A real estate contract

Option Agreements in California Real Property Transactions

  • September 10, 2015
  • devinlucas

Most commonly, an “Option Agreement” is a rent-to-own situation, more frequent in a landlord-tenant context. Typically (though 100 percent negotiable), an Option Agreement works like this: The Property Owner (called the “Optionor”) agrees to sell a home and/or parcel of land (the “Real Property”) to the Buyer (called the “Optionee”) at a later date, for … Continue Reading

Fair Housing Foundation Tip of the Month: Rent Increases

  • August 28, 2015
  • devinlucas

Fair Housing Foundation Tip of the Month: Rent Increases In areas without rent control, there is no limit to the amount a landlord can increase the rent, provided it’s done so with proper notice and not being done in retaliation or based on a discriminatory motive.  In Los Angeles County some cities do have rent … Continue Reading

Key Issues in California Landlord-Tenant Law

  • August 27, 2015
  • devinlucas

Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Orange County are abundant rental markets, but landlords must use caution as California laws are extremely harsh on landlords and overly tenant friendly.  I’s must be dotted, and T’s must be crossed.  Sacramento is constantly trying to figure out ways to squeeze property owners, and landlord-tenant laws are among the … Continue Reading

To Drone or Not to Drone in Real Estate Photography? (Tip: Do Not Drone)

  • August 25, 2015
  • devinlucas

In Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Orange County real estate, those aerial shots of high-end properties sure do look fantastic.  But most sellers, photographers and REALTORS® might not realize it’s a blatant violation of current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules to operate drones for commercial purposes (i.e. real estate photography) without a waiver from the … Continue Reading

Push for Cyber Security in Real Estate Transactions

  • August 2, 2015
  • devinlucas

Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Orange County real estate consumers and professionals take note of cyber security issues in real estate transactions.  We all take email for granted. It’s an amazing tool that has impacted and changed the way we all communicate. But until some recent high-profile events, people thought little, if at all, about the security of … Continue Reading

Top 10 Home Projects to Recoup Costs at Resale

  • April 21, 2015
  • devinlucas

Even owners of the finest Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Orange County properties will always have a list of desired improvements to their homes. The top 10 home projects to recoup costs at resale according to Remodeling Magazine and the National Association of REALTORS® Cost vs Value Report include: Entry door replacement; Manufactured stone veneer; … Continue Reading

Home-Remodeling Projects May Require Special Insurance Policies

  • March 15, 2015
  • devinlucas

By Olya Yepremian, Momentous Insurance Brokerage Most homeowners may not realize the impact a renovation project has on their homeowner’s policy and that failure to take appropriate action could result in an uncovered claim. In simple terms, if your home is insured for $10 million and you add $2 million in improvements, you now need insurance … Continue Reading

California Baby Boomers Plan to Stay In Their Homes

  • March 1, 2015
  • devinlucas

Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Orange County and all California baby boomers plan to stay in their homes longer than ever before, according to a 2014 survey from the California Association of REALTORS®.  More than half, 59 percent, have no plans to sell their home after retirement.  78 percent of those surveyed simply like their home … Continue Reading

Smart Home Technology

  • February 24, 2015
  • devinlucas

Attention Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Orange County Home Sellers and Buyers, Smart Home Technology is in! Consumers of all generations value smart technology features in both their current homes and future homes. According to a recent ERA/HGTV survey, nearly half (46 percent) of consumers believe it is important that their current home or next … Continue Reading

Importance of School Districts

  • November 20, 2014
  • devinlucas

Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Orange County homebuyers have a a long list of desires when searching for the perfect home, but how does one decide what is most important?  To more than half of buyers, schools are top of the list!  In fact, schools are so important that the majority of buyers are willing … Continue Reading