San Diego County Cancels $60,200 Transfer Tax That Would Have Added 5,500% Increase to Home Sales
TL;DR: San Diego Transfer Tax Threat Averted—For Now
San Diego County cancelled a 5,500% transfer tax increase on January 7, 2026, that would have added $60,200 to the sale of a median-priced home. The proposal, seeking to raise the rate from $0.55 to $30.55 per $500 in property value, was withdrawn after public backlash. However, Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer confirmed future "mansion tax" ballot measures remain under consideration. With $300 million in federal funding cuts driving budget pressure, homeowners face ongoing transfer tax risk. For sellers considering transactions in the next 1-3 years, locking in today's $1,085 transfer tax protects against future $60,200 exposure.
San Diego County supervisors quietly withdrew a controversial proposal on January 7, 2026, that would have increased real estate transfer taxes by 5,500%—adding $60,200 to the sale of a median-priced home. The cancellation came just three weeks after the county issued a request for quotes seeking a Sacramento lobbyist to push the tax increase through state legislation.
While the immediate threat has passed, the proposal reveals deep structural budget pressures that will likely drive future taxation attempts. For homeowners, cash buyers, and real estate investors across San Diego County, this near-miss demonstrates a critical policy risk that must be factored into transaction timing and investment decisions.
What Happened: Timeline of the Withdrawn Proposal (Dec 18, 2025 - Jan 7, 2026)
The proposal moved through a compressed timeline before public pressure forced its withdrawal:
December 18, 2025: San Diego County issued a request for quotes seeking a "contractor with vast political knowledge" to lobby Sacramento for increased taxation authority. The request included specific language allowing counties to raise real estate transfer taxes from $0.55 per $500 in property value to $30.55 per $500—more than 55 times the current rate.
December 22, 2025: Quote submission deadline closed. The contract was structured to begin January 1, 2026.
Late December 2025 - Early January 2026: Republican Supervisor Jim Desmond publicly denounced the proposal on social media, bringing transparency to what had been a relatively quiet procurement process.
January 7, 2026: The county cancelled the request for quotes. County spokesperson Tammy Glenn stated the contract was canceled "to explore different options."
January 9, 2026: The San Diego Union-Tribune published details of the withdrawn proposal, confirming the cancellation.
Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer acknowledged in a statement that "a ballot measure to tax 'mansions worth five or ten million dollars or more' remains on the table as a policy option," suggesting the withdrawal is tactical rather than permanent.
The Numbers: $60,200 Tax on Median $985,000 Home (5,500% Increase Breakdown)
The proposed transfer tax would have dramatically increased transaction costs across San Diego County. Here's how the numbers break down:
Current Transfer Tax Structure:
- Rate: $0.55 per $500 of property value
- Alternative calculation: $1.10 per $1,000 of value
- On a $985,000 median home: $1,085 total transfer tax
Proposed Transfer Tax Structure:
- Rate: $30.55 per $500 of property value
- Alternative calculation: $61.10 per $1,000 of value
- On a $985,000 median home: $60,200 total transfer tax
Impact Analysis:
- Absolute increase: $59,115 per median-priced transaction
- Percentage increase: 5,545% (55.45x multiplier)
- Additional cost as percentage of home value: 6.11%
Transfer Tax Impact Across San Diego County Price Points
| Home Value | Current Tax | Proposed Tax | Increase | Tax as % of Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $750,000 | $825 | $45,825 | $45,000 | 6.11% |
| $900,000 | $990 | $54,990 | $54,000 | 6.11% |
| $985,000 (median) | $1,085 | $60,200 | $59,115 | 6.11% |
| $1,200,000 | $1,320 | $73,320 | $71,000 | 6.11% |
| $1,500,000 | $1,650 | $91,650 | $90,000 | 6.11% |
| $2,000,000 | $2,200 | $122,200 | $120,000 | 6.11% |
According to Redfin and Zillow data, San Diego County's median home price reached $900,000 to $990,000 in late 2025, with projections showing continued appreciation to $1,050,000 for single-family homes in 2026. This means the proposed transfer tax would affect the vast majority of San Diego County homeowners—not just luxury properties.
