WHAT???????

Hi Everyone:

Just when I think I have read about all of the lack of common sense things that people, companies and politicians do, this one certainly takes the cake and is right on the top of the heap of?. When I tell you this story, you will not believe it and then you will scratch your head and say it couldn't happen. Well, it did happen and this story is true. I read the story in my Gannett newspaper.

Anyone who has bought a house, knows that the price that you pay for the house is the basis for the school and property, (city and/or, county and/or town or village) taxes that you will pay. That has been the system for eons and is correct in using that selling price to determine the tax assessment of that building. Well, well, well, it seems that the Town of Greenburgh, located in Westchester County, in New York State, doesn't base their tax assessments on the price that you just paid for your abode. The story goes like this: A couple bought their house on April 23, 2012, for $580,000. Unfortunately for the couple, the town has assessed their home at $1.3 million and they are sticking to it. That is more then twice the value of what they just paid for the house. How can this be?

Fairness in the property-tax system is based on homeowners paying a portion of their property's fair-market value. In this case, fair market value is the price that they paid for the home, which was $580,000 and not the absurdly inflated amount of $1.3 million. Their recourse is to file a case on "tax grievance day". Having done that numerous times on our own home, as long as you have 3 comparable similar homes, (including the lot size), that are assessed lower than your own, you will win a decrease in your assessment. It is just that simple. I have never lost an assessment grievance for ourselves and our friends. What amazes me is that, the tax assessor did not lower the value of the house to the price paid when it was filed. But since he/she didn't, even if the homeowners win their grievance, the most reduction that they can receive is 25%. Another stupid rule that makes no sense. The couple is seeking a 55% reduction, but they can't and won't get the additional 30%. Oh boy, if that isn't a rip off, what is?

The failure of municipalities to periodically revalue their properties has left many homeowners with assessments that do not reflect what the house would sell for in the open market. Greenburgh's last revaluation was in 1956. The politicians know how to fix this problem, but it has always been a hot potato and therefore nothing has been fixed since 1956. Where is the common sense here? Oh right, there isn't any.

Again for the umpteenth time, politicians don't seem to be able to get it right. It is and always will be all about their re-election and not what's good for the people that they say they represent.

Til next week.

Peter