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<br />May 29, 2008
<br />
<br />Attn: Director of Equalization,-- Cass County Courthouse, 2119th St. South, Fargo, ND 5B103
<br />Re: Notice Of Increase in Real Estate Assessment---298 Maple Dr., Mapleton ND 58059
<br />
<br />Dear Sir/Madame:
<br />
<br />I am writing you this letter because of a recent notification of value increase for tax
<br />assessment that we received. (see enclosed). The purpose of this letter is to respectfully
<br />oppose the increase in assessed value for 200B.
<br />
<br />Upon receipt of the notice, I called Ms. Betty Jo Nelson, tax assessor, on May 9th, and
<br />questioned the $47,100 assessment increase for one year. I said that in this current
<br />economy-- real estate is declining across the nation-in some places at a rapid pace, and
<br />I didn't believe or could imagine that Mapleton, NO has had such a recent and dramatic
<br />increase in property values. I then called my real estate agent, Darin Milbrath, with
<br />Prudential LRES Realty, and questioned the same....he said, "Mapleton is not increasing
<br />that much in value, maybe five thousand dollars."
<br />
<br />Ms. Nelson did call me back on May 10th, and said that after taking another look at the
<br />property she would lower the value to $164,Boo. (+$33,600) --Which is still about a
<br />25% increase for one year. She also stated that she had to go out of the area to assess the
<br />value because nothing compared in Mapleton. (what?) She said that she used values in
<br />Harwood---B miles away, and off the freeway. She said that NO property values are
<br />"pretty much stagnant". Please note: The Notice of Increase In Real Estate Assessment-
<br />states: Reason for Increase in Value: "neighborhood review" Harwood is not in the
<br />neighborhood. Mr. Milbrath checked current values in Harwood as well---he said
<br />nothing compared to that value either. (Please see his comment-attached.)
<br />
<br />Ms. Nelson said that there was nothing else she could do and that taxes are high in North
<br />Dakota. And if I wanted to appeal her decision, I should write to you.
<br />
<br />Due to prior commitment and distance, I/we are unable to attend the meeting scheduled
<br />for June 2, 200B at 3:30 pm, so, please accept this letter appealing the current assessment
<br />of $164,Boo for: 29B Maple Dr., --for 200B. (It is a nice thing if your real estate property is
<br />increasing in value---but not to be assessed as if it were, if it truly has not increased.)
<br />Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
<br />
<br />
<br />~f}]
<br />
<br />Arvid Handegard
<br />6640 Painted Desert Drive
<br />Las Vegas, NY 89108
<br />702-340-7264
<br />
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<br />
<br />Side note: even though taxes and utilities have increased substantially over the past 4
<br />years, we have not raised the total combined rents more than $Bo/mo since we bought
<br />it. (Rents are $550, $555, & $450.) A familyw/ 2 small children occupy one apartment-
<br />a young couple starting out, the other, and a man in his early 20'S (who struggles to make
<br />payments on time) -- wanted to live in Mapleton to be close to and help his grandfather.
<br />
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