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.

How Interest Rates Are Shaping Orange County Home Prices in 2026

Photo: Derek Liang on Unsplash How are interest rates affecting Orange County home prices in 2026?Higher rates have raised monthly payments in Orange County, California, but prices have held up because low-rate owners are staying put and inventory remains tight. The August 2026 median was up 4.9% fr

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Selling a Family Home in Orange County Without Losing Yourself

Selling a long-held family home in Orange County is as much an emotional process as a financial one. Most sellers experience grief-like responses, guilt, and identity loss, especially in a high-value market like Newport Beach where the home often represents decades of memories and a once-in-a-lifeti

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Prop 19 and an Inherited Home: The One-Year Rule That Decides Your Property Tax

Watch the full breakdown in the video above. What happens to property taxes when you inherit a home in California? Under Proposition 19, an inherited California home is reassessed to full market value unless a child moves in as their principal residence within one year and files for the homeowners’

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