Blog
John Medina and Rick Magana on the Best of Los Angeles Show: A Local, Family-Run Take on Selling a House for Cash
We were honored to be invited onto the Best of Los Angeles show, filmed right here in San Pedro, where host Bruce Ellington sat down with founder John Medina and partner Rick Magana to talk about what John Medina Buys Houses actually does — and why a local, family-run cash buyer is a different animal from the national outfits most homeowners run ...
John Medina Buys Houses Featured in The Wall Street Journal: Lessons From the Joshua Tree Market
We're proud to share that John Medina, founder of John Medina Buys Houses, was featured in The Wall Street Journal in a story about one of California's most talked-about housing markets. The article, "Joshua Tree Was California's Hottest Housing Market. What Happened?" (published April 3, 2024), looked at how the desert communities around Joshua Tree National Park boomed during the ...
Are Cash Home Buyers Legit? How to Vet a “We Buy Houses” Company in California
Yes, cash home buyers can be legit — but not all of them. How to vet a California "we buy houses" company, spot scams, and verify any buyer in 10 minutes.
Eviction Hardship Extension California: Landlord’s 2026 Guide
California eviction hardship extensions explained for landlords — what they are, how long they last under CCP §1176, what they cost, how local LA and OC rules complicate things, and when selling beats fighting.
How Long Does Probate Really Take in Orange County? A 2026 Timeline Guide
TL;DR — The 60-Second Answer Orange County probate runs 9–12 months for simple, uncontested estates, 12–18 months for typical cases, and 18–36+ months when complications hit. The four phases are petition, letters and creditor claims, inventory and asset management, and final accounting. The single biggest lever on timeline is full IAEA authority (Independent Administration). And yes — you can sell ...
How to Legally Remove Squatters from Your Property in Orange County (2026 Guide)
TL;DR — The 60-Second AnswerIn California, you cannot self-evict. No lock changes, no utility shutoffs, no confrontation — every one of those turns a bad situation into a lawsuit against you. Squatters are removed through the unlawful detainer process, which in Orange County takes 30–60 days when uncontested, 60–120 days when contested. Real cost: $5,000–$25,000 all-in. For owners who don't ...
