Among the many surprises that the Covid pandemic brought into our lives was a split-second decision by thousands of U.S. households not only to uproot themselves and relocate to far flung areas of the country but to make the biggest purchase decision of their lives and buy a house. We’re still in the midst of the pandemic, but reports are already arriving of buyer’s remorse and people feeling “house poor” despite the historically low mortgage rates.

Last month, California voters narrowly approved the most sweeping changes to the state’s residential property taxes in a generation. There are winners and losers under Proposition 19’s new tax rules, but some homeowners may be able to preserve their benefits if they act quickly before Prop 19 becomes effective in a few weeks on February 16, 2021.

Mortgage rates have dropped again, and bragging rights are being assigned based on who can secure the best deal on a refinance. One client locked in a 15-year mortgage at 2.5%, another a 30-year loan at 2.875%.