quote:

Originally posted by Clamato:
"Leave." Is that what the kids are calling it these days?

quote:

Originally posted by bitterboy:

quote:

. . .but before i do, i'll wait to hear the throngs who've come to bemoan GE's homeless problem. . . ("oh no he dih-ent just say that!")

That would be me and I've already spoken to our "top cop" 2x about this issue, thank you. It's beyond coffee at this point. Maybe if they had an event called Cocktails with the Cops or even "Shots" with the Cops, I could more easily be persuaded.

BTW, I never saw Clam last week to get your contact info. If you still want to discuss your tax appeal, send me your info via the other message board and we'll get together.

quote:

Originally posted by jombl:

Gap Year has grown to become a huge phenomenon in the UK over the last 15 years, it's very well organized and considered de rigeur for anyone continuing studies.

The difference is that they definitely do not hang out and go to parties with their friends, work part time jobs and take just one or two classes at COD.

Gap year, done right, is a serious year in which one grows exponentially as a person - it may include anything from independent travel into the eastern bush of the C.A.R. to organized projects more closely associated in the US with the Peace Corps, or more likely a mix of adventures. A Eurail pass for a month on the continent over the summer doesn't even come close.

quote:

Originally posted by t.a. superette:

quote:

Originally posted by bitterboy:

quote:

. . .but before i do, i'll wait to hear the throngs who've come to bemoan GE's homeless problem. . . ("oh no he dih-ent just say that!")

That would be me and I've already spoken to our "top cop" 2x about this issue, thank you. It's beyond coffee at this point. Maybe if they had an event called Cocktails with the Cops or even "Shots" with the Cops, I could more easily be persuaded.

BTW, I never saw Clam last week to get your contact info. If you still want to discuss your tax appeal, send me your info via the other message board and we'll get together.

what did the top cop say about the homeless issue?

my full home appraisal came in 15% higher than the last time (2-3 years ago). bitter sweet news: i got the low rate i wanted from the bank, but it sure won't help my cause w/the tax assessor, right? i did a little checking of assessed values on similar homes near me and found that mine pretty closely aligns. so i'm not sure what if anything i'd save. seems like we're all are getting hosed.

thx anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by t.a. superette:

that's interesting news, jombl. peace corps is one very remote option for son #2. he has a GW teacher who did two stints many years ago, and he's lit a little fire under son #2.

another very viable option is more the starving artist scenario. this one is close to dad's heart. fantastic way to find one's true creative self. this kid's got a real talent; i'd love to see him dive in and swim with some big fish. there's real character-building in performing for one's supper.

in the end, i'd bet the farm that he hightails it to college. either way, we'll be proud of him whatever decision he makes

quote:

Originally posted by bitterboy:

Fish is right, you need to get an "independent" appraisal. If you have good credit and are wanting a loan, the bank's appraiser may have an incentive to bump up your appraised value. Makes processing the loan much easier while being able to give you more $.


Independent? NO, not independent, you want an appraiser that will do all he can to get you the result you want. Appraisals are NOT an exact science and there is plenty of wiggle room on the value of a home. I am involved in a transaction where the first appraisal came in at $345K on a $370K sales price. Buyer wants out because he now can't get the loan described in the contract. Seller hires his (emphasis on "his") bank to try and get the loan. "His" lender's appraisal came in at $370 and now we are forcing the buyer to close the deal at the contract price.

As far as speaking to the cops, kind of a long story to type. I do plan on going this morning though. Although it takes me a while to get around to things, I always try very hard to do more than just talk the talk.

quote:

Originally posted by bitterboy:
An appraisal of 10-15% below assessed value is about right. Back in 2006, I compared actual sales prices to assessed values and on average found that most homes were assessed 10% below their actual sales price. I was assessed 3.5% below which supports my overall argument. Going into an appeal the last thing you want to do for the county is their homework. If you were to appeal, they wouldn't need to know that you recently had an appraisal. However, you still need an argument. Unless either your land or building is way out of whack, you got nothing.

