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.

What Your First Orange County Home Really Costs Each Month (and the Programs That Help)

What does a first home really cost each month in Orange County?Far more than the mortgage payment. On a $1,000,000 condo with 10% down at about 7%, principal and interest is roughly $6,000, and taxes, HOA, insurance and mortgage insurance can push the total past $8,000. First-time buyers in Orange C

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Orange County Property Taxes: Prop 13, Supplemental Bills and Mello-Roos

Photo: T M on Unsplash How are property taxes calculated in Orange County?In Orange County, California, you pay a 1% base tax on your assessed value plus voter-approved debt and any special assessments. Prop 13 resets that value when you buy and caps yearly increases at 2%. If you are moving to Oran

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Why does mortgage pre-approval matter so much in Orange County?

Why does mortgage pre-approval matter so much in Orange County? In Orange County and Newport Beach, mortgage pre-approval is a critical first step before you tour a single home. Because home values here rank among the highest in California, pre-approval confirms your borrowing capacity, signals fina

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