Any advice on protesting my yearly property appraisal?

Question

I've got to bargain my property appraisal down next week, and I was wondering what I can expect at the hearing? I'm in Texas (Harris county, specifically), but any experiences would be most appreciated!

WJC

Answer 1

They do not set tax rates and are tied of people that complain about that. They only set values-only talk to them about that.

Come in with good solid evidence. This might be recent sales in your neighborhood. If you bought your home within the last two years it might be the settlement statement from the purchase. If you are saying that the house is in bad shape or is smaller than what their records show then bring evidence about that.

One friend of mine was being taxed as if he had a pool. He didn't. He brought in photo of his back yard and invited them to come see for themselves.

Answer 2

Yes. Good advise is to insure to yourself that you actually have a solid case for asking for an appraisal reduction. Even if YOUR house is overvalued by, as an example, ten percent, that is NOT a case for a reduction if most other properties in Harris County are ALSO overvalued by about ten percent. Valuations themselves are not nearly as important as are the ratios of the valuation to other comparable properties in the taxing district.

Answer 3

You can get three comps for SALES of comparable properties in Harris County Texas and provide them to the party you are dealing with?

You can also search property values with the Harris Country Assessors Office. See pictures, values, lot sizes, etc...

___________________________________

You can also see average home prices in your county or area at these websites:

www.city-data.com

www.census.gov

www.homestore.com

www.50states.com

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Show other home values or sales and you should be able to win your hearing and amend your valuation in Harris County.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Have a good week ahead.

GOOD LUCK! :-)