Winning a property tax appeal assessment is not difficult or intimidating. Most disputes are not resolved in court, but rather in informal hearings with the counsel.
FIND REAL MISTAKES
You are more likely to win your property tax appeal if you can find a factual error in your assessment. Make an appointment with the assessor and bring proof… photos, etc. that support their claims.
Mistakes in real estate appraisals happen all the time. A tax appeals specialist says he finds errors in 60% of the cases he investigates. Errors such as the age of the house, having asbestos siding or incorrect measurements.
LEARN HOW YOUR HOME HAS BEEN INSPECTED
Some systems counties use are inherently flawed. The trend is one. It is based on the current average sales prices and the current average price. Many houses will be overvalued and undervalued. Getting information on homes that recently sold for less than their appraised value will always help your case and give you good reasons for a reduction.
In most counties, all homes are supposed to be inspected the same day, in the same way, by well-trained assessors. Many times that is not how it usually happens in the real world. Employees often don’t bother to inspect anything except new construction or additions. Even when properties are inspected, the examination may be nothing more than a drive. There just aren’t enough trained testers to go around, and often dogs in your yard or your neighbor’s yard keep them out.
CHECK THE VALUE OF YOUR HOUSE AND THAT OF YOUR NEIGHBOR
Check to make sure your home’s value is in line with the appraised value of other homes in your neighborhood. You could have a real estate agent find three comparable houses. Most good agents don’t mind helping you because you could use them down the road. Many times you can also request the information yourself at the evaluation office. Remember that you want to be able to show that your home is in worse than comparable condition. Cracked foundations or flood damage. Try to compare your house with the best in your neighborhood.
The easy way for most homeowners is to use the market approach in their curb appeal. But it doesn’t hurt to ask the appraiser to walk you through the steps local officials used to calculate value. You may find that errors were made in the calculations or in the assumptions behind them.
START TAKING ACTION
1. Get a copy of your most recent home appraisal. If you can’t find it, call your city assessor’s office. Or visit the office to view official records.
2. Take photos of your house and the houses you want to compare your house with. Use a high-quality camera. If you don’t have one, ask a friend or family member for one, or hire a professional photographer.
3. View the advisor’s logs and look for errors in your favor. This is important because there is a possibility that mistakes will favor the government. And that would conclude his investigations.
4. Put in writing the reduction you believe you are entitled to and provide proof along with the reasons for the reduction. This includes photos, recent sales, and neighbor reviews.
5. Look for tax breaks for the disabled, seniors or veterans, and low-income homeowners. There are many new government plans out there. Do some research to see if your home falls into any of these categories.
6. Look for rebates for energy efficient homes or, if your home is old enough, you might qualify for a historic home tax rebate.
7. Find out all the deadlines and forms and use them. Call the counseling office or look up the information on their website.
8. Get help from real estate agents or property tax reduction experts. You may need to call a few agents, but the phone calls will be worth it.
9. Remember that nobody cares about you and your money as much as you do. So stay focused on your goal and persist relentlessly.
WORTH THE EFFORT
Remember that most disputes are resolved at informal hearings. So don’t be afraid to pursue a property tax appeal. For a little work and a small investment of time. You could save hundreds even thousands of dollars each year.