How the Math Works: From $0.55 to $30.55 Per $500 of Property Value
California's standard documentary transfer tax rate is $0.55 per $500 of property value (or $1.10 per $1,000). This rate has been in place for decades and applies statewide unless local jurisdictions have voter-approved increases.
San Diego County's proposed increase would have changed the calculation dramatically:
Current calculation for $985,000 home:
- $985,000 ÷ $500 = 1,970 increments
- 1,970 × $0.55 = $1,083.50 (rounded to $1,085)
Proposed calculation for $985,000 home:
- $985,000 ÷ $500 = 1,970 increments
- 1,970 × $30.55 = $60,183.50 (rounded to $60,200)
The proposed rate of $30.55 per $500 translates to an effective 6.11% tax on the entire transaction value. For comparison, this exceeds California's sales tax rates in most counties (7.75% to 10.75%) and would represent one of the highest real estate transfer taxes in the nation.
Why County Supervisors Pursued This: Budget Pressures Behind the Proposal
The transfer tax proposal wasn't pursued in a vacuum—it emerged from severe budget pressures facing San Diego County in 2026.
According to NBC San Diego and Fox 5 San Diego reporting, the county faces approximately $300 million in lost federal funding due to cuts in health and human services programs. The impact breaks down as:
- $1.1 billion in Medi-Cal cuts affecting county health programs
- Nearly $300 million from CalFresh cuts (food assistance programs)
- $1.4 billion total impact to California Health and Human Services programs, with San Diego County bearing a significant portion
San Diego County health officials expect the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed by congressional Republicans and signed by President Donald Trump, will impact 327,000 people in the county who rely on Medi-Cal with new work requirements taking effect in 2027.
The county's Board of Supervisors is exploring multiple revenue strategies to address this projected shortfall, including the withdrawn transfer tax and a separate half-cent sales tax increase proposed by labor unions and nonprofits (expected to generate $360 million annually).
Terra Lawson-Remer's Budget Challenge: Understanding County Financial Strain
Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer has been the primary advocate for new revenue sources to address the county's budget crisis. In her April 2025 State of the County address, Lawson-Remer called for "a small transfer fee on the top 1%" of real estate holdings in the county, estimating such a tax would generate $1 billion in revenue for affordable housing and homelessness programs.
However, the draft contract language revealed in December 2025 showed the proposed tax would apply to virtually all home sales in San Diego County—not just high-value properties. Despite being marketed as a tax on "mansions worth five or ten million dollars or more," the proposed $30.55 per $500 rate would apply to all transactions, including the $750,000 to $1.2 million homes common in neighborhoods like Pacific Beach, La Jolla, North Park, Hillcrest, and Clairemont.
Lawson-Remer stated that "a ballot measure to tax 'mansions worth five or ten million dollars or more' remains on the table as a policy option," suggesting future proposals may include tiered rates similar to Los Angeles' Measure ULA structure.
How Public Backlash Killed It: Jim Desmond's Transparency Win
Republican Supervisor Jim Desmond played a critical role in bringing public attention to the proposal and ultimately forcing its withdrawal.
Desmond celebrated the cancellation, stating: "This is a win for transparency. Once the quiet effort to raise taxes and add new taxes was brought to light, the right outcome followed."
In December 2025, Desmond criticized county leadership by saying: "Instead of being transparent with voters, County leadership wants to hire a lobbying firm to pressure Sacramento to change state law so this tax hike becomes possible."
Desmond introduced a Board proposal calling on the County to formally oppose new and unnecessary taxes that raise housing costs, stating: "My Board proposal calls on the County to formally oppose new and unnecessary taxes that raise housing costs, hurt workers, and make it harder for small businesses to survive."
