Trusts are no longer considered a reportable “Legal Entity”; therefore, the requirements for submitting may be ignored.
[Read more…] about FinCEN Update: Trusts are no longer considered a “Legal Entity”
Southern California’s Leading Escrow Company
Trusts are no longer considered a reportable “Legal Entity”; therefore, the requirements for submitting may be ignored.
[Read more…] about FinCEN Update: Trusts are no longer considered a “Legal Entity”
Halloween is an exciting time to attract attention from home buyers by getting creative with your next open house, especially if the neighborhood is filled with families with young children!
[Read more…] about Tips To Attract Buyers To Your Open House This Halloween!
Wire fraud is one of the fastest growing cybercrimes in the United States.
An emerging financial cyber threat called business e-mail compromise (BEC) is a multifaceted global fraud scheme that targets businesses and their clients. Highly sophisticated techniques include spear-phishing, social engineering, e-mail spoofing, identity theft, and the use of malware. Cybercriminals forge the identity of a company or an employee or person you know. The cybercriminal will send you an email with new wire instructions to the criminal’s bank account. [Read more…] about Read Our 10 Tips To Protect Yourself From Cybercriminals.
Title is the concept we use in real estate to define the actual ownership rights that someone has to a property.
California offers different options for title ownership, each of which has significant and different tax and legal consequences. Before you close, you should determine which form of title will be optimal for you and those closest to you. Here’s our quick guide to each form of holding title in California.
Download our quick guide to holding title and property ownership in CA.
[Read more…] about How to Hold Title: A Brief Guide to Property Ownership in California
A deed is a legal document that transfers title to a new holder of a property. The deed is the vehicle for transferring a title, but is not the title itself. The signing of a deed must be notarized and filed in the public record in order to make the document binding in the court of law.
Your escrow officer will help you determine which type of deed to file. The information below outlines the specifications of each. [Read more…] about Understanding Your Deed: The Grant Deed, The Quitclaim Deed, and Interspousal Deed
The California Bureau of Real Estate (CalBRE) will cease to exist and will become the Department of Real Estate (DRE), effective July 1, 2018.
On October 15, 2017, Governor Brown signed SB 173, which:
The California Department of Real Estate became a bureau on July 1, 2013, as part of a government reorganization plan instituted in 2012. The consolidation of California agencies was intended to streamline government services and save money.
So, brokers and agents, be prepared to welcome back the DRE and embark on another mission to update your business materials in conformance with new government changes. The change is not expected to impact consumers, licensees or license.
VENTURA COUNTY—Escrow of the West is pleased to announce the grand opening of its newest branch located at 2659 Townsgate Rd., Suite 200, Westlake Village, CA 91361. In addition to the company’s current reputable offices in Beverly Hills and Woodland Hills, Escrow of the West’s beautifully designed Westlake Village office marks the exciting extension into the Conejo Valley.
[Read more…] about Escrow of the West Extends Escrow Services to Ventura County
Property taxes are assessed in California on an annual basis. Late fees can add up quickly, and, in a worst-case scenario, could eventually culminate in a lien on your property.
Paying your property taxes is a straightforward process, if you know when each step will occur. One of the first things you want to do when you enter into a real estate transaction–as either buyer or seller–is to know the property tax schedule so that you stay current on your payment.
Download a free California Property Tax calendar, so you’ll never miss a deadline.
The California state property tax fiscal year begins on July 1st. Owners receive a notice of their home’s assessed value by the end of July; the official bill is mailed the week of October 1st.
Property owners are permitted to pay their property taxes in two equal installments. Taxes for the months of July through December are due November 1st, with a late fee of 10% added if your payment is not postmarked by December 10th.
Then, taxes for January through June are due by February 1st, with a late fee of 10% plus $10 added if you haven’t paid by April 10th. Of course, you can also simply pay your entire bill in one installment if you choose.
There are a few exemptions for homeowners, veterans, and senior citizens that can reduce property taxes; exemptions must be filed annually by April 15.
Finally– and this is what you want to avoid–if you haven’t paid your property taxes by June 8th, your name is added to the delinquent taxes list. Once your name is on the list, you still have a small window to pay your property tax bill, albeit with penalty fees, but at least you won’t be considered in default of paying your taxes.
If your payment is not received by the end of the fiscal year (June 30th), you’ll be officially delinquent and charged an additional fee of 1.5% per month, plus $15. Delinquency fees can add up quickly, and being on this list can also affect your credit rating.
Download a free California Property Tax calendar, so you’ll never miss a deadline.
At Escrow of the West, we take pride in keeping buyers, sellers, and realtors up-to-date on California real estate trends and regulations. Our superior customer service and knowledgeable staff are what makes us one of the leading escrow providers for homeowners and real estate professionals in Southern California.
Meet our team of escrow officers or call 866-444-5560 to speak to a representative today.