Does Houston Have Another Problem Brewing?

Whether you live in Houston or not, this rather disturbing story has surfaced by way of the Houston City Council, indicating the possibility of local officials raising property taxes, increasing the fees for garbage pickup, and a host of other costly plans:


http://blog.chron.com/houstonpolitics/2012/04/city-could-study-tax-and-fee-increases/


Of course, we can all understand that city budgets are suffering just about everywhere. But to further penalize home owners would prove to be an absurd move. It was only a few weeks ago when I address some of the problems with the housing market in Houston, and how foreclosure sales are so prominent.

Perhaps instead of pumping out the negative statistics about the current market, the local realty associations should be lobbying and protesting these actions on behalf of the home owners they represent.

If these increases do go through in Houston, it will make it even more difficult for sellers than it already is. And, of course, as politicians go, if it passes in Houston then other big cities will implement it, and the real estate market will be further set back.

Why Are Our Houses Worth More Than Last Year?

Within the past couple of days I have had several acquaintances tell me that they have received their property tax bills and are obviously both shocked and dismayed at the amounts. It seems that their property tax bills have risen.

I thought that the property tax is based on a percentage of the value of the property. It seems that the majority of properties around the country are being appraised at less than their original value, and in some cases for many thousands of dollars less.

This means it is time to ask the government how they have come up with an increase in property values. Actually, it is time to demand that government officials tell us. Here is why.

Once we receive a Government written notification that it considers our property to have increased in value over the past year, we should immediately going to the bank or mortgage banker which owns our mortgage and provide them with this U.S. Government information. After all, state government officials are a part of the same U.S. Government which bailed out several large banks after the earlier mortgage fraud and abuse. So the banks had better listen.

Since our Government claims each property is worth more than last year, this should reflect on housing prices and for the ability for almost everyone to be able to refinance their current mortgage and take advantage of these low rates. How dare these appraisers continue to act as though thousands of homes have lost value, when the U.S. Government is documenting that they have actually increased?

This is the time to take action to enable those who have faithfully paid their mortgage but have been stuck to have more options instead of punishing these people because of those who did not and cannot make their payments.

On the other hand, there could be some licensed and professional appraisers who disagree with the Government’s assessment of current property values, especially since their jobs may be on the line and their abilities questioned. If they can prove otherwise, these appraisers should be working with home owners to challenge the U.S. and state Government determinations about local property values increasing. In that event, thousands of current homeowners would see a significant reduction in their property taxes and finally have a benefit from the status of the current real estate market.

I’m waiting, but I should not be alone in doing so. Who is right about property values?

Arizona property tax scam

It looks as though the real estate scam artists are now targeting parts of Arizona with an advertising solicitation designed to look "official" with regard to a "2009 property tax reduction review". Not only has the state's deadline for appeals for 2009 property taxes already past, but this company seeks a $189 "processing fee".

Fortunately, Arizona Atty. General Terry Goddard has issued a warning to the state's homeowners, although it is not yet known how many homeowners may have already fallen for this scheme.

Since I don't know how a scammer thinks, I would think that now that a warning has been issued in their targeted area, these crooks would start to target other areas. If you are a home owner, please be aware that such a scam exists. If you are a real estate or mortgage professional anywhere in the country, you may wish to warn your client base about what has happened in Arizona.

It is a helpful way to get your name and your services across to your client base.