The political dynamics reveal a fundamental tension: Democratic supervisors face pressure to address genuine budget shortfalls caused by federal cuts, while Republican supervisors oppose new taxation regardless of revenue needs. This dynamic suggests future transfer tax proposals will likely require ballot measures rather than quiet legislative changes—giving voters direct control over whether such taxes are implemented.
What This Means for Homeowners: Future Tax Risk Analysis
While the immediate proposal was withdrawn, the structural factors driving it remain in place:
Ongoing Risk Factors:
- $300 million budget shortfall creates ongoing pressure for new revenue
- Federal funding cuts are permanent, not temporary
- Voter-approved tax increases remain politically viable in Democratic-leaning San Diego County
- Supervisors' willingness to pursue 5,500% tax increases demonstrates the magnitude of solutions they consider acceptable
Timeline for Future Proposals:
- 2026 ballot: Possible mansion tax targeting properties over $5-10 million
- 2028 ballot: Broader transfer tax if mansion tax proves insufficient
- Legislative changes: Ongoing lobbying for state law modifications to allow county-level transfer taxes without voter approval
Homeowners in every San Diego County neighborhood—from Pacific Beach to Point Loma, Downtown San Diego to Del Mar, Chula Vista to Oceanside—face this uncertainty. Even if future proposals are marketed as "mansion taxes," the December 2025 proposal showed that initial marketing language may not reflect actual implementation.
Comparison to LA and SF: Successful Transfer Tax Implementations
San Diego County's proposal drew heavy inspiration from Los Angeles' Measure ULA, which provides a useful comparison for what future San Diego proposals might look like.
Los Angeles Measure ULA (Implemented April 2023)
Tax Structure:
- 4% tax on property sales between $5 million and $10 million
- 5.5% tax on property sales above $10 million
- Applies only to properties above $5 million threshold
Revenue Performance:
- Raised approximately $480 million through December 2024
- Generated $830 million total for affordable housing since implementation
- Fell short of initial $600 million to $1.1 billion annual projections
Market Impact:
- 30-50% decrease in commercial, industrial, and multifamily transactions
- 50% decline in high-value property sales in first two years
- 80%+ transaction volume decline for properties over $5 million
- Properties selling for $5 million incur no tax, but properties selling for $5,000,001 pay $200,000 in tax (creating cliff effect)
Housing Production Effects:
- Sales of parcels with high redevelopment potential dropped by 50%
- Estimated cost of 1,900+ new housing units per year
- Loss of approximately 160 affordable units annually that would have been built without public funding
Long-term Financial Consequences:
- Approximately $25 million per year in lost property tax revenue
- Research from Harvard Business School, UC San Diego, and UC Irvine found that for every dollar raised by ULA, the region loses up to $1.38 in future property tax revenue
The Los Angeles experience demonstrates that while transfer taxes can generate significant revenue, they also create market distortions, reduce transaction volumes, and may generate net revenue losses when accounting for reduced property tax collections.
Pacific Beach, La Jolla, and North Park: How Transfer Tax Would Impact San Diego's Most Active Neighborhoods
San Diego's most popular residential neighborhoods would face disproportionate transfer tax impacts due to their median-to-above-median home prices. Here's how the withdrawn proposal would have affected key areas:
Pacific Beach Transfer Tax Impact
With median home prices ranging from $900,000 to $1,100,000, Pacific Beach homeowners would have faced $54,990 to $67,210 in transfer taxes under the proposed rate. The neighborhood's mix of beach cottages, condos, and renovated homes all fall within the affected price range. Pacific Beach's appeal to young professionals, families, and retirees makes it one of San Diego's most transaction-active neighborhoods—meaning the tax would have affected hundreds of sales annually.
