Taxes (Santa Fe: assessor, lawyer, transfer)

[MG120]

The wife and I are very much looking to retire to NM. Our kids and grandkids are in Denver. We are looking at places like Cedar Crest, Edgewood, etc. We have 4 years left until we retire early. Been planning this for 10 years and it's getting closer.

Can't wait to get back to big sky, wide open spaces and NO HUMIDITY.

[debbie at bouontiful]

Originally Posted by MG120

The wife and I are very much looking to retire to NM. Our kids and grandkids are in Denver. We are looking at places like Cedar Crest, Edgewood, etc. We have 4 years left until we retire early. Been planning this for 10 years and it's getting closer.

Can't wait to get back to big sky, wide open spaces and NO HUMIDITY.

I herar ya but why are you looking on route 40. Do you like Albuquerque? Wouldn't north of Santa Fe be closer to Denver. I was wondering how far of a drive is it to Denver. I have a daughter and her and her husband are thinking of moving to Boulder (nurse) area. I would like to retire way North New Mexico.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by debbie at bouontiful

I herar ya but why are you looking on route 40. Do you like Albuquerque? Wouldn't north of Santa Fe be closer to Denver. I was wondering how far of a drive is it to Denver. I have a daughter and her and her husband are thinking of moving to Boulder (nurse) area. I would like to retire way North New Mexico.

you can't retire in NM,cause you are going to retire here in AR>>>>!~!!!

Nita

[MG120]

Originally Posted by debbie at bouontiful

I herar ya but why are you looking on route 40. Do you like Albuquerque? Wouldn't north of Santa Fe be closer to Denver. I was wondering how far of a drive is it to Denver. I have a daughter and her and her husband are thinking of moving to Boulder (nurse) area. I would like to retire way North New Mexico.

I am retired military, so I like being around a military installation. I do like Albuquerque, but don't want to live right in it. We want a bit of land and I prefer the weather on the East side of the mountains. Also, my mother lives in Prescott, AZ and Albuquerque is almost exactly halfway between the two.

Santa Fe would be a bit closer, but would take longer because of the access to the highways. Snow is also much more of an issue in Santa Fe, not to mention how expensive it is.

Denver is about 7 hours give or take from Albuquerque depending on how you drive.

[debbie at bouontiful]

Originally Posted by nmnita

you can't retire in NM,cause you are going to retire here in AR>>>>!~!!!

Nita

I keep forgetting!!!!!!!!!!!!! My husband and daughter were up (Bella Vista) there a couple weeks ago and had a ball renting a boat. I just can't make up my mind!! I think it is an age thing Miss the big mountains and hate heat. In the summer I think Mountains in the winter I think Bella Vista. In the fall I love my ranch....

[domino]

Originally Posted by debbie at bouontiful

I keep forgetting!!!!!!!!!!!!! My husband and daughter were up (Bella Vista) there a couple weeks ago and had a ball renting a boat. I just can't make up my mind!! I think it is an age thing Miss the big mountains and hate heat. In the summer I think Mountains in the winter I think Bella Vista. In the fall I love my ranch....

Simple solution. You just need to have a home at each location.

[debbie at bouontiful]

Originally Posted by domino

Simple solution. You just need to have a home at each location.

Now that sounds like a good plan Not to mention helping the economy too

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by mortimer

I bought a place in 2007 and, yes our property taxes are about
90% of 1% of the purchase price.

This year, our property tax valuation was exactly the same as
is was last year. Our rates went up by 27% from the rate that
the prior owner paid in 2006.

Our neighbors, who are likely paying less than the prior owners
here, are seeing the 3% rise this year.

Update: (front page of the Albuquerque Journal)

Friday, August 14, 2009

Judge Zaps Tax Lightning

By Sean Olson-- Journal Staff Writer
--------------------------< quote >--------------------------
... a district judge has struck down part of a law ... results in
home buyers paying significantly higher property taxes than
people already living in similar homes in the same neighborhood.

Second Judicial District Judge Theresa Baca ruled that ...
"tax lightning." ... violated the state constitution.

"This is a huge decision," Sen. Mark Boitano, R-Albuquerque,
said Thursday. ... 'Hey, the legislators got it wrong.' "

Although the decision may be appealed, it could prompt a slew
of court challenges from households hit by tax lightning.
--------------------------< unquote >--------------------------

The article also discusses the possibility of getting a refund
for all the overpayments that people have been forced to
pay all these years. -- Bonus!

-------------------------------------------------------------
You can read the whole thing on-line here:
ABQjournal.com: Albuquerque Journal
I think you have to register and watch an ad if you don't subscribe.
I didn't quote the whole thing since it is in today's paper.

[Santa Fe]

Sorry, I keep posting hoping that someone will answer my question:

The lightning law has been struck down as unconstitutional by a district judge. See Mortimer's post above. Does anybody have any ideas or information about how to get the county assessors to act on this?

There must be people out there who purchased in recent years. If so, you may be paying double or even triple what others in your city or county are paying for similar properties. What are you going to do about that?

[jiminnm]

I expect that the decision will be appealed, and will likely be held in abeyance until the appeals are exhausted. That would mean another year, maybe two, before any changes actually occur (assuming the decision is upheld). During that time, the legislature should act to change the system that has been found unconstitutional (but, this is NM).

Recent buyers may not see any savings. It is entirely possible that county assessors may decide to raise the assessments of everyone who has benefitted from the 3% limitation (like those of us who have been in our house for awhile), rather than lower the assessments of recent buyers. One would hope that scenario alone pushes the legislature to act.