The re-assessment of property taxes is due!! I talked with the assesor's office this morning and they would like the decline in value form filed by the end of May 2008. However, the form may be filed later, but the assessment may be delayed. Please call or email me for a free comparative market analysis to accompany your assessment review request.
What is Proposition 8 and How does an Contra Costa County Home Owner Exercise Their Rights? Proposition 8 passed in November of 1978 and amended Proposition 13 to reflect declines in value. As a result of this the Assessor is required annually to assess the value of property. As a home owner you would fill out a form indicating the decreased value of your home based on comparables of sold property in your neighborhood. If the assessor agrees that value has declined, your property taxes would be re-assessed at the lower property value.
Decline In Value 2008-2009 Form:
Prop 8 Form
he Assessor’s Office also stated that they are aware of a “decline” with current market values and are therefore reassessing the value of properties that sold in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The Assessor’s Office will be sending out a “Notice of Assessed Value” to property owners in July of 2008. If the owner receives this “Notice” and does not agree with the value they then have until September to file an appeal or have the option of completing the 2008-2009 “Prop 8 Reassessment” form.
A recent article regarding Proposition 8 was in the San Francisco Chronicle: Click Here to View
The real estate market in Contra Costa County is showing definite signs of recovery. The table below shows that east county (Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood and Oakley) is improving dramatically with an average of 2.4 months of inventory on 5/27/08 compared with an average 9.7 months of inventory on 5/29/07. These figures are compiled from the Contra Costa Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service.
I received a phone call from Barbara Hernandez, staff writer for the Contra Costa Times last week. She published the front page headlines, "Home sales inch up in April" on 5/21/08. The article mentions the month-to-month jump was the strongest for any March/April in DataQuick's statistics, which date to 1988. View the article here..
| May 29, 2007 | May 27, 2008 |
||||||
| Active | Pending | Months of Inventory |
Active | Pending | Months of Inventory |
||
| Walnut Creek | 304 | 93 | 3.3 | 347 | 93 | 3.7 | |
| Pleasant Hill | 162 | 47 | 3.4 | 135 | 57 | 2.4 | |
| Concord | 779 | 99 | 7.9 | 728 | 210 | 3.5 | |
| Martinez | 275 | 46 | 6.0 | 216 | 72 | 3.0 | |
| Clayton | 84 | 20 | 4.2 | 59 | 33 | 1.8 | |
| Pittsburg | 505 | 55 | 9.2 | 591 | 196 | 3.0 | |
| Antioch | 1100 | 105 | 10.5 | 1116 | 429 | 2.6 | |
| Oakley | 360 | 41 | 8.8 | 338 | 164 | 2.1 | |
| Brentwood | 652 | 62 | 10.5 | 471 | 218 | 2.1 | |
The 13th annual Clayton Art & Wine festival is this weekend, May 3rd and 4th starting at 10am each day. This is a great way to spend the day (or part of it anyway) tasting wines, perusing the arts and crafts and visiting with family, friends and neighbors. And of course enjoying the ongoing live music.
My favorite artist last year was playing music of the Andes. I purchased several CDs to give as gifts and wish I had kept one for myself. Hopefully, that musician will return with his wonderful music.
On Sunday, I will have an open house from 1 to 4 pm just a few blocks away from the festival at 108 Mt. Whitney Way in Clayton.
I received a call this morning from Carol Lloyd, who is writing an article for the San Francisco Chronicle Business section regarding the real estate market conditions in Antioch, CA. She found my web site because I have been reporting real time market stats (example to the left). She asked me to analyze the data in more detail for her article. I went to the Contra Costa County MLS and searched all single family homes sold since 1/1/05 through 3/31/08.
The number of homes sold in the 1st quarter of 2008 has increased to 204 compared with the 1st quarter of 2007 at 176. However the price per square foot has decreased dramatically with $154 in the 1st quarter of 2008 compared to $260 in the 1st quarter of 2007.
This lovely Dana Hills home sits on approximately .23 acre of beautifully landscaped, level property. The grandeur begins as you enter the tile entry and hallway opening into the living room ~ featuring soaring ceilings and a separate formal dining room. The downstairs includes a full bedroom and bathroom. Upstairs features a spacious master suite with a beautifully appointed master bathroom.
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bathrooms
Spacious Living Room
Formal Dining Room
Eat-in Kitchen
Comfortable Family Room with Fireplace
2481 Sq.Ft. (per public record)
Landscaped Front & Backyard
with Automatic Sprinklers
.23 Acre (per public record)
As a realtor, I use the current technologies and market research to meet my clients expectations and more importantly, I listen and that means finding solutions that are personalized.
New! Current Local Market Data
Bay Area real estate encompasses a large region from Napa to Santa Cruz. The East Bay is an especially beautiful area of the California Bay area and is made up of two counties, Alameda and Contra Costa, as well as the San Ramon Valley.
Active East Bay MLS listings are available for you to view pictures, prices, descriptions and much more for all of the homes for sale in the East Bay including surrounding towns and subdivisions.
Search the East Bay Real Estate MLS listings here
My site also features extensive community information, school information, community information, and more to assist you in buying a home in California. To find specific community and school information click on one of the Contra Costa cities listed below:
"Dennis and I realize that we might not have found the right house yet, but we do feel like we've found the right buyer's agent. We are especially pleased with the way you represented us in our offer -- honestly and without any pressure or intimidation. Thank you for all your hard work."... Joan Lollar
"Thank you, Jill. We appreciate your eye for details and professionalism in the sale of our home. We will pass on your name for additional business. ....... Nancy Englund
"When we moved to California from Wisconsin, we wanted to purchase a home. We contacted Jill Cruey and told her what we were looking for in a home and our price range. In a short time she found us a beautiful home on a hill and with a gorgeous view. Much to our delight and more than we expected. Thank you, Jill, for all of your time and the courtesy you showed us."... John and Dorothy Kroll
"Jill was always there at the right time to help me through selling my home and my move to Paradise, CA. Everything went smoothly.".... Nancy Stowe
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