80% Property Tax Increase... Loosing my Home? (Seattle: middle-class, to buy, salary)

[West coast at heart]

Originally Posted by cdelena

I chose a property in a city/county that would be of the type I would buy and then used the online property tax system to find the tax burden. You can start with MLS listings at realtor sites (or even contact a realtor) but there are other places to start including zillo or similar sites. This site offers a pretty good section showing areas stats and demographics.

Outstanding! Thank you very much. I will start there.
wc@h

[achtungpv]

We may be moving to WA and were surprised at how low the taxes are in WA.

In Texas, we pay ~$7,000 a year on a house appraised at $263,000. Generally, your appraisal (and taxes) goes up a max of 10% per year unless you didn't claim a homestead exemption then there's no cap. A lot of retirees in the more expensive areas have to move since they can't afford the taxes even though a portion of them freeze at age 65. For example, a family friend paid off their mortgage a few years ago but still has to pay $1200/month in taxes and they've got a few years until their freeze kicks in.

[adysmom]

Originally Posted by stingray427

Arkanas? That's hillbilly country. Don't they also get lots of tornadoes?

It's sad that you want to stereotype a whole state........

Arkansas has some of the most beautiful country side and on the majority are some of the most friendliest people and hard working....

[knittie]

Yes, Washington state lawmakers believe (especially Gov. Gregoire) believe if it moves, TAX IT !!!! We hope to make a change in the Olympia Governor's office next time. My neighbors with big property tax bills consider this a nonpartisan issue too.

[Ultrarunner]

Well I just received my Thurston County Notification of new values and the tax assessor has deemed my property has increased in value again by 10%

80% last year and another 10% this year... Doesn't anyone in the tax office read the Olympian Newspaper or follow the Real Estate Market?

Sorry... just have to vent.

[cdelena]

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

Well I just received my Thurston County Notification of new values and the tax assessor has deemed my property has increased in value again by 10%

80% last year and another 10% this year... Doesn't anyone in the tax office read the Olympian Newspaper or follow the Real Estate Market?

Sorry... just have to vent.

So your valuations have gone up 80 and 10... what about your taxes? What has been the percentage change?

My valuation went up and down with my taxes decreasing less than a percent so basically flat.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by cdelena

So your valuations have gone up 80 and 10... what about your taxes? What has been the percentage change?

My valuation went up and down with my taxes decreasing less than a percent so basically flat.

My taxes went up more than a third with the 80% valuation increase last year.

I haven't received this year's tax bill based on the 10% valuation increase... so I don't know yet.

Just seems strange that with one of the worst property down-turns in a generation to find Thurston County Property is still appreciating?

[brandirad]

I was (am) in your situation. In 2007 we built a home to sell. Finally after reducing the price over $60,000 and we had to do a lease option. We appealed the $609,000 assessed value but had to pay the taxes for that year anyways. Last month over 1 year since we appealed, we got a notice saying that they decided that the home was worth the $609,000. Mind you that it was listed for over 300 days and could not sell! This year they dropped the assessed value to the $500,000's. If you need a CMA of what your home is worth try www.servingwa.com

[Ultrarunner]

Today's story in The Olympian Newspaper...

Tax assessments are good for some, a shock for others - Local Highlight Story - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington

[stingray427]

Here in California we have Prop. 13 passed in 1978 so our taxes can only go up not more than something like 1% and there is a time period to that. Not sure but it isn't as bad as Washington's property tax increases which seem too much at one time.