A professional real estate marketing graphic featuring a high-end home in the background with the centered text: “Can I Sell My House To My Child Below Fair Market Value? / Can I Do A Gift Of Equity?” The Lucas Real Estate Group logo is displayed prominently and untouched, maintaining a transparent background. The overall design is clean, elegant, and suitable for upscale branding on social media and websites.

Can I Sell My House To My Child (Or Anyone) Below Fair Market Value? / Can I Do A Gift Of Equity?

  • May 25, 2025
  • devinlucas

Can I Sell My House to My Child Below Fair Market Value?

Yes — and in fact, many families are doing exactly that using a strategy called a gift of equity. This powerful estate planning tool allows parents to sell a home to a child at a discounted price, gifting the difference — often with no immediate tax consequences. But there are critical rules to follow regarding IRS gift limits, capital gains, property tax reassessment under Prop 19, and proper loan structuring if financing is involved.

Whether you’re in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, or anywhere in coastal Orange County, this guide breaks down everything you need to know — including real-world examples, IRS rules, and expert insights from Lucas Real Estate.

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.

waterfront homes with text overlay of "partition actions in California"

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.

Prop 19 inflation adjustment info graphic with picture of house

Proposition 19 Update (2025): Intergenerational Transfer Cap Rises to $1,044,586

  • April 30, 2025
  • devinlucas

Proposition 19’s intergenerational transfer cap has been adjusted to $1,044,586 as of February 16, 2025, offering only modest relief for families hoping to preserve their property tax basis. For high-value areas like Newport Beach and Coastal Orange County, this minor inflation adjustment does little to mitigate the harsh tax implications of Prop 19. Learn what this means for your family and how Lucas Real Estate Group can help you plan strategically.

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Navigating Fair Market Rent Calculations During California’s Price Gouging Protections

  • January 27, 2025
  • devinlucas

Under California Penal Code Section 396, rental price increases during a declared state of emergency are limited to 10%, with the base rent determined by prior rental history or fair market rent (FMR) as defined by HUD. If a property hasn’t been rented in the past year, the allowable base rent defaults to 160% of the HUD fair market rent. The choice between county-wide FMRs and Small Area FMRs (SAFMRs) depends on local market conditions, with SAFMRs providing more granular, ZIP code-specific data.

last will and testament white printer paper

Understanding Heggstad Petitions: Securing Real Property for Your Trust

  • August 18, 2024
  • devinlucas

In Newport Beach and Coastal Orange County, it’s not uncommon for property owners to overlook transferring real estate into a trust before passing. A Heggstad petition can resolve this issue by allowing the property to be added to the trust without going through probate. Discover how Lucas Real Estate can assist you in securing your real property efficiently and effectively.

a scrabble arrangement spelling "probate"

Understanding Probate

  • July 2, 2024
  • devinlucas

Navigating probate in Newport Beach and the Orange County coastal areas can be complex, especially in the luxury real estate market. Our guide simplifies the process, ensuring your high-end property transactions are smooth and legally sound. Learn how probate affects property sales, the necessary documentation, and the steps involved in estate administration. Whether you’re a homeowner, buyer, or real estate professional, understanding probate is crucial for seamless transactions in the upscale Newport Beach market.

Transfer on Death Deed

California’s New(ish) Transfer on Death Deed May Be An Ideal Solution For Easy Estate Planning, But Carries a Host of New Requirements for Compliance and Has Limitations

  • July 16, 2023
  • devinlucas

This is an update to our earlier article on the 2016 implication of the Transfer on Death Deed in California.  What is a Transfer on Death Deed Simply put, a Transfer on Death Deed (or “Revokable Transfer on Death Deed” or “TOD”) it is a deed, recorded on your property’s title, that allows for a … Continue Reading