TAXES: Are you tired of being overtaxed on personal property?

[jw2]

Ultra, you are getting a raw deal in northern California. In Ventura County, everyone I know has received a fair assessment. I have talked to people in the assessor's office a few times and they are very responsive and courteous. The first time was in 2009 when I bought a property that had a higher assessment than I paid. I filled out the assessment appeal form and submitted it. They called me and explained that they routinely go through new recordings and reassess as needed. I told him to hold off on my appeal until the normal county process does it. Sure enough, a few months later, it was reassessed downward to the purchase price and all retroactive tax overages were refunded to me. Since then, on each property I have purchased in Ventura County, I just let the process work and it always has worked well.

I have had very good responses with the recorder's office as well, even talking to the County Recorder a couple of times. (having to do with titling).

The county of Ventura is a pleasure to work with and they are accessible.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by jw2

Ultra, you are getting a raw deal in northern California. In Ventura County, everyone I know has received a fair assessment. I have talked to people in the assessor's office a few times and they are very responsive and courteous. The first time was in 2009 when I bought a property that had a higher assessment than I paid. I filled out the assessment appeal form and submitted it. They called me and explained that they routinely go through new recordings and reassess as needed. I told him to hold off on my appeal until the normal county process does it. Sure enough, a few months later, it was reassessed downward to the purchase price and all retroactive tax overages were refunded to me. Since then, on each property I have purchased in Ventura County, I just let the process work and it always has worked well.

I have had very good responses with the recorder's office as well, even talking to the County Recorder a couple of times. (having to do with titling).

The county of Ventura is a pleasure to work with and they are accessible.

It doesn't surprise me... the former Ventura County Controller is a personal friend of mine and she ran an efficient organization...

Even in Northern CA... the neighboring county has been a pleasure to work with... everything was able to be resolved with just a few phone calls.

Just can't understand why Alameda County is such a bear to work with...

Look at a map of foreclosed homes is a sea of red... not unusual to have several on every block in the older neighborhoods... some of these homes were sold for as much as 500k and now worth 60 to 75% less...

It has gotten so bad... the city now requires lenders to register foreclosed property for something like $600 and then have contracts in place for yard maintenance...

[parker]

The assessor's office also works to provide proper paper work for the court system when foreclosures are posted. So...not only are they re-assessing current property values, they are also providing a sea of paperwork to the legal system regarding foreclosures. It would make sense that a county that has an abundance of foreclosures is overworked and working at a slow pace.