Home address: 171 Trailing Oaks Dr

2021 Taxable Value: $715,412

Recent Sales Price: $572,500 – Overtaxed by 25%

While most Texas homeowners pay extra property taxes, there are several simple steps you can take to limit your tax bill. 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. 

Some property owners do not appeal due to a concern the appraisal district will want to inspect their house.  However, the appraisal district is MUCH too busy during the appeal season to even think about asking to inspect a property.  Assessors do not visit houses because of appeals. Incorrect property data such as grade, effective year built, condition, etc lead to substantial errors in appraisal district values for houses. One reason appraisal districts are motivated to settle protests is to maintain goodwill with the community. 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.