Property Taxes In Villages?

[mejahu]

This has recently become a BIG problem in Indiana when the tax become based on 100% of the assessed valuation a few years ago and this year the amount was raised again based on the supposed value which is more than the house could sell for. This isn't helping sell the many houses on the market. How do property taxes and other taxes compare to the states you come from, or are now living in?

[jfsaukas]

The tax rate is very close to Maryland but the minus 25K and the low cost of the house is the difference.

[LG]

There are three tax rates
PER THOUSAND OF ASSESSED VALUE
Marion 17.9470
Sumter 16.4935 but will go down a couple of dollars next year
Lake 16.6059

If you are a full time resident ( Register Voter and have a FL drivers Lic ) you get a $25000 homestead exemption. Other wise you pay the full load

Taxes are based on the Selling Price of the home say for easy math $100,000
Florida is full value assessment state, but it kinda works out @85%

$100000 x .85 = 85000
85000/1000 = 85
85 x Millage Rate is you annual tax

There is some tax relief comming nest year and there will be a voter opportunity to change how property taxes are calculated.

http://www.floridataxwatch.org/news/propertytax.php

[Barefoot]

Sounds like an unfair system for snowbirds, who must pay much higher taxes. Florida says "Thanks for helping out with our economy", and then punishes snowbirds with higher taxes. They don't qualify for a homestead exemption, and as well, are maintaining a second residence elsewhere. Other States are much more welcoming. Unfortunately TV is in FLorida!

[jtdraig]

I guess it it isn't "fair" but "fair" is in the eye of the beholder.

[Russ_Boston]

I don't see how it's unfair for a state to give their permanent residents some tax relief. I know it may not seem right but in general if you can afford two places then do they really owe you anything? There are people throughout much of Florida that need this relief - take a ride around some time.

[Barefoot]

Being Canadians, we don't have the luxury of staying in Florida more than six months. That doesn't mean we're rolling in money. Like many of us, we'll be living on a fixed income. We would love to be a permanent residents of Florida.

We have to afford a second place in Canada so we have somewhere to go in the summer. Therefore we bought something very modest in the Villages. No pool, no spa, 2 bedrooms. I guess Designer Homes are for those who get tax breaks.

I don't think the Florida government "owes" me anything. On the contrary, I am grateful we can enjoy their sunshine six months a year.

[F16 1UB]

bump

[mrskkb]

Designer homes are those with tax breaks.

Not sure what you mean.

Florida has and still has a very serious problem with property taxes.

Have you read about how people have been taxed out of their homes?

And not being able to pay the very expensive Homeowners Insurance?

The Villages is simply a developement in central Florida.

People in Dade, Broward, Monroe and Palm Beach counties are getting

slaughered with high taxes and insurance.

I am sure Tampa and Naples area are high too.

Each and every homeowner who lives year round here and calls Florida home

has a 25,000 homestead excemption ( SAVE OUR HOMES )

If you are widowed or disabled ; an additional 500.00

We have give an additional break to the elderly who are barely getting by.

And we have plenty of elderly here in Florida who are in dire straits.

Sorry to go on and on.

I get a little nuts when I hear negative things about Florida.

I have lived in Florida for 37 years. This is home.

If you want a break in property taxes make us your permenent home.

[mrskkb]

Also---

When I left Ft.Lauderdale 2 years ago I was paying $ 7,000.00 ( SEVEN THOUSAND )

my homeowners insurance was 3,500.00

And going up.

Last year I paid 1,100 for taxes here.

550.00 for insurance.

My auto insurance went down 900.00 moving here.

That is why I made the moved.

Plus I love here.

[nanci2539]

Barefoot - why do you feel you need someplace to go in the summer?

I was down TV last July and it was cooler in the evening compared to what we had back home in IL. The elevation is higher in TV so you do enjoy the cooler breeze that comes in at night.

I wanted to own two places too - because my kids and grandkids live near me but it's not financially possible plus I didn't really want the maintenance of two homes.

Just my opinion. I'm sure Canada is beautiful in the summer but I felt TV was beautiful even with the summer heat.

[Barefoot]

Barefoot - why do you feel you need someplace to go in the summer?

I was down TV last July and it was cooler in the evening compared to what we had back home in IL. The elevation is higher in TV so you do enjoy the cooler breeze that comes in at night.

