Donate real estate in San Francisco: houses, condos and land in San Francisco County San Francisco property specialists: (888) 228-7320
Real Estate with Causes, the property donation program of Giving Center
Call
a Victorian home on a San Francisco hill with the skyline beyond

Donate Real Estate in San Francisco

Real Estate with Causes accepts donated real estate anywhere in San Francisco: houses, condos, land and commercial buildings. A San Francisco real estate donation follows California’s deed, transfer tax and recording rules, which we handle. We prepare the deed and record it with the San Francisco County recorder.

(888) 228-7320 Read the San Francisco FAQs
Fully IRS Compliant
We Handle the Paperwork
Form 8283 Done Right
501(c)(3) Recognized Charity

California rules for property in San Francisco

Federal tax rules are the same in every state. These three things are set by California and San Francisco County.

Transfer tax

San Francisco County charges the California documentary transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000, and the City and County of San Francisco charges its own graduated transfer tax. Deeds for no consideration are commonly declared exempt on the face of the deed, and we confirm the treatment when we prepare yours.

Deed and filings

A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report goes with the deed. We prepare the grant or quitclaim deed customary for a California gift.

Recording

Deeds are recorded with the San Francisco County recorder for San Francisco County. You sign before a notary wherever you live, and we handle the filing.

San Francisco property we accept

The property types San Francisco donors bring us most often. Each links to the full guide for that type, including how it compares to selling.

The donation processTax benefitsDonating from out of stateCalifornia guideProposition 19

San Francisco real estate donation questions, answered

Is a donated deed subject to San Francisco transfer tax?+

San Francisco County charges the California documentary transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000, and the City and County of San Francisco charges its own graduated transfer tax. Deeds for no consideration are commonly declared exempt on the face of the deed, and we confirm the treatment when we prepare yours.

I live outside California. Do I have to travel to San Francisco to sign?+

No. We prepare the deed in the form California requires for San Francisco County, you sign before a notary where you live, and we record it with the San Francisco County recorder.

Does California give a state tax deduction for a property donation?+

California has a state income tax, and whether and how it follows the federal charitable deduction is set by California law. Your advisor can confirm how it applies to you.

Can I donate San Francisco property that is behind on property taxes?+

Reviewed, not refused. What matters is whether the taxes owed are well below what the property can sell for. Delinquent taxes are a lien, so they are handled before or at transfer, and where California or San Francisco County rules require payment first we plan around that with you.

Can an executor donate inherited San Francisco property before probate closes?+

Often, within the authority the will and the California probate court give the personal representative. If the property passed outside probate, the heirs on title sign together. Tell us where the estate stands and we will tell you who needs to sign.

We do not provide tax or legal advice. State transfer tax rules change; we confirm current requirements when we prepare each deed. Consult your own advisor.

Tell us about your San Francisco property and we will review it

The address or a parcel number is enough to start.

(888) 228-7320 Contact us