View Tax

[MJM]

Sorry if this has been covered before, but I'm confused about the "View Tax". Is this on top of the tax based on the valuation of the house?

In other words, the fact that a house is waterfront (and therefore has a nice view) has already increased the value of the house, so the property tax is high.

Would this View Tax then be ADDITIONAL to that?

[Paugus Bay Resident]

There isn't any view tax per se. All property taxes in NH are based on "market value". A view increases the value of a property, so, if you have two 1 acre lots, one with view and the other without, the one with the view would be assessed higher because it has a higher market value. Same situation as with waterfront.

[tis]

It is true you are taxed for a view one way or another. But I think why people got so upset is Avitar spells it out. For instance in Tuftonboro, if you are on the lake you pay $600,000. If you have more than 100 feet you pay extra, and it goes in ranges-something like 100-200, 200-300, etc. Then if you are in Winter Harbor you pay an extra 10% on that 600,000. If you have a beach, you pay an extra 25%. If you have a view, you pay an extra 10%. You get the idea. When Avitar did this for the (former) Gov. Thompson family they sued over the view tax. I don't know what is happening with this. I thought they won, but have not heard anything about it in a while. I assume it will be appealed.

[The Big Kahuna]

The view tax is not just being applied to lake front. For those of us who have mountain and hill side property that has a view of the lake from 1,000 feet and 2 miles, it is costing us plenty in extra taxes. My taxes went up 25%
since someone climed up on my deck to asses my property, I know they did it because they left my ladder up. One week later I got a letter telling me my taxes would be going up since they realized I had a view of the lake!

[Paugus Bay Resident]

It maybe semantics, but there is no view tax. The market value for a property with a view is, based on demand, higher than one without. Simple as that.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by Paugus Bay Resident

It maybe semantics, but there is no view tax. The market value for a property with a view is, based on demand, higher than one without. Simple as that.

I remember, when the latest realtor approached us about selling our home and how much more we could get for it with its water views.....she said; location, location, location!

Correct me if I am wrong PBR, but isn't that mantra one of the golden rules of real estate?

And remember folks, no "new" money is produced when your valuation increases. When your taxes increase due to increased valuation, someone else in your community is paying less. The average rule in any given year is a third of the properties rise, a third remain neutral and a third decrease.

One of the most common misconseptions in this discussion is that new money is being produced, which simply is not true. But the real reason your taxes continue to rise is simple, the government continues to spend more and more of our money each year.

I do have to confess that there are a lot of town, county and state officials that sit back and relax when people misconstrue the true reason of their escalating tax load, especially when they are attacking the assesor's office and not keeping their eye on the real spenders!

[Paugus Bay Resident]

If supply doesn't outstrips demand (as is the case now), prices fall. If there is a demand for "view" properties the price will go up. Just market economics. I deal with this all the time (on both the buy and sell side), and what is interesting is that people will complain that their tax assessment is to high, but when they go to sell its too low The issue we have at the moment is that most assessments were done a year ago in a somewhat different market. Will they go down to reflect today's reality? I doubt it. Will property values continue to increase in the long run? Sure. True, market value doesn't mean anything until one sells (unless you're the state) , but it is what it is.

[jrc]

Originally Posted by Paugus Bay Resident

It maybe semantics, but there is no view tax. The market value for a property with a view is, based on demand, higher than one without. Simple as that.

The assessing companies make it seem like there are taxes for stuff like water front and view by the way they calculate market value. They don't have recent sales data for every house so they find a comparable house and apply formulas. Some of these adjust for number of bathrooms, bedrooms and square footage. But some adjust for waterfront, views and other desirable locations.

Saying we have a view tax is like saying we have a toilet tax.

[Paugus Bay Resident]

An interesting statistic is to look at is sale price as a percent of assessed value. Usually its a few (to more percent) over. Very seldom is it less.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by jrc

...Saying we have a view tax is like saying we have a toilet tax...

Simply stated and exactly to the point!

Let me take a moment and get on my political soapbox and say that I find the Thompson Family's position, especially that of Tommy Thompson, interestingly ironic!

Remember Tom Thompson's father, the late Governor Meldrim Thompson, is recognized as the grandfather of this current proprty tax system and was one of its strongest supporters. He was the proponent of the "no new taxes" pledge that has been the bain of many a politician in this State for decades.

