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.

Savvy Buyer Strategies: The Positive, Calm Way to Win a Home You’ll Actually Love

(Watch the full breakdown in the video above) On a bright Saturday morning in Orange County, my phone rang before I’d finished my coffee. “Dar… we found the one,” the voice said. “But there are a bunch of cars outside. I think we’re about to get into a bidding war.” I could hear the excitement and t

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9 Silent Deal-Killers That Make Buyers Walk Away Instantly

(Watch the full breakdown in the video above) It was a Saturday in Orange County, the kind of day when the sun makes everything look a little more optimistic than it really is. We had two showings back-to-back for a home that should have been an easy sale. Great neighborhood. Solid layout. Nice lot.

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How to Lower Your Home Insurance Cost in California With a Home Inspection

Can a home inspection lower your home insurance cost in California?Yes, in many cases. An inspection focused on the roof, plumbing, electrical and wildfire hardening shows you what insurers will object to. Fixing those items and documenting the work can qualify you for discounts, including the wildf

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