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Opportunity Zones Explained: How to Defer and Potentially Eliminate Capital Gains Taxes in Real Estate

  • May 25, 2025
  • devinlucas

The federal Opportunity Zone program offers one of the most compelling tax incentives for real estate investors and individuals with capital gains. By reinvesting gains into a Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF), you may defer—and potentially eliminate—federal capital gains taxes while investing in long-term real estate or business projects. Learn how the program works, what qualifies, and why now may be the right time to take advantage.

A digital photograph featuring five wooden house models of increasing size on a polished wooden surface, with soft indoor lighting and a blurred neutral background. Centered above the houses is the text “BONUS DEPRECIATION FOR REAL ESTATE,” and below it is the Lucas Real Estate Group logo with a minimalist house outline and refined serif lettering. The overall design is professional, high-end, and well-spaced for social media or website display.

Bonus Depreciation and Real Estate: What Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Orange County Property Owners Need to Know (2025 Edition)

  • May 25, 2025
  • devinlucas

2025 Bonus Depreciation Is Fading Fast—Here’s What Real Estate Investors Need to Know

Bonus depreciation has been a powerful tool for reducing real estate tax liability, but it’s phasing out—with only 40% allowed in 2025 and 0% by 2027 unless Congress acts. Learn how investors in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Orange County can still use bonus depreciation for property improvements and short-lived assets—before it’s too late. Timing is everything.

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.

A professional promotional graphic featuring the Lucas Real Estate Group logo centered above the text “Exploring the ‘Prop 19 LLC Workaround’” on a sophisticated, high-end background. Designed at 1200×644 pixels with balanced spacing for website and social media use.

Can You Still Avoid Reassessment After Prop 19? Exploring the “Prop 19 LLC Workaround”

  • May 23, 2025
  • devinlucas

Explore a potential Prop 19 loophole using LLCs to preserve low property tax assessments in California. This detailed guide from Newport Beach-based Lucas Real Estate Group explains the Prop 19 workaround, risks of reassessment, and key legal strategies—including how to avoid triggering reassessment through careful entity structuring. Essential reading for families navigating generational real estate planning in high-value areas.

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Using California Proposition 19 in Divorce: Who Gets the Property Tax Transfer?

  • May 23, 2025
  • devinlucas

Navigating divorce is difficult enough—don’t let California Proposition 19 add to the confusion. Learn how property tax base transfers work under Prop 19 when divorcing spouses own a shared residence. Only one spouse can claim the tax benefit, but the claim form doesn’t ask about divorce—making it essential to plan ahead and document who gets to use it. Lucas Real Estate Group breaks down the rules, risks, and best practices to help you protect your financial future.

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Can You 1031 Exchange Out of an LLC That Owns Real Estate? Not Directly — But There Are Workarounds

  • May 22, 2025
  • devinlucas

Think you can do a 1031 exchange with an LLC interest? Not so fast.
Many investors are surprised to learn that LLC membership interests are excluded from 1031 exchange eligibility under IRS rules. But with proper planning—like “drop and swap” strategies and other structuring techniques—you may still be able to defer taxes. In this article, we break down the risks, workarounds, and best practices for LLC-held real estate in high-value markets like Newport Beach.

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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.

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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.

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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.