Ever since we moved into this house we have noticed that it is listed as a double. It isn't. As far as I know it has always been a single family home. It's only had 4 owners before us and one of them was for a really long time (30 years). It's possible that during the early 40's one owner took in borders. When given the opportunity to change information that comes with the tax estimate we have always indicated that it's not a double but it still comes up listed as one. Does this make a difference and how can we change it?
Thanks
David
House is not a double problem
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David Bargetzi
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- Location: Lakewood, OH
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dl meckes
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- Location: Lakewood
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David Bargetzi
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- Location: Lakewood, OH
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dl meckes wrote:I'd like to know what you find out. The county thinks we have an extra bedroom, no matter what we tell them.
We haven't found that bedroom yet, but we keep looking. Maybe it's underground or in another dimension. So far they haven't given us any clues.
If it turns out to be in another dimension would you please have me over? I have often noticed that certain stores seem to have so much stuff in them (like Discount Drug Mart) that they must be contained in hyper-space or something.
David
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Will Brown
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- Location: Lakewood
double or not
I don't know how old your home is, but it could certainly be about a hundred years old, and during that time it may have been altered from a double to a single. Do you, for example, have two bathrooms upstairs, or even one very large one? That could be an indication of remodeling, since one small one was very common in older homes around here.
One problem I think of is that when the county appraises our homes, they very rarely come out and do a real appraisal, rather, they assign a value to your home based on the values assigned to very similar homes (usually based on recent sales). My general belief is that doubles have a higher valuation than singles in the same neighborhood, so I think that by considering your home a double in their records, the country may very well be overvaluing your home and setting your taxes too high.
My suggestion would be that you contact city hall and ask them how to fix this. They very well may not know, but at least it won't cost you any attorney's fees for asking.
You could probably find an attorney who could remedy this, but that is likely to be costly.
If nothing else, when they assess the value of your home, you can write them and disagree with the value assigned; I would at that time contest their records showing your single is a double. If they persist in their evaluation, ask for a hearing. You will have an opportunity to appear before them and ask how they arrived at the valuation assigned, and challenge their records showing the home is a double. I had a hearing years ago and it was very low key and friendly, but I suspect the demeanor of the homeowner could affect that. You would want to have evidence that the home is not a double, and some recent sales figures on doubles and comparable singles; they will have these too, but it is always good to be prepared so you can guide them to a fair resolution.
Unfortunately, they only reassess every six years, I think, and I suspect you are too late to challenge the last one, so you have a wait involved.
One problem I think of is that when the county appraises our homes, they very rarely come out and do a real appraisal, rather, they assign a value to your home based on the values assigned to very similar homes (usually based on recent sales). My general belief is that doubles have a higher valuation than singles in the same neighborhood, so I think that by considering your home a double in their records, the country may very well be overvaluing your home and setting your taxes too high.
My suggestion would be that you contact city hall and ask them how to fix this. They very well may not know, but at least it won't cost you any attorney's fees for asking.
You could probably find an attorney who could remedy this, but that is likely to be costly.
If nothing else, when they assess the value of your home, you can write them and disagree with the value assigned; I would at that time contest their records showing your single is a double. If they persist in their evaluation, ask for a hearing. You will have an opportunity to appear before them and ask how they arrived at the valuation assigned, and challenge their records showing the home is a double. I had a hearing years ago and it was very low key and friendly, but I suspect the demeanor of the homeowner could affect that. You would want to have evidence that the home is not a double, and some recent sales figures on doubles and comparable singles; they will have these too, but it is always good to be prepared so you can guide them to a fair resolution.
Unfortunately, they only reassess every six years, I think, and I suspect you are too late to challenge the last one, so you have a wait involved.