Recent comments in /f/pittsburgh

burritoace t1_j6ldbqr wrote

Reply to comment by ktxhopem3276 in School Me on the Property Tax Assessment Appeal by 3RudySquared

>Frequency of assessment has no effect either way on newcomer tax if the common level ratio is accurate.

There is no CLR if assessments happen on a short, regular schedule. The whole thing is a dumb workaround for a crappy, inconsistent system.

>Most interior modifications don’t require permits unless they are structural.

All building systems typically require permits if they are modified/upgraded. Most substantial interior improvements require structural work in Pittsburgh homes.

>The housing market is heavily weighted toward flashy cosmetic updates to drive up the price.

And these are captured when a house is reassessed at sale.

> Nobody wants assessments to be invasive interior inspections.

That's fine because most interior cosmetic renovations don't have a huge impact on property value.

>Many exterior modifications can be non obvious like roof and window replacements which don’t require permits.

These improvements alone don't have a significant impact on property value. If you put a new roof on your house you won't get anywhere close to 100% of the cost out anytime soon. The same goes for windows, unless you enlarge them (which requires a permit).

>In a low priced neighborhood, renovations can double the house price with no permit updates

A proportional doubling in a low-price neighborhood has less of an impact on the overall tax levied on that property. And these improvements are less likely to have that impact in a neighborhood that is otherwise less desirable (which causes the low prices in the first place).

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ktxhopem3276 t1_j6lda83 wrote

Reply to comment by burritoace in School Me on the Property Tax Assessment Appeal by 3RudySquared

If I buy a 100,000 house and before I bought it the windows roof and carpet were replaced for 20,000 and common ratio is 50, I pay taxes on 50,000. If I buy that house before the repairs are made for 80,000 and pay the 20,000 to renovate, I pay taxes on 80,000. Unless I’m missing something, the first scenario I would pay a whopping 25% more in taxes than the second option. Over a 30 year mortgage on a 100,000 house at 30 mils that’s an extra 18,000 in taxes for a renovated house versus a fixer upper

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X_PRSN t1_j6lc1ac wrote

Reply to Looking for horsey smelling things by rudesby

I was going to post a smartass comment, but then I read the story and OP is actually sweet and the best owner a dog could ask for, so my conscience said neigh.

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kniki217 t1_j6lbxga wrote

Reply to Is everyone's utilities pricing insane or am I getting screwed? by peon2

I'm near you and that's really high. I live in a 1000sq ft house. My electric averages $125 during winter and $175 during summer and that's with a 1950s antique beer fridge sucking up power and 3 pcs always on (2 work and 1 gaming). My gas bill was $140 on 68 and that's not on the budget billing. Water is 70 and sewage is separate that is $40.

Edit to add my insulation is shit so that's not helping keep my bill down

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ktxhopem3276 t1_j6lbvd1 wrote

Reply to comment by burritoace in School Me on the Property Tax Assessment Appeal by 3RudySquared

Frequency of assessment has no effect either way on newcomer tax if the common level ratio is accurate. Most interior modifications don’t require permits unless they are structural. The housing market is heavily weighted toward flashy cosmetic updates to drive up the price. Nobody wants assessments to be invasive interior inspections. Many exterior modifications can be non obvious like roof and window replacements which don’t require permits. In a low priced neighborhood, renovations can double the house price with no permit updates

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