Protecting Your Home from Title Fraud: Can Someone Really Steal the Title to Your Property?
Another homeowner reached out to me today again, concerned about their property title. With so much talk about title theft on TV and social media, it’s a growing concern. Fortunately, there are free and reliable ways to stay informed and protect your home—without unnecessary costs. Learn how to safeguard your property with the Los Angeles County Assessor’s free Homeowner Alert program.
Big Changes Coming to the Westside and South Bay: What New Zoning Rules Mean for Real Estate
Big changes are coming to the Westside and South Bay regions of Los Angeles County! Recent zoning updates could bring nearly 11,000 new homes to unincorporated areas, focusing on transit-friendly development and revitalizing underutilized spaces. These changes open up exciting opportunities for homeowners and investors while addressing the region’s housing shortage. Stay informed to make the most of these upcoming transformations!
Protecting Your Property from Adverse Possession in California
Adverse possession is not very common in California, but it can still occur, particularly in cases where property is left unattended or boundaries are unclear. Adverse possession allows a person to legally claim ownership of land if they meet specific conditions, including continuous and exclusive occupation for at least five years and payment of property taxes.
Understanding Partition Actions in California Real Estate
Partition actions are a legal remedy used when co-owners of a property cannot agree on its disposition. This lawsuit allows one co-owner to force the division or sale of the property, ensuring all parties' interests are fairly considered. Common in California, partition actions help resolve real estate conflicts through a court trial where a judge determines each party's interest and the best method of partition.
Protecting Your Real Estate Investment: Avoiding Wire Fraud
Learn how to recognize common fraud indicators and protect yourself from similar scams. Stay vigilant, verify all wiring instructions, and use encrypted communication. Read more about her experience and essential safety tips on CNBC.
Protect Your Home: How to Tackle Common Title Issues Head-On
Owning a home is a significant achievement, but it comes with responsibilities, including ensuring your property has a clear title. Title issues can arise unexpectedly, from outstanding liens and errors in public records to unknown heirs and boundary disputes.
Understanding Power of Attorney (POA) Forms: Types and Uses in Real Estate
Navigating real estate transactions can be challenging, especially when sellers are out of the country. A Power of Attorney (POA) can streamline the process. This legal document allows one person to authorize another to act on their behalf, handling everything from financial decisions to property transactions.
Understanding California's Non-Judicial Foreclosure Timeline
Foreclosure can be a daunting process, but understanding the steps involved can make it more manageable. In California, the non-judicial foreclosure process is the most common method used. Here's a brief overview of the key steps and timeline:
Navigating California’s Supplemental Property Tax: What Every Real Estate Professional and Homeowner Needs to Know
As a real estate professional, you know how important it is to guide your clients through every step of the home-buying process. But once the deal is closed, there’s one more crucial piece of information they need to be aware of: California’s supplemental property tax. Whether they’ve just purchased a home or completed new construction, understanding this tax bill is essential.
California’s Transfer on Death Deed: Simplifying Property Transfer
In California, homeowners can use the Transfer on Death (TOD) deed to transfer property to heirs without probate. This simple and flexible alternative avoids the complications of joint tenancy, such as higher taxes and refinancing issues. The TOD deed allows property transfer upon the owner's death while maintaining full control during their lifetime.
Understanding CC&Rs and Their Impact on Title Insurance and Home Buying
Navigating the world of home buying involves more than just finding the perfect house. Understanding Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) is crucial, as they dictate what you can and can't do with your property. These rules, set by homeowner's associations or developers, can impact everything from house colors to parking rules.
Understanding the Uninsured Deed Affidavit: When and Why It's Required
When reviewing a Preliminary Report, you may see an exception related to a prior deed together with a requirement for evidence and/or documentation addressing that exception.
Understanding Different Types of Deed Forms in California.
When it comes to transferring title to real property, there are several options available to individuals or entities. Three of the most commonly used forms of deeds in California are quitclaim deeds, grant deeds, and revocable transfer upon death deeds.
California’s Homestead Exemption Bill’s Impact on Title and Escrow
AB 1885, which took effect on January 1, 2021, increased the amount of financial protection. The homeowner exemption amount is based upon the countywide median sale price for a single-family home in the calendar year prior to the year the judgment debtor claims the exemption.
Understanding the Foreclosure Process and REO Transactions.
When a borrower defaults on his loan, the bank can take back the property which is the collateral or security for its loan. Most lenders do not want to own these properties, because the maintenance and management expenses add to their costs and decrease profitability. This climate creates a favorable environment for both investors and residential home buyers who are searching for a good deal.
Understanding the Probate Process and what does it actually mean?
Probate is the judicial process whereby a will is "proved" in a court of law and accepted as a valid public document that is the true last testament of the deceased, or whereby the estate is settled according to the laws of intestacy in the state of residence of the deceased at time of death in the absence of a legal will.
You are in Escrow now, so what happens next?
Once the agreement is accepted and signed by all parties, escrow will open. Earnest money will then be deposited, and the escrow company will handle all funds associated with the transaction.
Reading and Understanding a Plat Map for Los Angeles County
A plat map, also known as a “plat,” shows you how a tract of land is divided into lots in your county. It is drawn to scale and records the land’s size, boundary locations, nearby streets, flood zones, and any easements or rights of way.
Understanding Title Insurance and Who needs it?
WHY TITLE INSURANCE?
Title insurance for property owners, called an Owner’s Policy, is usually issued in the amount of the real estate purchase. It is purchased for a one-time fee at closing and is valid for as long as the owner or his heirs have an interest in the property.
UNDERSTANDING LIVING TRUSTS
What is a Living Trust? Sometimes called an Inter-vivos Trust, the Living Trust is created during the lifetime of the Settlors (as opposed to being created by their Wills after death) and usually terminates after they die and the body of the Trust is distributed to their beneficiaries.