Home address: 1215 Lashbrook Dr
2021 Tax Assessment: $584,321
Recent Sales Price: $320,000 – Over-taxed by 83%
Harris County property investors far too often pay excess property taxes. Either comparable sales or condition issues at your home are useful for a market value appeal of property taxes. An unequal appraisal appeal is easy to prepare. Just find neighborhood homes with a lower level of assessment (per square foot). Summarize the data in a table. Woody Allen said “80% of success is showing up”. The same is true of property taxes. If you file an appeal and attend the hearing, your chance of reducing your property taxes is excellent.
Property owners are sometimes reluctant to protest their property taxes because the believe the appeal process is difficult. It is not difficult and 60 to 80% of owners who appeal are successful. It is difficult for appraisal districts to accurately value houses due to limited staff. Appraisal districts aggressively settle appeals since they have only 65 days to settle most of the appeals. Property owners have a duty and responsibility to appraisal property taxes annually. It is not prudent or reasonable to rely on the appraisal district’s estimate.
