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NEWS > RED PHONE


Red phone: Undervalued, overtaxed?
May 1, 2008
 By The Crimson Crusader

When the Crimson Crusader first bought his secret lair, the Burgundy Bungalow, for $250,000 in 2004 he paid $3,100 per year in property taxes. But when the X-Men moved next door in '06, they threw mutant parties every night and drove down the value of all the homes in the area.

Now not only does our hero have to try and sleep over the sound of Wolverine howling and Storm thundering, he also still pays the same $3,100 per year in taxes.

Laurie, this week's caller, said if her home's value goes down, so should her taxes.

The Crimson Crusader called Javana Sammons at the San Benito County Assessor's Office for the answer.

"Look at your home's value in today's market," she said. "If it's gone down below market value from when you bought it, consider filling out a petition for reassessment to get your taxes lowered."

The county assessor will look at building records then adjust the taxes to reflect the value of the home. Sammons said people should be paying around 1.25 percent of their homes value in taxes each year. Petitions should be filed as soon as possible; however, there is a waiting list at the assessor's office, and Sammons said it will be at least July until they begin getting back to people with answers.


The Crimson Crusader
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