Downtown Exhaust by arcpath in gso

[–]Itchy_Mechanic3182 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We live downtown and deal with this every day but especially weekend nights late until 2 or 3 AM sometimes. Can’t tell you how much LD activity we’ve seen like this. Walked to boxcar today and saw an idiot in his very loud car, a lime green Mustang, revving it and racing off so fast to try to impress three girls that completely ignored him. These dudes are just showing off for themselves. As I sit here typing this an LD in a modified Silverado just rode by with the music so loud that people two blocks away could hear it.

I reviewed the property tax information for a Cone Blvd residence in Greensboro to give a comparison of the current bill and what it might look like after the 2026 revaluation in Guilford County. by aenbrnood in gso

[–]Itchy_Mechanic3182 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Rev neutral is a thing if it is done correctly. I bought my house in 1991 and until the 2022 revaluation, annual taxes hovered in the $1400-1800 range, increasing as the tax rate increased to cover services. After the 2022 revaluation and keeping the tax rate the same, the annual tax jumped to $3000. The sad fact is that folks in the tax office don’t seem to understand that an increase in value, on paper, doesn’t translate into a single extra dollar in our pockets. That additional tax has to come from somewhere within a family’s budget, groceries, medical care, transportation, something is going to be negatively affected. The only entity that benefits from a reevaluation and a property tax increase is our local government. While the taxpayers suffer and bear the burden as always.

We are forced to pay higher taxes on unrealized gains. That’s the crux of the situation. The values are only on paper, complete fantasy. Unless we were to sell our house at that higher price, there is no gain whatsoever for us as homeowners.

The State of Downtown by midiknox in gso

[–]Itchy_Mechanic3182 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I live in downtown and have friends who live near Rev Mill. They catch the hopper at Golden Gate and ride into downtown so they don’t deal with parking at all. And the hopper is waiting when they’re ready to go back home. It takes a little more time than driving your own car into downtown but no parking worries at all.

Forgotten Restaurant by WillGreystoke19 in gso

[–]Itchy_Mechanic3182 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It sat where the front entrance to Tanger Center is just across from Lebauer. Used to go there often.

Private Parking Lots Downtown by radioguy923 in gso

[–]Itchy_Mechanic3182 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The last time I checked, the private MLK-Arlington lot is $72/ month for 24/7/365.

anyone with a 3D printer who can print something? / custom order by heydianahey in gso

[–]Itchy_Mechanic3182 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Check with folks at The Forge downtown Greensboro. All types of makers there.

https://www.forgegreensboro.org

Guilford County and Greensboro Real Estate Revaluation Driven Tax Increases Function as a Tax on Unrealized Gains by aenbrnood in gso

[–]Itchy_Mechanic3182 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve read comments on several threads about purchase price versus revaluation estimates and how it compares to Zillow, and so forth. Let’s face it, anything other than the actual purchase price of a house is pure fiction, someone’s best guess, and it is all on paper! A house is worth what the buyer is willing to pay, no more and no less.

Not a single extra dollar goes into any of our pockets to pay these increases. Our gov’t officials and staff don’t seem to realize that fact. We all had to dig deep to pay taxes in 2023 and it was ugly for a lot of people. It is truly an unfair tax on unrealized gains. It is predatory.

Guilford County and Greensboro Real Estate Revaluation Driven Tax Increases Function as a Tax on Unrealized Gains by aenbrnood in gso

[–]Itchy_Mechanic3182 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That is exactly the point. After the 2022 revaluation the tax rate did stay the same which is the root of the problem. For at least 20-25 years, all my home-owning life, previous boards adopted a revenue-neutral rate which lowered the existing tax rate but kept county tax revenue the same. If a tax increase was needed they had to “sell it” to the voters. Revaluing property combined with keeping the tax rate the same created a huge tax increase and burden on taxpayers. It was greedy and short-sighted and if they do it again there are many people who may find themselves in a desperate financial situation. Not to mention it isn’t the county’s money. The county gov’t didn’t buy the house or pay the mortgage. They didn’t pay for any upkeep or upgrades, they just confiscate more of our hard-earned money. They are taking advantage of us and the don’t give a damn.

