Question about protesting a home appraisal increase...

My home was recently appraised for the purpose of property taxes, and I want to protest it. The first step is providing a written reason for the protest.

My feeling is that most of the homes on this street have had considerable renovations done to them over the past several years, and mine has not. So, I think that because the homes around me have higher values now, they increased my value.

Do you think that is likely what happened? If so, do you think this would be considered a valid reason to protest? Any suggestions on what to write on the form?

This is important to me, because I am considering having some renovations done, and I don't want the appraised value raised BEFOREHAND and then have it raised again, resulting in higher taxes.

Thanks for any advice!

to no avail. It may be a waste of time...but try anyway. Make sure you have pplenty of documentation. Get building permits from the surrounding homes if you can...get an apprasial from a Real estate agent do you homework on this and you may win.

I just sent in an official appraisal along with my protest form. The tax office has us at $30K higher than the appraised value! Maybe you can get your house appraised in time?

Writer.

I used the MLS, which is a listing of selling price for homes by neighborhood, and found that my appraisal was way out of line with home sales in the area.

The renovation thing might be a little iffy - depending on the type of renovation done, it might not add all that much value to the home. There is a listing some where, on one of the internets, that has the amount of value added to the home listed by type of renovation. That might help.

Good luck!

Is this an issue of county property taxes? Most county boards of commissioners employ an official assessor, who should be able to tell you the "official" process for protesting an increase in home valuation. The county clerk also should be able to provide this information in the absence of a full-time county assessor. An independent appraisal always is a good idea. Make sure that you written protest is sent certified, and if you're not afraid of public speaking, ask to be placed on the agenda to speak at a county commissioners' meeting, so that you're part of the public record of valuation protests. I'm assuming you're not the only person on your street who is alarmed by increased property valuation; would it be possible for your neighbors and you to organize your protests so that you all can address the county board of commissioners with common concerns? (Please know that I'm not an attorney or Realtor, but a former journalist who watched many, many people get screwed on property taxes simply because they didn't protest their property assessments.)

The MLS is a great idea. I hadn't thought of that. I have no idea how much it costs to get someone to do an appraisal for you. I'll have to research that.

I don't know if anyone else would be upset by the increase, because most of the houses are recently improved and truly HAVE increased in value. I'm basically the ugliest house on the block!LOL! But I am working on fixing it up, now that I decided not to move.

It's a very low-end neighborhood. They used to be ratty rent houses for the most part, but now folks are buying the fixer-uppers so the block has dramatically improved.

My house value went up about 12%. I honestly don't know how much difference that would make in my taxes (I need to get out the calculator and tax info), but since I plan to make improvements, I thought I should check into it beforehand.

No fear of public speaking, if necessary. Right now, I just need to send in the paperwork with my reason for protest.

Thanks a bunch!:-)

Even if you file your protest, speak at a public meeting and see little or no difference in your tax bill, it's empowering for others to know that there's a starting place!

Go get 'em, Lisa!

I checked your profile (sorry to be so nosy!) and I see you aren't in Illinois (where I am an assessor.) IF you had been in Illinois, I'd have been able to help you with the appeal process, however, Texas is a different beast completely.

For ANYBODY with questions about property taxes, my first advice is aways: Call your local assessor. If you have evidence that your home is over-assessed, they can sometimes save you a lot of stress by fixing the problem for you when they do their work.

You mention that several homes in your area have been newly renovated. IF you are in a neighborhood that is undergoing a renaissance, it is possible that your assessor re-valued the entire neighborhood as if it had been re-done, figuring you'd let him/her know if it was an incorrect assumption. To be honest, I know more than one assessor that operates that way--and it would not surprise me to hear it went that way in your area too.

Something I do want to mention to you, however, is that property values have really gone UP in the last five years. What is an otherwise ordinary house might now be worth as much as 40% more than it used to be five years ago. You may be shocked to find out how much your house is worth!

I guess the best rule of thumb I can offer you is the big question I ask people: "If you put your house on the market today could you get out of it what the tax man says it is worth?" If they seriously feel they couldn't sell it for what I assessed it at, I'll help them fill out the appeal papers. (I am assuming Texas taxes based on market value in some way when I say this.)

Best of luck!



Laura

No, I don't think I can sell it for what it is appraised at right now, because it is in serious need of repairs But if I do the renovations I want to do, then, I think it will actually be worth that much, if not more.

if the value HAS gone up that much, I'm thrilled. When it's time to sell, I'll get more for it. I just don't want it valued at more than it really deserves for tax purposes.

Thanks for the tips! I appreciate it!