Comments on: Since You Didn’t Ask – Debt Forgiveness and Tax Relief

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:17:17 +0000

We submitted the forms ourselves, waiting for word back from the county assessor. Included three comps that our last buyer’s (and seller’s) agent was able to generate for us.

Didn’t ask for the Zillow number, but anything is an improvement, right?

By: Kris Berg

Kris Berg — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:07:16 +0000

Freddy – Kind of the same reasons people use my services. Congratulations on your victory.

By: Freddy

Freddy — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:59:17 +0000

Kris – I just did not have the time to do all of the research and paperwork, so it was worth the money.

Your right about San Elijo Hills, it is a great neighborhood, I just wish I waited till now to buy my home.

By: Kris Berg

Kris Berg — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 04:40:50 +0000

Freddy – Good for you! That is what service industries are all about. I had a bunch of folks ask me for comparable sales statistics this Spring in order to appeal their taxes. One can do it themselves, no doubt, but one can also pay someone to do it on their behalf. It is a decision we all make from time to time, and there is a trade-off. You paid for a service presumably so you could spend your time in other, more lucrative or satisfying ways. In any event, congratulations and kudos for knowing enough to pursue the issue!

BTW, I’m a big fan of your neighborhood and the design concept. If my commute wouldn’t be so insanely insufferable, I might be your neighbor now!

By: Freddy

Freddy — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:48:51 +0000

I live in the San Elijo Hills area in San Marcos and bought my home for $955,000 in 2006. I had a company called California Tax Refunds do my property tax paperwork for the 2007 tax year and had an $185,000 reduction in my assessed value to $770,000. I received a refund check for around $2,000 and will continue to save that every year. I was a little skeptical at first but they are members of the BBB and are licensed Real Estate Appraisers and did a great job. I also liked the fact that they charge a flat fee. Give them a call, it’s worth it (858)-541-2400.

By: The San Diego Home Blog » Blog Archive » Roles Change

The San Diego Home Blog » Blog Archive » Roles Change — Sun, 11 May 2008 20:24:28 +0000

[...] But what a satisfying feeling it is to know that I provided all of the tools — in this case, the blog post with information on the tax appeal process and the open search feature on the web site — which [...]

By: Kris Berg

Kris Berg — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:47:23 +0000

Post script: Since Bob was too much of a gentleman, here is the link to his own (much more comprehensive) post on the Debt Relief Act.

By: Kris Berg

Kris Berg — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:31:18 +0000

Jim, Sorry. I seem to be working backwards on comments. Just a hunch, but I don’t thing your Zestimate is going to be sufficient. My experience has been that you want to submit both comparable sales data (yes, an agent can help you with this) and an independent appraisal from a license appraiser.

Thanks, Thomas, for the vote of confidence.

By: Kris Berg

Kris Berg — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:26:50 +0000

So true, which is why I should always remember to add that darn “I am not an attorney nor am I a CPA” disclaimer. (Acquisition debt being the amount of the mortgage; qualified debt is that amount not exceeding the cost of the home plus improvements. Bob will correct me if I am wrong. )

By: Thomas Johnson

Thomas Johnson — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:22:05 +0000

“San Diego County Assessor is one cool dude”

I wonder if he will be so amenable to lowering values as the aggregate tax base is crashing down around his ears in an economic recession. I fear that the fallout of the real estate “bubble” as reflected in the massive depreciation of the aggregate tax base is going to get very ugly indeed. Local governments tend to budget right at maximum anticipated tax revenue and with the pending meltdown of the bond insurance and rating agencies, there will be tremendous pressure from elected officials to keep what they have to avoid tax increases which not only anger the voters, but also will stifle economic growth in to a slowing economy.

Jim: Most assessors are bound by a statute that requires assessments to be at “market value”. I would load my property assessment appeal with hard closed transactions of comparable properties. I can think of no one better to assist you with gathering the local data than Chris and Steve Berg, our hosts.