Buy a declared homestead form from an office-supply store, or download a form from the Registrar-Recorder's website. A homestead declaration protects your home's equity from both to forced and voluntary sales of the property.To formally declare a homestead exemption in Los Angeles, you can obtain the necessary forms from your county recorder's office or website. I need someone to dumb this down for me - what exactly does it mean to apply for a homestead? My husband and I just bought our first home.