How would you like it if you suddenly received a letter from your town stating that they are going to reinstate a 1985 Bylaw which calls for a $25 fee for temporary signs placed in yards within the town? Signs would include "For Sale" real estate signs, as well as others like "yard sale" and "landscaping" signs.
I had the TV on as I was preparing dinner and I heard some news that made me stop everything and rewind (thank goodness for DVR) to make sure I had heard right.
The Town of Shirley, Massachusetts, has sent such a letter in an attempt to fill a massive budget gap. Charging people $25 PER SIGN, is their proposed solution to a 1.7 million dollar deficit.
Wow, that could get mighty expensive!
They have not started enforcing this fee yet. Sometime in May opponents will have the opportunity to speak. I can imagine that will be one well attended meeting!
Political signs would be exempt. Of course, they would.
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Sharon,
I lot of towns by us have permit fees. They are looking for revenue anywhere they can get it.
Not fun.
Richard
Not surprising...I wonder what they'll think of next? Lockbox taxes?
Trying to make a buck anywhere they can. Hum....
So, what happens if you want to put directions up for an open house for a few hours one day? Keep us updated on how this progresses.
Here is what is expensive, when individual cities require you the agent to have a business license for each city that you do business in. Application fee around $70 and an annual fee of about $63. Fees vary of course, but it adds up.
I realized that cities are in trouble due to loss revenue, but this is too much. They now resort to hiring auditing firms to help them collect delinquent fees, and these firms will keep up to 50% of the fees collected.
The California Business and Profession Code System specifically states that a real estate salesperson is an "employee" not an "independent contractor" and gets a 1099 Form hence, we should be covered under the exemption Municipal Code. And as long as the broker has a business license the agent would be covered under this business license however, cities are still going after each agent to comply.
My county brought up a similar proposal and wanted to exempt political signs also, we came out in mass forces to the public forum and said... we pay, you pay. They dropped the issue entirely and now we have to keep our signs off the right of way and no directionals unless only up for the day.
Richard: Are the permit fees $25? That seems like a pretty high price to me.
Thomas: SSHHH! Don't give them any ideas!
Jimmie: That's the American way!
Sharon - We have a sign curfew here. Friday after 5pm to Sunday 5pm. $25 first offense, $50 second,$100 third....up to $500 per occurrence. Those are for directionals. Yard 'sins' are free. Pay to play. That's why AR helps
Connie: They only mentioned yard signs, I'm not sure about direction signs. I'll update if I hear more.
Dee: I feel for ya. All those fees add up fast. It sounds like the auditing companies aren't making out too bad!
Tammy: I would imagine that this meeting will provoke a large attendance of people in opposition. It will be interesting to see if it actually happens.
Claude: Are you saying that you can't post any directional signs all weekend, but yard signs are ok?
I'd be surprised if they could get that one to pass. Just make sure the meeting is well attended and the "political sign" issue is addressed. I like the we pay, you pay theory. They don't want to any more than we do. As if business isn't hard enough for everyone right now.
Geri: I think attendance will be the key. It should be interesting. Thanks for the comment.
Isn't it interesting that when it comes to revenue, Realtors' pockets seem to be frequently targeted? Whether it's attorneys, or local and state government. Everybody wants a piece.
Hope it won't pass, Sharon.
Borino
www.ExpiredPlus.com
I agree that the political signs should be taxed as well. After all there is a huge shortage of revenue, aren't political people in charge of the revenue?
Wow that is ridiculous. In my area there are some neighborhoods where signs are not permitted, but to charge???
Borino: Thanks for the comment. I visited your blog and liked it so much, I subscribed! I am forwarding it to a friend who is targeting expired listings.
Wanda: I think if they are going to charge a fee for the real estate signs, they should do so for the political too.
Christine: I do have a problem with signs being left on telephone poles (yard sale) long after use and understand the need for control or ordinances, even fees if fair and reasonable. This fee seems too high.
Wow. Hope that doesn't catch on in our area. They'd really make extra $$ if they would charge for the political signs left behind after the elections.
Oh my! Well, I can see this and other hands in our pockets coming down the road. Today it's 90% tax on CEO bonuses... how long will it take to sift down to real estate agent commissions?
