If you live in Greece, China, Finland, anywhere, and are considering moving to the United States, please come to California first to Malibu, California.  Unlike other real estate agents, I also tell you the bad news about your possible move here.  You must know all the facts when making such life changing decisions.

The bad news: compare these government taxes with those you live with now.  Be aware: California is one of the top-most corruptly run, union controlled, tax grabbing state governments in America.   It’s heaven living here, but you must be aware of the downside.

California Taxes Vs. Other States  (thanks to Richard Rider) 

I spend a lot of time comparing California’s tax and regulatory climate with other states. The reason is simple — people are reluctant to leave a country (especially the U.S.), but they will leave a state. And so will businesses.  The news is not good. Consider California has the:

– Third-worst state income tax in the nation.
– Highest state sales tax rate in the nation.
– Highest corporate income tax rate west of the Mississippi (our economic competitors) except for Alaska
– Fourth-highest capital gains tax.
– Highest total gasoline and diesel taxes in the nation.
– One of the highest state vehicle license car taxes — raised 77 percent higher since 2008.

Please visit soon for Part Two of this commentary on Taxes.

At Malibu Real Estate Confidential, we’d love to hear from you – about real estate, freedom, citizenship and home ownership.  You can reach Peter Fleming directly at 310-454-1373 or email him at peterfleming@earthlink.net.  For all your home buying and selling needs shouldn’t you choose a real estate agent with a seasoned attitude and a commitment to home ownership?

Legislators Push for Higher Taxes
By Michael Barnhart and Bryan Leonard 
 
Pity California taxpayers, who are afflicted with the nation’s highest sales and gasoline taxes, and a particularly punishing income tax. And still “progressives (socialists)” both inside and outside the state claim that California’s budget crisis —a looming deficit of $18 billion — is the result of too little tax revenue. (This deficit figure doesn’t include the state’s (union) pension liabilities totaling a stunning half-trillion dollars.) As if devoid of economic  rationality, state legislators have introduced more than a dozen proposals this year to hike taxes even higher — on top of the $12.5 billion tax increase imposed last year. They’re looking to legalize marijuana in order to tax it at $50 an ounce. (My comment: to avoid this tax, buyers would go right back to the criminal underworld!)

The politicians advocating “revenue enhancements” are drawing political cover from public employee unions and groups such as the California Budget Project, which manipulates data to convince taxpayers that government just isn’t big enough. But California’s once vibrant economy is buckling under the weight of existing taxes, costly regulation and a government bureaucracy reminiscent of Red Square.

At Malibu Real Estate Confidential, we’d love to hear from you – about real estate, freedom, citizenship and home ownership.  You can reach Peter Fleming directly at 310-454-1373 or email him at peterfleming@earthlink.net.  For all your home buying and selling needs shouldn’t you choose a real estate agent with a seasoned attitude and a commitment to home ownership?

There are so many beautiful Malibu estates on the market too long, so many great values   Email me your price range. ANY price range, and I’ll send you photos and descriptions of heavenly favorites.  Give me your comfortable Malibu price range!  You’ll be thrilled you did.

At Malibu Real Estate Confidential, we’d love to hear from you – about real estate, freedom, citizenship and home ownership.  You can reach Peter Fleming directly at 310-454-1373 or email him at peterfleming@earthlink.net.  For all your home buying and selling needs shouldn’t you choose a real estate agent with a seasoned attitude and a commitment to home ownership?

NOW, for the first time in my real estate career, lending rates are low at the very same time selling prices are low.  Malibu prices are averaging out at about 2004 prices.   Buying now at 2004 prices is wonderful and if prices should drop a little bit more, you’re not selling, so it does not matter.   You are in for the long run only.  In the long run, prices will increase again due to our government’s irresponsible printing of trillions of dollars now and in the future.   The value of the lovely property you buy will always be there in marvelous Malibu.   BUT it will take increasingly more dollars that have lost purchasing value, to buy the same house in the future.  Today’s the great time to invest while your money is WORTH SOMETHING!  California is the ninth largest economy in the world!   Malibu is one of its choicest locations.

