Diy – Protest Your Property Appraisal!

By Author: Cutmytaxes
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DIY – Protest Your Property Appraisal!
Fight the valuation that determines your property tax bill.
The season when the Texas property appraisals are out is said to be the magical season where you walk down to your mailbox with a mix of emotions, deep breathe and dare to look at your appraisal.

Property taxes are calculated by multiplying an estimate of the property’s value with the tax rate set up by the local tax authorities. If you feel your property tax rates are too high, don’t worry. Experts say you can either go offensive or defensive, but what is it?

Offensive and the defensive approach
In a defensive approach, you can ask for the evidence the county appraisal district is going to use to defend you. This will help you know which properties are compared with yours. You can analyze these properties and bring in reasoning to speak for you.

The offensive approach lets you argue for your property. You can argue that the condition of your property is not as how the appraisal district portrays it. Document the issues with pictures or get estimates from contractors that say your property ...
... needs to be repaired. You can also get comparables from a realtor that support a lower valuation for your property.

Points to remember
1. Complete the legal requirement

Flip your value notice, fill it out and mail it.

2. Get comparables

Ask your CAD for the comparables they are using against you.

3. Pictures speak more than words

Take pictures of the comparable properties to prove as evidence that they are not similar to yours.

4. Get aid from realtors

Ask realtors for comparable properties, go back to the last year as appraisals are based on them.

5. Present the inspection report

Presenting a recent inspection report can help you cite flaws that were noted.

What types of pictures are and are not helpful at the hearing?
Photographs of a property are a good form of evidence. Pictures help in explaining the problems on a property better. Make sure the photos are clear and are taken from different angles and distances. Photos help in comparing your property with the neighboring ones. Watch the video below to know more: