What Market Cycles Teach Us About Estate Planning Every few months, headlines seem to swing from optimism to panic — the economy is either booming or on the brink of recession. It’s no wonder people feel uneasy. But the truth is, economic ups and downs are a normal part of the business cycle. The economy…
Real Estate Deed Fraud Is on the Rise—Here’s What You Need to Know Lately, a few clients have asked me about real estate fraud, especially after seeing a recent presentation by El Dorado County Recorder-Clerk Janelle Horne. If you own property—especially property without a mortgage—it’s important to be aware of growing scams targeting California property…
Making Sure Your Title Insurance Covers Your Home in a Trust If you’re thinking about putting your home into a revocable living trust, you might assume your title insurance will automatically stay in place. But that’s not always the case! To make sure your home is still covered, it’s a good idea to check your…
Can Transferring Your Home to a Trust Trigger Your Mortgage? Understanding the Law in California Many California homeowners worry that transferring their home into a trust might trigger their mortgage lender to call the loan due. Fortunately, in most cases, this fear is unfounded—especially when the transfer is made for estate planning purposes. California Law…
Should You Sell, Gift, or Keep Your Home Until Death? A Guide to Making the Right Decision If you’re a homeowner in California, you’ve likely wondered about the best way to pass your property to your loved ones. Should you sell it during your lifetime, gift it now, or hold onto it until death? Each option has tax and financial implications that could impact both you and your heirs. Here’s what you need to know. The Step-Up in Basis: A Key Advantage of Keeping Property Until Death In California, when the owner of…
