How Proposition 19 Benefits Seniors Selling Their Homes in Santa Barbara and Montecito, CA
Are you a senior homeowner in Santa Barbara or Montecito, CA, considering selling your home? Whether you want to downsize, move closer to family, or transition to a senior living community, understanding California’s Proposition 19 could save you thousands in property taxes.
As Deborah Samuel, a Senior Specialist Realtor, and co-owner of Santa Barbara Senior Organization Support (SB SOS) with my wife Kelsey Samuel, I have helped many seniors successfully navigate the sale of their homes while leveraging Prop 19 to reduce their tax burden. My downsizing company, SB SOS, provides expert assistance with organizing, decluttering, and coordinating a seamless move—whether locally or across the country.
Let’s explore how Proposition 19 can benefit you as a senior homeowner in Santa Barbara or Montecito, CA.
What is Proposition 19?
Proposition 19, passed in November 2020, provides significant property tax savings for homeowners aged 55 and older who want to sell their primary residence and move to a new home in California. Under Prop 19:
✅ Seniors can transfer their property tax base to a new home anywhere in California
✅ The new home can be of equal or greater value (with only a partial reassessment if it’s more expensive)
✅ Homeowners can transfer their tax base up to three times, giving flexibility in future moves
If you bought your home decades ago at a lower assessed value, you won’t lose that benefit when moving to a new property—potentially saving thousands in property taxes yearly.
For full details, visit the California Board of Equalization: boe.ca.gov
Why Proposition 19 is a Game-Changer for Seniors in Santa Barbara and Montecito
The Santa Barbara and Montecito real estate markets are highly desirable, making them excellent places to sell a longtime home at top value. But in the past, seniors faced a significant financial obstacle when moving—if they bought a new home, they would be taxed at the current market rate, which could be significantly higher than what they were paying.
Proposition 19 solves this problem. If you are a senior looking to downsize in Santa Barbara or Montecito, you can move to a smaller home while keeping your property tax rate lower. If you’re moving closer to family elsewhere in California, you can still transfer your tax base to your new home.
How Seniors Are Using Proposition 19 to Their Advantage
Many senior homeowners across Santa Barbara and Montecito have successfully leveraged Proposition 19 to relocate while keeping their property taxes low.
As a Senior Specialist Realtor, I, Deborah Samuel, have guided many longtime homeowners through the process of selling their homes while ensuring they maximize the tax benefits available under Prop 19.
A common scenario I see involves seniors who purchased their homes 30-40 years ago at a much lower assessed value. Without Proposition 19, selling and purchasing a new home would lead to a considerable increase in property taxes. Now, thanks to Prop 19, they can transfer their existing tax base to a new home, even if it’s more expensive, with only a partial reassessment—providing substantial long-term savings.
How SB SOS Helps With the Transition
While I handle the real estate and property sale aspects, my downsizing company, SB SOS (Santa Barbara Senior Organization Support), provides critical assistance with the logistics of moving.
✔ Decluttering & Organizing: Helping seniors downsize and prepare their homes for sale
✔ Packing & Moving Coordination: Handling all the details for a smooth transition
✔ Cross-Country Relocation Assistance: We have helped many seniors move to be closer to family in other states
✔ Senior Living Transitions: Supporting moves into senior communities or retirement campuses
With my expertise as a Realtor and the hands-on support of SB SOS, my team and I ensure that seniors in Santa Barbara and Montecito can sell their home with confidence and transition smoothly to their next chapter.
How Popular is Proposition 19 Among Seniors?
Seniors across California have embraced Prop 19 as a way to relocate without financial strain. According to recent data:
📌 In the Bay Area, approved property tax base transfers surged from 1,000 per year to over 3,500 annually in 2022-2023. (sfchronicle.com)
📌 Homeowners in Santa Barbara County are increasingly using Proposition 19 to move into senior-friendly homes while maintaining their low tax base.
📌 Many seniors are selling their high-maintenance properties and moving into retirement communities or single-level homes that are easier to manage.
If you’ve been holding off on selling because of tax concerns, now is the time to explore how Proposition 19 can work for you!
How to Get Started With Selling Your Home Under Proposition 19
If you're considering selling your home and want to take advantage of Proposition 19, I can help you every step of the way.
🔹 Step 1: Consultation With Deborah Samuel, Senior Specialist Realtor
- We’ll discuss your home’s market value and your relocation goals
- I’ll guide you through how to transfer your tax base under Prop 19
🔹 Step 2: Preparing Your Home for Sale
- My downsizing team at SB SOS will help you declutter, organize, and pack
- I’ll develop a customized selling strategy to maximize your home’s value
🔹 Step 3: Selling & Relocating Smoothly
- I’ll handle the sale of your home while ensuring you meet all Prop 19 requirements.
- My team at SB SOS will assist with your transition—whether local or cross-country.
Final Thoughts: Take Advantage of Proposition 19 Today!
Proposition 19 presents a major opportunity for senior homeowners in Santa Barbara and Montecito, CA, to sell their homes and transition to a new living arrangement—without the burden of increased property taxes.
As a Senior Specialist Realtor, I, Deborah Samuel, am here to guide you through every step of the home-selling process. And with my downsizing team at SBSOS, we make the entire transition stress-free.
Let’s start planning your next move today!
📞 Call me at 805-570-6680
📧 Email me at [email protected]
🌐 Visit my website: DeborahSellsSB.com
I look forward to helping you navigate Proposition 19 and your next big move!
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