And the middle man gets nailed again! Someone explain this: if the higher at risk areas are getting the most increases, then why is it the houses right on the coast are only getting a 17 percent increase, while the rest of new hanover is getting a 29.5 percent increase? Because the middle class are getting stiffed again. How many middle class americans own a million dollar home on the beach? Not very many. And don't give me the bull about why should we pay more just because we own a bigger, nicer, more expensive home. Everyone should get the same increase in new hanover county. Its a percentage, which means the higher the price, the more you pay. At least that is the way it should be. I'm not going to tell anyone how they should spend their money. Your money is your money. However, don't expect me to pay for your dumb decisions, ergo, buying a fancy home on the beach.