Got to love developments in rural areas

[bdhsfz6]

I have never been able to figure this out where I live.

I used to plow snow for a nearby development. There was a clause in all the deeds that stated property owners will share equally in the cost of road maintenance. They have a homeowners association but only about half the members pay. The other half had to bear the entire expense. A lawyer was consulted who said the clause in the deeds was not legally binding and would not hold up in court. He was right. The paying half sued the non payers and the judge threw out the suit.

I also plow for a townhouse development that has a similar clause in the deeds. They have a HOA which has the legal right to put liens on the deeds of property owners who don't pay. I don't see the difference.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

I have never been able to figure this out where I live.

I used to plow snow for a nearby development. There was a clause in all the deeds that stated property owners will share equally in the cost of road maintenance. They have a homeowners association but only about half the members pay. The other half had to bear the entire expense. A lawyer was consulted who said the clause in the deeds was not legally binding and would not hold up in court. He was right. The paying half sued the non payers and the judge threw out the suit.

I also plow for a townhouse development that has a similar clause in the deeds. They have a HOA which has the legal right to put liens on the deeds of property owners who don't pay. I don't see the difference.

Years ago I had some property accessed from a shared private road and only two of us paid for all the upkeep. Went back there last year and the "road" isn't much more than a mud trail full of potholes now. Glad I sold it.

 

[tradosaurus]

Lesson learned: Don't live in an area where you have to drive on a private road that is shared by multiple homeowners. I never would have thought about something like this when we were looking for a house in the country 5 yrs ago.

 

[DieselBound]

Price pressure is what drives everything. A farmer can’t keep farming land that Amazon will pay $50k an acre for to build a distribution center. When a new highway comes through and the land you own can be sold for 10 x what you paid you’ll sell and move farther out.

I think you misspelled "tax pressure"

For the second time since I've owned my property the property taxes have gone DOWN! First time was a significant drop and it was a year after I'd bought: I think that's what it was. It rebounded fairly quickly. For this year it's down, though only a few dollars. Now that some sales have occurred around me I'll see it bump back up.

I glanced over at a new local development that's along my daily travels and saw one house stuffed with toys (big RV and other stuff). I think that prices were around the $600k (or so) mark. Add on the toys and I have to wonder how much pressure folks are and will be seeing in the not-to-distant-future. Close to the top of this bubble...

 

[Bill Guenthner]

I think you misspelled "tax pressure"

For the second time since I've owned my property the property taxes have gone DOWN! First time was a significant drop and it was a year after I'd bought: I think that's what it was. It rebounded fairly quickly. For this year it's down, though only a few dollars. Now that some sales have occurred around me I'll see it bump back up.

I glanced over at a new local development that's along my daily travels and saw one house stuffed with toys (big RV and other stuff). I think that prices were around the $600k (or so) mark. Add on the toys and I have to wonder how much pressure folks are and will be seeing in the not-to-distant-future. Close to the top of this bubble...

I've seen fields with soybeans or corn surrounded on all sides by urban development in large cities. I know around here residential and commercial property tax rates are a lot higher than farmland so I assume that keeping real estate active farmland keeps the agriculture zoning and lower tax rate. But you're still right, if they double the value the tax doubles, no matter the rate.

 

[DieselBound]

Some of the most expensive and sought after homes are steep downslope with no level yard...

The attraction from buyers is virtually zero landscape upkeep and views out of this world...

Several friends gave been building spec homes on steep downslope a for 40+ years.

By steep I mean navigating on all fours or a rope or steps...

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Not a home for those with sleep-walking issues!

 

[Buggs67]

I drive a road home generally after work a lot times (right around here you cross into a different county). The other day, on this road, signs all over the road stating "Save Conrad Road, STOP the development". Couldn't figure out what the deal was.

Then in yesterdays paper, found it...

Neighbors battle plan to build 61 houses on tree-lined Conrad Road in Lewisville

Developers eyeing a 58-acre tract along scenic Conrad Road being opposed by neighbors and nearby residents.

journalnow.com

Funny thing, what the paper doesn't tell you is all the McMansions with 5 acres built 3 or 4 years ago parked off the same road. I just find it funny people spend at least 700k on homes with 5 acres in a rural area and now are fighting more homes going up around them. I get it, but a part of me thinks "tough titties".

THIS is why we went in the hole and bought our land. I expect down the road that people may build across our rural road, and God knows how may houses could be built on that land, BUT...ain't no one building in front or in back of our house LOL

Coming from Lewisville, this smaller house went up at the beginning of Conrad road. I can't imagine why ANONE would buy a house with the height difference of ground no more than 20' in front of your home (it's like 5' wide flat in front of the house and then a hill...).

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I didn't want to read all the entries. BUT for the OP:

I know some people who moved to NC after they retired because NJ was too crowded/expensive/cold. Some brought their NJ attitude and politics, some just brought their good nature. The ones I know are closer to the coast; many Jersey people are all about "The Shore".

I moved to PA. To save money, escape congestion, escape NJ, get some elbow space, get more freedom. 10+ acres was my goal (got just over 11). My neighbor (retired dairy farmer who has lived in this county since birth) was concerned I wanted to save money but bring NJ with me. I was on Double Secret Probation for 1 year. I passed muster.

 

[JethroB]

I've seen fields with soybeans or corn surrounded on all sides by urban development in large cities. I know around here residential and commercial property tax rates are a lot higher than farmland so I assume that keeping real estate active farmland keeps the agriculture zoning and lower tax rate. But you're still right, if they double the value the tax doubles, no matter the rate.

Valuation formulas differ of course but here tax base is considered on current use vs. best or potential use. They had to limit the later because potential or market valuations were driving people off their properties in some areas. Ag or conservation use classification really helps farmers and timber owners too.

 

[DieselBound]

I've seen fields with soybeans or corn surrounded on all sides by urban development in large cities. I know around here residential and commercial property tax rates are a lot higher than farmland so I assume that keeping real estate active farmland keeps the agriculture zoning and lower tax rate. But you're still right, if they double the value the tax doubles, no matter the rate.

Oh, I DO know about this as my land has reduced tax rates as it's classed as "Open Space." Only 40 acres. Neighbor's place is something like 180 acres: same previous owner for their property as for ours. I believe that min parcel sizes are 10 acres now: even IF our property could be split up for development -much is very wet- it would be cost prohibitive as one would have to shell out to cover all previous tax savings (I don't even want to think about how much this would be).

Decided not to build a new house partly because it would only result in increased taxes (heading toward "fixed income" territory makes one a bit more sensitive to such things).

 

[Sigarms]

'They' put a big powerful magnet the size of a donut on his chest right over the device. They said it would take about 15-20 minutes to get it to shut off.

That's what they had to do with my father in law.

You may not think about it, but they can not declare you dead until your heart stops beating.