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.

Buying a Home as a Married Couple in Orange County: Title, Taxes and Your Down Payment

How should a married couple take title to a home in California?Most married couples do best with community property with right of survivorship. It avoids probate and gets a full step-up in basis at the first death. Document any separate-property down payment before closing. When a married couple buy

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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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Refinancing and Retitling the House After Divorce in Orange County

If I keep the house in an Orange County divorce, how do I get my ex off the mortgage and the title? Two separate steps, usually completed together in 1 escrow. The mortgage is changed by refinancing into a loan in your name alone, which releases your ex from the debt. The title is changed by recordi

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