We’re often asked about past property taxes for a home they’re interested in buying and seeing the breakdown of those taxes (including questions about Mello-Roos)
We can help you find the info and answers to your questions! As a reminder, you should ALWAYS contact the Placer County Tax Collector’s Office 530-889-4120 or the Placer County Assessor’s Office at 530-889-4300. Or call them for any detailed tax related questions about the property.
All parties on this post are to verify all information found here. Agents cannot verify tax amounts with any property due to liability reasons.
The link above will take you to the Placer County Assessor’s Official Website Page for Property Details Research (you should see an image similar to below)
Once you agree to the “terms of the Placer County Assessor’s website” (check box) it will take you to the image below.
Warning: if you have pop-up menus disabled on your web browser, you may have to enable them temporarily
This pop-up window will include a drop-down menu option (see screengrab below) with options to either enter the property’s APN (assessor parcel number) OR the property’s address.
Enter your info and voila, you’re done! Now just hit “View Details” and it will take you to the property profile. FYI: the property info page will default to “property info,” but you will have the option to toggle to a second column called “Roll Values.”
Our Placer County Web Designer likes to change things constantly (including links), so I apologize if any of the links above are broken (it is frustrating for us too). I do try to check this post frequently for broken links.
REALTORs Steve Ostrom + Heather Ostrom • (916) 308-2446 • Homes@RosevilleAndRocklin.com • Coldwell Banker Realty • 2200 Douglas Blvd Building B, Suite 200, Roseville, CA 95661 • CALBRE# 01344154 • 01899313
Have you outgrown your space? Do you need a multigenerational space? Or are you simply relocating?
Whatever the reason, many find themselves in a similar situation and in the past, the option was to be a contingent buyer (meaning, they, the buyer – their purchase is contingent on them selling their home current to be able to buy the next home).
REALTOR Steve Ostrom with Coldwell Banker Realty sits down with the amazing, Dara Delgado with Dara’s Loans to discuss a way to be a non-contingent buyer for this type of scenario.**
Why this could be a smart idea for you in this situation, it helps you to be more competitive in multiple offer scenarios OR more appealing (possibly safer) to sellers by not having that risk of lining up two sales to close on the purchase. Less dominoes in the process to line up for success, so to speak.
Not all sellers feel comfortable going with a contingent buyer, because there is more risk involved and it can affect timelines by pushing out the closing date and when folks are trying to schedule their lives, movers, or possibly the seller doing a purchase next on their own – it does affect desirability unless the seller has been on the market for awhile. Not an absolute comment, but definitely something to be mindful to be a savvy buyer.
Not all buyers will be able to go this suggested route, but if you can and it makes financial sense for your life and finances – it can be an improved route for increasing your likelihood for buyer offer acceptance by a seller.
As with all financial decisions, always consult your trusted financial, tax, or loan person before making any decisions.
To discuss your unique scenario as a buyer (or seller that will be in this scenario) – give Real Estate Agent, Steve Ostrom a call or text 916-308-2446 or click here.
To review loans and investments, give Dara Delgado a call / txt at 916-224-3327 or click here to visit Dara’s website. NMLS #249825 | CALIFORNIA – Mortgage Broker that can assist with refinances, purchases, and loans.
*With all real estate decisions – always consult your trusted financial, tax, or loan person before making any financial decision. Any items mentioned here are not considered advice for your situation.
**With all communication, please identify if you’re represented by a real estate agent. We ethically must (and want to be) respectful of all current real estate relationships, including buyer broker agreements that may be in place.*
Understanding the upfront fees – the appraisal fee will be an upfront fee. The inspections (depends on the area) are often steered by the buyer side with a few exceptions in Northern California for country properties where you sometimes see septic and water tests on the seller. A delay on coordinating any inspections once you’re in escrow (while being mindful of when your inspection period starts and your contingency of purchase form are critical here). If you do not need to start inspections because of the way the COP form (see above) is marked – be mindful of this …
Do not wait to order your appraisal or hold off inspections – your delay as a buyer can be self-sabotage and risk a seller issuing a “notice to perform” if you do not hold to your contractual obligation. There will only be so much your lender or agent can do to protect you, if an appraisal review runs late or an inspector can’t accommodate a last minute request, you might be fine and be granted an extension to your contingency period, or you might get a notice to perform and potentially be kicked out of contract.
