How Your Property Taxes Can Cost You Extra?

Pay attention to your property taxes. If you don’t, it could end up costing you thousands of dollars.

It’s that time of year again—you’re about to get your property taxes notice.

Because most people’s property taxes are paid through their mortgage company, they don’t even really pay that much attention to them. You should pay attention to them, though. If you don’t, it could cost you a lot of money. 

Only pay the taxes that you should.

How? Once the county sends your bill to the mortgage company, they don’t evaluate it to make sure it’s correct or not. That’s your responsibility. If your property is owner-occupied, your tax rate should be 4%. This is much lower than it would be if it was an investment property, which is taxed at a 6% rate. 

That margin doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it can add up quickly. If your property tax bill is $2,000 on your owner-occupied property, it would be $5,000 or $6,000 on an investment property. The county—in its infamous wisdom—has decided that any property that is transferred is transferred for investment purposes, even though less than 10% of them are actually transferred for investment purposes.

When you get your tax bill, verify that your property is classified as owner-occupied and you’re being charged the proper tax rate. If it isn’t, make sure you notify the county so they can make the correction. 

If you have any questions about property taxes, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or shoot us an email. We would be happy to help you! 

Fall Maintenance Tips for Your Columbia Home

With fall in full swing, now is a great time to make sure your home is protected for the coming winter months. Here are our tips.

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Now that the fall season is in full swing, we wanted to give you some maintenance tips to make sure your Columbia home is prepared for the coming winter. Your home is one of your biggest investments, so protecting it is important. The fall is a great time to do a once-over and make sure everything is functioning properly. Here are a few things you should check out:

1. Your roof. Take a look at your roof and make sure to note any leaks or damaged shingles. One damaged shingle can cause serious issues if left unchecked.

2. Wood trim and siding. If there is any deterioration here, the trim and siding may need to be repainted or replaced altogether.

3. Check windows and interior doors. If you have older windows or hollow doors, now might be the time to upgrade them. Not only do insulated doors and windows provide more security, but they will help you save on your energy bill as well.

4. Have your home inspected by a professional. You should do this at least once a year, and now is a great time to have that done. Serious issues in your home that are left undetected will wind up costing much more than they will if you catch them early with an inspector.

5. Heating and air systems. It’s also a good time to have some winter maintenance done on your heating and air systems and have them inspected. Have the person who inspects them check your ductwork as well. We have seen ducts come unconnected in some houses, which leads to you paying to heat your crawl spaces rather than your home itself.

6. Check to see if the railings are secure. You don’t want to create a situation where an accident may occur.

These are just a few things for you to look at in your home this fall. Regular inspection and maintenance will help you protect your home. If you have any questions, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.