Rising Taxation

Residents of Broome County, beware of future tax increases.   Pension funds, wasteful spending, federal mandates, increased police and fire protection costs, and a decaying infrastructure will add to the tax increases that lie ahead for us property owners.  Taxes are inescapable.

When government gets too big we begin to see more and more waste.  We need to realize government cannot solve all of today’s problems.  Every time new legislation is enacted we usually see more taxes.  How are we to going to feed America today and fight crime on the streets?  

Families today are not accepting responsiblity and many residents don’t even bother to vote.  We see neighborhood blight and crime growing, yet politicians act as if they have the answers, but they cannot solve social ills with their liberal programs that breakdown family values.  Who can afford all the utility, food, property tax, increases and still be able to maintain their properties?

Our curbs and streets are a mess, yet we must bear the burden of repair.  A smaller government would serve us better.  Many property owners receive property and school tax exemptions and non profits pay little for the services they receive.  Our welfare system continues to grow and places a greater burden on society.  How can we change failed governmental policies?  How bad must things get before change takes place?  Everyone wants something for nothing.

The middle working class is so busy trying to make ends meet, they have little time to associate with their neighbors or enjoy life.  Social welfare continues to grow, jobs have become meaningless, new construction is minimal due to overtaxation and now we await the next boom of gas drilling to pull our region through. 

We must go back to an austerity budget, cut taxes and get people back to enjoyable and sensible jobs without breaking the back of small business.  More job losses and more entitlement programs spell disaster for our county.   Tax us more and you will eventually see more residents move away and more properties will deteriorate and be put up for sale. 

The era of the free lunch must end and each person who is capable of contributing must do so.  Society cannot continue to meet the increased costs of insurance, cell phones, sewer, water, utilities and basic food staples. 

We must watch this year’s election process carefully and stand behind the candidate and leader that offers hope, has integrity and is budget minded to cut all unnecessary spending.

As your real estate advisor, you can expect to see property values decrease especially in high end housing.  Taxes will continue to rise. Investors will need to be more cautious as prices decline and expenses increase.  Don’t be fooled by the numbers; buy only what you need and what you can afford.  Do not use credit or leverage yourself too far in debt.