Buying a home isn’t just about the price and mortgage — it’s also about understanding what you’ll pay each year in property taxes (and sometimes, Mello-Roos). 🏠 Property Taxes 101 In California, property taxes are typically about 1% of your home’s assessed value, plus any local voter-approved bonds or special assessments. - Your assessed value is based on your purchase price when you buy. - Under Prop 13, that value can only increase by a maximum of 2% per year, protecting you from big tax jumps. - When you sell, the next owner’s taxes reset based on their purchase price, not yours. ✅ Example: If you buy a home for $1,000,000, your annual property tax will likely be around $10,000–$12,000 per year (depending on local add-ons). 🏗️ What Is Mello-Roos? Mello-Roos is an additional tax assessment found in some newer communities. It helps fund infrastructure and public facilities like: - New schools 🏫 - Roads and sidewalks 🛣️ - Parks and fire stations 🌳🚒 You’ll usually see Mello-Roos in master-planned communities or recently developed areas — for example, parts of Eastvale, Rancho Mission Viejo, Irvine, and Yorba Linda. 📅 It’s charged annually with your property tax bill and often lasts 20–40 years, depending on the district’s bonds.💡 You can find the exact Mello-Roos amount in the Preliminary Title Report or the Property Tax Bill before you buy. 📊 Why It Matters When Buying Understanding property taxes and Mello-Roos helps you: - Accurately estimate your monthly payment and total housing cost - Compare communities fairly (some may have lower prices but higher Mello-Roos) - Avoid surprises at closing or after you move in 🧭 Pro Tip When I help clients evaluate homes, we always review the full tax breakdown before writing an offer — so you know exactly what you’re committing to. Curious what the taxes or Mello-Roos look like for a specific home?👉 Drop the address in the comments or DM me, and I’ll pull up the details for you.

Orange County Homebuyer Checklist Buying a home in Southern California is exciting — but the escrow process can feel like a maze. Here’s your week-by-week guide so you know what happens, when, and why it matters. 🗓️ Day 0–3: Opening Escrow - What Happens: The purchase agreement is accepted and escrow is officially opened with your Earnest Money Deposit (usually 3% of the purchase price). - Why It Matters: This secures your intent to buy and locks in timelines. - Your To-Do: Wire your deposit to the escrow company (never via email without verbal confirmation). 🔍 Day 1–7: Inspections & Disclosures - What Happens: Seller provides mandatory disclosures (TDS, SPQ, NHD, HOA docs if applicable) and you schedule home, termite, and any specialty inspections (roof, sewer, pool). - Why It Matters: This is your chance to uncover any property issues before contingencies expire. - Your To-Do: Attend inspections; ask questions about condition, repairs, and potential credits. 💰 Day 5–10: Loan Application & Appraisal - What Happens: Your lender orders the appraisal to confirm the home’s value and underwriting begins to verify your financials. - Why It Matters: A clean appraisal and responsive documentation keep your loan on track. - Your To-Do: Submit updated pay stubs, statements, and documents within 24 hrs of lender requests. ⚖️ Day 10–17: Review Reports & Negotiate Repairs - What Happens: You receive inspection reports and negotiate any repairs or credits and Escrow orders the preliminary title report and homeowners insurance must be selected. - Why It Matters: This is where unexpected costs or repairs are handled. - Your To-Do: Decide if you’ll request repairs or credits and review the title report for liens or easements. 🧾 Day 17–21: Remove Contingencies - What Happens: Contingencies for inspection, appraisal, and loan are typically removed and you commit to closing unless something significant arises. - Why It Matters: After contingency removal, your deposit can be at risk if you cancel. - Your To-Do: Confirm with your agent and lender that all conditions are satisfied before signing removal.

This is your one-stop destination for everything you need to know about buying a home—from your very first search to holding the keys in your hand. Our mission is to empower buyers with clear, step-by-step guidance so you can make confident, informed decisions every step of the way. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, moving up, or downsizing, you’ll find practical resources, easy-to-follow explanations, and insider tips to help you navigate the process. This is more than just information—it’s your personal roadmap to homeownership. Inside this group, you’ll have access to a supportive community where you can learn at your own pace, ask questions without hesitation, and share your own buying experiences to help others on the same journey. We bring in trusted guest speakers from every corner of the industry—lenders, title reps, escrow officers, home inspectors, and more—so you get real-world insights directly from the experts. Think of it as your home buying toolkit, complete with professional advice, shared stories, and a safe space to explore your options before making one of the biggest decisions of your life.

🏡 The 5 Seasons of Housing You Should Know Buying a home isn’t just about the right house—it’s about the right timing. Real estate moves in seasons, and understanding them can give you a major advantage. Here’s how the year typically breaks down: 🌸 Spring Market (Mid-March – End of May) The #1 season for housing. - More homes hit the market. - Buyer demand peaks—everyone wants to move before summer. - Competition is strongest (think multiple offers).💡 If you’re buying: be prepared, pre-approved, and decisive. ☀️ Summer Market (June – Labor Day) The 2nd-best season. - Families time moves around school schedules. - Weather is perfect for showings, open houses, and neighborhood scouting. - Outdoor living spaces really shine.💡 If you’re buying: you’ll see good inventory, but still expect competition. 🍂 Fall/Autumn Market (Labor Day – Mid-November) A quieter but strategic season. - Kids are back in school, people settle back into routines. - Fewer buyers = less competition. - Motivated sellers often price more realistically.💡 If you’re buying: this could mean negotiating power. 🎄 Holiday Market (Mid-November – Early January) The slowest time of year. - Sellers often pull listings off the market. - Very few buyers are active—but those who are, are serious.💡 If you’re buying: this can be a hidden gem season for deals. ❄️ Winter Market (Mid-January – End of February) The “wake up” period before spring. - Sellers who didn’t sell in fall/holidays relist. - Buyers slowly re-enter as rates, life events, and job changes drive moves.💡 If you’re buying: inventory is lower, but there’s less competition and motivated sellers 👉 The key? Each season has its own advantages. It all comes down to your goals, your timeline, and your strategy. Curious which season might give you the best shot at buying your dream home? Drop your timeline in the comments or DM me and I’ll share which market conditions line up with your goals.

Closing costs for a home buyer typically range from 2% to 5% of the home’s purchase price. These costs vary based on location, loan type, and home price. Below is an estimated breakdown of common closing costs for buyers (fees may vary): 1. Loan Origination Fees: ~0.5% to 1% of the loan amount. Covers lender processing and underwriting. 2. Appraisal Fee: $300–$800. Required by lenders to confirm the home’s value. 3. Home Inspection Fee: $300–$500. Optional but recommended to check for property issues. 4. Title Insurance: $500–$2,000. Protects against ownership disputes (buyer typically pays lender’s policy). 5. Title Search/Settlement Fees: $200–$400. Ensures clear title transfer. 6. Escrow/Closing Agent Fees: $500–$1,500. Covers transaction coordination. 7. Property Taxes: Varies; often 1–6 months prepaid at closing. 8. Homeowners Insurance: $300–$1,000 upfront (first year’s premium). 9. Mortgage Points (Optional): 1 point = 1% of loan amount; pays to lower interest rate. 10. Survey Fee: $150–$400 (if required). Confirms property boundaries. 11. Government Recording Fees: $50–$200. For recording the deed and mortgage. 12. HOA/Condo Fees (if applicable): Prorated dues or transfer fees, $100–$500. 13. Negotiations: Some costs (e.g., title insurance) may be split with or covered by the seller. If you have a specific location or home price in mind, I can search for more tailored data—let me know!