Team Jodi - Chapel Hill Real Estate, Durham Real Estate

I have been receiving emails and phone calls from alot of people asking me if their new 2009 property tax value is right. I can tell you that the County really tried to do a good job. It is not easy to revalue all the homes in the county and they know that although there has been appreciation over the last 4 years, the last 2 years have been tough.

When I started looking based on requests from clients, neighbors and others, I would say that most of them were right. Shortly after that I revised my estimates and was finding about 50:50. I am to the point where the scales have officially tipped and I am now finding more that seem off the mark.

I highly encourage you to take a hard look. In one case, I found that the county thinks the house is 1,000 square feet larger than it is. This happens but it needs to be corrected. I have also seen where the house that has the highest property tax valuation in the neighborhood is not the largest or most updated. I have also seen some really large increases, like 53-56%, when the average increase for the neighborhood is around 30%.

I have posted information explaining the process and how you can contest your property tax value with the Orange County.

I also posted information on the County Commmissioners current thinking regarding property taxes. Although our property tax values are increasing, read the information that is out so far on how a number of Commissioners want our taxes to be revenue neutral. This means that our tax rates would go down so that our ultimate tax bills don't rise substantially.

If you have questions about your tax value, don't hesitate to contact me. I am happy to help.

This past Wednesday, the Chapel Hill Town Council members and members of the UNC-Chapel Hill's Board of Trustees disagreed over what should be done with the remaining 750 acres of the 1,000 acre Carolina North site. UNC plans to build an academic and research campus on 250 acres of the site, but would not agree to permanently preserve the remaining 750 acres of land as many on the Town Council want.

I live across the street from this tract of land. It is a very beautiful piece of property with wonderful walking, mountain biking and running trails. It is actually more property than UNC currently sits on. That is an amazing fact. It is my hope that as UNC develops this property, the beautiful and peaceful trails are preserved.

The Innovation Center, Carolina North's first building, will likely receive an up or down vote at the Town Council meeting on January 26. To hear audio of the exchange between UNC Board of Trustees chairman Roger Perry and Mayor Pro Tem Jim Ward, click here. (From WCHL 1360AM)

Despite the economic recession, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School system is continuing to move forward with the plans for the 11th elementary school. The new elementary school is proposed to be built in the Northside neighborhood between Caldwell and McMasters streets (this is very close to downtown Chapel Hill). The first step in the development process, the concept plans, were submitted to the Town of Chapel Hill in December. School Board Chairwoman Lisa Stuckey cautiously acknowledged that plans could change. The school is tentatively scheduled to open in the August of 2011. I will continue to discuss the progress on the development of this school. I wonder what they will name this one. . . Any ideas?

Oh what a difference a week can make.  This week we've seen Carolina rise to 3-2 in ACC conference play with wins over Virginia, Miami and Clemson.  Duke remains unbeaten in ACC play with a win over NC State and also a non conference win over Georgetown.  The excitement is building towards THE game of the year thus far, the 2009 matchup between UNC & Duke on March 8.  The students at Duke have not let this weeks snow deter them from camping out at Krzyzewskiville either.  Students have been camped out for weeks now to get those precious spots in the Cameron Crazies section of Cameron Indoor Stadium for the home games.  They weathered the elements this week for the NC State game and will do the same as the UNC Game approaches if necessary.

Next up this coming week for #2 Duke is a home contest against Maryland then an away game at #1 Wake Forest, who lost last night to Virginia Tech.  #6 Carolina has 2 away games next on their schedule, Florida State on Jan. 28^th and NC State on Jan. 31^st.

19 days from now, the intensity of the 2009 rivalry will be at full throttle - "Which is the best shade of blue?"  And the best part... it all starts over again immediately, the rematch happens on March 8!

Are you a Tarheel or a Blue Devil?  Which team do you think is going to win the ACC Tournament or, better yet, the NCAA Championship?  My bet is still for Tyler Hansbrough and Carolina!  Go Heels!

Chapel Hill-Carrboro School students continue to outperform their counterparts across North Carolina in reading, despite a drop in reading test performance as a result of significant changes made this year in the tests given to students grades 3-8. These changes include setting higher standards for attaining proficiency. These changes resulted in 78.5 percent of CHCCS students posting proficiency in reading compared to 93.4 percent in 2008. The drop in scores in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro district is approximately ½ of the decline that has been seen statewide. Raising standards is of course a good thing, but it will take a year or two before this evens out. Some feel that these results are somewhat demoralizing to the students and staff, however, the goal is to raise standards across the region. Once everyone becomes familiar with the new approach, I know that things will even out. Personally, I am excited for my children that they are being challenged. I want them to be strong readers and to focus on reading comprehension. I am very thankful that they had great scores. In my book, this is very important to our children's growth and intellectual development.