Hi Sharon - Shirley needs to be told loud and clear to "stay out of my pocket." I find it amazing that a municipality would target a single group to deal with their deficit. If they targeted political signs they would make that deficit up in a single political season (especially during presidential elections). It's interesting, however, that they would make political signs exempt. Politicians! You "gotta" love them!
Sounds like just another was for the government to tax you. What would happen if everyone starts putting the sign in a window in the house?
Sharon, I sure hope not!
We buy our signs, and everything else. Taxes, taxes, taxes!!!
I have never heard of this one before. I have to admit, NOTHING surprises me anymore, but this did make my jaw gape open! It's OUTRAGEOUS!
political signs exempt - give me a break - they make the entire world look ugly during campaigns and they should never be exempt - there are similar laws in towns here in NH - Plaistow charges $50. to post a for sale sign on your lawn. Many towns have put a complet stop to directional signs on corners of streets and heafty fines are imposed on those who disobey.
Lee & Carol: I was so glad to see all those political signs gone after the election. Course, they took their sweet time getting all of them. They were driving my crazy! I would like to see them pay a fee.
Margaret: I really hope it doesn't come to that! You guys pay enough already!
Jon: Do I really "gotta love them?" Cuz, I don't want to. I hate those political signs. You are right though, that would bring in some money! Hey, maybe cut down on quantity of signs too!
Richard: A great point...putting signs on house. They do that in Florida. I have noticed when I visit my parents, the signs are in the windows. I wonder if it is due to some ordinance there.
Connie: I have a feeling that Realtor opposition could change their minds. Let's see what hsppens after the meeting in May.
Janna: It surprised me too. It just doesn't sound fair, but then again what is fair today?
Judy: Wow, $50! That is high! I understand the litter and mess too many signs can make and the need for ordinances. I just don't think RE signs are a problem. They aren't left behind and faded and trashy looking like cardboard signs on telephone poles. There is a difference.
Sharon - Ouch! I hope that doesn't pass! I think we have enough fees... :)
Debi: I agree, if it passes in Massachusetts, it could spread all over. Hopefully it won't.
Sharon, I hope for the sake of the Realtors in Shirley, and everywhere else, this never happens!
Debi
Sharon,
I am not sure about city ordinances and signs in the windows. I have sold in some sub divisions where it was the home owners deed restriction which would not allow signs in the yard.
With the way the economy is these days, I would say that sign fees would be a "growth industry" for many communities. Ha.
Debi: me too!
Richard: It does seem like it could be a way around paying the fee. Of course, it doesn't work for everyone. My house is set 270 feet into the woods. Only the deer would see the sign if it were in my window!
Tom: Sure, but I think charging a fee for the political signs would be a better way to boost the economy!
Hi Sharon,
I have never heard of this before. I hope this doesn't catch on in other cities.
-Lisa
Lisa: Me too, it would be unfair.
I am sick and tired of realtors putting their signs in my front yard.
These people have driven their big SUV's right on my yard, they don't even have the class or courtesy to knock on my door and ask permission.
I just pull them up now and throw them down flat on the ground.
You want to post on my yard, it will cost you by the hour!
I am sick and tired of realtors and political hacks putting their signs in my front yard.
These people have driven their big SUV's right on my yard, they don't even have the class or courtesy to knock on my door and ask permission.
What if I brought my SUV and parked it on the yard of their personal home, they would go ballistic, well, thats how I feel, its all about respect of other peoples property and these people have none.
I just pull them up now and throw them down flat on the ground.
You want to post on my yard, it will cost you by the hour!
BYI, I do the same thing with political signs.
Keith: Sounds like you have a very frustrating situation. No one should be posting signs in your yard without your permission. If you find someone willing to pay by the hour, that could be profitable. Good luck with that.
Sharon, thanks for your understanding.
I understand that the realtors need to make a living, I don't have a problem with that.
What I do have a major problem with is the lack of common courtesy they show.
I about fell over one day when I looked out my front window and here was a realtor in a huge
SUV parked on my lawn. I was speechless for about a second.
Then I went outside and I confess I was extremely rude to this person, you get what you give.
If I parked on his lawn, he would most likely have a major problem as well.
Keith