April is National Financial Literacy Month — a good time to check your charts before you leave the harbor.  Especially if Medi-Cal or Veterans Benefits are part of your voyage. 

In the Navy, we had a saying: you never leave port without knowing the waters ahead. The same holds true for one of the biggest financial decisions most families ever make — buying or selling a home. Whether you're a first-time buyer just learning the ropes, or a seasoned homeowner refinancing in choppy waters, the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) has put together a solid set of free resources to help you navigate the process safely and confidently.

As a California Real Estate Broker and elder law attorney, I work with clients who are often making real property decisions in the middle of already complex life transitions — a trust administration, a Medi-Cal crisis, a VA benefit application. Real estate mistakes at those moments can be costly. So this month, I want to make sure my clients and community know about tools that are available to them — completely free.

Verify Before You Trust the Helm

This is the number one rule: before you hire anyone to help you buy, sell, lease, or finance property in California, verify their license. Not all agents are created equal, and not all of them are licensed. The DRE's Verify a License tool lets you check the status of any real estate salesperson or broker — including any prior disciplinary action. For mortgage loan originators, use the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS).

Only DRE-licensed individuals may legally represent others in California real estate transactions. This is not a technicality — it is protection. Use it.

Free Resources from the DRE

The DRE publishes a number of plain-language guides that I genuinely recommend. Here are a few worth bookmarking:

What I Tell My Own Clients

Whether someone is working with me on an estate plan, a trust administration, or a Medi-Cal strategy, real property almost always comes up. Here is the same short list I share with anyone heading into a transaction:

• Always verify the license of your agent or broker before signing anything.
• Read every document fully before you sign — even the "standard" ones.
• Never sign a document with blank spaces. Ask that all fields be completed first.
• If a disclosure or inspection raises questions, ask them. Clarifying questions cost nothing; surprises cost plenty.
• Once an offer is accepted, exercise your right to inspect the property thoroughly.
• Visit the city's permit records if anything seems unclear about additions, conversions, or renovations.
• Understand the Capital Gains Tax Issues!!!  Mistakes here often cause people tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars for even relatively modest estates. 
• Understand the Property Tax Consequences.  Since proposition 19 it is easier than ever to lose your Proposition 13 benefits.  We can help. 
• Understand the effect on Medi-Cal, Veterans, and other benefits.  Selling a home without proper planning will affect eligibility for these benefits. 

If Something Goes Wrong

The DRE also administers a Consumer Recovery Account — a victim's fund that can compensate people who were defrauded by a licensed real estate professional in a transaction requiring a license. It is not a guarantee of full recovery, but it is a meaningful safeguard. You can file a complaint with the DRE directly at dre.ca.gov.

Financial literacy isn't just about knowing how to save or invest — it's about knowing the waters you're sailing into, and having the right charts in hand before you cast off. The DRE has done the work of producing these resources. The least we can do is use them.

This blog post is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this post. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified attorney. OC Elder Law · 619 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92832 · (714) 525-4600 · ocelderlaw.com