[tallrick]

This real estate bubble has ruined our relaxed Florida living. Now we are held hostage by an unfair property tax system that has taken away our freedom to live and own property. Now it looks like we will not get relief. What can we do to make things right? Since there is no hurricane to rescue us this year, we have to do this ourself. Who else is feeling angry and frustrated? Who has ideas of what to do next?

[House4Sale]

Send around one of those online petitions where a person signs it via e-mail then passes it on to their friends and family. The 1,000th signer sends it to the White House or whoever is "in charge of the store."

[Dave_n_Tenn]

My taxes are down and I'm getting a big discount on my Homeowners Insurance after the hurricane inspection report, gave me high credits.

Since I'm not going anywhere... I guess I'm not "part" of the bubble. What my house is worth concerns me very little, since I'm not planning on selling. I enjoy where I live. To some this may sound innocous... but my situation is stable and affordable.

However... I am concerned about my kids... and their future. I'm allowed to build another house on my property, but I have 4 kids... so that wouldn't work. Since they are all born and raised here, I hope they make Florida their home, and yes, they want to.

So.... I'm not angry, concerned yes, but not angry. Free market society does have a way of "self" correcting.... after all the law of supply and demand hasn't changed.

[macguy]

Originally Posted by Dave_n_Tenn

My taxes are down and I'm getting a big discount on my Homeowners Insurance after the hurricane inspection report, gave me high credits.

Since I'm not going anywhere... I guess I'm not "part" of the bubble. What my house is worth concerns me very little, since I'm not planning on selling. I enjoy where I live. To some this may sound innocous... but my situation is stable and affordable.

However... I am concerned about my kids... and their future. I'm allowed to build another house on my property, but I have 4 kids... so that wouldn't work. Since they are all born and raised here, I hope they make Florida their home, and yes, they want to.

So.... I'm not angry, concerned yes, but not angry. Free market society does have a way of "self" correcting.... after all the law of supply and demand hasn't changed.

It effects you every day. Every piece of commercial property that is impacted effects you. They could be a wholesaler that deals with a business you frequent or a small coffee shop you like to go to. Their cost of operating have gone up so much they have to pass it along to the customer. It nickel and dimes people like you so you don't seem to feel it but you are paying out thousands of dollars a year as well whether you realize it or not.

Like the guy who says " I don't care about the price of gas, I ride a bicycle". Really, check out the price you pay for vegetables in the grocery or a can of soup. Maybe you don't own a strip center but some of us do and you know what, those costs just get passed on to you, the unsuspecting customer. All this stuff you think doesn't effect you, does. You don't live in a vacuum, you are part of a system whether you want to admit it or not. You are just fooling yourself.

[pirate girl]

Things will have to change. Yes, they'll probably have to get worse before they get better, but they will change.

In the mean time, I make the best. I love where I live, I have my health, my family has their health. I have a great job with a company that I am proud to work for. I have great friends and I live a few miles away from one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

I'll keep things in perspective and not let this housing bubble ruin my life or my outlook.


And I did make the mistake of buying property on speculation. It's been listed for two years and I've not had the first bite. I'm looking at another year of taxes and HOA fees on a piece of dirt that does nothing for me right now. But I have faith and every one else needs to as well.

[Lilybeans]

I didn't buy my home to flip it. I bought it to live in. So, I'm perfectly fine. i think the prices in FLorida were just getting out of hand. I don't see it as a bubble bursting, more like a much needed correction.

[macguy]

Originally Posted by Lilybeans

I didn't buy my home to flip it. I bought it to live in. So, I'm perfectly fine. i think the prices in FLorida were just getting out of hand. I don't see it as a bubble bursting, more like a much needed correction.

Your rationalizing a little, but I agree it can't stay like this and no matter what happens it will be for the best in the long run. The biggest problem is the non homesteaded property and commercial property that is being treated the most unfair. It is practically illegal to own a piece of investment property or vacation home or commercial property anymore. What happened to the american dream.

[Dave_n_Tenn]

Originally Posted by macguy

It effects you every day. Every piece of commercial property that is impacted effects you. They could be a wholesaler that deals with a business you frequent or a small coffee shop you like to go to. Their cost of operating have gone up so much they have to pass it along to the customer. It nickel and dimes people like you so you don't seem to feel it but you are paying out thousands of dollars a year as well whether you realize it or not.

Like the guy who says " I don't care about the price of gas, I ride a bicycle". Really, check out the price you pay for vegetables in the grocery or a can of soup. Maybe you don't own a strip center but some of us do and you know what, those costs just get passed on to you, the unsuspecting customer. All this stuff you think doesn't effect you, does. You don't live in a vacuum, you are part of a system whether you want to admit it or not. You are just fooling yourself.

I think you adding to my response, or making assumtions for me. I never said it doesn't affect me, or I don't care... I just said my situation is stable. I understand the costs involved and the increase in the inflation rate for Florida proper.... but never the less, the OP asked... am I angry?... and the answer is still no, concerned yes.

The other part of the OP was about what to do... I believe the market will self-correct.

[tallrick]

I am angry because the time requred to "self correct" is arbitrary, meanwhile my taxes keep increasing and precious time out of our lives is wasted trying to fight it, and more struggle is required to get the ransom money to pay the lease to the Government on the property. This issue of taxes is the only unfair one, the insurance situation is manageable, but only taxes come with the terrorist confiscation threat given to the Government. I see how the high taxes has caused our business to be less competitive in the global market and how tax money is grossly mismanaged. Every time I drive through Miami and see the traffic backed up by 4 way stop signs and "roundabouts" financed by out of control taxes it just steams me up. I am also tired of the suggestions to move to North Carolina or Tennessee. Something has to be done to get our life back because each second of life is too precious to waste supporting this system.

As mentioned above the energy shortages will add to the burden on local businesses. Once they start leaving and not returning, Florida is in deep trouble. High property taxes are the cause of most of Florida's problems today.

[jhlcomp]

Look, it's not just Florida. Many other states and the populations and distribution systems thereto are equally affected. You can send all the letters you want to the White House or the Hill -- it won't do a whit of good. This is such a complex issue which comes down to pure greed. Wouldn't it be interesting to find that one entity reponsible for our housing market woes?

Yes, salaries are not keeping up with the rising costs, but, then again, that is true in other states as well - Florida is not isolated in all of this.