[HamiltonJay]

My county in PA has been dealing with reassessment nonsense like this for well over a deceade, so I’m familiar with it, I also spent a year in Cali and can tell you the property taxes there are a joke. Your house has a market value of 600k and its property taxes are 1400 a year... which is less insanely than a 100k house where I live.

Cali voters locked in property taxes at a rate far below inflation, so this is nothing more than payback for that decision. Voters decided they could institute artificial price controls, and they are finding that it no more works than when the government does it.

I am no fan or property taxes, I believe they should be abolished, but they are there, and trying to force a restrition on a revenue source below the rate of inflation means the services funded by that source will deteriorate and be sub par, and Cali’s school system is an ample example of it.

[papasmurf]

That’s not exactly correct. California does not include real estate prices in determining the rate of inflation for assessment purposes.

As well, California has other taxes that make up the difference. Therefore, it is a fair system, for it’s intended purpose of keeping people in their homes.

Under the former system, one could be forced out of the home they’ve had for many years, due to rising taxes. Under the former system, the onus was placed on property taxes to fund everything from libraries, to spraying for fruit fly abatement.

[graywaiter]

We are pretty fortunate here in Western VA. I'm in a very rural, mountainous area and we have really great schools. Lots of red (map wise) out here, and a .58/1k tax rate, which is why so many folks want to live here. It is truly God's Country out here.

I don't really blame the guy from PA. I can't imagine the freedom he now feels to be out of a hell hole. But, as a result of his insane purchase price, he just cost me an extra 3k a year in taxes. That's 3k in less cattle feed, fencing, vet bills, etc. that I have to work with. It just sucks.

We inherited most of this particular property, we had to buy the cousins out. It has been the “homeplace” for 5 generations for DH’s family. My mother lives there now, and has made pets of the cattle to the point of naming her favorites.

It's not a place we would ever consider selling, as we have generation #6 at 17 & 14 years old, respectively. They'll have to decide if its worth the hassle of keeping it.