Now along comes his descendants livid about a system that their family helped create! Can you say hypocrisy?

It once again reminds me of that old and wise adage: The only fair tax is the tax the other guy pays!

Remember, as already stated here previously; year after year after year the State of New Hampshire, property tax issue & all, places the least amount of tax burden on its citizens. Its one of the primary reasons that businesses, tourists and out-of-staters continue to flock here in record numbers. I'm all for keeping the New Hampshire advantage intact and reminding everyone that no one is forcing you to come here, but we truly do appreciate it when you do!

There, I feel better....I'm stepping back down now!

Think snow!

Skip

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by The Big Kahuna

My taxes went up 25%
!

Mine have gone up 55% in Bedford NH since last year and have neither a view or waterfront.New high school,ughh!

[GWC...]

Originally Posted by Skip

It once again reminds me of that old and wise adage: The only fair tax is the tax the other guy pays!

Remember, as already stated here previously; year after year after year the State of New Hampshire, property tax issue & all, places the least amount of tax burden on its citizens. Its one of the primary reasons that businesses, tourists and out-of-staters continue to flock here in record numbers. I'm all for keeping the New Hampshire advantage intact and reminding everyone that no one is forcing you to come here, but we truly do appreciate it when you do!

There, I feel better....I'm stepping back down now!

Skip

Understand your point; but the Hopkinton Apple Farm situation is wrong.

Originally Posted by online NH Union Leader

Nov 17, 11:27 AM EST
N.H. orchard falling victim to view tax
HOPKINTON, N.H. (AP) -- Gould Hill Orchard, which dates to 1764, could be sold to developers, its owners unable to absorb $200 per day in property taxes based partly on the value of its view.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...MPLATE=DEFAULT

There, I, too, feel better....I'm stepping back down now!

[Weirs guy]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Mine have gone up 55% in Bedford NH since last year and have neither a view or waterfront.New high school,ughh!

Just think, not only is Laconia building a new middle school, we have a lake and views too. Maybe we should just sign the houses over to the city now and beat the rush.

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by Skip

Simply stated and exactly to the point!
{snip}

It once again reminds me of that old and wise adage: The only fair tax is the tax the other guy pays!

Remember, as already stated here previously; year after year after year the State of New Hampshire, property tax issue & all, places the least amount of tax burden on its citizens. Its one of the primary reasons that businesses, tourists and out-of-staters continue to flock here in record numbers. I'm all for keeping the New Hampshire advantage intact and reminding everyone that no one is forcing you to come here, but we truly do appreciate it when you do!

There, I feel better....I'm stepping back down now!

Think snow!

Skip

Since the soapbox is out and unoccupied ...

While there's some truth to the idea that "nobody's forcing you to come" I'd balance that with some thoughts. First, where would we all be if our country's forefathers had given in to the same rationale ? King George might have said "Don't like my ruinous taxes ? Want some say in the matter ? Well then nobody's forcing you to stay in New England. Sell your farms, homes, businesses and come back to England proper." I know I'm glad such thinking didn't prevail.

Second it sure sounds like that statement leaves unsaid but implied, "Yes out of state, seasonal use, taxpayers are getting screwed" but leave if you want to. Why don't we all just admit that instead of trying to offer up a defense ? Same thing applies to NH residents working in MA and paying too much income tax. I'm not holding my breath that either legislature will act to make their policies more fair since they have no reason, other than moral ones, to change it and many practical ones not too. Morality loses to practicality most every time. Hence the old adage.

Lastly, and more practically, even NH residents should be wary of having seasonal people pay more than their fair share. This free flow of OPM from the disenfranchised generally results in an liberal attitude to spending and, as has been correctly mentioned previously in this thread, spending should be the real concern. Taxes follow spending. While local residents get a break due to the OPM, they don't get off complete unharmed. Their taxes go up as well. TANSTAAFL I say (true even when someone else buys your lunch).

Oh yeah, before I step off the soap box, I find it curious that the rationale of "If you don't like, move" isn't followed by NH when it comes to school spending. Why isn't "Don't like the school spending in this town, move then" the answer (I hear MA has some good public schools). Sounds like it is time to change the State constitution.

