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Peace, Love and LOWER Taxes!

I purchased a house last year in Woodstock, NY, and the town assessor, assessed it for $50,000 more than it was purchase, which obviously ticked me off. Okay, so I generally sniff out good deals when I see them, but come on Your Royal Assessorness. The purchase price dictated it's market value and nothing sans the occassional fix was done to improve it. Even though prices in Ulster County are not freefalling like a Six Flaggs ride, like many other parts of the country, we are not gaining the estimated 8% in a matter of months that the town is claiming. So if you own property and have had it up to here with escalating property taxes and assessments, as my clients and I are, you do have an option: GRIEVANCE DAY.

In most Ulster County municipalities, Grievance Day is May 27. On this day property owners are allowed to take their case before the Board of Assessment Review. You can file the review on that day, but it’s advised to do it earlier to make sure you have completed all the necessary forms and have built a case for your grievance.
To build a case for your property tax grievance you want to have comparables. You want to make sure the comparables you are using are similar in style, age, lot size and are within your municipality. Don’t overload the assessor with comparables make sure you get 3-5 of the best. There are others grieving so you don’t want to overload them with paperwork, you want to make your point clear and concise. If you are denied a reduction you can always appeal through small claims court of the State Supreme Court. Whether you are able to reduce your taxes or not, you’ve participated in the process to make property taxes distributed fairly in that town.

Here are some dates and websites that might be helpful!

May 21 – You can file your grievance with supporting documentation
May 27 – Grievance Day (some towns might differ so check with your assessor first)
July 1 – The final assessment roll is filed. You will have been informed of the decision and have 30 days to file for a small claims assessment review.

www.ahahome.com/propertytax/

www.orps.state.ny.us/pamphlet/complain/howtofile/index.htm

Fight for your right to pay only your FAIR share of taxes!!

Peace, love and LOWER TAXES! Please!
Cree

Good Morning Woodstock - It's Time to Hike!

The snow is melting not nearly as quickly as it came, but now that ski season is on its way out spring flowers are ready to pop out!

We have some fun things coming up in the spring. It may be a little too soon to jump into the Esopus and travel down on tubes with Town Tinker Tube Rental but the hiking trails have started to shed their slippery sheath so a good winding may be in order.

You can try one of my favorite hikes up Overlook Fire Tower
the views are to die for. And if you aren't afraid of heights climbing the tower is a real treat. Make sure you get to the end of the trail and not just to the Overlook Mountain House ruins. You'll find a rock ledge with carvings from nearly 100 years ago...ancient graffiti!

If you've got the energy, going it several miles further will put you at your own private lake (okay not 100% private, but what do you want?), Echo Lake.

There are also easier trails in Wilson State Park off of Wittenberg Road and at the end of Mink Hollow Road (off of Rt 212 in the Lake Hill part of Woodstock) as well as in Mount Tremper where Woodstock meet Phoenicia. The last hike has more narrow trails but amazing views nonetheless!

Enjoy!
Cree
Barqua Real Estate and Design
www.Barqua.com