JOANN JORDAN, PRINCIPAL BROKER, SRES, e-PRO, with 25 years experience in CA & HI. She knows all the Oceanside neighborhoods and can program the San Diego County MLS computer to send you listings with your preferences and in your price range.

Cell: (760) 450-6252; Office: (760) 435-0078; Home Ofc: (760) 722-6562.

Senior Citizens, over age 55, Propositions 60 & 90 offer a rare opportunity to save money on property taxes when purchasing a new residence in a qualifying California county, such as San Diego county. The Proposition 60 & 90 program rules are outlined below and also the CA counties which have adopted or rejected Proposition 60 & 90. Come to Oceanside California, within participating San Diego county, to purchase your new residence where there are many retirement communities and a lower cost of living index.

Below are some basic questions and answers about the reappraisal exclusion program of Proposition 60 & 90 obtained from the San Diego County Assessors Office Please reconfirm the eligible counties with the County Assessor's Office.

• Q: What does the reappraisal exclusion program for senior citizens provide?
• A: This program provides one-time property tax relief for seniors over 55 by presenting a property valuation increase when they sell a home and purchase another home of equal of LESSER value.
• Q: Are there property value limits on this program?
• A:Generally, the value of the replacement property must be equal to or LESS than the market value of the original property.
• Q: If I buy a replacement home with a much higher value than my present home, can I qualify for a PARTIAL exclusion?
• A: NO. Partial exclusions are NOT allowed under this program: It is either all or nothing.
• Q: Is there an age requirement to qualify?
• A: The property owner must be 55 or older at the time the original property is sold in order to qualify. For married couples, only one spouse must be 55 or older.
• Q: Can I take advantage of this program more than once?
• A: Yes, you may qualify for the second time if you later become severely and permanently disabled after you have already received property tax relief under this program. For more information, call the San Diego, CA Assessor's office at 619-531-5481.
• Q:Is there a time limit that applies to this program?
• A: You must buy your replacement home within two years of selling your original property in order to qualify.
• Q: Must the property be owner-occupied?
• A: Both properties must qualify for a homeowner's exemption, which requires that a property be the owner's principal place of residence.
• Q: If I live in another California county, can I sell my home there and buy a replacement home in San Diego county, and still qualify for this program?
• A: You can move from any county in California to San Diego County and qualify.
• Q: If I decide to build my own replacement property, would it qualify under this program?
• A: New construction qualifies for this program, but there are specific requirements that must be met. It is recommended that anyone wanting to pursue this option, contact the Assessor's Office first to go over these requirements at 619-531-5481.
• Q: How do I apply?
• A: In order to qualify, you must complete and submit the necessary application form within three (3) years of the date you buy your replacement property. You may request an application by calling 619- 531-5481 and requesting "Reappraisal Exclusion for Seniors Application, Proposition 60, 90, or the "Reappraisal Exclusion for Disabled Application, Proposition 60,90.

ARE YOU CONSIDERING BUYING A HOME IN OCEANSIDE, CA? CALL JOANN JORDAN, PRINCIPAL BROKER, SRES, e-PRO, with 25 years experience in CA & HI. She knows all the Oceanside neighborhoods.

Cell: (760) 450-6252; Office: (760) 435-0078; Home Ofc: (760) 722-6562; E-mail: repts@pacbell.net

Ordinarily under Proposition 13, the value of a home for property tax purposes is re-assessed to market level whenever a change in ownership takes place. This usually results in higher property taxes for the homebuyer.

In November 1988, the state's voters approved Proposition 90, which is designed to induce greater turnover of homes owned by senior citizens. The measure provides anyone over the age of 55 with relief from Proposition 13 by allowing them to move from one county to another without undergoing a change in their basic property taxes.

Proposition 90 is a "local-option" law; each county has the option of participating. If a county has adopted a Proposition 90 ordinance, it accepts transfers of property tax base assessments from other California counties. If the county that the homeowner is moving from does not have a Proposition 90 ordinance, this does not affect the eligibility of the homeowner.

[Please note: Proposition 60 is a similar law passed by the state's voters two years prior to Proposition 90. It allows seniors to keep their property tax base assessment when they move within the same county. Please check with the San Diego County Assessors Office for eligible counties participating with Prop. 90.