August 6, 2008
Challenge Your Tax Assessment
With prices and taxes rising everywhere, what's a consumer to do? Challenge what you can!! I copied from the St. Louis County Government Assessment Web page: http://revenue.stlouisco.com/Assessment/ some information about challenging your tax assessment.
Assessment Division the Assessment Division discovers, identifies, classifies and assesses all real and personal property within Saint Louis County. The assessed value is applied to the tax rates established by the taxing districts to determine the amount of tax levied against a property. Functionally, the Division is comprised of:
- Abstract
- Appraisal report
- Personal Property
- Real Property by Missouri State law, the Assessor is required to reassess all real property to market value every other (odd) year. The process involves estimating values on about 389,000 parcels of real property, providing owners the opportunity to appeal, then finalizing, certifying and communicating the values to the individual taxing districts. Throughout the process, the staff of the Assessor’s Office makes every effort to treat our customers fairly and to provide information in a clear and accessible manner.
Phil Muehlheausler Assessor
Saint Louis County Assessment
41 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105-1799
Assessor's Office/Referral to an Advocate: 314-615-4230
Just click here: dtippit@remax.net and rant!
August 5, 2008
FSBO-NOT, Why?
Mostly because (85-90% of the time) your buyer will be represented by an experienced real estate professional - and knowledge IS power - (agents, who will expect for a minimum 2.7% commission from you). Here are other FSBO Facts:
- Buyers know the commission is built into area comparable house sales and will deduct 6% to 7%, plus an additional 3% for negotiating position from their offer to FSBO sellers.
- FSBO buyers want a bargain and want to “save” the agent commission. Today’s buyers are busy. They don’t have time to seek the FSBO out. They look on the Internet or want a realtor to research the market for only the houses they’re interested in.
- Buyers will look at average 10 to 12 properties before making a purchasing decision. The number one source of available properties is the Multiple Listing Service.
- Agents provide the crucial third party negotiating buffer between buyer and seller; with the trained intent on getting the most money for the seller.
- FSBO Sellers typically lack market knowledge, trend interpretation and pricing experience to produce successful real estate sales results.
- FSBO Sellers have limited marketing resources to attract buyers. More buyers mean a higher price faster.
- As many as 35% of buyers are relocating from out of town and rely on the real estate community for potential purchases.
- Finding a buyer is the first step in the sales process. Residential sale contracts are written in favor of the buyer; with many dissolution clauses.
- National statistics show only 13% of homes are sold without an agent and many of those include a commission for the buyer’s agent with no representation for the Seller.
Just click here: dtippit@remax.net and rant!
August 4, 2008
Moving requires extensive planning, teamwork and understanding. The experience does not have to be traumatic. It can be rewarding and meaningful. Here are some suggestions to help you organize for a smooth move.
Plan Ahead
- Plan your travel itinerary. Make transportation and lodging reservations in advance.
- Send change of address to: - post office (give forwarding address) - Charge accounts and credit cards - subscriptions (change notice requires several weeks) - friends and relatives
- Contact gas, electric and telephone companies in new location to arrange for immediate service.
- Arrange insurance on the new home prior to the transfer of property.
- Arrange for your present bank to establish credit references for new bank accounts.
- Service appliances before moving.
- Clean rugs and have them wrapped.
- Discontinue deliveries, electricity, water, gas, newspapers and garbage collection, etc.
- Obtain copies or transfer your children's school records.
- Obtain records from doctors and dentists, including eyeglass prescriptions, dental X-rays and vaccinations.
- Cancel club memberships.
- Transfer car title registration, if necessary, as well as driver's license, city windshield sticker and motor club membership.
- Pay existing bills and cancel local charge accounts.
- Check on personal items that may be at the photo shop, bank safe deposit box, neighbor's house, on lay-a-way or in the repair shop (i.e. shoes, jewelry, small appliances or clothing).
- Arrange for transporting pets and obtain immunization records from the vet.
- Return all library books and anything borrowed from friends.
- Notify the religious leader of your church or synagogue.
- Carry traveler's checks for quick, available funds.
- Plan for special care and needs of infants.
- Arrange for transporting plants.
- Service the car for the trip.
- Disconnect the telephone.
- Review moving plans with your moving company representative including insurance for packing and unpacking, arrival date, payment agreement, shipping papers, etc.
One Week Before Moving
- Clean and air out your stove.
- Defrost refrigerator and freezer 24 hours before leaving.
- Place charcoal or baking soda inside refrigerator and freezer to dispel odors.
- Dispose of all open cans and jars which cannot be tightly sealed.
- Remember to pack your telephone directory for future reference.
Survival Checklist Here are items you may need immediately upon arriving at your new home. Cleaning:
- Soap powder
- Kitchen cleanser
- Dish towels
- Paper towels
- Dish cloth
- Steel wool pads
- Sponge
- Window cleaner
- Scrub brush
- Mop
- Broom
Kitchen:
- Paper plates, cups, napkins
- Plastic knives, forks, spoons
- Plastic pitcher for drinks
- Small saucepan
- Serving spoons
- Tea kettle
Bathroom:
- Facial tissue
- Toilet tissue
- Bath towel
- Shower curtain
- Face cloth
- Bath soap
- First aid kit
- Aspirin
- Prescription medicine
Miscellaneous:
- Light bulbs
- Flashlight
- Hammer, screwdriver, pliers
- Aluminum foil
- Shelf paper
- Trash bags
- Twine
- Newspaper
Children:
- Coloring books and crayons
- Favorite toys
- Reading materials
- Puzzles
- Small surprise gift
Snacks:
- Easy-open cans of pudding
- Sandwich spreads
- Jars of cheese
- Packages of crackers
- Instant creamer, sugar, salt
- Dry soup mix
- Boxes of dry cereal, raisins
- Instant coffee, tea, chocolate
- Fresh fruit
On Your Moving Day
- Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with a friend or relative.
- Carry all currency, jewelry and personal papers (birth certificates, deeds and documents).
- Double check closets, drawers and shelves to be sure they are empty.
- Confirm hotel reservations.
- Leave all old keys needed by the tenant or owner with your sales associate.
