Tips and suggestions for homeowners and renters:
Your county offers free fraud-protection programs. Sign up.
The recorder of deeds in each county in our region offers a free tool to prevent property and mortgage fraud:
Do you qualify for the homestead/farmstead exemption? Probably!
A homestead exemption is essentially a tax break you receive if you own the home you live in. You fill out the application just once, usually when you first purchase the home, and it stays in effect for years.
For example, suppose you purchase a home in Montgomery Township, Montgomery County, that is assessed for $100,000.
Owner Occupied Residences are eligible to exclude a portion of the assessed value of their property from the calculation of the Montgomery Township Real Estate Tax. Currently, this exclusion is $30,000. In order for a property owner to qualify, the owner must file an application with the Montgomery County assessment office and be approved. The property must be the resident's primary residence. Residents cannot claim a primary residence and receive a benefit in another state or county.
Information regarding the Homestead Exclusion application process can be obtained by contacting the Montgomery County Assessment Office at 610-278-3761, office hours 8:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday or on line at www.montcopa.org
How do you check on whether you qualify, and what level of exemption is available?
Under a homestead or farmstead property tax exclusion, the assessed value of each homestead or farmstead is reduced by the same amount before the property tax is computed. Homeowners are not guaranteed a homestead or farmstead exclusion unless and until an additional income tax for purposes of granting a homestead or farmstead exclusion is approved by voter referendum or sufficient funds have been collected to permit property tax reduction allocations to be made by the commonwealth.
Scammers will try to sell you copies of your deed.
When you purchase a home, scammers might try to sell you copies of your deed. For example, the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds sent out this notice in 2020:
Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Jeanne Sorg warned homeowners of a misleading solicitation mailer being sent to homeowners in the county. The solicitation offers homeowners a “copy of their Property Assessment Profile” and a “Complimentary Grant Deed or other record of title” for a service fee of $95. Sorg said county residents can search their property data from home using the Recorder of Deeds Public Access System. Residents can also contact the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds office at 610-278-3289 for assistance. Property assessment records can also be searched for free from the Board of Assessment’s Property Records Page. Additionally, Sorg encouraged all Montgomery County homeowners to register for FraudSleuth, a free service that alerts them if a document is recorded against their name or parcel number. Homeowners can learn more about FraudSleuth on the Recorder of Deeds website.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 9/11/2020
Subscribe to your local government alerts and/or read meeting agendas and minutes.
Visit your municipality's website and look for ways to sign up for meeting notices. Many towns and boroughs will send residents an email when a new meeting document, e.g. an agenda for an upcoming meeting or the minutes of a recent meeting, have been posted.
Pay particular attention to the borough council or township supervisors — where the most important decisions are made. Also watch the zoning and planning boards to learn about developments and other changes that could impact your community. If your community doesn't offer email notices, bookmark the appropriate webpages and check them monthly.
With local journalism in a state of transition, paying attention to municipal documents is a great way to stay informed — not just about development, but also police and fire activity, community events, and how tax dollars are being spent.
Put house numbers on your house.
Many municipalities require that house numbers are least 3 inches high and visible from the street.
It sounds simple — and it is. But making sure your house number is clearly marked will help everyone from the pizza deliverer to ambulances and firefighters find your house quickly.
Other great resources for homeowners and renters:
Find the fastest internet with this FCC tool:
National Broadband Map shows fastest internet providers for properties
The National Broadband Map is a resource for anyone seeking a fast and reliable internet connection. It helps users easily identify the fastest internet service providers in your area. Armed with this information, a person can shop around for deals, compare pricing, plan for relocation, and find an internet plan that best meets their needs. This tool makes finding the fastest local internet service provider pretty straightforward. Enter the property’s address or ZIP code, and the map will display a comprehensive overview of providers and their respective speeds. Using the National Broadband Map, users can evaluate internet speeds available in different areas.
Find regional trails via Circuit Trails
Greater Philadelphia is home to the Circuit Trails, a vast and ever-growing regional network of hundreds of miles of multi-use trails.
Visit the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission website for an interactive map of Circuit trails.
Take precautions:
According to FEMA, mid-Atlantic residents should prepare for ‘be ready’ during hurricane season nears
“You need to have a plan for what you’re going to do if a hurricane is coming our way,” said FEMA regional administrator MaryAnn Tierney. Officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season this year, with 12 to 17 named storms, including five to nine hurricanes — up to four of which could be major. The mid-Atlantic has a history of relatively minor hurricane impacts compared to parts of the country like Florida and the Gulf Coast, Tierney said. She worries that means people here may be less prepared. FEMA recommends developing a plan with your household for where you’ll go if you’re told to evacuate, putting together a home disaster kit and go-bag with essentials like important documents, medications and pet food, downloading a weather app, and signing up for local emergency alerts.
FEMA offers a more comprehensive document to help residents gauge their risk factors and prepare accordingly. View it here: FEMA Basic Preparedness