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If your property taxes are past due, you may be feeling unsure about what to do. That is completely normal. A lot of Bay Area homeowners are in the same spot right now. You do not have to figure this out alone.
This site is here to give you straight information and a safe place to ask questions. No pressure. No sales pitch. Just a real conversation with a local REALTOR who understands how this works.
When property taxes go unpaid, things can get more serious over time. Here is what that actually means.
California law sets out a clear timeline for delinquent property taxes. Knowing where you are in that timeline is the first step toward figuring out what to do.
The longer you wait, the harder it gets
When a tax installment is late, California adds a 10% penalty right away. If taxes are still unpaid by June 30, the property goes into "tax-default" status. After that, a 1.5% monthly penalty starts building on the total debt. That adds up to 18% per year, on top of what you already owe. This is set under Revenue and Taxation Code Section 4103. If taxes stay unpaid for five years, the county gets the power to move toward a tax sale. The sooner you act, the more options you have.
One honest conversation can change a lot
Many homeowners wait because they are not sure who to trust or what will happen if they ask for help. That is understandable. But talking to someone who knows this process often opens up paths that were not visible before. You may have more time than you think. There may be a payment plan available. There may be a way to protect your equity. You will not know until you ask.
The first call is not a sales pitch. It is just a conversation.
There is no script. No pressure. Derek is not going to try to get you to make a decision on the spot. He just wants to understand your situation and make sure you know what is available to you.
You do not need to have it all figured out before calling
A lot of people put off making a call because they feel like they need to have all the details ready. You do not. You can call right now with just the basics. Derek will help you sort out the rest. There are no wrong questions.
We listen first, then talk about options
Every homeowner's situation is different. Before Derek says anything about options, he will take the time to understand yours. What county is the property in? How long have the taxes been past due? What is most important to you? The answers to those questions shape everything.
No pressure, ever
You are in control of this process from start to finish. If you want to think it over after the call, that is completely fine. If the options Derek lays out do not feel right, you are free to walk away. The goal is for you to feel informed, not rushed.
You looked us up. That was the smart thing to do. Here is what you will find.
We expect you to do your homework. Here is exactly what you should look for and what you will find when you do. Derek serves homeowners across Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, and Santa Clara counties and throughout the greater Bay Area.
Derek Williams, REALTOR®
eXp Realty of California, Inc.
DRE #01970683
Derek has worked with Bay Area homeowners for years. He focuses on Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, and Santa Clara counties and serves the full Bay Area. He built Williams Relief Advisors specifically for homeowners dealing with delinquent property taxes who need a calm, trustworthy person to talk to before they make any decisions.
You can look Derek up
His name, license number (DRE #01970683), and brokerage are all public record. Go to the California Department of Real Estate website and verify him right now. Verified. Licensed. Active.
No call centers. No runaround.
When you call 510-288-EASE, Derek answers. Not a receptionist, not a call center, not a bot. You get the person whose name is on the door from the very first call.
Bay Area local. Not a national investor pipeline.
Williams Relief Advisors is a Bay Area business, not a national company routing your info to a wall of investors. Derek works here, knows the local market, and has no interest in lowballing your home.
Your situation is not cookie-cutter and he knows that
Some homeowners have missed one payment. Some have been in default for years. Some own their home outright. Some are facing other hardships on top of this. Derek has seen a wide range of situations and will not treat yours like it is the same as everyone else's.
He explains before he recommends anything
You will understand exactly what each option means before Derek suggests anything. The goal is for you to feel like you made an informed choice, not like someone talked you into something.
No obligation. No cost to call or fill out a form.
Calling or sending a message costs you nothing. There is no fee for the initial conversation. You are not committing to anything by reaching out. Derek means that.
Questions homeowners usually have before they reach out.
If you have a question that is not here, just call or send a message. No question is too basic.
When a tax installment is not paid on time, California adds a 10% penalty right away. If taxes are still unpaid by June 30 of that fiscal year, the property officially enters "tax-default" status. From that point, a 1.5% monthly penalty starts building on the total amount owed. That works out to 18% per year. This is set out in Revenue and Taxation Code Section 4103. If taxes remain unpaid for five years, the county gains the legal power to move toward a tax sale under Revenue and Taxation Code Section 3691. The debt grows every month. The sooner you address it, the more control you have over what happens.
In most cases, no. But the real answer depends on how long the taxes have been unpaid and what county your property is in. Many homeowners have more time and more paths available than they realize. A short conversation with Derek can give you a clear picture of where you actually stand. Do not assume it is too late until you know for sure.
No. Calling, texting, or filling out the form on this page does not commit you to anything. The first conversation is free and carries no obligation. It is just a chance to understand your situation better and hear what options might be available. You can take your time after that. Derek will not push you to decide on the spot.
No. Derek is a licensed real estate professional, not an attorney or a CPA. This site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. If your situation requires legal or tax help, Derek can point you toward resources, but he will be clear about what he is and is not qualified to advise on.
That is okay. Keep this page bookmarked. Read through it at your own pace. When you are ready, Derek is available. Just know that the longer the taxes go unpaid, the more the penalties build. There is no perfect time to reach out, but earlier is always better than later. There is no pressure here.
Start here. It is free and private.
You can call, text, or fill out the form. Derek reads every message personally. Your information stays private. There is no obligation and no cost to reach out.
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Your information is kept private. This form is for requesting a conversation with Derek Williams. It is not a contract or commitment of any kind.