new construction: only taxed on land value? (lender, townhome)

[Go Blue 99]

We purchased a new construction townhome in DeKalb County last March. For 2008, DeKalb only taxed us on the land value (and not building value). This applies for all my neighbors too. Our lender told us this is a common occurence that new construction is only taxed on land value in the first year.

Does anyone know if Dekalb will typically raise our 2009 property tax to account for the partial 2008 payment? Or do we basically get a free ride for the first year?

[Merin]

This happened to people in my Fulton Development. In Fulton you get a free ride the first year.

[BobKovacs]

You get a free ride for 2008- your 2009 tax bill will be based on the assessed value of the land and the building.

[taraspurpe]

I purchased a new construction home in Dec/05 and closed Dec/05 and had to pay taxes for the whole house and land. Not just the land.