How do you know what the property tax rate is?

tax rate from the county tax assessor's office. i think it's online everywhere in California. I believe the basis is what you pay for the property, not the previous assessed valuation. In CA, I think it is also true that the property tax collector's office will calculate the amount of added tax due for the part year beginning when you buy the house [thru end of the tax year] and send you a bill if your tax would have been larger than that actually paid. Ask your RE agent about this -- it isn't included in the closing becuase the amount frequently isn't known..

Assessed price, which is not the same as they sale price. The assessment for taxes is done every three years by the county. It is not redone when a house sells.