Could you be getting a check from the county?

Could you be getting one of these?

Would you rather get a check or a bill? That’s probably the largest  rhetorical question if I’ve ever uttered one out. I was reading an article in the local paper that made that very statement with regards to first time home buyers and home buyers in general who purchased real estate here in San Diego within the last 6 to 8 months.

Are you sitting down for this one? Well it looks like the county assesors’ office here in San Diego is doing just this. They’re sending out an estimated 1,115 checks to residents that recently bought a home in San Diego county. For those individuals that received the first time home buyer’s tax credit, now they have something else to cheer about.

I once was able to reduced the taxes on my home because the value had dropped due to distress properties being sold, such as short sales and foreclosures,  in my area. In my case I had to prove to the county that my home was worth less than their assessed value on record. Thankfully for me being a REALTOR generating comparable properties was simple. I actually found the nearest Prudential California Realty office and printed up the needed information and submitted it to the county assessors’ office.

I find it refreshing that the county has taken a proactive approach on this subject and has initiated property tax refunds without the red tape or hassles usually accompanied with this. The amounts being refunded vary from about $10 to thousands. So if you’re one a recent home owner keep an eye out for that check and enjoy your  unexpected income and have some fun with it!