RALEIGH - The North Carolina Association of Realtors today released a statewide poll that shows 81 percent of residents most likely to vote are opposed to a new real estate transfer tax. "There is a major concern from voters about a constant drumbeat for new taxes," said Dr. Jim Kitchens, president of The Kitchens Group, a Democratic polling company based in Orlando.
"Home ownership is a value issue for voters. The opposition to the home tax is based on a value that home ownership is good for the community. In response to one of the questions, nearly two-thirds of the voters feel that taxing a person who is making a profit from selling his or her home is simply the government punishing success. Additionally, voters feel any taxes or fees that make housing less affordable is a bad idea," Kitchens added.
The survey was released by the NC Association of Realtors as a part of its statewide STOP THE NC HOME TAX campaign.
"A large majority of North Carolina's voters believe that taxing the equity in their homes is a bad idea," said Tim Kent, executive vice president of the NC Association of Realtors. "Voters get it. They understand that their home is their single largest investment. Adding a new tax to your home will tax your nest egg and your success."
In a separate survey question, 79 percent of respondents in North Carolina who are most likely to vote agree that adding new taxes on new and existing homes will hurt working families by making homes less affordable.
"Some people argue that adding a new tax to people's homes is taxing growth.
In fact, it would be a tax on people who already live here and pay property taxes - residents who in most cases are not responsible for growth. Simply, it is a tax on homeownership," Kent stated.
"These are very high numbers in context to a support / oppose ratio," said Dr. Kitchens. "This is an emotional issue for voters. It's something they are going to pay close attention to because it is dealing with their values."