SPECIAL WORKSHOP FOR MIAMI MASTER BROKERS OUTLINES COUNTY’S PROPERTY TAX POLICIES – AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RELIEF
Old Spanish Village Hosts Panel Discussion Headlined by
Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser Pedro J. Garcia
CORAL GABLES, FL -- September 11, 2009 – While the receipt of their 2009 property tax notices has upset and confused numerous Miami-Dade County homeowners, members of the Miami Master Brokers Forum (MBF) recently took part in a special workshop that clearly explained the reasoning and policies behind the recently-delivered statements. This workshop was hosted for the MBF (an organization comprised of South Florida’s top residential real estate agents) by Old Spanish Village, a new community located in the heart of Coral Gables and inspired by the vision of Coral Gables founder George Merrick.
Upon arriving at the event, guests toured and enjoyed a reception in Old Spanish Village’s new Showhouse Villa, before moving to the community’s sales center for the panel discussion. The workshop featured a blue-ribbon panel headlined by Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser Pedro J. Garcia; and included Tom Dixon, president of Dixon Commercial Real Estate, a former appraiser who specializes in tax assessment appeals and brokerage; and Danielle Blake, vice president of corporate and governmental affairs for the Realtor Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches. (MBF board members Pat Klock Parker and Christopher Zoller chaired the event, with Parker also serving as the moderator.) Members received detailed information about the rationale behind the county’s assessment policies (including Mr. Garcia’s controversial decision to disregard foreclosure sales when determining a neighborhood's taxable value), how and when to formally contest assessments, and how to retain homestead and portability benefits.
“While the steep decline of property values may not have resulted in an equitable amount of tax savings for many homeowners, we appreciate Mr. Garcia taking the time to explain and defend his policies and calculations,” said Emilio Palomo, chair of the Miami MBF. “We are also very grateful to Mr. Dixon and Ms. Blake for their invaluable contributions to the workshop, and to our friends at Old Spanish Village for their generous hospitality.”
###
Iliana Abella, Ralph Demartino, and Mercy Ballina
Panel moderator Pat Klock Parker; Tom Dixon, president of Dixon Commercial Real Estate; Danielle Blake, vice president of corporate and governmental affairs for the Realtor Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches; and Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser Pedro J. Garcia
Iliette Oliveros, sales associate for Shelton & Stewart; Nancy Iliffe, director of sales for Old Spanish Village; and Vanessa Ballestas, director of marketing and customer relations, with members of the Master Brokers Forum participating in the workshop