March 2016

You love historic properties. You love maintaining and beautifying your home. And you love saving money on taxes. Sounds good, right? We thought so! If you own or are in the market for an historic home, you’re going to want to read up on the Mills Act, which could save you up to 50 percent on property taxes if you qualify. To get you started, we’ve got the *NookNotes version (think of it as inspired by SparkNotes!) with the top-line details you need to know about the Mills Act below. Read on for more information!

What is the Mills Act?

Adopted by the California Legislature in 1976, the Mills Act gives local governments the authority to grant property tax relief to owners of qualified historic properties, including owner-occupied and income producing

Jeff McClure was driving to work from his Anaheim Hills home when he took a side trip through Old Towne Orange and spotted a house on North Pine Street. A postcard from the past, the one-story, Mediterranean-revival charmer had a set of prim, arched windows. The porch overlooked a cactus garden.

He took his wife, Kathy, to check out the house, and her reaction was swift. The couple had spent a year searching for a home in the community. “Make an offer, make an offer,” Kathy McClure urged.

The McClures wasted no time, paying the full asking price for a nearly century-old residence in splendid condition that still has its original oak floors and vestiges of a carriage porch – where a horse and buggy once arrived.

Orange County’s historic homes are hot, but new