I wanted to own two places too - because my kids and grandkids live near me but it's not financially possible plus I didn't really want the maintenance of two homes.

Just my opinion. I'm sure Canada is beautiful in the summer but I felt TV was beautiful even with the summer heat.


Nanci - I would LOVE to live in the Villages full time .. it wouldn't be my choice to leave in the summer! But the U.S. Government will only allow us to stay in the U.S. 180 days in each calendar year. We sure don't want the expense and hassle of maintaining two residences. Unfortunately we just don't have a choice in the matter. We are really grateful that we "discovered" TV and six months a year is better than nothing!

[gogond]

Property Taxes in Fla. Bad ??? Please come and live in NJ and then see what you think about property taxes. I have a modest 2000sf home in bergen co. NNJ and my taxes this year are over $9200 and I haven't been reassess yet for a new bathroom. I'm sure next year will put me over $10,000. I hate to say it but NJ is the most corrupt state in this country. I can't wait to get to TV. Education is about 3/4 of our taxes. In my town we pay about $12,000 per student. $12,000 for grade school education??? Drives me crazy. I'll take Fla. Taxes any time next to what I have now. I estimate that I will save about $10,000 a year between property taxes and car insurance.

[F16 1UB]

Also---

When I left Ft.Lauderdale 2 years ago I was paying $ 7,000.00 ( SEVEN THOUSAND )

my homeowners insurance was 3,500.00

And going up.

Last year I paid 1,100 for taxes here.

550.00 for insurance.

My auto insurance went down 900.00 moving here.

That is why I made the moved.

Plus I love here.




And if you live in KY you have to pay personal property tax upon the purchase of your license plates. Every time I purchase a new vehicle I feel as though I'm penalized. Sales tax & property tax. B.S.

Steve

[Avista]

This is the web site for the Sumter County Appraisers Office
(May have to Copy/Paste)
http://www.sumterpa.com/
Telephone number is 352-753-3877
I talked with "Sherri" and she was very nice and informative.
Look at the sidebar on the left and check out SuperHomestead.

If the amendment is passed, it looks like our real estate taxes will go from $2526 (house and land) this year to $632 next year. Sherri gave us our info to put into the super homestead calculator.

Hope this is helpful.

[bamafan]

Avista, What is the concensus on the Super Tax. While I have not yet had to deal with Fla property taxes they are a lot higher than what I am used to. The Super Tax seems more reasonable to me. It seems that their rate of adjustment of 7% is rather high especially when as I understand it the law allows a cap of 3% on assessed value. At the 3% cap it takes a long time for things to catch up to me. The savings are enormous. The local govts are going to have to make it up somewhere. I kinda feel that I am missing something.

[bobfl]

Avista,
What kind of figures did you use to get a change like that? I tried an average TV house with a assessment of about $180,000 and true value of about $250,000 and the taxes rapidly skyrocket using "Super Homestead" In not too many years the taxes will drive most folks on a fixed income right out of their house. Check out the graphing functions at the bottom. It is quite an eye opener!

[Avista]

With the superhomestead exemption, we who are buying or have recently bought a home will have an enormous savings. Those who have lived in their homes for years will not. We bought our last house in Tampa in 1993. Since property taxes could only be raised 3%/year, it was quite a decision to sell this house. Also, the economy/ housing market slows if people do not want to sell or can't sell their home. If I understand this amendment, it says people get a one time choice that can't be changed whether they want the old system or the new superhomestead exemption. I see the superhomestead exception being very good for the housing market. This would, of course, bring in revenue.

That is IF the amendment passes.

Perhaps someone out there understands this better than I do.

[Avista]

bobfl, Our assessed value is $179,852. The tax rate is 14.05. Are these the figures you wanted? $632 is the figure we got the first year. True it does go up each year, but I think about the next 20 years we will do better with the superexemption than with the old 3% cap. Also $632 is the figure we were given when we called. Is my thinking right? Correct me if I'm wrong.

[kitscottage]

How long do you have to be a resident of FL to qualify for Homesteader's? Do you have to be a resident for 6 months to qualify?

[Avista]

I believe one must be a full time Florida resident. Also one must have been a resident in the house on Jan. 1st to get the exception for that year. We moved in Feb 16, and were NOT able to get our exemption for 2007. We have filed to get it for 2008. I think the forms for filing are on the appraiser's site and at the appraiser's office.

