What are Property Tax Rates in Sequim?

[eponabri]

Also, the taxes for the house (or houses) you are looking at should be listed right one the real estate listing. My husband said our house out here (in Diamond Point) are just over $3,000 a year.

[binkie99]

Thanks eponabri! You are very helpful to this worry wart!

[angelbug]

Originally Posted by eponabri

Also, the taxes for the house (or houses) you are looking at should be listed right one the real estate listing. My husband said our house out here (in Diamond Point) are just over $3,000 a year.

I'm looking online at some houses in Port Townsend in anticipation of a visit there in a few weeks...I notice the tax listed for some of the newer homes is very low - often well under $1000. I'm assuming this is the last tax assessment on the undeveloped land, before the homes were built? I'm wondering how to figure what the actual, current tax would be. Any guidelines, or do I just need to check with the Jefferson County assessor's office?

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by angelbug

...I notice the tax listed for some of the newer homes is very low - often well under $1000. I'm assuming this is the last tax assessment on the undeveloped land, before the homes were built? I'm wondering how to figure what the actual, current tax would be. Any guidelines, or do I just need to check with the Jefferson County assessor's office?

The assessments are based on the value of the preceding year, or the level of completion on July 1 of the preceding year, thus it takes a while for new homes to catch up. (And awhile for values to fall)

Just consider you will be on the hook for the millage rate X fair market value. (Which may be MORE or LESS than you pay). Assessor knows best, and the aggressiveness of assessors and counties vary greatly (as do levies). I'm out $33/day taxes on a WA place that was $2/day 14 yrs ago. (hint: I can no longer afford that, nor was it planned). Be careful. My dirt alone is assessed at $300k, so I could not afford to live here in a teepee.

Private residents have very little chance to fight assessments, I've tried and been burned more than once. Commercial props are ez to fight assessment.

Buy a commercial place and live in an apartment, pass the WA taxes on to your tenants and spend your positive cash flow on vacation.

[angelbug]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

Assessor knows best, and the aggressiveness of assessors and counties vary greatly (as do levies). I'm out $33/day taxes on a WA place that was $2/day 14 yrs ago. (hint: I can no longer afford that, nor was it planned). Be careful. My dirt alone is assessed at $300k, so I could not afford to live here in a teepee.

Private residents have very little chance to fight assessments, I've tried and been burned more than once. Commercial props are ez to fight assessment.

Buy a commercial place and live in an apartment, pass the WA taxes on to your tenants and spend your positive cash flow on vacation.

Hahah, that's probably good advice.

A couple weeks ago I looked up my friends' house in Port Hadlock on the county assessor's page; you can get the tax info for the last 10 years or so there. Their tax has gone up and down, but not by very much. It's just hard to have confidence that the situation will remain the same, given the economy and the need to raise revenue. Since they both work, or worked, for the county government, perhaps they'll have some insight into the workings of the assessor's office when I visit them.