Outraged Over Property Taxes

Originally posted 2009-03-23 09:20:57. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Why isn’t the Indiana property tax assessment making front page news?  I am sure it is making front page news with all the citizens of Porter County who on March 27 is going to have to pay higher property taxes.

I am appalled that the local paper has given little attention to the plight of Porter County’s property tax over-assessment.

Is it that the County Assessor John Scott does not see a problem with the higher taxes?

The assessor simply said, “let the appeal process determine if the taxes are too high.”

Why is it that the Local Government Finance Office care more about the citizens outrage over property taxes than the assessor?

Even local real estate brokers have had increase calls from outraged citizens about recent market values.  

Business owners believe that property taxes have went up 100 percent. 

Do not let yourself be taxed out of your home or business without a fight.  The assessor is not going to fight for you.  You can file an appeal.  You have until April 13 to file that appeal.  Visit www.in.gov/dlgf to get the forms needed to file that appeal.

I have include some helpful video to help with the process, as well.  See the links below:

Good Indication That You Need to File a Property Tax Appeal

Property Tax Appeal Review Video 1 of Section 1

Evaluation of Property Tax Appeal Findings

Indiana Property Tax Appeal (Part 2)

Indiana Property Tax Appeal

What is Assessed Value and How Does it Influenced My Property Taxes

Lack of Property Taxes Tops News in Northwest Indiana

Seniors Deadline Quickly Approaching

Buyer Have the Advantage in This Market and Northwest Indiana is No Expection

Originally posted 2009-07-24 05:00:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Whatever a buyer is looking for is available in today’s market. In Northwest Indiana there has been an increase in sales from May to June. In May 2009, there was 363 homes sold. In June 2009, there were 408 homes sold for a 12.4 percent increase in home sales.

Porter County, on the other hand, experienced a more dramatic increase with 45 percent. In May 2009, there was 111 homes sold in Porter County. In June 2009, the county had an increase in home sales to 161.

What do we attritube these home sales increase to? The Greater Northwest Indiana Association of Realtors and several Realtors including myself attritube the increase in sales to the tax credit and lower than ever home prices. Investors and first time home buyers alike are able to find just what they are looking for whether it is a fixer upper or a move in ready home.

It is highly recommended that buyers move now because interest rate will not stay low forever.

The current fix rate for a 30 year loan is 5.14 percent down from the previous week’s rate of 5.20 percent. One year ago, though, the rate for a 30 year fixed rate loan was 6.26 percent.

It is equally important to note that the median sales price, over the same one year period is down by 11.8 percent. Even though sales are up the median sales prices are not up.

The decrease in median sales is a blow to sellers, but iti is a good thinkg for buyers. Only time will increase value of homes. There may not be a great increase in equity as seen in the recent past, but equity and values will rebound. You will just have to keep your home longer before you realize an increase in value.

No Relief From Property Taxes in Porter County, IN

Originally posted 2009-08-26 05:00:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The news has come down from Indianapolis that there will be no adjustments to the assessed value due to trending. Trending is utilized by some states to account for property value increase or decrease.

It is unrealistic to think that a state that just converted to a market value assessment system could possible understand or have mastered the market value. It is equally unrealistic for a state to believe that trennding alone can account for the record drop in market value of all homes in Indiana and for that matter America.

Some areas’ values have dropped as much as 35 to 50 percent.

In addition, the market value assessment system is so new to the state that Porter county blames the new change and formula for their delaying in getting the assessment values completed.

It is time to take action citizens. File your appeals. Do not take this seating down.

Weatherization Will Keep You Warm This Winter

The winter season has just began, but the winter natural gas rates and its increases are not far behind, so instead of allow those bills to drive you out of house and home contact the agencies below to find out if you qualify for weatherization of your home.

Both homeowners and renters are eligible for both programs.

Gary Neighborhood Services

300 W. 21st Ave., Gary

(219) 883-0431

Metro Corps of Gary Inc.

839 Broadway, Gary

(219) 886-3155

United Neighborhood Organizations – M.L. King Center

4802 Melville Ave., East Chicago

(219) 378-9810

United Neighborhood Organizations – Bessie Owens Center

4001 Alexander Ave., East Chicago

(219) 391-8478

Love Center

4619 Melton Road (U.S. 20), Gary

(219) 938-8085

Lake Station Center

275 E. 29th Ave., Lake Station

(219) 963-0261

Greater Hammond Community Services

824 Hoffman, Hammond

(219) 932-4800

Porter County Community Services

1005 Campbell St., Valparaiso

(219) 464-9736

Ross Township Trustee Office

24 W. 73rd Ave., Merrillville

(219) 769-2111

South Lake County Community Services Inc.

1450 E. Joliet, Suite 202, Crown Point

(219) 663-0627

You may be wondering what is weatherization and how does it keep you warm.  Weatherization consist of the windows, doors, furnace, attic, etc.  It is anywhere that unwanted air can get into the home.  When you use the furnace in the winter and your windows and doors are not properly sealed then you are letting money flow out the window.  The weatherization contractors come to your home and evaluate those items for you and with the help of a grant of up to 6500 per home they caulk leaking windows, weather strip doors, replace or repair a furnace, and/or insulate an attic or walls.

If your home is drafty or your NIPSCO bill is too high contact one the agencies to find out if you qualify for a savings on your NIPSCO bill of up to 500 to 600 dollars after work is complete.

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