[bobfl]

Avista,

The tricky figure seems to be the second entry in the formula. What did they give you for "JUST" value? My guess is that "JUST" value will be more than the assessed value. If it is not it may be OK. But remember this thing is only proposed and all details are not clear. If you run the program it appears to use the "JUST" value to do the computations. At the very least the "JUST" value may be +15% over assessed and my guess is its probably market value which would most likely be much higher.
In your case they are using the 179500 figure for both entries. I wonder why they ask for the "JUST" value if they are only going to use the assessed value. I'm sure you know that over time the assessed value has generally dropped in relation to the market value due to the 3% SOH limit.
This whole thing reminds me of "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you"
But I must say for your figures you would come out ahead for 10 years.

[Barefoot]

How long do you have to be a resident of FL to qualify for Homesteader's? Do you have to be a resident for 6 months to qualify?


Kitscottage - I was told the following: "You have to be a full-time resident of Florida to qualify for Homesteaders. Six months won't do it. If you are "seasonal", no homesteaders break for you!"

If you are from the U.K. or Canada, you are not permitted to stay in the US longer than six months. Hope this helps.

[Avista]

bobfl, My husband said that since we bought our home this year, assessed value and just value would be the same. This is how we got our figures. Tax rate is 14.05.It is all confusing and covers only house and land--not other assessments.
I'm sure no expert, but try to understand what is going on.

[Frangyomory]

We pay about $1700 a year for our 2/2 courtyard villa on a corner lot. Much better than we paid in Virginia.

[Happy Villager]

I would like to add my thoughts to the issue of Super Homestead. My concern is if the real estate appreciation rate is historically 7% to 10% per year, switching to Super Homestead will increase my taxes over the Save Our Homes rate in 11 years and that is using just a 7% appreciation. Under the 10% apprecation it will take only 7 years. We plan on keeping this home and hopefully we will be here more than 20 years so we definitely will make out better keeping Save Our Homes. The historical 7-10% appreciation was taken right from the Sumter County site on their calculator. On went on both Sumter County and Lake County and used their calculators and entered the figures using 5% all the way up to 10% and I'm here to say it is scary what the jump in taxes will be in 20 years under Super Homestead. I think everyone should go on the sites and put in their figures to see for themselves.

[noleguy]

The one thing that bothers me about the Super Homestead deal is how do the counties make up for all that tax money they would normally receive to continue the county services. For example, Seminole County has had to lower their tax rates, as mandated by the state, so now they are considering just adding "fees" to support certain services they provide. So what is really gained??

[Avista]

Well, they've got to make it easier for people to sell their homes after living in them for several years. The folks who never move make out like bandits at the 3%/year increase. The problem comes when you want to sell. The property taxes go way up for the buyers. Also, when folks move from the house they have lived in for a long, long time, buy another home, their taxes go WAY up. This discourages buying a new home, and also isn't good for the housing market in Florida.

[jjdees]

I still find it hard to believe the way they assess homes in Florida. I wonder if all the counties do it the same way. This method results in identical properties being assessed grossly different values. Picture 2 identical houses on identical lots, no improvements after purchase, one has been lived in by one owner for the last 10 years, the second recently purchased. The resulting taxes on one at maybe $2500, and the second one at maybe $4500. That's no different than identical taxable income being taxed at different rates. Our government at work.

[Avista]

That is exactly what happens!

[efrahin]

Designer homes are those with tax breaks.

Not sure what you mean.

Florida has and still has a very serious problem with property taxes.

Have you read about how people have been taxed out of their homes?

And not being able to pay the very expensive Homeowners Insurance?

The Villages is simply a developement in central Florida.

People in Dade, Broward, Monroe and Palm Beach counties are getting

slaughered with high taxes and insurance.

I am sure Tampa and Naples area are high too.

Each and every homeowner who lives year round here and calls Florida home

has a 25,000 homestead excemption ( SAVE OUR HOMES )

If you are widowed or disabled ; an additional 500.00

We have give an additional break to the elderly who are barely getting by.

And we have plenty of elderly here in Florida who are in dire straits.

Sorry to go on and on.

I get a little nuts when I hear negative things about Florida.

I have lived in Florida for 37 years. This is home.

If you want a break in property taxes make us your permenent home.