Your property appraisal may be wrong - What Harris County wants

West-Tex :
So after reading that what exactly do they want me to check?

ugh the dreaded property tax and their imaginary numbers. You should be taxed on the amount you purchased your home for.EDIT TO ADD if your home is paid off and you are a senior 0 property tax.

Fiona :
Getting old doesn't suck. Our taxes are deferred until after we die. Whomever gets the house gets to pay the deferred taxes.

Fiona : nope, it just locks and doesn't go up.

Houses aren't selling great right now. Everyone should protest.

lynnsgirl : damages to your home as outlined in the article.

West-Tex :
For the other ADHD-ers who can't find the article amongst the ads and flashing bits: HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - Harris County homeowners who plan to protest their property appraisals are running out of time, with the general deadline set for Thursday, according to the Harris County Appraisal District. The process can be confusing for first-timers, but officials emphasize that homeowners often have insights about their property that county appraisers may not see - insights that could make a difference in the valuation. "They might have foundation issues that we're not aware of," said Roland Altinger, Harris County's Chief Appraiser. "So anything that diminishes the value of that property they can provide to us and, through that evidence upload or if they're hearing where we'll review that. Pictures are great and estimates are even better - from a contractor." Altinger encourages residents to document any damage, necessary repairs, or issues that could affect the home's value and include that information when filing a protest. While the general protest deadline is imminent, some homeowners may have a bit more time. Property owners have 30 days from the date their appraisal notice was sent, so officials recommend double-checking that notice to confirm their specific deadline. Protests can be filed by mail or in person, but officials say the fastest and easiest method is online through the county's iFile system. The iFile number is printed in bold on the appraisal notice sent to homeowners.

Abberatia :
My house has been paid for long ago and I didn't know this plus the price when bought. I'll be sending DH there.

redneckroy : Yes I was saying it should be not that it is.

NeverPayRetail :
So if you leave your home to your children they either have to pay the taxes to keep the home or sell it less the taxes owed?

The headline is "shady".....This isn't something "new"....Your home is appraised at "market value" based on sales data of similar sized homes in the area....Most folks that put their home up for sale spend a little money to "doll it up" to increase value....But your home may have defects and/or age related issues that would need to be fixed to bring it to a "market value".....Therefore your home's actual value is below what they appraised it at using sales data of others....So, bottom line is, everyone needs to protest thier tax appraisal unless your home is in an immaculate "ready to sell" state and you'd sell it for at least the tax appraised value....

I recently signed up with www.ownwell.com/My neighbor owns several homes and they have been very successful in lowering his taxes. I had nothing to loose.The reviews are good and complaints with BBB look good so why not. I'm letting them do the leg work.

lynnsgirl : Good to know.

Fiona : only if you have children

It should be noted that even if your "appraisal" gets lowered, that doesn't mean your taxes will be lower since the tax rates may increase....But it does mean you will still save on what you "would have" paid when the tax rates do increase.....