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 high-end Mediterranean-style estate at twilight with warm interior lights, arched windows, and a serene pool in the foreground. Overlaid text reads “Installment Sales for Real Estate in California.” The Lucas Real Estate Group logo is displayed prominently at the bottom, unaltered, maintaining its transparent background and clean design.

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.

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.

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.

home office photo with 'how remote work has changed the real estate landscape' overlay.

How Remote Work Has Changed the Real Estate Landscape

  • May 12, 2025
  • devinlucas

Five years after the shift to remote work, homebuyers across Newport Beach, Eastside Costa Mesa, and surrounding coastal communities are rethinking what it means to live—and work—at home. From multifunctional floor plans and tech-integrated upgrades to outdoor office retreats, today’s luxury buyers are prioritizing properties that support a seamless work-life balance. Discover how remote work is shaping real estate trends and what features are now must-haves in the Southern California market.

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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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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.

infographic on "5 Stylish Tips to Elevate Your Small Outdoor Space in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa"

5 Stylish Tips to Elevate Your Small Outdoor Space in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa

  • March 31, 2025
  • devinlucas

Ready to refresh your outdoor space for spring?
Even the smallest patio or balcony can become a stylish retreat with a few thoughtful upgrades. From cozy furniture ideas to creating privacy with lush greenery, we’re sharing five easy ways to elevate your outdoor living—tailored for homes in Newport Beach, Eastside Costa Mesa, and the surrounding coastal communities.

Discover how to turn your space into a sunny sanctuary, whether you’re prepping to sell or simply soaking up the SoCal lifestyle.

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1031 Exchanges and Vacant Properties: Can You Defer Taxes on an Empty Home?

  • March 12, 2025
  • devinlucas

Can a Vacant Property Qualify for a 1031 Exchange?
The IRS focuses on investment intent, not just rental income, to determine eligibility. Key factors include the original purpose of acquisition, tax treatment, marketing efforts, and whether the property was ever used personally. Court cases like Alderson v. Commissioner and Reesink v. Commissioner have ruled that properties held for appreciation—despite never being rented—can still qualify.
Read the full article for key legal precedents and expert guidance.