Downsizing? How Prop 19 Can Help You Keep Your Low Property Taxes.
What Prop 19 changed for California homeowners.
You’ve lived in your home for decades.
A two-story, a large landscaped lot, a high-maintenance pool.
What once felt like the center of everything can start to feel like a full-time job.
You’re ready for something easier.
Something that fits the way you live today.
Could downsizing increase your property taxes?
It’s a valid concern.
But it may no longer apply the way it once did.
What Prop 19 allows
Proposition 19, passed by California voters in 2020, allows eligible homeowners age 55 and older to transfer their existing property tax base to a replacement home—anywhere in California—up to three times.
Many homeowners remember Proposition 60.
Under that system, you could only transfer your tax base within the same county—and only once.
Prop 19 expanded that flexibility.
Depending on your situation, your tax base may be transferred with you.
Downsizing looks different today
Downsizing is not always about less—it is about better.
For many, it means:
- single-story living
- newer construction
- less maintenance
- a layout that fits how they live today
Sometimes it is about being closer to family.
Sometimes it is about lifestyle.
What this means for you
If property taxes have been holding you back from making a move, it may be worth taking a closer look.
The rules are specific.
The timing matters.
And the details can make a meaningful difference.
This is where guidance matters—understanding how the law applies to your situation before making a decision.
The Final Edit:
The right information changes what is possible.
If you are considering a move, we can walk through how this applies to you—so you can make an informed decision with confidence.
