Your monthly payment is more than principal and interest. A clear picture of taxes and dues means no surprises and a payment you feel good about.
How property tax works in California
- The base rate is 1% of the assessed value, which is usually your purchase price.
- Voter-approved local charges and bonds are added, so total rates commonly run about 1.1% to 1.25% in coastal San Diego County and Orange County.
- Under Proposition 13, the assessed value can rise by no more than 2% a year while you own the home.
- After you buy, the county sends a supplemental tax bill to adjust for the new value, so plan for it in your first year.
Special assessments and Mello-Roos
Newer communities often have a special tax called Mello-Roos that pays for roads, schools and parks. It shows up on your tax bill. It is disclosed to buyers in the natural hazard disclosure report, and the amount is easy to see before you make an offer. Your agent will point out any special taxes on a property.
HOA dues
If a home belongs to a homeowners association, you pay monthly dues that cover shared amenities and maintenance. Before you commit: - Ask for the budget, reserve study, rules and recent meeting minutes. - Check what the dues include (water, trash, insurance, landscaping). - Learn whether there are limits on rentals, pets or remodeling.
Put it together
Use the payment calculator to add taxes, insurance and HOA dues to your loan payment and see your true monthly number.
Talk to a lender. Rates, loan programs and approvals come from lenders, not from websites or real estate agents. Talk to your own mortgage broker, or use our preferred lender, Rodrigo Ballon with CrossCountry Mortgage, at 858-735-0255. You are always free to choose any lender you like, and you can verify any lender’s license at nmlsconsumeraccess.org.
Tax rates vary by address. A title company or the county tax collector can give exact figures for any property.
More in Buyer Guides
- First-Time Buyer: The 10 Steps — A friendly checklist from first budget to keys, built for people buying for the first time.
- From Accepted Offer to Keys: Your Day-by-Day Timeline — What happens in the roughly 30 days after your offer is accepted, and what to do each week.
- Working With a Buyer's Agent: The Written Agreement and How It Works — What the buyer representation agreement covers, how agents are paid, and what to expect from a great one.
- Loan Types and 2026 Limits: Conventional, FHA, VA and Jumbo — A simple tour of your loan options, with this year's official San Diego County and Orange County limits.
- Down Payment Help: Programs Worth Checking — Where buyers look for down payment and closing cost help in California and San Diego County.
- Homeowners Insurance: Get Your Quote Early and Keep It Simple — What a home policy covers, how to shop quotes, and why lining it up early makes closing smooth.
- Inspections and Disclosures: Your Information Advantage — The reports and forms that tell you everything about a home, and how to use them with confidence.
- Writing an Offer That Wins (and Still Protects You) — How to build an offer that stands out through price, terms and timing, with your interests protected.
- Closing Costs Explained — Every line on your closing statement, in plain English, with realistic ranges.
General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Programs, rules and limits change, so confirm details with your lender, escrow officer, attorney or tax professional.