Do you ever find yourself in conversations about real estate and wondering why people would want to talk about something as seemingly boring as property taxes?

When it comes to buying a home, there are many important factors to consider – from the neighborhood to the size of the property. One crucial consideration that can often be overlooked is property taxes. Understanding property taxes is key to making informed choices about your home purchase, as they can significantly impact your finances both in the short and long term. In this blog, we’ll explain what property taxes are, why they matter, and how to factor them into your home-buying decision. By the end, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the process and avoid surprises down the road.

When you talk to a lender or someone in the finance world about homes, you might hear the term PITI. This stands for Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance, and these are the main things you have to pay for when you buy a home, along with your HOA and utilities. However, the tax portion of PITI is particularly important – we’re talking about your property taxes.

So why are property taxes so significant? Essentially, property taxes are the government’s way of congratulating you on owning a property and then charging you every year for that privilege. Even if you own a piece of land with no property on it, you’re still going to be taxed on it.

Every state has its own property tax rate, and Nevada’s is about 0.60-0.75%. Although we’re about average in this regard, it’s important to understand how property taxes can affect your financial situation. To give you some numbers, in Clark County, Nevada, where the average home price is around $430,000, the property tax rate is about 0.75%, which works out to around $2,500 per year.

When your property taxes go up, that can be both good and bad. On the one hand, it means that your home value has gone up. For example, if you bought a home for $300,000 in 2022 and its assessed value increased to $350,000 in 2023, then you’ve gained $50,000 in equity – a fantastic investment. On the other hand, the government will tax you on the new assessed value, which can be a double-edged sword. 

It’s worth noting that property taxes are supposed to go towards things like schools and community structures, but that’s not always the case. Regardless, it’s important to consider property taxes when you’re buying a home. If you live in a state with expensive homes, you could be paying tens of thousands of dollars in property taxes every year, so make sure to factor that in when you’re deciding where to buy.

In short, property taxes may not be the most exciting topic of conversation, but they’re a crucial consideration when you’re looking to buy a home. I hope this has helped you understand more about property taxes and why they matter.

Hope this helps!