La Jolla Transfer Tax Impact
As one of San Diego's highest-value neighborhoods, La Jolla properties frequently exceed $2 million. The proposed 6.11% transfer tax would have added $122,200 or more to most La Jolla home sales—a significant cost even for luxury buyers. La Jolla's coastal estates, hillside homes, and oceanfront properties would have faced the steepest absolute dollar impacts in the county, potentially reducing transaction volumes and property values as buyers factor the exit tax burden into acquisition prices.
North Park and Hillcrest Transfer Tax Impact
Despite being marketed as a tax on "mansions," the proposal would have heavily impacted middle-class neighborhoods. North Park and Hillcrest median home prices of $850,000 to $1,000,000 would face $51,935 to $61,100 in transfer taxes—demonstrating that the tax was never truly limited to luxury properties. These walkable, transit-oriented neighborhoods attract first-time buyers, young families, and LGBTQ+ residents who would bear substantial additional costs. The tax would have made homeownership less accessible in the very neighborhoods marketed as affordable alternatives to coastal areas.
Impact on Cash Buyers and Investors: ROI Calculations with Tax Uncertainty
For cash home buyers and real estate investors, the withdrawn transfer tax proposal creates new calculation requirements:
Investment Hold Period Risk
Investors purchasing properties today face unknown future transfer tax burdens on resale:
Example: $900,000 investment property purchased in 2026
- Current acquisition transfer tax: $990
- Planned 5-year hold with projected resale at $1,200,000 (33% appreciation)
- Current exit transfer tax: $1,320
- Total current transfer tax exposure: $2,310
Same property if 2028 ballot measure passes with 5% transfer tax:
- Acquisition transfer tax (2026): $990
- Exit transfer tax (2031): $60,000 (5% of $1.2M)
- Total transfer tax exposure: $60,990
- Additional cost vs. current environment: $58,680
- Impact on IRR: Reduces annualized return by approximately 1.2-1.5 percentage points
Cash Buyer Competitive Advantage
Cash buyers can leverage transfer tax uncertainty to create urgency with sellers:
Value Proposition to Sellers:
"Lock in your sale at the current $1,085 transfer tax rate. If county supervisors succeed with a 2026 or 2028 ballot measure, your $985,000 home could face $60,200 in transfer taxes—reducing your net proceeds by $59,115. Close within 7-14 days to avoid this risk."
Investor Acquisition Strategy:
Some investors are accelerating acquisition timelines to build inventory while the tax environment is known and stable. Properties purchased before any transfer tax increase takes effect face only current rates at acquisition, with exit tax risk manageable through timing strategies (selling before ballot measure implementation).
Seller Impact: Reduced Buyer Pool
Future transfer taxes reduce the buyer pool and suppress prices as investors factor higher exit costs into acquisition offers:
Rational investor behavior under 6% transfer tax:
- Must reduce acquisition price by approximately 3-4% to maintain target returns
- On $900,000 property, this translates to $27,000-$36,000 lower offers
- Sellers bear the economic burden even though buyer legally pays transfer tax at exit
Will They Try Again? Expert Analysis of County Budget Needs vs. Voter Approval
The likelihood of future transfer tax proposals is high for several structural reasons:
Budget Math Requires New Revenue:
The $300 million budget shortfall cannot be closed through spending cuts alone without eliminating core county services. Transfer taxes represent one of the few revenue sources that can generate nine-figure sums.
Political Viability in San Diego County:
San Diego County leans Democratic in recent elections, creating viable pathways for progressive taxation ballot measures. However, a January 2026 San Diego Union-Tribune report notes that county officials "hired political consultants to find out" if voters would support a county-led sales tax increase, suggesting uncertainty about tax measure viability.
State Legislative Pathway:
County officials need state legislative approval to exceed the standard $0.55 per $500 transfer tax rate. This creates a multi-step process:
- Sacramento lobbying for enabling legislation
- Ballot measure for voter approval
- Implementation if both steps succeed
Board Chair Lawson-Remer noted that "That's a decision that should be made by local voters, not politicians in Sacramento," suggesting the county will pursue both legislative authorization and ballot measure strategies simultaneously.
