Sadly, no. This area has an ATROCIOUS record for allowing zoning for multi-residential. I think the numbers I heard a few years back were in excess of 90% of requests granted. Pathetic.

But the ZBA has been on the side of homeowners lately. The old argument for conversion used to be hardship but that's a tough argument to win in this real estate market.

I was quite surprised to see that home go condo. It kind of took us all by surprise.

I think the reason that it was granted is that they already had multiple garages in back.

__________________
--

www.taxgirl.com

I can't stress enough that seniors with fixed incomes are eligible for real estate tax freezes when values go up. It's an unfair argument to make but gets lots of press because it sounds dramatic. So, once again, seniors on fixed incomes are not being chased out of neighborhoods because of rising real estate tax values...

__________________
--

www.taxgirl.com

I believe you are referring to people over 65 plus low-income.
How about the rest of the citizens? How about people in their
forties, fifties, and early sixties?

When the Board of Revision of Taxes (David Glancey and crew)
come a-callin' you will be a -payin' ......



Joel

__________________

[quote=lawmummy]Two houses are for sale on my street for nearly $400k. This is BIG news for our neighborhood, where just a mere 5 years ago, the $100k barrier was rarely broken.[quote]

Where are these houses? I live in the area also and am very interested in seeing these final sale figures. Those condo prices are definitely going to raise the bar for other houses in the area.

Parking is a pain, but being close to the park, train, expressway, etc make it one of the best places in the city to live.

Unfortunately, as the 10-yr tax abatement houses are sold for high prices, the folks that do not have the tax abatement will foot some serious increases.

One of the new houses on Osborn has a FSBO sign in the front yard. Never called to see the price. I can only imagine.

I mentioned seniors because you referenced pensions. Most people don't rely on pensions at age 40, etc.

I completely understand that rising property tax values may affect some folks. I'm a working girl. I am also lucky in that a property tax increase of $100 per year (which would reflect roughly $25k rise in FMV) won't chase me out of my neighborhood - and since I itemize (as most homeowners do), I get to take it as a deduction on my income tax. Quite frankly, I think most middle class folks are in the same boat - I don't think they really feel the pinch. Some low income households might though again, there are programs to assist those households and there are relatively few low income households who own real estate - especially in those neighborhoods experiencing rapid growth.

__________________
--

www.taxgirl.com

The new condo prices (near Lawmummy) have hit the market.

$299k - 2BR, 2BA
$289k - 2BR, 1.5BA
$270k - 1BR, 1BA (featuring a spacious 9' x 7' bedroom) - Something tells me the listing at realtor.com is incorrect.

This includes onsite legal consultations, right?


Joel

__________________

CORRECTION:


I wrote,

Rising values places everyone at the mercy of the Board of Revision
of Taxes ........ you will pay more, possibly to make up for pension
shortfalls/ If you do not sell and move, you will have less disposable
income. Whether or not the bubble remains intact until you do sell
is unknown.


I SHOULD HAVE WRITTEN,

Rising values places everyone at the mercy of the Board of Revision
of Taxes ........ you will pay more, possibly to make up for THE CITY
OF PHILADELPHIA'S PENSION DEPARTMENT shortfalls/ If you do not
sell and move, you will have less disposable income. Whether or not
the bubble remains intact until you do sell is unknown.



Joely

__________________

I don't know . . . did you see the listings for the ones on Gerhard a few months ago?

(The 1BR one does sound wrong to me, though)

Ahh! Thanks for the clarification!

__________________
--

www.taxgirl.com