[RumGuy]

I think that VIEW would be too subject to opinion, and therefore be too difficult to effectively tax. Besides, if the view out the back door was miserable, it should really offset any positives out front!

[SIKSUKR]

This Union Leader article seems to infer that there really is a Santa,eerr,I'm mean "view"tax.
http://www.unionleader.com/article.a...f-cea79d7df0fe

[TomC]

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

....snip... "Yes out of state, seasonal use, taxpayers are getting screwed" but leave if you want to. Why don't we all just admit that instead of trying to offer up a defense ?

The other side of this (objections by non-voting seasonal taxpayers) issue which I find amusing: when this topic arose one of the dozens of times before, the NH resident sentiment generally was: sell and go, or move up and vote... well the moving up and vote part is coming true and the liberal MA voting record is going with it...

last week there was all sorts of howling by NH natives that the political climate was changing. Gee, who needs a crystal ball to see that one coming?

if the non-residents could have a voice on the local/town tax process (budgets and spending) they might not "move up and vote" in the State government..

The same idea works in reverse on the "live in NH, work in MA" issue. I know many individuals who take a job in NH for equivalent salary as they got in MA because thats a 5.3% raise in reality. they take their spending money with them and that hurts the MA state economy.

[onthebay]

We have been visiting the lake for the past 15 years and have owned and paid taxes on a condo for the past 10 years. My property tax for the condo is more than my primary home in Mass.
I have always been charged for my fishing license and snowmobile registrations at an out of state rate.(could never understand that one)
We are finally building our dream house by the lake (subject to a major tax bill) and plan on moving up in the spring when my daughter graduates high school. My daughter wants to attend UNH where I will be charged almost double because she will be considered and out of state resident when she applied.
My company is located in Mass. and because of its structure I will still be paying full income and corporate taxes to Mass. I will also have a 1 1/2 hour commute each way.
Even with all this I still can't wait...

[onthebay]

Just to let you know. I am not a liberal. Devall Patrick was the last straw.

[ITD]

Originally Posted by onthebay

Just to let you know. I am not a liberal. Devall Patrick was the last straw.

Congratulations on your new home. Please get active in the local politics of your town and don't forget the rest of us "non-voting taxpayers"

*not a liberal either, waiting for my "Don't blame me, I voted for muffy" bumper sticker.

[The Big Kahuna]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Mine have gone up 55% in Bedford NH since last year and have neither a view or waterfront.New high school,ughh!

My full time residence is in Bedford and I feel your pain. I am paying $400 more in taxes this year over last year, but I have a pond I can see when the leaves fall off the trees in my back yard.

[Bear Islander]

One thing you CAN do to lower your property taxes is get a copy of the assessing information from your town. Many islanders did that last summer and found mistakes. An unbuildable second lot taxed as buildable, bedrooms and a fireplace that doesn't exist, a tiny lean-to taxed as an outbuilding.

The tax is based on market value, just make sure they are using the correct information.

[John A. Birdsall]

Originally Posted by RumGuy

I think that VIEW would be too subject to opinion, and therefore be too difficult to effectively tax. Besides, if the view out the back door was miserable, it should really offset any positives out front!

Yeah look at the view on rt 125 in Lee. Out the front door is the nudist colony and the back door is the MIL.

[Pineedles]

They had my place with 2 full baths rather than 1 1/2. Thank you. Once again, this forum pays out big time! Thanks Don.

[JDeere]

Since a few of you folks like to whine about not having the right to vote in a state that you do not live full time can you show me what states in the US allow you to be a resident of one state and still vote in your second home location?

In SC I believe you pay a higher tax rate as a non-resident and some fish and game activities are restricted on those who are not residents.

I am sure there are other…………maybe Florida…………..if you are a resident you can homestead, fish without a license from land.

I am sure every state treats it residents differently than non-residents. So what?! I personally did not like MA or its politics (Kennedy, Kerry, Barney etc.) so I moved. Now I have the privilege of paying MA income tax but that is just the way it works. If I do not like it I can find a job in NH!

Stop whining our state of NH does a very good job of dealing with its funding issues and needs no advice from south of the border on how to run its affairs. With the second lowest tax burden in the country we are doing just fine, thank you.

