While being a homeowner comes with many benefits, most homeowners don’t particularly like paying too much for property taxes. Over the past few years, many homeowners have seen their property taxes increase and have continued paying them. Did you know that you don’t have to accept your property taxes as they are. If they don’t seem right to you, you can appeal them.

Here are the steps you need to take to appeal your property taxes:

 1) Gather the information about how much your home has been assessed for by your tax assessor’s office. Your assessment information might be sent to you through the mail each year with your property taxes. You can also get the information from the tax assessor’s office. If the amount your home has been assessed for seems too high, then you should prepare to appeal your assessment and property taxes.

 2) Get your property’s record from your assessor’s office and ensure that it is correct. Once you have the property record, ensure that the information is correct, particularly when it comes to the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, your square footage, and how many cars your garage can hold. You’ll also want to check to make sure that your home’s assessed value aligns with what comparable homes are selling for in your neighbourhood. If any of the numbers are off, you can appeal the assessment because there are errors.

3) File the appeal with the assessor’s office and ask for a new assessment. The way to do this will depend on your local tax assessor’s office, and there will typically be a fee associated with the new assessment. If the assessment comes back with the correct numbers, your home will likely be assessed for a lower rate. If the assessment doesn’t reflect what you think it should, you can work with a lawyer.

For more information click here to view MPAC's website, where you will be guided on how to move forward should you need to appeal or have any other questions related to your property taxes.

If you have any questions about about your home value, just reply comment below, and we will get your questions answered.

Right now is the perfect time to lower your electric bill, and I’m sending you the best tips on how to do just that! As energy costs just keep rising this year, it’s smart to conserve that energy and save those dollars. It’s a win-win situation for the environment and your wallet!

Tip 1. Install dimmer switches: Not only do dimmer switches add a more cozy ambience to a room, but they also conserve energy by decreasing the amount of electricity used. As an added bonus, buyers love to see dimmer switches, and they can help your home feel more updated.

Tip 2. Install ceiling fans: Ceiling fans increase air circulation in a room, which is obviously great for the summer to get some much needed breeze going. Did you know that ceiling fans can reduce heating costs in the winter, too? If you switch the way that the fan turns, it will push the hot air down into the occupiable space, making the room feel warmer. As a result, ceiling fans are definitely worth the cost and time to install.

Tip 3. Change filters regularly: If you have central air, this is a big one. When your filters get old and full of dust and debris, they make the mechanism in your return vent work harder to get the same amount of air into the system. As a result, more energy is used. Avoid this by setting a reminder in your phone or your calendar to change your filters regularly! You may have already noticed that smart home thermostats remind you when to change them!

Tip 4. Schedule yearly HVAC maintenance: Keep your system working at its best and most energy-efficient by having maintenance done on an annual basis. In addition to keeping things running smoothly, you’ll also extend the life of your HVAC system and catch any problems early on.

Tip 5. Switch to LEDs: LEDs last forever, reducing the amount you spend on lightbulbs, and also use way less energy than incandescent or CFL bulbs. You can also get them in many different light temperatures so you can customize the look of your rooms when the lights are on. Win-win!

Tip 6. Add landscaping for shade: Increasing the shade around your home can save you a surprising amount of cash in the summer months in addition to upgrading your curb appeal.

It only takes a little time and effort to lower your electric bill and save energy as these tips have shown. Making small changes like these definitely adds up over time and will help you save money on your electric bill!

If you have already implemented all of the above tips and have saved some extra money for that new home of yours, we'd love to connect with you! Let's have a coffee and talk about your next big move! You can always pop into our office at 250 Bride Street, in Carleton Place!