Mello Roos

I have noticed as a Roseville Realtor (or Roseville Realator, as some mistakenly call it -- see my website), that many of the Roseville homes have a Mello Roos tax which is a monthly expense attached to the home. What is a Mello Roos tax? It is a special tax which was assessed to homeowners in a particular community, in order to repay bonds which were used to fund the infrastructure of that community. This infrastructure includes roads, schools, police and fire protection services, ambulance, utility connection, sewer lines, and streetlights. It is generally found that communities with a Mello Roos tax have lower crime rates and better schools. A disadvantage to a new buyer, especially a first-time buyer, is that the Mello Roos (which can range anywhere from $25 to $300 or more per month) must be considered when looking at how much the property will cost the buyer per month -- can they afford the mortgage payment AND can they also afford the Mello Roos tax?

Mello Roos was voted on and passed in 1982, four years after Proposition 13 was passed to limit property taxation. It is usually attached to communities of homes which were built in 1994 or later. Some Mello Roos taxes can be paid in a lump sum if the buyer can pay them; others can last 30 years or more and cannot be paid in a lump sum. Any Roseville Realtor ( or Sacramento Realtor) should let the buyer know if there is a Mello Roos tax attached to the home, and how much it is. This information should also be supplied by the Listing agent of the home. And, any new homebuyer should decide if the home and surrounding area warrant the additional expense of the Mello Roos tax. They should drive around the area, see what is available, check out the schools and parks and other amenities, and make an educated decision.