Home address: 610 E Janisch Rd
2021 Taxable Value: $171,857
Recent Sales Price: $89,000 – Over-taxed by 93%
Harris County property investors far too often pay excess property taxes. A market value appeal is based on the assessor’s value exceeding the market value of your home. Unequal appraisal appeals are valid when the assessment is below market value. 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.
Owners are sometimes reluctant to protest property taxes due to a concern their value might be raised. This can’t and does not happen. Since 2019, neither the appraisal district or the appraisal review board can increase a property tax assessment during a protest. One reason it is difficult for appraisal districts to correctly value homes is they are not homogenous. Some have been remodeled and some haven’t. Appraisal districts usually settle appeals at the informal hearing since it costs less and takes fewer resources. Appraisal property taxes, yard work and HVAC check-ups are just a few of the responsibilities for homeowners.