[secondcurve]

JDeere:

I think your last comment hit the nail on the head. I am not sure if NH actually has the second lowest tax burden in the country, but it is certainly on the low end of the spectrum. Be thankful you live/vacation in an awesome part of the country. Oh, and by the way, if this forum were given the authority to change the tax code/budgeting regulations of the state we could spend the next 1000 years re-configuring things and I guaranty we couldn't get a majority of the board members to agree on a new plan, since a positive change in my favor must be offset by a negative change to someone else.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

...I am not sure if NH actually has the second lowest tax burden in the country, but it is certainly on the low end of the spectrum. Be thankful you live/vacation in an awesome part of the country...

Actually in New Hampshire, on a per capita basis, New Hampshire taxes its citizen the least when compared to any other state in the nation.

I am all for keeping the New Hampshire advantage, as once again pledged to by our recently elected Governor and the majority of the folks just elected/re-elected to office in Concord!

[SteveA]

Check out the attached page from the Tax Foundation

http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/347.html

Use the scroll bar to get to NH.

For the last year reported (2004) we were number 48 out of the 50 states. In this case, that makes us the 3rd biggest "Donor" State

New Hampshire historically has been near the top of the list that ranks how many Federal Tax dollars are sent to Washington in relation to what the Federal Government spends, or sends back to the state.

NH gets back about 50 cents on the dollar, while Arizona gets about $2.00 back on each dollar sent.

I've written to both Senators and both Congressman suggesting they may want to look around Washington DC and see if they can find a way to get a little more back for what we send.

Guess how many replies I got back?

[jrc]

So you were paying too much bathtub tax. You have one, but they taxed you on two.

[Gavia immer]

If a communications tower is installed in your view, does that affect your taxes?

[The Big Kahuna]

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

One thing you CAN do to lower your property taxes is get a copy of the assessing information from your town. Many islanders did that last summer and found mistakes. An unbuildable second lot taxed as buildable, bedrooms and a fireplace that doesn't exist, a tiny lean-to taxed as an outbuilding.

The tax is based on market value, just make sure they are using the correct information.

I thought so too, I went to the Town Hall and asked to look at the assestment and how they came about the numbers. Turns out my house may have been under valued, now they want to come out and take another look, they never would have reviewed it if I had not gone in asking questions.

[GWC...]

Originally Posted by The Big Kahuna

I thought so too, I went to the Town Hall and asked to look at the assestment and how they came about the numbers. Turns out my house may have been under valued, now they want to come out and take another look, they never would have reviewed it if I had not gone in asking questions.

Squeaky wheel gets the oil...

Thoughts before actions would be a better motto.

That $400 increase may really cause you to "feel my pain" and then some.

How about the pain of the Hopkinton apple farm owner - $200 a day for his new property taxes? His real pain would probably cause you a stroke...

Originally Posted by NH Union Leader online By SCOTT BROOKS Union Leader Staff Friday, Nov. 17, 2006

Titanic tax bill sinking Hopkinton orchard
Erick Leadbeater said his property taxes quadrupled in the town's recent readjustments. Taxes on the hilltop apple orchard jumped about $50,000 per year, he said.
http://www.unionleader.com/article.a...5-535e4be2387f

[MJM]

Latest article.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.a...f-82a36cc374fe

It strikes me as odd: reading this and other related articles, one would think this is a new concept and will be a dramatic additional fee. But reading all the posts on the boards, it seems clear this is nothing new, and the value of the view is basically captured in the assessment anyway.

[boathousegirl]

Ive listened and participated in NH real estate tax discussions for quite a while now. I do understand both sides of the argument, but when it comes right down to it as I sit and right out my check for almost $11,000 for the second half of the year making my new tax bill almost $22,000 for Belmont property, and I still don't get trash pick up at my property from October to June, and I don't get plowed, and I only have 1 and 1/3 acres.....I think this is outrageous. I love it here, but it's getting very scarey. I'm also sorry this is such a run on sentence!

[ITD]

Originally Posted by boathousegirl

Ive listened and participated in NH real estate tax discussions for quite a while now. I do understand both sides of the argument, but when it comes right down to it as I sit and right out my check for almost $11,000 for the second half of the year making my new tax bill almost $22,000 for Belmont property, and I still don't get trash pick up at my property from October to June, and I don't get plowed, and I only have 1 and 1/3 acres.....I think this is outrageous. I love it here, but it's getting very scarey. I'm also sorry this is such a run on sentence!

