Taxes begone

The top questions I here when people are buying in Florida are what about the taxes and the insurance.

OK, first the tax rate has changed and continues to change. Sarasota and in particular Manatee County on the Gulf Coast are starting to feel the pinch.

Here's the double header, first the state reduced the taxes, then a voter amendment reduced again and now the state is looking at voter amendment to reduce them even more.

The second part is property values have dropped in some cases more than 10 percent and that appraisal will be coming through for homeowners this year. It takes the county offices about a year to catch up with the drop in values.

This all means that taxes are going down where the bottom is still up in the air.

As for insurance several new companies have started to write policies in the state which means more choice for homeowners.

Bottom line is that we're possibly heading in the right direction to resolve two of the major concerns for buyers moving into the state.

Greg Owens PA
Keller Williams Realty of Greater Manatee
941.932.6343
greg@teamworksfla.com