California has no state transfer tax (counties and cities may charge one), does not require an attorney at closing and requires a seller disclosure form. It allows both court and out-of-court foreclosure and is a community property state.
California in short
Is there a real estate transfer tax in California?
California has no state transfer tax. Counties may charge $0.55 per $500 of value under the Documentary Transfer Tax Act, and cities such as Los Angeles add their own, with Measure ULA adding 4% or 5.5% on very high-priced sales.
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What closing costs does California law set?
California has no official typical closing-cost total. Transfer taxes are set by county and city, for example $1.10 per $1,000 in Los Angeles County plus $4.50 per $1,000 in the City of Los Angeles, or $5,600 on a $1,000,000 home.
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How is property tax calculated in California?
California limits the general property tax to 1% of assessed value under Proposition 13, and assessed value can rise at most 2% a year until a change of ownership or new construction. In Los Angeles tax rate area 00004 the 2026-27 total is 1.185825%.
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What is the deadline to appeal a property tax assessment in California?
In Los Angeles County, California, the regular 2026 assessment appeal period runs from July 2 to November 30, 2026, filed with the Assessment Appeals Board (non-refundable $46 fee, hardship waiver available), and a supplemental assessment must be appealed within 60 days of the mailing date on the notice or bill.
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Do you need a real estate attorney to close in California?
No. California home sales close through escrow, and the Escrow Law lets licensed escrow companies, title insurers, banks, brokers and attorneys hold escrows, so no attorney is required. A written fee contract is required if a lawyer is hired and fees will exceed $1,000 (Bus. & Prof. Code 6148).
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What must a home seller disclose in California?
A California seller must deliver a Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement (Civil Code 1102.6) and a Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement (1103.2). If either arrives after the offer, the buyer may cancel within 3 days of in-person delivery or 5 days if mailed or sent electronically.
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How does foreclosure work in California?
Most California foreclosures are non-judicial trustee's sales: at least three months must pass after the notice of default, then a notice of sale at least 20 days before the auction. Counting the federal 120-day wait, the legal minimum is about seven and a half months.
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What first-time home buyer programs does California offer?
In California, the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) lends first-time buyers up to 3.5% of the price with an FHA loan or 3% with a conventional loan through MyHome. Its Dream For All loan (up to 20%, capped at $150,000) closed to new applications on March 16, 2026.
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Is California a community property state?
California is a community property state: a home a married person acquires during marriage while living in California is presumed community property (Family Code 760), and both spouses must sign to sell or encumber it (Family Code 1102).
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Which natural hazards affect home insurance in California?
A standard California homeowners policy does not cover earthquake damage. Insurers must offer earthquake coverage (Insurance Code 10081), and the FAIR Plan sells limited fire coverage up to $3 million for residential policyholders.
California guides
- Closing costs in California: what buyers and sellers pay
- Real estate transfer tax in California and Los Angeles
- California property tax: Prop 13, exemptions and LA rates
- What must a home seller disclose in California?
- Do you need a real estate attorney to close in California?
- How does foreclosure work in California?
- Home prices in California and Los Angeles: median value and trend
- First-time home buyer programs in California and Los Angeles
- How to verify a real estate license in California
- Community property and buying a home in California (state-specific topic)
- Natural hazards and home insurance in California (state-specific topic)
- Buying a rental property in California: tenant rules to know (state-specific topic)