Orange County Real Estate Blog

Straight answers from Dar Mardan, Realtor® + CPA, on selling, buying, taxes, Prop 19 and downsizing in Newport Beach, Irvine and across Orange County.

Already Over-Improved Your Irvine Home? How to Price It and Get It Through the Appraisal

How do you price an Irvine home that is already over-improved? Price it from what comparable homes in your village actually sold for, add only the premium buyers in that price range have shown they will pay, and build an appraisal package that documents every upgrade. Then plan for the appraisal bef

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Selling in Mission Viejo: Which Costs Are Fixed and Which You Can Negotiate

Which seller costs in Mission Viejo are fixed, and which can you negotiate? When you sell a home in Mission Viejo, your loan payoff, the county transfer tax, recording charges, and property tax prorations are fixed by law, by your lender, or by your closing date. Almost everything else is negotiable

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Inherited a Newport Beach Home but Live Out of State? A Checklist for Remote Heirs

How do you handle an inherited Newport Beach home when you live out of state? You do it in 3 stages: protect the house in the first 30 days, meet the property tax deadlines that start at the date of death, and then decide whether to sell, rent, or keep it, using a local team so you don't have to fly

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