decayed houses? (Searsport: credit, tax, living in)

[retiredtinbender]

Originally Posted by Zymer

I think that the issue of back taxes is not so great if the property has been taken. Taking the property settles the issue. When the powers that be approve the sale to the new owner, taxes are due going forward but the back taxes for which the property was taken are not a liability for the new owner. The tax due from the new owner would be based on the currently assessed value, which (if the property was in really bad shape) would be not so much. When the property was rehabed the value would be reassessed to a new value and the tax increased.

The back taxes would be a liability if the property had been abandoned but not taken, and a new owner wanted to take over the property by "right of adverse possession". In that case, the new owner *would* have to settle the back taxes (and any other liens).

That's right. Once the property is taken by the town the issue is resolved. Generall when the town puts it ouot to bid to get it back on the tax roles they would set the price at either the tax money lost or part or all of the assessed value. Unless the property has some worth to the town and then they'd hang onto it.

[wabanaki]

That is terrible town can take over a house for unpaid tax, unless it is an investment property or unoccupy house.
If town is budgetting expenses base on well to do families may be some how could come up with a way to allowed who lived there for entry life then getting old and live on fixed income to stay in the house with reasonale or no tax at all.

Originally Posted by retiredtinbender

That's right. Once the property is taken by the town the issue is resolved. Generall when the town puts it ouot to bid to get it back on the tax roles they would set the price at either the tax money lost or part or all of the assessed value. Unless the property has some worth to the town and then they'd hang onto it.

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by wabanaki

That is terrible town can take over a house for unpaid tax, unless it is an investment property or unoccupy house.
If town is budgetting expenses base on well to do families may be some how could come up with a way to allowed who lived there for entry life then getting old and live on fixed income to stay in the house with reasonale or no tax at all.

An abatement can always be applied for.

[retiredtinbender]

Originally Posted by wabanaki

That is terrible town can take over a house for unpaid tax, unless it is an investment property or unoccupy house.
If town is budgetting expenses base on well to do families may be some how could come up with a way to allowed who lived there for entry life then getting old and live on fixed income to stay in the house with reasonale or no tax at all.

There are responsibilities for owning anythong and property is no exception. Property tax is one of them. If you allow someone to live and refurb an old house at no tax expense then that amount of money has to be picked up by the other taxpayers in that town. It's a simple matter of distribution. The town still needs money to run for a year and taxes split that cost all among property owners. Why should I have to pay more just because someone promises they will pay taxes later on a better place. Reminds me of Whimpy: "I'll gladly pay you tomorrow for a hamburger today." Socialism doesn't work unless it's forced upon people.

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by retiredtinbender

There are responsibilities for owning anythong and property is no exception. Property tax is one of them. If you allow someone to live and refurb an old house at no tax expense then that amount of money has to be picked up by the other taxpayers in that town. It's a simple matter of distribution. The town still needs money to run for a year and taxes split that cost all among property owners. Why should I have to pay more just because someone promises they will pay taxes later on a better place. Reminds me of Whimpy: "I'll gladly pay you tomorrow for a hamburger today." Socialism doesn't work unless it's forced upon people.

"The town still needs money to run for a year and taxes split that cost all among property owners."

And if that's not the case, there will be an angry mob of "other" townsfolk who find it equally as "terrible" that their basic muncipal needs are not being met because others are not paying.

Plain and simply: Some taxes are necessary if you want to live in a town and enjoy certain town services. Certainly no one wants pay for waste, but something has to give. I don't want to pay for someone else's tax break on their refurbished house either (especially if, for example, my own house needs some major repair that I can't afford).

Inability to see how others are impacted by an issue is how wars are started IMO.

That's not really a hard concept to grasp when you drive down the road and see bumper stickers that say "I have to work so others can get welfare." It affects all. That's when everyone can just say "Scionara" to anything remotely close to the words "compromise, common-sense ideas, and rational discourse."

[brianradomski]

Folks did I post/attach this photo correctly?? does it appear??? I better find out before I "gab" more! I have worked possibly for days working it to get it to post!

[brianradomski]

Originally Posted by brianradomski

Attachment 69869 folks did i post/attach this photo correctly?? Does it appear??? I better find out before i "gab" more! I have worked possibly for days working it to get it to post!

i got my answer on my own! Yay yay!!!

[brianradomski]

Originally Posted by brianradomski

i got my answer on my own! Yay yay!!!

well that I have the reassurance that I successfully posted. I think of proposing a historic designation for just these houses that would allow for the back taxes relief issue. NO these houses werent built by the rich and famous but more improtantly they were built by hand by owner for the owner with pride and need in mind. and that might be their histoic designation: "the type of house built by hand and need not for opulance but by need. Built so well that they remain standing seemingly fighting the elements seemingly with defiance! Hmmm I say "back tax relief" its a gray area: because of age everyone will agree that its back taxes need to be excused, others will justafiably think that Unfair, its valid...........hmmmmm where the happy medium?? Do I make sense my friends???!!!

[brianradomski]

Originally Posted by reloop

"The town still needs money to run for a year and taxes split that cost all among property owners."

And if that's not the case, there will be an angry mob of "other" townsfolk who find it equally as "terrible" that their basic muncipal needs are not being met because others are not paying.

Plain and simply: Some taxes are necessary if you want to live in a town and enjoy certain town services. Certainly no one wants pay for waste, but something has to give. I don't want to pay for someone else's tax break on their refurbished house either (especially if, for example, my own house needs some major repair that I can't afford).

Inability to see how others are impacted by an issue is how wars are started IMO.

That's not really a hard concept to grasp when you drive down the road and see bumper stickers that say "I have to work so others can get welfare." It affects all. That's when everyone can just say "Scionara" to anything remotely close to the words "compromise, common-sense ideas, and rational discourse."

YES YES perfectly clear point I have been thinking too much in idealism! SOMETHING will have to be paid for a property, acreage, and estate that was abandoned/condemned. The biggest hope would be that the house that remains standing would not have stood that long ...but a house that has stood idle for years would have unaffordable back taxes upon it, and as I read once: what lending business would make a mortgage for a house like that??? sighhh looks like these old places are just gonners. WELL heh heh I have an Irish and Scottish
heritage I am in love with. there are of course even CASTLES there that are gone forsaken forlorn I have read that the mansions of the wealthy from the gilded age that "saw their time" and got torn down! Reality checks are painful!!

[retiredtinbender]

It IS a shame when an old house goes by the wayside because the owner moves or doesn't have the capital. That place in Searsport would be a great project for someone wiht the money. But as it increases in value it must also increase in valuation, and in tax. It woould be nice if the towns, states and feds could afford all these entitlement programs but we can't anymore. If you did have a tax hiatus I'll bet the farm you would still want the fire, police, ambulance, and all the rest.