Property Taxes - a step in the right direction

You out-of-state socks may be unaware of the fact that Florida homeowners have been bearing a heavy burden when it comes to property taxes since property values have skyrocketed these last few years.

Well, now the state legislature has enacted some reforms that should save us a LITTLE money.

If you want to check your own savings under this new system, go to this online calculator:

https://extra.orlandosentinel.com/secure/propertytax/propertytax/PropTaxOnline.asp

I was quite disappointed to discover my personal savings will be just $86.54 per year.

But, what was encouraging is the news that there will be a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot, January 29th. If it passes, we will finally do away with the "Save Our Homes" system in favor of a "supersize exemption."

Basically, this will exempt 75% of your home value up to $200,000 PLUS 15% of the next $300,000.

This is a much better deal, at least for me personally. (The savings would be $375.55 per year, according to that online calculator.)

More importantly, this may finally get the fence-sitters to start buying houses again.

OK, nuff boring tax talk. Hope all of you in the blogosphere are planning fun weekends!