My brother-in-law is an artistic type who happens to be a lawyer. He has a unique eye and I don’t always agree.
We were viewing some project photos and he picked a couple out as pictures for framing. I didn’t consider them anything but a picture to record the state of things prior to renovation. I often take pics of wiring and plumbing prior to tearing apart or buttoning up.
Well, if you live in Lancaster, NY, you probably received a lovely letter yesterday regarding your property taxes and your property assessment. There were increases that appear across the board. The equalization rate is no longer as we have moved to 100% valuation. The increases are staggering in many cases.
The town of Lancaster continues to spend, and spend, and spend on projects that don’t benefit the town as a whole.
There is a new police and courts facility in the works ($8,000,000 Plus).
There is the new use of a former library for an emergency management office (that’s right, Lancaster has one).
There is the proposed recreational facility that will certainly add long term costs.
etc. etc.
Let’s not forget that use of these properties suddenly pulls them off the tax rolls. And, in the case where a sale is possible, eliminates the funds from a sale (Depew Library is a prime example).
Many will be fighting the new assessment figures. In a couple of cases, I will be one of them. If you aren’t familiar with the tools available to you for searching property information here are a couple:
I know that there is quite a bit of state and/or federal funding drying up for Towns and Villages. How about cutting costs rather than continuing to spend. If a surplus builds, cut taxes!
Whoever it was the created this demonstration for GE’s SmartGrid project had some creativity. This is one of the coolest demonstrations of recognition (Facial recognition applied to an object). You must watch the video below.
You can do this yourself. It is a very cool party type demo. All that is needed is a web cam. Turn up the speakers since there is audio. In fact, blow into your microphone to create artificial wind. You will see the windmills really start to spin.
Editorial:
I would be that the cratering economy and locked consumer pocketbooks will bring many more discounts and coupons. Holy cow, are we in for a rough couple of years. Wait a minute, I sound like the doom and gloom media. There is no question, that our economy is facing a rough patch. These things happen. However, you need to sit back and ask yourself if your situation has changed. I am sure any equity based account you have is way down, but if your earnings are stable and your job is solid, then you are in the cat birds seat.
There is no better time to be a buyer!
Take advantage of all of the discounts and coupons to come. In fact, if you have ever considered getting into real estate by buying a rental property or an alternative investment, the next year will be the time for you. There will be fewer and fewer buyers who qualify to purchase property. There are more and more properties hitting the market. This thing is going to feed on itself for a while.
Become a buyer! Take advantage of this down market to improve your own position. You aren’t being a vulture, you are helping to right the ship.
