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OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today

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Blue3992 (N Ill

04-30-2007 13:21:49




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Guy from the township assessors office showed up today at the back door with a clipboard, tape measure, and camera. Asked some questions about the house (# of bathrooms, is there a basement, etc), and then went around measuring all of the out-buildings.

He said they're “supposed to do this every four years.” The last time they did it, according to his paperwork, was 1983.

I've been working on and off the past couple of years cutting down weeds, fixing buildings, and generally sprucing up the place. I can't help but think someone from the assessor's office finally noticed the improvements and decided to make a visit.

Can't wait to see the next property tax bill.

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NE IA Davw

05-01-2007 20:12:58




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 Re: OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today in reply to Blue3992 (N Illinois), 04-30-2007 13:21:49  
If I understand correctly in our area they have a detailed computer generated map, then a current overlay on the computer. You aren't pulling any fast ones on any acessor even if you think you are. Same thing with underground gas tanks. They have old pictures of your farm, sink holes , gas pumps, gas tanks above ground, ditches etc. I was also told that your old septic tanks many times left a wet spot, or non mowed grass areas when they check out your wasre disposale mandates. Many neighbors are blamed for snitching when a guy tries to dig up his septic tank after dark only to find a inspection a month or two later, DAHHHH Google Earth is not always a friend.

Before long they will introduce us to a life saving thermal imaging system to tell dispatch of any adnormal heat sorces on the grid. A great idea for saftey no doubt, but try to burn a brush pile or a building down with shingles on it or a building full of old tires that the (dence fog morning) lightning struck. The fines will help finance the program.

My friend the asssss--or is overpaid in my opinion, and also is over qualified for appraisals for credit companies and banks. He is not alowed to do this in our county, but he has a deal with neighboring county acessers to throw business his way, and he does the reversal if he is asked to establish a value for loans in our county. It does not seem right for our county to send him for schooling and updating his education so he can also profit from his moonlighting job in neighboring counties. He also just happens to get detailed information from his friends in the neighboring county acessors office to make a impressive detailed data sheet for the bank he is doing the estamated vale for.

He claims our bigest problem is when land or properties go for big dollars, thus our property becomes worth more.

Let me share this with you folks also. We had some major floods in our county in the last six years. We actualy lost two small towns, and vacated another. Now when you loose everything FEMA will go tax value plus 15% (not positive). Thus the folks who fought to lower their taxes, shot a hole in their boat, so to speak.

Lets not forget how everyone in New Orleans was disapointed at how fast our government works, but I'm pretty sure no one here got checks for 2 1/2 years. And now a church and a comunity center is not allowed to fix up because of the DNR regulations.

My persoanal opinion is we lost one town, and part of another because the government designed a new bridge quite a few years ago. The large span bridge was tore down, and the new style was much smaller for water capacity, and ramps made out of dirt made the water bottle neck, thus flooding upstream. Then also the shape of the ramps made the town that was at the far edge (low end of the ramp)--the low spot, thus funneling the water towards the town.

No, you guys know better than the government taking the blame--those things never happen.

As I rambel on I also fix up alot of barns, and am made aware of grant money to help pay for the fix ups. So far it is a total crock as you must send in I think $50.00 to get the form that you fill out. And to think they call it grant money, not Lottery. You are more apt to be standing in your barn and get hit by lightning than get the grant money. One guy gave it a try only to find out he had to follow their orders, no steel roof, rather original cedar shakes, barn boards had to be completly sripped and painted. The barn had to accomidate animals that the barn was origanaly intended. Automatic waters were not accepted, no modern tractors or equipment could be stored in the barn. Loose hay had to be used to feed animals etc.

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rrlund

05-01-2007 08:32:11




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 Re: OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today in reply to Blue3992 (N Illinois), 04-30-2007 13:21:49  
Here in Michigan it's illegal to single out a place that way. They have to do a total township reassesment or leave you alone. Kind of like Oregon,we are limited to 5% increase or the rate of inflation (CPI) whichever is less. The kind of work you are talking about is maintenance anyway and isn't taxable here.



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Walt Davies

04-30-2007 22:53:10




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 Re: OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today in reply to Blue3992 (N Illinois), 04-30-2007 13:21:49  
You guys should take a little advice from California and Oregon we put a stop to that nonsense. We passed an initiative that locked the taxes at what they are with a minimum increase 2 percent a year here in Oregon and i thing about the same in Calif. Puts a real crimp in the EGOs. Walt



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rgvtx

04-30-2007 22:26:08




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 Re: OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today in reply to Blue3992 (N Illinois), 04-30-2007 13:21:49  
I had a similar experience last year. Tax guy came by and blew the horn out in front of the gate. I could see who it was from the house since I had seen him up and down the road several times the the previous weeks. I just went out and greeted him and asked what he needed. Said he wanted to do some measurments since the place had not been appraised in quite a few years. The place had been added on to about 8 years before I bought it and the last appraisal was long before that. Since I was nice to him he let me see the last paperwork and a drawing of the old house prior to the changes, actually was pretty interesting. I helped him hold the tape measure and chatted away with him the whole time. Also explained how the roof leaked and the floors were not too good and how I felt I overpaid when I bought the place. He got all done and thanked me for the help and letting him in and off he went. A few months later I got my new tax appraisal, seems my bill went up less than 20 bucks for the year. Now understand, this house is now over twice the size it was from the last appraisal as well as some nice wood fencing that wasn't there before that he also measured. All I can say, it pays to be nice to people in the long run. I still smile when I pay my very low tax bill (compared to every one elses in the area).

