At a Maryland settlement, the buyer qualifies as a first-time homebuyer purchasing a $400,000 principal residence. The contract is silent on who pays the Maryland state transfer tax. The seller's agent argues that because the contract does not specify, the tax should be split equally as is customary in non-first-time-homebuyer transactions. The buyer's agent disagrees. Which of the following correctly describes the legal outcome under Maryland law?
Correct Answer
A) The seller pays the full state transfer tax at the reduced rate of 0.25%, regardless of what the contract says.
Under Md. Code Ann., Tax-Prop. § 13-203(c), when the buyer qualifies as a first-time homebuyer purchasing a principal residence, Maryland statute mandates that the seller pays the full state transfer tax at the reduced rate of 0.25%. This is a statutory obligation, not a contractual default rule. The parties cannot override this outcome simply by leaving the contract silent—the statute controls. The seller owes 0.25% × $400,000 = $1,000 in state transfer tax, and the buyer owes nothing. The seller's agent's argument about customary splitting applies only to non-first-time-homebuyer transactions.
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Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
Reconciliation is the final step in the appraisal process where the appraiser analyzes the value indications from all applicable approaches and arrives at a single final opinion of value. It is not a simple average of the three values.
The comparable sales approach estimates a property's value by comparing it to similar properties that have recently sold in the same market area. It is the most widely used and reliable approach for appraising residential properties.
The cost approach estimates a property's value by calculating the current cost to rebuild the improvements, subtracting accumulated depreciation, and adding the land value. It is most reliable for new construction and special-purpose properties.
More Valuation Questions
Maria owns a home in Boise, Idaho that serves as her primary residence. She wants to reduce her property tax burden by taking advantage of Idaho's homeowner exemption. Under Idaho law, what is the maximum amount of assessed value that can be exempted from property taxation under the homeowner's exemption?
A New Hampshire licensee is listing a 75-acre parcel that has been in the Current Use program for 15 years. The seller informs the licensee that he enrolled the land himself and has never paid a Current Use enrollment fee. The buyer intends to keep the land as open space and wants to maintain its Current Use status after closing. Which of the following statements most accurately describes the situation the licensee must disclose and advise upon?
Leilani is a licensed Hawaii real estate salesperson helping a buyer purchase a property registered in the Land Court system in Honolulu. When discussing property taxes, the buyer asks whether the Land Court registration of the property affects how it is assessed for property tax purposes compared to a property in the Regular System (Bureau of Conveyances). Which response is most accurate?
A homeowner in Portland receives her annual property tax statement. The county assessor lists her property's Real Market Value (RMV) at $480,000 and her Maximum Assessed Value (MAV) at $310,000. Which value will the county use to calculate her property tax bill?
Highest and best use means the use that is:
- → Dorothy, age 72, owns her home in Henrico County, Virginia. Her annual household income is $28,000 and her net worth (excluding her home) is $85,000. She applies for Virginia's elderly and disabled property tax relief program. Which statement best describes how Virginia's program works?
- → Which formula best represents the cost approach to appraisal?
- → Which appraisal method is most commonly used for residential properties and relies on recent sales of comparable properties?
- → The sales comparison approach to appraisal is most commonly used for which type of property?
- → Susan sells her luxury waterfront home in Kirkland for $2,000,000. Using Washington's current graduated state REET schedule under RCW 82.45 (1.1% on the first $525,000; 1.28% on the portion from $525,000.01 to $1,525,000; 2.75% on the portion from $1,525,000.01 to $3,025,000; 3% above $3,025,000), what is the state REET owed on this sale (excluding any local REET)?
- → James owns a farm in rural Tennessee that qualifies for the Greenbelt Law. Under Tennessee's Greenbelt Law, how is agricultural land assessed for property tax purposes?
- → Highest and best use:
- → The sales comparison approach adjusts for differences by:
- → In the sales comparison approach to appraisal, adjustments are made to which properties?
- → The market approach (sales comparison approach) to property valuation is most reliable for:
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