Before we dive into whether or not metro districts are worth it - if you haven’t seen our previous posts (which we highly recommend reading when you have a second) you can read those at the links below! (They are super helpful in explaining what metro districts are!)
We know from speaking with many of you personally that metro districts aren’t for everyone, however, there are some folks who are interested in the potential benefits of living in a metro district so in this post, we are going to take a look at some of the potential positives a subdivision residing in a metro district might offer.
Possible Benefits of A Metro Districts
Before diving in, please note this list of possible benefits below is not exhaustive, nor is everything included in every subdivision.
If you are looking at homes in a subdivision within a metro district, we recommend researching what each one offers as they are all unique and will offer a variety of possible pros and cons that you will need to consider.
And if you are looking for a little help and guidance - you know you can always reach out to The Sall Team! We’d be happy to walk through this process with you!
So what are some of those possibilities and benefits?
Homes inside a metro district tend to be in a better purchase price range and are more affordable to home buyers.
You typically see public improvements that benefit the homeowner directly (and in a cost-efficient way).
The development risk lands on bond-owners instead of the homeowners.
HOA fees MIGHT be lower because many of the amenities are covered through the metro district taxation instead.
Property taxes (including the metro tax) MIGHT be tax deductible for the homeowners. (We recommend you speak with your accountant about this.)
Not always, but there are possible amenities included such as:
Mosquito control
Safety protections (fire, etc.)
Street improvements
Parks & recreation, trails, pools, etc.
Water and waste disposal
Covenant enforcement (similar to an HOA)
Transportation
With everything, there are always going to be things that may not be considered positive! The same goes for metro districts, but if you have a solid understanding of what you are choosing, you won’t be taken by surprise. This is where, as a homeowner, doing a little homework is super helpful.
Some of the important questions to ask and things to consider are below. Choosing a metro district (or not) is a very personal choice. Arming yourself with as much information as possible (and a good Realtor to help walk you through everything) will help you in making a choice you will be happy with,
Some things to ask/consider are:
What services does the subdivision’s metro district offer?
Who controls the subdivision’s metro district? Who makes the decisions?
How is the metro district funded?
What are the funds from the mill levy used for?
How will the metro tax impact my overall monthly payment?
At the end of the day, you first need to consider what you want in the home you purchase and the subdivision it resides in. Once you know what you are looking for, you can better decide if a metro district subdivision is a benefit or not to you.
Check out the infographs and article below for more helpful information regarding the pros and cons of metro districts in our area!