At Malibu Real Estate Confidential, we’d love to hear from you – about real estate, freedom, citizenship and home ownership.  You can reach Peter Fleming directly at 310-454-1373 or email him at peterfleming@earthlink.net.  For all your home buying and selling needs shouldn’t you choose a real estate agent with a seasoned attitude and a commitment to home ownership?

Here are excerpts of two recent commentaries:

HJTA Invites Taxpayers to “March on Sacramento” End Tyranny Against the Taxpayers.

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association announced today it has issued an invitation to taxpayers across the state for a virtual “March on Sacramento” to end tyranny against the taxpayer. The march invites taxpayers to sign the “Declaration of Taxpayer Rights.” The declaration states that Californians have a right to limited taxation, the right to vote on tax increases, and the right to economical, equitable and efficient use of the taxpayer dollars.

The declarations from around the state will be delivered to the Legislature and the Governor during the Tax Day Tea Party on the Capitol steps on April 15th.

To view the effort to stop tyranny against the taxpayer, and to hear the new radio spot, visit www.HJTA.org. Suspend AB 32 and Stop the Energy Tax!

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association has announced support for the California Jobs Initiative, a campaign to suspend the massive soon-to-be-implemented energy tax in Assembly Bill 32.

Implementation of AB 32 could cost you and your family thousands of dollars and maybe even your job! If AB 32 is implemented as planned, the cost to the average family would be nearly $4,000 in greatly increased prices for housing, energy, transportation and food. The average business will be faced with $50,000 in additional costs and over 1 million Californians could lose their jobs. California already suffers under record high unemployment, and full implementation of AB 32 would cut our economy off at the knees.

Please help collect the signatures necessary to place the California Jobs Initiative on the ballot and suspend AB 32.  Time is short, so go now to www.SuspendAB32.org.

Thank you for caring about the future of our state. We can fight back and return sanity to California’s regulatory and fiscal policy!

At Malibu Real Estate Confidential, we’d love to hear from you – about real estate, freedom, citizenship and home ownership.  You can reach Peter Fleming directly at 310-454-1373 or email him at peterfleming@earthlink.net.  For all your home buying and selling needs shouldn’t you choose a real estate agent with a seasoned attitude and a commitment to home ownership?

I find that my citizenship is taking more of my mental thinking time away from my salesmanship time.   When I offer the opportunity now to live in California, (southern California – Malibu!) or nearby along the shoreline in Pacific Palisades or near Santa Monica, I also have to remind my clients that there are hard issues to deal with living in Malibu.  A great place, BUT a high tax state, with a Capitol legislators spending us into oblivion.  

I want you know my observations about the dangers of California Living, just as I would if I were selling you on the idea of living in Greece…that houses another corrupt, overspending binge Government, not unlike California.   As a realtor, I believe it is my duty to disclose the surrounding disturbances beyond the customary barking dog or noisy trash pick up.   My agency with you includes knowing a few of the tax advantages available only in California, as well as the disadvantages of a sloppily run state and local government.   That includes comments even on our local Malibu City government that is already 50 million into debt.   My my, they all have to be corrupt it seems.

At Malibu Real Estate Confidential, we’d love to hear from you – about real estate, freedom, citizenship and home ownership.  You can reach Peter Fleming directly at 310-454-1373 or email him at peterfleming@earthlink.net.  For all your home buying and selling needs shouldn’t you choose a real estate agent with a seasoned attitude and a commitment to home ownership?

Even in those estates, it is in little use.   Heater usage is less than most other states.  A big savings advantage against Obama’s plans to skyrocket energy costs.    Look at the money you’re saving already living in Malibu.   Solar heating on the rooftop is gaining ground; another way of saving on fuel costs.  We have lots of sunshine year round.  Let me help you to investigate and move to Malibu.  Save on energy and avoid the new, ruinous Cap and Trade taxes.

