Gregory Tassone

Discovering Milford, OH 45150: Insights from a Trusted Real Estate Agent

by Greg Tassone

About Milford

The first settler arrived in Milford in 1796, however the area did not officially attain city status until 1982 when the census counted 5,200 residents. Today Milford is a thriving area on the east side of Cincinnati, surrounded by Terrace Park, Indian Hill, Loveland, Goshen, and Batavia. There are two main epicenters for shopping, food, and entertainment in the area. The first being Downtown Milford or “Old Milford,” which can be found primarily along Main Street, then splits off onto Lila Ave. The second is located off the Milford Parkway exit on I-275, with the main features being Milford 16 Cinema, Target, Walmart, and several popular chain restaurants. Milford offers a wide variety of both public and private schools, as well as local restaurants, and community events.

Milford is charming, community-oriented, and scenic. It’s a place where you can enjoy the tranquility of suburban living while still having easy access to the amenities of a larger city.

As a longtime real estate agent, I tell my clients about the unique charm and community spirit of this area. When people first visit Milford, they are immediately drawn to its quaint, small-town feel combined with modern amenities. The picturesque downtown area, lined with historic buildings and boutique shops, creates an inviting atmosphere.

Schools

The Milford area is part of the Milford Exempted School District. There are a range of public schools in the area, with a few private mixed in.

The schools are as follows:

Public:

Milford Preschool
Pattison Elementary
Mulberry Elementary
Meadowview Elementary
McCormick Elementary
Charles L. Seipelt Elementary
Boyd E. Smith Elementary
Milford Junior High
Milford High School

Private:

Milford Christian Academy (PK-12)
Mark’s Lutheran School (PK-8)
Elizabeth Ann Seton (PK-5)
Andrew School (6-8)

Check out the Niche Rating.

Community, Events, and Festivals

Living in Milford comes with several perks. One major highlight is the Little Miami Scenic Trail, which offers residents a beautiful space for biking, walking, and connecting with nature. Other highlights include vibrant community events and notable festivals. Milford Frontier Days, featuring parades, carnival rides, and local vendors, and the Annual Pumpkin Festival celebrates the fall season with food, crafts, and entertainment. However, one of my favorite Milford attractions is the Promont House Museum.

Popular Restaurants and Retailers

Historic downtown Milford is a DORA area with many food and retail options. The dining scene has a plethora of local food hot spots and real gems like:

Little Miami Brewing Company
Pickles & Bones
Copper Blue
Ann India
Lehr’s Prime Market
By Gollys
20 Brix Restaurant
Padrino
Old Milford Parlor Coffee & Ice Cream
Miami Market
Mint Bistro

Shopping & Entertainment:

As mentioned above, there are two main epicenters for shopping and entertainment – the quaint and historic Downtown Milford, and the larger shopping center off of the Milford Pkwy exit. There are eight local parks and a bike trail listed on the city website, a couple of which are often used to host sports games and tournaments. Additionally, as part of a community initiative started in 2019, the city also hosts “Second Saturday” events every month with different events or discounts at participating local spots. A few of the favorite spots include:

Milford 16 Movie Theater
Little Miami River
Milford Antiques
Harvest Market – locally sourced food and goods
Kirk & Company Jewelers
Roads, Rivers, & Trails (RRT)
Row House Gallery
Tickled Sweet: Artisan Chocolates and Candies
Miami Athletic Club
Cincinnati Sand Volleyball Club
Scene75 Entertainment Center

Personal Experience

I’ve been selling houses in and around Milford for over 25 years. The sense of community, the beauty of the surroundings, and the friendly neighbors make it a fantastic place to live and work.

In summary, Milford, OH 45150, is a hidden gem offering a blend of historic charm, community spirit, and modern living. Whether you’re looking to buy a home, enjoy the local culture, or simply find a welcoming community, Milford has something special to offer.

Navigating Real Property Taxes in Hamilton County: Unveiling the Reappraisal Process

by Greg Tassone

As we provide an overview of the intricacies of real property taxes in Hamilton County, Ohio, recent insights from Hamilton County Auditor Brigid Kelly shed light on the 2023 Real Property Reappraisal. In this blog post, we’ll integrate Auditor Kelly’s guidance and discuss how real property taxes are calculated, emphasizing the nuanced relationship between property values and tax obligations.

The Reappraisal Process: please pay attention!

The State of Ohio mandates that County Auditors conduct a full reappraisal of all real property parcels every six years, with statistical updates every three years. This year, Hamilton County undergoes a comprehensive reappraisal, aiming to align real property values with current market conditions. However, certified values from the State of Ohio Department of Taxation are still pending for Hamilton County. As an owner of real property, you have until March 31^st to appeal your new valuation. If you miss this time window, not all is lost. You can appeal next year (by March 31^st) and if successful, your new valuation will be effective for 2 years (not the 3 years that would have been the case had you not procrastinated).

Factors Influencing Tax Revenue: it’s all about payees and distributions!

Communities can boost tax revenue through many factors such as new construction and expanding the pool of taxable properties. Voter-approved real property tax increases or levies also play a significant role in shaping tax rates. It’s important to recognize that voted levies can impact taxes, and Ohio law provides reduction factors for these levies. These reduction factors aim to adjust taxes on existing properties to maintain revenue consistency.

Real Property Values and Millage Rates and Tax Calculations… oh my!

Real property taxes are intricately linked to real property values. That said, an increase in fair market value of your real property doesn’t necessarily lead to a direct increase in real property taxes. The relationship is far more complex than that; after all, we’re talking about money from multiple sources and for many varied needs and wants so it has to be a little more veiled and complex, doesn’t it? Without over complicating things, to calculate real property taxes, the assessed value of a property is multiplied by the total millage rate (i.e, the confusing part), which includes rates from various taxing authorities.

Balancing Tax Adjustments: sounds easy but it isn’t!

The intricacies of tax calculations involve adjusting taxes on existing properties based on new market values. Reduction factors come into play to balance the impact of changing property values, ensuring that the tax revenue generated remains stable compared to the previous year. This mechanism helps mitigate the direct correlation between property value changes and tax fluctuations.

So where do my real property tax dollars go?

If you’re an owner of real property, you likely have questions concerning how your check made payable to the county treasurer is disbursed. In my particular situation, just over 60% of my real estate taxes are disbursed to the City of Cincinnati school district. The remainder, and in no particular order, the City of Cincinnati receives about 19%; Children Services, Developmental Disabilities, and the County General fund collectively receive about 11%; and the remaining 10% or so is distributed to the Park District, Public Library, Mental Health Levy, HLTH/Hospital Care for Indigent, Senior Services, Family Services, Zoo, etc. The actual distribution of your real estate tax dollars will be different depending on the location of your real property with the County.

Conclusion:

Understanding the reappraisal process and the factors influencing tax calculations provides property owners with valuable insights. Hamilton County Auditor Brigid Kelly’s guidance emphasizes the multifaceted nature of the relationship between real property values and real estate taxes. By understanding these details, county residents can navigate the evolving landscape of real property taxes with a clearer understanding of the broader factors at play.

Would you like a deeper dive? Do you have questions? Do you live in Hamilton County or Clermont County or Butler County or Warren County? Would you like comparable sales information? Do you want the Form DTE1 to start this process?

If you answered YES to any or all of these questions, please send an email to greg.tassone@cbrealty.com and I will help address your questions and comments.

In the meantime… here’s to an awesome 2024… notwithstanding a deeper reach into your tax pockets.