Timeline Forecast:
- 2026 November ballot: Possible mansion tax (properties over $5-10 million)
- 2027-2028: Legislative lobbying for broader transfer tax authority
- 2028 November ballot: Comprehensive transfer tax if mansion tax insufficient or if legislative authority secured
Strategic Timing for Sales: Locking in Current $1,100 Transfer Tax (vs. Future $61,100)
Homeowners considering selling in the next 1-3 years face a strategic timing decision:
Sell Now (2026) Benefits:
- Lock in $1,085 transfer tax on median home
- Avoid uncertainty of 2026/2028 ballot measures
- Eliminate risk of 5,500% tax increase
- Maximize net proceeds
Wait Until After 2028 Risks:
- Potential $60,200 transfer tax on median home (if comprehensive measure passes)
- Potential $50,000-$100,000+ transfer tax on higher-value properties
- Reduced buyer pool as investors factor higher exit costs into offers
- Lower offers from all buyers due to forward-looking transfer tax risk
Break-Even Analysis:
For a homeowner deciding whether to sell now or wait 2 years:
- Appreciation needed to offset $60,200 future transfer tax: 6.11%
- If home appreciates 3% annually (2 years = 6.09% total appreciation), homeowner breaks even
- If home appreciates less than 3% annually, selling before transfer tax implementation is financially superior
- If home appreciates more than 3% annually, waiting may be viable despite transfer tax
Given Norada Real Estate forecasts showing moderate 3-4% annual appreciation for San Diego in 2026, homeowners face approximately neutral economics between selling now versus waiting—making tax risk avoidance a rational tiebreaker favoring earlier sales.
How to Monitor Future Proposals: County Supervisor Meeting Schedule
Homeowners and investors should actively monitor San Diego County Board of Supervisors activities:
Official Resources:
- Board of Supervisors meetings: Held Tuesdays at 9:00 AM at County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
- Meeting agendas and archives: Available at sandiegocounty.gov/cob
- Lobbyist registration: Track new lobbying contracts at sandiegocounty.gov/cob/lobbyists
Key Warning Signs of New Transfer Tax Proposals:
- Request for quotes for Sacramento lobbying services related to taxation authority
- Board agenda items related to "revenue enhancement" or "fiscal sustainability"
- Subcommittee meetings on budget alternatives
- Public statements from Board Chair Lawson-Remer about "mansion taxes" or "transfer fees"
- Ballot measure signature gathering for county-wide tax increases
Critical Monitoring Periods:
- March-June 2026: Window for November 2026 ballot measure qualification
- December 2026-February 2027: Budget planning for FY 2027-2028
- March-June 2028: Window for November 2028 ballot measure qualification
Real estate professionals, homeowners, and investors should sign up for email notifications from the San Diego County Clerk of the Board to receive automatic updates on relevant agenda items.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did San Diego County cancel the transfer tax proposal?
The county cancelled the request for quotes seeking a Sacramento lobbyist on January 7, 2026, after Republican Supervisor Jim Desmond brought public attention to the proposal. County spokesperson Tammy Glenn stated the contract was canceled "to explore different options." The withdrawal appears to be tactical rather than permanent, as Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer stated that "a ballot measure to tax 'mansions worth five or ten million dollars or more' remains on the table as a policy option."
Would the proposed transfer tax have affected all home sales or just luxury properties?
Despite being marketed as a tax on "the top 1%" or "mansions," the draft contract language revealed in December 2025 showed the proposed $30.55 per $500 rate would apply to all home sales in San Diego County. On a median-priced $985,000 home, the tax would have been $60,200—affecting middle-class homeowners in neighborhoods like Pacific Beach, North Park, Hillcrest, and Clairemont, not just luxury properties.
How does San Diego's proposed transfer tax compare to Los Angeles' Measure ULA?
