[John Mayes]

Originally Posted by johnsocat

does anyone know what the "maintenance " fee is for?

estimated revenues
appropriations
111 executive salaries
211 social security taxes
212 medicare taxes
241 worker's compensation
311 management fees
312 engineering services
313 legal services
314 tax collector fees
319 other professional svcs
322 auditing services
343 systems mgmt support
412 postage
431 electricity
434 irrigation water
451 casualty & liability insur
462 building structure maint
463 landscape maint-recurring
464 landscape maint-non recurring
468 irrigation repair
469 other maintenance
471 printing & binding
491 bank charges
493 permits & licenses
497 legal advertising
498 project wide fees
522 operating supplies

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by dolphin

Curious why you decided to pay off your bond

We paid off our bond in 2018 because it had a 7% interest rate and our savings account had about a 1% rate.

[Karmanng]

Originally Posted by Tvflguy

Held my breath opening the envelope. Exhaled as I saw tax bill was $18.00 more than last years. Phew.

We payed our bond off a couple years ago so only had the “maintenance”’ $498.

Fire Assessment $125.

Considering current inflation going on, I’m OK…

MINE went way UP $832.00 I dont have homestead yet and bought last year quit the STICKER SHOCK not sure on moving to TV at all now.........

[GoRedSox!]

Everything is a matter of perspective and timing....

In Connecticut, property taxes are much higher. While we have no bond on the house, many do have sewer assessment bonds. We also have property tax on on our cars. We also have state income tax. Sales tax is 6.35%. No tolls, though. And no maintenance fees.

We also do not get a 4% discount for paying a few months early. We get an interest rate of 18% and a late fee if the tax is not paid within 30 days of the due date. And there is no homestead exemption. Revaluations take place every 4-5 years, but taxable value can be added to your home in the interim if you put in a major improvement, like central a/c, a new kitchen, or a remodeled basement.

Our tax in Florida seems eminently reasonable and fair, but again, it's a matter of perspective and timing...

[justjim]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

Oh gee….more whiney money posts from “poor” Villagers worried about a little increase.

Spot on ! Villagers are rich and I thought everybody knew that!

[Gpsma]

I got my tax bill today. I opened it in fear and trepidation….if it was too much, id have to live on cold cans of pork and beans…becuse, im in the Villages…we all live on fixed incomes!!!

Oh, i jumped for joy…it was 10% of what i paid in the north.

Now i can afford to eat t Lopez instead of McDonalds

[justjim]

Let me clarify things! We all just lease our property from the “Government”. (It’s actually several government entities). If you fail to pay your taxes, your lease will expire. Isn’t this a great country or what!

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

Just curious why you would pay it off now? Not sure what the interest rate on your bond is but ours is, if I remember correctly 3.12%. No way I’m taking money that’s making 5.5% to pay that off.

Two reasons
1. As balance goes down administrative fee added to interest cost makes cost of bond higher as percentage.
2. We can and do not like owing money.

[morchol]

Kind of a jerk reply

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Singerlady

Gee, I thought they were informative.

The tag line states all we need to know

[Kenswing]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Two reasons
1. As balance goes down administrative fee added to interest cost makes cost of bond higher as percentage.
2. We can and do not like owing money.

I get it. My wife is extremely debt phobic and refused to take out a mortgage when we bought this house even though rates were sub 3%. I wasn’t about to fight that one. lol
Luckily the bond is attached to the tax bill and not a monthly payment or I’m sure I’d have to pay it off too.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

I get it. My wife is extremely debt phobic and refused to take out a mortgage when we bought this house even though rates were sub 3%. I wasn’t about to fight that one. lol
Luckily the bond is attached to the tax bill and not a monthly payment or I’m sure I’d have to pay it off too.

Still not sure we will do it but doubt if we will pay it to maturity.

[mtdjed]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

My decrease in property tax was canceled by an increase in maintenance. Then the school tax increase raised my overall payment by about $200.

Take a look at your bill while looking at your bill history. My bill for 2023 is actually $3 less than my bill was in 2011. I would bet that most people will find the same long-term trend assuming no construction enlargement.

Seems like somebody must be doing right.

[Randall55]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

Ugh! First tax bill for me since buying a different house, mortgage free and bond paid off, and paying the tax directly instead of by escrow. Including the “maintenance” fee and fire, $3,400. Ouch! But it beats having a mortgage. So, that’s almost $300 a month, plus about $270 for amenities fee, water, and sewer, plus around $100 for electricity. That’s $670 a month. Home insurance on my courtyard villa brings that up to close to $900. I’m not complaining. It’s just interesting to me to see the numbers. I think most people here pay more.

The monthly cost of a home is getting to a point where renting may be a better option. But, everyone must look at their finances and do what is best for them.

[ohioshooter]

We received our first tax bill today and am in total shock. Several K more than expected.