Reprinted from an article by Robyn Carafiol, SRES, Virginia Cook Realtors.
On Tuesday, November 3rd, we will have the opportunity to go to the polls and vote on several important issues. Early voting is already underway. The Texas Association of Realtors recommends that we vote “YES” on Propositions 2, 3, 5 and 11. These measures represent significant appraisal reform and protection of private-property rights.
Propositions 2, 3, and 5 have been targeted by a malicious misinformation campaign meant to prey on the fears of uninformed voters who may not read the ballot language. Don’t fall victim to this campaign. Here’s what Propositions 2, 3, 5, and 11 will do:
- Proposition 2
Homeowners in Texas are well aware of astronomical increases in appraised values. These increases can be made ever worse when chief appraisers choose to bypass appraising a property as homestead, and base their appraisal on the “highest and best use” of the property. Proposition 2 protects homeowners who happen to live in or near commercial areas by mandating that their residences be appraised only as a residence, regardless of what the highest and best use of the property might be. - Proposition 3
Current law requires that standards and procedures for the appraisal of property to originate in the county where the tax is imposed. As a result property owners are often victimized by a hodgepodge of inconsistent rules and standards throughout the state. This constitutional amendment corrects this problem by simply requiring an appraisal district to follow standard appraisal methods and procedures. - Proposition 5
Appraisal review boards have the responsibility to resolve disputes between property owners and county appraisal districts when the taxable value of a property is being challenged. The property owner is always best served when the review boards are comprised of members who understand the issues and complexities of property valuations. Some rural counties have difficulty finding board members to meet these standards. This constitutional amendment will give these counties the option to pool together their qualified applicants to better ensure the property owner that their appraisal appeal is being handled professionally and timely. - Proposition 11
The U.S. and Texas constitutions authorize the power of eminent domain. This power allows a governmental entity to take private property as long as it is for a “public use” and the owner is adequately compensated. This amendment would narrow the scope under which private property could be taken by eminent domain. It essentially would eliminate the taking of private property for either private economic development (e.g., a shopping mall) or to boost tax revenues. It also provides that the power of eminent domain could be granted only by a two-thirds vote of the Texas Legislature.
Please vote YES on these well-intentioned propositions.
And please call or email me with your real estate questions or concerns. If you are thinking about buying or selling a house this year or next year, I would like to speak to you about the current market conditions and the excellent service I provide. Thank you!
Robyn Carafiol, SRES
Virginia Cook Realtors
robyn@robynhomes.com
214.460.8016
http://www.virginiacook.com/robyn-carafiol
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