Came to visit! Questions:Utilities, taxes etc. (Denver, Colorado Springs: transplants, sales)

[Kaligirl]

Hi All

Greetings from So.Cal. I haven't been able to get online in awhile. Apparently I typo'd my login too many times. But let me tell you, we came out for a visit and you all are the nicest people!! We had a wonderful time and enjoyed your state, your views and are seriously considering the FCollins area and surrounding cities. And yes we came in on the tail end of the first storm, through the second one and left before your third one. Oh how many phone calls did we get checking on us.... more or less asking if we "Got Snow?"

So with that said, we came home and told some people and another friend who is looking to relocated is interested as well. We have a couple of questions that maybe you could help us with.....

Do you have any information on what utility costs run in Colorado for heating during winter??? (What is the average annual utility cost there as well.) Also what is the property tax rate there? Any transplants that might know if, they are higher or lower than CA? And any other tidbits we haven't thought of yet.....

Thanks a ton!
Kali

[MattDen]

Colorado has very, very low property taxes.

The Colorado Springs area is 450 dollars of property tax per 100,000 dollars market value

Denver is about 525 dollars per 100,000 dollars market value, last time I checked and Fountain is about 370 dollars per 100,000 dollars market value.

If you dont like very low property taxes then I wouldnt suggest Colorado.

[2bindenver]

I think in general our property taxes, energy costs, auto/use taxes are lower.

But...you may not move here if you plan to ever say, "Colorado (fill in the blank) is so cheap! In California I was paying...."

Gas & Electric costs will depend on you service provider and the size of your property and how much you use! (In Denver, you can call Xcel Energy or IREA and ask about a High/low/average utility cost for a specific property.)

[Kaligirl]

Hi all
Thank you both for your input, as I haven't a clue on how to look up such information. If anyone has a few links they could send on the subject we'd love to have them, since I am sure it depends on home size, location and many other factors.

And 2beindever, please don't think I wasn't trying to compare like that, not at all. My family and I just need to have our eyes wide open as to our expeditures, with this move and home hunting etc. Especially my girlfriend's family who would love to finally own a home with a backyard and finally get the kids a puppy. We are just looking to improve the quality of life for our kids and we are finding it harder to do so here.

Thanks all for your time!
Best regards, Kali

[2bindenver]

No worries. I just helped transplant a great family from SoCal into Parker.

We certainly don't mind taking those nice properties off the market and giving them some nice human(s) to love and care for them.

[ncrea]

Hey Kaligirl,

My taxes run $2212/yr on a 3900 sf ranch home valued at $370,500 in Loveland.

My utilities averaged this past year are as follows on 3900 sf finished ranch:

gas : ~$94.00/mo. high of $207.16 01-06 low of $32.76 in 07-06
electric : ~$94.00/mo. high of $143.99 09-06 low of $58.96 in 11-06
water : ~$102.81/mo. high of $136.07 09-06 low of $68.13 in 01-06

Hope this helps. Please look me up when you get ready to locate so that I can help you find your home.

NCREA

[Kaligirl]

Hi NCrea
Yes that helps a ton! It gives us a perspective on what we might expect throughout the year. Thanks so much.
Kali

[2bindenver]

Property taxes generally run 1% of the assessed value which is 70-90% of fair market value.

Re-assesments are done every two years. The mill levy is calculated by the county and comes out in December.

We pay taxes in arrears (2006 taxes are due in 2007) the bill comes in January.

When you buy property in Colorado you have a choice to prorate taxes by last year's tax rate or the most recent assesment & most recent mill levy.

No matter which option you choose the taxes for that year will be different from the credit you received. Sometimes you end up with a few more dollars, and sometimes not. Your buyer's agent can advise you of the risks and rewards.

[MattDen]

1%??? Where in Colorado is that?

Denver is not nearly that high and the Colorado Springs area is the lowest in the state and much lower then that.

[lmnop]

I just heard from a new housing community sales person that taxes (property which includes fire and streets) is 1.2 percent in Erie and 1.4% in Broomfield.