August 22, 2008 TRIM Notices Were Mailed to Sarasota County Property Owners

Today all Sarasota County property owners should be receiving their Notices of Proposed Property Taxes (TRIM) notice from the Sarasota County Property Appraisers office. The notices were mailed on August 22, 2008. It is important to know the date of the mailing marks the beginning of a 25-day window during which property owners who disagree with the property appraiser's determination may file an appeal with Value Adjustment Board (VAB). Petitions to the VAB must be filed on or before September 16, 2008. Below is an article from the Trim Notice Extra August 2008 from the Sarasota County Property Appraiser's office which was included with all TRIM notices mailed to Sarasota County property owners.

Challenging the Taxable Valuation of Your Property In Sarasota County

Property owners have three options for challenging their property value or tax exemption disapproval. It is not necessary to employ all of them. You can choose one or a combination of the three. It is important to know that each challenge process has certain limitations and deadlines.

Option 1

Informal Conference with the Property Appraiser or his Deputy

This is normally the most successful option since it presents the opportunity for the owner to provide information the property appraiser might not be aware of that could influence the property's value or exemption status. Factual information and regulations guiding the property valuation and tax exemption process can also be explained. Since this is the least expensive and least complicated option, the taxpayer is urged to take advantage of this opportunity regardless of other considerations.

Option 2

Petition the Value Adjustment Board (VAB)

The VAB is a body that is separate and independent from the property appraiser. If you choose this option you must file a petition with the Clerk to the VAB within 25 days of the TRIM Notice mailing. At an administrative hearing, you and a Property Appraiser representative each present evidence before a Magistrate appointed by the VAB to review the evidence and make recommendations. The final determination will be made by the VAB. More information is available under Value Adjustment Board's website.

Option 3

Circuit Court Suit

If you choose this option a formal hearing will be conducted by a Judge. You should consult your attorney or legal professional.

It is important to keep in mind the date of value is not the current date but January 1, 2008.

For TRIM questions and answers please visit the Sarasota County Property Appraisers website.

Blidget Promo Badge

Hanging Rock development moving forward

Doug Battaglia along with his partner, Mark Knauf CPA, acquired this spectacular bluff mountain property in 2005. Two hundred acres of bluff mountain property with 4000 feet of bluff, creeks, abundant wildlife and a waterfall. Hanging Rock Development is located in Dunlap TN on Fredonia Mountain just 30 minutes to downtown Chattanooga. Centrally located, Dunlap TN is just a two hour drive in either direction to Atlanta, Nashville, or Knoxville and 3 hours drive to Gatlinburg, TN. The proposed Hanging Rock Development got it's name from a very distinct feature on the property - the hanging rock's on Fredonia Mountain. The propose design is based on the natural features of the land that enhance the experience of being almost one with nature and the wildlife of the mountain top. We have a preliminary plat for 100 of the 200 acres. A gravel road has been roughed in. Explore some of the area’s many outdoor activities and attractions which include the Tennessee Aquarium and IMAX Theatre, Ruby Falls and Rock City, Incline Railway, and the Creative Discovery Museum. Plans to develop this property are underway. Should you have any interest or questions regarding investment opportunities or land purchases please give Doug a call direct at 941-232-5391. You are welcome to enjoy more pictures of this spectacular montain property at Hanging Rock's picture gallery.

An example of rural achievement

Dunlap, TN, the fastest growing town per capita in the state of Tennessee, is an obvious example of rural achievement. Nestled in the center of the Sequatchie Valley, the charming community of Dunlap boasts low crime, low taxes and extraordinary hospitality. Southeastern Tennessee's Sequatchie Valley is one of the most unique valleys in the world; one of only two 'rift valleys,' the other being the Great Victoria Valley in Africa (Southeast Tennessee Tourism, 2004). For more local news and information about Dunlap Tennessee visit Topix website.

First day back at school in Sarasota County Florida and here comes Fay!

