High property tax in Columbus? But if not Columbus, then where? (Indianapolis: sales, real estate market)

[katalin1411]

First, let me say this place is amazing! So much information, but I think maybe too much information now!

DH and I have been looking to move to Columbus, IN for the last few years. It takes us awhile to make a decision, but it appears to be as far south as my liberal Socialist ideals will be comfortable while my Republican husband will also be happy. However, I am now reading here that the only real liberal place in IN is Bloomington? That perhaps I will feel very out of place anywhere else?

I would prefer not to look at Bloomington, as I don't really want to live in a college town. Though perhaps I am mistaken on what a college town is like? We did drive through it a couple of times, but it just didn't appeal. Should I look again?

What I want is land, 2 - 5 acres, a nice home with lots of space for the grown children and future grandchildren, with trees and recreation relatively close by. Taxes need to be less than here in the Chicago area ($10,000 on a $350,000 home is not sitting well for retirement!), but it appears that the taxes in Columbus are climbing, as are the prices of the homes! Perhaps we waited too long; perhaps we were too picky and we are regretting it now.

Expanding the search, and knowing we want to be south of Indianapolis (I really need that chance of one USDA growing zone better than here in Chicago!), and seeing that I-69 is expanding, how is Martinsville? I have seen many nice homes there, there are some opportunities to purchase land for building, and taxes and home prices still appear reasonable.

What I liked about Columbus was having the small town feel with the amenities of a larger town, i.e. hospitals, stores, garden supply centers, etc. Also, if my children (one in Grad school in Fort Wayne for entomology/forestry, the other in IL for teaching) decided to move down there for jobs, they would have opportunities. Am I missing something by only focusing on Columbus? Should I be looking at Martinsville?

What I do not want is a place that is so rural, there isn't another neighbour for 10 miles. I want land, but I want neighbours, too! It would also be nice to be able to talk politics and not be ostracized, but I guess I can keep my mouth shut if I love everything else!

[Toxic Toast]

There is a 1% cap on property taxes. A $350,000 house, if that is the assessed value, would only have 3500 annual in property taxes. Whether that qualifies as too high is on you. Even if the value of your house doubled, that would still be less than the $10,000 threshold you mentioned. I can't imagine property appreciates at such a high rate in Columbus, though i am unfamiliar with the market down there.

Martinsville is a conservative little cow-town. If that's your thing.......

[rrah]

I'm sure Domergurl will weigh in here also as the Columbus expert, but I too moved from the Chicago area to Bloomington for lower taxes (and other reasons). I can't imagine what kind of taxes you're seeing that are "high" in Columbus compared to anywhere in the Chicago area. Just for "fun" we looked at the property taxes for our old house in IL. We now pay 1/3 of what we would be paying in IL. The house here is a few hundred feet bigger, much nicer features inside and out, and sits on 30 times more land.

I'm not sure of your age, but Bloomington is consistently ranked as one of the best retirement towns in the country. It offers something for families and retirees, as well as, college students. Yes, there is a lot that is aimed at the college students, but we've never had a problem finding something to do or somewhere to go. I'm wondering if you just drove through town or did you actually venture out into the county? You would have to be out in the county a bit to get the acreage you want. You won't find a 2-5 acre property in town.

That said, Bloomington also has one of the highest priced real estate markets in the state BECAUSE it is desirable for all ages.

Our home is about 15 minutes from town. We live on 30 plus acres of forested beauty. We pay far less than $10,000 in taxes. We have neighbors.

I had to laugh about Toxic's description of Martinsville. He was "nice" about it. My personal opinion of it--anyone with a single liberal bone in their body would not be happy in Martinsville (and I would extend that to all of Morgan county). I could list another dozen reasons for not recommending Martinsville. I'm trying to restrain myself here.

[subject2change]

Maybe you should consider renting for a year, possibly someplace like Nashville that is between Columbus and Bloomington, so you could really get a feel for both and know exactly what you want when you buy. This place has lots of weekly cottage rentals, but also some long term rentals as well as selling homes.

Local Expertise with Nationwide Sales and Marketing » Hills O' Brown

[katalin1411]

Over the last 3 years that we have been looking, prices for the homes that we are interested in Columbus have gone up, as have the tax basis for those homes. The realtor explained it as the employers like Cummins and Toyota bringing people in that are also looking in our range, and those homes go quickly and demand a premium. Hence, it all went up. Still less than where we live now, but where we live now was more reasonable 15 years ago, too! I would like to avoid being completely retired and be forced to pay ever increasing taxes.

Hmm, Martinsville. Perhaps not then. Too bad, there were some nice areas!

I do admit that in Bloomington, we stayed right off of the main road. Once while we were taking a few days to look at Southern Indiana when we first started to get an idea of where to go, and another time when my youngest was looking at Universities and we stayed near IU. Perhaps I should go and explore the area a bit more, if that is the recommendation.

Unfortunately, renting is out. We have 2 big German Shepherds and 2 Maine Coon cats. No way anyone wants us in their rental! Heck, I don't even want to be here when it is shedding season in the spring!

