By trose@steidl-steinberg.com
You may remember the story of Frank Pascoe of Trafford that we told on our website recently. He is an 80-year-old Korean War veteran who was wounded in combat and lives alone in his 100-year-old house.
Pascoe lives on a modest and fixed income and keeps a clean home, but it has not had any significant improvements to it in 50 years.
When the Allegheny County assessment figures were released in January, Pascoe’s home was given a value of $90,200.00. He was understandably shocked and concerned.
“If the county thinks my house is worth ninety thousand, I’ll sell it to them right now,” Pascoe said. “Somehow, I don’t think they will.”
When ken.steidl@steidl-steinberg.com and kenny.steinberg@steidl-steinberg.com learned of Pascoe’s assessment, they wanted to lend a hand in fighting what they believed was clearly an error. After compiling evidence for the case that supported a much lower value for the property, Attorney llamb@steidl-steinberg.com represented Pascoe’s interests at his formal review.
After reviewing the evidence presented by Attorney Lamb at the formal appeal, the Allegheny County Assessment Board of Viewers agreed with Attorney Lamb’s arguments, and lowered Pascoe’s assessed value to $28,000.
The decision results in considerable tax savings for Pascoe. Ironically, as a wounded veteran, Pascoe was eligible for a tax waiver, but he wasn’t looking for special treatment. All he wanted was to pay his fair share.
Thanks to the efforts of Steidl and Steinberg, that’s what he will do.