I purchased and installed my Harman P35i pellet stove insert last November. I played by the rules and did everything by the book, including contacting my insurance company and pulling a permit with the local building inspector. I paid my $50.00 for the building permit and the inspector approved my installation. The other day I came home and found a tag on my door knob from the assesors office saying they need to take a look at my pellet stove. I have not called them back, and frankly don't want to. I assume they will want to raise my real estate taxes because in their eyes I made a home improvement.
Are they serious! My home value has dropped below what I paid for it, so my mortgage is upside down. I recently tried to refinance to take advantage of lower mortgage rates, but was refused when the appraisal came in. My taxes have already gone up this year vs. last year. My street is one of the worst in town, covered in potholes and patches, and there are no immediate plans to repave it.
The way I see it the pellet stove is an appliance that provides heat for my family. Heat is an essential like food and clothing isn't it? The federal government encourages people to buy biofuel stoves and gives a tax credit as an incentive. It reduces my carbon footprint, reduces my dependence on foreign oil, reduces my electricity consumption and was intended to help me save money on my heating costs by insulating me from volatile fossil fuel prices. It would be a real slap in the face if my real estate taxes go up because I purchased this appliance for all of the right reasons.
What's next... will they raise my taxes when I buy a new refrigerator, water heater or coffee maker? Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions, but why else would the town assesors office want to see my pellet stove installation?
Has anyone else had a similar experience? Talk to me...
Are they serious! My home value has dropped below what I paid for it, so my mortgage is upside down. I recently tried to refinance to take advantage of lower mortgage rates, but was refused when the appraisal came in. My taxes have already gone up this year vs. last year. My street is one of the worst in town, covered in potholes and patches, and there are no immediate plans to repave it.
The way I see it the pellet stove is an appliance that provides heat for my family. Heat is an essential like food and clothing isn't it? The federal government encourages people to buy biofuel stoves and gives a tax credit as an incentive. It reduces my carbon footprint, reduces my dependence on foreign oil, reduces my electricity consumption and was intended to help me save money on my heating costs by insulating me from volatile fossil fuel prices. It would be a real slap in the face if my real estate taxes go up because I purchased this appliance for all of the right reasons.
What's next... will they raise my taxes when I buy a new refrigerator, water heater or coffee maker? Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions, but why else would the town assesors office want to see my pellet stove installation?
Has anyone else had a similar experience? Talk to me...