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CA Primary Voter Turnout Dismal - What's Up?
Posted on June 10, 2008 at 9:19 AM by Bill Taraschi
Voter Turn Out information from the CA Secretary of State’s Office indicates voters just do not go to the polls. Statewide, only 23.8% (less than 1 out of 4 registered voters) of the state’s 16.1 million voters went to the polls or mailed in their absentee ballots. In the five counties in Southern California, San Diego County had the highest turnout at 31.3%, followed by Riverside County at 18.0%, Los Angeles & Orange Counties at 17.5% and San Bernardino County picking up the rear at just 16.5%.
Ballot propositions in low voter turnout elections can be significantly influenced by their political action and advocacy groups. Proposition 98 was defeated by a 61% to 39% margin, while Proposition 99 passed by a 62% to 38% margin. Both of these propositions had to do with the dicey Eminent Domain issue that is an important Real Estate issue.
So, we want to know with so many issues facing our cities, our counties, our state and our nation, why do voters fail to cast their vote? If you want to weigh in on this discussion, then please send us an email and share your thoughts with us.
REAL ESTAE INVESTOR OPPORTUNITY
Posted on May 20, 2008 at 11:28 AM by Bill Taraschi
We have a very good financial investment opportunity in real estate available right now. The real estate markets have been punished by the trio of difficult issues: the subprime loan fallout resulting in short sales and foreclosures, the lack of available credit and liquidity and the looming recession. In many neighborhoods, real estate values have declined to 2003 & 2004 levels. In the high foreclosure neighborhoods, they have declined to 2002 levels. This is a tough pill to swallow for homeowners, since the losses in property values mean trillions of dollars of wealth have been lost. Doom & gloom? So say the media.
You may not know that from 1968-2005, residential real estate averaged an annual appreciation of 7.1%. If 2006 & 2007 are added to the mix, this average appreciation is still above 5.5% per year. If you are a real estate investor, the tax savings includes the ability to depreciate the investment asset (further tax savings) and defer the capital gains tax (known as a 1031 exchange). The bottom line is over time, real estate has been and will continue to be a superior medium to long term financial investment.
We have a listing in Corona that is up in the hills off the Green River exit of the 91 freeway. This single family house is 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It is on a cul de sac in a nice neighborhood. The community has an association pool & spa, lighted tennis courts across the street and lots of green belt areas (HOA just $110 per month). The beauty of this investment is that there is a built in tenant that is currently paying rent ($1,900 per month) and they will execute a 12 month lease with the new owner/investor. The property is listed at just $369,000. So if you do the math and work with our resources to get a preferred loan, you can breakeven before tax on your cash flow with a proper down payment. The tax savings after tax will be substantial (double-digit).
If this sounds attractive, then please send me an email or give me a call right away. The current owners are motivated to sell this property.
The Dream Team
714-779-TEAM
2008 Property Tax Relief a Possibility
Posted on March 29, 2008 at 9:32 PM by Bill Taraschi, Mark Johnson, Jeri Bailey
If you purchased your home in the last few years, it is possible the value of your property has dipped below the assessed tax value in 2007. You have the opportunity to Request for Informal Assessment Review to see if your property taxes should be reduced in 2008. But time is of the essence. You must file for this informal review with the Orange County Tax Assessor's Office by March 31, 2008 to be considered for property tax relief this year. You can act as your own agent, or you can authorize an agent to act on your behalf in the review process. It is important to seek the help of real estate professionals to provide the best Comparable Market Data Informaiton for this review. So, please give us a call today at 714-779-TEAM(8326) so we can help you through this process.
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