Bob Logue

HODDY HANNA, (REAL ESTATE EXPERT): “TRUE, ACCURATE PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS ON HOMES ARE IMPOSSIBLE.”

At a forum on property taxes in Hampton Township, Allegheny County, Thursday, October 5th, 2006, Howard ‘Hoddy’ Hanna, of Howard Hanna Realty—one of the largest realtors in the tri-state area—used commentary and charts to demonstrate two basic facts:

A. It is impossible for county government to accurately and fairly assess the value of homes, no matter how much money is spent on reassessments.

B. Property taxes and faulty assessments are harming homeowners and damaging the real estate market in Pennsylvania.

These are the same two points that supporters of the STOP Primary Residence Protection Plan have been making for four years. And it is exactly why we have emphasized and refused to compromise our basic beliefs that ALL PROPERTY TAXES AND ALL ASSESSMENTS AND REASSESSMENTS ON PRIMARY RESIDENCES (HOMESTEADS\FARMSTEADS) MUST BE ABOLISHED IN PENNSYLVANIA. ANY PROPERTY TAX REFORM PLAN SUCH AS HB 2929 THAT KEEPS ASSESSMENTS AND REASSESSMENTS AND KEEPS ANY OF THE THREE PROPERTY TAXES SHOULD BE REJECTED. WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO KEEP A FAULTY PROPERTY ASSESSMENT SYSTEM AND INACCURATE TAXES BASED ON THOSE FAULTY ASSESSMENTS?

Allegheny County has spent between $30 and $40 million dollars on assessments and reassessments and other efforts to upgrade their assessment procedures. The result is that the county’s 2006 assessment figures were so inaccurate, County Executive Dan Onorato refused to use the numbers.

Mr. Hanna stressed that there are so many variables and differences in each of the properties that there is no way to properly assess their value. We agree.

Mr. Hanna stressed that property taxes and faulty assessments are harming the housing market in Pennsylvania. We agree. We have said repeatedly that high property taxes are stealing billions of dollars of home values each year from homeowners. Those trying to sell their homes under the cloud of the faulty assessments, and already high property taxes often must reduce the home price to find a buyer. The out migration of our citizens from many areas of the commonwealth means a flood of homes for sale…which depresses prices. The lack of new people moving in, means less potential buyers for these homes which also depresses prices.

The PA Census projects that Pennsylvania will continue to have stagnant population numbers for the next quarter century. The U.S Census Bureau also predicts a continued decline in population for many of our more urban counties—including Allegheny County. Nothing short of a dramatic change in how we fund our schools, counties and municipalities will make any major difference in this dismal situation.

The STOP Plan can and will dramatically change that outlook. A property tax free home will be a tremendous enticement for people to buy homes in Pennsylvania, to establish their families here…to shop and invest here…to start businesses here…to keep businesses here…and to retire here. Learn more at www.grandoldusa.com --Bob Logue, STOP Primary Residence Protection Plan. ucblogue@verizon.net

Visitor Comments:

Anonymous says :
DO NOT SUPPORT ANY SALES TAX INCREASE WITHOUT THE ABSOLUTE & COMPLETE ELIMINATION OF PROPERTY TAXES!


Add your thoughts:
This web site is for the dissemination and exchange of information and ideas regarding S.T.O.P. Please Do NOT post anything which is offensive or advocates illegal or violent activities in any way. We understand that you may feel very passionate in your support or opposition of S.T.O.P., but overly aggressive and negative comments posted here serve no good purpose and will be edited or deleted. Thank you.

Commenting has been temporarily disabled due to spammers, we will attempt to reactivate it shortly.

This site uses .PDF files for ease of viewing and printing. You will need to have the free Adobe Reader installed on your computer to view .PDF files properly. If you don't already have it you may get the free Adobe Reader by clicking on the image below.

Get the FREE Adobe Reader here!

~ ÷ ~
S.T.O.P. web hosting and services proudly sponsored by BanPro NET, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Business.
Please report any problems you have with viewing or navigating this website to C_Miller@GrandOldUSA.com
XML Sitemap - Privacy Policy

S.T.O.P. Primary Residence Protection Plan

Current Petition Signatures Total: 118,369


  Top of Page