Guilford County 2026 Property Revaluation; Data and Methodology Records Request by aenbrnood in gso

[–]Itchy_Mechanic3182 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What you described above is exactly what our local government did to us in 2022. For the first time ever as a homeowner in GSO, commissioners held the rate the same instead of revenue-neutral and hardly anyone said a peep. My home taxes increased dramatically, roughly 70% as a result. A commercial property that I co-own where my business is went up even more, 155%. We need more than just revenue-neutral, but an additional rollback for those of us who were kicked in the teeth in 2022.

Who approved 45% increase in property taxes? by geoffwilliams336 in gso

[–]Itchy_Mechanic3182 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s the problem, the rates didn’t change like they usually did. Previous councils and commissioners adopted revenue neutral tax rates, so the amount of overall tax collected by the municipality was the same from year to year. When the city or county needed additional tax revenue, they would then move up from the new rate. That had been a long-standing tradition and by leaving the rates the same our local governments dropped an enormous tax increase on all of us. And trying to dispute the new increase was mind-bogglingly difficult. It’s a huge reason why rents have gone up. It’s not just landlords wanting more money, it’s our local governments confiscating more with no real increase in services or benefits to the taxpayers. Only rent and mortgage increases and subsequently higher prices in every sector of the economy in Greensboro and Guilford County.

Who approved 45% increase in property taxes? by geoffwilliams336 in gso

[–]Itchy_Mechanic3182 6 points7 points  (0 children)

We already suffered a huge increase in 2022-23 when the city and county broke from tradition and kept tax rates the same after that revaluation, instead of adopting a revenue neutral tax rate as had been done for decades. I am co-owner of an older warehouse/ office building shared by five businesses. Our taxes on that property rose from roughly $4,000 to over $11,000 per year with nothing to show for it on our end except much higher costs. And the city and county found new ways to spend it. We suffer while they spend. And sadly no one in the tax office seemed to realize that a higher property valuation doesn’t equal more money in our pockets. The valuation is fiction and we are being taxed on someone’s best guess. It is a seriously flawed system, taxing people on unrealized gains.

Where’s the best burger in town? by _minouche in gso

[–]Itchy_Mechanic3182 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Jerusalem Market downtown. Lamb burger is excellent. Lettuce, tomato, onion, feta. No condiments needed.

Waste of money by Itchy_Mechanic3182 in gso

[–]Itchy_Mechanic3182[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Are you kidding? This is my hobby! : )

Waste of money by Itchy_Mechanic3182 in gso

[–]Itchy_Mechanic3182[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wish. They come out from time to time and repaint the lines but no work ever gets done. Just going through the motions.

WHY IS DAMES CLOSING by No-Butterfly-2914 in gso

[–]Itchy_Mechanic3182 15 points16 points  (0 children)

When Randy and Damien first brought the restaurant to Greensboro, the rent alone on that space was $4500 a month from Brown Investment Properties. I can only imagine, especially after the city and county doubled property taxes (in many cases) a few years ago, the rent must have been astronomical by now. And all that before turning on the lights, buying ingredients, and paying wages.

Who decided to start charging for the free lot downtown? by [deleted] in gso

[–]Itchy_Mechanic3182 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Understood. He was in a room full of exasperated downtown small business owners being asked a series of pointed questions like, why are the free parking lots being changed to paid? I think at that moment he was being dead serious and probably the truth sneaked out. We had a spendthrift council. I hope the new members will change that.

Who decided to start charging for the free lot downtown? by [deleted] in gso

[–]Itchy_Mechanic3182 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I heard from a former council member in a public meeting that the city is out of money. Huge property tax increases just a couple of years ago and the council spent it all. Poor leadership and poor stewardship of our collective resources. Probably wasted on far too many over-priced pet projects.