taxtribunal.pdf
Christine Mack Swords, Petitioner V Township Of New Buffalo, Respondent · 25-002895-TT
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Page 1
I am writing to appeal the 2025 assessment for our newly constructed home in the Golfmore Estates neighborhood located in the Village of Grand Beach in New Buffalo Township, Michigan. I was unable to prepare a comprehensive appeal for the board because I was in Florida for several months, taking care of elderly parents, when the assessment was completed and my appeal was denied. Our home is new construction, and it was assessed at $1,339,900 with a taxable value of $1,282,746. We are assessed much higher than any house in our neighborhood. Recent sales in Golfmore Estates include: Address Sale Price Date Square amenities Footage 45311 Putters 1,850,000 6/21/23 4387 5 beds 6 baths 45302 Putters 1,180,000 1/14/22 3100 4 beds, 4 baths 45318 Fairway 2,070,000 9/6/24 6000 6 beds, 5 baths pool 45316 Fairway 1,820,000 7/25/24 4800 4 beds, 5 baths pool 45317 Fairway 1,090,000 8/7/20 3284 4 beds, 4 baths pool 45321 Fairway 915,000 9/1/23 4282 3 beds 3 baths pool The two most recent sales were built to be used for short-term rentals, and the village of Grand Beach is currently revisiting the rules for short-term rentals, as many residents would like to restrict or eliminate them altogether. It is my understanding that the ability to rent increases the value of a home. In addition, there is an eight-bedroom house on the market in our neighborhood, which is being advertised for purchase as a potential short- term rental for just under $ 2,000,000. It has been on the market for 8 months. Our home is 5,879 sq ft, consisting of 3,591 sq ft on the 1st floor and 2,288 sq ft on the 2nd floor, with an additional 1,271 sq ft of finished space over the garage. Most of the walls in the area over the garage are 3-5 feet tall with angled ceilings. We're using a room as a bedroom, but due to the angled ceilings, there is no closet, so it technically can't be called a bedroom. Our house is five bedrooms with 5.5 baths with one of the bathrooms over the garage.
Page 2
With the exception of lake front houses, our house has been assessed higher than most houses in the old Grand Beach neighborhood and Eifel tower neighborhood. These neighborhoods are closer to the beach and typically sell for more and have higher values. Address Sale Price Date square locn amenities footage 46318 Station Rd 985,000 3/31/25 2163 GB 4 beds 2 baths pool 51222 E Arnold Dr 1,200,000 3/14/25 4204 Eiffel pool 7 beds 5.5 baths 46107 Ely Ave 800,000 12/20/24 3671 old GB 7 beds 4 baths 51007 Lake Park Drive 2,810,000 12/18/24 5524 eiffel lakefront, 7 beds, 8 baths pool .7 acre lot 46015 Lake View Ave 2,750,000 11/15/24 3577 Old GB lakefront, 5 beds, 5 baths 46111 Glenwood 1,500,000 11/4/24 2300 Old GB 4 beds bunk room 3 baths pool pool house very close to beach 51005 Lake Park Drive 3,600,000 3/8/24 12138 eiffel lakefront, 8 beds, 12 baths pool .7 acre lot 51325 Erich Ln 1,500,000 11/9/23 6923 Eiffel 4 beds 5 baths pool hot tub close to beach 50111 Deer Park 3,700,000 8/10/22 6376 Eiffel 7 beds 9 baths pool close to beach well known architect, all brick construction very private 1.6 acre lot 52103 Main Drive 1,900,000 6/17/22 4817 Eiffel 4 beds 4 baths , high end finishes dog wash gym ets close to beach 52114 Lake Park Dr 2,699,000 6/10/22 6287 eiffel across the street from the lake, lake views 4 beds 5 baths 52115 Main Dr 2,500,000 10/23/20 5256 Eiffel 4 beds 5 baths pool close to beach 1.2 acre lot 52216 Main Dr 1,650,000 4/30/18 6616 Eiffel 6 beds, 5 baths pool close to beach