Friday, May 15, 2009

Say What???

I wonder if all counties are doing this?

Each year around this time, we get an appraisal notice from the county stating what our home appraises for now. Most of us know that your "TAXES" are based on the appraised value of our homes, right?

Okay, this year I don't understand this at all. We moved into this home almost two years ago now. We've made no big improvements at all. Yet, the county appraised our home for $20,000 more than it did last year.

Last time I checked....we're in a recession. Homes are not really selling right now. Though we moved to a new city in the last two years, we've lived in the same county for the last 10 years. In our last home, we made ALL kind of improvements including having a pool built and our home still never appraised for $20,000 more from one year to the next. This is ridiculous!

We were talking to our neighbors and the county has done the same thing to them. This is so not fair! Oops! That just sounded like something my girls would say.

Anyhoo, we can definitely protest this new and improved appraisal and probably will, but guess what? You have to pay for that!!!! We feel a bit cheated on this deal.

This is only a great thing if you're trying to sell your home right now and wanted/needed to make more money on it. And since there are so many homes sitting on the market as it is and knowing that most banks aren't loaning money these days, I get even more irritated thinking about this.

Okay, I did just totally vent here....but I still don't feel much better.

I am soooooooooo glad it's the weekend! I've had a really busy week at work and at home. I plan on doing nothing tonight except for visiting your blogs later tonight. I hope to work in the yard ALL day tomorrow. However, I've heard that it's supposed to rain at some point tomorrow. So, we'll see.

I hope that you all have a great weekend and as always, be blessed!

42 comments:

Stacey said...

I have heard of people protesting and winning. It's worth a try. Same thing happens here every few years. The country appraises ours for quite a bit more than they actually sell for these days.

April said...

It IS ridiculous, Daphine! I would protest all the way. Like Stacey, I've heard it can turn out in your favor, so it would be well worth the effort, I think. Hope you have a nice, relaxing weekend with plenty of R & R!

Jennifer said...

It's crazy isn't it?

Hope you have a great time working in the yard! When you get done, wanna come on over to mine? LOL.

Enjoy!

Nicolle said...

It is frustrating! I would appeal it though!

We just got our mortgage statement and it said we have a 500 plus shortage. Last year we got a 400 refund. We were so aggravated!!

ps....you are so sweet to have looked for those bowls for me! :)

CMB said...

Yes, we have had a similar thing happen here as well...it is crazy! I know there is a group here that is planning to protest, don't know how successful they will be!

Kristin said...

It's funny how when they need money, they all of a sudden raise the appraisal values, huh? It's not right at all and I don't blame you for feeling it's just not fair!

I hope you do have a great weekend, though!

michele said...

I think I would protest too... I can see why you would feel frustrated. I hope your weekend weather is great!

Robyn said...

Girl I feel your pain, as the same issues are happening up here in Alaska too.

Anonymous said...

Daphine,

The same thing happened in the town I work in. My parents live in that town as well. Everyone got so angry at the across the board property tax hike that so many people went to the town council they had no choice but to postpone it until 2011. It was amazing how this town came together and said "NO, we won't take this!". I think it's worth the fight girl!

Michelle said...

I'm appalled...but I definitely believe you. I will pray that you WIN when you challenge this. Keep you head up!

Unknown said...

Norfolk protested and won...so, maybe you should get all politcal and run for office!

Go you...and thanks for all your wonderful comments. Love you!

Melissa Miller said...

Hi Daphine,
I didn't know all of that info about appraisals and taxes being linked. Thanks for letting us know. I hope it works out for you guys very soon.

Thank you so much for always being so kind and complimentary on our home. I always appreciate your sweet visits my friend.

I found the iron corner unit at the base exchange about two years ago. I just happened to walk by it and knew it would be good for the GR. I'm trying to remember where I also saw one similiar after I bought mine.
I'll let you know when I think of it. HMMMM...

Have a blessed weekend.
~Enjoy your yard.
~Melissa :)

Wait....I think it was KIRKLANDS of course. it was virtually identical to it and cheaper. I don't know if they still carry them now though.
I hope you find one. They are a versatile piece.

Anonymous said...

Yowza!! Keep us updated on your decision.

Rain, Rain stay away!! Have a wonderful weekend.

Jenn said...

Wow! I was shocked because ours dropped $20,000 this year. That is an extreme amount either way! Although, I don't think I'll protest because I am more than happy to pay less taxes!!! I hope you can get yours worked out without having to pay too much!!

Anonymous said...

I'm usually not a "read a book in one day" person but it was REALLY good, the chapters were like 2 pages so I kept saying "one more chapter" AND I was leading the discussion about it so I HAD to read it! :)

Beth E. said...

The same thing happened to us in our country. Just as you said, they are raising the value of our homes so we will have to pay more taxes. It totally stinks. :-/

LisaShaw said...

Go for it sweetie! I just prayed for you and your husband and all who are dealing with this.

We don't pay property taxes on our house here but we did when we lived in VA.

It is absolutely crazy especially in this economy but NOTHING is surprising me these days.

Remember Who you belong to. GOD WILL MAKE A WAY.

Love you.

Heather said...

that totally sucks. taxes drive me insane. you should try living in MD. we pay state, county, federal, sales, and several other taxes between homeowner taxes and income taxes on your paycheck. our state is horrible! they take so much of our money.

