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Taxes
Franklin County has a great automated monthly prepay system for paying your real estate taxes that will pay you interest. The Franklin County Treasurer will pay the “average Joe” home owner the same interest rate that the Treasurer earns on its multi-million dollar portfolio. This is really a groundbreaking achievement for the Franklin County Treasurer’s office. The Treasurer sought and obtained a change in state law that allowed them to pay interest on monthly tax payments by home owners. Banks are still NOT allowed to pay interest on escrow accounts that collect property tax payments.
The interest rate that you can earn from the Treasurer’s office will be a better rate than most short-term bank accounts (checking, savings or money market accounts). For example, in 2007, the Treasurer’s interest rate fluctuated between 3.5% – 5.5%. Last year, I had a so called “high yield money market account” with an investment company that only earned between 1.75% – 2.25%. I think the Treasurer’s new monthly prepay system for real estate taxes that also pays interest is a first-rate service. Many homeowners in Franklin County are not even aware of this service.
A Franklin County home owner could possibly earn a couple hundred dollars a year. For example, a $265,000 home in Franklin County with yearly real estate taxes of $5,000 a year would have approximately earned $200 – $220 in an interest credit for 2007. The interest that you earn will be credited back against your real estate taxes, to LOWER your taxes! To get more info, you can visit the Franklin County Treasurer web site. The process is very simple and easy to set up. You just have to fill out one simple form.
If you are currently escrowing your real estate taxes with your lender then you will need to check with your lender to see if you are eligible to stop the escrow of real estate taxes. Most lenders will allow you to stop escrowing for real estate taxes if you have 20% – 30% equity. But, every bank has different policies and procedures, so before you do anything make sure you first check with your mortgage lender. You want to make sure you are eligible and there are no fees or costs involved to stop escrowing for your real estate taxes.
As of right now, Franklin County is the only local county in central Ohio that offers this great service. If you have questions, you can contact The Treasurer’s office for more information (614) 462-7515.
I think this is a wonderful service by our Treasurer’s office. A great benefit for being a home owner in Franklin County. You have the “worry free” convenience of automatic monthly payments of your real estate taxes that also pays you a great short term interest rate that you probably can’t get at any bank. And best of all, the Treasurer’s program is FREE. There is no fee or set up charge to join the program.
Shake Down!
Don’t let the “Tax Man” shake you down! Click here for other possible ways to reduce your property taxes and/or save some “greenbacks”!
After years of failed attempts, it finally looks like we will have some licensing regulations in place for Home Inspectors in the State of Ohio by 2009. House bill (HB) 257 recently passed the Ohio House of Representatives by a wide margin (83-11). The bill will be reviewed by the Ohio Senate later this year when the legislature reconvenes after the November 4th election.
With all the problems in the last few years in real estate, it would be “political suicide” for any political official (wink, wink Gov. Ted Strickland) not to pass some positive legislation. Legislation designed to regulate & license Ohio’s home inspection industry is long over due.
For too long, any “Joe Schmoe” could print up a business card on their home computer and start a home inspection business. Because of this reason, there are inexperienced, unqualified inspectors in our area. This is a problem for a potential home buyer. The problems we have had in the home inspection industry are really “small potatoes” compared to all the other major problems in real estate (lenders, fraud, greed, non-disclosure, foreclosures, etc.). But, this is a good thing. This means legislation will probably get passed in the State of Ohio.
The new Home Inspection Licensing will probably include the following provisions:
1. Criminal penalties for performing home inspections without a license.
2. Creation of a process for investigating complaints filed against inspectors.
3. Creation of the Ohio Home Inspection Board to regulate the industry.
4. Creating minimum standards and guidelines for performing inspections.
Hopefully our state legislature will have the home inspection bill passed soon. I am confident that home buyers in 2009 will have the protection of home inspection regulation and licensing.
Home Inspector
Check out my previous past about “Home Inspection Nightmares”. This blog post also has good links to find qualified home inspectors in your area via The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI)
Good luck out there!
My Buyer Broker Advocate! 
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