Los Angeles' Measure ULA is more targeted than San Diego's withdrawn proposal. LA's tax applies only to properties over $5 million (4% on $5M-$10M, 5.5% on $10M+), while San Diego's proposal would have applied to all properties at a flat 6.11% rate. However, LA's experience shows significant market impacts: 30-50% decrease in transactions, 80%+ decline in high-value sales, and estimated loss of 1,900+ housing units annually. Research indicates LA loses up to $1.38 in future property tax revenue for every dollar raised by the transfer tax.
What is the current San Diego County transfer tax rate?
The current documentary transfer tax in San Diego County is $0.55 per $500 of property value, or $1.10 per $1,000. On a median-priced $985,000 home, the current transfer tax is approximately $1,085. This rate has been in place for decades and represents California's standard statewide rate.
When might San Diego County try another transfer tax proposal?
Future proposals are likely due to the county's $300 million budget shortfall from federal funding cuts. Possible timelines include: (1) November 2026 ballot with a mansion tax targeting properties over $5-10 million; (2) 2027-2028 lobbying for state legislative authority for broader transfer taxes; (3) November 2028 ballot with comprehensive transfer tax if the mansion tax proves insufficient. Board Chair Lawson-Remer has confirmed that future ballot measures remain under consideration.
Should I sell my San Diego home now to avoid future transfer tax increases?
The decision depends on your individual circumstances, but the transfer tax risk creates urgency for some sellers. If you're already considering selling within the next 1-3 years, locking in the current $1,085 transfer tax (versus potential $60,200 future tax) protects $59,115 in net proceeds on a median-priced home. Break-even analysis suggests that if home appreciation is less than 3% annually, selling before transfer tax implementation is financially superior. Cash buyers can help you close quickly (7-14 days) to eliminate this uncertainty.
How would a future transfer tax affect real estate investors and cash buyers?
Transfer tax uncertainty adds transaction cost risk to investor ROI models. A property purchased today faces unknown future transfer tax burden on resale. For a $900,000 investment property held 5 years, a future 5% transfer tax would reduce annualized returns by approximately 1.2-1.5 percentage points. Many investors are accelerating acquisition timelines to build inventory while the tax environment remains stable. For sellers, future transfer taxes reduce the buyer pool and suppress prices as investors factor higher exit costs into offers—potentially reducing acquisition prices by 3-4%.
Can San Diego County implement a transfer tax without voter approval?
No. Any transfer tax exceeding California's standard $0.55 per $500 rate requires both: (1) State legislative approval authorizing counties to exceed the standard rate, and (2) Local voter approval via ballot measure. The December 2025 proposal sought to hire a lobbyist to secure state legislative authority first, followed by a county ballot measure. Board Chair Lawson-Remer stated that "That's a decision that should be made by local voters, not politicians in Sacramento," confirming that voter approval would be required.
What neighborhoods in San Diego County would be most affected by a transfer tax increase?
A comprehensive transfer tax would affect all San Diego County neighborhoods. Areas with median and above-median home prices would see the largest absolute dollar impacts, including: Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, Del Mar, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Point Loma, Downtown San Diego, Little Italy, North Park, South Park, Hillcrest, University Heights, Coronado, and Rancho Santa Fe. Even more affordable areas like Chula Vista, National City, El Cajon, and East County would face significant increased transaction costs. County-wide median of $985,000 means the majority of homeowners would face $60,200 in taxes under the withdrawn proposal.
How can I monitor future San Diego County transfer tax proposals?
Stay informed by: (1) Monitoring San Diego County Board of Supervisors meeting agendas at sandiegocounty.gov/cob; (2) Signing up for email notifications from the County Clerk of the Board; (3) Tracking lobbyist registrations at sandiegocounty.gov/cob/lobbyists; (4) Following local news coverage from San Diego Union-Tribune, Voice of San Diego, and Times of San Diego; (5) Watching for ballot measure signature gathering campaigns; (6) Following Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer and Jim Desmond on social media for policy announcements. Critical monitoring periods are March-June 2026 and March-June 2028 (ballot measure qualification windows).
