Guides
Plain answers to hard questions.
Short, direct answers to what homeowners, sellers and buyers ask Joe most.
What is a Notice of Default in California?
A Notice of Default (NOD) is the lender's formal, recorded warning that you have broken your mortgage contract.
Read the answerGuideHow long does foreclosure take in California?
As a rule of thumb, about 210 days from your first missed payment.
Read the answerGuideCalifornia AB 2424, explained.
AB 2424 lets a California homeowner postpone a scheduled foreclosure sale in two steps.
Read the answerGuideWholesaler or real cash buyer?
Many "we buy houses for cash" offers come from wholesalers.
Read the answerGuideDo you need a Realtor for new construction?
Yes, in most cases.
Read the answerGuideBehind on your mortgage? Do this first.
Don't isolate yourself, and don't stop communicating with the lender.
Read the answerGuideLoan Modification or Short Sale: Which Is Right for You in California?
A loan modification changes your mortgage terms so you can keep the home.
Read the answerGuideHow Does a Short Sale Work in California?
In a California short sale, you sell your home for less than you owe and your lender agrees to accept the proceeds.
Read the answerGuideWhat Is a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure in California?
A deed in lieu of foreclosure is an agreement where you voluntarily transfer ownership of your home to the lender to avoid the foreclosure process.
Read the answerGuideCan I Stop a Foreclosure Auction in California?
Often, yes, if you act before the sale.
Read the answerGuideDo You Owe Money After a Foreclosure in California?
Usually not on the first mortgage.
Read the answerGuideHow Soon Can You Buy a House After a Short Sale or Foreclosure?
It depends on the loan.
Read the answerGuideWhat Happens to a Reverse Mortgage When the Owner Dies?
When the last borrower on a reverse mortgage dies, the loan comes due.
Read the answerGuideHow Does Prop 19 Affect Property Tax on an Inherited House?
Since February 16, 2021, Prop 19 lets a child keep a parent's low property tax base on the family home only if the child makes it a primary residence within one year and files for the homeowners' exemption.
Read the answerGuideDo You Pay Capital Gains Tax When You Sell Your Home in California?
Often not on the first $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 for married couples filing jointly, if you owned and lived in the home for at least 2 of the last 5 years.
Read the answerGuideWhat Do Sellers Have to Disclose in California?
Most California sellers must give buyers a Transfer Disclosure Statement covering known defects and conditions such as unpermitted work, flooding, soil problems, lawsuits and HOA issues.
Read the answerGuideWhat Are Seller Closing Costs in Ventura County?
Ventura County sellers typically pay the real estate commission they agreed to, their share of escrow and title charges, the county documentary transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000 of the sale price, loan payoffs, and prorated property taxes and HOA dues.
Read the answerGuideProbate Sale vs Trust Sale in California: What's the Difference?
A trust sale is handled by the successor trustee without court involvement, much like a normal sale.
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