Articles
- The Truth About Prop 8 the Temporary Decline in Value Prop 8 is a supplement or exemption to Prop 13 which still applies today to all property owners in California.
- When Does the Assessor Re-Assess in California? In California, there are primarily two triggers for re-assessment: change in ownership and new construction.
- What is Property Tax Trending? Every property tax base in California trends from 0-2% every year, this percentage trend is based on the Consumer Price Index which measures inflation.
- Does Prop 13 Still Apply Today? Prop 13 does apply today to all property owners in California. Prop 13 was enacted in 1978 to control the amount of property taxes paid by taxpayers. Prior to prop 13 there was no limit on property taxes.
- How Do I Correct the Records for My Home? Often the Assessor’s building records are not correct because the Assessor is a mass appraisal organization and either the work was done too quickly, or the information changed or there was information that slipped through the cracks and was never …
- What are Mellow Roos Taxes? When Proposition 13 passed in 1978, it severely limited the ability of local governments to use property taxes to construct public facilities and services. Consequently, Californians were forced to find new ways to fund public improvements in their communities such as roads, schools, etc.
- What are Special Assessments and Direct Assessments? In addition to your basic property taxes, if you property tax bill seems unusually high you may have a Special and/or Direct Assessment on your home. Depending on the area your home is located, there may be charges necessary to …
- What is the Difference between the Tax Collector, Assessor and Auditor Controller? These three departments handle different aspects of your property taxes. Some counties merge these departments because they are smaller and don’t have a need for three separate departments.
- Why Should I Be Agreeable With the Assessor? This is a very simple question to answer…because they are handling your ASSESSMENT!
- What is the difference between the City and the Assessor? While I worked for the Assessor and as I speak to people who own homes or other types of properties, I have observed a misconception in the different levels of government and who owns or does what…so let’s get clarity!
- What is the Difference Between a House, Condo, Co-Op, Townhouse and PUD? Before I get into the differences between these types of properties, I will explain what a PUD is. PUD stands for Planned Unit Development.
- Why Doesn’t the Assessor Care that I’m Paying Too Much Property Taxes? I’ve heard from so many homeowners say that they’re overpaying in property taxes and the Assessor doesn’t care! Taxpayers feel the injustice everywhere because they know their assessed values are higher than their current market values. Often when dealing with the Assessor and asking for help it appears that none is offered because of the nature of the issue.
- Why Should I Bother Understanding Property Taxes and Assessment? Property Taxes are the second highest expense after debt service (mortgage) for homeowners and understanding the nature of property taxes and assessments can only benefit you as a homeowner
- Fearful of Property Taxes and the Assessor? Well, don’t be. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? It is. Property Taxes are much simpler than you could ever realize. What makes it seem complicated is the fear and illusion of power the Assessor and those who work for him have.
- Real Estate Attorneys – Do They Really Know the Answers? Well…that depends. Real Estate Attorneys, like all attorneys are interesting in their process. Generally, the way attorneys process information and understand situations is to understand the facts of your situation, read the law (if they don’t know it off hand) and then study the case law relating to similar situations. Case law: meaning prior cases with scenarios similar to yours to see how the courts applied the law to a real life problem.
- Definitions Property Tax, Assessment, Appraisal and Real Estate Definitions
