Adam Kelley Real Estate Agent

You live in a neighborhood; you've lived there your whole life. You know your neighbors, you're friends with several of them. For decades, the neighborhood was... in rough shape: littered yards, iron bars on the windows, the sound of gunshots ringing through the air. All this a not-so-distant memory. You wanted better, but better wasn't possible. Then things started to change. It started a few blocks over. New jobs brought new people to the town. They moved in, fixed up their house, and slowly the trend made its way to your block. You're excited to see the improvements. Beauty has a way of elevating the spirit. Your neighborhood finally has a future - the excitement is in the air and its palpable. But you're concerned too. As the neighborhood returns to its former glory (better, even!) your house becomes more valuable. That's great except for one thing: property taxes. --- You pay taxes every year based on how much the state thinks you could sell your house for. You're paying around $2,400 per year right now (around $200 / month), but your neighbors a few blocks over (where the improvements began) are now paying $5,700 (around $480 / month). You don't make the kind of money your neighbors make. An extra $280 / month in taxes is A LOT. You have no idea where you're going to get that kind of money. You want to stay in your home - it's where your friends, your family, and your church are. It's where you've rooted yourself. But the reality is, you're going to have to move, probably to a beat up neighborhood. You're being forced out of your home not because you did anything wrong, but because your neighborhood went in the right direction and *taxes* are pushing you out. --- This is the story of many people across the nation. Some sneeringly refer to this as "gentrification" and, astoundingly, turn their wrath on those who'd dare to improve their homes and beautify their neighborhoods. In 1978, Californians decided they didn't want it to be their story. They passed Proposition 13 to stop the annual assessments and slow the rapid tax increases. Now, people who find themselves surrounded once more by beautiful neighborhoods don't have to worry about being driven out by taxes. Instead, they can remain and even make their own improvements to their home. The longer they remain, the more the neighborhood improves, the more valuable their house becomes. For most Americans, their home is their most valuable asset. Someday, it will play a key role in their retirement income. In California, a person's home is likely the single greatest wealth building tool a low to moderate income individual has and that's thanks in no small part to Proposition 13. --- Today's radical Democratic Party in California hates Proposition 13 - a Proposition that passed while Jerry Brown was governor the first time around. They're taking aim at it. Their more radical members have made their intentions clear: their first step is to get the voters to pass a "split roll" initiative (Proposition 15 on this year's ballot) that, effectively, enables them to abolish Proposition 13 protections for commercial properties. Proponents of Proposition 15 will tell you stories of landlords who own high rises in places like LA and San Francisco, landlords who pay insanely low taxes on office buildings with insanely high rents. These stories are true. It feels like taxpayers are getting ripped off. Schools are falling apart, but the Monopoly Man is collecting fat rent checks and not paying his fair share in taxes. But these stories aren't the whole story. Not even close. The stories they won't tell you are the stories of the mechanic, the small coffee shop owner, the owner of that local restaurant where you and your spouse go for your rare date nights. Regardless of whether they rent or own, these people will find themselves facing thousands of dollars in new taxes they'll have to pay every year. Democrats want to hit these struggling business owners with these taxes right after COVID. Talk about adding insult to injury. --- You know, if it takes an incremental approach, then so be it. You know, my tendency is to want to nuke [Proposition 13]. However, one has to deal with political dynamics here in California. - San Fransico Assemblyman Tom Ammiano First they came for the landlord and the business owner... Ask not for whom the Proposition tolls. It tolls for thee.

Before I could post this Vista home it was sold #coronaviruarealestate this is a crazy good market for sellers

Carlsbad home in escrow BEFORE listing! Had the photos shot and sold it before they went on the MLS. Market is moving! 769-888-7778

SOLD, this house appraised for $435k and I represented the buyer who bought it for $370k! If you are familiar with how appraisals work when homes are purchased, they are rarely high like that, this home was a great deal. There were tons of issues that came up, but we got through it and now we have a new home owner!!!

Usually at a photoshoot I am hiding behind a wall just around the corner, sometimes I unhide myself too soon. New Carlsbad house coming on the market, although looks like I have already received an offer on it!

so this Fallbrook home to a family expanding into a bigger house from a condo, feels good to move into a place with your own attached garage and a neighborhood. 760 888 7778