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.

Sell Now or Keep It for the Kids? The Tax Math on a Long-Held Newport Beach Home

Should a senior sell a long-held Newport Beach home or keep it for the heirs?It depends on the tax math. Selling now can trigger capital gains above the $250,000 or $500,000 exclusion. Holding gives heirs a step-up in basis, but can cost you cash flow and them a Prop 19 reassessment. If you bought y

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What It Really Costs to Retire in Orange County (and Why So Many Still Choose It)

People who ask me about retiring in Orange County usually skip the lifestyle part. They already know about the weather and the coast. What they want to know is the price. What does it actually cost to live here once the paycheck stops, and what do you get for that money? I'm a CPA as well as a Realt

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Big House vs. Simple Life in Newport Beach: The Real Annual Cost of Each

Most downsizing conversations start with feelings. As a CPA, I usually start somewhere else: what does each home actually cost you to own for 1 year? When you put a large Newport Beach house and a smaller condo or townhome side by side, line by line, the answer is often not what people expect. Somet

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