That's ok, you get to write a run on sentence for $22,000, holy smokes. Sounds like you get trash pickup from July to September, more than I get, but your paying way more too. Must be quite a house....

[fatlazyless]

A year old newspaper article quoted a selectman from the neighboring Winnisquam town of Sanborton as saying: "We do not need any commercial developement to help with the tax base, because Sanborton has waterfront!" And now she can also say: " because Sanborton has property with good views!"

[Weirs guy]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

"We do not need any commercial developement to help with the tax base, because Sanborton has waterfront!"

Now theres a clever idea, who needs extra tax base anyway?

[Paugus Bay Resident]

Here's an interesting link, The Views, Views Views presentation (from Avitar - the assessing company that's at the front of most of this); http://www.avitarofneinc.com/download.html

They and Vision Appraisal are the two main assessing companies used in NH. Interestingly, Vision lets you look at assessments for free, Avitar charges for them.

[BlackCatIslander]

After looking at Paugus Bay Resident's post, I went to Avitar's site and looked at their slide show. On one of their slides they use "add" where "ad" is correct for advertisement and "and" where "an" is correct. I wonder if their appraisals also have errors.

[Skip]

There has been a lot of misconceptions & misinformation posted about the so called "view tax". In today's Union Leader editorial page they comment on misinformation given at a recent public hearing. The editorial can be read HERE.

Since the property tax system is the main source of government revenue for all local communities in New Hampshire, it behooves everyone paying same to become very familiar with its ways of implementation. It also is imperative that folks understand that it is not, per se, the value of your property that is causing tax bills to skyrocket but it is the exorbinant growth of government at the local level, as is pointed out correctly in the editorial!

[Paugus Bay Resident]

BlackCatIslander,
In the course of my business, I see a lot of appraisals and yes, many do contain errors. I've seen math errors, missing square footage, etc.


Skip,

It also is imperative that folks understand that it is not, per se, the value of your property that is causing tax bills to skyrocket but it is the exorbitant growth of government at the local level, as is pointed out correctly in the editorial!

How true!

[JPC]

Originally Posted by Skip

. It also is imperative that folks understand that it is not, per se, the value of your property that is causing tax bills to skyrocket but it is the exorbinant growth of government at the local level, as is pointed out correctly in the editorial!

Here is a question for you. If, and this is just hypothetical, the tax rate stayed the same as last year (i.e. no gov. growth) but your assesment increased because of the view or a new development next to you. Doesn't your property tax go up?

[Woodsy]

If your property increases in assessed value and the tax rate stays the same, then yes, your property tax bill will increase...

However,

If your local govt budget does not increase dramatically say 7%, and your towns assessed value increasesa bit more, say 9%, because of new development etc..then your tax rate per thousand would drop. This is what happened in Laconia and Meredith... the tax rate per thousand dropped over $1 because of the increased property valuations.

Laconia has just instituted a tax cap on spending. They have renegotiated all of the citys labor contracts so that they expire at the same time. This is the first year... no doubt its going to get painful in the next few years for some of the city unions and teachers when thier contracts expire...

Woodsy

[Skip]

Originally Posted by JPC

Here is a question for you. If, and this is just hypothetical, the tax rate stayed the same as last year (i.e. no gov. growth) but your assesment increased because of the view or a new development next to you. Doesn't your property tax go up?

Remember, the tax rate is set after the full valuation of the town is divided by how much revenue the town needs to raise.

Now, if in your case the tax rate per thousand remained the same, but your valuation went up...you indeed would be paying more in taxes. However, because the amount of money that needed to be raised, the whole pie as it were, remained the same size then you paid for a bigger portion of the pie. Someone, or a number of other people in that town, had their valuations go down and therefore paid for a smaller portion of the pie. The pie did not get bigger because of your example, only the portion of it paid by you grew.

In reality the pie (government spending) gets bigger every year. And the valuation of the town/city nrever remains the same either. What was happening in New Hampshire was that some communities, Dover for example, adjusted their valuation every year. Other communities, like Keene, would go on forever using an old evaluation. This caused extreme disparity in valuation from community to community, negatively influencing some of the factors used to determine the educational formula that declared a town either a donor or receiver community in reference to state aid to education.

