Many seniors in San Juan Capistrano love their historic community but find that their large family homes are now too much to handle. You might want to downsize to a simpler, single-story house, but you are likely afraid of one big thing: higher property taxes. If you have lived in your home for a long time, your current tax bill is probably very low. You might worry that moving to a new home will make your taxes "jump" to today's high prices.

Understanding the Prop 19 "Tax Shield"

The good news is that California has a special rule called Prop 19. This rule acts like a "tax shield" for homeowners who are 55 or older. It allows you to sell your large home and "port" (or carry) your original, lower tax base to a new home anywhere in California. This means you can find a comfortable smaller home and keep your low tax payments.

Why Now is the Time to Move

In 2026, the real estate market is moving very fast. The Hudes Group currently sees listings sell in an average of just 7 days. Plus, our listings sell for an average of 105.5% of the asking price. Some of our clients even achieve up to 16.7% above the asking price. This means you can sell your big house quickly for a great price and use Prop 19 to keep your life affordable.

The Hudes Group Edge

Kristina and Eric Hudes are certified Seniors Real Estate Specialists (SRES®) and Certified KW Real Estate Planners™. We provide a calm, organized experience during this big transition. Before you even list your home, we provide a custom "Prop 19 Savings Estimate".

With over 12 years of experience and more than 180 five-star reviews, we are the top real estate agents to help you protect your savings while you find the perfect place to settle down.