No matter how you look at it, the seller does pay. If the seller gets caught forwarding the cost in any manner or form they are breaking the law and can be prosecuted. And you know as well as I do that the buyer is going to balk at any attempt to build it into the cost. And, as I stated, loading it to the sell price is stupid in a down housing market. The county has more than "one" option. Being blindsided on alternate funding sources is the biggest problem in this county. The first resource for funds should come from those creating the surge. Businesses directly related to assisting the growth and then those who profit from the growth. Instead of "back" funding our needs we have to start restricting the growth to a managable level. If you have a flood between 2 dams you reduce the water flow at the upper dam. You don't throw money at raising the lower dam. I'm not moving "within" the county so the math is moot. The carpetbaggers can have the whole dam state. I'm tired of hearing them complain about how bad it is here. They've also ruined the culture, the quality of a slower life and the sceanery. Nothing left to stay here for. If you're going to stay then you should pay.
If I stand to pay a tax on selling a home for $200,000 then the 0.4% is $800, right? So I list my house for $200,800. The tax I have to pay is now $803.20 and there is nothing illegal about that. If the buyer talks me down to $200,400 then my out of pocket for the tax is $401.60 (much less than the whole thing). Even in a down market a $800 to $1,000 increase in list price is not bad. By the way, we are talking about out of control growth so I don't see any down markets around here. Maybe in the future, but...we don't exactly plan for things around here do we? Okay, but for folks who did want to live in Johnston County...most of you don't move every five years. The math is very relavant when you look at it like this. Granted, you can never know when or how much they'll raise property taxes. I would much rather pay as I move than to pay more every year. My $800 example goes a long way if you plan to live in that house for around five years.
http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/2013661/ Here is an update on the Clayton Council seat problem.
WRAL has it wrong. Lawter and Holder are the two in question, Harding is in. Provisional ballots, West Clayton and right now North Clayton are in question. Candidates tell me that the Town Council is discussing how to handle this along with the BOE. Grace
Amen and amen Brother Clif!!! The commissioners will raise property taxes at some point, but they'll still be re-elected. Just hope all the ones that are so against these taxes will think about that the next time bond issues come up and they want everyone to vote yes on them.
I am well aware we are suffering some growing pains in this county. I would just like the pain to be spread to everyone, not just homeowners.
I know I did not vote for town council since I had no idea who these folks were. I voted for Jody McLeod for mayor. What i was happy to hear is that the land transfer tax failed in ALL 16 counties it was on the ballot. It failed by an average of 3 to 1! As a matter of fact tax increase ballot measures NATIONWIDE failed! Even a cigarette tax hike in the very blue state of Oregon.
Hugh, Thanks for the Post. It is important that when we vote it is done correctly so that the person the majority of voters want in office get in. The mix up (and I am being polite) in Clayton was just too close. Grace