Anyway, some people are seeing the actual valuation of their property finally being calculated into their tax bill, and its not a pretty sight!

The thing to remeber is that the greatest factor that drives your tax bill is how much your community is spending, followed by the economic tax base of your community (mainly residential properties versus available commercial properties) not the value of your property! Most people make the mistake of blaming the assessor when who they really need to be holding accountable is their town selectmen or town/city council!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Skip

[Weekend Pundit]

The big problem is that the so-called view tax is very subjective and not easily factored in. That is one of the biggest gripes that I think many have about it. Things like the number of bedrooms, baths, etc are easily quantified and can be plugged into a formula. A view, on the other hand, is not something that can easily be calculated.

One assessor may say a view adds 20% to the value of a property. Another may say it adds 150%. Which one is right?

Can a view be graded? Does a spectacular view of the lakes and the mountains add more value than a view of the Broads? Does a bad view, like of a factory or a landfill, decrease the value of a property?

One case where this 'view tax' has hurt an operating farm is the Gould Hill Orchard in Hopkinton. The owner's new tax bill came in on his 80 acre orchard and his taxes went up from ~$22,000 to $70,000- that's about $200 per day - which will force him to sell off the farm because he can no longer afford the taxes. An orchard that has been in operation for 242 years will cease to exist all because his farm has a view of the mountains to the north. I'm sorry, but that's just so wrong on so many levels.

[Paugus Bay Resident]

You're spot on in terms of the subjectiveness. What about seasonal views? In the winter, lots of us have views. As soon as there are leaves on the trees, viola, no view. IMHO, asses the property at market value and be done with it. The scariest part is that it seems most town charters allow the selectmen to make the decision with out a referendum. Sure, you can vote them out, but by that time the damage is done.

[Weekend Pundit]

Originally Posted by Paugus Bay Resident

You're spot on in terms of the subjectiveness. What about seasonal views? In the winter, lots of us have views. As soon as there are leaves on the trees, viola, no view. IMHO, asses the property at market value and be done with it. The scariest part is that it seems most town charters allow the selectmen to make the decision with out a referendum. Sure, you can vote them out, but by that time the damage is done.

My biggest worry is that an ice storm will come along some winter that will take down the tops of some of the trees below our property. That will give us a year round view! I don't know about you, but I'd be tempted to go out there with a lot of glue and ropes to try and re-attach the fallen branches in order to forestall any additional assessment!

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by Weekend Pundit

One case where this 'view tax' has hurt an operating farm is the Gould Hill Orchard in Hopkinton. The owner's new tax bill came in on his 80 acre orchard and his taxes went up from ~$22,000 to $70,000- that's about $200 per day - which will force him to sell off the farm because he can no longer afford the taxes. An orchard that has been in operation for 242 years will cease to exist all because his farm has a view of the mountains to the north. I'm sorry, but that's just so wrong on so many levels.

I saw this story on WMUR.Part of the piece mentioned Gov Lynch bought a parcel of land from that orchard and is building a 2 million dollar house.FWIW.

[GWC...]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

I saw this story on WMUR.Part of the piece mentioned Gov Lynch bought a parcel of land from that orchard and is building a 2 million dollar house.FWIW.

The NH Union Leader online link in post #23, above, has a different version:

Leadbeater recently sold 8.3 acres of his land to Gov. John Lynch. The governor is building a $3.5 million home there with a swimming pool, tennis court and circular driveway.

I guess 1.5 million of the value is for the view?!?!

[Gavia immer]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

I saw this story on WMUR.Part of the piece mentioned Gov Lynch bought a parcel of land from that orchard and is building a 2 million dollar house.FWIW.

The Government forces a sale of land and THE GOVERNOR buys a parcel?

The new eminent domain.

[Weekend Pundit]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

I saw this story on WMUR.Part of the piece mentioned Gov Lynch bought a parcel of land from that orchard and is building a 2 million dollar house.FWIW.

Governor Lynch did indeed buy a parcel of land in an old orchard, but it is located in Exeter. The orchard in trouble is in the town of Hopkinton.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by Weekend Pundit

Governor Lynch did indeed buy a parcel of land in an old orchard, but it is located in Exeter. The orchard in trouble is in the town of Hopkinton.