Write to me. Tell me what price range you are contemplating for your move to Malibu.  Let me show you the properties that I think are bargains for the long run; best buys for the serious buyer who wants to come live in Malibu and stay!

Prices are off as much as 55% and more.   It’s the perfect low-loan-rates time to buy Malibu.

At Malibu Real Estate Confidential, we’d love to hear from you – about real estate, freedom, citizenship and home ownership.  You can reach Peter Fleming directly at 310-454-1373 or email him at peterfleming@earthlink.net.  For all your home buying and selling needs shouldn’t you choose a real estate agent with a seasoned attitude and a commitment to home ownership?

Remember the $12.6 Billion Tax Hike!  By Jon Coupal

In this era of instant gratification and short attention spans, it is easy to think of one year ago as “ancient history.” However it is important to remember that it was only 12 months ago that the California Legislature slammed taxpayers with a $12.6 billion tax increase — about $1,200 annually for the average family — because, if given the chance, they will do it again. Before last year’s massive tax increase, Californians were paying the highest sales, income and car taxes in the nation. Now, if you have a job, a child, drive a car or buy gas, you pay much more.

But even after inflicting this extraordinary harm to taxpayers and to the California economy, lawmakers weren’t done. Reaching into their bag of tricks, they placed Proposition 1A on a special election ballot touting it as budget reform, while trying to hide from voters that passage would trigger another $16 billion in taxes. There was no mention of taxes in the ballot title and summary or support arguments, all of which were drafted by legislators. Backed by a $28 million dollar advertising blitz funded by special interests, including some government employee unions, the fix appeared to be in.

However, alert voters saw through this chicanery and rejected Proposition 1A last May with a resounding 66% of the vote. In many respects, this victory for taxpayers has had a profound impact on Sacramento’s political culture. A budget revision was approved four months later that included no new taxes, and thus far, legislative Republicans and the Governor appear to be holding the line against even higher taxes in 2010. Still there are no guarantees and, as we saw last year, the change of just a handful of votes could mean taxpayers get slammed again. It is only fear of the wrath of taxpayers that prevents some of these lawmakers from choosing the easy “solution” to budget problems by agreeing to new taxes.

Looking to the future and the budget and tax options the Legislature may choose, it is worthwhile to examine what was accomplished by last year’s “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” tax increase. Have we solved our $20 billion deficit? Did we get significant and permanent reductions in state payroll? Have we suspended or repealed AB 32 and other regulations in order to provide a more hospitable climate for business and allow the private sector to provide more jobs in a state that has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation? The answer on all counts is no.

There are important lessons to be learned from last year’s record tax increase and the subsequent rejection by voters of even higher levies.   Although most under the Capitol dome seem slow to catch on, taxpayers understand that government cannot tax us into prosperity. The only way to eliminate the ongoing $20 billion deficits is to recognize that government needs to lower taxes, limit spending and get out of the way so that the private sector can create jobs and the prosperity that, not coincidentally, will also boost government revenues.

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association – California’s largest grass-roots taxpayer organization dedicated to the protection of Proposition 13 and the advancement of taxpayers’ rights.

At Malibu Real Estate Confidential, we’d love to hear from you – about real estate, freedom, citizenship and home ownership.  You can reach Peter Fleming directly at 310-454-1373 or email him at peterfleming@earthlink.net.  For all your home buying and selling needs shouldn’t you choose a real estate agent with a seasoned attitude and a commitment to home ownership?

I think of its president, Jon Coupal, as the very best investigative journalist in all of California, protecting our Malibu rights.

Is Proposition 13 to Blame for California’s Fiscal Crisis? – Part One

By Jason Clemens and Jon Coupal

When California voters approved Proposition 13 by a landslide in 1978 they launched a nationwide revolt for lower taxes.  Critics now blame that revolt for our current fiscal crisis. That charge needs to be considered in the light of actual data about property taxes in California.