Today is the first day of school in Sarasota County. Summer vacation is over. This is a great day for Mom and a sad day for one of my children. This year all three of my children will be in the same school. One drop off time and one pick up time. This is going to be a good year. My middle daughter is not that thrilled about school starting, she still wishes for the lazy days of summer and to be swimming at the beach. My other two can't wait to go back to school to see their friends and for the opportunity to make new friends. I always joke with my children that the first day back from school is the best day of the year for all the Mom's. The joke is on Mom this time. Hurricane Fay is threatening Southwest Florida and all schools will be closed tomorrow for the impending storm. Now my kids are joking around with me. Fortunately the storm is not as strong as was predicted a few days ago, so we will be waiting out the storm. We have made all the "preparations" needed; bringing in all the plants, putting patio furniture in the pool, putting all the trash in the garage, stocked up on canned goods and non perishables, made sure that all the flash lights have fresh batteries, and most importantly brought our pet bunny, Midnight, inside. This has become an annual routine for our family. Tomorrow holds uncertainty and we are praying that the storm will pass over all with little to no damage.

Wind Insurance Discounts Available To Florida Homeowners

Not many people are aware that the My Safe Florida Home Program for Florida homeowners with a single family detached home helps homeowners save money on their wind insurance premiums. Florida’s Chief Financial Officer is lobbying to get the Florida Legislature to continue the funding for this successful program. Currently over 35,000 grants have been awarded to qualified homeowners and over 400,000 free wind inspections have been provided. Although the program is no longer offering free wind inspections or grants, homeowners may not be aware that they can pay for their own wind inspection. Your wind inspection report will give you an estimate of the discounts you may receive on the wind-portion of your homeowner’s insurance premium. Savings will vary depending on the structure and the improvements you make. I personally received a substantial savings on my wind insurance premiums. Call your insurance agent or company and get a referral for an “insurer-approved” wind inspector and for information on discounts that are available to you. For more information on this program please visit My Safe Florida Home.

The World's Longest Yard Sale

The World's Longest Yard Sale, also known as The 127 Sale, is a 4 day event which started August 7th and ends August 10th. The sale takes place along &S 127 Corridor and goes straight through Dunlap. The yard sale runs 630 miles beginning at Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden Alabama and goes through Georgia, Tennessee, and ends in Covington, Kentucky. HGTV's Endless Yard Sale, hosted by Steven Lee and Nancy Luray., and will be covering this event for their TV show. For more details (directions, maps, editorials) visit web site http://www.tourdekalb.com/yardsale.html.

New Housing Bill signed into law July 30, 2008

President Bush signed the Housing Stimulus Bill Wednesday July 30, 2008. This new law is designed to provide mortgage relief for hundreds of thousands homeowners facing foreclosure and to assist the nations two largest mortgage companies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Under the legislation trouble homeowners could avoid foreclosure by trading the old loans for new more affordable loans through FHA. Your lender must agree to trade the loan, take the loss and and reduce the principal of the loan before you refinance. The Housing Bill also includes a credit of up to $7,500 for first-time home buyers for people who bought homes between April 9, 2008, and July 1, 2009. Although this rescue bill offers assistance to many of those facing foreclosure, one of the bill's components will affect many new homeowners by completely eliminating the down payment assistance program by September 30, 2008. This program has helped approximately 700,000 with the purchase of their first home. Many home buyers will be unable to get a loan without this assistance. This bill brings the hope that the worst of the housing crisis is coming to an end but is unlikely to by end of the year.

Lewis Chapel: 3 Parcels Sold In 2008

Lewis Chapel, LLC is a limited liability Corporation that was founded in July 2006 in Englewood Florida for the benefit of purchasing this 54+ acre mountain property that is located within minutes from downtown Chattanooga and Dunlap Tennessee. Notable neighbor, Reba McIntire, has an estate just 2 miles down the road from the property. Lewis Chapel LLC sold two tracts in 2006. Due to the downward slide in the housing market we had little interest and no sales in 2007. Although it is getting harder and harder to find real estate markets with appreciation. interest in our Lewis Chapel property have increased in 2008. We had three closings and currently have several parties that are showing an interest in this beautiful mountain property. Doug Battaglia would like to extend his appreciation to our investors for their support over the years and recognize that our most important resource are the relationships that we build with our investors.