CHALLENGING AN EXCESSIVE PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT
Increasing property value is a two edged sword… Most people enjoy knowing their property value is appreciating.   On the other hand, they don’t particularly care for the resulting property tax increases.  

This is particularly true if an appraisal district computer system contains erroneous information about your real estate that may result in an excessive assessment and inappropriate property taxes.   Examples of this would be a living area or site area entry in the computer that is larger than actual size.   An appraisal would be needed to correct this situation.  

Handling unfair property tax assessments can be better described as an "art" instead of a science.   The good news is that a “property specific” appraisal is better evidence of fair market value for your property than a generalized computer estimate based on mass appraising techniques.  

Our integrity is unsurpassed among government tax authorities; they know we won’t waste their time.   Because property tax officials are increasingly scrutinized by outside agencies, they expect well-documented, hard evidence to substantiate any value changes.  

Property taxes are often the largest single expense item, exclusive of debt service, for most property owners.  
This fact is compounded by complicated bureaucratic procedures and heavy case loads which increase the likelihood of an inaccurate assessment.   It makes good business sense to constantly monitor and control property taxes on an annual and ongoing basis.  

Remember, a professional real estate appraisal is an independent, objective opinion of market value based on actual physical conditions at the property.  
An appraiser can only be an advocate for this unbiased opinion of value and cannot be the homeowner’s hired advocate.   Fortunately, there are many property tax consulting services in our market area that can be your advocate.   They usually require a real estate appraisal as an essential tool in establishing the actual property value before they aggressively negotiate on your behalf.   They must be armed with the facts!

There is no reason any property owner should pay more than their fair share of property taxes and professional appraisers at the various county appraisal districts would be the first to agree with this.   However, since tax appraisers rarely see the interior of homes and often over-estimate the living area of two story homes with open areas on the second level, an appraisal can help solve problems.  

Property taxes for your home should be similar to what other property owners in your area are paying for similar homes.  
Site size, home living area, condition and location are important factors.   If your home has physical problems, its condition may be far below average and the tax office may not know about the situation.   Any major problem could seriously affect the value and marketability of your home.   Since property taxes must be based on no more than 100% of fair market value, an appraisal could be very helpful in showing tax authorities that your home needs special attention.  

Many property owners pay thousands of dollars more than necessary every year.  

A modest investment in an appraisal could save thousands in the years to come.  
If you have been over-taxed unjustly for years, an appraisal could help you recover some of your past over-payments.