We Buy Houses in San Mateo County, CA

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team. County figures come from the San Mateo County Tax Collector and Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder; sources are listed at the end.

We buy houses across San Mateo County for cash, in any condition, with no repairs, commissions or closing costs. Tell us about the property, receive a written offer within 24 hours, and choose when to close. This page covers the county’s transfer tax, its tax collection rules, and the local city pages we run.

Selling a house in San Mateo County at a glance

County transfer tax	55 cents per $500, or $1.10 per $1,000, of purchase price or fair market value, with assumed liens deducted first
City transfer tax	The City of San Mateo charges an additional conveyance tax inside its limits
When it is paid	When the deed is recorded, unless an exemption applies
Tax Collector	555 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063. Weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phones	Tax Collector (866) 220-0308; Assessor (650) 363-4500
Late penalties	10% on a first installment; 10% plus $40 on a second installment
Mailed payments	PO Box 45878, San Francisco, CA 94145-0878, postmarked by the delinquent date

Which San Mateo County cities do we buy in?

We buy in cities up and down the Peninsula as well as in unincorporated areas. Start with the page that matches your city:

How to sell a house in San Mateo County

Home values in the county are high, so the choice between a listing and a cash sale matters. A listing can reach the widest pool of buyers on a house in market-ready shape. A cash sale suits homes that need work, owners on a deadline, and sellers who want certainty over staging and showings.

1. Send the address. Use the form or call (424) 435-2326.
2. Review a written offer. It arrives within 24 hours with no fee and no obligation.
3. Pick the closing date. Escrow pays your mortgage, taxes and liens from the proceeds.
4. Close. The deed is recorded with the county and you are paid through escrow.

How do San Mateo County property tax penalties and supplemental bills work?

The Tax Collector charges a 10 percent penalty on a late first installment and a 10 percent penalty plus a $40 cost on a late second installment. On a $2,000 first installment that is a $200 penalty, and on a $2,000 second installment it is $240. Payments mailed in must be postmarked by the delinquent date, and the county does not accept private postage-meter dates.

Supplemental taxes matter to anyone who buys or builds. A supplemental bill covers the difference between the old and new assessed values, prorated by the months left in the fiscal year, and it is usually based on a 1 percent rate plus voter-approved debt.

Most bills are mailed within nine months of the change, with a notification about 60 days before. For a bill mailed July through October, the installments are delinquent on December 10 and April 10.

For a bill mailed November through June, the first is delinquent on the last day of the month after mailing and the second four months later. You can receive two bills when the change straddles two fiscal years.

Estimate your transfer tax when you sell

This estimate shows the county tax only. If your house is inside the City of San Mateo, a separate city conveyance tax applies, so confirm that amount with the county or your escrow officer. See the California real estate transfer tax report for how rates compare, or find how much your house is worth.

What situations do we help with in San Mateo County?

• Inherited houses where heirs want a quick, clean sale.
• Tax-delinquent properties and pre-foreclosure.
• Tenant-occupied rentals.
• Houses needing repairs, or with permit and code issues.
• Divorce and relocation sales on a set closing date.

Ready to sell your San Mateo County house? Call (424) 435-2326 or request a cash offer. There is no cost and no obligation.

San Mateo County selling FAQ

How much is the transfer tax in San Mateo County?

The county rate is 55 cents per $500, or $1.10 per $1,000. A $1,200,000 sale is $1,320. The City of San Mateo adds its own conveyance tax inside city limits.

What is the penalty for a late property tax payment in San Mateo County?

Ten percent on a first installment, and 10 percent plus a $40 cost on a second installment.

How long after a purchase does a supplemental tax bill arrive in San Mateo County?

Most are mailed within nine months of the change in ownership, with a notification about 60 days beforehand.

Can I sell a house in San Mateo County with unpaid taxes?

Yes. Escrow pays unpaid taxes from your proceeds at closing.

How do I sell a house in San Mateo County that needs repairs?

Sell it as-is to a cash buyer who prices the work into the offer, so you skip contractors, staging and showings.

Sources

• San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder: Documentary Transfer Tax
• San Mateo County Tax Collector: Supplemental Tax
• San Mateo County Treasurer: Contact Us

This page is general information, not tax or legal advice. Rates and fees can change; confirm with the county.