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Old 07-27-2008, 09:46 AM
 
209 posts, read 820,532 times
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What's up with home property taxes in the Greater Pittsburgh area?
They are just about the highest I have seen anywhere.

Looking south of Pittsburgh, recently built homes in "farm country" subdivisions, 250k homes with 5-6k in property taxes and no public transit, limited amenities?

Any relief in sight?
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Old 07-27-2008, 11:48 AM
 
Location: Hell with the lid off, baby!
2,193 posts, read 5,803,289 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Condorll View Post
What's up with home property taxes in the Greater Pittsburgh area?
They are just about the highest I have seen anywhere.

Looking south of Pittsburgh, recently built homes in "farm country" subdivisions, 250k homes with 5-6k in property taxes and no public transit, limited amenities?

Any relief in sight?
Just that, they're insane And no, there is no relief in sight, despite that's what the gambling law was put into effect for, alleviate property taxes. In fact, they're talking about making a substantial raise to them yet again. It's ridiculous!!! A damn shame. And it pisses me off to no end.
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Old 07-27-2008, 02:31 PM
 
209 posts, read 820,532 times
Reputation: 61
Vote your politicians OUT unless they promise and deliver tax relief!

Some on this forum suggest that the lower home prices equalize the higher taxes but it does not. Taxes fly right out the window, money gone! High taxes also create major hardship for retiree's.

No wonder PA is losing population, a perfect model as to how NOT to run a state.
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Old 07-27-2008, 04:28 PM
 
15,639 posts, read 26,259,230 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Condorll View Post
Vote your politicians OUT unless they promise and deliver tax relief!

Some on this forum suggest that the lower home prices equalize the higher taxes but it does not. Taxes fly right out the window, money gone! High taxes also create major hardship for retiree's.

No wonder PA is losing population, a perfect model as to how NOT to run a state.
Keep in mind -- Allegheny County taxes are insane -- go out to Butler and Beaver and property taxes come down a LOT...

And I don't think PA taxes retirement income or SS -- so that makes it a good place for retirees.... and from what I understand PA is the second oldest state in the country...
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Old 07-27-2008, 04:34 PM
 
80 posts, read 265,369 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Condorll View Post
What's up with home property taxes in the Greater Pittsburgh area?
They are just about the highest I have seen anywhere.

Looking south of Pittsburgh, recently built homes in "farm country" subdivisions, 250k homes with 5-6k in property taxes and no public transit, limited amenities?

Any relief in sight?
Pittsburgh mindset: the higher the tax revenue the greater the economic growth. What else would you expect from an area that's predominately socialist . . . I mean democrat.
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Old 07-27-2008, 08:56 PM
 
209 posts, read 820,532 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallysmom View Post
Keep in mind -- Allegheny County taxes are insane -- go out to Butler and Beaver and property taxes come down a LOT...

And I don't think PA taxes retirement income or SS -- so that makes it a good place for retirees.... and from what I understand PA is the second oldest state in the country...

Butler and Beaver are both North of Pittsburgh.
I need to be South, somewhere off 79 between Robinson and Canonsburg?
Any recommendations for nicer newer neighborhoods with recently built homes, close to major shopping, in a suburban type atmosphere with smaller lots (not 1 acre farmland lots) with LOW property taxes? Schools are not important to me at all.
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Old 07-27-2008, 09:03 PM
 
1,139 posts, read 2,496,883 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Condorll View Post
Butler and Beaver are both North of Pittsburgh.
I need to be South, somewhere off 79 between Robinson and Cannonsburgh?
Any recommendations for nicer newer neighborhoods with recently built homes, close to shopping, in a suburban type atmosphere (not farmland) with LOW property taxes? Schools are not important to me.
Try Canonsburg...it's in Washington County so the taxes will mostly be lower than Allegheny County. Canonsburg is growing, though, so they may not be terribly lower due to the proximity to the Allegheny County line.
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Old 07-28-2008, 06:01 AM
 
20,273 posts, read 33,018,179 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Condorll View Post
Some on this forum suggest that the lower home prices equalize the higher taxes but it does not. Taxes fly right out the window, money gone! High taxes also create major hardship for retiree's.
Well, part of the point is that when comparing the tax burden in two different juridictions, you have to calculate taxes actually paid on equivalent homes, not just the tax rate, which requires factoring in assessments. So, for example, if one of the jurisdiction's property tax rates are twice as high, but assessments are half, you would end up paying the same amount in taxes.

Another part of the point is that if you have a mortgage, your financing costs are also going "right out the window, money gone". So if you are going to carry a mortgage, that is an additional benefit of lower home prices. Unfortunately, I think a lot of people mistakenly credit all of their mortgage payments to equity, not understanding that a significant portion is actually going to financing. But a total cost-of-ownership calculation should including financing costs as well as taxes.

All that said, I agree that people with a relatively low income to assessment level and a relatively high equity to mortgage ratio (up to and including no mortgage at all) may still be hurt by the high property tax rates in the area. And it is true that retirees can find themselves in such a position. So, I would personally favor a large shift of the tax burden away from property taxes and to a progressive income tax, which is the logical solution to this problem.
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Old 07-28-2008, 06:50 AM
 
2,039 posts, read 6,323,423 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dugdogmaster View Post
Just that, they're insane And no, there is no relief in sight, despite that's what the gambling law was put into effect for, alleviate property taxes. In fact, they're talking about making a substantial raise to them yet again. It's ridiculous!!! A damn shame. And it pisses me off to no end.
That's why people are moving OUT of Allegheny County. The city may have pockets of delightful neighborhoods and great museums, schools, etc., but buying house in Allegheny County is almost stupid nowadays, no matter how *inexpensive* one thinks the house is.

Bulter (which is north) and Washington (which is south), are the two fastest growing areas now. Why? Because schools are good, amenities are coming fast, and the taxes are much lower!
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Old 07-28-2008, 06:52 AM
 
2,039 posts, read 6,323,423 times
Reputation: 581
Quote:
Originally Posted by john7104 View Post
Pittsburgh mindset: the higher the tax revenue the greater the economic growth. What else would you expect from an area that's predominately socialist . . . I mean democrat.
I mentioned that once also. Too many Democrats in office here. This area needs a few Republicans to tighten the tax belt and social programs.

However, I am still voting for Obama.... *smile*
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