry of price reductions and open houses, with sellers eager to make a deal. While by no means a “burst bubble”, there is a clear slowdown of … Continue Reading
Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Orange County and all California homeowners – and potential homeowners – have some significant tax changes to consider and plan for in 2018. H.R. 1, known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which both houses of Congress passed on December 20, 2017, contains a large number of provisions that affect … Continue Reading
Proposition 60 allows the transfer of an existing Proposition 13 base year value from a former residence to a replacement residence within the same county, if certain conditions are met. This benefit is open to homeowners who are at least 55-years old and are able to meet all qualifying conditions, (see below) and applies in … Continue Reading
Consider prepayment of your property taxes in 2017. Newport Beach, California – H.R. 1, known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which both houses of Congress passed on December 20, 2017, contains a large number of provisions that affect individual taxpayers, especially homeowners. As of January 1, 2018 – single or married – you … Continue Reading
Transfer on Death Deed Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Orange County and all California property owners have a new tool to simplify their estate planning. California’s new (2016) Transfer on Death Deed may be an ideal solution for those who own real property in California, want to ensure the property passes smoothly to a named beneficiary … Continue Reading
Forming an LLC (a Limited Liability Company) to hold real estate has long been a common approach for estate planning, tax, liability and privacy concerns. While this practice is perfectly legal in California and elsewhere, there are some considerations and tax implications. High-end properties, especially those purchased in all-cash transactions, such as many homes in … Continue Reading
Rent Increases:Generally speaking (lease provisions must be reviewed), in areas without rent control (all of Orange County as of Summer 2016), there is no limit to the amount a landlord can increase the rent as long as proper advance notice is provided to the tenant. The length of notice is dependent upon the percentage of … Continue Reading
The U.S. Treasury in late July announced its intention to expand its Geographic Targeting Orders (GTO), temporarily requiring U.S. title insurance companies to identify the natural persons behind shell companies used to pay “all cash” for high-end residential real estate in six major metropolitan areas, including five in California. Expanding the GTOs is a continued … Continue Reading
In Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Orange County Communities, where rental properties are abundant, landlords routinely require tenants to obtain “renter’s insurance” – insurance to protect the renter’s personal property, i.e. their T.V., clothing, etc. – in case of a fire, burglary, or other incident. Many landlords take a firm position “requiring” the tenant to … Continue Reading
Lucas Real Estate
2901 West Coast Highway Suite 200 | Newport Beach | California | 92663-4023
info@lucas-real-estate.com | 949.478.1623 office | 949.613.7837 24-hour line | 888.667.6038 fax
Devin Lucas BRE No. 01912302 | Courtney Lucas BRE No. 02015514
Real Estate Agents, Real Estate Transactions & Real Estate Dispute Resolution | Devin Lucas, licensed Real Estate Attorney, Real Estate Broker, REALTOR® | Courtney Lucas, licensed CPA, Real Estate Salesperson, REALTOR®