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.

Can You Sell Mom's House in a Living Trust Without Probate?

Watch the full breakdown in the video above. Can you sell Mom's house in a living trust without probate in California?Yes. If the house is titled in the trust, the successor trustee can list and sell it with no judge and no probate. The trouble starts when the deed never made it back into the trust.

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Title Insurance in California: What It Covers and Who Pays in Orange County

Photo: Ariel Blanco on Unsplash What does title insurance cover in California, and who pays for it?California title insurance protects against hidden ownership problems, like forged deeds or old liens, for a one-time premium paid at closing. In Orange County, the seller customarily pays for the buye

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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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