Suffolk property tax records (Babylon, Huntington: real estate, selling a house, construction)

[kevink1955]

Is there anyplace on line that has Babylon Town (village of lindenhurst)property tax records. I already know about BlockShopper but I am having some trouble beliving some of the numbers I am seeing there.

Acording to BlockShopper My property taxes for 2008 were $6900, that's close if the village taxes are not included. The house next store is $3949 and the house across the street is (get this) $1049. Both of these houses are older than mine but in comparable condition and have larger property than I do. They are also owned by Seniors so they get some discounts.

Just when I was feeling bad I found a house down the street that pays $14,000. I hope the records on BlockShopper are wrong, it's a nice house that was recently renovated but $14,000 you got to be kidding.

I originaly came from Nassau and with all the problems they have at least the assesments are at market value and they have a site that you can look at. What is town of babylon using. Is it last sale, original construction cost or toss a dart at a wallboard that has numbers on it (I vote for the last guess)

I am already on my second tax grevance and have come down from around $7900 but hope to see more

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by kevink1955

Is there anyplace on line that has Babylon Town (village of lindenhurst)property tax records. I already know about BlockShopper but I am having some trouble beliving some of the numbers I am seeing there.

I am already on my second tax grevance and have come down from around $7900 but hope to see more

In Suffolk County, each Town has its own site and no two are alike! Unfortunately, the Town of Babylon does not yet post its tax assessments online; wish they would follow the Town of Huntington's example...
Whenever I'm selling a house in the Town of Babylon, I have to call the Town. One good thing--they have always been helpful

[kevink1955]

I would like to go to the town and ask if the "old lady" across the street is realy paying $1049 but I would not want to rat her out. She is on fixed income and has health problems, if they raised her taxes to $6000 like they should be she would be out on the street.

Can the Senior discounts account for that large of a spread??

[OhBeeHave]

If that older woman has been in the house for a significantly long period of time, has not made any improvements which would have raised her taxes, has a spouse with a military tax deduction, or a disability deduction -- her taxes could be very low, but $1049 sounds inordinately low.

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by kevink1955

I would like to go to the town and ask if the "old lady" across the street is realy paying $1049 but I would not want to rat her out.

Can the Senior discounts account for that large of a spread??

The key is to find out what her TRUE taxes are. The site you're looking at may be reporting the "net" taxes she pays - do you know?

With regard to reductions, there are any number of possibilities:

- there's basic STAR (everybody's entitled to it if it's their primary residence)
- then there is enhanced STAR (65 and over and within income limits)
- next is "aged" - don't know at what age that kicks in
- there's also a possible veteran's reduction
- and if you're a volunteer (i.e. Fire Dept.),you could get a reduction for that as well
- there could be one for certain disabilities as well

I've seen true taxes in the mid $6Ks and actual taxes in the low $2Ks because of several of the above. So yes, it could be possible!

[kevink1955]

Thanks for the info, the only question I still have is how Babylon arrives at an assessment value. Nassau uses an adjusted market value, It seems Babylon assesses older homes at less than newer homes even if they both would have the same value if on the market today.

Anyone know how it works, I guess I could go ask them but I am sure I would bet a bunch of $3 words and my mind only understands $2 words or less. It should be posted on line but it is not.

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by kevink1955

Thanks for the info, the only question I still have is how Babylon arrives at an assessment value. Nassau uses an adjusted market value, It seems Babylon assesses older homes at less than newer homes even if they both would have the same value if on the market today.

Anyone know how it works, I guess I could go ask them but I am sure I would bet a bunch of $3 words and my mind only understands $2 words or less. It should be posted on line but it is not.

Nassau assesses County-wide; in Suffolk, each of the seven (I believe it's seven) Towns have their own rules/regs with regard to assessments.

By and large, whenever I have called someone at the Town of Babylon, they have been very helpful and friendly, including the tax assessor's office.
Why not give them a call - the worst thing that can happen is that you don't get what you want, but I believe there's a good chance you will.

[Paul wink latke]

Can anyone offer an opinion on unfair unequal accessment vs comparable home values as a way to reduce your real estate taxes here in Suffolk County

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by Paul wink latke

Can anyone offer an opinion on unfair unequal accessment vs comparable home values as a way to reduce your real estate taxes here in Suffolk County

Sent you a DM