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Keep Caroline beautiful with scenic easements Date published: 11/27/2009
Caroline County property owners are faced with unfriendly economic conditions in selling their property, getting a mortgage, or coming up with money to pay their real estate taxes. Several families have properties that have been in their families for generations that they want to pass on to their children, but they also need money for current living expenses. Subdividing their land makes it less desirable to live there. Is there a good alternative? The answer is yes: Put your property into scenic easement and sell the development rights for cash, or contribute them to Virginia Outdoors Foundation or The Conservation Fund and receive Virginia tax credits and federal tax deductions. It is not a difficult process. First, have an appraisal on your property. Then the appraiser determines your property's value with no development rights. The difference in value between the two appraisals is the amount that you can sell for cash, or donate and receive a federal tax deduction for the full amount and Virginia tax credits for 40 percent of the easement value. The tax credits can be sold for cash or used to pay your state income taxes up to 10 years. While your easement is sold, you retain title to the land to use as you've always used it. The Caroline County Countryside Alliance was formed to help property owners put their land into easement, thereby protecting and preserving scenic views and farmlands. The county retains its rural character and scenic beauty, while the property owner receives cash. Economic development will be, and should be, encouraged, but within the well-thought-out Comprehensive Plan, mainly along the Interstate 95 corridor. To do otherwise would create sprawl, something that is definitely not Gil Shelton Caroline The writer is director of the Caroline County Countryside Alliance.
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