Living Trust Question

I'm not entirely sure why you're bothering with a revocable living self-trust, since for most purposes that doesn't accomplish anything.

I'd recommend getting the bank's permission in writing, before deeding the property to this trust -- or any other trust or similar entity.  Most mortgages have what is called a "due on sale clause," which you don't want to trigger unless you're prepared to refinance.

As an estate planner, I congratulate you on having the foresight to establish a revocable trust and transfer title to your real property to the trust. Unless the house is worth less than $20,000 (which I doubt) or you hold title in joint tenancy or as community property with right of survivorship with someone else (which I do not often recommend be done for reasons too complicated to discuss here), title can only be conveyed on your death by an order of the probate court.

As you probably know, probating an estate is both time consuming and relatively expensive--much more so than establishing, maintaining and administering a revocable trust.

BB is spot on when he recommends contacting the lender before you transfer title to the trust. Commonly in California there is no due on sale issue and the lender won't object to what you propose to do--but better safe than sorry.