Hey, you bought yourself a house, congratulations! Well, the County decided that it is time to pay them their share of your income every year. They estimate the value of your property and send you a notice basing on the assessed value of the house. However, sometimes they can make it wrong. And you can do something about it.
Firstly, what no one ever tells you is that this assessment is not something like divine decree. It is a negotiation process where the County gives their estimation of the value of your property. But you also can give yours if it is better supported by evidence.
So, firstly, get this letter. Yes, I understand that any letters in your mailbox scare you. However, inside you will find the assessed value. Compare it to the price of your property. If the County assumes that your house is more expensive than you paid for it six months ago, fight for your rights.
Then, go to the website of the local Assessor’s Office. Every County has one. There, you will find the information about deadlines for filing the appeal. This deadline is non-negotiable and if you miss it, you will have to pay that increased amount next year as well. Put it on your calendar in red ink.
Next step is collecting evidence. Do not just write a letter saying that you think that the tax is too high. It will not help you. Look on Zillow or Redfin to find 3-5 similar houses that were sold during the last half-year. Print out these listings. They are called the comparable sales data and your ammunition.
Go outside and take a close look at your house. That leaky roof that you have been ignoring for a month now. That outdated kitchen from 1987. Those cracks in the foundation that you try not to notice. Take pictures of each defect. The Assessor was most likely driving by your property, thinking that everything is fine there.
Finally, file the appeal. Nowadays almost everywhere it can be done online. In some places, however, you have to use paper forms. Send them all those comparable sales. Attach pictures of all defects. Write a letter explaining the reason for your appeal. Try to make it professional but assertive. “The assessed value exceeds recent market activity” sounds better than “you guys are ripping me off”.
Someone will consider your case. Most likely, you will win and the Assessor will reduce the assessed value without any further negotiations. Otherwise, they will schedule a hearing for you. Do not panic about it. This is usually pretty informal process. You come there and sit at the table. One of the Board members looks at your documents and you explain to him or her why your number is correct. It takes 15 minutes.
And if you lose, you will just have to pay that increased amount. So, what do you lose? If you will save hundreds or even thousands of dollars every year.