Conclusion: Transfer Tax Risk Remains Despite Withdrawal
San Diego County's withdrawal of the $60,200 transfer tax proposal on January 7, 2026, provides temporary relief for homeowners, investors, and real estate professionals. However, the structural forces that drove the proposal—$300 million in federal funding cuts, persistent budget pressures, and political support for progressive taxation—remain firmly in place.
Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer's explicit statement that "a ballot measure to tax 'mansions worth five or ten million dollars or more' remains on the table" confirms that the county views transfer taxes as a viable revenue strategy. Whether future proposals take the form of targeted mansion taxes or comprehensive transfer tax increases, San Diego County homeowners face ongoing policy uncertainty that must factor into transaction timing decisions.
For homeowners considering selling within the next 1-3 years, the strategic calculus is clear: locking in today's $1,085 transfer tax eliminates the risk of future $60,200 exposure. While home appreciation may offset some transfer tax increases, the 6.11% effective tax rate proposed in December 2025 would require substantial property value growth to break even—growth that San Diego's moderate 3-4% annual appreciation forecast may not support.
For cash buyers and real estate investors, the withdrawn proposal creates both caution and opportunity. Properties purchased today face uncertain exit costs if future ballot measures pass, requiring adjusted ROI models that account for transfer tax risk. However, sellers facing this same uncertainty may value the certainty of immediate cash transactions over the prolonged timeline and contingencies of traditional financed sales.
The Los Angeles Measure ULA experience provides a cautionary preview of how transfer taxes reshape real estate markets: 30-50% transaction volume declines, 80%+ drops in high-value property sales, and potential net revenue losses when accounting for reduced property tax collections. San Diego County homeowners, investors, and policymakers should study LA's market impacts carefully before implementing similar policies.
Republican Supervisor Jim Desmond's transparency advocacy successfully killed the December 2025 proposal, demonstrating that public awareness creates political accountability. Homeowners and investors should actively monitor Board of Supervisors activities, particularly during ballot measure qualification windows in March-June 2026 and March-June 2028.
Ultimately, San Diego County's transfer tax proposal was withdrawn but not abandoned. The $300 million budget shortfall guarantees that supervisors will pursue alternative revenue strategies—whether through targeted mansion taxes, comprehensive transfer taxes, sales tax increases, or other mechanisms. For homeowners evaluating transaction timing, the question isn't whether transfer tax risk exists, but how much exposure they're willing to accept while waiting for market conditions to evolve.
Ready to explore your options? San Diego Fast Cash Home Buyer specializes in providing homeowners with certainty in uncertain times. Whether you're concerned about future transfer tax exposure, need immediate liquidity, or simply want to avoid the complexity of traditional sales, we offer fair cash offers with closings in 7-14 days. No repairs, no staging, no financing contingencies—just a straightforward transaction that locks in today's transfer tax rates. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation property analysis.
Sell Before Transfer Tax Uncertainty Increases
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Get Your Cash Offer NowSources & Citations
- San Diego Union-Tribune - San Diego County wanted new powers over real estate taxes. Now it's pulled the plug on that effort - Primary source for proposal details
- NBC San Diego - County Supervisor warns of $300 million shortfall tied to federal funding cuts - Budget pressure analysis
- Fox 5 San Diego - San Diego County funding cuts - Federal funding impact
- Redfin - San Diego County housing market - Home price data
- UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies - Los Angeles's mansion tax has raised less money for affordable housing than expected - Measure ULA performance analysis
- LAist - Los Angeles Measure ULA mansion tax reform - Transaction volume impacts
- RAND Corporation - LA's mansion tax needs a remodel: here's how to fix it - Housing production effects
- Monarch Title Company - California property transfer tax rates - Current transfer tax calculations
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