ARLINGTON — While the town’s portion of the new tax rate is down half a cent, taxpayers will see their rates go up by about 4 cents in total.

The Select Board voted Monday to set the municipal tax rate at 28 cents per $100 of property valuation. The homestead education tax rate was set at $1.4872, while the nonresidential tax rate was set at $1.4580.

While the town’s tax rate is based on what it needs to raise to meet the budget, the other two numbers are largely set by the state and are created by using a formula that involves the cost per pupil in the school and the town’s common level of appraisal.

The town’s common level of appraisal stands at 92.59 percent. The figure is applied to the grand list to cover discrepancies between the list and what homes are selling for. Board member Lawrence Molloy said the town should examine its options for reappraisal or partial reappraisal, as it is one of the few factors in the education tax rate the board can control.

To calculate what a person’s property tax bill will be, the municipal rate is added to the state rate and charged per $100 of the property’s assessed value. On a $100,000 home, a person paying the homestead rate would be billed $1,768, a $36 increase over last year.

In 2009, the homestead education tax rate was set at $1.4465, while the nonresidential tax rate was set at $1.4428.

Despite the Arlington School District’s budget being down 3.8 percent from last year, the tax rate has gone up largely because of the cost per pupil. Select Board member Cynthia Browning said the state factors such things into its calculations.

Reprinted with permission from The Bennington Banner, KEITH WHITCOMB JR.

Just an update for all you out there wondering how Bonnie and I did walking the 5k  for the Race for the Cure in Manchester, VT.  Kathy finished 9th with a time of 38:58 and Bonnie came in with a time of 57:39. Whew! glad that’s done.  Great turnout and our team – Team Realtors – was first in the team fundraising bringing in over $11,000.  Bonnie and Kathy are both Bennington, VT real estate agents, if you didn’t know that already.  See you again next year.

Yeah! Here at RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty in Bennington, VT we have recently acquired our NY license to practice real estate in our neighboring towns in NY.  This is great for so many people are thinking of selling in NY and buying in VT or buying in NY and selling in VT. This is one stop service. Lilli West has lived in Hoosick Falls, NY and Bennington and Shaftsbury, VT so she is familiar with all these markets and looks forward to being available to those on the fence for which state they want to purchase their home in.

Typically, a home in nearby NY is a little less expensive than a comparable one in Benningotn, VT, however taxes in NY tend to be a little higher, so you have to way the pros and cons. Talk to a real estate professional or your local town office to find out taxes on a particular property, also price per sqaure foot as compared to another home.

There are all kinds of details to think about when choosing your home, whether it be in Bennington or Hoosick Falls, Cambridge or Arlington, Petersburg or Pownal…we are here to help!

July 7, 2010 — The Vermont Association of REALTORS® is once again sponsoring the VT-NH Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Saturday, July 17^th at Hildene Meadows, Manchester, Vermont. It’s the 9^th year that Team REALTOR® will be participating.

 The Vermont Association of REALTORS® has a long history of giving back to the community and this annual event garners enthusiastic participation among the REALTOR® community. This year Team REALTOR® is on track to increase the size of the team and is expecting 45 -50 supporters from across the state. They’ve made a $10,000 goal and are currently in second place for pledges made. See www.vtREALTOR.com for more about joining Team REALTOR® or making a pledge.

Check this Blog on Monday to see how Bonnie and Kathy did in the race!  We will represent the Bennington VT real estate agents unless we see any of our fellow Realtors® on Saturday.

It was a great day in October 2009 when this little orange bundle of  fur joined our team here at our  Bennington, Vermont real estate office.  Weighing in at 5 ounces he had a great physical exam at the Veterinarians office.  Everyone fell in love with him.   Here is his story:

After being found with several siblings at a property that was vacant, 3 of my siblings went to the local Humane Society for a 2nd Chance.   I was left on Bonnie’s desk knowing that she would instantly fall in love with me.  Of course she did and asked the office staff what I should be named.  Joe said, “what about Remax” and it was purr-fect!

I am growing up now and gonna be a year old in September.  I am sooooo happy in my new home.  I have a sister Katie and 2 dog brothers, Harley and Bailey.  I did run away once when my big sister pushed the screen out of the window but I hid under the shed and my brother Harley found me and told Grammie where I was.  I was scared but mom got me out from under the shed and I am not doing that again!

I weigh about 10 pounds now and thought I would attach a few pictures of myself and my family.  Remember to visit my moms office for all of your real estate needs in Bennington, VT.

I know this may not have much to do with real estate in Bennington, VT but check out the video that a woman named Gretchen did for us during the Relay for Life last week.   Go to www.YouTube.com/zedzay and look for the Bennington Relay for Life 2010.

Just want to congratulate Bonnie Cutler for completing her Broker course, passing the test and receiving her Real Estate Brokers License.   Bonnie is one of the top producers here in Bennington Vermont and we are proud and lucky to have her in our office.