How Rising Property Taxes Are Impacting Albuquerque Homeowners

As property values rise in Albuquerque and throughout Bernalillo County, so do the property taxes tied to them. While increasing home values may sound like good news, for many homeowners—especially those with high equity or fully paid-off homes—rising property taxes are becoming a serious financial burden. This is particularly true for individuals and families living on fixed incomes, such as retirees or those relying on social security.

In this article, we’ll explore how property taxes are calculated, why they’re increasing, and how they’re affecting Albuquerque residents. We'll also explain how Sage Home Offers provides a solution for homeowners who are feeling the pinch.

What’s Causing Property Taxes to Rise?

Property taxes are based on your home’s assessed value. When real estate markets heat up—as they have in Albuquerque in recent years—home values climb. As a result, the Bernalillo County Assessor’s office increases the assessed value of homes, leading to higher property tax bills. In Albuquerque, the taxable value of a home is one-third of the assessed value. The Net Taxable Value, the number used to determine property taxes owed, is the taxable value minus any exemptions.

While the exact rate varies by district, the general formula is:

Net Taxable Value × Local Tax Rate = Property Tax Due

Any homeowner in Albuquerque can find the Net Taxable Value used to determine their property taxes by using the Property Records Search feature on the assessor’s website. After finding your property, click on “Notice of Value” to see the breakdown. The following image is used as an example:

In a hot market, even modest homes can experience dramatic increases in value—and thus in annual tax bills. In Bernalillo County, many long-time homeowners are seeing their property taxes rise by hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year.

Who Is Most Affected by Rising Property Taxes?

While rising taxes impact all homeowners to some degree, certain groups are hit especially hard:

Fixed-Income Seniors

Retirees living on pensions or social security often budget carefully, with little room for sudden increases in expenses. For these individuals, a rising property tax bill can disrupt their finances significantly.

Owners of Free-and-Clear Homes

Many people who’ve paid off their mortgage don’t have a monthly housing payment—until property tax increases start making ownership more expensive than expected. What was once a manageable home becomes a financial liability.

Homeowners in Gentrifying Areas

As certain neighborhoods in Albuquerque become more desirable, think Barelas and the Railyards area south of downtown, property values can spike rapidly. Long-time residents may find themselves taxed out of their homes despite not seeking to capitalize on those value increases.

Equity-Rich, Cash-Poor Homeowners

Some owners have significant equity built up in their homes after decades of dutiful mortgage payments, but little cash flow to support increasing expenses. These individuals often feel stuck—asset-rich, but income-strapped. Even the option for home equity refinances can be difficult to navigate in higher interest rate environments and periods of economic uncertainty.

The Hidden Cost of Owning a Home

Property taxes are often overlooked during periods of rapid appreciation. Many homeowners focus on rising values and forget that those numbers come with a cost.

In Albuquerque, property tax increases may be capped in some instances. The assessor’s Know Your Value flyer for 2025 states property values cannot increase more than 3% from the previous year, per state statutes. However, there are instances where values may increase more than 3%, such as “change of ownership” in a property. Even with exemptions and caps, assessed values can still rise in ways that dramatically impact homeowners. Over time, even small annual increases add up. And for many Albuquerque homeowners, the combination of high equity and low liquidity can become financially unsustainable.

This can lead to difficult choices: take on debt, delay needed healthcare or expenses, or sell the home under pressure.

How Sage Home Offers Can Help

At Sage Home Offers, we understand the financial strain that rising property taxes can cause. That’s why we offer Albuquerque homeowners a way out—without fees, commissions, or costly repairs.

Here’s how we help:

Fair, Fast Cash Offers

We provide no-obligation cash offers based on current market value and the condition of the property. Homeowners can unlock their equity (cash!) and put an end to rising tax obligations.

No Repairs Needed

Many homeowners worry they must update or renovate before selling. We buy homes as-is, regardless of condition.

Flexible Closings

We work on your timeline. Need to close in two weeks? We can do that. Need more time to prepare? We’ll work with you.

Peace of Mind

No listings, no open houses, no uncertainty. Just a clear, simple offer and a path forward.

Should You Sell Because of Property Taxes?

Deciding whether to sell your home is a personal decision, but if rising property taxes are making it harder to stay, it may be time to consider your options.

Some homeowners choose to downsize to a more affordable property, move closer to family, or switch to renting. Others simply want to unlock the equity they’ve worked hard to build.

If you’re feeling the squeeze from rising property taxes, Sage Home Offers is here to listen and help.

Final Thoughts

Rising property taxes are an often-overlooked consequence of a booming real estate market. For many Albuquerque homeowners—especially seniors, those on fixed incomes, and equity-rich households—they represent a growing challenge.

Sage Home Offers provides a respectful, convenient, and trustworthy solution. If you’re struggling to keep up with rising taxes or want to explore your options, reach out to us today for a free, no-pressure consultation.

📞 Call us today at 505-228-6414 or fill out our online form to get started with a free, no-obligation cash offer!