Washington Dems push triple property tax increases SB-5770

[Pahn]

Originally Posted by Pomelo

If the choice is high property tax rate/low house prices or low property tax rate/high house price, I would rather pay (and receive or have heirs receive) a higher purchase price for a house than higher property taxes. It makes no difference to affordability, since the monthly cost remains the same.

Understandable, but conversely, I'd rather pay the money into the tax coffers and receive some benefit (better schools, streets, whatever) than provide for the home seller's retirement.


I think the concept of homes as investment vehicles has lead us to runaway housing prices that are unsustainable. Used to be, a middle class family could own a home on a single income. Nowadays, home ownership in many places, including Bham, is out of reach to all but the wealthiest people.

[rkcarguy]

Originally Posted by Pahn

Understandable, but conversely, I'd rather pay the money into the tax coffers and receive some benefit (better schools, streets, whatever) than provide for the home seller's retirement.

I think the concept of homes as investment vehicles has lead us to runaway housing prices that are unsustainable. Used to be, a middle class family could own a home on a single income. Nowadays, home ownership in many places, including Bham, is out of reach to all but the wealthiest people.

I agree, that single income earner also used to manufacture something and their money went a lot further. My grandparents, for example, afforded a new split level home, replaced their oldest vehicle every ten years or less with a new one, had money to vacation yearly, and all that on a plywood mill and secretary's paychecks.
My latest gripe is our taxes keep getting raised and all we are getting out of it now is a perpetually worsening homeless/crime/drug problem.

[leastprime]

There are always someone who can't and/or won't pay taxes.
Ytmv