SIKSUKR was correct, the Governor bought his new parcel from the complaining apple orchard farmer in Hopkinton, not Exeter, New Hampshire.

However, the actual estimated price tag of the Governor's new home is closer to five million dollars. The Governor purchased an additional eight acres on top of several acres he had previously bought from the farmer. The Governor's building permit calls for a home of 11,000 square feet, a detached 3 car garage, a 20 by 40 swimming pool with cabana and a tennis court. The farmer now says he can probably put the rest of the orchard in some kind of conservation trust....but he was previously looking to sub-divide prior to the Governor's additional land purchase and his new assesed value.

Like Paul Harvey always says.....and now for the rest of the story!

[SIKSUKR]

Thanks for the clarification Skip.I knew he bought the land from the same orchard owner but methinks my memory on the dollar details was a bit off.The article that GWC refers to does say that Lynch is building a $3.5 million house.That link is actually in post #32 not 23.

[Weekend Pundit]

Originally Posted by Skip

SIKSUKR was correct, the Governor bought his new parcel from the complaining apple orchard farmer in Hopkinton, not Exeter, New Hampshire.

You're right, Skip. My error. From one article I Googled, I see the governor has retained many of the orchard trees on the property he bought and has given the Gould Hill Orchard owner the rights to harvest from those trees.

The orchard owner is hoping to use the procedes from the sale to put the rest of the farm under conservation easement to prevent any further development.

[fatlazyless]

As long as the property taxes were low and the general perception was that the big high priced waterfront prop taxes were being paid by the out-of-staters, then all the local residents were content. Now, with the run up in locally owned properties which have a view, some of the local residents are not so content.

In the recent NH state elections, Congressman Jeb Bradley said 'It was a fluke, and we did nothing wrong in running our campaign.' The NH Republican party put out roadside signs touting 'the NH Advantage' and showed a red NH surrounded by all blue states.

I wonder, and there's probably no way to really figure out, but how much of the state-wide Democratic win was due to President Bush & Iraq and how much was due to the NH property tax system?

[Eki]

our tax bill was $12000/yr for just 1 of our NH properties.

We sold both our properties and bought a single property here in Scottsdale, that is roughly equal to the combined value of the two properties sold in NH.

Our property tax now is under $2000/yr.

Sure, you say, there is an income tax ... but when you retire, your income is next to nothing (atleast on the books)... and so an income tax is of no consequence.

Point being, NH real estate tax is a horrible way to fund government, especially for those on fixed income(read: retired). The taxes keep going up even though the income does not. I guess, if one has gobs of disposable income ... what better way to dispose of it then paying NH real estate taxes.

[Waterbaby]

Originally Posted by Skip

The thing to remeber is that the greatest factor that drives your tax bill is how much your community is spending, followed by the economic tax base of your community (mainly residential properties versus available commercial properties) not the value of your property! Most people make the mistake of blaming the assessor when who they really need to be holding accountable is their town selectmen or town/city council!

I would add to this, those being held accountable include the local school board(s) and the county officials. Don't forget, the total property tax bill is made up of four tax segments: local government, local school, county, and the state education tax (and who knows how in the world that one is calculated!!!!!!) In reality, usually the local (town) portion of the bill is a very small percentage of the total tax.

[fatlazyless]

Today, Dec 6, is the first day that the new NH house & senate meet in Concord, I think, and there's some new tax info on the horizon. Looking at the NH papers, www.citizen.com and www.unionleader.com, there's two new tax items.

A group of clergymen in Manchester are starting a campaign to cast doubt and dislike and disbelieval for the almighty New Hampshire Advantage, yikes....good grief, and these men of the cloth seem to think it's really just a tax dodge for people who earn mnore than 100k/year while the little guys are overpaying the state's taxes. Oh no! Say that's not true! Who'd-a- ever thunk that?

A brand new state rep, James Kennedy of Exeter, an electrician who works in Massachusetts is proposing a 3% income tax with exemptions for the first 13/26k for single/married, or something like that. He says "I might become just a one term state rep, but I think this needs to be addressed because the current NH property tax sysytem is wacking too many people the wrong way, or something! (roughly paraphrased)"

If anyone wants to send an email to their local state rep, it's easy to do. Just google NH house representatives for their email links and let those reps know how much you appreciate their time and effort in running this state.