Dissatisfied With Your Property Tax Assessment? Here's How to Fight it.
You probably realize the market is not currently strong. While you can hope that the economy will get stronger soon, thus increasing home values, right now, values on homes are still decreasing pretty quickly. Despite the unfortunate situation, there is some good news. Due to a drop in home values, you might have less property taxes to pay on an annual basis if you receive a lower property assessment.
What should you do if you think you received too high of an assessment? Would it benefit you to fight it at all? There is a possibility it would be.
Understanding how the county values your home is the first important thing to do. You can choose to do this with comparables and replacement or rebuilding value. You may have heard them referred to before as "comps," and these are just a comparison between what other similar homes in your neighborhood sold for to figure out what yours might be worth. Assessors will note how much similar home sellers received during the sale in order to value your own home. Based on how much it is presumed to cost to replace your home, a bank can appraise the value of your home based on replacement or rebuilding value.
You must first build yourself a case for a lower property assessment if you believe your home was valued too high. If you meet with an assessor and inform him or her of your believe that you were assessed too high, you're part of the way there already. Your next step is to file an appeal. You should note any time limit for filing an appeal, since most locations have them. Be sure to check what the actual time limit is where you live so you don't miss your opportunity, but 60 days tends to be about average. You will go through an appeal board and given an eight to ten minute presentation during the appeal. Bring as much evidence as you can, including pictures with comps, and all the data you have that supports your case, like floor plans for the comps you've researched.
Doing your research and filing an appeal is the most direct and uncomplicated way to fight your property assessment, despite there being other options. Dress and act professionally, as well as lay out the facts that support your side clearly and concisely during your presentation. If you've done your homework, you have a good shot. It's definitely worth your time and effort in that case to fight your assessment and consequently reduce your annual property taxes.
What should you do if you think you received too high of an assessment? Would it benefit you to fight it at all? There is a possibility it would be.
Understanding how the county values your home is the first important thing to do. You can choose to do this with comparables and replacement or rebuilding value. You may have heard them referred to before as "comps," and these are just a comparison between what other similar homes in your neighborhood sold for to figure out what yours might be worth. Assessors will note how much similar home sellers received during the sale in order to value your own home. Based on how much it is presumed to cost to replace your home, a bank can appraise the value of your home based on replacement or rebuilding value.
You must first build yourself a case for a lower property assessment if you believe your home was valued too high. If you meet with an assessor and inform him or her of your believe that you were assessed too high, you're part of the way there already. Your next step is to file an appeal. You should note any time limit for filing an appeal, since most locations have them. Be sure to check what the actual time limit is where you live so you don't miss your opportunity, but 60 days tends to be about average. You will go through an appeal board and given an eight to ten minute presentation during the appeal. Bring as much evidence as you can, including pictures with comps, and all the data you have that supports your case, like floor plans for the comps you've researched.
Doing your research and filing an appeal is the most direct and uncomplicated way to fight your property assessment, despite there being other options. Dress and act professionally, as well as lay out the facts that support your side clearly and concisely during your presentation. If you've done your homework, you have a good shot. It's definitely worth your time and effort in that case to fight your assessment and consequently reduce your annual property taxes.
About the Author:
Looking for your dream home in Colorado, but can't decide if you want to buy real estate in Westminster New York or purchase Boulder real estate? You may consider letting a real estate agent help you in your property search.