~Lisi P. said...

It's crazy what people are trying to do within the recession. Why charge more taxes when nothing's changing?

Try to challenge it, if possible.

Shell in your Pocket said...

That is CRAZY...I would be speaking out on that one!
sandy toe

He & Me + 3 said...

That is crazy...I would be upset too. I would protest too. Have a great weekend.

Lindsay-ann said...

Hi Daphine
It doesn't really seem fair. Good luck with fighting it!
Hope you are having a lovely weekend.
Lindsay
x

Alicia The Snowflake said...

Oh that is ridiculous! I was talking with a friend this week and her house value had decreased almost over night by $20,000. Two houses in her neighborhood recently sold at auction for way less, thereby affecting everyone's home values. It is definitely a crazy time we live in my friend!

Hope you are getting some rest after your busy week!

Unknown said...

That is so crazy!

Lee said...

Well, by raising the appraisal they get more money in taxes. The government is sneaky like that. SINCE we're in a recession, they're doing everything to pull in money.
I'd protest it if I were you. That's a ridiculous jump in value.

Lorrie said...

That's just crazy Daphine! I hope that you do protest and win. The county next to ours did a reappraisal of properties last fall and there was such a public outcry at the huge increases in assessed value of homes in such difficult economic times that the county finally decided to back off for two more years. If enough people protest you can make a difference sometimes.

Grace said...

It is so nice to be back here in your blog, Daphine. How was your weekend? :)

michele said...

A gal had an easy step by step, visual instruction guide as to how to make blog photos bigger. She has the Blue Orchard blog.

Try copying and pasting this and hopefully it will take you there :)
Have a great week!

http://www.blueorchidblog.com/2007/10/how-to-have-large-photos-on-your-blog.html

Unknown said...

That is crazy! Our house appraised for less than we paid for it! Way less. Which would be discouraging if we were trying to sell! I hope everything works out ok! I can't believe you have to pay to protest! That is CRAZY! I did hear something about Texas being a place that is doing pretty great while the rest of the world is floundering in this economy. I can't remember where I read that!

Toia said...

I would vent, too!! And no it is not fair!!

Despite this, I hope you had a great weekend.

Katie said...

I don't get this either, they should not be uping the value, but they need to I think so that they have enough money for the state. I just don't understand how must of us moms stick to a buget but the gov't just spends and spends.. IF you don't have it don't buy it.... I do hope your value has gone up and we are all just complaining that would be a good thing (:

Darlene said...

I would definitely protest!! That is just crazy!

Hopefully your weather is doing what ours is now. We are supposed to have beautiful, sunny weather for the next 6 days...YAY!

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

I can't believe they would increase your house value in this recession. I too would protest. But if it costs you money to protest, sounds like a scam the county is using to get more money. Here in Riverside county, CA the tax values on houses were automatically lowered down by the county. My house value for tax purposes went from $370,000 down to $270,000. Saved me about $1000 on taxes. But my house really is only now worth about $200,000. I may see if they will lower the tax value down again. Luckily we can do that for free if you go direct to the county tax accessor. I know there are some companies out there that will tell you they can lower your tax value for money, but here if you go direct it doesn't cost anything. And thanks for visiting my blog & leaving me a comment. I really appreciate it. You are welcome anytime.

4 Lettre Words said...

Yep! Ours jumped up right before this crazy real estate crisis. Bummer, huh!?! :o(

Darcie said...

Hopping over to say thanks for leaving a comment!

About your post...Can't believe it...completely ridiculous. It seems they get you either way, but if you protest and win I wonder if they would give you a refund back on the cost of protesting? Just a thought. Good luck.

Also...loved the quote at the top of your blog..so true!

~Lisi P. said...

Hey, got your suggestion about the tickets. We can do that, but will have to pay the cancellation & rescheduling fees. I know that something is better than nothing :)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I think this is happening in a lot of places. I find it shocking that many bank appraisals are for less than houses are worth (this happened to someone we know), and yet, the property appraisers are raising taxes!

As they saying goes, two things are certain... death and taxes. ;-)

XO,

Sheila

Tonya said...

Yikes! That STINKS... SERIOUSLY. I'm with you.. it looks like in times like these that the value would be the same, or down even. If it doesn't cost much to protest, I think I would. ☺

I hope your week is going well for you!

♥ YOU

LisaShaw said...

Hey lady! Came over to say I love ya and was thinking of ya.

Melissa said...

UGH! That is awful! And weird too! You would think it would be the opposite, eh? I wonder if your county is just being greedy to get more money out of you come tax time? That's the first thought that came to me when I read this.

Sorry I haven't been around! I think I missed that you had posted in the last week! My dashboard is getting so full with all the blogs I follow! I really should take a few off, but they're all so good!!!!! And I just added two new ones this week! AH!!!!!! Someone stop me already! ;o)

Unknown said...

Did you ever get the tax thing worked out? I hope so! I just looked at ours since this post made me think of it, and our assessment went up from when we bought the home just a year and a half ago!

Jennifer said...

Hey there.....missing your posts!

Do you guys have big plans for the extended weekend? We don't....just looking forward to some much needed relaxtion!!