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As Southland counties reassess home values, tax bills fall (California)
LA Times ^ | 21 March 2008 | By Garrett Therolf, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Posted on 03/21/2008 6:37:03 AM PDT by shrinkermd

...The values of more than 41,000 homes have been reassessed downward so far in Los Angeles County, resulting in an average tax saving of $660. Other counties have barely begun the reassessment process but promise to get the job done before property tax bills are mailed in October...

...Around the Southland, officials are automatically reevaluating homes purchased in recent years, especially at the height of the housing bubble from 2004 to 2007. Thousands of homeowners have also filed informal requests.

As of March, the average home price in Southern California was down 19% from its peak. But owners are allowed a reduction in property tax assessment only if their home value declines below what is known as "Proposition 13 limits." Those limits are determined by the assessed value at the time of purchase plus up to 2% each year after that, if home values increase.

The effect of the reassessments on county coffers could be tremendous, and next year will be only the first of at least several years affected by the housing downturn, said Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Extended News; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: realestate; taxes
If the figure of 19% is correct, then many, if not most, homes bought in the last several years have mortgages in excess of their fair market value.
1 posted on 03/21/2008 6:37:04 AM PDT by shrinkermd
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To: shrinkermd

If only my property taxes would go down. Ain’t holdin’ my breath though.


2 posted on 03/21/2008 6:40:03 AM PDT by mtbopfuyn (The fence is "absolutely not the answer" - Gov. Rick Perry (R, TX))
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To: shrinkermd

Many of the homes purchased in the past twelve years have mortages above their actual value. The appraiser over valued the property, the lending officer signed off on the loan and the seller kicked back to the lending officer and the appraiser.
This practice has been taking place from coast to coast.


3 posted on 03/21/2008 6:45:32 AM PDT by em2vn
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To: em2vn

Not here. In Fairfax County, VA, land values somehow amazingly went through the roof while home values fell....so no tax break for homeowners who now have greatly devalued property.

We need a revolution in this country and to go back to the type of government our forefathers created.


4 posted on 03/21/2008 6:51:48 AM PDT by applpie
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To: applpie

Are those land values based on residential values or potential commercial values? If the latter you may want to speak to a lawyer.


5 posted on 03/21/2008 7:05:48 AM PDT by em2vn
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To: applpie

“We need a revolution in this country and to go back to the type of government our forefathers created.”

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

A perfect one sentence analysis of what is wrong with this country.


6 posted on 03/21/2008 12:20:43 PM PDT by RipSawyer (Does anyone still believe this is a free country?)
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