Personal Property Tax Berkeley County? (Martinsburg, Man: real estate, 2009, renters)

[splitvizionz]

This is the first time they sent me something. Last time I had to go in and pay. They sent a sheet with both my cars info already on it so I just plugged in the car value info and sent it back. Do they send you a bill after you do that or was I supposed to estimate my own tax and send the check with the initial correspondence? I'm lost. I have my car registration renewal coming up and can't send that in until I get my PP tax payment receipt.

[Janipoo]

I filled out our form last year and still haven't received a bill yet. Because we were new I had to put our vehicle info in. The hole thing is confusing. They told me I would get a bill this year so I am still waiting to see how much the tax will be.

[splitvizionz]

That's what they told me too. I've never seen such a confusing mess before. The sheet they sent me a few weeks back made no sense and made no mention of a bill.

[RD35]

The tax bills for 2009 should be arriving today. I got all of mine today. You can also view your taxes (Real Estate and Personal Property) online at http://planning.berkeleycountycomm.org:8003/ .

[snorpus]

I got my tax bill today, along with the re-assessment notice yesterday.

[David Kennedy]

Looks like taxes are up about $100 from last year...glad I'm not living in Portland anymore...

[Janipoo]

I got my property tax today, no assessment and too me the tax seems high. We just had an appraisal done so I was curious as if I could fight it sense our house went down 60k in 2 years from when we bought it.

[RD35]

Originally Posted by Janipoo

I got my property tax today, no assessment and too me the tax seems high. We just had an appraisal done so I was curious as if I could fight it sense our house went down 60k in 2 years from when we bought it.

You can try, but it won't do any good.

I bought a distressed property in 2007 for $85,000. The assessment at that time was $170,000. I done some remodeling and tried to sell it for $140k, $130k, $119, and then $110. One offer I received was for $60,000. Obviously the property wasn't going to sell on this market, so I rented it and now have a good return.

On that property they reduced the assessment to $167,000 for the 2009 tax bill. So basically when the market plummeted 40% my taxes went down a little under 2%. I am now able to save $6.48 a year. Yes I can buy one combo meal at chick fil a. Wooohoo

I have two other properties that I am furious on the assessments, but I wont go on the rant anymore. lol

[Janipoo]

Originally Posted by RD35

You can try, but it won't do any good.

I bought a distressed property in 2007 for $85,000. The assessment at that time was $170,000. I done some remodeling and tried to sell it for $140k, $130k, $119, and then $110. One offer I received was for $60,000. Obviously the property wasn't going to sell on this market, so I rented it and now have a good return.

On that property they reduced the assessment to $167,000 for the 2009 tax bill. So basically when the market plummeted 40% my taxes went down a little under 2%. I am now able to save $6.48 a year. Yes I can buy one combo meal at chick fil a. Wooohoo

I have two other properties that I am furious on the assessments, but I wont go on the rant anymore. lol

Did you find your renters on your own or did you go through a company. We have a property that we have been trying to sell in Paw Paw that is not going anywhere and have been thinking about renting it out. Because it is a mobile home I am worried about damages and of course getting good renters that pay on time.

If you have any advise, I am open to hear the good, the bad and the ugly, lol.

[RD35]

Originally Posted by Janipoo

Did you find your renters on your own or did you go through a company. We have a property that we have been trying to sell in Paw Paw that is not going anywhere and have been thinking about renting it out. Because it is a mobile home I am worried about damages and of course getting good renters that pay on time.

If you have any advise, I am open to hear the good, the bad and the ugly, lol.

My family has been in the rental business for quite sometime. I guess I have followed in their footsteps, so I actually manage my own properties. I have two rental properties, which consist of three units and they are both minutes from where I live.

Management companies make sense if you do not live near the property and don't have the time to show and sort though the prospective tenants and maintain/supervise repairs.

Most management companies will charge approx 10% of the gross rent on average. If you have the time, patience, and knowhow it will be one less expense if you manage it yourself. My properties are both on busy roads, so all I do is put a rent sign in the yard and they rent themselves. Surprisingly I have found tenants from all over the country this way, you will be surprised who rides by your property. You may also advertise in the local paper or craigslist.

Theres a lot involved in managing your own property:

Advertising the property,
Showing the property to prospective tenants,
Screening the candidates by requiring appications,
Evaluating background, credit, personal, and employment references,
Maintaining the property or schedule maintenance,
Periodically inspect the property to make sure tenants comply with policies,
Organize expenses and paperwork for tax time

If your property is in Paw Paw that would be quite a drive for you to show the property. I have had several occasions where a person requests to see the property at a certain time, but never shows. So take that into consideration. Something like that for you would ruin your whole day.

I know in Martinsburg there is Cherry Properties and Phenix Group that manages properties, I am not sure if they serve the Paw Paw area.