Cut Those Property Taxes

What impact with this week’s flood have on Woodstock’s already-depressed housing market?

This week-end I was helping a friend rip up carpet and padding in her townhome, and she told me that a real estate agent had shown up that morning with a prospective buyer. Great timing, eh?

She had notified her own agent of the water damage on Friday afternoon and had asked that there be no showings on the week-end. Apparently, her agent did not notify the buyer’s agent when that agent scheduled the showing or, if the showing was already scheduled, did not notify the buyer’s agent to postpone the showing.

Every seller knows that the buyer’s agent wants a home empty when the prospective buyer is shown the house. There are many reasons for this. Any agent can explain them.

If I were looking at a house and considering its purchase and, when I toured it, I saw recent water damage, I have one four-letter word for the agent, “N-E-X-T!!!”

So, back to the question. How much will this week’s flooding really cost Woodstock homeowners? My guess is, “A bundle.”

When you get your property tax notice, you’d better hot-foot it over to the right County (or Township) Department and file your property tax assessment protest. If your property value dropped $50,000, you’ll want the reduction in assessment and corresponding reduction in property taxes.

The window for contesting property taxes is small. Find out now exactly what the rules are and start preparing your appeal of the assessment. DO IT NOW…