Property Tax Fear and Loathing
If you have read my other articles here, you might have noted the psychological approach towards subject matter. Therefore, as you have probably guessed from the title, this article on property tax is not going to be any different. After all, the years spent earning degrees in neurobehavioral psychology should not be wasted.
Certainly, I could have chosen to write about property tax with a presentation of numerous facts, figures, rules and regulations, but then this is information you can easily find for yourself. However, if facts and figure are what you are after then you can go to http://www.properties-tax.com to get them. Not that we can guarantee that you won?t find a single fact somewhere in this article, but mainly what we?re going to be discussing is angst. Specifically, that day certain annual angst experienced by property owners with the arrival of the property tax bill that will tell them how much he/she must pay should they desire to continue their relationship with the property. While it is true that some property owners miss-out on this intense emotional experience, because their tax is included with the mortgage payment, do not be fooled. They are no less affected, it just that their feelings about it are more or less staggered throughout the year.
In which case, what is it about that property tax bill that makes the paying of it different from let?s say income tax or sales tax? Well, for starters, it is a bill, and it is one of the few bills we receive that lacks for prior warning of how much is due on it. We are forewarned if sales taxes are going up, we know ahead of time if we are going to be paying more in income tax, not so with property tax. Simply, our mind does not have time to adjust to one of the things it hates most, namely ?bad surprises?. And don?t even think that expecting the possibility of ?bad news, is the same as a ?bad surprise?. While the expectation of bad news may make a person nervous it is simply not the same as the trauma generated by a bad surprise. So please don?t tell me that you were actually expecting that your latest property tax bill was going to be twice the amount it was the previous year, because I won?t believe you.
Heaven knows, citizens have fought, and continue to fight the good fight to try and shield themselves from the experience, but the results have been somewhat mixed. California property owners did it with proposition 13, Oregon tried something similar, followed by other states, yet nothing stopped the upward trajectory, it was only slowed and then only for a while.
Now, on the heels of the real estate boom, some states such as Florida, have actually had their property taxes, sans a couple of dollars, double. Of course, the real estate boon has fizzled, property values have declined, and it seems that many property owners were somehow expecting that those declining values would be reflected in their property tax bill. In other words, they were expecting a ?good surprise?, which made the actual bill a much worse ?bad surprise?. Worse still, there is no on to argue with over it. Oh, I suppose one could argue it if they really wanted to. They could file a formal complaint, demand a hearing, look for an attorney to mount a battle, and protest by not paying their property tax bill, but that does present the inherent danger that by the time such a fight makes its way through the system, the property in question will have been auctioned off.
However, so as not to end this article on a sour note, consider that it is the property taxes you pay that provide for services to you and your community such as education, libraries, roads, hospitals and emergency services. Admittedly, while you may not be in full agreement with exactly how the officials are managing your money, hopefully, just knowing that it is going towards good use, will bring you some reprieve from the fear and loathing that might be generated by the arrival of your next property tax bill.
JC Curran owns and operates http://www.properties-tax.com Property Tax
Related Articles:
Learn From My Personal Experience About Bahamas Vacation Rentals
Bahamas house rental or a hotel? Vacation rentals are becoming very popular but many people ask the wrong questions when they enquire about a house rental, read this article where I answer many essential questions most people forget to ask when they book a Bahamas house rental or travel to the Bahamas.Is the beach nearby?This seems a pointless question, as you are renting a 'Beach House' and the assumption is already there, however prepare to be surprised, almost 30 % of Bahama's Beach Houses are advertised as such but are located up to a mile from the actual beach.
Can Private Money Be A Good Financing Option For Commercial Property?
An experienced commercial real estate investor knows a good deal when it presents itself. Sometimes these deals pop up unexpectedly, and sometimes an investor may find a proverbial diamond in the rough. When a good commercial deal with the potential for excellent financial returns is high and an investor is in need of quick or hard-to-get funds, then private money may be the answer to bridge the financial gap.
Tobago Self-Catering Holiday Rentals
The beautiful Caribbean island of Tobago is a great holiday destination if you?re looking for a vacation with a difference
Tobago may be only 26 miles long by 7 miles wide, but despite its tiny size it has so much to offer its visitors
Property Investing Secrets 7
Property Investing Secrets:How Buying Real Estate Is Like Planning a Trip to the Greek IslandsOne you start property investing, one important tip is to press the flesh with the real estate agents in the areas where you plan to buy. Because property investing is a bit like buying a holiday package, you must separate yourself from the rest of the investors by giving the real estate agents the information they are looking for in your first face to face meeting.
Property Owners Express Delight with New For Sale by Owner Platform
Innovative for sale by owner platform puts property owners in the drivers seat with global website exposure. Listanyhome.com provides unique equity saving options and advice to property owners who do not wish to pay the industry typical six percent listing fee.
Seth Asare Helps Las Vegas Real Estate Owners Sell Property in Slow Market
With many industry experts reporting that the Las Vegas real estate market as well as others is slowing, property owners have to get creative when trying to market and sell their property. Seth Asare can help with his vast knowledge of this market and creative ways to move properties even in a slow market.
The Siegel Group and Tippins Holdings Complete Acquisition of Las Vegas Boulevard Property
The Siegel Group, Inc., a Commercial Real Estate & Business Development Company and Tippins Holdings, a multi-faceted real estate investment company, today announced that they had completed the acquisition of the former Travel Inn; a 58-unit hotel located on Las Vegas Boulevard in downtown's new entertainment district, Fremont East. The Property which is currently vacated is comprised of two parcels situated on 1/2 acre and is contiguous to the Gold Spike Casino and in close proximity to The Lady Luck Casino which is being acquired by Hollywood-based developers the CIM Group (www.cimgroup.com). The purchase price was $5 million with financing provided by...
Everyday Health is the Fastest Growing Online Health Property in 2007: Maintains Number 2 Spot for Four Straight Months; New comScore
Only a year after its launch, Everyday Health, which is operated by Waterfront Media, the largest privately held online health company, reports that year to year traffic has increased over four hundred percent. According to December comScore Media Metrix traffic figures released this week, Everyday Health received more than 12 million unique visitors, making it the second largest online health property for the fourth straight month. In December 2006, the site received just over two million visitors.
Phoenix, AZ Accommodations Still Available for Super Bowl XLII through Super-Week-Rentals.com
Arizona company offers fans exclusive access to scarce private home rentals in time for Super Bowl XLII.
Camping In Cabin Rentals
Camping is a cheaper vacation than, say, a Paris holiday or a Caribbean tour. This is also something that kids will enjoy and brag to their friends. Camping trips also make for funny camping anecdotes that can last you a lifetime. Unfortunately, not everyone has the skill to peg in a tent upright or light an outdoor fire. In this case, log cabin rentals are good options. There are cabin rentals available year-round and in different locations. There are wood cabins, fishing cabins, and hiking cabins. These cabins take the pressure of building that perfect tent and cooking on outdoor fires. Most cabins also come with amenities like plumbing, stove, dining room, bedrooms, living room, and a bathroom. But not every cabin has electricity, and wi...