Prop 13 limits property taxes to 1 percent of the cash value of property or the market value of a property depending on when it was purchased, with subsequent annual increases limited to 2 percent. Prop 13 also imposes a two-thirds majority requirement on the state legislature for increasing taxes — either by  increasing rates or changing the way taxes are calculated.

These provisions have caused Senator Barbara Boxer, Nobel economist Paul Krugman, and a cadre of pundits to cry foul. The standard story is that these restrictions (a) force the state to rely more heavily on other taxes like personal income taxes because it can’t raise enough from property taxes, and (b) they prevent the legislature from raising taxes even in times of crisis. The actual tax data tell a different story.

First, the limits imposed on property taxes by Prop 13 no doubt delivered benefits to homeowners for more than three decades. That relief, however, was mitigated when housing prices began to eclipse income gains early this decade. The run-up in housing prices and the accordant increase in property tax assessments for those purchasing homes post-2000 meant huge revenue gains for government. Any Californian who purchased a home in the last decade knows full well the burden property taxes place on their personal finances. Indeed, according to the latest census data, California ranks 19th in terms of the aggregate level of disposable income required to pay property taxes.

Boxer, Krugman and company are fundamentally mistaken when they argue that the state relies less on property taxes because of Prop 13 compared to other states. Again, census data indicates that California ranks ninth-highest for its reliance on property taxes. Put differently, a full 41 states rely less on property taxes than California.

Specifically, local governments in California collect a little over one-third (34.3 percent) of their revenues from property taxes. Alabama, which ranks first, collects 44.4 percent of its revenues from property taxes. Contrast this reliance to some of California’s neighbors: Arizona 36.4 percent, Nevada 34.8 percent, and Utah 38.8 percent. This refutes the notion that California is a low property tax state and that Prop 13 has skewed the overall revenue mix in some bizarre manner.

At Malibu Real Estate Confidential, we’d love to hear from you – about real estate, freedom, citizenship and home ownership.  You can reach Peter Fleming directly at 310-454-1373 or email him at peterfleming@earthlink.net.  For all your home buying and selling needs shouldn’t you choose a real estate agent with a seasoned attitude and a commitment to home ownership?

2010: perhaps the best year to buy in heavenly Malibu.   The beautiful year round weather alone is reason enough, and in Malibu you can add in the freshest, purest westerly ocean breezes that roll in and add value to your longer and healthier life…..all year.   So, with rates now at all time lows, Malibu sales volume is off 50%, some selling prices down 50% or more, certain Malibu properties remaining on market over a year.   It’s time to have a serious look at Malibu.   Consult your financial team, pick a price range, give me your key home buying preferences, and I’ll prepare your own special report upon request.    By buying sensibly to hold, any future price drops that may occur will be irrelevant because you’re not selling.  The best insurance for buying now is that any price will inevitably recover to new highs solely because of the Feds incurable addiction to printing trillions, unavoidably driving dollar costs up into the heavens in the near future.

I have been an agent in residential real estate for 25 years, and have learned and done well with my clients to disclose vital information relating to the property and the surrounding area in each transaction.   I am not a financial, economic or political advisor, but with all the failings in those fields throughout California, I believe it is my obligation to observe and comment to clients on matters that go beyond just protection of the transaction.   As you know, California State government is on the bankrupting road to overspending ruin with no end in sight (trying to copy the Federals).  The dangers of this reckless mismanagement can have long term negative effects on all local real estate.    I now want to comment on related matters to you, my prospective buyers out there, who are contemplating coming to California to purchase property and live here.   Aside from all the wonderful things about living here, now I believe it’s important to discuss the overall statewide potential concerns.   My next few articles will attempt to bring you that coverage of those essentials, starting with a rare look
from the usually reluctant NY Times.

At Malibu Real Estate Confidential, we’d love to hear from you – about real estate, freedom, citizenship and home ownership.  You can reach Peter Fleming directly at 310-454-1373 or email him at peterfleming@earthlink.net.  For all your home buying and selling needs shouldn’t you choose a real estate agent with a seasoned attitude and a commitment to home ownership?