Letters to the editor: 02/08/01

Reader questions Realtors' motives

To the Editor:

All this advertising must have cost a lot of money. It raises an interesting question. Where were the ads and the billboards protesting skyrocketing property assessments and evaluations? The answer is that there were no ads or billboards when valuations went up over 50 percent, and that is because skyrocketing and speculative increases in property values benefit the real estate industry more than anyone else. Those people who call Jackson County home, the folks who want to stay here and raise their families, the folks who want to hold their land, who want to see Jackson County grow slowly and sensibly don't benefit from these increased values.

They only get to pay more property tax as a result of these increases. They get to watch land become priced out of the reach of their children so they cannot afford to stay in Jackson County. They get to watch their parents worry and fret about how they can afford to stay on the land.

Now ask yourself why the real estate industry and the developers are so concerned about the land transfer tax. Could it be that it's because a tax of this nature moderates growth? Could it be that this tax may slow development and the speculative increases in property values? If the growth in property values were more stable, if development was to come at a more reasonable and moderate pace wouldn't that mean less in the way of commissions?

The ad in The Herald tried to shift all of the blame to our county commissioners. In this instance it was a cheap shot. I have been one of the loudest voices in calling for fiscal responsibility on the part of county government, but in this case the land transfer tax could be used to provide property tax relief if used properly.

First-time home buyers and transfers between family members should be exempt from the tax. This would allow our young people to invest in Jackson County while recognizing the importance that family stewardship of land plays in preserving our way of life. The proceeds of the tax should not be used for new spending but for property tax relief, especially for our elderly citizens.

If applied with these conditions, the land transfer tax would be a tool in moderating the growth in property values and development. It would fairly shift some of the cost burden of development to those who are reaping the benefits of the market.

The real estate industry claims that the transfer tax is irresponsible. Perhaps the leaders in this important industry ought to look within their own ranks when pointing fingers. I recently received a marketing letter from a member of the industry informing me that land values had never been higher and that interest rates were coming down. Now was the best time to sell, sell, sell.

This letter was totally unsolicited; anyone that knows me would know that selling my land would be unthinkable. Yet here this letter was and what I found particularly bothersome was that it was timed to arrive in my box the same day as my tax bill. Now you may call this good marketing, but I call it opportunism at its worst. I don't begrudge anyone the right to make a living, but I do believe there are limits and that we have a responsibility to something greater than ourselves and the last drop of profit.

Maybe the greatest profit would be derived if land values continued to spiral out of control, if there were $300,000 homes on every available 5-acre lot and if progress and development were synonymous. But if the greatest profit were obtained what would be left of Jackson County and its people?

The land transfer tax won't destroy the opportunity for those in the real estate industry to make a reasonable profit. It may serve as a useful tool in moderating growth and providing property tax relief. It may help to more fairly distribute the tax burden.

The Northern Jackson Board of Realtors has urged you to contact your legislators on this matter. They urge you to tell your legislators and commissioners to represent your best interests. I also urge you to do this. I'm just not sure that my best interests and the interests of the Northern Jackson Board of Realtors are the same. Are you?

Mark Jamison

Cullowhee

Tax relief needed

To the Editor:

Currently, they are attempting to have someone from out of Jackson County introduce the bill which would place a sales tax on real estate in Jackson County. They full know that this will beat them in the next election.

What person in his right mind will sell a piece of real estate and have the seller pay the sales tax? By adding this tax onto the price of real estate, you will also increase the sale price even more to take care of the commission you will add for the real estate broker.

To add to the rape of our property owners, most of our taxes doubled this year. We need relief, not more taxes on top of taxes.

Thank you,

Frank Young

Cullowhee

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