Full Forecaste

Past Month's Most Commented Stories

Home > Readers

Overstated tax values take toll

Sunday, October 19, 2008 12:30 AM PDT

Font Size:
 
 

Commentary by Bill Spencer
For The Daily News



have a hard time understanding why our property values increased this year rather than decreased considering all the trouble in the real estate and building industry. I have spoken to several other home owners that feel the same in our area, and I also have spoken to others outside our county. Outside our county I have actually heard of decreasing values.

When I spoke to our assessor to object to increase in values and discuss the reasons, he brought up several valid points of how the appraisal process works and even cited laws that he needs to follow, or that rather protect him for such reasons of increasing values. One main issue he brought up was historic values from the past years and how they can use this to make blanket assumptions without truly appraising your home for true and current market value. I asked how this can be when current values are spiraling downward, and the current market is going backwards and in some areas back to 2001 values. Once again, he stated his right according to the law.

Did you know that the new appraisal you received for taxes due in 2009 actually represents values of 2007 and up to four years behind it? In other words, the appraiser can look at values from the last five years including 2007, though he knows the current news and market is in an opposite direction. Once again, I asked him how he can justify this increased value and he states the law is on his side. I then said, what about the false increase you’re doing to the values of not only our home values (and their taxes that don’t truly reflect current housing market values) but the budgets based on these taxes. Once you increase taxes (via increased house values), this tax money goes to the allocated area budgets such as schools, fire, emergency, roads and so on. This is an annual budget that must be spent each year. This budget is based upon our home values and the tax rate.

I asked the appraiser isn’t it irresponsible to raise values knowing the current market conditions can’t support it as it will result in a false increased budget and the following year will show a decrease as he should re-appraise the homes to 2008 values. I actually believe he won’t decrease your value next year, do you? If he does, that will mean schools, roads and all other services fed by these falsely increased taxes will have a shortfall budget.

As taxpayers we will be asked to vote to increase the tax rate to compensate for a shortfall. Why? Because the assessor did not take into account that our economy is currently in dire straits and home values are plummeting. It will be hard to vote for a tax increase if our value isn’t correct according to the current market and not the thriving values of years past.

I urge our county residents to complain to your commissioner, the assessor and at the least, come 2009, ask to have your home value re-appraised at 2008 values. As it is, this situation with our increased values will only hurt our county residences and future school budgets not to mention other county services. The assessor needs a message from our residences — don’t increase our home values in a down market-place. One last thing: Remember this tax appraiser is an elected official.



Bill Spencer is a resident of Kelso.

Next

banana hammock wrote on Oct 20, 2008 12:01 PM:

" This just plays right into the whole false reality we live in.

They know its wrong and the values are based on a false increase in value but they will not address it just like they did with the loans and other issues that have lead to this economic problem. It's all about greed. They just want more even though they know its not right. "

bizowner wrote on Oct 21, 2008 2:18 PM:

" I recently sold business property (Sep. 2008) and the appraiser immediately charged me for the balance of the 2008 property tax due - AND - all of the 2009 tax that would be otherwise payable in April & Oct. of NEXT year. Turns out that the property tax you pay is considered "owed" as of Jan. 1 of the PRIOR year. Crazy. "

Local Yokel wrote on Oct 21, 2008 3:01 PM:

" I called Terry M's office and his appraiser came out, inspected my home and property and produced a fair and reasonable assessment. I found them to be helpful and very understanding of the market conditions and the burden on the taxpayers as well as their job requirements. "

Rural Citizen wrote on Oct 23, 2008 9:14 AM:

" I have a better idea:

It's called a RECALL PETITION. "

Joe Schmoe wrote on Oct 23, 2008 10:54 AM:

" I hate property taxes and wish there was a better way for the counties to get income. The only solution to this is to hire enough appraisers so the county can evaluate every single property every year. Otherwise we are stuck with system we have. Of course that would cost more $$$. Wonder how many appraisers the county would require to get yearly evaluations? "

skibum wrote on Oct 23, 2008 12:23 PM:

" I recently received my assessors notice. I had a $150k house built on my property, and the taxes show an increase in improvements of $170k. Please explain that to me..... I have the receipt from the builder. "

El Gabilon wrote on Oct 23, 2008 3:44 PM:

" Be proud to pay your taxes. We live in one of the best countries in the world. It does not come without a price. If taxes are too high you have every right to file a complaint, create an iniative, and do everything you can within the law to get taxes reduced or force the state to reduce its expenditures. It seems to us that property owners haven't done much complaining as their homes jumped in value so outrageously that it would make a thief blush. Homes in Cowlitz county are overvalued by at least 50%.Most were built for around $25,000 to $45,000 and are now priced to sell around $200,000. That is a lot of money for a bunch of sticks thrown together enclosing nothing but space. What home owners want at selling time is to sell for a price that includes all the taxes, insterest, insurance, real estate fees, etc. that they have paid and shovel it off to the new buyer. As a buyer of homes we are buying on the basis of the year the home was built, its original value and nothing more. Otherwise you can keep your "homes". Just like an automobile, a house loses its value; floors creak, wood rots, sinks clog, wiring deteroriates, siding crumbles, roofs leak. A home as many see it is nothing but a financial rock around your neck. Sucker time is over. "

Paratrooper wrote on Oct 25, 2008 6:51 PM:

" I bought my home last year. It cost $249,000.00. The taxes are $3,000.00 plus. Most of it goes to schools. I don't have any kids. The kids around here don't seem to get what we are paying for. I am a 100% disabled Veteran. I was told that I would be exempt from paying a good portion of the property taxes due to my status. Come to find out, I don't get any exemption. When I bought the house I counted on the exemption to make it work. The realtors and others were all together in saying I was going to get an exemption. I am unable to pay my $1,900.00 a month mortgage. I've been using my credit cards to get it paid. It can't sell. not worth it. I made a big mistake by listening to the realtors and title people. Now my credit cards are in arrears and I have had to seek a credit counselor to help me work on getting my credit cards paid. I don't know what to do. I had to get a line of credit from the bank to fix the house. It's in bad shape. Over $3,000 in taxes is not what this house is worth. What do I do? I don't have any answers. I'm more terrified now than in combat. I can't do it anymore. I need help now. "

Common Sense 24 wrote on Oct 25, 2008 11:30 PM:

" To Paratrooper: Why would you play it so close to the line? Who in full sanity does not prepare for the possibility of the worst? It is the American way though, anymore. Yeah I can scrape up the payment for car; however, if I get a flat tire, I'm tatered. I sympathize with your situation; however, I have a hard time feeling any sympathy for an obviously poor decision on your part. "

Top Jobs
More Top Jobs
Top Garage Sales
More Top Garage Sales
Top Rentals
More Top Rentals