Warning: Contractors and inspectors can be booked out for a week or two, particularly for specialty items, or any testing involved. Some may be free for a bid, but some may cost to you at a cost / fee. This is not the time to be cheap and pass over an inspection which can potentially save you from a costly mistake.
Fluid communication and updates between all parties (buyer + seller) we hear way too often, “Wow, you guys are so great at communication.” You MUST be a great communicator and play well with others to have a contingent sale go smoothly. If your agent is only nice to you and not others – some think this is a way to play “hard ball” for sales, but you just have someone has a horrible reputation in town.
If you have a seller credit coming to you as a buyer – be sure to loop in the lender and title company ASAP as this can add a day or two for review (not always, but something you have to be aware of).
ALWAYS have a housing solution, plan B. Your home you’re purchasing may not close on time, and/or life can happen and a deal falls out of place – be wise and try your best to secure your housing as a back-up plan (rental, staying with family/friends, etc).
Seller Occupancy After Closing – this has to be negotiated up front during the counter phase and we always suggest a few weeks at least to try and mitigate any delayed closing on any side of the deal(s). It can happen, even on the most perfect of files monitored. There are numerous bodies behind the scenes on loan and this can affect your closing. Along with TRID – be aware of this as a buyer. TRID can delay you alone (see #3 above, last bullet).
Most lenders will not allow over 59 days of occupancy by seller after closing, and most buyers aren’t the biggest fans of much of anything past 29 days (if any at all)
Education and information is King/Queen. Know your options – we are not asking you to think negatively that it will fail, it’s just planning for all outcomes to the best of our ability.
Sometimes it’s best to take the credit and sometimes it’s important to wait to see request for repairs executed before close of escrow (COE). It depends on the scenario what’s the right route.
If you’re concerned about findings when you open up the roof to do dry-rot or pest work (WDO) – sometimes it’s best to wait and get it done and delay closing and of COURSE this stinks to do, but it could save you thousands if more work that’s needed is uncovered when you open things up.
If you have work being done, as part of your request for repairs – ensure there’s mention of all work being done BEFORE close of escrow.
Sometimes it’s best for buyer to take the money credit – to take control of overseeing repairs by their own trusted contractor that way they know who the work is being done by, and may be able to save cost.
Ensure that a licensed contractor is doing all work and receipts are provided before COE (close of escrow). There are some of the shenanigans that can occur, so don’t let anyone bully you.
Give us a call for your scenario and we can find out if we’re the right solution for your needs. If we’re not – we’ll get you connected to someone who is the right person for the job! 916-308-2446
This post is from 2016 and will be updated soon* (1/2026)
The process for a home closing in Placer County
Every area has their own procedure with home sales, regarding signings at title (or via notary) and the closing process. This is one of the most confusing topic for buyers and sellers. Below, we’re addressing sales specifically in Placer County, CA. “All-cash” deals will have their own (quicker) timeline, and maybe that will be a topic for another video 🙂 This video applies to buyers with a loan.
You’re not alone if you’re confused on when do you sign paperwork, how does the closing happen, and when do we hand over keys? We will do our best to equip you with all the right information, so you feel as prepared and informed as possible.
More “Closing” Questions Answered
Do buyer and seller sit at the same table to sign paperwork? No, they’re typically separate appointments at the title company. In our area, escrow and title are in the same location (much easier). You’re not sitting with the opposite party, signing at the same time.
What if I can’t come to the title company? It happens, a notary can come to you, at an additional fee. We usually encourage the buyer or seller, to go to the title company for a signing of final paperwork, but if it’s a “larger brand” title office with multiple branches locally, we can sometimes have you signed, with warning, at a nearby office, if the main title company isn’t convenient to access (example signing in Roseville vs. going to a Sacramento office).
