Protecting Property: A Guide to Deed Fraud Prevention and Detection
Deed fraud, often referred to as “property theft” or “title theft,” has emerged as a significant threat to property owners, particularly in urban areas with high real estate values.
Yearly Archives: 2024
501(c)(2) Title Holding Corporations: When a Church Should Use One
Some churches hold rental or investment property through a separate 501(c)(2) title holding corporation rather than in the church’s own name. Here’s how that structure works, and when it actually makes sense.
The Williamson Act in California: What It Means If Your Church Owns Rural Land
The Williamson Act cuts property tax on agricultural land in exchange for a long-term development restriction. Here’s what that trade-off means if your church owns, or is considering, rural land.
Towing Vehicles From Private Property
Removing an abandoned or illegally parked vehicle from church property isn’t as simple as calling a tow truck. Here’s what California law requires first.
What is a Probate Referee
A probate referee is an individual appointed by the California State Controller to serve as an officer of the court and appraise the value of assets in an estate when someone passes away. This ensures that the estate’s assets are properly evaluated for tax purposes and equitable distribution among heirs. A probate referee is an impartial, independent professional with expertise in appraising various types of assets, including real estate, stocks, bonds, and personal property. Purpose of a Probate Referee: Ensuring Accurate Asset Valuation The primary duty of this role is […]
1031 Exchanges Basics – A Comprehensive Guide to Tax-Deferred Property Transactions
How 1031 exchanges actually work, and why they’re largely irrelevant for a tax-exempt church selling its own property.
Conditional Use Permits
A Conditional Use Permit lets a property owner get approval for a use not automatically allowed by zoning — but the process can take a year or more and costs $10,000-$20,000, with no guarantee of approval.
Exploring the Various Types of Commercial Leases
The main types of commercial leases — triple net, gross, modified gross, percentage, and ground leases — and which ones churches actually encounter.
Understanding your Property Tax Bill
How a California secured property tax bill is structured, what supplemental and escape assessments are, and when a church-owned property still owes one.
Affordable Housing on Faith and Higher Education Lands Act of 2023
What SB 4, the Affordable Housing on Faith and Higher Education Lands Act of 2023, allows religious institutions to build, and how a 2025 amendment updated the eligibility rules.
- 1
- 2