Fish is right, you need to get an "independent" appraisal. If you have good credit and are wanting a loan, the bank's appraiser may have an incentive to bump up your appraised value. Makes processing the loan much easier while being able to give you more $.

As far as speaking to the cops, kind of a long story to type. I do plan on going this morning though. Although it takes me a while to get around to things, I always try very hard to do more than just talk the talk.

quote:

Originally posted by t.a. superette:

quote:

Originally posted by bitterboy:
An appraisal of 10-15% below assessed value is about right. Back in 2006, I compared actual sales prices to assessed values and on average found that most homes were assessed 10% below their actual sales price. I was assessed 3.5% below which supports my overall argument. Going into an appeal the last thing you want to do for the county is their homework. If you were to appeal, they wouldn't need to know that you recently had an appraisal. However, you still need an argument. Unless either your land or building is way out of whack, you got nothing.

Fish is right, you need to get an "independent" appraisal. If you have good credit and are wanting a loan, the bank's appraiser may have an incentive to bump up your appraised value. Makes processing the loan much easier while being able to give you more $.

As far as speaking to the cops, kind of a long story to type. I do plan on going this morning though. Although it takes me a while to get around to things, I always try very hard to do more than just talk the talk.

thx, bb and fish. i get it: the bank wants to lend me $$, so they made sure the appraisal was high. actually i already had the LOC w/ this bank, i was seeking to lower the IR and up the ceiling on the LOC.

funny thing is the bank paid for the full appraisal, not me. even funnier, prior to them paying for this full appraisal, they had a "quick" appraisal done (some software program). that appraisal came in so ridiculously low that they opted to do the full appraisal at their expense. so the moral of the story is: banks want to loan money and oftentimes use a free software appraisal service that is not very accurate. additionally, banks can't get software to stretch the truth. banks can get humans to do that by paying them a stipend. . .

so, back to my assessment increase: i've checked out a few of my neighbors assessed values and find that i am pretty close in line. based on that data, should we still meet? what case do i have w/the township? what is my argument if/when i fight it? what will/can i save if i win?

quote:

Independent? NO, not independent, you want an appraiser that will do all he can to get you the result you want.

quote:

Originally posted by bitterboy:

quote:

Independent? NO, not independent, you want an appraiser that will do all he can to get you the result you want.

Exactly, that's why I put it in quotes.

quote:

Originally posted by Fish:

If you are equally assessed with similar properties in your neighborhood then you are left with the task of convincing the Board of Review that your assessed valuation is more than 1/3rd of market value. MOST successful assessed valuation complaints are based upon the property not being EQUALLY assessed rather than being OVER assessed. Other complaints are successful because the assessor has improper information about the house size and/or improvements. Rarely is the complaint successful when based upon the AV being greater than 1/3rd of market value.

I believe I may have a case of being over assessed depending upon where my appraiser comes in on current value. My facts are a little unique, however, in that my AV was adjusted downward last year based upon my recent purchase price. So, for 2006 the assessor and I agreed upon the value of my home. For 2007 the assessor thinks my home value increased by about 5%. I call bull$hit on that. Anyone paying ANY attention to the housing industry can attest that home values in 2007 vs. 2006 have remained flat if not decreased significantly. As my AV was changed in 2006, my facts are different than most. I believe the last time most people's homes were reassessed was 2003. The argument that home values have not increased since 2003 is a much weaker one.

quote:

Originally posted by bitterboy:
I ask myself this question most every day, is it worth it? With every increase, the answer tips toward no.

quote:

"we're going to cut teachers and increase class sizes, and reduce personnel."

quote:

Originally posted by Gus:
I would venture to guess that the vast majority of people in this town are unaware of the fact that 41 blows more $$$ on admin as compared to state and national averages. Don't worry, we are waiting in the weeds.