I do have one more question - does any area of Indiana actually do a good job of snow plowing? I went to visit my daughter in Fort Wayne two weeks ago, and the roads were just a mess on 30 as soon as I got off 65! Even 65 in Indiana was worse than in IL! Fort Wayne was just terrible. Is this what is to be expected with lower taxes? I really do appreciate clean roads in the winter (said as I look outside to another 8 inches of new snow, with another 2 expected before it is over this evening!).

Thanks again for all the advice!

[domergurl]

Yea, I'm not sure what high taxes you are seeing … we too moved here from the Chicago area and actually felt guilty at the closing of our first house because the taxes were so low … and that was before property tax caps.

Snow plowing .. HA!!!! Actually, Brown County does a much better job than Bartholomew County … low taxes has a price.

Are you working with a realtor? I have a gem of one if you want a recommendation.

When we moved here, we knew things would move slower and it would be more conservative, but we really haven't felt any animosity. Although last summer, I had fun toying with a simpleton who told me that "Obama is going to take away my guns" … dispatched him in about 10 minutes …

Bloomington is great though. But I found the houses a lot more expensive than in columbus.

[thunderstruck666]

Count me as a Chicago resident that wants to become an ex Chicago resident. Property taxes are killer here, and the city and state are in a world of financial hurt so I'm trying to get out before the Mayor makes good on his threat to double property taxes to pay for pensions. Problem is I work in printing, which is an industry that is shrinking. Both Indiana and Tennessee are on my short list of states that are in the midwest area and are financially stable.

[awfiwhea]

Our home is about 15 minutes from town. We live on 30 plus acres of forested beauty. We pay far less than $10,000 in taxes. We have neighbors.

[indy_317]

Originally Posted by katalin1411

It takes us awhile to make a decision, but it appears to be as far south as my liberal Socialist ideals will be comfortable.....

What I want is land, 2 - 5 acres, a nice home with lots of space for the grown children and future grandchildren, with trees and recreation relatively close by. Taxes need to be less than here in the Chicago area ($10,000 on a $350,000 home is not sitting well for retirement!), but it appears that the taxes in Columbus are climbing, as are the prices of the homes! Perhaps we waited too long; perhaps we were too picky and we are regretting it now.

You come on here and state you are a "liberal Socialist," then turn around and complain about paying your fair share? You will be happy to know that for your closeted fiscal conservative side, Indiana has capped property taxes, basically just the home, at 1% of assessed value. However, we also have a 3% tax on personal property. Now most tax bills don't put any amount in that block or column, but recently my county took some value off my home, but added around $2,000 in this column, making me pay a higher % of taxes on just that $2,000. They could provide no answer and removed it, but yet it has once again been readjusted. There is a possibility that when they do drive by assessments, they could be counting things like campers, trailers, etc.. Another thing to understand is that you are dealing with a greedy government here and even though the assessor might be at the county or township level, many of your school board members are also involved politically. There is definitely pressure from school boards, local public safety, mayors, etc. to bring in more money. Don't be surprised if your assessed value slowly starts creeping up.

Another thing to know is that governmental entities funded by property taxes can petition for a referendum where voters can vote to allow a levy that will be over the taxable amount. So the 1% isn't written in stone and I've seen newer homes, assessed in the $250K+ range, getting taxed much closer to 2% than 1%. This is an area where the school district has had two or three successful referendum levies passed by voters in recent years.

My suggestion: Most counties in Indiana have some third party vendor making their county GIS map(s). If you do a Google search of the county name then "assessors office" or "GIS", that should lead you to any on-line system if one exist. The assessor usually has a similar feature, if not using the same system. You can find homes that are similar, check their assessment and then check their current property taxes. This will give you a good idea of what you will likely pay. Also note that just because your assessment is $20-$30K lower than what the going rate is doesn't mean you will enjoy that lower assessment. If the local govs are screaming for more money, whatever your recent contract price is could easily become your assessment.

As far as land is concerned, I would start at exit 68 of I-65 in Columbus. This exit is also close to Brown Co., which has far less people. What is nice is that a lot of businesses are located just east of the exit off State Road (a/k/a state highway) 46. A large land gift was recently donated to a local land trust and I'm sure that will be developed as funds and time permits, plus Brown Co. state park is in the area.

[indy_317]

Originally Posted by katalin1411

Is this what is to be expected with lower taxes? I really do appreciate clean roads in the winter ...

Well someone has to pay, and if your looking at a $200K+ homestead in retirement, everyone is going to look at you for paying. If people don't pay, there is only so much money to buy plow trucks and hire drivers. Honestly though, I don't see what the big deal is. I think most folks were upset because we had so many snow days, so many decent snow amounts, and there is just this drive in this era of wanting to do everything so fast, including driving. When physical conditions slow people down, it is like going back to horse and buggy era for some. Most major streets weren't all that bad, but streets that get minimal traffic and minimal sunlight will ice up. If your that worried about it, especially if this past winter becomes the norm, just get a set of snow/ice chains for your vehicle. They only run about $200 for a set for the best quality.

Why make you search. Here are the links for Bartholomew and Brown Counties:

http://brown.in.wthgis.com/

http://bartholomewin.egis.39dn.com/#