How to Fight a Property Tax Assessment, if it’s Even Worth it in the First Place

In this day and age, the market is not strong. While there is hope that in the near future market rates will increase with a strong economy, homes are still losing their value quite rapidly. It’s an unfortunate situation, to be sure, but there is a silver lining. A drop in home values means your property assessment should also be lowered, lessening the property taxes you would owe in a given year.

What if you think your home has been assessed too high even still? Is fighting your property assessment even worth the trouble? It very well might be.

First, it is useful to understand how the county assesses the value of your home. Comparables and replacement or rebuilding value are two of the most popular ways to do this. Homes that are similar to your own and have recently been sold are what comparables are, and they’re also known as “comps.” Assessors are able to value your home according to how much each of these other homes sold for. On the other hand, replacement or rebuilding value relates to how, based on the cost they think it would take to replace your home, a bank appraises your home’s actual value.

Your first step if you believe your home was assessed at too high a value is to gather information o build yourself a strong case for a lower property assessment. You’re part of the way there already after you meet with an assessor to let him or her know you believe your property was valued too high. Filing an appeal is what you should do next. A time limit for filing an appeal should be noted, because most locations have something akin to this. The time period varies, with 60 days being the average, so don’t miss out on your opportunity by not checking what the actual time limit is in your location. The process of the appeal requires you to meet in front of an appeal board and present for eight to ten minutes. Pictures and floor plans of comparables, as well as any other evidence you found to support your case should be brought to the appeal.

Other options do exist, but if you do your research and file an appeal, that tends to be the easiest way to fight your property tax assessment. You should dress to impress, act professionally and ensure your presentation is clear and concise. Your chances are good if you make sure to do some research. If you have, all the effort and time you’ve put in it fighting your assessment should pay off by a reduction in your annual property taxes.

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