Finding a Mandarin-speaking lender, attorney or CPA
A transaction goes more smoothly when every professional involved can communicate clearly with everyone in the family, including relatives helping from overseas. I keep a general referral list — with no obligation to use anyone on it — that typically includes:
- Mortgage lenders comfortable with Mandarin-speaking borrowers, foreign income documentation, and gift funds from family abroad
- Real estate attorneys who can review contracts and, where relevant, trust or estate documents in plain language
- CPAs and tax advisors familiar with FIRPTA withholding for foreign sellers, Proposition 19 reassessment rules, and cross-border tax questions
- Escrow and title officers who can arrange a mobile notary for signers who cannot appear in person
If you already have professionals you trust, I am happy to work alongside them. If not, ask and I will make an introduction.
School enrollment steps
Enrollment requirements vary slightly by district, but the general steps are similar across the school districts serving these seven cities:
- Confirm your home address and the school district and boundary it falls in
- Gather proof of residency — typically a lease, closing documents, or a utility bill
- Gather your child's birth certificate and immunization records
- Contact the district's enrollment or registrar office for its specific forms and dates
- Confirm placement and any transcript evaluation for a student transferring from a school outside the U.S.
Check school boundaries with the local school district for any address — boundaries and programs can change from year to year.
DMV and utility setup after a move
General starting points once you have a closing date or a lease:
- Driver's license or ID. California's DMV generally asks for proof of identity, a Social Security number or documented exemption, and two documents proving California residency. Confirm the current list directly with the DMV before your appointment.
- Utilities. Electric, gas, water and internet providers typically need a lease or grant deed, a government-issued ID, and the service address to open an account.
- Mail and address changes. Update your address with the postal service, bank, and any agencies or subscriptions tied to your prior address.
- Vehicle registration. New California residents generally have a limited window to register an out-of-state vehicle; the DMV can confirm current timing.
For overseas family members
Some families buy or sell with a parent, child or sibling still living in Taiwan or mainland China. In those cases it can help to plan ahead for gift-fund documentation if funds are coming from abroad, remote or mobile notary signing across time zones, and simple ways to stay in touch during the transaction, including by WeChat or LINE where that is easiest for everyone. More detail on the overseas buyers and heirs page.
When you are ready to talk real estate
None of the above requires working with me, and I am glad to be a resource either way. When you are ready to look at homes or think through a sale, the buying a home and selling a home pages walk through what to expect.