Can we schedule our signing in advance? Not always, depends on loan docs arriving at title. Depending on the type of loan, the seller can sometimes sign earlier. But best not to assume, lets have that dialogue in advance, if one seller will be inaccessible – starting to about a week, before closing.
What if I can only sign after-hours or on the weekend? If you’re on vacation, or have limited signing capability, let us know and for a small fee, we may be able to have a notary come to you. This can pad a day or two to closing, and if you’re out of the country when loan docs come in, this is definitely dialogue we want to have in advance.
When we sign, does that mean we’re closed on the home? No. If the buyer has a loan – it depends on when funding occurs (can be near immediate, immediate, or 24-48 business hours after review). If you’re buyer, have this communication of process, as the lender is at the steering wheel at one point, determining much of these timelines. If you don’t know what questions to ask, we can help you.
Why is there a “Final-Walkthrough” by the Buyer? It’s the buyer’s right to ensure the property is in the same condition, as when they went into escrow. Your home is most likely in chaos-mode with packing, so don’t fret, but know that this visit will happen right before closing.
When do we turn off utilities? Unless otherwise specified in contract, utilities are to always stay on, until we know we’re going on record / closing that day.
How clean does your home need to be? It’s a touchy subject as you can imagine. Do as agreed to, between buyer and seller. When in doubt and a professional clean is requested, it’s not a bad idea to consider hiring who the buyer prefers, to avoid any disputes of “what’s their interpretation of ‘clean.'” We think it’s a good gesture to hire a professional cleaner. Typically, “broom swept and clean” is the asked for item, but expectations are always different from folks.
Is it okay if I leave trash on the side yard, or items in the garage or attic? All furniture and personal property, inside and outside the home – MUST be removed. With extra paint that belongs to the house, typically you’re going to want to see a new home owner want to have that … to avoid painful paint-matching, but all other items, when in doubt, ask buyer-side, and don’t make assumptions what’s okay to leave behind.
When and how do the buyers get the keys? Keys can be retrieved, the day of closing, by default 5pm. Check your contract first – that’s what determines “what time.” Typically, one key is left in the Metrolist Lockbox, that the buyer’s agent can retrieve at the right time, and hand that key over to the new buyers. If you’re a new homeowner – PLEASE re-key your home, always.
Will the sellers leave me items, to help out? If you’re a seller, before closing, ping your agent to share with the buyer-side, all utility info and where you’re storing appliance manuals, extra keys, mailbox key, when trash day is, and any helpful info that might give the new home owners a “leg-up” … the buyers will be grateful.
Disclosure: Always consult local regulation and your trust real estate agent representing you. All items in the video, and above, are how we would educate our clients here in Placer County. Any financial items, always consult your trusted financial and/or tax advisor.
So perhaps you’re considering regular pest service … or maybe you just need one-shot to get rid of wasps. Black widows are another item we see often in our area. They’re the shiny, eight-legged vampires of the night – you won’t always see them during the day, but look out once the sun is down. Okay, I know … that’s not nice that I am typing this and freaking you out (bleegggh, they freak me out)
The reason we love working with Zack is he’s a good person, that knows and loves what he does, and helps home owners with their pest problems. And he always has an idea for how to tackle pest problems.
Sometimes one visit takes care of items, but sometimes the right solution is on-going service.
So listen in to what options you have with regular or one-shot pest service.
Also one other thing to mention, if you’re considering putting your home on the market for sale, a clear pest (WDO / wood destroying organism) report is a great thing for a listing agent to have or know about, so be sure to mention to your listing agent (but of course, that’s us … right?) * wink wink *
Californians: so your property just went into escrow and your inspection period has started.
Sellers are you ready? Is your home ready? Do you know what’s going to happen?
If you watch the video below, you might be thanking us. This is a great preparation video for sellers that are expecting their pest / WDO inspection to be happening once in contract (wood destroying organisms).
Avoid last minute scrambling, moving items in your garage, cutting back bushes, and most importantly … avoid an unnecessary re-inspection (nobody likes paying for a “re-inspection fee” to gain access to spots that couldn’t be accessed on the original inspection).
