In a recent town hall meeting hosted by the County Commissioners there was an explanation of the property tax assessment process and the procedures to go about to dispute your property valuation. In the official code of the State of Georgia it states that property taxes are based on fair market value.
But… the assessor cannot use sales of distressed properties (foreclosures, REO’s, short sales, auctions, etc.) in determining market value. Under consideration in this session of the state Legislature is proposed legislation that would correct this issue. In our local market the REO’s, foreclosures and short sales are driving property values and even finding a “fair market” sale to use as a comparable is few and far between.
So How Do You Request a Reduction?
Per the Henry County Tax Assessors Office: “After receiving a Notice of Property Value Change (assessment notice), you have the right to appeal this value to the Board of Assessors. This appeal must be in writing and must be filed in the Assessors Office within 45 days of the date on the notice. To insure your appeal rights, it is encouraged that the appeal be mailed by certified receipt or hand-carried to the Assessors Office.”
If you believe your home is currently valued for more than it’s fair market value and you want to file a dispute you can file this form with the Henry County Assessors office by April 1st, 2009. You can go directly to the assessors office for assistance in completing the form. You can also find other useful about your property by searching at http://www.co.henry.ga.us/MapsZonesDistricts/index_2.htm. Submitting the form will preserve your right to a hearing on your valuation and you should expect your hearing some time in early May.
Although the details of this article pertains directly with Henry County, should you need some help with Clayton, Fayette, Butts, Spalding or Rockdale Counties, just drop me a line at alrichard@charter.net and I will dig up the information for you on your specific county.
So I’m sitting around with my fellow agents chatting and running our mouths. Yes… I know we agents are blessed with the gift of gab. Someone starts talking about how they looked up a property for a client they are working with and how it sounded so good in the description and when they got to the property it was a joke. Of course this started us all throwing out our own war stories about goofy real estate adspeak and how the ad says one thing but means another.
I realize we real estate folks are glass half-full sorta people but sometimes we do go a wee bit overboard when “creatively” describing our property listings. Today I’m in a funny mood and I thought I’d share some of the zingers with you all. To my fellow agents out there… yes… I am most definitely making fun of us all.
Compact, cottage or modest - perfect if your a gnome
Eff kit, efficiency kitchen - could be confused for a galley in a very small boat.
Ideal project, Handyman Special, Conversion, DIY or Fixer-Upper – don’t even attempt unless your name is Bob Villa.
Intimate – claustrophobics need not apply
Interesting or unique - floor plan designed by Dr. Seuss
Needs freshening up - it’s the Brady bunch house
Mature garden - you need a weed-eater designed by Tim the Tool Man
Manageable yard - the lawn can be cut with your kids safety scissors
Prvt/private or secluded - could be the movie set for “Castaway 2″
Old Charmer - old is the key word and “charm” means not updated for 50 years
Compact - you can tow this house behind your car
Needs TLC, Ready To Remodel - the house is about to fall down
Sunny corner lot – noisy intersection of two busy streets
Easy freeway access – traffic backs up into your driveway
Low maintenance lot – they painted the concrete green to convince your eyes that there is grass
Meticulously maintained in the original condition – the appliances are 50 years old
Newly remodeled kitchen – very old kitchen with a shiny brand new sink faucet
Desirable neighborhood – price on this house is based upon the neighborhoods snobbish reputation
1 car garage – you can park your Prius but you can’t open the door
In-city living – home comes with his and hers matching Kevlar vests
Recreation room with wet bar – basement has been painted and has a faucet… somewhere
Large family room – big basement with lovely neon green shag carpeting
Lots of storage space – basement too small to be called a family room
Partial view – if only you moved those other houses, a good imagination helps
Territorial view – hope your neighbor is attractive since you can see into their bedroom
Panoramic view - view of all the neighbors upstairs windows
Build sweat equity – the house is not inhabitable
Storybook – weird looking house designed by the 7 Dwarfs
Too Many Upgrades To List – house has 10 ceiling fans
Efficiently designed kitchen – can fit either your appliances or you
Seasonal creek – only when the storm drains back up
Usable land – you won’t find a tree for miles
Doll-house – small house filled with knick knacks, expect a weird cat lady
Country living – hope you don’t mind driving a gazillion miles to work… you can hum the “Green Acres” tune to pass the time
Cozy – not a single room could fit a full size bed
Barn – 15 year old 10 x 10 aluminum shed with the doors missing
Three season sunroom – an un-permitted add on room the owner was too cheap to insulate
Close to all amenities – house is located in a strip mall
Beachfront property, complete remodeling in 2006, a steal at this price – Rebuilt after Katrina, no hurricane insurance available, at any price
Must see inside – Just don’t look at the outside
Motivated sellers – subtract 15% from the asking price
Easy to heat – the house is so small you have to go outside to change your mind
Wildlife nearby – children and pets get ticks and fleas
Guest House – un-permitted garage conversion with velvet Elvis paintings
Near transportation – railroad track goes through the back yard, trains run every 15 minutes, day and night
Pet friendly neighborhood – tell your kids to put that down… it’s not a tootsie roll
Neighborhood watch – creepy guy at the end of the street has binoculars aimed at your house
Just available – the last owner died on Tuesday, might need to call the Ghostbusters
While I am poking at us, there is also a serious side of this issue. “Puffing” is a real estate term used to describe a property in more poetic or subjective terms and generally is harmless. What all buyers need to be aware of is how to tell the difference between puffing and misrepresentation. If a home is listed as having a fantastic view, that is an opinion and is puffing. If a home says it has a fantastic view of the lake and you have to stand on the roof to even see the lake, that is misrepresentation and is illegal. Remember that “puffing” is one persons opinion rather than fact. At the end of the day the only opinion that should really matter to you should be yours and the true facts about the property.
