photo of couple with real estate agent at a kitchen table reviewing documents

The Ultimate Home Seller Checklist: Newport-Mesa Edition

  • April 16, 2025
  • devinlucas

Thinking of selling your home in Newport Beach or Costa Mesa?
From pricing and preparation to marketing and negotiation, our Ultimate Home Seller Checklist walks you through every step of the process—backed by the local expertise of Lucas Real Estate Group. Whether you’re handling a trust sale, family transfer, or traditional listing, we help you maximize value while minimizing stress.

Think Your Property Tax Bill is High? Check Out Orange County’s Biggest Bills!

  • March 12, 2025
  • devinlucas

Think Your Property Tax Bill is High? These OC Landowners Pay Millions!

Before you complain about your tax bill, consider this—Irvine Company alone pays $192 million in property taxes this year. Disney? $81.5 million.

The Top 20 taxpayers contribute nearly $500 million, funding schools, roads, and public safety. Yet, Orange County only gets 5 cents of every tax dollar, far less than LA (21 cents) and San Diego (12 cents).

“Without these contributions, many local agencies wouldn’t have the funds for public services,” says OC Treasurer Shari Freidenrich.

Want to see the biggest tax bills in OC? Read on.

bag of money next to up arrow and a model house (inferring housing prices going up)

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.

paperwork with person completing by hand

When Are Sellers Exempt From Certain Disclosures in California Real Estate?

  • November 19, 2024
  • devinlucas

California law requires real estate sellers to disclose known material facts about their property, even when certain exemptions apply. While some sellers—like trustees, fiduciaries, or those involved in court-ordered sales—may be exempt from completing forms such as the Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS), they are still obligated to disclose any defects that could impact the property’s value. Learn how exemptions work, when they apply, and why tools like the Exempt Seller Disclosure Form are essential for compliance. For trustees, explore our detailed guide to their specific disclosure requirements. Whether you’re selling in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, or other coastal Orange County communities, Lucas Real Estate ensures your transaction is smooth, compliant, and stress-free.

beach house at sunset

Tips for Buying a Vacation Property: Destination Relaxation

  • October 27, 2024
  • devinlucas

Thinking about buying a vacation home in Newport Beach? From budgeting and location to long-term considerations, there’s a lot to think about before diving in. Our latest blog covers key tips to help you make a smart investment in your ideal getaway. Discover how to find the perfect vacation property and start planning your dream retreat!

Photo of the Trend Report Magazine propped up

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Trend Report 2024

  • January 24, 2024
  • devinlucas

The Trend Report, published by the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury® program, curates high-net-worth consumer insights generated from a Censuswide survey, along with supporting data from the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, Wealth-X, and other top experts to uncover the latest luxury home trends driving the market now and in the future. View the full report … Continue Reading

home in the winter with nice evening lights

Why Winter Is a Good Time To List Your Home

  • January 23, 2024
  • devinlucas

If you’ve been thinking about selling your home in the winter months, there’s no reason for cold feet. Now is the perfect time to get ahead of the spring rush and take advantage of today’s fast-paced market. As you make your decision, consider the many benefits that come with listing during the off-season.

Map os USA showing high cost areas.

FHFA Announces 2024 Conforming Loan Limits

  • December 15, 2023
  • devinlucas

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced it will increase the 2024 conforming loan limits for mortgages acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to $766,550 on one-unit properties and a cap of $1,149,825, in high-cost areas (including Orange and Los Angeles counties).

map of eastside costa mesa home sales as of december 2023

Eastside Costa Mesa Activity Report as of December 3, 2023

  • December 12, 2023
  • devinlucas

Here is your latest Eastside Costa Mesa Activity Report as of December 3, 2023, analyzing data as it affects a specific market area. The Market Summary below offers a look at sales activity for the prior month and year, along with current and past year-to-date statistics. The graphs cover several different aspects of the real estate market. Note how some of the graphs break out trends by price increments.