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Gentry system “alive and strong” in Fauquier County!
Gentry system “alive and strong” in Fauquier County! It is just great to see the gentry system “alive and strong” in Fauquier County! Question, how many “commoners” does it take to make up one “gentry?”
37 families paid a total of $73,929,024 for homes in Fauquier County in 2007, or 22% of the gross volume of sales for the entire year. 37 families purchased homes in Fauquier County during 2007 and their residences occupy 1,835 acres. Folks, these are nice homes … properties … estates … dominions, and I am sure that 99.999% of us would enjoy these “what-ever’s.” Now I am sure that Fauquier County enjoyed the revenue collected from these 37 home sales, and I do not blame them, however, how do they feel about 285 families that purchased homes in Fauquier County during 2007, paid a total of $73,559,637 for homes and occupy 185.77 acres? According to the headlines, not very much, but it that true?
Land in Fauquier County is assessed for “real estate tax” purposes utilizing numerous mechanisms. The most basic item of consideration in the “assessment process” is to look at the total parcel of land, the improvements, and the current value. Now, literally, under the “improvement” lies a piece of land; that land is currently assessed as if it were a separate building lot, because it “holds” a home. Example if you own 3.07 acres in the county, the first one acre is assessed at $150,000; the additional 2.07 acres is assessed at $41,400. Oh, you say you own less than an acre, well my .98 acres is assessed by the county at $140,000.
Let us review another parcel, a 26-acre parcel with a home in “gentryville.” The land under the home is valued at $200,000 by the county for tax gathering purposes; the other 25 acres is currently assessed at $259,000, yet $246,400 of assessed value is “deferred” because the property is in “land use.” That is correct; the owners enjoy and use 26 acres yet pay less tax on their land than the couple with 3.07 acres pays.
The lowest end of the real estate market, those families that purchased 285 homes in 2007, paid $73,559,637, and they are paying a minimum of $390,567 in real estate taxes to Fauquier County as they occupy 185.77 acres. The highest end of the real estate market purchased 37 homes in 2007, paid $73,929,024, occupy 1,835 acres of Fauquier County, and pay $176,161 in real estate taxes to Fauquier County. That is correct; they occupy 1,835 acres versus 185.77 acres and pay $214,406 less in property tax, per year.
There is a question that has “echoed thru the halls” for many years in Fauquier. How many of the “gentry” really qualifies for the land-use tax? I have only reviewed the taxes of those that sold this past year, not the others that “utilize” this exemption year after year. If Fauquier is looking to increase their tax revenues, I have a place for them to look; land use. It is easy to verify whether the property is being “properly used” both aerially and physically, yet we never hear a word regarding this issue from our “community leaders.” One satellite pass over our area would clear up the question… except it may reveal all those other “un-licensed residences” that exist on “gentry land,” untaxed.
I understand that 37 families do not require the “services” that 285 families require, however, they travel the same roads that others do, they use the same police and fire departments, the utilize the same “governmental” staff, and they require the same power and utilities as others. They do not go to the same schools, but the county police force is utilized every morning and afternoon to “guard” the entrances and exits to those schools grounds. If the gentry were not so spread out, there would not be the requirement for those roads … to those 37 homes.
Taxation without representation … I think that is why there was once a revolt, instead this is just revolting!
Of course they don't pay taxes at the same rate; this is the United States of America...
No worries, though. It all trickles down, right?
...to their lawyers.
Posted by RetroPC
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