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NE IA Dave

04-30-2007 17:51:29




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 Re: OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today in reply to Blue3992 (N Illinois), 04-30-2007 13:21:49  
A good friend of mine is the county asss--ssor. If anyone thinks that runining him off the place is a good thing, he makes assmptions on everything. He kind of likes getting even. Also he is not known for his good bed side manner, rather just the oppisite for sure. He is at a disadvantage because when any other salesman stops in, you have a chance of getting simething. He has little to offer you other than a higher tax.

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Midwest redneck

05-01-2007 02:29:09




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 Re: OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today in reply to NE IA Dave, 04-30-2007 17:51:29  
Your right being nice always pays dividends, now and in the future. Besides you cant legally shoot him.



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Coloken

04-30-2007 14:08:01




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 Re: OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today in reply to Blue3992 (N Illinois), 04-30-2007 13:21:49  
Supposed to be a regular thing every few years. Price is based on size from tape measure. Based on your area. Then here, it is clasified as low, medium, or high. Dirty yard or clean yard, all the same. Not anything you can do about it except move to sheaper place.



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John N Mi

04-30-2007 14:57:40




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 Re: OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today in reply to Coloken, 04-30-2007 14:08:01  
Be careful tearing down old sheds. They may be of historic value. I tore down an old boat house built in 1872 and the Historical society tried to get me into trouble over it. Pictures I had taken of the broken rafters and how much the building was leaning saved my butt. I did offer to let them put it back up with old material if they could make it safe.



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Blue3992 (N Illinois)

04-30-2007 19:12:48




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 Re: OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today in reply to John N Mi, 04-30-2007 14:57:40  
I wish I could get the local or state historical societies interested in my barn and sheds. I was exploring trying to get some sort of grant to reroof my barn. After doing a lot of searching around, the conclusion was that no orginanization cares about old barns or sheds in my area of N Illinois.



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Blue3992 (N Illinois)

04-30-2007 14:17:26




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 Re: OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today in reply to Coloken, 04-30-2007 14:08:01  
Yeah, I don't so much mind the guy coming out to measure the place. The thought crossed my mind to tell him to take a hike, but he's just doing his job. Not to mention, I know they can get measurements of outbuildings from analyzing aerial photos. Heck, they could probably even go to Google Earth and get fairly accurate measurements.

The assessor showing up just kind of makes me realize that this is yet another topic I need to do some research and get smart on. For instance, I have a couple of old sheds that aren't doing anythign but keeping the dirt dry. If I tear them down, does my property tax go down? Is it enough to make it worth while? Also, I need to take a look at the rules and regualations, and make sure they're calculating the tax properly. It wouldn't be the first time that a govt. official has screwed up the math.

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Sean Feeney 2

04-30-2007 14:48:10




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 Re: OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today in reply to Blue3992 (N Illinois), 04-30-2007 14:17:26  
Empty Sheds I wished I lived closer to you, I have sheds I can hardly get into, if I make them bigger - taxes increase and so does the amount of good stuff, little women calls it sh*t,I bring back from the scrap pile at the dump



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Blue3992 (N Illinois)

04-30-2007 19:08:56




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 Re: OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today in reply to Sean Feeney 2, 04-30-2007 14:48:10  
Naww, the empty sheds that I would consider tearing down aren't anything you would want to store stuff in. One is leaning over about to fall, and the other one is just coming apart. They keep most of the water out, sort of.



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JWinNH

04-30-2007 13:43:30




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 Re: OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today in reply to Blue3992 (N Illinois), 04-30-2007 13:21:49  
Dog did bite the assessor: Tax bill doubled. They won"t come back to the house to re-assess until the next time its due. The dog thing might not be a good idea.



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Midwest redneck

04-30-2007 13:39:14




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 Re: OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today in reply to Blue3992 (N Illinois), 04-30-2007 13:21:49  
Cough in his face and tell him you have the XYZ flu, or whatever. Dont let him inside unless your house is a dump. Maybe even get the watchdog to chew on his leg. I think those guys are lowlifes with nothing better to do then rob the working man.



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Coloken

04-30-2007 14:11:49




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 Re: OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today in reply to Midwest redneck, 04-30-2007 13:39:14  
That fellow just might be a farmer who went broke and is just trying to feed his family. That individual does not set the value. Thats Done with complicated tables.



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Stinky Cheese

04-30-2007 13:43:12




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 Re: OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today in reply to Midwest redneck, 04-30-2007 13:39:14  
That`s right, we exist to take from the government, let someone else pay their fair share and yours too.



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John S-B

04-30-2007 13:27:25




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 Re: OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today in reply to Blue3992 (N Illinois), 04-30-2007 13:21:49  
I think they do it about every 3-5 years around here. You got lucky. Just don't let'em inside, make them guess.



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Rick in Michigan

05-01-2007 09:55:12




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 Re: OT: Local Township Assessor showed up today in reply to John S-B, 04-30-2007 13:27:25  
" Just don't let'em inside, make them guess."

Only if you have something to hide, because when they have to guess - they will. It will then be up to you to prove them wrong. It's usually so much easier to just answer their questions.

Level II Assessor - State of Michigan



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