Originally Posted by lesper4

the guy who takes cares of the property taxes in the IE sent me a letter stating that they are going to reduce the taxes without me doing anything.

Originally Posted by lesper4

that is sweet jake.....i just wish i didnt buy at the PEAK of the market, my house is now valued less then what i bought it for.

Cesar are you going to get your hosue reassed to reduce property taxes? I got a letter in the mail offering $100 bucks to do it which would deffinitly save me more then that in the long run. I know you boguth close to when i did also?

Originally Posted by cesaralaniz

I believe the word is 'reassessed', but your version is much funnier.
That "Reassessment" is actually a scam. The county does not charge residents to re-assess their property. Don't fall for the junk mail that gets sent to home owners. I got the same letter, and it even looks official.

What you're looking for falls under Prop #8 (Prop 8 - Review Due to Decline in Value Facts)
You can apply to have your house reassessed. The letter you got, is a group that charges you $100 to fill this out for you. I'll only charge you $50. (See, you're already saving money)
http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/assessor/Decline.asp


FYI - The only time your property value is important is when you want to sell or refi.
If I remember correctly, you got a pretty good loan, and a refi wouldn't improve it, so unless you're looking to sell, home value means nothing. In 10 years when you house is worth 50-75% more than you paid, today's value won't matter.

Originally Posted by kwescott

Loren, Casey just re***ed his house. There is some paperwork and some work involved....but very manageable and definetly nothing that is a brain buster.

I beleive he siad that he wrote a letter to the city asking for a new tax, and he had to indicate what he thought his property was now worth, with proof as to that price (examples of similar homes selling in the area, etc.).

I would have no reason to do this with mine...as it is most likely valued much higher than what we bought for.

Originally Posted by lesper4

but arent property taxes assesed by your home value? you pay those every year so there could be savings?

Originally Posted by rglbegl

Funny . . .I got a buddy runnin comps for people at $50-100.

You just fill out the paperwork and send in the comps, then they come verify the houses existance and lower your taxes owed


Now for someone who spent $500,000 or more on their house, and lives in a heavy taxed area, this could be good. But for a small change, you wouldn't notice the difference financially for a long time. (but if you keep it, it is lower taxes forever)

Originally Posted by cesaralaniz

Yes, but the county does not assess every home every year. You can fill out the form in the link I posted.

Originally Posted by kwescott

Loren, they assign property taxes based on the value that you bought the home for....and they are able to raise these taxes by a set amount each year (what is it, up to 2%?).

I bought my home at 235k....and that is what I pay taxes on. The house is worth more than that, but I am still paying on what the house was worth at the time I bought it, as that was market price at the time. They continue to raise my taxes to try and adjust my taxes for what my property is actually worth now.

Now in the case of the other scenario, the one where you, Cesar and Casey are. You all bought at the peak, bought homes at market value (at the time) and are paying taxes on that amount......but your homes are not at that same value, so you are overpaying on taxes.

You can have a reassessment done, to get your taxes and home value aligned...so they are equal. The county can then increase your tax each year based on this new amount....and not what you are currently paying.

It would make no sense for me to have them reassess my property taxes...as I would have to pay significantly more than I am right now....

...and as Cesar said, house value means nothing unless you are a seller or buyer. We're staying put for quite some time. No need to even think about moving, except to get out of the fricken wind.

Originally Posted by kwescott

In your case, maybe....in mine, definately not. I would owe more than what I am paying now.

Originally Posted by rglbegl

Simple answer - YES, at the date of purchase, or when it was last assessed


Think about granny who has been livin in the same house she bought back when it was $23,000


Now the cool part is you can transfer your tax fees 1 time. So if you move within the state, you can keep the same tax amount you are paying on that $23,000 house. (riverside county excluded, don't ask)

This is what allows granny to move. Because living on a fixed income, there is a HUGE difference between 1.1% of that $23,000($253) compared to 2.3% of $400,000 if she moved. ($9200)

Originally Posted by kwescott

in Jakes example.....2.3% 235,000 is $5404...where as if they actually taxed me on market value of my house now....lets say 400,000 ($9200). I'll stick with my 5400 thanks.

Originally Posted by lesper4

show off

Originally Posted by Jedi54

Cesar: you probably saw this already but release date / prices on the Touch Diamond Pro are out

http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/31/l...ond-dates-and/

Originally Posted by speeddemon32

there should not be one.... from my understanding this only applies to NEW homes.

and mine was over $3000




check this out... DEAL OF THE DAY!!!!

$50,000 gets you an exhaust system, 2 seats, and some shocks..... woot woot!

http://allworldcars.com/wordpress/?p=6535

seriously, who would opt for this?... thats just dumb!

Originally Posted by lesper4

Jesse watch out for this when you are at SEMA

Originally Posted by Jedi54

sup Jesse. You gonna come hang out at SevenSTock this year just for old times sake?