Exeter Could Seize Deeds To More Than 80 Homes And Businesses

Although it’s easy to generalize the Seacoast as a well-to-do place, that’s not always the case–especially, it seems, for Exeter.  Aaron Sanborn of Seacoastonline reports:

“After years of not receiving property taxes, the town may have to take ownership of more than 80 properties later this fall.

Both business and residential property owners owe the town for nonpayment of taxes as far back as 2005. Although it’s a significant number, members of the Board of Selectmen, who make the final decision on taking deeds for nonpayment, hope the number of liens dwindle by Oct. 31.”

And that wasn’t the worst of it.

Stacy Lynn Baum / Flickr

Exeter could be facing some tough decisions about what to do with 87 properties.

“Town Manager Russ Dean said earlier this year there were originally 103 properties for possible deeding.

Two were ruled ineligible because of bankruptcy and on 14, liens were paid in full after receiving the notices.

There are currently 87 deed-eligible properties whose owners still owe the town money.

As of July 28, the town was still owed $241,762.31, which is 76 percent of what’s outstanding. That amount represents what is owed on the property liens and doesn’t include other back taxes, interest and fees.”

Sanborn reports that once the town takes the deeds, it has two options: Either allow the original owners to buy back their properties by paying back taxes in installments and a set percentage of the assessed value, or sell the properties.

So unless the owners of 87 properties come up with their back tax money, a lot of people on both sides of the issue will have a difficult day November 1st.