Watching this video before you go active on the real estate market and then you’ll be ready for when that great offer comes across for you to accept!
Watch Steve Ostrom and Zack Finley review the important items to be ready for in a pest inspection.
You’re going to love the great tips from Zack Finley of Finley Home Services: Termite and Pest Control. You’ll be ready to go for your pest inspection and less stressed.
More tips:
Before ANYTHING, Buyers, talk to your real estate agent about timelines and who’s paying for “what inspections” (this is not advice that overrides your trusted real estate agent’s opinion / representation)
Before doing ANY repairs – always verify your contractor is licensed (active) and bonded before any inspection or review or repair is conducted. DIY can get you into trouble and be aware, for a clearance that’s needed contractually, you will likely have to still pay a pest inspection group to come out for a “clearance” report. Also, be aware with you doing the work, you are the one liable for how the work was executed. Also make sure the contract does not state, “To be completed by a professional with receipts to be provided.” If you think you’re immune to this, we can share some horror stories. Again, consult your trusted agent and representation before doing anything.
Pest inspectors: ask for recommendations from your agent or friends. We have enjoyed Zack Finley with Finley Home Services in the past, but please do your research online for reviews and see who makes the most sense for your situation.
Ask about pricing for inspections (in advance vs. through escrow) – it may be cheaper to pay on-site or in advance.
Verify repairs include primer paint and re-paint fee (you’ll need to have your paint on-site and ready to roll) – this is one that catches folks the most off-guard. Getting the repairs and only have the primer wood exposed. It typically does NOT include a repaint of the original matching paint, primer only.
As with any choice in vendors – please do your research as it only takes one new hire to ruin the reputation of a company. Yelp and Google Maps Business are two of our favorites, but also – the Facebook Neighborhood groups can be a great resource to hit up that “search button” for recommended inspectors. FYI, not all regular service pest groups do “WDO inspections” (the correct name for a pest inspection is a WDO Report)** so if you ask, let them know it’s for a real estate transaction.
Questions – don’t hesitate to ask for our help or give us a call 916-308-2446
REALTORs Steve Ostrom + Heather Ostrom • (916) 308-2446 • Homes@RosevilleAndRocklin.com • Coldwell Banker Realty • 2200 Douglas Blvd Building B, Suite 200, Roseville, CA 95661 • CALBRE# 01344154 • 01899313
So maybe you’re getting ready to start researching the internet for your dream home. Perhaps you’re a first-time home buyer, it won’t be your “forever” home, but you know what you need to do, to get there … or maybe you’re a move-up buyer, looking to purchase a larger space (where you might have to list your home, to buy the next one) … or simply you just want a home in a new location (whether for need or relocation).
So not too long ago, I thought Steve O and I did a pretty awesome video on what buyers should look for when researching their next neighborhood at it was featured on the international Coldwell Banker website.
It’s not always about the data that everyone can find. It’s also the workings of the neighborhood at different times of day, knowing what’s important to you in your daily life and how quickly you can access those items when you need to or in regards to your schedule.
What is mortgage insurance and what are your options?
Definition from Wikipedia: Mortgage Insurance (also known as mortgage guarantee and home-loan insurance) is an insurance policy which compensates lenders or investors for losses due to the default of a mortgage loan. Mortgage insurance can be either public or private depending upon the insurer. The policy is also known as a mortgage indemnity guarantee (MIG)
With the info overload in new real estate and numbers that are presented to buyers, it’s no wonder why there’s confusion regarding mortgage insurance. There are many misconceptions about mortgage insurance, so we asked Ryan Nordby of Princeton Capital – Roseville, CA – to go into a deeper discussion about the three flavors of mortgage insurance. In some cases if your credit score is high enough, the “one-time” buyout might be a better solution instead of putting 20% down on your next home.
Here is the example that Ryan uses: For a $400,000 Purchase 10% down is $40,000.
The MI buyout for a client with 760 credit is 1.27 Points.
