Ye New Galactic Bar & Grill & Phong's Head Cantina - After Hours

[Atrocities]

Indeed a great question. Thanks for posting it.

My property value went down, thanks to a new Express way that just opened near me, but my House value sky rocketed.

I too must make a call.

And if they do keep the money as a fee for managing the account, then why do they not disclose this? Hell I would rather pay my own taxes then rely upon an increasing escrow account bill.

[Growltigga]

Originally posted by dogscoff:
Where's 'Tigga today? I thought his holiday wan't 'til next week..?

I am around just hungover and horrible nauseous...

Dogscoff - gyros is such an americanism, I though you were a Brit

by the way, the mint yoghurt stuff is called tzatziki, and is not to be confused with datziki (goat) or cadziki (iron prong)

what's is with the gear by the way, you look like a tart's boudoir? you should realise that Tigg-A PLC senior middle management show only be seen in snazzy blue or gray pinstripes AND NO CRUSHED VELVET YOU PONCE

[ August 16, 2002, 15:11: Message edited by: Growltigga ]

[Trajan]

Gentlemen,

The wife answered the question about the intrest on the escrow account.

From Mrs. Trajan

Sure - the bank keeps the interest. Taxes are paid through your mortgage in most places, which means the bank is taking on an added liability on your behalf. So, with your mortgage payment each month, the bank also collects a portion of your taxes which is then paid quarterly or half yearly depending on where you live. I don't know of any bank that will allow you to pay them one lump sum when the payment is due, because essentially they own the property and must pay the taxes whether you pay them or not. if you default on your mortgage, they can take your house, but even if they turn around a sell it, they can't make up for the back taxes you owe. If your bank is taking too much $$ each month and you wind up with a surplus once your taxes are paid, you are entitled to a quick refund (there is a set time frame for it) and the bank is required to reassess the payment if you request it.

Re: the interest on the money. I don't think the bank sees this as a big revenue source. They have to do a lot of work with each local tax authority to get the tax info in advance to make sure they are charging the right amount. I think the minuscule amount they can get for interest on your $500 or whatever it is doesn't really pay for the time they have to invest.

Cheers!
Trajan

[ August 16, 2002, 15:16: Message edited by: Trajan ]

[dogscoff]

Dogscoff - gyros is such an americanism, I though you were a Brit

Nothing American about that, unless the americans have taken the term from the greeks. I've seen it used in Greece, anyway. Obviously I can't type it in "real" greek because I don't have greek alphabet keyboard (and wouldn't know how to anyway=-)...

what's is with the gear by the way, you look like a tart's boudoir? you should realise that Tigg-A PLC senior middle management show only be seen in snazzy blue or gray pinstripes AND NO CRUSHED VELVET YOU PONCE

Hey, it's my lunch break, and this is Cantina fashion at the moment. Ask Tesco=-) Anyway, I get changed back into my "work" suit when I go back to the office, although I have to say I hadn't anticipated just how many changes of clothing I (and my personal assistants) would be making in the Narcotics and 'Play' Aids Division. For example I've got a meeting later with Shiela from the the Lingerie and Psychological Warfare Development Unit, and after that the ideas team is giving a presentation about edible body prosthetics or something. Apparently I'm going to need full surgery scrubs, a raincoat and a chef's hat.

It's not all pinstripes and PDAs in *my* division, I can tell you.

[Growltigga]

Nothing American about that, unless the americans have taken the term from the greeks.

It is not a Greek term, it is Turkish. What you are referring to as a "gyros" is what a Greek calls a "souvlakia" - so you may have seen it on holiday but only in a horrible touristy resort

Tha su hoso souvlaki me achinos vathia ston kolo su

and as for clothing, you can look like a refugee from Starsky & Hutch if you like, me? I will stick to handmade tailored pinstripe suits. makes the girls go gooey and be putty in my hands... and believe me, I like 'em gooey and puttylike

[Atrocities]

Re: the interest on the money. I don't think the bank sees this as a big revenue source. They have to do a lot of work with each local tax authority to get the tax info in advance to make sure they are charging the right amount. I think the minuscule amount they can get for interest on your $500 or whatever it is doesn't really pay for the time they have to invest.

But if you add up all the escrow accounts that a bank has..... now thats big money. Very big money.

[dogscoff]

only in a horrible touristy resort

A very nice touristy resort, actually: Crete, Last year. Crete is an amazing place. I've been to quite a few Greek (& Turkish) destinations and so far (for me) Crete has been the best by far. Fantastic scenery, food, drink & culture which are disctinctly different from the rest of the country. Thoroughly recommended to anyone who wants a nice relaxing week or two away.

[Growltigga]

actually Crete, Last year. Crete is an amazing place.

I have been to Crete and agree that it is a spiffing place.

My favourite Greek island is Patmos, in the Dodecanese and in between Kos and Samos. It is small and you cannot fly there direct so crowds of tourists, yobbos and sharons from Luton in boob-tubes are not what you get there. Very stylish, very civilised and the best smyrna meatballs this side of well, smyrna I suppose.

It is nice because it is on the marina circuit so yuo only tend to get the richer class of totty there..grrrrrrr

Deep profund sigh for Patmos.. I want to go back there but am going to Borneo instead... sigh

YOu havn't answered whether you are all Brit or a hand shank yank yet

[ August 16, 2002, 16:20: Message edited by: Growltigga ]

[dogscoff]

YOu havn't answered whether you are all Brit or a hand shank yank yet

I won't even dignify that question with a response.

EDIT: Oops... just did. What I should have said was "I won't even dignify that question with an answer." Or in fact, I could have just editted the the original response to say that, then deleted all this. In fact I still could.

*Dogscoff falls over in the middle of the cantina and promptly falls asleep, dreaming of feta cheese...

[ August 16, 2002, 16:24: Message edited by: dogscoff ]

[dogscoff]

Okay, here's a troublemaking link...
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/26612.html
I'm just gonna post this and run. I don't entirely agree with this guy, but there are some interesting points made.