All Forum Posts by: M Marie M.

@Ned Carey what I found frightening was that he had gotten the assessment down and then it shot up again. Crazy.

Baltimore doesn't need liberal outrage it needs openness and accountability. Oh and logic. There is a little too much in B'more that just makes no sense.

Take a look at 

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/real-estate/w... "Tax assessment appeals persist in Baltimore" by Natalie Sherman Feb 5, 2015

The way I read it, it seems that because there are so many rentals and distressed sales and the tax rate is crazy high there are more and more tax assessment appeals in Baltimore City, more than the rest of Maryland.

Any thoughts?

I've been working with David Robertson of Something Different Contracting for many, many years, but as a retail customer, not an investor. He can be artistic and think out of the box. He's worked with me on budget, but the think I like best about him and his company is they show up when they say they will show up. Not one bit flakey. Does work in the DMV.

@Ryan David I was just inquiring because I was looking at something that would need to be split. I did not get that deal and moved on.

@Vasa G., I'm trying to think back and we went through a couple of drawings, then there were labor costs to measure the existing structure, resurveying the lot (gained a foot) and hours billed dealing with DCRA and getting the permit since we apparently already maxed out the 60% allowed.

My architect might be overkill if your project is simple and you're within what you're allowed.

My architect was ok (and friggin expensive) so PM me if you want his info. My GC recommended him to me. But in my case I needed some exemptions from the city to get the permit for the work planned.

Architects in Maryland and Virginia can do DC projects as long as they are registered in the District.

I'm sure you're well aware of some of the issues with condos. I'm not going to name them but a large condo building on Duke St has had a history of problems from failing to keep a decent management company to take care of the maintenance, poor building management, and ever rising condo fees. A friend of mine who lived there once owned a condo and had to let it go because she couldn't get a renter when she transferred for work and had a hard time selling it. And apparently the condo association was run by crazy old biddies. 

Other places where there are lots of foreclosures in a single building make me wonder what's so wrong with that building.

Yes, I am strongly biased against condos so take what I write with a bag of salt. The HOA fees around here are what I think of as crazy high and add that to assessments that could seemingly come out of nowhere.

UPDATE from my ANC:

The Office of Tax and Revenue ("OTR") provides notice that the Real Property Discount Tax Sale scheduled to occur on Monday, January 25, 2016, is cancelled. The Real Property Discount Tax Sale is cancelled due to the impending blizzard to occur this weekend.

OTR anticipates that the Real Property Discount Tax Sale will be rescheduled to occur in March 2016. Notice of such new date will be provided in via selected newspapers and on our Web site at least 30 days in advance. Bidders who have made deposits may request refunds to the Tax Sale Unit. Otherwise, bidders may leave their deposits on account to be applied to the anticipated, re-scheduled Real Property Discount Tax Sale and if so re-registration will not be required.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Please help me understand something.

If I wanted to make a house into a duplex in DC, it's a matter of making sure the basement (and it is typically a basement) is legal in height. It is not a big deal to split a house into 2 units. Making two condo units from one SFH, that's more involved, but possible.

But I get the sense that it is a PITA in Baltimore. Is it possible to divide a house into two units, just 2, not 3, in Baltimore City? What are all the parts?

Welcome to BP @Shawn Gageby

Since you already have experience, one way to connect is to share what you know on the forums. That way we get to see your awesomeness in words.