AB 957 “The Buyers Choice Act” “The Buyers Choice Act” Information deemed reliable, but accuracy is not guaranteed. UPDATE What is AB 957 the “Buyer’s Choice Act?” The Buyer’s Choice Act prohibits owners (typically banks) of foreclosed properties from forcing California homebuyers to use a particular title company, escrow company or other real estate service provider. The Buyer’s Choice Act requires that a disclosure notice be provided to buyers informing them of their rights to choose their own real estate service companies to close their transactions. When does AB 957 become law? The Buyer’s Choice Act became law on Sunday - October 11, 2009. FACT 1: Any seller of residential real property improved by four or fewer dwelling units shall not require directly or indirectly, as a condition of selling the property, that title insurance covering the property or escrow service provided in connection with the sale of the property be purchased by the buyer from a particular title insurer or escrow agent. This section does not prohibit a buyer from agreeing to accept the services of a title insurer or an escrow agent recommended by the seller if written notice of the right to make an independent selection of those services is first provided by the seller to the buyer. FACT 2: A seller who violates this section shall be liable to a buyer in an amount equal to three times all charges made for the title insurance or escrow service. In addition, any person who violates this section shall be deemed to have violated his or her license law and shall be subject to discipline by his or her licensing entity. FACT 3: This article shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2015, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2015 deletes or extends that date. Note: If buyer agrees to “Sellers Choice” in the purchase contract there is still a chance for the buyer to use a title insurer or escrow agent of his/her choice once they receive the written notice of the right to make an independent selection of services from the Seller / Bank. In the event that the buyer exercises their rights to put into effect The Buyers Choice Act, the Seller/ Bank should not counter the decision of the buyer in the purchase contract.
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AB 957“The Buyers Choice Act”“The Buyers Choice Act”
Information deemed reliable, but accuracy is not guaranteed.
UPDATE
What is AB 957 the “Buyer’s Choice Act?”
The Buyer’s Choice Act prohibits owners (typically banks) of foreclosed properties from forcing
California homebuyers to use a particular title company, escrow company or other real estate
service provider. The Buyer’s Choice Act requires that a disclosure notice be provided to buyers
informing them of their rights to choose their own real estate service companies to close their
transactions.
When does AB 957 become law?
The Buyer’s Choice Act became law on Sunday - October 11, 2009.
FACT 1:
Any seller of residential real property improved by four or fewer dwelling units shall not require
directly or indirectly, as a condition of selling the property, that title insurance covering the property
or escrow service provided in connection with the sale of the property be purchased by the buyer
from a particular title insurer or escrow agent. This section does not prohibit a buyer from agreeing
to accept the services of a title insurer or an escrow agent recommended by the seller if written
notice of the right to make an independent selection of those services is first provided by the seller
to the buyer.
FACT 2:
A seller who violates this section shall be liable to a buyer in an amount equal to three times all
charges made for the title insurance or escrow service. In addition, any person who violates this
section shall be deemed to have violated his or her license law and shall be subject to discipline
by his or her licensing entity.
FACT 3:
This article shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2015, and as of that date is repealed, unless
a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2015 deletes or extends that date.
Note: If buyer agrees to “Sellers Choice” in the purchase contract there is still a chance for the
buyer to use a title insurer or escrow agent of his/her choice once they receive the written notice of
the right to make an independent selection of services from the Seller / Bank.
In the event that the buyer exercises their rights to put into effect The Buyers Choice Act, the Seller/
Bank should not counter the decision of the buyer in the purchase contract.
The county transfer tax is $1.10 per $1,000 (rounded to the nearest $500) statewide in all counties except San Francisco. The County Transfer Tax is based on the sales price.
A number of cities have imposed additional city transfer taxes. Shown below is a quick reference list of the cities which impose transfer taxes and the various rates. Do not rely upon thisinformation without first confirming the current rate with the applicable city.
San Francisco:$100,000 - $250,000 $5.00$251,000 - $1,000,000 $6.80$1,000,000 + $7.50
Compliments Of
Information deemed reliable, but accuracy is not guaranteed.
City Transfer
TAX List
CITY Rate Per $1,000 CITY Rate per $1,000
Alameda $12.00Albany $11.50Berkeley $15.00
Redondo Beach $2.20Richmond $7.00
Cloverdale $1.10Riverside $1.10
Culver City $4.50Sacramento $2.75San Jose $3.30
Hayward $4.50 San Leandro $6.00Los Angeles $4.50 San Mateo $5.00Mountain View $3.30Oakland $15.00Palo Alto $3.30
San Rafael $3.10
Petaluma $2.00
Santa Monica $3.00
Piedmont $13.00
Santa Rosa $2.00
Pinole $5.50
Sebastopol $2.00
Pomona $2.20
Vallejo $3.30
The county transfer tax is $1.10 per $1,000 (rounded to the nearest $500) statewide in all counties except San Francisco. The County Transfer Tax is based on the sales price.
A number of cities have imposed additional city transfer taxes. Shown below is a quick reference list of the cities which impose transfer taxes and the various rates. Do not rely upon thisinformation without first confirming the current rate with the applicable city.
San Francisco:$100,000 - $250,000 $5.00$251,000 - $1,000,000 $6.80$1,000,000 + $7.50
Compliments Of
Information deemed reliable, but accuracy is not guaranteed.
City Transfer
TAX List
CITY Rate Per $1,000 CITY Rate per $1,000
Alameda $12.00Albany $11.50Berkeley $15.00
Redondo Beach $2.20Richmond $7.00
Cloverdale $1.10Riverside $1.10
Culver City $4.50Sacramento $2.75San Jose $3.30
Hayward $4.50 San Leandro $6.00Los Angeles $4.50 San Mateo $5.00Mountain View $3.30Oakland $15.00Palo Alto $3.30
San Rafael $3.10
Petaluma $2.00
Santa Monica $3.00
Piedmont $13.00
Santa Rosa $2.00
Pinole $5.50
Sebastopol $2.00
Pomona $2.20
Vallejo $3.30
Cities Requiring Pre-Sale Inspection/ City Reports
THESE ARE THE CITIES THAT REQUIRE PRE-SALE INSPECTION REPORTS WHEN YOU GO TO ESCROW. Please check with the local agency to get updated information. Information deemed reliable, but accuracy is not guaranteed.
Azusa 626.812.5235Bell 323.588.6211Beverly Hills 310.285.1141Carson 310.952.1766Compton 310.537.8000Cudahy 323.773.5143Culver City 310.253.5800El Monte 626.580.2050El Segundo 310.524.2380 or 310.524.2379Gardena 310.217.9530Hawaiian Gardens 562.420.2641 Ext. 217Hermosa Beach 310.318.0235Huntington Park (1-4 Units Only) 323.582.6161Inglewood 310.412.5294 (Order online or in person)Irvine 949.724.6470Laguna Beach 949.497.3311Long Beach 562.570.6651Los Angeles (City of LA Only) 213.473.3231