($360,000 Loan * .0127 = $4,572) vs. $40,000 more down.
Currently, since FHA financing has changed so much, we are seeing much more conventional loans. In the past, it seemed like anything with less than 10% down was FHA. Once FHA changed their mortgage insurance to being attached to the loan for the life of the loan, we are now seeing primarily conventional loan offers on our listings. Many of them are with as little as 5% down. It is important to go over all scenarios with your lender to know what is the right fit for your current situation, and also for planning down the road and your economic success.
To speak to Ryan directly, and get a specialized quote specific to you, give Ryan a call or send him an email.
Have you been debating if you’re going to move up to the “apartment in the sky George Jefferson” or are you going to make your home the place you always dreamed to live in?
Hard questions for many of us to answer. Do you go out and find the perfect home or do you create your “nest” to reflect your perfect world? Well, what I would suggest starting with making lists of the pros and cons of what’s the best route for your situation.
Do you love your current home and neighborhood?
Have you been looking for an opportunity to change school districts or move to another neighborhood? Maybe a cul-de-sac location is your dream situation, or perhaps more land to stretch on or maybe a lower-maintenance yard?
Will you be “over-building” for your neighborhood (with a remodel)?
Will you be selling in the near future due to needs of a downsize or more space? Important to ask if you’re trying to get return on your upgrade or remodel.
Draw up the costs of that pool you have been dreaming of, or that must-have upgrade you have always wanted (example kitchen, or master bedroom, etc). Get quotes for your upgrades. Concrete items for your budget.
Are you in a two-story and you’re starting to think of the future and a one-level home, or need that first floor full bedroom and bath? Are monthly bills fitting into your future budget?
Do you know the values of your neighborhood and current value of your home model (no, not your Zestimate)? We can help you here. Just let us know.
Your ‘target’ neighborhood – do you know what the going prices are going for, with what size of home you might need that will fit your budget? (including Mello Roos / taxes, utility group fees, etc)
Life is not always perfect and not all of us have the means for change, or desire.Why not see what the options are for your improved life quality and daily life function in your home. In many cases, with this market, if you’re unhappy with the area you’re in, it might make sense to move-up into your “perfect home.”
For folks where expensive and costly remodels may NOT make sense and are NOT the solution. Example, a “move-up” buyer or maybe someone that might need to downsize in the near future. Get a second opinion on your choices for upgrades, particularly if you do have intention to sell soon. You might want to modify upgrades and remodels that are appealing to a larger group of folks, and perhaps not drain the life savings into a kitchen remodel if you might be moving (and hopefully find that perfect kitchen in another home).
Are you the Lexus amongst the lot of “Tow Maters?”
Are you at the top of the food chain with or without these upgrades already? Do your homework on your competition and be aware of pricing of that competition in the neighborhood and know how appraisals can affect buyers on your home. When it comes to selling time, you might find yourself frustrated that you didn’t consult an appraiser before making costly upgrades … and talk to a REALTOR, so you know what the values are in your neighborhood, tailored to your home.
One thing not addressed in the video by Steve O, are the folks that ARE perfect candidates for a remodel or home upgrade. Particularly if you love the area you are located. I know, some folks don’t mind the money invested if it means for their quality of life, enjoyment and for those that qualify for those comments – do it! If you’re blessed to live in your “FOREVER” home and do NOT want to move – and you are the perfect candidate for a remodel. What are you waiting for? Start requesting some quotes from a few licensed contractors and create the space you deserve. (and don’t forget to check with your state board with contractor licensing and bonding for remodeling, if applicable)
We’re here for your needs and what’s right for you, BUT if you’re NOT in the place you want to be, and you do have the means to move-up – you SHOULD check out your options out there.
Don’t let “what-ifs” keep you from research, and give us a call today – let us know if we can help you put your dream home on the radar. 916-308-2446
“Should You Stay or Should You Go Now?” :-
Property Questions or Showings? 916-308-2446 – Homes@RosevilleAndRocklin.com – REALTORs Steve + Heather Ostrom
